York Rite: Past Master Degree and Royal Master

Note: The 1st and 2nd Wardens, and the acting Secretary, take the same obligation, with a few slight differences, including the fact that they do not receive the touch or the word.

Observations

The Venerable Master is always placed in the East, with the Bible before him.

For the Apprentice degree, it is opened to the 2nd Epistle of Saint Peter, beginning with these words: Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received, like us, the precious gift of faith, etc. The compass is opened on the Bible, with the two points covered by a box of about four square inches which is called Lignum Vitae wood of life, the points of the compass turned toward the west, and the two ends of the square toward the east.

For the Companion degree, the Bible is opened to the 12th Chapter of Judges, beginning with these words:

For the Master degree, it is opened to the 7th Chapter of Kings, beginning thus:

The points of the compass are turned toward the East and the square toward the West.

A hand-drawn skull and crossbones, a memento mori, is centered at the bottom of the page, executed in black ink with simple line work.