Much has been said about the beauty of the secret portion of our Ritual from the standpoint of good English diction. Much of the individuality of this English is due to the use of certain phrases which are so difference from what we are used to in our every-day expressions.

Following are a few of these peculiarities which cause so many errors and which are responsible for the use of much time in the Schools of Instruction in the matter of correcting them. These expressions may be found in many places, so there is neither thought of giving away "secrets" nor desire to do so. May what follows he of help!

The word "the" never appears before the word "presence" or the word "proper." It is always, wherever found in the Work:

" - in presence of - "
" - in proper position - "

We find also, the word "specially" as contrasted with the word "especially." In only one place does the word "specially" occur, and we find it in the closing of Lodge.

Here it is:

" - unless specially convened - "

Be careful you do not use the word "especially" here. The two words do not carry the same meaning.

The word is always "rise," the word "arise" never occurring anywhere in the Work.

Watch the phrase " - place whence he came - " and observe the absence of the word "from" before the word "whence."

The Senior Warden, in instructing a candidate, uses the word "bring" instead of "bringing" as used by the Master later on. The reason is that the Senior Warden is issuing a command and therefore places all his verbs, as "advance," "take" and "bring" in the imperative mode. Later in the Master's work and in each lecture the word "bringing" is employed as the language of description is used.

Watch the word "about" as used by the Senior Master of Ceremony in the first degree and observe how it changes to "around" in the second and the Third Degree, Then come to the Grand Lecturer's Convention and learn why.

Confusion is caused by a common error in the use of the word "on" and the word "upon." It so happen that, while there is no difference in the meaning of the two words, the word "on" is used in the Ritual with reference to' or in connection with, movement of some part of the body. The word "upon" is used in connection with a part of the body or some object which, after being placed, is motionless. That this is true in the Ritual is a coincidence; or, as in some passages, a matter of euphony. If you come to a Convention you may hear this matter elaborated to a much greater extent than is possible here.

Probably the clause "you will" is corrected more frequently than any other expression in the Work. We sprinkle it all through in liberal doses. I believe the reason for this is a desire on the part of the one using it to be courteous.

Now, let's see who uses it and who doesn't.

Only two officers of the Lodge ever use the expression "you will" - the Worshipful Master and the Senior Deacon. No other officer ever uses it under any circumstances if he does his work correctly. The Master uses it only five times in the course of the entire Ritual, and all of these occur in the Third Degree only. It is found three times in the first section and twice in the second section.

The Senior Deacon uses it occasionally, but not as frequently as the Master. In Conventions your attention is frequently drawn to the miss-use, or the over-use, of this expression.

"There is without ---- ." The Senior Deacon uses this statement and he is the only one of the Lodge officers who does. You know where it belongs.

Much misunderstanding exists with reference to the knocks to be given both at the Outer and the Inner Doors. Particularly is this true with reference to the work of the Tiler at the Outer Door. Six knocks are to be given at all times - on more and no less. Three by the Tiler and three by the Junior Deacon, or vice versa, according to the circumstance. I frequently hear an exchange of blows no the door which reminds me of a boiler factory.

At the Inner Door eight knocks are required. The manner of giving these knocks is explained in Convention.

The twelve Fellow-craft are to be clothed as Fellow crafts and at the end of the prayer they are to leave the room immediately when their task is completed.

Under no conditions may the words in the Obligation, "to the memory of the Holy Saints John," be deleted or the words, "His Holy Name," be substituted for the words, "Holy Saints John."

Mary the following expression used by the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden during the closing of Lodge: "until its next regular communication." This is correct. Often I hear the word "stated" used instead of "regular." Then too, the statement, "regular stated" is frequently employed and, of course, it is incorrect.

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