Entered Apprentice
Educational Material for the First Degree
The Library of Proficiency for the Degree of Entered Apprentice
You Have a New Name
Your new name is CAUTION. It teaches you to be cautious over all your words, thoughts, and actions, especially on the subject of Freemasonry, when in the presence of its enemies.
The Big Three
NOTE: You are required to show suitable proficiency in the BIG THREE Below.
E.A. Bible Verse: Psalms 133
v1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
v2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
v3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the
Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
The Working Tools of an E.A.:
24-Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel
The 24-inch gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to measure and layout their work, but we as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to use it for the more glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts is emblematical of the 24 hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts; whereby are found 8 hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, 8 hours for our usual vocations, and 8 hours for refreshment and sleep.
The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones to better fit them for the builder's use, but we as F&AM are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life; thereby fitting our minds as living stones for the spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
The Obligation of an E.A.
I (pronounce full name), of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him, and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints Johns, do hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the arts, parts, or points, of the hidden mysteries of ancient Freemasonry, which may have been, or hereafter shall be, at this time, or any other future period, communicated to me as such, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it to be a true and lawful brother Mason, or in a regularly constituted lodge of Masons; nor unto him or them until, by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him or them as lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself.
I furthermore promise and swear, that I will not print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, mark or engrave them, or cause the same to be done, on anything moveable or immovable, capable of receiving the least impression of a word, syllable, letter or character, whereby the same may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of masonry thereby, unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness.
All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same, without any mental reservation or secret evasion of mind whatsoever, binding myself under no lesser penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low water mark where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty four hours, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my E.A. obligation. So help me God and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same.
Other Symbolism for an E.A.
This information below is good for you to know, but is not required for suitable proficiency. However, you SHOULD learn the first half of the Part 1 Lecture down to the exchange of the due guard, sign, token, and word of an E.A.
LODGE - A Lodge may be defined as a certain number of Free and Accepted Masons, duly assemble, furnished with the Holy Bible, Square and Compass, together with a charter or dispensation from some Grand body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work.
CHARTER - It pleased the Grand Lodge of the State of Georgia, over which body the Most Worshipful Primus T. James, Grand Master, presently presides, to grant this Lodge the Charter now in its possession empowering it to confer the three degrees of Masonry, which power we are now partly exercising. It is signed by the Grand Lodge officers, with the seal of the Grand Lodge attached and contains all the necessary instructions for retaining the same.
LODGES HELD - Our ancient brethren held their Lodges on high hills or in low vales, the better to observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, ascending or descending. Lodge meetings, at the present day, are usually held in upper chambers, probably for the better security which such places afford.
The custom may have had its origin in a practice observed by the ancient Jews when building their temples, schools and synagogues, on high hills, a practice which seems to have met the approbation of the Almighty, who said unto the Prophet Ezekiel, "Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof, round about shall be most holy."
FORM - The form of a Lodge is oblong, in length from east to west, in breadth between north and south, as high as Heaven and as deep as from the surface to the center.
It is said to be thus extensive to denote the universality of Freemasonry, and teaches that a Mason's charity should be equally extensive.
SUPPORT - A Lodge is supported by 3 Great Pillars, denominated Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty, for there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. They are represented by the three principal officer of the Lodge:
The pillar Wisdom, by the WM in the East, who is presumed to have wisdom to open and govern the Lodge;
The pillar Strength, by the Senior Warden in the West, whose duty it is to assist the WM in the discharge of his arduous duties;
The pillar Beauty, by the Junior Warden in the South whose duty it is to call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, and see that the means of refreshment be not converted to intemperance or excess, and call them on to labor again, the that they may have pleasure and profit thereby.
COVERING - The covering of a Lodge is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry-decked Heaven, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive, by aid of that ladder which Jacob in his vision saw extended from earth to Heaven, the principle rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope, and Charity, which admonish us to have faith in God, hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind. The greatest of these is Charity. For Faith may be lost in sight, Hope end in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity.
FURNITURE - Every regular and well-governed Lodge is furnished with the Holy Bible, Square and Compass, together with a Charter or Dispensation. The Holy Bible is dedicated to the service of God, because it is the inestimable gift of God to man, and on it we obligate our newly made brethren; the Square to the WM because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his office; and the Compass to the Craft, for by a due attention to their use, we are taught to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in due bounds.
