CEREMONY OF PASSING
Questions Before Passing
The Lodge is open in the First Degree
WM – requests EA’s other than Can to withdraw and indicates with appropriate words that the next business is to pass Bro…….
Candidate – stands.
JD – goes to Can, takes him by r h and leads him to position N of SW’s pedestal, both facing E. releases h.
WM – Brethren, Bro……., is this evening a Can to be passed to the Second Degree, but it is first requisite that he gives proofs of proficiency in the former.  I shall therefore proceed to put the necessary questions – to Can – Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?
JD – must be prepared, if necessary, to prompt Can.
Candidate – In my heart.
WM – Where next?
Candidate - In a convenient room adjoining the Lodge.
WM – Describe the mode of your preparation.
Candidate – I was divested of metal and hoodwinked.  My right arm, left breast and knee were made bare, my right heel was slip-shod and a cable tow placed about my neck.
WM – Where were you made a Mason?
Candidate – In the body of a Lodge, just, perfect, and regular.
WM – And when?
Candidate – When the sun was at its meridian.
WM – In this country Freemason’s Lodges are usually held in the evening; how do you account for that which at first appears a paradox?
Candidate – The earth constantly revolving on its axis in its orbit round the sun and Freemasonry being universally spread over its surface, it necessarily follows that the sun must always be at its meridian with respect to Freemasonry.
WM – What is Freemasonry?
Candidate – A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
WM – Name the grand principles on which the Order is founded.
Candidate – Brotherly love, relief and truth.
WM – Who are fit and proper persons to be made Masons?
Candidate – Just, upright and free men, of sound judgement and strict morals.
WM – How do you know yourself to be a Mason?
Candidate – By the regularity of my initiation, repeated trials and approbations, and a willingness at all times to undergo an examination when properly called on.
WM – How do you demonstrate the proof of your being a Mason to others?
Candidate – By signs, tokens and the perfect points of my entrance.
WM – These are the usual questions: I will put others if any Brother wishes me to do so.
JD – conducts Can by r h to N side of WM’s pedestal and a convenient distance from it, both facing S. Releases h.
WM – Do you pledge your honour as a man, and your fidelity as a Mason, that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of being passed to the Degree of a FC?
JD – prompting Can aloud – I do (Can repeats).
WM – Do you likewise pledge yourself that you will conceal what I shall now impart to you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in Masonry?
JD – prompting Can aloud – I do (Can repeats).
WM – Then I will entrust you with a test of merit, which is a p g and p w leading to the Degree to which you seek to be admitted – rises, faces Can, and takes the latter’s r h in his own r h and hold it – The p g is given – adjusts p g by placing Can’s t in position before placing his own – by a distinct pressure of the thumb between the first and second joints of the hand.  This p g demands a p w, which is ‘Shibboleth’.
JD – prompting Can, speaks word aloud (Can repeats).
WM - ………, denotes plenty and is usually depicted in our Lodges by an ear of corn near to a fall of water.  You must be particularly careful to remember this word, as without it you cannot gain admission into a Lodge in a superior degree.  Pass ……… - restores Can’s r h to l h of JD and sits.
JD – guiding Can, makes a clockwise wheel and squares the Lodge to position N of SW’s pedestal.  Here he wheels Can clockwise to face E and releases hand.
JD – to Can aloud – Salute the WM as a Mason – instructs Can in whisper to take Sp, give EA Sn and cut it.
JD – takes Can by r h, makes anti-clockwise wheel with Can and conducts him to door.
IG – goes to door in front of JD and opens it, closing it again when Can has gone out.
IG and JD – return to seats.
The Passing
WM - conducts Opening the Lodge in Second Degree or resumes in that degree whichever is appropriate, but with the following differences:
WM –audible only in the FC knocks quietly (ie, given so as to be Lodge).
SW – FC knocks quietly, JW – FC knocks quietly.
IG – gives knocks by r h on l sleeve standing in his place.
(No knocks are given on the door by either IG or Tyler.)
Tyler – prepares Can including EA badge and ceremony proceeds:-
Tyler – gives EA knocks on door.  This informs Lodge that a Can for Passing is at the door of the Lodge.
IG – rises in front of his chair, Sp and FC Sn – Bro. JW, there is a report – holds Sn.
JW – no knocks, rises, Sp and FC Sn – WM, there is a report – holds Sn.
