The Three Degrees of Freemasonry
Master Mason Degree
Apron Presentation
Apron Address
WM - I now have the pleasure of presenting you with the lambskin or white leathern apron. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, when worthily worn.
And from the time when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, this emblem, plain and unadorned, has been the peculiar clothing of all Free and Accepted Masons.
The prince commanding the resources of empires and the citizen toiling in humble poverty have alike worn it with the consciousness that it has lightened the labors of the one and added dignity to the powers of the other.
It may be that you are, or yet will be, so firmly entrenched in the hearts of your fellow men and so deserving of their gratitude, that they will elevate you to the highest position of honor, trust and emolument and cause your name to be inscribed high upon the pillars of worldly fame.
But never before have you had, and never again, my Brother, will you have a higher mark of favor and confidence bestowed on you than this, which I, as the representative of these brethren and of the Craft throughout the world, am about to bestow.
This emblem, worn by King Solomon when arrayed in all his glory, and which invested with additional dignity the immortal Washington, and which has been eagerly sought and worthily worn by the best men of your own generation, I now present to you.
If you disgrace it, the disgrace will be augmented by the consciousness that within this Lodge you have been taught the principles of a correct and moral walk.
Its spotless white is emblematical of that purity of life and uprightness of personal manhood, which we hope and expect, will hereafter distinguish you in all your social and personal affairs.
It is now yours to wear, so long as the vital spark of life shall animate your mortal frame; and when at last, whether in youth, manhood or age, your spirit having winged its flight to that house not made with hands, and when amid the tears and sorrows of surviving relatives and friends, and by the hands of sympathizing brother Masons, your body shall be lowered to the confines of that narrow house appointed for all living, it will still be yours - yours to be placed with the evergreen upon the casket which shall enclose your remains and be buried with you.
And may you so wear this emblem of spotless white, my Brother, that no act of yours shall stain its purity or cast reflections upon an Institution which has outlived the fortunes of kings and the mutations of empires.
May you so wear it and so live, my Brother, that when your summons comes to join that innumerable caravan which moves to pale realms of shade, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou go not like the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon, but soothed and sustained by that unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Alternate Apron Address
My Brother, I now have the pleasure of presenting you with the Lambskin or White Leathern Apron. It is and emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this time, or any future period by king, prince, potentate, or any other person, except he be a Mason.
It may be that in coming years, upon your brow will rest the laurel leaves of victory; from you breast may yet hang jewels fit to grace the diadem if an eastern potentate; nay, more than these, with light added to the coming light, you ambitious feet may tread round after round of the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle, and even the purple of our Fraternity rest upon your honored shoulders; but never again from mortal hands - never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematical of purity and of all perfection, be bestowed upon you, as this which I now confer.
Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever present reminder of an unblemished purity of life and rectitude of conduct; a never ending argument for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for purer actions.
And when at last your weary feet have come to the end of their toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working tools of life, may the record of your life and conduct be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem which I now place in your hands.
It is yours - yours to wear throughout an honorable life, and at your death to be placed upon the casket which shall enclose you lifeless remains, and with them deposited in the silent tomb.
And when at last your trembling soul stands naked and alone before the Great White Throne, may it be your portion, oh, my Brother, to hear form Him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme the welcome words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter, thou, into the joy of Thy Lord."
I trust that you will wear it with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity.
Copyright 2001 - 2007 © by John Salza. All Rights Reserved.
johnsalza@scripturecatholic.com