Craft Freemasonry First Degree Ritual

• The Masonic High Council of the USA revised this First Degree Ritual, following the traditions of Craft Freemasonry
• Regular Grand Lodge of England gave authority for this revision
• The Temple is oblong, like an 'elongated square,' oriented East to West
• A sky-blue hemispheric vault with stars represents the ceiling
• The floor is paved with alternating black and white square stones or a carpet of black and white squares
• The mural frieze displays a rope with mysterious knots and ornamental tassels
• Two Corinthian columns flank the entrance, each supporting 3 open pomegranates
• The letter J is on the left column shaft, and B is on the right.
• The East contains the Chair/Throne of the W.M
• On the W.M.'s table are the Warrant, a naked sword, a gavel, a trowel, and a candelabra with three candles
• Bro. M.C. lights the middle candle before the Brethren enter
• The J.W.'s seat and triangular table are in front of column J, and S.W.'s are in front of column B.
• Rows of chairs, or Columns, are on the North and South sides of the Temple, from East to West
• E.A.s sit on the North Column's back row, and F.C.s sit on the South Column's back row.
• M.M.s sit in the front rows of both Columns, symbolically protecting the EA and the FC
• The W.M.'s table holds the three Great Lights, the trowel, the V.S.L., and the S & C, with a kneeling stool or royal blue pillow and a square
• Above the Throne is a luminous Delta with an eye in the middle
• An image of the Sun is painted the South side of the W.M.'s Throne, and waxing crescent Moon on the North side
• A Tracing Board in the floor's middle displays ceremonies' designs, where the Master of Ceremonies draws and erases
• Three tall candlesticks with one candle each surround the trestle board and square pavement
• The first candlestick in the South East corner is the Column of Wisdom, the second in the South West is the Column of Strength, and the third in the North West is the Column of Beauty
• The Perfect Ashlar is behind the Senior Warden in the South West, and the Rough Ashlar is behind the Junior Warden in the North West
• The Secretary is to the right of the W.M. in the Eastern North, the Almoner sits in the front North row, and the Orator is to the left of the W.M. in the Eastern South
• The Treasurer sits in the front South row
• The M.C. is to the right of the Junior Warden, and the Inner Guard is the last seat on the front row in the South, in front of the Senior Warden
• Small triangle tables with one candlestick are before the Orator and Secretary
• Emphasis is placed on having few Brethren seated in the Orient and keeping the Lodge on one level

Admission of Candidates

• The proposer and seconder vouch for the candidate in open Lodge
• A vote by show of hands determines if the candidate is interviewed
• With unanimous consent, the W.M. appoints two members to assess the candidate
• After separate reports are read, a vote decides if the candidate is heard under hoodwink
• If approved, the candidate attends the next meeting, is hoodwinked, and seated between the columns
• The W.M. and other Brothers question the candidate
• After the interview, the M.C. escorts the candidate out and thanks them
• A vote on the application is taken, arrangements are made for initiation if favorable.

Passing and Raising

• A summons item, the application needs to be brought up in the summons prior to the meeting
• At the meeting, the Brother presents a short paper from 5-10 minutes on the last degree
• The Master may question the candidate or people of equal status
• The candidate leaves as a vote happens
• Arrangements are made for the brother to be passed if the votes are in support

Admission of a Joining Member

• The Confederation's regulations for the Masonic High Council of the United States call for joining member applications to be treated the same for all applications for membership
• Applicants need to give a Grand Lodge Certificate and sign a declaration to abide by the bylaws of and add a Chain of Union link
• Applicants pledge adhesion to the Obligations of the Order, the Constitutions, General Regulations of the Regular Grand Lodge of Maryland, and the edicts of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason

Swords

• Swords should be used unless not stated in the ritual.
• The M.C. and I.G. present arms with the sword when the Brethren stand to order, carry them when moving, and rest them against their right shoulder when seated
• Other Brethren lay swords on the floor to the right of their chairs when not in use

Standing to Order

• The W.M. and Wardens hold Gavels to their left breasts
• Experts hold their Staffs with the base on the floor or a baton to their left breasts The MC and I.G. ‘present arms’ with swords pointed upwards, forearms horizontal
• All other Brethren give the Degree sign, without stepping

