My Brother: Your zeal for our Institution,
The progress which you have made in our Mysteries,
And your steady conformity to our useful regulations,
Have pointed you out as a proper object for this peculiar mark
of our favor.
Duty and honor now alike bind you to be faithful to every trust;
To support the dignity of your character on all occasions,
And strenuously to enforce, by precept and example,
A steady obedience to the tenets of Freemasonry.
Exemplary conduct on your part will convince the world
That merit is the just title to our privileges
And that on you our favors have not been undeservedly bestowed.
As a Master Mason you are authorized to correct
The irregularities of your less-informed brethren,
To fortify their minds with resolution against the snares of the
insidious,
And to guard them against every allurement to vicious practices.
To preserve unsullied the reputation of the Fraternity ought to
be your constant care,
and, Therefore, it becomes your province
to caution the inexperienced against a breach of fidelity.
To your inferiors in rank or office,
You are to recommend obedience and submission;
To your equals, courtesy and affability;
To your superiors, kindness and condescension.
Universal benevolence you are zealously to inculcate;
And by the regularity of your own conduct,
Afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed.
Our Ancient Landmarks you are carefully to protect
And never suffer them to be infringed;
Nor are you to countenance any deviation from our established
customs.
Your honor and reputation are concerned
In supporting with dignity the respectable character which you
now bear.
Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty,
Violate your vows, or betray your trust;
But be true and faithful,
And imitate the example of that celebrated artist
Whom you have this evening represented.
Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we
have conferred,
And worthy of the confidence which we have reposed in you.
My Brother: I now greet you as a Master Mason, made such in a regularly constituted
Lodge of Master Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.
You are now a member of ______ Lodge No. ___, entitled to all the rights and privileges of Masonry
and subject to its responsibilities and discipline. Should you wish to hold an office in the Lodge,
it will be necessary for you to complete the requirement of proficiency in this Degree.
You will now be conducted to the Secretary's desk where you will sign the By-Laws of this Lodge,
and upon paying your dues, you will receive a receipt therefore.