“Brother, it has been a custom from time immemorial to demand, or ask from a newly-made brother, something of a metallic kind, not so much on account of its intrinsic value, but that it may be deposited in the archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you was herein made a Mason; a small trifle will be sufficient—­anything of a metallic kind will do; if you have no money, anything of a metallic nature will be sufficient; even a button will do.” [The candidate says he has nothing about him; it is known he has nothing.] “Search yourself,” the Master replies.  He is assisted in searching—­nothing is found.  “Perhaps you can borrow a trifle,” says the Master. [He tries to borrow, none will lend him; he proposes to go into the other room where his clothes are; he is not permitted:  if a stranger, he is very much embarrassed.] Master to candidate, “Brother, let this ever be a striking lesson to you, and teach you, if you should ever see a friend, but more especially a brother, in a like penniless situation, to contribute as liberally to his relief as his situation may require, and your abilities will admit, without material injury to yourself or family.”  Master to Senior Deacon, “You will conduct the candidate back from whence he came, and invest him of what he has been divested, and let him return for further instruction.  A zealous attachment to these principles will insure a public and private esteem.  In the State, you are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your government, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty, but faithfully submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live.  In your outward demeanor be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach.  Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your necessary vocations; for these are on no account to be neglected:  neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it.  At your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are to converse with well-informed brethren, who will be always as ready to give, as you will be to receive information.  Finally, keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community, and mark your consequence among Masons.  If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive not to commend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our rules; that the honor, glory, and reputation of the institution may be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects.”  Here the initiation ends, and the candidate is congratulated by his Masonic friends.

After this, the business of the meeting proceeds according to the by-laws or regulations of the Lodge.  Before adjourning, it is a very common practice to close a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and open a Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and close that, and open a Master Mason’s Lodge, all in the same evening.