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Speaking of white aprons, does your jurisdiction perform the long or short form apron lecture?

Keith C

Registered User
In PA we only have the above quoted "short form" with a few changes in wording; "leathern" vs leather and no mention of princes, potentates, etc.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Short form (varies)

"I now present you with the lambskin or white leather apron. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason: more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, and when worthily worn, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other Order that can be conferred upon you at this or any future period by king, prince, potentate, or any other person, except he be a Mason and within the Body of a just and legally constituted Lodge of such."

Long form (varies)

"It may be that, in the years to come, upon your head shall rest the laurel wreaths of victory; pendant from your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an eastern potentate; yea, more than these:

...for with the coming light your ambitious feet may tread round after round the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle, and even the purple of our Fraternity may rest upon your honored shoulders;

...but never again by mortal hands, never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the gates of pearl, shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematic of purity and all perfection, be bestowed upon you as this, which I now confer.

It is yours; yours to wear through an honorable life, and at your death to be placed upon the coffin which contains your earthly remains, and with them laid beneath the silent clods of the valley."

"Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of purity of life, of rectitude of conduct, a never-ending argument for higher thoughts, for nobler deeds, for greater achievements; and when at last your weary fee shall have reached the end of their toilsome journey,

...and from your nerveless grasp forever drop the working tools of a busy life, may the record of your life and conduct be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem which I place within your hands tonight;

...and when your trembling soul shall stand naked and alone before the great white throne, there to receive judgment for the deeds done while here in the body, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as Judge Supreme these welcome words:

'Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.'"

"I charge you-take it, wear it with pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity."

We only do it one way and it has two parts - the investiture and then the extension. The SW invests;


Brother x … by the Worshipful Master's command, I invest you with the distinguishing badge of an Entered Apprentice Freemason. It is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honourable than the Garter or any other Order in existence, being the badge of innocence and the bond of friendship. I strongly exhort you ever to wear and consider it as such; and further exhort you never to disgrace that badge, for it will never disgrace you.

This is then followed by the extension delivered by another Brother

Let me add to the remarks of my Brother the Senior Warden, that you are never to put on that badge and enter a Lodge wherein there is a Brother with whom you are at variance, or against whom you entertain feelings of animosity. In such cases it is expected that you will invite him to withdraw in order to settle your differences amicably, upon which being happily effected, you may then clothe yourselves, enter the Lodge and work with that love and harmony which should at all times characterize Freemasons. But if, unfortunately, your differences be of such a nature as not to be so easily adjusted, it were better that one or both of you retire than that the harmony of the Lodge should be disturbed by your presence.

More explanations follow in other charges.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Apron lecture yes but as the brother above mentioned there is the "how to wear it" instructions as well in all three
Think back to when u were presented the apron...."more noble then the Eagle...purple of our fraternity may rest on your shoulders...." there's a lot more there then that but it's all I can remember right now
Same here.
I think there are two pieces of ritual being discussed:

1. Instruction , usually by the SW, as to now the apron is to be worn in each degree.
2.Presentation of the apron in the first degree. I’ve only seen the long form presentation in the US. UGLE typically does s short form, bit may do a long form.
Agreed.
 
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