EN SOPH
Encyclopedia Masonica
The pronunciation of the Hebrew DID AH. In the Cabalistic doctrines, the Divine Word, or Supreme Creator, is called the En Soph, or rather the Or En Soph, the Infinite Intellectual Light. The theory is, that all things emanated from this Primeval Light (see Cabala).
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ENTERED APPRENTICE'S SONGThe author was Matthew Birkhead and his effort appeared in print, Read's Weekly Journal, December 1, 1722, and has continued to be popular ever since, being frequently sung in British Lodges (see Birkhead, Matthew). The song is also called The Freemasons Health. Brother Birkhead, a singer and actor, Drury Lane Theater, was Worshipful Master, Lodge V, London. The words and music of the song were printed in the first edition of the Book of Constitutions published by the Freemasons in 1723. Under the reference Tune, Freemasons, in this Encyclopedia we give an account of the various appearances of it in print. While the verses are frequently printed with alteration3 according to the taste of their respective editors, their first appearance was as follows:
Come let us prepare,
We Brothers that are
Met together on merry Occasion;
Let's drink, laugh and sing,
Our Wine has a Spring
'Tis a Health to an accepted Mason.
The World is in pain
Our secret to gain,
But still let them wonder and gaze on;
Till they're shown the Light
They'l ne'er know the Right
Word or Sign of an accepted Mason.
'Tis this, and 'tis that,
They cannot tell what
Why so many great Men of the Nation,
Should Aprons put on,
To make themselves one,
With a Free or an accepted Mason.
Great Kings, Dukes and Lords,
Have laid by their swords
This our Mistry to put a good Grace on
And neter been ashamed
To hear themselves named
With a Free or an accepted Mason.
Antiquity's pride
We have on our side
It makes each Man just in his station
There's nought but what's good
To be understood,
By a Free or an accepted Mason.
Then joyn Hand in Hand,
T'each other firm stand
Let's be merry, and put a bright Face on;
What mortal can boast So noble a Toast
As a Free or an accepted Mason?
Another verse was added to the original by Brother Springett Penn, who became Deputy Grand Master of Munster, Ireland, and was also a member of a Lodge at London. This addition to the song was made about 1730 and printed by Dr. James Anderson in his edition of 1738. Brother Penn's version runs thus:
We're true and sincere
And just to the Fair
They'll trust us on any Occasion:
No Mortal can more
The Ladies adore,
Than a Free and an Accepted Mason.
So rousing a song did not fail of attack by the enemy and a parody upon it with the venom of the time appeared in the London Journal of 1725 entitled An Answer to the Freemasons Health, as follows:
Good people give ear
And the truth shall appear,
For we scorn to put any grimace on:
We've been bammed long enough
With this damn'd silly stuff
Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.
The dear Brotherhood,
As they certainly shou'd,
Their follies do put a good face on:
But it's only a gin,
To draw other fools in,
So sly is an Accepted Mason.
With their aprons before 'em,
For better decorum,
Themselves they employ all their praise on:
In aprons array'd,
Of calves leather made
True type of an Accepted Mason.
They know this and that,
The devil knows what,
Of secrets they talk wou'd amaze one
But know by the by,
That no one can Iye
Like a Free and an Accepted Mason.
On a house neter so high,
If a Brother they spy
As his trowel he dext'rousiy lays on:
He must leave off his work,
And come down with a jerk
At the sign of an Accepted Mason.
A Brother one time,
Being hang'd for some crime
His Brethren did stupidly gaze on:
They made signs without end,
But fast hung their friend
Like a Free and an Accepted Mason.
They tell us fine things
Sow yt lords, dukes, and kings,
Their mis'tries have put a good grace on:
For their credit be't said
Many a skip has been made
A Free and an Accepted Mason.
From whence I conclude
Tho' it seem somewhat rude
No credit their tribe we should piace on:
Since a cool we may see
Of any degree,
May commence all Accepted Mason.
