you will improve in social intercourse.  It is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which, as a Mason, you are bound to discharge; or enlarge on the necessity of a strict adherence to them, as your own experience must have established their value.  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 mind, is earnestly recommended to your consideration; especially the science of Geometry, which is established as the basis of our art.  Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous terms, being of a divine moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of morality.  Your past behavior and regular deportment have merited the honor which we have now conferred, and, in your new character, it is expected that you will conform to the principles of the Order, by steadily persevering in the practice of every commendable virtue.  Such is the nature of your engagements as a Fellow Craft, and to these duties you are bound by the most sacred ties.”

I will now proceed with the Lecture on this degree; it is divided into two sections.

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First section.

Question—­Are you a Fellow Craft Mason?  A. I am; try me.

Q. By what will you be tried?  A. By the Square.

Q. Why by the Square?  A. Because it is an emblem of virtue.

Q. What is a Square?  A. An angle extending to ninety degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.

Q. Where was you prepared to be made a Fellow Craft Mason?  A. In a room adjacent to the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, duly assembled in a room or place, representing the middle chamber of King Solomon’s Temple.

Q. How was you prepared?  A. By being divested of all metals; neither naked nor clothed; barefooted nor shod; hoodwinked; with a cable-tow twice ’round my neck; in which situation I was conducted to the door of the Lodge, where I gave two distinct knocks.

Q. What did those two distinct knocks allude to?  A. To the second degree in Masonry, it being that on which I was about to enter.

Q. What was said to you from within?  A. Who comes there?  Who comes there?

Q. Your answer?  A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason; served a proper time as such; and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft.

Q. What was then said to you from within?  A. I was asked if it was of my own free will and accord I made this request; if I was duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; and had made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree; all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was asked by what further rights I expected to obtain so great a benefit.