First degree
OPENING ODE: St Bees 77.77 =
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MoSvQL9vjEHail Eternal, by whose aid
All created things were made.
Heaven and earth Thy vast design;
Hear us, Architect Divine.
May our work begun in Thee
Ever blest with order be,
And may we, when labours cease,
Part in harmony and peace.
CLOSING ODE: tune St Sylvester 8.7.8.7
youtu.be/OaNsO48VNjc St Oswald is another tune for this Ode
youtu.be/jWiGkFIoI6s?t=19sNow the evening shadows closing,
Warn from toil to peaceful rest;
Mystic arts and rites reposing
Sacred in each faithful breast.
God of light, whose love unceasing
Doth to all our work extend,
Crown our Order with Thy blessing,
Build, sustain us to the end.
FIRST DEGREE ceremony
ENTRANCE OF Candidate: Tune Winchester Old 86.86 (CM)
youtu.be/Brw3oj2HlTgFather of all, enthroned above,
Our hearts with grace enshrine;
Infuse our souls with heavenly love,
Our minds with strength divine.
FIRST CIRCLE
To JW: Tune Old Hundredth 88.88 (LM)
youtu.be/hhquk5XEtu0 Genius of Masonry, descend,
Transcendent Light, Thy presence deign,
O sacred Truth our rites attend,
While we rever Thy gracious reign.
TO SW:
Come, Holy Virtue, seraph maid,
Bring purity and love sincere;
That we the path of faith may tread,
And dwell in friendly concord here.
ADVANCING:
Come, Charity, with goodness crowned.
Encircled in Thy heavenly robe,
Diffusing blessings all around,
To every corner of the globe.
SEALING:
1. That which is gone | out of . thy | lips : thou shalt | keep and per- | form
2. According as | thou hast | vowed : unto the | Lord | thy | God.
AFTER SEALING:
Chaplain - "In the beginning ... let there be light."
Brethren - And there was light.
TESTING:
To JW: Tune Melcombe 88.88 (LM)
youtu.be/Eu6-T1DLqH0The spacious firmament on high
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their Great original proclaim.
To SW:
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
For ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."
APRON: Tune Ellers 10.10.10.10
youtu.be/loDj3_VzbekHail! noble craft, at whose benign command,
All gentle arts in glad obedience stand;
Hail! sacred Masonry, of source divine,
Sovereign supreme of the unerring line.
THE POOR AND NEEDY: (chanted)
1. Bles- | -sed is | he : that con- | -sidereth the | poor and | needy :
2. The Lord | shall de- | -liver : him | in the | time of | trouble.