The Rule of Saint Benedict and Masonic Ritual

Prologue 13 The Rule of Saint Benedict 21 The character of the Rule of Saint Benedict 23 Saint Benedict of Nursia 26 Saint Benedict of Aniane 34 Cluny 37 The Cistercians 44 The birth of the Cistercian Order 44 The converses 49 Medieval masons and monastic orders 52 The Cistercian Ritual 58 The Old Charges and the Mason Word 63 The ceremony of Initiation 75 Introduction 77 Free and of good report 79 Neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod 81 The entry of the candidate into the lodge 82 Jacob’s Ladder 84 The examination of the candidate and the term «persevere» 89 The prayers 92 In whom do you put your trust? 95 The posture during the Obligation 97 The Obligation 109 A just and perfect Lodge 112 The “Brother” treatment 118 The sequence after the Obligation 122 To render it a Solemn Obligation (promissio and petitio) 122 What is the predominant wish of your heart? Light 127 The participation by the Brethren 128 The investiture with the Apron 130 The Charity Test 131 The new Brother is taken to his seat 133 The reading of the Lodge By-Laws 135 The Working Tools 137 All stand up 140 The Festive Board 145 The Festive Board table 147 The blessing of the table 151 The toast list 153 The toast to Absent Brethren 156 The Tyler’s Toast 158 The Signs 183 The Cistercian signs 185 The Sign of Grief and Distress 192 The Grand Mystery of Freemasons Discover’d (1724) 195 The Grand Mystery of Freemasons Discover’d (1724) 198 Stability 200 The tongue and the key 205 The Regius manuscript 213 The protocol of the Grand Master 223 The Kiss of Peace 231 The 24-inch Gauge 239