"BOAZ" GRIP OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE (HANDSHAKE)

The Grip of the Entered Apprentice is made by pressing the thumb against the top of the first knuckle-joint of the fellow Mason, the fellow Mason also presses his thumb against the first Mason's knuckle.

 

The name of this grip is "Boaz".  When a candidate is imparted with this grip and its usage it is done in this manner." 

 

First the Worshipful Master says to the candidate: 

"I now present my right hand in token of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the grip and word.  As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time." 

 

The Worshipful Master of the lodge then has this exchange with the Senior Deacon, who is standing next to the candidate, who is still kneeling at the altar, after have assumed the obligation of this degree: 

 

Note: In the following discourse WM stands for Worshipful Master, and SD stands for Senior Deacon. 

WM: Brother Senior Deacon. 

SD: Worshipful Master. 

WM: I hele. 

SD: I conceal. 

WM: What do you conceal? 

SD: All the secrets of a Mason in Masonry, to which this token alludes. 

(At this time, the candidate is shown the grip of an Entered Apprentice) 

WM: What is that? 

SD: A grip 

WM. Of what? 

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice. 

WM. Has it a name? 

SD: It has. 

WM: Will you give it to me? 

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it. 

WM: How will you dispose of it? 

SD: Letter it or halve it. 

WM: Letter it and begin. 

SD: You begin. 

WM: Begin you. 

SD: A 

WM: B 

SD: O 

WM: Z 

WM: (Directing his words to the candidate): "Boaz, my Brother, is the name of this grip, and should always be given in the customary manner, by lettering or halving.  When lettering, always commence with the letter, "A".