The Preparation of Initiates

Bro ??? Every F.M. is or ought to be first prepared in his heart.

You may have wondered why, at you initiation certain things were done to you. Your were divested of M...s And V...s and H...W..., your right A...,Left B..., and K...were made B..., your right H...was S...S..., and a C...t...was placed about your N...

You were divested of M... and V... firstly that you may bring nothing offensive or defensive into the lodge and so disturb its harmony.
Secondly, that as you were admitted into Freemasonry in a state of poverty, it would remind you to assist indigent Brethren, after proving them worthy, and without detriment to yourself or connections.
Thirdly, at the building of King Solomon's Temple, there was not heard the sound of any metallic substance throughout the whole structure, so that the holy place might not be polluted.

Your were H...W..., firstly, that should you have refused to take any part of the ceremony, you would have been led out of the lodge room, without discovering its form.
Secondly, that as you were admitted to the Lodge in a state of darkness, it would serve to remind you to keep the world so, with regard to our Masonic secrets, unless they had come about them in the same lawful way that you were about to do.
Thirdly, that the heart might conceive before the eyes were permitted to discover.

Your right A... was made B... to show that you were willing to work.

You were admitted into the Lodge on the point of a sword presented to your naked L...B... to intimate that you were about to take a solemn obligation, likewise to discover you sex.

You were S...S..., in allusion to an ancient custom, practiced by Eastern nations, (the cradle of the human race and of Freemasons generally), where they removed their shoes when entering a holy place or to render a solemn compact binding.

A C...T... was placed about you N... also in allusion to an ancient eastern custom of placing a cord or ring about the Ns in token of humility and submission.

You gained admission by a distinct Kk, in allusion to the ancient exhortation: Ask and ye shall have. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened up to you.

After the benefit of prayer to the G.A.O.T.U. You declared that in all cases of difficulty and danger, you placed your trust in him. Thus, steadfast in that faith, being neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, but in humble, halting and moving posture, you represented to the Brethren, that seeming state of poverty you then assumed.

For assuredly you brought nothing into this world, and most assuredly you will take nothing out save the character you have formed.