The Fellow Craft Charge

BROTHER, BEING now advanced to the second degree of masonry, it is my province to congratulate you on your preferment.

My Brother: Being advanced to the second degree of Freemasonry, I congratulate you on your preferment.

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Masonry is a progressive moral science, divided into different degrees; and as its principles and mystic ceremonies are regularly developed and illustrated, it is intended and hoped that they will make a deep and lasting impression on the mind.

You must know, that the internal, and not the external, qualifications of a man, are what masonry regards. As you increase in knowledge, you will consequently improve in social intercourse. I shall not therefore recapitulate the several duties which, as a mason, you are bound to discharge; or to enlarge on the necessity of a strict adherence to them, as your own experience must have sufficiently convinced you of their importance and utility. Suffice it to observe, that your past behaviour and regular deportment has merited the additional honor which we now confer; and that, in your new character, it is expected you will always conform to the principles of masonry, and steadily persevere in the practice of every commendable virtue.

It is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which, as a Fellow- Craft, you are bound to discharge. Your general good reputation affords satisfactory assurance that you will not suffer any consideration to induce you to act in any manner unworthy of the re spectable character you now sustain. But, on the contrary, that you will ever display the discretion, the virtue, and the dignity, which become a worthy and exemplary Mason.

[compare to section below]

Our laws and regulations you are strenuously to support; and be always ready to assist in seeing them duly executed. You are not to palliate, or aggravate, the offences of your Brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our rules, you are to judge with candor, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with justice.

The study of the liberal arts, that valuable branch of education, which tends so effectually to polish and adorn the human mind, I would earnestly recommend to your serious consideration; especially the science of geometry, which is established as the basis on which the superstructure of masonry is erected. This science, being both of a divine and moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; and while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it also demonstrates the more important truths of morality.

The impressive ceremonies of this degree are calculated to inculcate upon the mind of the novitiate the importance of the study of the liberal arts and sciences, especially of the noble science of Geometry, which forms the basis of Freemasonry; and which, being of a divine and moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; for while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of morality. To the study of Geometry, therefore, your attention is specially directed.

As the solemnity of our different ceremonies always requires a grave and serious deportment, you are to be particularly attentive to your behaviour in our regular assemblies; to preserve the antient usages and customs of the fraternity sacred and inviolable; and to endeavour to induce others, by your example, to hold them in due veneration.

Your past regular deportment and upright conduct have merited the honor we have conferred. In your present character, it is expected that at all our assemblies you will observe the solemnities of our ceremo'iles, that you will preserve the ancient usages and customs of the Fraternity sacred and inviolable, and thus, by your example, induce others to hold them in due veneration.

The laws and regulations of the society you are to support and maintain; and be ever ready to assist in seeing them duly executed. You are not to palliate or aggravate the offences of your brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our rules, you are to judge with candour, to admonish with friendship, and to reprehend with justice.

[compare with section X above]

In our private assemblies, you are to offer your sentiments and opinions on various subjects, so far as they correspond with, and are agreeable to, the tenets of masonry. Thus you may improve your rational and intellectual powers; qualify yourself to become an useful member of society; and vie with your brethren, in your endeavours to excel in every thing that is good and great.

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Every regular sign or summons, given and received, you are duly to honour, and punctually to obey; inasmuch as they consist with our professed principles. You are cheerfully to relieve the necessities of your brethren to the utmost of your power and ability, without prejudice to yourself or your private concerns: and you are, on no account, to injure a brother, or to see him injured; but you are to apprise him of all approaching dangers, and view his interest as your own.

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Such is the nature of your present engagements; and to these duties you are now bound by the most sacred ties.

Such is the nature of your engagements as a Fellow-Craft, and to a due observance of them you are bound by the strongest ties of fidelity and honor.