R.W.M. “Brother Candidate, Freemasonry being a progressive science, when you were made an Entered Apprentice you were placed in the North-East part of the lodge, to show that you were newly admitted. You are now placed in the South-East part, to mark the progress you have made in the science. As in the former degree you were made acquainted with the principles of moral truth and virtue, on which our system is based. ”
“You will now be permitted to extend your researches into the more hidden mysteries of the craft. In the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe and by the command of the Right Worshipful Master, I shall now present you with the working tools of a Fellowcraft Freemason, which are the Square, the Level and the Plumb-Rule. The square is used by operative masons to try and adjust all rectangular corners of buildings and to assist in bringing rude matter into due form, the level is to lay levels and prove horizontals, and the plumb-rule is to try and adjust all uprights while fixing them on their proper basis. ”
“But as we are not operative, but Free and Accepted or Speculative Masons we apply these tools to our morals. In this sense the Square teaches us to regulate our actions by the Masonic Rule and line, and to harmonise our conduct with the principles of morality and virtue. The Level demonstrates that we are descended from the same stock, partakers of the same nature, and share the same hope and that although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination and to reward merit and ability, yet there is no eminence of station should make us forget that we are all brethren, because the time will come when all distinctions, save those of goodness and virtue, shall cease, and death the grand leveller of all human greatness, will reduce us to the same state. The Plumb-Rule admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations, to hold the scales of justice with an equal poise, to observe the just medium between avarice and profusion, and to make our passions and prejudices coincide with the exact line of duty. In this sense the Square teaches morality; the Level, equality; and the Plumb-Rule, justness and uprightness of life and actions. Thus by square conduct,
level steps and upright actions, we hope to ascend to those immortal mansions above, whence all goodness emanates.”
R.W.M. “I now present to you the working tools of a Master Mason, which are the Skerrit, the Pencil and the Compasses. The skerrit is an instrument which acts on a centre pin, from whence a line is drawn, chalked and struck, to mark out the ground for the foundation of the intended structure. With the pencil the skilful artist delineates the building in a draft or plan for the instruction and guidance of the workmen. The compasses enable him with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine the limits and proportions of its several parts. ”
“But as we are not operative, but Free and Accepted Masons, we apply those tools to our morals. In this sense the Skerrit points out to us that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down for our pursuits in the Volume of the Sacred Law. The Pencil teaches us that out words and actions are observed and recorded by the Almighty Architect, to whom we must give an account of our conduct though life. The Compasses remind us of His unerring and impartial justice, which, having defined for our instruction the limits of good and evil, will reward or punish us as we have obeyed or disregarded His Divine Commands. Thus, the working tools of a Master Mason teach us to have in mind and to act according to the Laws of the Divine Creator, that, when we shall be summoned from his sublunary abode, we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above, where the Worlds Great Architect lives and reigns forever.”