Charge After Initiation

Question 1

1. Having passed

Answer 1

Having passed through the ceremony of your initiation, I congratulate you on being admitted a Member of our ancient and honourable institution.

Question 2

2. Ancient no doubt

Answer 2

Ancient no doubt it is , having subsisted from time immemorial; and honourable it must be acknowledged to be, as, by a natural tendency, it conduces to make all those so who are obedient to its precepts;

Question 3

3. Indeed,

Answer 3

Indeed, no institution can boast a more solid foundation than that on which Freemasonry rests, the practice of every moral and social virtue; and to high an eminence has its credit been advanced, that in every age, Monarchs themselves have been promoters of the Art,

Question 4

4. Have not

Answer 4

Have not thought it derogatory to their dignity, to exchange the Sceptre of the trowel, have participated in out mysteries, and joined in our assemblies.

Question 5

5. As a

Answer 5

As a Freemason, I would first recommend for you most serious contemplation the VoSL . Charging you every to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate your actions by the divine precepts it contains.

Question 6

6. Therein

Answer 6

Therein you will be taught the important duties you owe to God, , to your Neighbour and to yourself.

Question 7

7. To God

Answer 7

To God: by never mentioning his name but with that awe and reverence which is due from the creature to the creator, by imploring his aid in all your lawful undertakings , and by looking up to him in every emergency for comfort and support.

Question 8

8. To your Neighbour

Answer 8

To your Neighbour, by acting with her on the square, by rendering her every kind office that justice and mercy may require, by relieving her necessities and soothing her afflictions , and by doing unto her as in similar cases you would wish she should do to you.

Question 9

9. And to yourself

Answer 9

And to yourself, by such a well regulated course of disciples as may best conduce the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy , thereby enabling you to exercise those talents wherein God has blessed you, to His Glory and the benefit of your fellow creatures.

Question 10

9. As a

Answer 10

As a citizen of the world, I would enjoin you to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing or at all countenancing any course of action which may disrupt the peace and good order of society;

Question 11

10. By paying

Answer 11

By paying a due obedience to the laws of any state which may become the place of you residence, or afford you its protection; and above all, by never losing sight of that allegiance due to the sovereign of your native land,

Question 12

11. Ever

Answer 12

ever remembering that nature has implanted in your breast a sacred and indissoluble attachment towards that country, whence you derived your birth and infant nurture.

Question 13

12. As an individual

Answer 13

As an individual, I would further recommend the practice of every domestic as well as public virtue; let Prudence direct you, Temperance chasten you , Fortitude support you and justice be the guide to all your actions.

Question 14

13. Be especially

Answer 14

Be especially careful to maintain in their fullest splendour those truly Masonic ornaments tha have already been amply illustrated , namely, Benevolence and Charity.

Question 15

14. Still as

Answer 15

Still as a Freemason, there are other excellences of character to which you attention may be particularly, or forcibly directed; amongst the foremost of these are Secrecy, Fidelity and Obedience.

Question 16

15. Secrecy

Answer 16

Secrecy consists of an inviolable adherence to the obligation you have entered upon, never improperly to disclose those Masonic secrets , which have now , or may at a future time be entrusted to your keeping, and cautiously to avoid all occasions which might inadvertently lead you so to do.

Question 17

16. Your Fidelity

Answer 17

Your Fidelity must be exemplified by a close conformity to the constitutions of the fraternity , by adhering to the ancient Landmarks of the order , by never attempting to exhort or unduly obtain the secrets of a superior degree, and by refraining to recommend any one to a participation in our secrets, unless you have strong grounds to believe that by a similar Fidelity she will ultimately reflect honour on our choice.

Question 18

17. Your Obedience

Answer 18

Your obedience must be proved by a strict observance of our laws and regulations , by a prompt attention to all signs and summonses , by modest and correct demeanour in the lodge; by refraining from every topic of religious or political discussion ; by a ready acquiescence in all votes and resolutions duly passed by the majority of brethren ; by a perfect submission to the Worshipful Master and her wardens while acting in the discharge of their respective offices.

Question 19

18. And as a last

Answer 19

And as a last general recommendation, i exhort you to dedicate yourself to such pursuits as may enable you to continue to respectable in life, useful to mankind, and an ornament to the society of which you have this day become a member.

Question 20

19. That you will

Answer 20

That you will especially study such of the liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the compass of your attainment , and that , without neglecting the ordinary duties of your station, you will feel yourself called upon to make a daily advancement in Masonic Knowledge.

Question 21

20. From the very

Answer 21

From the very commendable attention your have paid to this charge, I am led to hope that you will duly appreciate the value of Freemasonry and indelibly imprint on your heart the sacred dictates
Of Truth, of honour and of virtue.