The Entered Apprentice Charge

You are now admitted by the unanimous Consent of our Lodge, a Fellow of our most Antient and Honourable Society; Antient, as having subsisted from times immemorial, and Honourable, as tending in every Particular to render a Man so that will be but conformable to its glorious Precepts. The greatest Monarchs in all Ages, as well of Asia and Africa as of Europe, have been Encouragers of the Royal Art: and many of them have presided as Grand-Masters over the Masons in their respective Territories, not thinking it any lessening to their Imperial Dignities to Level themselves with their Brethren in Masonry, and to act as they did.

Having passed through the ceremonies of your initiation, allow me to congratulate you on your admission into our ancient and honorable Fraternity; ancient, as having existed from time immemorial; and honorable, as tending to make all men so, who are strictly obedient to its teachings and precepts. It is an institution having for its foundation the practice of the social and moral virtues; and to so high an eminence has its credit been advanced that, in every age and country, men preeminent for their moral and intellectual attainments have encouraged and promoted its interests. Nor has it been thought derogatory to their dignity that monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the scepter for the trowel, to patronize our mysteries, and join in our assemblies.

The World's great Architect is our Supreme Master, and the unerring Rule he has given us, is that by which we Work.

As a Mason, you are to regard the Volume of the Sacred Law as the Great Light in your profession; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice; and to regulate your actions by the divine precepts it contains.

Religious Disputes are never suffered in the Lodge; for as Masons, we only pursue the universal Religion or the Religion of Nature. This is the Cement which unites Men of the most different Principles in one sacred Band, and brings together those who were the most distant from one another.

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There are three general Heads of Duty which Masons ought always to inculcate, viz. to God, our Neighbours, and ouerselves.

In it [the VSL], you will learn the important duties which you owe to God, your neighbor, and yourself.

To God, in never mentioning his Name but with that Reverential Awe which becomes a Creature to bear to his Creator, and to look upon him always as the Summum Bonum which we came into the World to enjoy; and accordiig to that View to regulate all our Pursuits.

To God, by never mentioning His name but with that awe and reverence which are due from the creature to his Creator; by imploring His aid in all your lawful undertakings, and by looking up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support.

To our Neighbours, in acting upon the Square, or doing as we would be done by.

To your neighbor, by acting with him upon the Square, by rendering him every kind office which justice or mercy may require; by relieving his distresses, and soothing his afflictions; and by doing unto him as, in similar cases, you would that he should do unto you.

To ourselves, in avoiding all Intemperances and Excesses, whereby wc may be rendered incapable of following our Work, or led into Behaviour unbecoming our laudable Profession, and in always keeping within due Bounds, and free from all Pollution.

And to yourself, by such a prudent and well-regulated course of discipline as may best conduce to the preservation of your moral and corporeal factulties in their fullest energy, thereby enabling you to exert the talents wherewith God has blessed you, as well to His glory as to the welfare of your fellow creatures.

In the State, a Mason is to behave as a peaceable and dutiful Subject, conforming chearfilly to the Government under which he lives.

As a Citizen, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing or countenancing any act that may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live; and by never losing sight of the allegiance due to your country.

He is to pay a due Deference to his Superiors, and from his Inferiors he is rather to receive Honour with some Reluctance, than to extort it.

[partial parallel in 3° Charge]

He is to be a Man of Benevolence and Charity, not sitting down contented while his Fellow Creatures, but much more his Brethren, are in Want, when it is in his Power (without prejudicing himself or Family) to relieve them.

As an individual, you are charged to practice the domestic and public virtues. Let Temperance chasten, Fortitude support, and Prudence direct you, and let Justice be the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those truly Masonic ornaments—Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

In the Lodge, he is to behave with all due Decorum, lest the Beauty and Harmony thereof should be disturbed or broke.

[partial parallel at end of opening ritual]

He is to be obedient to the Master and presiding Officers, and to apply himself closely to the Business of Masonry, that he may sooner become a Proficient therein, both for his Credit and for that of the Lodge.

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He is not to neglect his own necessiry Avocations for the sake of Masonry, nor to involve himself in Quarrels with those who through Ignorance may speak evil of, or ridicule it.

[partial parallel in 1° presentation of working tools]

He is to be a Lover of the Arts and Sciences; and to take all Opportunities of improving himself therein.

[partial parallel in 2° Charge]

If he recommends a Friend to be made a Mason, he must vouch him to be such as he really believes will conform to the aforesaid Duties, lest by his Misconduct at any time the Lodge should pass under some evil imputations. Nothing can prove more shocking to all faithful Masons, than to see any of their Brethren profane or break through the sacred Rules of their Order, and such as can do it they wish had never been admitted.

Finally, be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest your fidelity to your principles by a strict observance of the Constitutions of the Fraternity; by adhering to the Ancient Landmarks thereof; and by refusing to recommend any person to a participation in our privileges, unless you have strong reasons to believe that, by a similar fidelity, he will ultimately reflect honor on our ancient institution.