WM – Bro. JW, inquire who wants admission.
JW – cuts Sn and sits – Bro. IG, see who wants admission.
IG – cuts Sn, goes to door, opens it, checks that Can is properly prepared and remains on threshold with hand on door handle (Colloquy between IG and Tyler should be audible throughout Lodge).
IG – to Tyler – Whom have you there?
Tyler – Bro…names Can, who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry and has made such progress as he hopes will recommend him to be passed to the Degree of a FC, for which ceremony he is properly prepared.
IG – How does he hope to obtain the privileges of the Second Degree?
Tyler – By the help of God, there assistance of the square and the benefit of a password.
IG – Is he in possession of the password?
Tyler – Will you prove him?
IG – receives p g and p w from Can (Tyler prompts if necessary).
IG – Halt while I report to the WM – closes door, returns to position in front of chair, Sp and FC Sn, which he holds.
IG – WM, Bro..names Can, who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry and has made such progress as he hopes will recommend him to be passed to the Degree of a FC, for which ceremony he is properly prepared.
WM – How does he hope to obtain the privileges of the Second Degree?
IG – By the help of God, the assistance of the Sq and the benefit of a p w.
WM – We acknowledge the propriety of the aid by which he seeks admission.  Do you, Bro. IG vouch that he is in possession of the p w?
IG – I do, WM.
WM – Then let him be admitted in due form.
IG – cuts Sn
WM – Bro. Deacons.
SD and JD – rise.  SD squares Lodge to JD’s position then both proceed to door of Lodge. 
JD – places kneeling stool in position.
IG – takes Sq and goes to door followed by JD and SD, SD on left.
IG – opens door, retaining hold on it, and applies the angle of the Sq to Can’s n l b, and then raises Sq above his head to show that he has so applied it.
SD – with l h takes Can by r h (JD on Can’s left) and leads him to the kneeling stool about one short pace from it and releases h.  All three stand facing E.
IG – after Can is admitted closes door, replaces Sq and resumes his seat.
SD – to Can – Advance as a Mason – ensures that Can takes Sp, gives and cuts EA Sn.
WM – Let the Can kneel while the blessing of Heaven is invoked on what we are about to do.
SD – ensures Can kneels and gives Sn of R.
WM – one knock, SW – one knock, JW – one knock.
SD and JD – hold wands in l h, cross them over head of Can and give Sn of R.
ALL – stand with Sn of R.
Prayer
Chaplain – We supplicate the continuance of Thine aid, O merciful Lord, on behalf of ourselves and him who kneels before thee.  May the work begun in Thy Name be continued to Thy Glory and evermore established in us by obedience to Thy precepts.
ALL – So mote it be.
ALL – drop Sn of R.
SD and JD – uncross wands and hold them again in r h.
WM – Let the Can rise (He does so).
WM – sits.
ALL – (except SD, JD and Can) sit.
JD – draws kneeling stool aside to his left, out of the way of SD and Can.
SD – takes Can’s r h firmly, instructs him in a whisper to step off with l f and leads Can up N towards E part of Lodge.
JD – as soon as SD and Can have moved off, replaces kneeling stool in normal position and resumes seat.
SD – leads Can to N E corner where they square the Lodge.  SD instructs Can to step off with l f and proceeds with him to point in front of WM’s pedestal, halts there and releases hand.
SD – to Can – Salute the WM as a Mason – ensures Can takes Sp, gives EA Sn and cuts it.
SD – takes Can’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and conducts him to S E corner where they again square the Lodge.  SD again instructs Can to step off with l f and conducts him to E side of JW’s pedestal where they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance from it.  Releases hand.
SD – to Can – Advance to the JW as such, showing the Sn and communicating the Tn and Wd – ensures Can takes SP and gives EA Sn and cuts it.
JW – Have you anything to communicate?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I have (Can repeats).
JW – rises, faces Can with Sp and offers hand.
SD – places r h of Can in that of JW and adjusts EA grip from above.
JW – gives g after SD has adjusted Can’s r t and retains g throughout the whole of the colloquy – What is this?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The G or Tn of an EA FM (Can repeats).
JW – What does it demand?
SD – prompting Can aloud – A word (Can repeats).
JW – Give me that word freely and at length.
SD – prompting Can aloud - ……. (Can repeats).
