MASTER MASON SCRIPTURE

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"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh,
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when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; while the sun , or the light, or the
moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
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in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow
themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few,


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and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the
streets,
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when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and
all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
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also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fear shall be in the way, and
the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall
fail:


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because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
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or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be
broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
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Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God
who gave it."

Eccl. xii 1-7

MASTER MASON WORKING TOOLS


The working tools of a Master Mason are all the implements of masonry
indiscriminately, but more especially the trowel.

The trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement
which unites a building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted
Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of
spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and Affection; that cement which unites us
into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention
should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work
and best agree.         

MASTER MASON PRAYER


"Thou, O God, knowest our down-sitting and our up-rising, and understandest our
thoughts afar off.  Shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies, and
support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling
through this vale of tears.  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of
trouble.  He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth as a shadow, and
continueth not.  Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with
Thee; Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him, that he may
rest, till he shall accomplish his day.  For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that
it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.  But man dieth
and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?  As the waters fail
from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down, and riseth not
up until the heavens shall be no more. Yet, O Lord! have compassion on the children
of Thy creation, administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an
everlasting salvation."
"So mote it be.  Amen."


MASTER MASON CHARGE


Brother:- Your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the
mysteries, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper
object of our favor and esteem.  You are now bound by duty, honor and gratitude to
be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion;
and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the Order.

In the character of a Master Mason, you are authorized to correct the errors and
irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of
fidelity.  To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied, must be your constant
care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors,
obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors,
kindness and condescension.  Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate, and
by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of
others less informed.  The ancient landmarks of the Order entrusted to your care, you
are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a
deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

If in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person being desirous of being initiated
into Masonry, be particularly attentive not to recommend him unless you are convinced
he will conform to our rules; that the honor, glory and reputation of the institution may
be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects.

Your virtue, honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the
character you now bear.  Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty,
violate your vows, or betray your trust; be true and faithful, and imitate the example of
that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented.  Thus you will render
yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and merit the confidence
that we have reposed.

CLOSING PRAYER

Supreme Architect of the Universe, accept our humble praises for the many mercies
and blessings which thy bounty has conferred upon us, and especially for this friendly
and social intercourse. Pardon, we beseech Thee, whatever Thou hast seen amiss in us
since we have been together; and continue to us Thy presence, protection and
blessing.  Make us sensible of the renewed obligations we are under to love Thee
supremely, and to be friendly to each other.  May all our irregular passions be subdued,
and may we daily increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity; but more especially in that
charity which is the bond of peace and perfection of every virtue.  May we so practice
Thy precepts, that we may finally obtain Thy promises, and find an entrance through
the gates into the temple and city of our God.
So Mote It Be.        Amen.



BENEDICTION

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons!  May brotherly love
prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. So mote it be.  AMEN.


Lodge Protocol

Lodge Protocol should be explained to all new Master Masons at the same
communication at which they are raised.  It is recommended that you make a copy of
this sheet and give it to him after it has been explained.  
This way he will have a copy to learn all the protocol by.


1. All moves in the Lodge are made in straight lines and right angles, except during
Degree work.

2. If you are late for a meeting, go to the Altar and look at the Square and Compasses.  
This will tell you what Degree the Lodge is opened in.  Give the appropriate Due Guard
and the Master will welcome you and ask you to have a seat among the brethren.

3. There is an imaginary line between the Great Lights and the East, It being supposed
that the Master receives his strength and guidance from the Great Lights.  This line is
never to be broken while the Lodge is open         except during degree work.

4. If standing, 1 rap of the gavel seats the Lodge. If seated 1 rap signifies a declaration
from the Master, usually calling up an officer.  2 raps calls up all officers.  3 raps calls
up the entire Lodge.

5. The hat is a symbol of authority in the Lodge.  Who ever is in charge will be
wearing a hat.  Thus there can be only one person covered in a Lodge at any time.

6. When you wish to address the Worshipful Master or the Lodge, rise and wait till
you are recognized by the Master, give the Due Guard and speak.  Give the Due Guard
again when you are finished and be seated.

7. There will be a different password taken up on each degree.  Learn them.

8. Dues are $50.00 a year, pro-rated your first year.

9. NC Masons support 3 charities.  The NC Masonic & Eastern Star Home in
Greensboro, The Masonic Home For Children at Oxford, and The Masonic
Foundation.  The Masonic Foundation is a Trust Fund.  The Interest         is divided
each year between the two homes.  By law, the principal can never be touched.

10. We do ask that you try to attend regularly.  As with any endeavor, the more you
put into Masonry, the more you will get out of it.

11. "Properly clothed" in a Lodge means having your apron on.

12.  If you use Masonic Emblems on your clothes or car please conduct yourself
accordingly.  Your conduct while wearing these emblems will be somebody’s
impression of a Mason.

13.  You will hear the term "Clandestine Lodges".  This refers to any Lodge not
recognized by The Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

14. We ballot by 3 different means.  Most business is conducted by a show of hands.  
Candidates are voted on by secret ballot.  (White balls elect, black cubes reject.  This is
where the term "Blackballed" originated.)  Elections are held by written ballot.

15. When visiting another Lodge, either someone must vouch for you or you must be
"examined".  Being examined does not mean they will try to embarrass you.  They
want you to visit, they just want to make sure you are a Mason.

16. There is no "Masonic Insurance" or "Masonic Securities".  There have been some
scams in the past concerning this, don't fall for them.


YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST FRATERNITY.
WE WELCOME YOU!
M.:M.: Section
Balfour Lodge #188 AF & AM
Chartered December 2, 1856 - Grand Lodge of North Carolina
Balfour Masonic Temple
632 Sunset Ave.
Asheboro, NC  27203
(336) 625-5363
info@balfourlodge.com
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