APRON PRESENTATION SPEECH
My Brother, I know present you with a lambskin or white leather apron.
It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient that the
Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle and, when worthily worm, more honorable that the
Star and Garter.
It may be that in the coming years, upon your head will rest the laurel
wreath of victory; from your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of
an Eastern potentate. Nay, more than these, with light added to the coming
light, your ambitious feet may tread round after round of the ladder that leads
to fame in our mystic circle, and even the purple of the fraternity may rest
upon your honored shoulders; but never again from mortal hands, never again
until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upwards and inward through the
pearly gates, shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematical of purity and
all perfections, be conferred upon you as this which I now bestow.
It is yours; yours to wear throughout your honorable life, and at your death
to be deposited upon the coffin which shall enclose your lifeless remains, and
with them laid beneath the clods of the valley.
Let its pure and spotless surface be to you and ever-present reminder of a
purity of life and rectitude of conduct, a never-ending argument for noble
deeds, for higher thoughts, for greater achievements.
And when at last your weary feet shall have come to the end of their toilsome
journey, and from your grasp shall fall forever the working tools of life, may
the record of your life and actions be as white and spotless as the emblem which
I place in your hand tonight. May it be your portion to hear from Him who
sitteth as the Judge Supreme the welcome words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord"
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