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Illustrations of Masonry, by William Morgan, [1827], at sacred-texts.com

FELLOW CRAFT DEGREE

The Holy Bible ought to be opened at the 7th chapter of Amos and one point of the compass elevated above the square.

Preparation of Candidate Fellow Craft Degree.—He is ushered into the "preparation room" as before, and divested of all his clothing as in the preceding degree. In this case the right leg of the old drawers is raised up above the knee, the right sleeve of the shirt is rolled up above the elbow, the slipper is now put upon the left foot, the left heel being slip shod. The hoodwink is again put over both eyes and the cable-tow is put twice around the naked right arm and an apron tied on, in which condition he is "duly and truly prepared" and led by the Junior Deacon to the door of the lodge as before.

p. 107

Worshipful Master to Candidate:—You will advance to the altar, kneel upon your naked right knee, your left forming a square, your right hand resting on the Holy Bible, square and compass, your left forming a right angle Supported by the square in which due form you will say, "I," with your name in full, and repeat after me.

Due Guard of a Fellow Craft.—Hold out the right hand a little from the body and on a line with the lower button of the vest, the palm being open and turned down-ward; also raise the left arm so as to form a right angle at the elbow, from the shoulder to the elbow being horizontal and fore-arm perpendicular.

Sign of a Fellow Craft.—Made from the due-guard by dropping the left hand carelessly to the side and at Om same time raise the right hand to the left breast, with the palm towards the breast and the fingers a little crooked; then draw the hand smartly across the breast from left to right and let it drop perpendicularly to the side.

Sign without Due Guard.—The usual way outside the lodge). Draw the right hand, palm open and fingers a little crooked, smartly across the breast from left to right and drop it carelessly by your side.

Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft.—Take each other's hands as in ordinary hand-shaking and press the top of your thumb hard against the space between the first and second knuckles of the right hand. Should the person whose hand you hold be a Fellow Craft, he will return a like pressure on your hand, or else may give you the grip of an Entered Apprentice.

p. 108

Pass of Fellow Craft—Shibboleth. It is the name of this grip.

Real Grip of a Fellow Craft.—Take each other by the right hand as in ordinary hand-shaking and press top of your thumb hard against the second knuckle. Should the man whose hand you shake be a Fellow Craft, he will return a similar pressure on your hand, or may possibly give you any one of the two preceding grips.

Word of Fellow Craft—Jachin. It is the name of this the real grip.

Fellow Craft or Second Step.—Step off one step with the right foot and bring the heel of the left foot to the hollow of the right; your feet forming the angle of an oblong square.