JW – Pass ……. – replaces Can’s r h in l h of SD and sits.
SD – leads Can on to floor of Lodge, instructs him to step off with l f and leads him via S W corner which is squared to a point in front of SW’s pedestal, halts and releases hand.
SD – Salute the SW as a Mason – ensures Can takes Sp, gives EA Sn and cuts it.
SD – takes Can’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and leads him to N of SW’s ped, wheels clockwise so both face WM and releases hand.
WM – one knock, SW – one knock, JW – one knock.
WM – The Brethren will take notice that Bro……., who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry, is about to pass in view before them, to show that he is the Can properly prepared to be passed to the Degree of a F C.
SD – takes Cans’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and leads him up N side of Lodge, squares N E corner as before, halts in front of WM’s ped and releases hand.
SD – Salute the WM as a Mason – ensures Can takes Sp, gives EA Sn and cuts it.
SD – takes can’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and continues perambulation, squaring S E corner, halts in front of JW’s ped and releases hand.
SD – Salute the JW as a Mason – ensures Can takes Sp, gives EA Sn and cuts it.
SD – takes Can’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and continues perambulation, squaring S W corner, leads Can to S of SW’s ped where they stand parallel to ped and at a convenient distance from it. Releases h.
SD – Advance to the SW as such, showing the Sn and communicating the p g and p w you received from the WM previously to leaving the Lodge – ensures Can takes Sp, gives EA Sn and cuts it.
SW – Have you anything to communicate?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I have (Can repeats).
SW – rises, faces Can and offers hand.
SD – places Can’s r h in that of SW and with l h adjusts p g from above.
SW – gives p g after SD has adjusted Can’s r t and retains p g throughout colloquy.
SW – What is this?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The p g leading from the First to the Second Degree (Can repeats).
SW – What does this p g demand?
SD – prompting Can aloud – A p w (Can repeats).
SW – Give me that p w.
SD – prompting Can aloud - ……... (Can repeats)
SW – What does ……... denote?
SD – prompting Can aloud - ……... (Can repeats).
SW – How is it usually depicted in our Lodges?
SD – prompting Can aloud – By an e o c near to a f o w (Can repeats).
SW – Pass, ……… - replaces Can’s r h in l h of SD and remains standing.
SD – takes Can’s r h, leads him on to floor of Lodge, instructs him to step off with l f and conducts him to N side of SW’s ped.  Here he makes an anti-clockwise wheel and places Can’s r h in l h of SW: he lines up on l of Can and ensures both are facing E.
SW – holding up Can’s r h, Sp and Sn of F – WM, I present to you Bro…..….., a Can properly prepared to be passed to the Second Degree – maintains Sn and continues to hold up Can’s r h.
WM – Bro. SW, you will direct the SD to instruct the Can to advance to the E in due form.
SW – cuts Sn, replaces Can’s r h in l h of SD and sits.
SD – takes up a position on r of Can, ensures both face E and releases hand.
SW – Bro. SD, it is the WM’s command that you instruct the Can to advance to the E in due form.
SD – takes Can’s r h, instructs him to step off with l f and leads Can up N side of Lodge to a convenient distance from N E corner and turns with him so as to face S.  Leaving Can, SD moves forward to centre line of Lodge, turns and faces Can.
SD – to Can – The method of advancing from W to E in this Degree is by five steps as if ascending a winding stair.  For your information I will go through them, and you will afterwards copy me.
SD - then turns about, and stands at a point opposite WM’s ped and about three paces from it, facing S.  He places his feet at right angles, heel to heel, right foot pointing W and left foot pointing S.  He steps off with the l f, lifting his feet at each step as if ascending a winding stair.  In doing so he completes a semi-circle starting on the centre line of the Lodge and also finishing on it in front of the WM’s ped with r f pointing E, l f pointing N, h to h.
SD – then returns to Can, following the semi-circular line in the reverse direction.  He then places Can at the same point opposite the WM’s ped, releases hand and instructs him to go through the prescribed steps by standing in front of him and indicating with wand where Can’s feet should fall.  He then places himself on Can’s r as he completes steps.
JD – goes to WM’s ped and stands on Can’s left at the same time as Can and SD arrive there.  All three are now in front of WM’s ped, SD on r and JD on l of Can, all facing E.
