From 1690 to 1729 a number of manuscript and printed questions and answers of varying
states of completeness have survived. These show a simple two-degree system (Entered
Apprentice and Fellow Craft), the taking of an obligation on the Bible (sometimes
including a physical penalty), the communication of signs and words for each degree
and a very simple symbolism based upon stonemasons' tools. The earliest reference
to a third degree, so far discovered, comes in 1725 but it is not until 1730 that
we have any idea of its content. In that year Samuel Prichard published his exposure
Masonry Dissected. This shows a system of three separate degrees - Entered Apprentice,
Fellowcraft and Master Mason - each with its own sign and word but with only an obligation
in the first degree. The ceremonies were in two parts: the communicating of the
sign and word, in each case followed by a short set of questions and answers in which
the ceremony and the purpose of the degree is explained, again using simple symbolism
based on the stone masons tools. From the 1770s onwards the lectures based on questions
and answers began to be expanded, incorporating symbolical explanations of the way
the candidate was prepared for each degree. They also included additional stonemasons
tools to illustrate virtues expected to be practised by Freemasons and symbolical
explanations of the furniture of the Lodge room and the regalia worn by the members.
Under the rival Grand Lodges in England see How Freemasonry started there had been
differences in the way of carrying out the ceremonies in lodges. When the two Grand
Lodges united in 1813, a Lodge of Reconciliation was set up to produce a standard
form of ritual to be used by all lodges. The Lodge of Reconciliation spent two years
deliberating and in 1816 its recommendations were accepted by Grand Lodge and ordered
to be adopted by every lodge. In essence the Lodge of Reconciliation expanded the
simple 18th century ceremonies by incorporating material from the lectures, which
gradually dropped out of use, except in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement. As Grand
Lodge refused to allow the new ritual to be printed or circulated in manuscript,
arranging instead for it to be demonstrated and passed on by word of mouth, the aim
of producing a standard working to be carried out in every lodge was never in fact
achieved. The methods of promulgation of the new system together with a refusal
to give up idiosyncratic local differences has led to a wide variety of workings
being practised in English lodges. The basic framework of the ceremonies is the
same but there are differences of wording and of the manner of carrying out the ceremonies
and in some workings there are additional or extended charges and lectures. The ritual
for each of the three Craft degrees today falls into two parts.
The first is a rather dramatic play in which the candidate is introduced, demonstrates
his qualifications for the degree, takes his obligation, and has the signs and words
communicated and explained to him. The second part of each ceremony is a formal
charge or lecture in which the purpose of the degree and a Freemasons' duties are
explained. The Charge to the Initiate is possibly one of the most succinct explanations
in the English language of how to live a good and useful life.
The ritual is not set in tablets of stone and has changed and developed over the
nearly three hundred years for which evidence exists. A comparison of the earliest
simple sets of questions and answers with the ceremonies of today shows how extensive
the development has been. Sometimes the changes have been imperceptible, while at
others they have been highly publicised. Although changes have occurred they have
not altered the basic nature of the Craft. One of the major changes, which began
imperceptibly, had been the de-Christianising of the ritual. In the early days much
of the simple symbolism used could have given a distinctly Trinitarian Christian
explanation and the two Saints John (the Baptist and the Evangelist) were claimed
as patrons of the order.
