Test-oath.—­“I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will not communicate the secret test-word, annexed to this obligation, to any but a true and lawful Master Mason, and that in the body of a lawful Lodge of such, in actual session, or at the door of a Lodge, for the purpose of gaining admission; under the penalty of being forever disgraced and dishonored as a man, and despised, degraded, and expelled as a Mason.”

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FOURTH, OR MARK MASTER’S DEGREE.

Ceremonies used in opening A lodge of mark master masons.

One rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls up the Junior and Senior Deacons; two raps call up the subordinate officers; and three, all the members of the Lodge.  The Right Worshipful Master having called the Lodge to order, and all being seated, the Right Worshipful Master says to the Junior Warden, “Brother Junior, are they all Mark Master Masons in the South?” Junior Warden answers, “They are, Right Worshipful.”  R. W. M.—­“I thank you, brother.”  R. W. M.—­“Brother Senior, are they all Mark Master Masons in the West?” Senior Warden—­“They are, Right Worshipful.”  R. W. M.—­“They are in the East.”  At the same time gives a rap with the mallet which calls up both Deacons.  R. W. M.—­“Brother Junior, the first care of a Mason?” “To see the Lodge tyled, Right Worshipful.”  R. W. M.—­“Attend to that part of the duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and direct him to tyle accordingly.”  Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives four raps, which are answered by four without by the Tyler; the Junior Deacon then gives one, which is answered by the Tyler with one; the door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon then delivers his message and resumes his station, gives the due-guard of a Mark Master Mason, and says, “The door is tyled, Right Worshipful.”  R. W. M.—­“By whom?” J. D.—­“By a Mark Master Mason without the door, armed with the proper implements of his office.”  R. W. M.—­“His duty there?” J. D.—­“To keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers, see that none pass or repass without permission from the Right Worshipful Master.”  R. W. M.—­“Brother Junior, your place in the Lodge?” J. D.—­“At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the West.”  R. W. M.—­“Your business there, Brother Junior?” J. D.—­“To wait on the Right Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and take care of the door.”  R. W. M.—­“The Senior Deacon’s place in the Lodge?” J. D.—­“At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East.”  R. W. M.—­“I thank you, brother.”  He then gives two raps with the mallet, and the subordinate officers rise.  R. W. M.—­“Your duty there, Brother Senior?” S. D.—­“To wait on the