WM – As in every case the Degrees in Freemasonry are to be kept separate and distinct, another Obligation will now be required of you, in many respects similar to the former.  Are you willing to take it?
Candidate – I am. (If Can does not answer voluntarily SD should whisper to him ‘Answer’).
WM – Then you will kneel on your r k, your l f formed an a square, (Can does so) place your r h on the VSL, (Can does so) while your l a will be supported in the angle of the square.
SD – takes Sq (usually from IPM) and passes it behind Can to JD.
JD – arranges arm of Can in angle of Sq as in H Sn or Sn of P of Second Degree, arm forwards at r a to body, forearm at r a to arm and t projecting backwards in form of a Sq.  JD supports Sq in his r h.
WM – one knock, SW – one knock, JW – one knock.
SD and JD – hold wands in l h, cross them over head of Can; both take Sp and give Sn of F.
ALL – stand, with Sp and Sn of F.
WM – to Can – Repeat your name at length and say after me:
I, ……… - (Can gives name in full) – in the presence of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe and of this worthy and worshipful Lodge of FC FMs, regularly held, assembled, and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do hereby – with l h touches Can’s r h – and hereon – with l h touches VSL – solemnly promise and swear that I will always h (pronounced hail), conceal and never improperly reveal any or either of the scts or mys of or belonging to the Second Degree in Freemasonry, denominated the FC’s to him who is but an EA, any more than I would either of them to the uninstructed and popular world who are not Masons.  I further solemnly pledge myself to act as a true and faithful Craftsman, answer Sns, obey summonses, and maintain the principles inculcated in the former degree.  These several points I solemnly swear to observe, without evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation of any kind.
So help me, A G, and keep me steadfast in this my solemn Obl of a FC FM.
JD – removes Sq and passes it to be replaced.
WM – As a pledge of your F, and to render this a S Obl which might otherwise be considered but a serious promise, you will seal it with your lips twice on the VSL (Can does so, instructed by SD in a whisper, if necessary).
ALL – cut Sn
SD and JD – lower wands to r h.
WM – Your progress in Masonry is marked by the position of the Sq and Cs.  When you were made an EA, both pts were hid; in this Degree one is disclosed, implying that you are now in the midway of Freemasonry, superior to an EA, but inferior to that which I trust you will hereafter attain.
WM – takes Can’s r h from VSL with his r h – Rise, newly obligated FC FM – restores Can’s r h to SD.
JD – returns to seat.
WM – sits
ALL – (except SD and Can) sit.
SD – takes Can’s r h turns l and conducts him to N side of WM’s pedestal so that both are in a position parallel to the pedestal and about two feet from it, facing S towards WM, and releases hand.
WM – Having taken the S Obl of a FC, I shall proceed to entrust you with the secrets of the Degree.  You will therefore advance to me as at your initiation.
SD – ensures Can takes Sp and gives EA Sn and cuts it.
WM – You will now take another short pace towards me with your l f, bringing the r h into its h as before. (Can does so) That is the s r Sp in Freemasonry, and it is in this position that the secrets of the Degree are communicated.  They consist, as in the former instance, of a Sn, Tn and Wd, with this difference, that in this Degree the Sn is of a threefold nature – rises, faces Can with Sp – The first part of the threefold Sn is called the Sn of F and is given by placing the right hand on the left breast with the thumb extended in the form of a square – illustrates and ensures Can copies – emblematically to shield the repository of your secrets from the attacks of the insidious.  The second part is called the H Sn of Sn of P, and is given by throwing up the left hand with the thumb likewise extended in the form of a square – illustrates and ensures Can copies – This took its rise at the time that Joshua fought the battles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the Almighty to continue the light of day, that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies.  The third part is the P Sn and is given by dropping the left hand, drawing the right smartly across the breast and dropping it to the side – illustrates and ensures Can copies – This is an allusion to the symbolic penalty at one time included in the Obligation in this Degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a FC FM would rather have had his heart torn from his breast – illustrates and ensures Can copies – than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him.  The full penalty was that of having the left breast laid open, the heart torn therefrom, and given to the ravenous birds of the air or devouring beasts of the field as prey.
