THE ENTERED APPRENTICE Cliff Notes
Genesis 1- 3
Psalms 133
Entered Apprentice Obligation
The working Tools of an Entered Apprentice
The Book of Ruth
Prince Hall
Where our Ritual Came From
William Preston
The Lambskin or White leather APRON
It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this time, or at any future period, by kings, princes, potentates, or any other person, except he be a Mason.
Cautious
You were also given a new name which Cautious.
The Holy Saints John
Freemasonry, long ago, chose as its patron saints, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
The Candidate Must First Be Prepared in His Heart
Each candidate who comes seeking light, must be prepared in his heart.
Ask and You Shall Receive
"Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; Knock and it shall be opened unto you." Matt. 7:7
Lodges situated East and West
All lodges are, or ought to be, situated due east and west, because King Solomon's Temple was so situated. To perpetuate the remembrance of that remarkable east wind which wrought their mighty deliverance, and likewise the better to receive the rays of the rising sun. As this tabernacle was a model for King Solomon's Temple, so ought all lodges to be situated due east and west.
The Altar
The Three Great Lights of Masonry are theHoly Bible, square, and compass,
The Great Lights of Freemasonry
The three Lesser Lights of Masonry are the Sun, the Moon, and the Master of the Lodge. As the Sun rules the day and the Moon governs the night, so shall the Worshipful Master, rule and govern his lodge with equal regularity.
The Rite of Discalceation
Unshod, that is, taking off ones shoes, symbolizes humility and that we are about to walk on clean or holy ground.
The Rite of Circumambulation
Circumambulation means to walk around some central point or object. In Masonry the act is patterned after the movement of the sun as it is seen from the earth in the northern hemisphere, moving from East to West by the way of the South.
The Rite of Salutation
Is symbolic of his respect for and obedience to all just and duly constituted authorities.
The Rite of Investiture
When you were presented with a white leather apron.
The Rite of Destitution
The Rite of Destitution symbolizes compassion.
The Northeast Corner
You are the cornerstone of the Craft.
The Worshipful Master
Worshipful is from the Old English and means "worthy, honored."
The Charter or Warrant
The Charter gives credibility to the Lodge and establishes its legality.
High Hill or Low Vales
The high hill or low vales was easier to guard against cowans and eavesdroppers.
THE SUPPORTS OF A LODGE
Three great pillars, called WISDOM to Contrive (WM), STRENGTH to Support (SW) and BEAUTY to Adorn (JW).
COVERING OF A LODGE
It is no less than the clouded canopy or starry-decked heaven
Jacob's Ladder
The ladder is a symbol of faith, hope and charity. But Charity extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity.
FURNITURE OF A LODGE
The furniture of a Lodge consists of the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass.
Holy Bible is dedicated to God - Square is dedicated to the Master - Compass is dedicated to the Craft
Jewels of the Lodge
The immovable jewels are the Square, the Level and the Plumb.
The movable jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle Board.
The Ornaments of the Lodge
The Ornaments of the Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel and the Blazing Star.
The Four Perfect Points of Entrance and CARDINAL VIRTUES
Guttural, Pectoral, Manual and Pedal, which allude to the four Cardinal virtues Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.
The Point with a Circle
Upon the top of the circle rests the Book of Holy Scriptures. The point represents an individual Brother, the circle, the boundary line of his duty. In going around this circle, we necessarily touch on the two parallel lines, as well as on the Book of Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself circumscribed within their precepts, it is impossible that he should materially err. The parallel lines represent; the two Saints John, the winter and summer solstices, as well as Wisdom and Strength.
Chalk, Charcoal and Clay
Entered Apprentices should serve their masters with freedom, fervency and zeal, which are represented by Chalk, Charcoal, and Clay.
RIGHT HAND
We make use of as a token of our sincerity and a pledge of our fidelity in the business upon which we are engaged; testifying thereby, in the strongest manner possible, as to the sincerity of our intentions.
LAMB
The Lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence.
The Three Principal Tenets of Our Profession
are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth
How to Act in Lodge
At the end of the prayer, each member responds with the words "So Mote It Be", which means "So May It Be".
THE OFFICERS OF THE LODGE
The Worshipful Master (Sits in the EAST)
The Treasurer (Sits to the RIGHT of the Worshipful Master in the EAST)
The Secretary (Sits to the LEFT of the Worshipful Master in the EAST)
The Chaplain (Sits to the LEFT/FRONT of the Worshipful Master in the EAST)
The Senior Deacon (Sits to the RIGHT/FRONT of the Worshipful Master in the EAST)
Past Masters (Sit BEHIND the Worshipful Master in the EAST)
The Senior Warden (Sits in the WEST)
The Marshal (Sits to the LEFT of the Senior Warden in the WEST)
The Junior Deacon (Sits to the RIGHT of the Senior Warden in the WEST)
The Junior Warden (Sits in the SOUTH)
The Senior Steward (Sits to the RIGHT of the Junior Warden in the SOUTH)
The Junior Steward (Sits to the LEFT of the Junior Warden in the SOUTH)
The Tyler (Stands on the outside of the door entering the lodge)