THE CANDIDATE’S TWO GREAT DANGERS
W Bro Petros N. Zenieris
PM of The Lodge of St George No 1152 EC
Brethren,
As a candidate gets ready to step into the lodge, he is bound to face two great dangers, but due to his hamble and sincere behaviour, he avoids them.
Although these two dangers only applied momentarily, being ceremonial in nature, they remain applicable throughout our existence due to a certain warning of avoiding rushness in our lives.
As a candidate, you are standing outside the door of the lodge facing two guards – one outside (the Tyler) and one inside (the Inner Guard), who communicate with you certain words, which you ought to remember being your password to entry.
Your introduction as “a poor candidate in the state of darkness” signifies your humbleness as well as your high moral tenets and qualities over other material matters.
You were asked to step in with your left foot and straight away you find yourself in danger by the inside guard – Inner Guard, being unable to neither hear any warning nor to see the threat which was positioned in front of you.
The touch of some metallic instrument (a dagger) on your breast temporarily seized you and for a moment restricted your desire to proceed forward.
Long time ago, our operative masons used to employ a pointed trowel instead of a dagger, hence the collar jewel around the neck of the youngest entered apprentice used to be the trowel for him who was acting as the Inner Guard.
Your exposed chest served two distinct tests during your ceremony of initiation:
Being received with the edge of a dagger,
Having placed on it one of the compasses’ points during your Solemn Obligation.
Likewise, the Cable Tow with the running noose around our neck has served two distinct purposes:
Not only prevented you from hurrying forward indiscriminately as you cannot act and behave impulsively out of sheer passion, but
Also reminded you of your direct and intimate relation to your fragile nature and mortality.
Therefore, through the comprehension and the essence of these two great dangers you will be reminded of the appropriate control of your thoughts and actions which will guide you through the study of the Masonic arts and sciences.
Do remember this though:
In all your masonic examinations and proofs, you ought to participate and give, you will never be alone.
You are in the capable hands of the two Deacons (your Brothers) who are always ready and willing to provide required support and boost your confidence and security.
