The Entered Apprentice's Apron And Masonic Lecturing.

f tion belonging to it Avhich is not symbolical o : some beautiful truth or moral virtue . " * I wel know that my remarks recoil upon myself . I know in part , my many failings . Conscience reminds me of my shortcomings and imperfections . I fear that I greatly disappointed those brethren to whose

too favourable anticipations or partiality , I owed my eleA-ation to the high position I once hold as Master of this lodge—this lodge of high repute . I am aware how inadequately I discharged the onerous and important duties of that trust . Yet I do not consider that with my year of office those

duties are completed , that trust is Avholly discharged . I am still anxious , as a Past Master of this lodge , for its prosperity—still willing to exert myself in its behalf aud work for its welfare—Avilliug even to incur the charge of egotism for thus attempting to lecture yonmany of whom

, could so Avell instruct me ; but I trust to your charity to disarm your criticism , and to your penetration to discover wherein I intended to be useful in thus chartering for your edification . To our A ] iron , then . The apron is the badge , or sign , or emblem of tho labourer . To the

Freemason it is the badge of innocence , the symbol of labour , the emblem of truth and friendship , and forcibly illustrates the principles a Freemason professes , as Avell as the polity and doctrines of the Order . There are distinctive aprons , belonging to each degree in Masonry . As blue Masons AVC

know of three appertaining to the three degrees , although in truth there are four—for the " Master Mason includes the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arcli . "f Those three degrees "blond morality , doctrine , science , tradition , and history into a grand and beautiful systemwhichif studied

, , Avitli attention and practised Avith sincerity , Avill inspire a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the king of terrors beneath our feet , and lift our eyes to the bright morningstar , whose rising brings peace and tranquillity to the faithful and obedient of the human race . "

There being " scarcely a point of duty or morality AA'hich man owes to God , his neighbour , or himself , under tho r-atriarchal , the Mosaic , or the Christian dispensation , AA'hich , in the construction of our symbolical system , has been left untouched . ""! :

The particular apron now before us , and Avhich AVC are more especially , considering , is that of an Entered Apprentice . Au Entered Apprentice means one AVIIO is entered , or beginning to learn . Masomcally speaking , lie should servo his Master with freedomfervency , and zeal for the full period

, of seven years ; but less -will _ IIOAV suffice if qualified , and AVOrthy of preferment . The anron of an Entered Apprentice is , or should be , " a plain Avhite lambskin , from 1 1 to 1 G inches wide , 12 to

14 inches deep , square at bottom , Avithout ornament , and white strings . " * Such bein g the law in the " Book of Constitutions , " I consider Ave do Avrong Avhen AA * B admit , if ever it is done , substitutes for this apron to enter the portals of the lodge . There can be no doubt , notAvithstanding

any questions as to economy or expediency , or quibbles about thc spirit of the law , that AA e break the law as laid down for our guidance iu the " Book of Constitutions ; " and I fear AVO can have little regard for the ancient landmarks of the Order , if AA * C encroach so closely as to make it

doubtful AA * hether Ave have or have not committed a breach thereof . Tho true symbolism of this apron is in its colour and material . The colour is white ; the material , lambskin—both typical of that rectitude of life and conduct , so essentially necessary to those AVIIO seek admission into the Celestial Lodge above . It is the first gift bestowed on a candidate after his initiation . It is

the distinguishing badge of a Mason—more ancient than thc Roman Eagle or Golden Fleece—more honourable than the Star and Garter , or any other Order in existence *!*—a badge of innocence and the bond of friendship ; one which every Mason ought to Avear ivith pleasure to himself and honour

to the fraternity , assured that if he never disgraces that badge it Avill never disgrace him . You Avill observe that this apron is of one colour only , and that that colour is Avhite . The moment you change this colour or cover it Avith frippery you destroy its pure surfaceand efface the beautiful moral it

, is intended to convey . One ( that is the number One ) alludes to the unity of tho Godhead , and to the union of the royal , the priestly , and the prophetical dignity in one person during the

patriarchal ages . J The ancient philosophers held that the Monad was God , because it is the beginuinaand end of all— -itself having neither beginning nor end ; and also hermaphrodiso , because it is both male ancl female , odd and cven . § It partakes of both natures : being added to tho even , it makes

odd ; to the odd , cven . j | Then as to the colour . White , as embodied in this apron of lambskin , is the representative of external purity and internal truth , that animal being the personification of innocence . f White bespeaks purity of soul , gentlenesshumility . Whiteas the emblem of

inno-, , cence , strongly points to that necessary qualification of the candidate—the brightest jewel of the noviciate . White also denotes peace : " Lilywork from thc purity of its whiteness denotes peace . " ** Dr . Oliver , speaking of the four Masonic colours ,