1st Principal Lecture

FIRST PRINCIPAL’S LECTURE (Instead of the brief Lecture below, if so desired, the more elaborate Lecture printed in Appendix III may be given) M.E.Z. (Ks.4, but remains seated) In R.A. Masonry we acknowledge five Sns., corresponding in number with T.F.P.O.F., in which the M.M. has already been instructed; and as these latter point out the relative duties we owe to each other, so do the R.A. Sns. mark in a peculiar manner the relation we bear to the M.H. I Will now go through the Sns., and you, my newly exalted Comp, will rise and copy me. (Here 1st Prin. and the Can. rise, 1st Prin.steps down from the dais.) This is the P..Sn. (shows it, given with the l.hd. in practically the same fashion as the E.A.’s Sn., save that the t.u.b. is concealed. and with the same “drawing” movement, the Sn. being discharged by dropping l.hd. to the side), the only perfect Sn. in Freemasonry given with l.hd. This is the Rev. or H.Sn.(Head is slightly bowed, the l.hd. with the t.u.b. concealed is raised to f.r.h.d. with the t.u.b. side of the hd. against the f.r.h.d as if shading the eyes, a distinct pause, and then the r.hd. with the t.u.b. concealed is raised to the l.b. as in the Sn. of R. The Sn., after a slight pause, Is discharged by dropping

both hds. simultaneously to the sides without any “Drawing” movement), and is to be used on all occasions when entering or retiring from the Chapter, and when addressing the Prins. This is the P.n.t. n.al(penitential) or S.p.l.c.t.ry(supplicatory) Sn., on bended kns. and with uplifted hds. (the M.E.Z. bends his ks. and clasps his hds. as if in prayer) This is the M.n.t.r.al (Monitorial) Sn., hds . girding the loins, t.u.bs. in front , with the body bent slightly backwards (does it) And, this is the F.d.c.al. (Fiducial) Sn. (extends both a..s at full length horizontally in f.othe body, P..s (palms) facing downwards) The P.n.l. Sn. (penitential) (gives it) marks the penalty opf our Ob. and alludes to the fall of Adam, and the dreadful penalty entailed thereby on his sinful posterity, no less than death. It intimates by the very act that the stiff-necked and disobedient shall be cut off from the land of the living by the judgement of God, even as the head is severed from the body by the sword of human justice. To avert which, we are taught by the R… or H.. Sn. to bend (h..d is bent slightly f..d. and first part of REv. or H.Sn. given by placing the l.hd.to f..r..h..d with the t.u.b,. hid) with humility and resignation beneath the chastening hand of the Almighty, at the same

time to engraft His Laws on our hearts (completes Sn. by placing r.hd. on l.b. with t.u.b. hid.) The R… or H… Sn., may justly be deemed the parent of the P..Sn, since it so truly denotes that frame of heart and mind, without which our prayers and oblations of praise cannot find acceptance at the throne of grace, before which,how should a frail and erring creature of the dust present himself but on bended knees (does it) and with uplifted hands (does it), at once betokening his humility and contrition? The M….Sn. (Monitorial) reminds us of the weakness of human nature, unable of itself to resist the powers of darkness, unless assisted by that light (pointing up) which is from above. By this defenceless posture (gives it), we acknowledge our whole frailty, and confess that we can do no manner of good or acceptable service, but through Him from Whom all good counsels and just works do proceed. Therefore, by this outward form of faith and dependence, the F…Sn.(four) (shows it, and maintains it while contuinuing:), we show that we would prostrate ourselves with our faces to the dust. Thus must we throw ourselves on the mercy of our Divine Creator and Judge, who is the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. (drops Sn.)