The G or Tn is given – takes Can’s r h and adjusts g by placing Can’s t in position before placing his own – by a distinct pressure of the thumb on the second joint of the hand.  This G or Tn demands a word, a word to be given with the same strict caution as that in the former Degree; that is to say, never at length, but always by letters or syllables, to enable you to do which I must tell you that the word is ……….
SD – repeats word aloud and ensures Can repeats it aloud after him.
WM – spells word.
SD – spells word aloud and ensures Can spells it aloud after him.
WM – retaining g – As in the course of the ceremony you will be called on for this word, the SD will now dictate the answers you are to give.  What is this?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The G or Tn of a FC FM (Can repeats)
WM – What does it demand?
SD – prompting Can aloud – A word (Can repeats).
WM – Give me that word.
SD – prompting Can aloud (if necessary by phrases) and quickly to prevent him giving word at length – I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former.  I will letter or halve it with you (Can repeats).
WM – Which you please and begin.
(At this stage the word is halved).
SD – gives first half (Can repeats).
WM – gives second half.
SD – gives complete word (Can repeats).
WM – this word is derived from the right-hand pillar at the porchway or entrance of KST, so named after ……., the Assistant High Priest who officiated at its dedication.  The import of the word is, To establish; and when conjoined with that in the former Degree, stability, for God said, ‘In strength I will establish this Mine house to stand firm for ever’.  Pass ……. – places r h of Can in l h of SD and sits.
SD – turns r, controlling Can by holding his r h regains floor of Lodge, turns l, instructs Can in a whisper to step off with the l f, passes in front of WM’s ped to S E corner of Lodge which they square.  He leads Can to E side of JW’s ped where they stand parallel to ped and a convenient distance from it and releases hand.
SD – rests butt of wand on floor with top resting against r shoulder, Sp and FC Sn – Bro. JW, I present to you Bro………., on his being passed to the Second Degree – cuts Sn and takes wand in r h again.
JW – I will thank Bro………., to advance to me as a FC.
SD – instructs Can in a whisper to take Sp and give FC Sn and cut it, and ensures Can does so.
JW – Have you anything to communicate?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I have (Can repeats).
JW – rises, faces Can, takes Sp and offers hand.
SD – places Can’s r h in that of JW, adjusting Can’s r t from above.
JW – gives g after SD has adjusted Can’s r t (retains g throughout colloquy) – What is this?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The G or Tn of a FC FM (Can repeats).
JW – What does it demand?
SD – prompting Can aloud – A word (Can repeats).
JW – Give me that word.
SD - prompting Can aloud (quickly and if necessary by phrases). – I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former; I will letter or halve it with you (Can repeats in similar phrases).
JW – Which you please, and begin.
(At JW’s ped the word is both lettered and halved).
SD – gives first letter aloud (Can repeats).
JW – gives second letter.
SD – gives third letter (Can repeats).
JW – gives fourth letter.
SD – gives fifth letter (Can repeats).
JW – gives last letter.
SD – gives first half (Can repeats).
JW – gives second half.
SD – gives whole word (Can repeats).
JW – Pass, ……… - replaces Can’s r h in l h of SD and sits.
SD – leads Can via S W corner, squaring as before, to S of SW’s pedestal, both Can and SD facing N, parallel to SW’s ped and a convenient distance from it and releases hand.
SD – rests butt of wand on floor with top resting against r shoulder, Sp and FC Sn – Bro. SW, I present to you Bro…………, on his being passed to the Second Degree – cuts Sn, and takes wand in r h again.
SW – I will thank Bro…….., to advance to me as a FC, first as an EA.
SD – instructs Can in whisper to take Sp, give EA Sn and cut it and to take second Sp ensuring he does not give FC Sn at this stage.
SW – What is that?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The second r Sp in Freemasonry (Can repeats).
SW – Do you bring anything else?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I do (Can repeats).
SD – instructs Can to give and hold Sn of F and ensures he does so.
SW – What is that?
SD – prompting Can aloud and by suitable phrases – The Sn of F, emblematically to shield the repository of my secrets from the attacks of the insidious (Can repeats).
SW – Do you bring anything else?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I do (Can repeats).
SD – instructs Can to give and hold H Sn, and ensures he does so.
SW – What is that?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The H Sn or Sn of P (Can repeats).
SW – When did it take its rise?
SD – prompting Can aloud and by suitable phrases – At the time that J fought the battles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the Almighty to continue the light of day that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies (Can repeats).
