It is am emblem of
innocence and the badge of a Mason. More
ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star
and Garter, or any distinction that can be conferred upon you, at this or any
future period, by King, Prince, Potentate or any other person.
It may be that in
the coming years, upon your head shall rest the laurel wreath of victory, upon
your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an eastern potentate;
nay more than these, with light added to coming light, your ambitious feet may
tread round after round the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle and
even the purple of our Fraternity may rest upon your honored shoulder.
But never again
from mortal hands, never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed
upward and inward through the pearly gates shall any honor so distinguished, so
emblematical of purity and all perfections, be bestowed upon you as this which
I now confer.
It is yours - your
name is written upon it - yours to wear throughout an honorable life and at
your death be placed upon the coffin which shall contain your earthly remains
and with them laid beneath the silent clods of the
valley.
Let its pure and
spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of an emblematical or
unblemished purity of life and rectitude of conduct, a never-ending argument
for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for purer actions, and for greater
achievements. And when at last your
weary feet shall have come to the end of their toilsome journey, and from your
nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working tools of life, may the record of
your life and actions be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem which I now
place in your hands (hand its).
And when your
trembling soul shall stand naked and alone before the Great White Throne, there
to receive judgment for the deeds done while in the body, may it be your
portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the Judge
Supreme, the welcome words “Well done thou good and faithful servant enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord.”
It is hoped, my
Brother, that you will wear that apron with pleasure to your self and honor to
the Fraternity.