The Three Degrees of Freemasonry
Master Mason Degree
Charge
Charge
WM - Your zeal for the Institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in our mysteries, and your conformity to our regulations have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem.
You are now bound by duty, honor and gratitude to be faithful to your trust, to support the dignity of your character on every occasion, and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of Freemasonry.
In the character of a Master Mason you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the reputation of the Fraternity unsullied must be your constant care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors, obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate, and by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed.
The Ancient Landmarks of Masonry entrusted to your care you are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed or countenance a deviation from the established Usages and Customs of the Fraternity.
Your virtue, honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred and merit the confidence that we have reposed.
WM - [Suggested wording:] My Brother, you have now been raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason and are to be congratulated on receiving this highest honor. As in the first two degrees, it is requested that you commit certain portions of this degree to memory and pass a suitable examination therein.
Accept my congratulations, Brother B. and very shortly Brother A.B. will make arrangements for your posting.
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