inflict
the wound. The executioner then places the edge of the chisel near the
spot and draws back the mallet, and while making several false
motions, says, "Operative Masons make use of the engraving chisel and
mallet to cut, hew, carve, and indent their work; but we, as Free and
Accepted Masons, make use of them for a more noble and glorious
purpose; we use them to cut, hew, carve, and indent the mind;" giving,
at the instant the last word is pronounced, a severe blow with the
mallet upon the head of the chisel, without the least injury to the
candidate, which often terrifies him to an alarming degree. The
candidate is then conducted four times around the Lodge, and each
time, as he passes the station of the Master, Senior and Junior
Wardens, they each give one loud rap with their mallet; the Master, in
the meantime, reads the following passages of Scripture: Psalms
cxviii. 22. "The stone which the builders refused is become the
headstone of the corner." Matt. xxi. 42. "Did ye never read in the
Scriptures the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become
the head of the corner?" Luke xx. 17. "What is this, then, that is
written: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the
head of the corner?" Acts iv. 11. "This is the stone which was set at
nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner." The
reading of them is so timed as to be completed just as the candidate
arrives at the Junior Warden's post; here he stops, and the same
questions are asked and answers returned, as at the door; the same
passes at the Senior Warden and Master, who orders the candidate to be
conducted back to the Senior Warden in the West, by him to be taught
to approach the East by four upright regular steps, his feet forming a
square, and body erect at the altar; the candidate then kneels and
receives the obligation, as follows:

"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty
God, and this Right Worshipful Lodge of Mark Master Masons, do
hereby and hereon, in addition to my former obligations, most
solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will not give the
degree of a Mark Master Mason to anyone of an inferior degree, nor
to any other person in the known world, except it be to a true and
lawful brother or brethren of this degree, and not unto him nor
unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only
whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial