What did the candidate offer as their method of gaining admission?

When a candidate seeks admission in the context of a Masonic Lodge, the correct method highlighted is gaining entry "by the benefit of a pass." This practice has historical roots within Freemasonry and is often used to signify that the individual has fulfilled certain requirements or holds specific knowledge that allows them access to the Lodge.

The pass serves as a form of verification, indicating that the candidate is both known to the fraternity and has been granted permission to enter, often based on prior teachings or rites. This concept of a pass highlights the importance of trust, secrecy, and confirmation of identity within Masonic traditions.

Other methods listed, such as a recommendation, a previous initiation document, or a verbal acknowledgment, do not encapsulate the formal and established protocol typically associated with Masonic admission. Recommendations can play a supportive role but are not the sole or primary method of access. Similarly, showing previous initiation documentation pertains more to re-acceptance rather than the initial entry process, while a verbal acknowledgment may lack the substantive and formalized nature the fraternity requires for proper admission.