ORNAMENTS - The Ornaments of a Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star. The Mosaic Pavement is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple; the Indented Tessel, of that beautiful tesselated border or skirting which surrounded it. The Mosaic Pavement is emblematical of human life, checkered with good and evil; the Indented Tessel, or tesselated border, of the manifold blessing and comforts which constantly surround us, and which we hope to enjoy by a firm reliance on Divine Providence, which is represented by the Blazing Star in the center.
LIGHTS - A Lodge has three symbolic Lights, situated East, West, and South. There is none in the North, because King Solomon's Temple was situated so far north of the ecliptic that the sun, even at meridian, did not dart its rays in the north most part thereof. The North we Masonically term a place of darkness
JEWELS - A Lodge has 6 jewels, 3 movable and 3 immovable. The immovable Jewels are the Square, the Level and the Plumb. They are so termed because they are appropriated to particular parts of the Lodge where they should be found. The Square to the East, the Level to the West, and the Plumb to the South. Although the brethren occupying these stations, may from time to time be changed, still the Jewels will always be found in their respective stations in the Lodge. The Square teaches morality; the Level, equality; and the Plumb rectitude of conduct.
The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle Board. The Rough Ashlar is a stone in its rude and natural state, as taken from the quarry; the Perfect Ashlar, one prepared by the workmen, to be adjusted by the working tools of Fellow Craft, and the Trestle-Board is for the Master Workman to draw his designs upon.
By the rough Ashlar we are reminded of that rude and imperfect state which is ours by nature; by the Perfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by education, our own endeavor, and the blessing of Deity. And as the operative workman erects his temporal building in accordance with the designs laid down upon the Trestle Board by the Master Workman, so should we, both operative and speculative workmen, endeavor to erect our spiritual building in accordance with the designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe in the great Book of Revelations, which is our Masonic Trestle Board.
How Situated - A Lodge is situated due East and West, because King Solomon's Temple was so situated. Moses, by Divine Command, having conducted the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, through the Red Sea, into the wilderness, erected a Tabernacle to God, which he situated due east and west, to commemorate to the latest posterity that miraculous east wind which wrought their mighty deliverance. King Solomon's Temple is said to have been a representation of that Tabernacle.
To Whom Dedicated - Anciently, Lodges were dedicated to King Solomon, as he is said to have been our first Most Worshipful Grand Master; but speculative Masons dedicated theirs to the memory of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
Since their time, there is represented, in every regular and well-governed lodge, a certain point within a circle, the point representing the individual brother, the circle, the boundary line of his conduct to God and man, beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices, or interest to betray him.
This circle is bordered by two perpendicular parallel lines representing these Saints, and upon the vertex rest the Holy Scriptures, which point out the whole duty of man. In going around this circle, we necessarily touch upon these two lines, as well as upon the Holy Scriptures, and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should materially err.
To Whom Dedicated - Anciently, Lodges were dedicated to King Solomon, as he is said to have been our first Most Worshipful Grand Master; but speculative Masons dedicated theirs to the memory of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
Since their time, there is represented, in every regular and well-governed lodge, a certain point within a circle, the point representing the individual brother, the circle, the boundary line of his conduct to God and man, beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices, or interest to betray him.
This circle is bordered by two perpendicular parallel lines representing these Saints, and upon the vertex rest the Holy Scriptures, which point out the whole duty of man. In going around this circle, we necessarily touch upon these two lines, as well as upon the Holy Scriptures, and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should materially err.
Principal Tenets
The Principle Tenants of our profession are three-fold, including the inculcation and practice of those truly commendable virtues: BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF & TRUTH.
BROTHERLY LOVE - By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the human race as one family, the high, the low, the rich, the poor who, created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabiting the same planet, should aid, support and protect one another. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and promotes true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained perpetually at a distance.
RELIEF - To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, particularly upon Masons, who are linked together by a chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, are aims we have in view. On this basis we establish our connections and form our friendships.
TRUTH - Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us; sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us; and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's prosperity.
Perfect Points of Entrance
Fortitude - is that noble and steadfast purpose of the mind, whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice, and should be deeply impressed upon your mind as a safeguard or security against any attempt that might be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from you any of the secrets with which you have been solemnly entrusted. This virtue was emblematically represented upon your first admission into the Lodge, when you were received on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast. This is the first perfect point of your entrance: the Pectoral.
Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge and determine on all things relative to our present, as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be your characteristic, not only in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world. You should be particularly cautious in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token or word, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be obtained, ever bearing in remembrance that solemn moment, while kneeling at the sacred Alter of Freemasonry, with your left hand supporting, and right resting upon the Holy Bible, Square and Compass, you solemnly promised to conceal and never reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry. This is the second perfect point of your entrance: the Manual
Temperance is that due restraint upon the passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be your constant practice, as you are thereby taught to avoid excess, and the contracting of any licentious or vicious habit, the indulgence of which might lead you away from the path of righteousness and cause you also to disclose those secrets which you have promised to conceal and never reveal, the betrayal of which would subject you to the contempt of all good Masons, if not to the penalty for the violation of your obligation; that of having your throat cut across, your tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the sand of the sea at low water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours. This is the third perfect point of your entrance: the Guttural.
Justice is that standard which enables us to render to every man his due, without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with Divine and human law, but is the very cement and support of society; and, as justice, in a great measure, distinguishes the good man, so should it be your practice to be just, ever remembering while standing in the Northeast corner of the lodge, your feet forming the angle of an oblong, your body erect before the WM, you were told that you there stood and upright man and Mason, and was given you strictly in chard ever to walk and act as such before God and man. This is the fourth perfect point of your entrance: the Pedal, and alludes to the position of your feet while standing in the N.E. corner of the Lodge.
Chalk, Charcoal, & Clay
Entered Apprentices should serve their Masters with freedom, fervency, and zeal; which are emblematically represented by chalk, charcoal and clay.
There is nothing freer than chalk, the slightest touch of which leave a trace; there is nothing more fervent than charcoal, for to it, when properly ignited, the most obdurate metals will yield. There is nothing more zealous than clay, our mother earth, for it, alone of all the elements, has never proved unfriendly to man.
Though constantly harassed, more to furnish the luxuries than the necessaries of life, she never refuses her yield, strewing our pathways with flowers and spreading our tables with plenty; though she produces poisons, still she furnishes the antidote, and returns with interest every good committed to her care. And when at last we are called upon to pass through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, she once more receives us, and tenderly enfolds our remains within her bosom, thus admonishing us that, as from earth we came, so to earth we must surely return.
Part 1 Lecture
Q: Whence came you?
A: From a lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem.
Q: What came you here to do?
A: Learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in masonry.
Q: Then you are a Mason, I presume?
A: I am so taken and accepted among brethren and fellows.
Q: What makes you a Mason?
A: My obligation.
Q: Where were you made a Mason?
A: Within the body of a just and duly constituted lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assemble in a place representing the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple, furnished with the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, together with a charter or dispensation from some Grand body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work.
Q: How do you know yourself to be a Mason?
A: By having been tried, never denied and ready to be tried again.
Q: How may I know you to be a Mason?
A: By certain signs, a token, a word and the perfect points of my entrance.
Q: What are signs?
A: Right angles, horizontals and perpendiculars
Q: Advance a sign. (Due guard of EA given) Has that an allusion?
A: It has to the position of my hand while taking the obligation.
Q: Have your a further sign?
A: I have. (Gives the sign of an E.A.)
Q: Has that an allusion?
A: It has to the penalty of my obligation.
Q: What is a token?
A: Certain friendly or brotherly grip whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.
Q: Advance and give me a token. (Grip of E.A. given) What is this?
A: A grip.
Q: Grip of what?
A: Of an Entered Apprentice.
Q: Has it a name?
A: It has.
Q: Will you give it to me?
A: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.
Q: How will you dispose of it?
A: I will letter or have it.
Q: Letter it and begin.
A: You begin.
Q: Begin you must.
A: (Word is given in proper manner)
Q: Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?
A: In my heart.
Q: Where next?
A: In a room adjoining the body of a just and duly constituted lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.
Q: How were you prepared?
A: Divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, left kneed and breast bare, hoodwinked and a cable-tow about my neck; in which condition I was conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three distinct knocks, which were answered by three from within.
Q: What was said to your from within?
A: Who comes here?
Q: Your answer?
A: A poor blind candidate, who has long been in darkness, and wishes to be brought to light, and receive a part of the rights, lights, and benefits of this worshipful lodge, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all brethren and fellows have done before me.
Q: What were you then asked?
A: If it was an act of my own free will and accord, if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared; all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was then as by what further right I expected to obtain this important privilege.
Q: Your answer?
A: Being a man, free-born, of lawful age and well recommended.
Q: What were you then told?
A: Since I was in possession of all the necessary qualifications, I should wait until the WM could be informed of my request and his answer returned.
