Scottish Masonry: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master, Sublime Master, and Woodcutter

...the wind is calm, and the leaves are still. Q. Why has the sun risen? A. To favor us in our work. Q. What have you come here to do? A. To speak of the apparent referring to the outward work of woodcutting, which will soon change to working well to live; you wish a good life to the Father Master and to all the cousins, good woodcutter companions, and to the advantage. Q. Have you already worked at the worksite? A. Yes, F. M. Father Master. Q. What is the proof of this? A. It is that my father and my mother are known to me. Q. Where are they? One points to the sky and the earth. Q. Are you happy to be with us? A. Yes. F. M. We all are; so mote it be. The F. M. beats on the wood for the 3rd time and says while striking a blow with the axe: Cousins and good woodcutter companions, are the tools sharpened? Each cousin says: The sun has risen, let us run to our work, which is repeated by the 2 grades. Then one looks at the F. M., and they strike together, after which the F. M. says: Good cousins and good woodcutter companions, the worksite is open, which is repeated by the guards. After the F. M. says again: Cousins Rigneurs a specific functional role in the Order of Woodcutters, make the inspection of the sale, and if you find anyone, bring them here.

Reception.

One may hold a woodcutter's worksite without having the full number, provided one serves the F. M., the Cousin of the Oak Cousin de chêne (Patron), the C. of the Elm (Introducer), the C. of the Beech (Keeper of the Wine), the C. Farmer (Keeper of the Bread), the C. of the Charm (Keeper of Hospitality), the C. of the Sand (Keeper of the Seal), and the Cousin of the Ash (Keeper of Honor). The F. M. is seated at the end of the worksite on a large oak log, leaning on the left side on the table, wearing a trooper's hat and a crown of oak leaves, having a collar, a green silk ribbon, or perhaps a boxwood wedge, an axe in his hand, a pipe in his mouth, and a canvas habit to imitate the woodcutter companions of the forests. On the table, there must be a jug of wine, a brown bread, as many small packets containing five sols units of currency in coin, and as many stoneware beakers as there are persons. All the cousins are dressed the same as the F. M., save for the gold crown. With an axe on his shoulder, sitting on a bundle of wood, with an oak log in front of him, the C. Farmer and the one of the Charm are seated on both sides of the table. The C. of the Oak and the one of the Elm are at the end of the worksite, an axe on their shoulder, sitting on a bundle of wood with an oak log in front of them. The C. of the Charm and that of the Farmer are, besides this, beside the bread and the wine of hospitality. The C. of the Sand and the C. of the Ash are beside the seat of honor, which is an oak log with an oak crown upon it. The C. of the Beech is at the entrance to the worksite with a rifle on his shoulder. The applicants are in a specific place called the cabin. When the worksite is open, a cousin in civilian clothing goes to fetch the applicant and brings him near the place. The C. of the Beech presents the rifle to him and says: Stay there. What do you seek? The applicant replies that he seeks to be recognized as a woodcutter companion. The C. of the

Beech says to him: Follow me, and brings him to the spot. He beats the Diane a morning military signal, here performed by rhythmic beating with 2 pieces of wood and cries 3 times: To the advantage! The C. of the Elm salutes the F. M. with a blow of the axe and says: F. M., there is one of your companions lost in the forest; do you wish me to lend him aid? The F. M. says: C. of the Elm, it is your duty; go, help, and do as you would have done unto you. The C. of the Elm salutes the F. M. with a blow of the axe and goes to see what is happening in the forest. The C. of the Beech, noticing him, says: Good life, C. of the Elm! The C. of the Elm replies: Of the Beech, who is this man? It is a briquet a term for an uninitiated candidate, literally "lighter/tinder" who asks to be received as a good woodcutter companion. The C. of the Elm says: I am going to ask if that is possible. The C. of the Elm enters the worksite, salutes the F. M. with a blow of the axe, and says: Good life, F. M.! The F. M. says: Good life, C. of the Elm, where do you come from? A. From the King's forest. Q. What have you found? A. A briquet who asks to be received as a good woodcutter companion. Q. Is that his desire? A. Yes, F. M. The F. M. then says: Admit him to the worksite; work, cousins! Here all the woodcutters strike with their axes on the piece of wood in front of them. The C. of the Elm goes to fetch the aspirant and brings him in front of the F. M. and says: Good life, F. M.! The F. M. replies: Good life, C. of the Elm, where do you come from? A. From the King's forest. Q. What have you found? A. A briquet who asks to be received as a good woodcutter companion. The F. M. says to the applicant: Speak then, my boy; who brings you here? The C. of the Elm has him say: It is the sincere desire to be received as a good cousin and good woodcutter companion. The F. M. says: C. of the Elm, bind the sale. The C. of the Elm takes him by the hand and makes the tour of the worksite 3 times to the advantage, once while advancing in front of the F. M., and says: To the advantage! 2 times, then he finishes the tour of the worksite and: To the advantage! 3 times, always saluting 3 times with the axe. All the woodcutters respond with a salute with their axes. Q. Have you seen the sale of the briquet? A. Yes, F. M. Here, the F. M. says to the applicant: Well then, my boy, is it truly your will to be received as a good cousin and good woodcutter companion? A. Yes, F. M. Q. Is it not out of curiosity or to go and reveal our duties to others? Think about what you are going to do. A. No, F. M. The F. M. says to him: If you are bold enough to be a traitor, our axes, our wedges, our tools would avenge us! Here the F. M. rises with precipitation, presents the axe to his forehead; all the C. do the same. The F. M. says again: Is it not out of curiosity that you come here? The applicant answers that no, and that he comes only to live as a good Cousin. The F. M. returns to his place; all the C. do the same. The F. M. says: C. of the Elm, is the briquet chosen a sponsor? The C. of the Elm tells him to choose the C. of the Oak. The F. M. says: C. of the Oak, the briquet takes you for his sponsor; thank him for the honor he does you. The C. of the Oak replies: Am I permitted? The F. M. replies: By doing your duty, it is permitted to...