How does the obligation of a Master Mason differ from earlier degrees?

The obligation of an Entered Apprentice stresses almost entirely the necessity for secrecy 1. In the Fellow Craft degree, secrecy remains enjoined, but the candidate assumes additional duties toward his fellows and takes on obligations not entrusted to an Apprentice 1.

Upon reaching the Master Mason degree, the scope of these duties expands from general moral virtues to specific, compulsory obligations of mutual aid and assistance 2. While the earlier degrees present benevolence as a universal virtue to be practiced generally, the Master Mason obligation restricts and defines compulsory Masonic relief specifically toward worthy Master Masons in good standing 2.