Q: What was his answer when returned?
A: Let him enter this worshipful lodge in the name of God, and be received in due and ancient form.
Q: How where you received?
A: On the point of a sharp instrument piercing my naked left breast.
Q: How were you then disposed of?
A: Conducted to the center of the Lodge and caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer.
Q: After the prayer, what were you asked?
A: In whom I put my trust?
Q: Your answer?
A: In God.
Q: What were you then told?
A: My trust being in God, my faith was well founded; I was taken by the right hand, ordered to rise, follow my conductor, and fear no danger.
Q: How were you then disposed of?
A: Conducted once regularly around the Lodge, and to the J.W. in the South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as at the door.
Q: How did the J.W. dispose of you?
A: Directed me to be conducted to the S.W. in the West, where the same questions were asked, and the answers returned as before.
Q: How did the S.W. dispose of you?
A: Directed me to be conducted to the W.M. in the East, where the same questions were asked and the answers returned as before; who also demanded whence I came and whither was I traveling.
Q: Your answer?
A: From the West, traveling East.
Q: Why did you leave the West traveling East?
A: In search of light in Masonry.
Q: How did the W.M. dispose of you?
A: He ordered me to be re-conducted to the S.W. in the West, who taught me how to approach the East in due and ancient form.
Q: What was that due and ancient form?
A: By advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel of my right into the hollow of my left, my feet forming the angle of an oblong, my body erect at the altar and the W.M. in the East.
Q: What did the W.M. then do with you?
A: He made me a Mason.
Q: How?
A: In due form?
Q: What was that due form?
A: Kneeling on my naked left knee, my right foot forming the angle of a square, my left hand supporting, and my right hand resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compass; in which due form I took the solemn obligation of an EA.
Q: Have you the obligation?
A: I have.
Q :Repeat it.
A: (obligation recited)
Q: After the obligation, what were you asked?
A: What I most desired.
Q: Your answer?
A: Light.
Q: Did you receive it?
A: I did, by order of the W.M., with the assistance of the brethren.
Q: On being brought to light, what did you behold?
A: The three great lights in Masonry, by aid of the representatives of the three lesser.
Q: What are the three great lights in Masonry?
A: The Holy Bible, Square, and Compass.
Q: How are they explained?
A: The Holy Bible is given to us as the rule and guide for our faith and practice, the Square to square our actions, and the Compass to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in due bounds with all mankind.
Q: What are the three lesser lights?
A: The Sun, the Moon and the Master of the Lodge.
Q: How are they explained?
A: As the sun rules the day, and the moon governs the night, so should the WM with equal regularity rule and govern the Lodge.
Q: What are the representative of the three lesser lights?
A: Three burning candles or tapers, placed upon candlesticks or pedestals, situated East, West and South.
B: What did you next behold?
A: The WM approaching from the East, on the step, under the due guard and sign of EA, who presented his right hand in token of friendship and brotherly love, invested me with the grip and word, ordered me to rise, salute the J and S Wardens, and satisfy them that I was in possession of the step, due guard, sign, grip and word of an EA
Q: What did you next behold?
A: The WM approaching from the East a second time, who presented me with a lambskin, or white leather apron; informed me that it was an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason; ordered me to carry it to the SW in the West, who taught me how to wear it as an EA.
Q: How should and EA where his apron?
A: With the flap turned up, to prevent soiling his clothes. Masonically to prevent daubing with untampered mortar.
Q: What was then demanded of you?
A: Some metallic substance, not so much on account of its intricic value as that it might be deposited in the archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that I was at that time and place made a Mason; but upon strict search, I found myself entirely destitute.
Q: With what were you then presented?
A: The working tools of an EA which are the twenty-four inch gauge and the common gavel.
Q: How are they explained?
A: (working tools given)
Q: How were you then disposed of?
A: I was placed in the northeast corner of the Lodge, before the WM, who informed me that I there stood and upright man and Mason, and gave it me strictly in charge ever to walk and act as such before God and man.
Q: With what were you then presented?
A: A new name, which is Caution. It teaches me to be cautious over all my words and actions, especially on the subject of Freemasonry, when in presence of its enemies.
Q: How were you then disposed of?
A: I was reconducted to the place whence I came, invested with that of which I had been divested, and returned to the Lodge for further instruction.
Copyright 2025 by Warner Robins Lodge #207
Free & Accepted Masons, PHA.
All rights reserved.