Wardens, and convince them that I had been regularly initiated as an
Entered Apprentice Mason, and was in possession of the sign, grip, and
word.

Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master a second time
approaching me from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or
white apron, which he said was an emblem of innocence, and the badge
of a Mason; that it had been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of
the earth, who had never been ashamed to wear it; that it was more
honorable than the diamonds of kings, or pearls of princesses, when
worthily worn; and more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle;
more honorable than the Star or Garter, or any other order that could
be conferred on me at that time, or any time thereafter, except it be
in the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons; and
bid me carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to
wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason.

Q. What were you next presented with? A. The working tools of an
Entered Apprentice Mason.

Q. What were they? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge and common gavel.

Q. How were they explained? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge is an
instrument made use of by operative masons to measure and lay out
their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make
use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our
time; the twenty-four inches on the gauge are emblematical of the
twenty-four hours in the day, which we are taught so divide into three
equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a
worthy distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocation, and