Sign, Battery and Tripleacclamation

• Sacred Words: Jakim, Jakin, Jachim, or Jachin
• Pass Word: Tubal Cain
• Battery: 00-0
• Age: 3
• The procedure for the salute:
• Follow the Sign, Battery and Trice Acclamation on the order of the W.M.
• The W.M. is in charge of their timing

Reception Grand Master

• To receive the Grand Master Mason: Grand Master enters the lodge last
• The M.C. announces the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Past Most Worshipful
• The presiding Worshipful Master announces the honor of their visit and office duties
• Worshipful Master says they have reached the time to Stand to Order!

Procession of the Grand Master (upon entrance to the Lodge)

• The Master makes ready the Large Lights one-branch Candlestick from the desk to light the candles
• Lights the candles starting from the corner of the South East to the South West, from the light to the South North light, lighting the desks of the Secretary and the Treasurer, so the one-branch Candlestick goes back to being put in the correct place

When the Grand Master is ready to enter/After all is ready to enter

• The Worshipful Grand Master informs the Brethren that he is ready/It is time to receive the Grand Master.

When the Grand Master enters

• First, the Master of Ceremonies stands with his sword
• Second, the arch of honor is made when all the brethren use all swords in their right sides while still standing in their places toward the East at a 45-degree angle. The officers also have spears to be used here to be held still as the other masters begin the procession towards the Master’s desk.
• Third, when the Procession meets the desk, the leaders step inside and let the Grand Master walk by.
• Fourth, the grand master then is welcomed by the Master of the Lodge giving him the gavel for him to keep.

Reception of Distinguished Visitors

• After said distinguished guests have been announced and accepted, repeat the ritual battery procedure. During this slow moment, the battery is continued until the visitors can get inside the room and get seated.
• The Master of Ceremonies will form a proper procession leading the distinguished visitor into their seat.

Opening in the First Degree

• The brethren will meet at the door of the temple.
• The master of ceremonies then calls everyone inside by importance: the EAs, the FCs, and finally the officers along with who is in charge of it all, the master

Opening Steps

• Everyone will take their seats once the Master does.
• (All Remain seated)
• First, the Worshipful Master asks the Senior Warden if he is a Freemason,
• Second, the senior Warden then replies, "My Brethren consider me as such."
• Third, the Master then speaks," What is the care of the EA masters here?"
• Finally, the Senior Warden ends the statement," To see that the Lodge is Properly Tiled."

Tiling the Entrance

• To tile the entrance the I.G. takes his sword and goes to the doors and asks the Tyler. (The knocking happens just twice, from the outside as well.)
• I.G. gives word," Bro. S.W the Lodge is Properly Tiled."
• Senior Warden says",W.M., the Lodge is Properly Tiled."
• (Everyone Rises)
• After the Master can ask for the Junior Warden what the goal of this group is. The masters state," To look across all brothers here that all around are Freemasons."
• Master says,"Brothers S.W and J.W, take seat

The Warden Arises:

• "Brethren, be upstanding..." (All rise and turn East)
• Junior Warden turns, "Bro. S.W., all those in the North Column are Freemasons."
• Senior Warden makes word with his WM that there are Freemasons at both sides of the columns. The WM and everyone there state what is going on.
• Brethren: " Together on the Sign, Be seated."
• (Everyone sits again)
• The junior Warden is in charge of the North West.
• Duties: To watch for the sun to make sure the brethren keep to their work when needed.
• The Senior Warden is in charge of the South West
• Duties: to keep watch as the sun sets to see rest come after the job has been finished.
• Master is in charge of the East
• Duties: The Master makes sure to raise the sun every morning to kick off the projects for the day
• Bro. S.W then asks," What is your age in the First Degree of Freemasons?"
• Answers with "3 years." At the time the degrees are at work.

Mid-Day

• With the sun passing over them, it is noon.
• The Master declares," What are you seeking here, J.W?" The light. So, the Master says," Let there be light."
• The M.C goes to light the candles after that is declared
• Masters must then have good, strength, and ornament over the work they will soon provide, by wisdom, power, and beauty as told.
• To make sure that every lodge has met all their expectations and the lodges can all provide the best lodges possible, the declaration must be approved by the Mason organization, and then will all work get to a better state.

Visiting

• The Master decides to ask if there are complaints by members.
• If not asked they must sit. If asked they need to have been given the opportunity.

Business

• W. Master ask the almoner for the bag needed. Needs to be checked up by the Master checking everything. All metals should be declared too.

Bro. Secretary

• Bro. Secretary will not state all of his information to the team unless there is a major issue.

The Orator

• The Orator makes a statement on his stance as well too. If he is not in support, his words need to be taken in.
• If no opposition has formed all can work toward confirmation. This can then be seen as another great time to make an election.
• Entered Apprentice Freemasons never cease their labor. They rather just take a pause and work back later around midnight..

The Warden

• The Warden will say,"It is here.". Midnight comes and the work being done ends too.
• The masters decide to share to M.C, the sacred word of the EA degree. Everything becomes as the time goes on.
• It must be the one guiding the path to be remembered or it cannot make any progression in time.

Reception

• Receive and do not ignore the rules to get through everything being made to be safe.

Chain of Freemasonry-

• Always keep the path to the end in site. And never let a mistake stay on there to make everything stay fine so all members are the same like their leaders. Everything will always fall behind there with the trust.

Ceremony of Initiation

• The Junior Expert, is assisted by the Bro. Master of Ceremonies.
• They take the candidate to the Chamber of Reflections/Meditation, which is a small black room with a table and chair
• The room is lit with a single candle
• The room as well as the candle represent a cave. On one of the walls will read the words "V.I.T.R.I.O.L."
• Questions the candidate must answer in writing:
• What is man's duty to his Creator?
• What is man's duty to Himself?
• What is man's duty to his Fellow Men?
• What is man's duty to his Mother Country?
• The Preparation done by the Tyler:
• He emphasizes the spiritual, and philosophic aspects.
• Has the candidate remove all jewels, money, and any metallic objects.
• The candidate has their coat and waistcoat removed.
• The candidates are made barefooted by having their left arm uncovered, and have their left breast and right knee exposed
• Has a rope put around them so that they can wear a hoodwink.

The Temple Requires

• A basin of water prepared.
• A blow pipe to produce cleansing flames.
• A bottle with a bitter potion.
• The Obstacle Board placed in the N.E. corner of the Temple.
• The Rocker in the S.W. corner. (The candidate is purified by earth, air, water, and fire.)
• Candidate's apron to be placed on a cushion.
• The Reception: When complete

The Reception

• The candidates are presented
• Their work to be laid to rest. It starts here and the rest is history
• The process is for the best to be done though the ceremony after and everything will be given the best work possible. But everything should be remembered always.
• The goal is to welcome every candidate possible.

M.C is tasked.

• Tasked to lead the candidate, by making him bend his head very low as if passing through a small opening.

I.G. Performs

• Applies the point of his sword to the Candidate's naked left breast.
• Tells the Candidate to never betray his order that he is about to get access to.
• Reminding everyone the time is a gift as he is no longer in the dark

Can's Seeking

• Asks for permission, of the brotherhood of freedom.
• And if it is not for ill will, and nothing gets corrupted. He will be asking to be amongst them.

The W.M

• The word is said for order and the kneeler is put there too.
• The blessing and holy light shows all of them the way. The light brings those that are in help and will never steer each other wrong to the wrong way. They will gain much from their time.
• Truth helps the most for what is needed and can always bring the best it can.

Freemason

• Freedom isn't what one is worth, but what they can act for. And those roles cannot be bad for another man that is good.
• The Master reminds his student that they will have a seat at the order.

He then will try to change that to make life better and not worse for himself and those around him too. He tries to only act for good, not evil!

• And if he will not fail. His path isn't over here.

Revised First Degree Ritual of Craft Freemasonry by the Masonic High Council of the USA, authorized by the Regular Grand Lodge of England. The Temple has an oblong shape, oriented from East to West. Columns, friezes, and furniture arrangement are all defined.