SW – Do you bring anything else?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I do (Can repeats).
SD – instructs Can to cut both parts of Sn in sequence and ensures he does so.
SW – What is that?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The P Sn (Can repeats)
SW – To what does it allude?
SD – prompting Can aloud and by suitable phrases (Can repeating) – The symbolic penalty of this Degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a FC FM would rather have had his heart torn from his breast – as Can says ‘torn from his breast’ prompts him to give and cut Sn of F – than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him.
SW – Have you anything to communicate?
SD – prompting Can aloud – I have (Can repeats).
SW – rises, faces Can, takes Sp and offers hand.
SD – places Can’s r h in that of SW and adjusts g from above with l h.
SW – gives g after SD has adjusted Can’s r t (retains g throughout colloquy) – What is this?
SD – prompting Can aloud – The G or Tn of a FC FM (Can repeats).
SW – What does it demand?
SD – prompting Can aloud – A word (Can repeats).
SW – Give me that word.
SD – prompting Can aloud (quickly and if necessary by phrases) – I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former; I will letter or halve it with you (Can repeats).
SW – Which you please and begin.
(Here the word is halved).
SD – gives first half aloud (Can repeats).
SW – gives second half.
SD – gives whole word (Can repeats).
SW – Whence is this word derived?
SD – prompting Can aloud by phrases – From the r h pillar at the porchway or entrance of KST, so named after ………, the Asst H P who officiated at its dedication (Can repeats).
SW – The import of the word?
SD – prompting Can aloud – To ……… (Can repeats).
SW – And what when conjoined with that in the former?
SD – prompting Can aloud - ………, for God said, ‘In ……… I will establish this Mine house to stand firm for ever’ (Can repeats).
SW – Pass …….. – replaces Can’s r h in l h of SD and remains standing.
SD – takes Can by r h and leads him to N side of SW’s ped by passing in front of it.  He then makes an anti-clockwise wheel, places Can’s r h in l h of SW, and lining up on l of Can ensures they are both facing E.
SW – raises Can’s r h, Sp and Sn of F – WM, I present to you Bro………, on his being passed to the Second Degree for some further mark of your favour – holds Sn.
WM – Bro. SW, I delegate you to invest him with the distinguishing badge of a FC FM – holds up FC badge, then passes it to DC.
DC – takes FC badge from WM and takes it to N side of SW’s ped, squaring Lodge on the way.
SW – meanwhile, cuts Sn, returns Can’s r h to l h of SD.
SD – takes Can’s r h and moves him a short distance N from SW’s ped, turning so SD and Can face S.
SW – steps down from N side of ped and removes EA badge from Can.  He takes FC badge from DC and puts it on Can.
SD – assists SW if necessary.
DC – returns to seat.
SW – picks up lower r h corner of badge with his l h; to Can – Bro…….., by the WM’s command I invest you with the distinguishing badge of a FC FM to mark the progress you have made in the science – releases badge, returns to ped via S side and sits.
SD – takes Can’s r h, positioning himself on Can’s left and turning so both face E.  Releases hand.
Chaplain – Let me add to what has been stated by the SW that the badge with which you have now been invested points out that, as a Craftsman, you are expected to make the liberal Arts and Sciences your future study, that you may the better be enabled to discharge your duties as a Mason and estimate the wonderful works of the Almighty.
WM – Bro. SD, you will place our Brother at the S E part of the Lodge.
SD – takes Can’s r h and leads him to S E part, squaring at N E and S E corners. Both face N as near as convenient to the corner of the Lodge.  Releases hand.
SD – to Can – R f across the Lodge, l f down the Lodge; pay attention to the WM – ensures Can forms sq with his ft.
WM – Masonry being a progressive science, when you were made an EA you were placed in the N E part of the Lodge to show that you were newly admitted; you are now placed at the S E part to mark the progress you have made in the science.  You now stand to all external appearance a just and upright FC FM, and I give it you in strong terms of recommendation ever to continue and act as such; and as I trust the import of the former charge neither is nor ever will be effaced from your memory, I shall content myself with observing that, as in the previous Degree you made yourself acquainted with the principles of Moral Truth and Virtue, you are now permitted to extend your researches into the hidden mysteries of Nature and science.
SD – ensures Can is in a convenient position to see w ts.
WM – I now present to you the w ts of a FC FM; they are the Sq, L and P R – indicates w ts as he names them – The Sq is to try and adjust rectangular corners of buildings, and assist in bringing rude matter into due form; the L to lay lines and prove horizontals; the P R to try, and adjust uprights while fixing them on their proper bases.  But as we are not as we are not all operative Masons, but rather free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these ts to our morals.  In this sense, the Sq teaches morality, the L equality, and the P R justness and uprightness of life and actions.  Thus, by square conduct, level steps, and upright intentions we hope to ascend to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates.
You are now at liberty to retire in order to restore yourself to your personal comforts, and on your return to the Lodge I shall call your attention to an explanation of the T B.
SD – takes Can by r h, turns anti-clockwise to face W and conducts Can, squaring Lodge, to N of SW’s ped.  Here he wheels Can clockwise so as to face E, halts and releases hand.
SD – to Can, aloud – Salute the WM as a FC, first as an EA – instructs Can in a whisper to take Sp, give and cut EA Sn, take second Sp, give and cut FC Sn.  He ensures Can does so.
SD – takes Can by r h, makes an anti-clockwise wheel and takes him to door.
IG – goes to door in front of SD and opens it, closing it again after Can has gone out.
SD and IG -  resume seats.
Outside Lodge Can resumes his ordinary dress with FC badge.  When Can is ready:
Tyler – gives FC knocks on door of Lodge.
IG – rises in front of chair, Sp and FC Sn – Bro. JW, there is a report – holds Sn.
JW – seated, one knock.
IG – cuts Sn, goes to door, opens it and looks out without speaking.
Tyler – The Candidate on his return.
IG – makes no reply, closes door and returns to position in front of his chair, Sp and FC Sn which he holds – WM, the Can on his return.
WM – Admit him.
IG – cuts Sn, awaits arrival of SD and then goes to door.
SD – follows IG to door.
IG – opens door and admits Can.
SD – receives Can and leads him by r h to N of SW’s ped, both facing E. releases hand.
IG – when SD has received Can, closes door and resumes seat.
SD – to Can, aloud – Salute the WM as a FC, first as an EA – instructs can to take Sp, give and cut EA Sn, take second Sp, give and cut FC Sn.
SD – leads Can to N side of TB and facing it. Releases hand.
JD – goes to l side of Can so that all three face N in a line.
WM – leaves ped by the left side, goes to the S side of TB.
JW – hands pointer to WM.

Explanation of the Second Degree Tracing Board
When the Temple at Jerusalem was completed by King Solomon, its costliness and splendour became objects of admiration to the surrounding nations, and its fame spread to the remotest parts of the then known world.  There was nothing, however, in connection with this magnificent structure more remarkable, or that more particularly struck the attention, than the two great pillars which were placed at the porchway or entrance.  That on the left was called Boaz, which denotes in strength; that on the right, Jachin, which denotes to establish; and when conjoined stability; for God said ‘In strength I will establish this Mine house to stand firm forever.’
The height of those pillars was seventeen cubits and a half each, their circumference twelve, their diameter four.  They were formed hollow, the better to serve as archives to Masonry, for therein were deposited the constitutional rolls.  Being formed hollow, the outer rim or shell was four inches, or a hand’s-breadth, in thickness.  They were made of molten brass, and were cast in the plain of Jordan in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah, where King Solomon those and all his holy vessels to be cast.  The superintendent of the casting was Hiram Abif.
Those pillars were adorned with two chapiters, each five cubits high; the chapiters were enriched with network, lily-work and pomegranates.  Network, from the connection of its meshes, denotes unity; lily-work, from its whiteness, peace; and pomegranates, from the exuberance of their seed, denote plenty.  Their were two rows of pomegranates on each chapiter, one hundred in a row.  Those pillars were further adorned with two spherical balls on which were delineated maps of the celestial and terrestrial globes, pointing out Masonry universal.  They were considered finished when the network or canopy was thrown over them.
They were set up as a memorial to the children of Israel of that miraculous pillar of fire and cloud which had two wonderful effects.  The fire gave light to the Israelites during their escape from their Egyptian bondage, and the cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and his followers when they attempted to overtake them.  King Solomon ordered them to be placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most proper and conspicuous situation for the children of Israel to have the happy deliverance of their forefathers continually before their eyes in going to and returning from Divine worship.
At the building of King Solomon’s Temple an immense number of Masons were employed.  They consisted of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts.  The Entered Apprentices received a weekly allowance of corn, wine and oil; the Fellow Crafts were paid their wages in specie, which they went to receive in the middle chamber of the Temple.  They got there by the porchway or entrance on the south side.  After our ancient Brethren had entered the porch, they arrived at the foot of a winding staircase which led to the middle chamber.  Their ascent was opposed by the Junior Warden, who demanded of them the pass grip and pass word leading from the First to the Second Degree.  The pass grip you are all in possession of, and the pass word, I dare say you recollect is Shibboleth; Shibboleth, denotes plenty and is here depicted by an ear of corn near to a fall of water.
The word Shibboleth dates its origin from the time that an army of Ephraimites crossed the River Jordan in a hostile manner against Jephtha, the renowned Gileaditish general.  The reason they assigned for this unfriendly visit was that they had not been called out to partake of the honours of the Ammonitish war, but their true aim was to partake of the rich spoils with which, in consequence of that war, Jephtha and his army were then laden.  The Ephraimites had always been considered a clamorous and turbulent people, but then broke out into open violence, and after many severe taunts to the Gileadites in general, threatened to destroy their victorious commander and his house with fire.  Jephtha, on his part, tried all lenient means to appease them, but finding these ineffectual had recourse to rigorous ones.  He therefore drew out his army, gave the Ephraimites battle, defeated and put them to flight; and to render his victory decisive, and secure himself from like molestation in future, he sent detachments of his army to secure the passages of the River Jordan, over which he knew the insurgents must of necessity attempt to go in order to regain their own country, giving strict orders to his guards that if a fugitive came that way, owning himself an Ephraimite, he should immediately be slain; but if he prevaricated, or said ‘nay’ a test word was to be put to him to pronounce – the word Shibboleth. They, from a defect in aspiration peculiar to their dialect, could not pronounce it properly but called it Sibboleth, which small variation discovered their country and cost them their lives.  And Scripture informs us that there fell on that day, on the field of battle and on the banks of the Jordan, forty and two thousand Ephraimites; and as Shibboleth, was then a test word to distinguish friend from foe, King Solomon afterwards caused it to be adopted as a pass word in a Fellow Crafts’ Lodge to prevent any unqualified person ascending the winding staircase which led to the middle chamber of the Temple.
After our ancient Brethren had given those convincing proofs to the Junior Warden, he said ‘Pass Shibboleth’  They then passed up the winding staircase, consisting of three, five, seven, or more steps.  Three rule a Lodge, five hold a Lodge, seven or more make it perfect.  The three who rule a Lodge are the Master and his two Wardens; the five who hold a Lodge are the Master, two Wardens and two Fellow Crafts; the seven who make it perfect are two Entered Apprentices added to the former five.  Three rule a Lodge because there were but three Grand Masters who bore sway at the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem, namely Solomon King of Israel, Hiram King of Tyre and Hiram Abif.  Five hold a Lodge in allusion to the five noble orders of architecture, namely the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.  Seven or more make a perfect Lodge, because King Solomon was seven years and upwards in building, completing, and dedicating the Temple at Jerusalem to God’s service.  They have likewise a further allusion to the seven liberal Arts and Sciences, namely Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
After our ancient Brethren ha gained the summit of the winding staircase, they arrived at the door of the middle chamber which they found open, but properly tyled against all under the Degree of a Fellow Craft by the Senior Warden, who demanded of them the Sign, Token and Word of a Fellow Craft.  After they had given him those convincing proofs he said ‘Pass, Jachin’.  They then passed into the middle chamber of the Temple, where they went to receive their wages, which they did without scruple or diffidence:  without scruple, well knowing they were justly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days.
When our ancient Brethren were in the middle chamber of the Temple their attention was peculiarly drawn to certain Hebrew characters which are here depicted by the letter G.
WM (or PM) – one knock, SW – one knock, JW – one knock.
ALL – stand with Sn of R.
WM – denoting God, the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, to whom we must all submit and whom we ought humbly to adore.
ALL – drop Sn of R.
WM – restores pointer to JW and returns to his seat by N side.
JD – returns to his seat.
SD – leads Can direct to a seat and returns to his seat.
ALL – sit.