Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Maryland and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. Lodge of Instruction STUDENT OUTLINE First Degree (Entered Apprentice) 1. LEARNING OBJECTIVES a) Enabling Learning Objectives (1) With the aid of references, state the preparatory steps for conferring the First Degree. (2) With the aid of references describe a candidate’s preparation for Initiation. (3) With the aid of references, describe the meaning and components of the First Degree. b) Terminal Objectives (1) (1)Without the aid of references, confer the degree of Entered Apprentice in accordance with the “Masonic Ritual” used by the M.W.P.H.G.L. MD, and Its Jurisdiction, Inc. 2. PRE-DEGREE PREPARATION a) Degree Team Assignment a. Assign both ritualistic and lecture parts. b. Have backups for all major parts. b) Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse a. Rehearse individually. b. Rehearse as a Team. c. Practice movements about the Lodge. d. Conduct a Dress Rehearsal. c) Designate a Prompter First Degree (Entered Apprentice) Page 1 of 3 3. PRE-INITIATION PROCEDURES a) Candidates’ Declaration b) Candidates Preparation Candidates should be prepared by being ____________________ of all metallic substances, neither _______________ nor __________, ____________ nor ___________, __________ knee and _______ _______, hoodwinked and ____________________________________. Stewards are asked to state how candidates for the degree are to be prepared. They are then commanded to cause the candidate(s) to make the alarm when thus prepared. Pay close attention when the candidates enter. No degree work should start if the candidates are improperly prepared in this degree or any other degree. 4. PRE-INITIATION PROCEDURES a) The First Degree Defined The First Degree represents __________________. Its primary focus is man’s _________ into the _______________. The primary focus of the First Degree is the birth of ___________________ in the mind. b) Scripture Lesson The scriptural text of the First Degree is _____________________________________. c) Obligation i.The Obligation consists of three parts: 1.Opening 2.Promise of Non-transmittal 3.The penalty ii.The penalty comes down from a time when such penalties were inflicted upon heretics, pirates, and ________________. The true penalty of the First Degree is to be _______ ___________________________________________________________________ ___. d) Modes of Recognition: “How may I know you to be such? – By certain signs, a token, a word, and the perfect points of my entrance.” The modes of recognition are those things, which identify or distinguishes a brother of a particular degree. In the first degreee there are the signs - (the due guard and penalty), the token (Grip of EA), the word (the word of EA), and the perfect points. The perfect points are the ___________, the ______________, the __________________, and _______________. These allude to the Four Cardinal Virtues. First Degree (Entered Apprentice) Page 2 of 3 e) Charge a. The First Degree speaks of Three (3) Great Duties: Your duty to _______, your duty to your __________, and your duty to ____________. b. This concept is presented and re-inforced throughout the degree. As an example, upon being brought to light, you behold the Three Great Lights: The Holy Bible, The Square, and the Compasses. (How do they relate to the great duties?) c. The First Degree Charge also sets forth the responsibilities we have to our state and the image we project to the outer world. With respect to our state, we are to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Be quiet and peaceable citizens. Be true to the government. Not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion. Patiently to submit to legal authority. With regard to our outward demeanor: We are also to avoid censure and _____________. 5. Other Items That Must Be Understood a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) m) n) The Lodge Defined The Charter Lodges Held Forms Supports Covering Furniture of a Lodge (4 items) Question: To whom are they dedicated? Ornaments (Masonic Pavement, Indented Tessel, and Blazing Star) Lights. Question: What is the North masonically termed as? Jewels of the Lodge (Six: 3 immovable and 3 movable). Question: What do the immovable ones teach us? How situated To Whom Dedicated Principal Tenets (Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth) Chalk, Charcoal, and Clay (freedom, fervency, and zeal) Symbolism Charge Summary and Questions First Degree (Entered Apprentice) Page 3 of 3