Eugene Covill, the candidate, and Ed Westbrook, the Tiler, sat in the ante-room of Finger Lakes Lodge. Nearly half an hour ago the Junior Deacon had informed Ed that the Lodge was open on the third degree of Masonry. At times a low-voiced conversation passed between the two men, but for the most part Gene was with his thoughts. He had been notified to be present to receive the First Degree. He was happy - son he would realize his fondest hope by being made a Mason.

He remembered his grandfather, a man of sturdy New England stock, to whom his father had often pointed with pride "as an upright man and Mason." To Gene he had been the living embodiment of such a man. When a little boy there was born in Gene's breast a great desire to know more about this Masonry of which he heard so much, but concerning which he knew so little. And now tonight...

Before Lodge was called he had been greeted by Frank Vogt, the Worshipful Master, Ed Pickard, the Senior Warden, and Floyd Holmes, the Junior Warden, as well as the rest of the Brethren. He was impressed by their welcome, by the spirit of kind hospitality that pervaded the room. At no time was the conversation directed into channels calculated to rouse fear in him. Apparently all tried to give him a favorable impression of our ancient institution. At no time had he heard the word "Mister." All had addressed one another as "Brother."

While they were thus engaged with their thoughts two Officers of the Lodge appeared. These Gene was later to know as the Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony. He followed them into the preparation room, where he was awaited by the Secretary, Edward Barnes. Here his mind was further prepared for what was to follow. The quiet demeanor of the three men gave him confidence, as the words of the Secretary assured him that "Freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial, selfish, and ungodly. . ." The usual questions answered, and the rest of the initiation fee paid, the Secretary returned to the Lodge-room.

The quiet respectful demeanor of the three Officers in the preparation room, together with the absence of useless frivolity and crude jokes, had made a lasting impression on the mind of this candidate for Masonry. And this was as it should be. Nothing should be left undone to convey to the mind of the candidate the seriousness of the step he is about to take. The demeanor of the Brethren he meets, the absence of a spirit of levity and skylarking in the ante-room, as well as in the preparation room, will go far toward laying a foundation on which will rest the structure into which his mind perfectly fits as a "Living Stone."

To further this aim the Monitor wisely states that "when the candidate for initiation shall have entered the preparation room, the Secretary of the Lodge or some other officer or member, shall, by direction of the Worshipful Master, repair thither and may address him as follows." And the address which does follow is too often greatly neglected. To read it in a stumbling, halting fashion robs it of its beauty, and must fail utterly to impress the candidate with the truths it contains. All Lodges must entrust to the Secretary the duty of meeting the candidate here, but too often the Secretary is unable to create all atmosphere of reverence because of his inability to render this very important portion of the work m an impressive manner.

And what of the Inner Door that leads from the Preparation Room to the mysteries that lie beyond? This candidate for Masonry must needs pass through it. Yet, no Tiler sits on the outside, no Junior Deacon guards its portals from within. It is unique in this respect, as no other door is like it. It is guarded by the entire Lodge, each member of which holds in his hand that mystic key, the ballot.

I well remember a Lodge I once visited where no preparation room existed. The Brother who showed." through the Lodge quarters said, in response to our query as to its location, "We are obliged to use the anti-room as a preparation room because the arrangement of these rooms, which we rent, leaves no space for one." I hope no such condition exists today, but if it does exist the Worshipful Master should require his brethren to remain outside of the ante-room while candidates are here prepared.

That night, as on other nights, no privacy was afforded the candidate, and it seemed to us that the Lodge failed utterly to impress them with the solemnity of the occasion. Instead of being made to realize that they were to be as children groping their way in dark ness for a light to illumine their pathway, candidate must have gained the impression that it was just another case of "joining." No feeling of earnestness of purpose permeated the atmosphere. Candidates were received into the Lodge with no conception whatever of the importance of the step they were taking. Let me say, in passing, that this condition has been remedied in that Lodge. The ante-room has been remodeled at comparatively little expense, while a preparation room has been provided that is both comfortable and commodious.

A similar situation existed in another Lodge, and also been cared for. Here portable screens had been used to provide a semblance of seclusion in the preparation room - a half-hearted attempt at privacy. Every effort of the Masters of Ceremony and the Secretary to lend an air of dignity to the occasion was lost. Nothing could offset the confusion of talk and laughter of the Brethren during the period of refreshment. In is safe to my that candidates prepared under these conditions were little better off than if no screens at all hid been provided.

These were extreme cases, they have since been remedied, and we may be sure that it would be a difficult matter to find a single Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction where they exist now. But they are examples of heedlessness and thoughtlessness against which every Lodge should guard. The thought of preparing candidates under such conditions is intolerable and should not be countenanced. No matter how well the Degree may be conferred, an irremovable scar is left on the minds of the initiates which time seldom removes.

If I were Secretary of a Lodge I would memorize thoroughly the address to the candidates and the three questions asked. I would study carefully the meaning of the words I uttered and the thought back of them, that they might be delivered in an understanding manner. The address was written for a purpose, and to ignore that purpose is simply to nullify it usefulness.

The doors leading into the preparation room should be locked while candidates are being prepared, to prevent useless running to and fro by the Brethren of the Lodge, unless other means are provided for privacy. No matter how luxurious the preparation room may be (and luxury is not a necessity here), the desired effect is lost unless the heedless are kept out. This should be a room, quiet in its appointments, devoted to a certain purpose only, and privacy should be maintained. No one should be permitted here except those whose duty requires their presence. Then, too, I would see that all ritualistic garb was such as would not offend the finer sensibilities of any candidate. It should be sweet, dean end wholesome. There is no excuse for musty, damp or soiled garments. The little touch of kindly to consideration, so much needed here, will blossom forth in a harvest of earnestness and devotion in the heart of every candidate.

Proper mental preparation as well as correct ritualistic preparation - that is the point! Eugene Covill hid been properly prepared. It is safe to say he went "out from that evening's ceremonies a loyal Mason, a worthy brother, an apprentice entered upon a new field of labor, with a new sense of duty, and bound by a solemn vow ever to walk and act uprightly, and speak reverently His name before whom all Masons should humbly, reverently end devoutly bow."

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