Explanation of the Working Tools of the Second Degree

The WM in the Chair announces that “The Worshipful Master will now present the Working Tools. Brother Wardens”

The Tools are NOT placed on the cushion for presentation

SD positions Candidate about half way between pedestal and WM chair.SD stands behind Candidate. WM stands in front of his chair with SW on his right and JW on his left but not in a line. The wardens are parallel to each other about half way between Candidate and WM so that in effect they form a square.

As each officer speaks they hold up their collars (take them off if all 3 agree) with the other hand behind the jewel itself thus making the jewel a silhouette against the white of the glove

- 2 -

WM.We now present to you the working tools of a Fellow Craft Freemason: they are the Square

SW.the Level

JW.and the Plumb Rule.

WM.The Square is to try, and adjust rectangular corners of buildings, and assist in bringing rude matter into due form;

SW.The Level to lay levels and prove horizontals;

JW.The Plumb Rule to try, and adjust uprights while fixing them on their proper bases.

WM.But as we are not all operative Masons, but rather free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals.

WM.In this sense, the Square teaches us to regulate our lives and actions according to the Masonic line and rule, and to harmonise our conduct in this life so as to render us acceptable to that Divine Being from whom all goodness springs, and to whom we must give an account of all our actions.

SW.The Level demonstrates that we are all sprung from the same stock, partakers of the same nature and sharers in the same hope; and although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, yet ought no eminence of situation make us forget that we are Brothers, for he who is placed on the lowest spoke of fortune’s wheel is equally entitled to our regard, as a time will come — and the wisest of us knows not how soon — when all distinctions, save those of goodness and virtue, shall cease, and death, the grand leveller of all human greatness, reduce us to the same state.

JW.The infallible Plumb Rule, which, like Jacob’s ladder, connects heaven and earth, is the criterion of rectitude and truth. It teaches us to walk justly and uprightly before God and man, neither turning to the right nor left from the paths of virtue; not to be an enthusiast, persecutor, or slanderer of religion, neither bending towards avarice, injustice, malice, revenge, nor the envy and contempt of mankind, but giving up every selfish propensity which might injure others. To steer the bark of this life over the seas of passion without quitting the helm of rectitude is the highest perfection to which human nature can attain: and as the builder raises his column by the level and perpendicular, so ought every Mason to conduct himself towards this world, to observe a due medium between avarice and profusion, to hold the scales of justice with equal poise, to make his passions and prejudices coincide with the just line of his conduct, and in all his pursuits to have eternity in view.

WM.Thus the Square teaches morality,

SW.The Level equality,

JW.and the Plumb Rule justness and uprightness of life and actions.

WM.And by square conduct,

SW.Level steps,

JW.and upright intentions

WM.we hope to ascend to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates.