"Preamble to the Charge after Initiation"

My Brother…….

The preparation for your initiation must have seemed strange to you.  I am now permitted to explain it to you.

You were hoodwinked for three reasons, to permit your mind to conceive before your eyes were enabled to discover the beauties of Freemasonry; to remind you that as you were admitted in a state of darkness so must you keep the outside world, in respect of our Masonic secrets; and so that had you refused to go through the usual ceremony you could have been led from the lodge without observing its form.

The reasons for the Cable Tow with a running noose being placed about your neck have already been, in part, explained to you.  In ancient times the Entered Apprentice wore the Cable Tow about his neck to impress on his mind his duty to remain within hail so as to come on in due time whenever summoned to his Lodge, unless prevented by illness.

Your Left Breast was made bare to discover your sex, since none but free born men of mature age can be made Freemasons. 

Your Right Arm was made bare that the Brethren might see that you had no weapon about you, and also, that you were willing to labour.

Your Left Knee was made bare because it was on that that you took your Great and Solemn obligation; the left side of man has always been considered the weaker, and although the obligation you took was sacred and binding it is deemed imperfect without others which are to follow, you, therefore, took it on your left knee, though your inherent weakness was supported by placing your Right Hand on the V.O.S.L.

You were Slipshod because that was the custom observed by our ancient brethren in the east where the slipping off of a shoe was considered to be a pledge of fidelity; also, you were slipshod because the ground on which our Lodges stand is considered to be holy.

You were divested of all metallic substances for reasons already explained to you and to ensure that you should not bring anything offensive or defensive into the Lodge to disturb its harmony.

The three distinct knocks by which you were admitted allude to an ancient and venerable exhortation:- “Seek and ye shall find:” “Ask and ye shall receive:”  “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”    You Brother,  sought in your mind, you asked of a friend, he knocked , and now the doors of Freemasonry have been opened to admit you.

That, my Brother, is the best explanation I can give you, at this time, of the mode of your preparation.

Your attention will now be directed to an ancient charge given to all initiates into Freemasonry.