Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-11-18
ANTI
BERNARD'S LIGHT ON
MASONRY.
(continued from our ninth No.)

AT the next regular communication it no
very serious objection appears against the car
didatt the ballot-boxes will be passed, one
black BALL will reject candidate. The boxes
may be passed three times. The Deacons are
the proper persons to pass them; one of the box-
es has black and white beans, or balls in it, the
other empty; the one with the balls in it goes
before, and furnishes each member with black
and white ball, the empty box follows and re-
rieves them. There are two holes in the top
Of MS box with small tube generally in each
one of which IS black, and the other white,
with partition in the box. The members put
both their balls into the box as their feelings
dictate; when the balls are received. the box is
presented to the Master, Senior, and junior
Wardens, who pronounce clear or not clear, as
the case may be. The ballot proving clear,
the candidate (if present) is conducted into a
small preparation room adjoining the lodge, he
is asked the following questions, and gives the
following answers. Senior Deacon to candi-
date, DO you sincerely declare, upon your ho-
nour before these gentlemen, that, unbiased
by friends, uninhuenccd by unworthy motives,
you freely and voluntarily offer yourself can
didate for the mysteries of Masonry?' Ans. Il
do Senior Deacon to candidate, Do you sim
cerely declare. upon your honor before these
gentlemen. that YOU are prompt to solicit the
privileges of Masonry. by favorable opinion
conceived of the institution, desire of know
ledge, and sincere wish of being serviceable
to YOUR fellow creatures AnS. Il do.' Semi,
or Deacon to candidate, y Do you sincerely
declare, upon your honor before these gentle.
men. that you will cheerfully conform to al
the ancient established usages and customs o.
the fraternity? Ans. y do After the abov,
questions are proposed and answered, and the
result reportedtto the Master, he says, Breth
rem, at the request of MIR. A. b. he has beer
proposed and accepted in regular form.
therefore recommend him as proper cansli
date for the my stories Of masonry, and worth,
to partake of The privileges of the fraternity
and in consequence of declaration of his in.
tentions. voluntarily made, believe he will
cheerfully conform TO the rules of the order.
The candidate. during the time. is Invested OF
his apparel (shirt excepted) and furnishedswit,
a pair of drawers kept in the lodge for the use
ofcandidates; the candidate is then blindfoId
cd. his left foot bare, his right in slipper nj.
left breast and arm naked, and a rope called a
cahlrt round his neck and left arm, 1.-THE rop,
] ne reader will here learn one reason whv tbos,
who enter LODGE never come out until they have ia
ken degree The candidate is made to promise up
on his honor that he will tconform to all the ancien
established usages and customs of the fraternity;
hence let him be ever much opposed to the ceremo
mics of initiation, the oath ohe degree, he cannC
60 back, for he feels boundby his promise. Should
however feel constrained to violate his word the pei
suSsons, and, Unnecessary, the threats of the Maste
gid brethren compel him to 60 forward. =