FIRST PRINCIPAL’S LECTURE

(Instead of the brief Lecture below, if so desired, the

more elaborate Lecture printed in Appendix III may be
given)

M.E.Z. (Ks.4, but remains seated) In R.A. Masonry

we acknowledge five Sns., corresponding in number
with T.F.P.O.F., in which the M.M. has already been
instructed; and as these latter point out the relative
duties we owe to each other, so do the R.A. Sns. mark
in a peculiar manner the relation we bear to the M.H.

I Will now go through the Sns., and you, my

newly exalted Comp, will rise and copy me. (Here 1st
Prin. and the Can. rise, 1st Prin.steps down from the
dais.)

This is the P..Sn. (shows it, given with the l.hd. in

practically the same fashion as the E.A.’s Sn., save that
the t.u.b. is concealed. and with the same “drawing”
movement, the Sn. being discharged by dropping l.hd. to
the side), the only perfect Sn. in Freemasonry given
with l.hd.

This is the Rev. or H.Sn.(Head is slightly bowed,

the l.hd. with the t.u.b. concealed is raised to f.r.h.d. with
the t.u.b. side of the hd. against the f.r.h.d as if shading
the eyes, a distinct pause, and then the r.hd. with the
t.u.b. concealed is raised to the l.b. as in the Sn. of R.
The Sn., after a slight pause, Is discharged by dropping
both hds. simultaneously to the sides without any
“Drawing” movement), and is to be used on all
occasions when entering or retiring from the Chapter,
and when addressing the Prins.

This is the P.n.t. n.al(penitential) or

S.p.l.c.t.ry(supplicatory) Sn., on bended kns. and with
uplifted hds. (the M.E.Z. bends his ks. and clasps his
hds. as if in prayer)

This is the M.n.t.r.al (Monitorial) Sn., hds .

girding the loins, t.u.bs. in front , with the body bent
slightly backwards (does it)

And, this is the F.d.c.al. (Fiducial) Sn. (extends both

a..s at full length horizontally in f.othe body, P..s (palms)
facing downwards)

The P.n.l. Sn. (penitential) (gives it) marks the

penalty opf our Ob. and alludes to the fall of Adam,
and the dreadful penalty entailed thereby on his
sinful posterity, no less than death. It intimates by the
very act that the stiff-necked and disobedient shall be
cut off from the land of the living by the judgement of
God, even as the head is severed from the body by the
sword of human justice.

To avert which, we are taught by the R… or H..

Sn. to bend (h..d is bent slightly f..d. and first part of
REv. or H.Sn. given by placing the l.hd.to f..r..h..d with
the t.u.b,. hid) with humility and resignation beneath
the chastening hand of the Almighty, at the same
time to engraft His Laws on our hearts (completes Sn.
by placing r.hd. on l.b. with t.u.b. hid.)
The R… or H… Sn., may justly be deemed the
parent of the P..Sn, since it so truly denotes that
frame of heart and mind, without which our prayers
and oblations of praise cannot find acceptance at the
throne of grace, before which,how should a frail and
erring creature of the dust present himself but on
bended knees (does it) and with uplifted hands (does
it), at once betokening his humility and contrition?

The M….Sn. (Monitorial) reminds us of the

weakness of human nature, unable of itself to resist
the powers of darkness, unless assisted by that light
(pointing up) which is from above. By this defenceless
posture (gives it), we acknowledge our whole frailty,
and confess that we can do no manner of good or
acceptable service, but through Him from Whom all
good counsels and just works do proceed.

Therefore, by this outward form of faith and

dependence, the F…Sn.(four) (shows it, and maintains
it while contuinuing:), we show that we would
prostrate ourselves with our faces to the dust. Thus
must we throw ourselves on the mercy of our Divine
Creator and Judge, who is the great I AM, the Alpha
and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and
the Last. (drops Sn.)