OPENING IN THE SECOND DEGREE
Before opening in the Second Degree WM would normally request EAs to retire.
WM one gavel, SW one gavel, JW one gavel.
WM – Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the Second Degree.
ALL – rise
WM – Bro. JW, what is the first care of every FC FM?
JW – To see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
WM – Direct that duty to be done.
JW – Bro. IG, see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
IG – goes to door, gives EA knocks and returns to position in front of chair.
Tyler – responds with same knocks.
IG – Sp and EA Sn – Bro. JW, the Lodge is properly tyled – cuts Sn.
WM – Bro. SW, the next care?
SW – To see that the Brethren appear to order as Masons.
WM – To order, Brethren, in the First Degree
ALL – take Sp, with EA Sn.
WM – Bro. JW, are you a FC FM?
JW – I am, WM, try me and prove me.
WM – By what instrument in architecture will you be proved?
JW – The Sq.
WM – What is a Sq?
JW – An angle of 90 Degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.
WM – Being yourself acquainted with the proper method, you will prove the Brethren Craftsmen, and demonstrate the proof to me by copying their example.
JW – Brethren, it is the WM’s command that you prove yourselves Craftsmen.
ALL – (except WM and JW) cut EA Sn, take Sp with FC Sn.
JW – having assured himself that all have proved themselves – WM, the Brethren have proved themselves Craftsmen, and in obedience to your command I thus copy their example – cuts EA Sn, takes Sp with FC Sn.
WM – Bro. JW, I acknowledge the correctness of the Sn – cuts EA Sn, takes Sp with FC Sn.
Chaplain – Before we open the Lodge in the Second Degree, let us supplicate the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, that the rays of Heaven may shed their influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue and science.
ALL – So mote it be.
WM – Brethren, in the name of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, I declare the Lodge duly open (ALL – cut Sn) on the Sq, for the instruction and improvement of Craftsmen.
WM – FC knocks, SW – FC knocks, JW - FC knocks.
SD and JD – attend to TB and WTs, then stand to order in N and S, facing E.
IG – goes to the door, gives FC knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler – responds with same knocks.
IPM – exposes one p of Cs, then takes one pace back, facing WM.
IPM, SD and JD – take Sp with FC Sn, cut Sn, then return to respective positions in front of chairs.
WM – sits.
ALL – sit.