FELLOWCRAFT DEGREE
CHARGE AT PASSING
My Brother, being passed to the Second Degree
of Freemasonry, we congratulate you on your
preferment. The internal, and not the external,
qualifications of a man are what Masonry regards.
As you increase in knowledge you will improve
in social intercourse.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which
as a Fellow Craft you are bound to discharge, or
to 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 offenses
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.
Be just and fear not. Never speak ill of anyone
unless you are sure that what you say be true.
Avoid suspicion; for, like the fabled upas, it blights
all healthy life and makes a desert round it.
Nothing so fair, nothing so pure can live, but by
suspicion may be marred and blasted; no path
so straight but to suspicion’s eye looks tortuous
and bent from its true end.
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 and 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 we have 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 engagement as a
Fellow Craft, and to these duties you are bound
by the most sacred ties.
WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with
this degree that it will be necessary for you to
commit to memory and on which you must pass
a suitable examination in open Lodge, or as
provided by our Nevada Code, before you can
be Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason. I have no doubt that the Brother who
has instructed you thus far will be pleased to
continue.
