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Article A GLANCE AT ADOPTIVE MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
to which are fastened the jewels of their rank . Each of the officers is distinguished by her jewel , which is a golden trowel . Every Brother who attends one of these Lodges must be at least a Fellow Craft , and if not himself possessed of the rank of an Elu , cannot be permitted to be present at a Lodge when opened in that degree . The Brothers , in addition to the insignia of their rank , wear the jewel of Adoptive Masonry , a gold ladderwith five steps or rounds . There cannot be a
, more captivating scene than a Lodge of Adoption when fully attended . But not far from this delightful assemblage of science and beauty is a small chamber , gloomy and dark , where no cheering rays ever penetrate , where no pleasing emblems are seen . Here all is sombre , all is grave and mysterious ; a solitary light dimly shows the fearful symbols which are in this abode of melancholy . The use of this gloomy apartment will he mentioned hereafter .
Before a lady can be admitted to the first degree the Sisters and Brothers in Lodge must be satisfied that she offers herself as a candidate from proper motives , and that she is willing to cheerfully comply with the laws and customs of the Order . When satisfied that her intentions are good , and that she is a fit and proper person , the W . M . orders the officer , whose duty it is , to introduce the candidate after due preparation . The admission to the first degree , like that to the first of
Craft Masonry , is solemn and impressive . The Lodge-room is emblematically decorated , and represents the world , typifying , in this instance without much truth , that the Order is universal , and spread over the whole earth . Previous to her admission to the Lodge , the candidate- is informed of the nature of the Order , and of the duties she will , as a Mason , be required to perform ; and after a discourse on topics which cannot be divulged , she is left in the solitary and dreary
chamber already described , to meditate and reflect on the exhortation she has received , and also on such other subjects as the peculiar emblems of that room may suggest . This , it may be as well to observe here , is common to every initiation , as before each the candidate
is addressed on proper subjects , and allowed to think of them amidst symbols calculated to produce such a train of ideas as may be desirable at the time . After a sufficient time has elapsed , the postulant is introduced into the body of the Lodge , with the proper ceremonies , which cannot , consistently with that silence which every member of the Order is obliged to observe , be particularly described . After the candidate ' s surprise at the ceremonies has in some measure subsided , she
receives from the iMaster many admonitions , and having been congratulated b y all the members on the courage and perseverance she has displayed , is instructed in the secrets of the grade , and invested with its insignia . She is then ordered to take her seat , while the oratort of the Lodge pronounces a discourse on the duties and obligations of Apprentices , and at its conclusion a collection is made for the poor , and the Lodge is closed .
The foundation of the second degree is the fall of man , and the share which the first fair lady in the world had in that event . Tbe timid candidate after many trials is at length admonished by the W . M . to act most carefully , and above all to resist temptation . She is told
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
to which are fastened the jewels of their rank . Each of the officers is distinguished by her jewel , which is a golden trowel . Every Brother who attends one of these Lodges must be at least a Fellow Craft , and if not himself possessed of the rank of an Elu , cannot be permitted to be present at a Lodge when opened in that degree . The Brothers , in addition to the insignia of their rank , wear the jewel of Adoptive Masonry , a gold ladderwith five steps or rounds . There cannot be a
, more captivating scene than a Lodge of Adoption when fully attended . But not far from this delightful assemblage of science and beauty is a small chamber , gloomy and dark , where no cheering rays ever penetrate , where no pleasing emblems are seen . Here all is sombre , all is grave and mysterious ; a solitary light dimly shows the fearful symbols which are in this abode of melancholy . The use of this gloomy apartment will he mentioned hereafter .
Before a lady can be admitted to the first degree the Sisters and Brothers in Lodge must be satisfied that she offers herself as a candidate from proper motives , and that she is willing to cheerfully comply with the laws and customs of the Order . When satisfied that her intentions are good , and that she is a fit and proper person , the W . M . orders the officer , whose duty it is , to introduce the candidate after due preparation . The admission to the first degree , like that to the first of
Craft Masonry , is solemn and impressive . The Lodge-room is emblematically decorated , and represents the world , typifying , in this instance without much truth , that the Order is universal , and spread over the whole earth . Previous to her admission to the Lodge , the candidate- is informed of the nature of the Order , and of the duties she will , as a Mason , be required to perform ; and after a discourse on topics which cannot be divulged , she is left in the solitary and dreary
chamber already described , to meditate and reflect on the exhortation she has received , and also on such other subjects as the peculiar emblems of that room may suggest . This , it may be as well to observe here , is common to every initiation , as before each the candidate
is addressed on proper subjects , and allowed to think of them amidst symbols calculated to produce such a train of ideas as may be desirable at the time . After a sufficient time has elapsed , the postulant is introduced into the body of the Lodge , with the proper ceremonies , which cannot , consistently with that silence which every member of the Order is obliged to observe , be particularly described . After the candidate ' s surprise at the ceremonies has in some measure subsided , she
receives from the iMaster many admonitions , and having been congratulated b y all the members on the courage and perseverance she has displayed , is instructed in the secrets of the grade , and invested with its insignia . She is then ordered to take her seat , while the oratort of the Lodge pronounces a discourse on the duties and obligations of Apprentices , and at its conclusion a collection is made for the poor , and the Lodge is closed .
The foundation of the second degree is the fall of man , and the share which the first fair lady in the world had in that event . Tbe timid candidate after many trials is at length admonished by the W . M . to act most carefully , and above all to resist temptation . She is told