fit to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the signs." [Here Lodges
differ very much. In some they declare the Lodge open, as follows,
before they give the sign.] The Master (all the brethren imitating
him) extends his left arm from his body, so as to form an angle of
about forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand traversely across
his left, the palms thereof one inch apart. This is called the first
sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in this degree, and alludes
to the position a candidate's hands are placed in when he takes the
obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason. The Master then draws his
right hand across his throat, the hand open, with the thumb next to
the throat, and drops it down by his side. This is called the
due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason (many call it the sign), and
alludes to the penalty of an obligation. The Master then declares the
Lodge opened in the following manner:--"I now declare the Lodge of
Entered Apprentice Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business."
The Senior Warden declares it to the Junior Warden, and he to the
brethren. "Come, brethren, let us pray."

PRAYER.--Most holy and glorious God! the great Architect of the
Universe: the giver of all good gifts and graces. Thou hast promised
that "Where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt
be in the midst of them, and bless them." In Thy name we assemble,
most humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that
we may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend
to Thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge and virtue. And we
beseech Thee, O Lord God, to bless our present assembling; and to
illumine our minds through the influence of the Son of Righteousness,
that we may walk in the Light of Thy countenance; and when the trials
of our probationary state are over, be admitted into the temple not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. So mote it be.