with a partition in the box. The members put both their balls into
this box as their feelings dictate; when the balls are received, the
box is presented to the Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens, who
pronounce clear or not clear, as the case may be. The ballot proving
clear, the candidate (if present) is conducted into a small
preparation room adjoining the Lodge; he is asked the following
questions, and gives the following answers. Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that, unbiassed by friends, uninfluenced by unworthy
motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the
mysteries of Masonry?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that you are prompt to solicit the privileges of Masonry,
by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of
knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your
fellow-creatures?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient
established usages and customs of the fraternity?" Candidate answers,
"I do." After the above questions are proposed and answered, and the
result reported to the Master, he says, "Brethren, at the request of
Mr. A. B., he has been proposed and accepted in the regular form. I
therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the Mysteries of
Masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity;
and in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily
made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the Order."
The candidate, during the time, is divested of all his apparel (shirt
excepted), and furnished with a pair of drawers, kept in the Lodge for
the use of candidates; he is then blindfolded, his left foot bare, his
right in a slipper, his left breast and arm naked, and a rope, called