From: Subject: Welcome to Evangelical Truth Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 11:00:11 +1100 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0013_01C3AE8C.4D415E90"; type="multipart/alternative" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C3AE8C.4D415E90 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_001_0014_01C3AE8C.4D415E90" ------=_NextPart_001_0014_01C3AE8C.4D415E90 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.evangelicaltruth.com/ Welcome to Evangelical Truth =0A= <head>=0A= <title>Welcome to Evangelical Truth</title></head>=0A= <body bgcolor=3D"#ffffff" text=3D"#000000" link=3D"#000000" = vlink=3D"#000000" alink=3D"#000000">=0A= <font face=3D"Arial"><a = href=3D"http://www.evangelicaltruth.org.uk">Welcome to Evangelical = Truth</a></font>=0A= </body>=0A= ------=_NextPart_001_0014_01C3AE8C.4D415E90 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.nireland.com/evangelicaltruth/mastermason.html Rituals and degrees of Freemasonry, Masonic Lodge = exposed

 =20

The Master Mason Degree=20 Ritual

 =20

MASTER = MASONS=20 OPENING:

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations = and=20 places; Brethren, be clothed.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Are all present Master Masons?

SW: I will ascertain through the proper officer = and=20 report.

SW: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Are all present Master Masons?

JD: Brother Senior Warden, all present are = Master=20 Masons.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: All present are Master Masons.

WM: As further evidence that all present are = Master=20 Masons, receive the pass-word from the Senior and Junior Deacons, = who will=20 obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left, and communicate = it in=20 the East.

SW: *. Deacons, attend the West.

SW: Give me the pass-word of a Master Mason. = Now obtain=20 it from the Brethren on the right and left and communicate it to = the=20 Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: The pass-word is right and duly received in = the=20 East.

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Worshipful Master.

WM: The first great care of Masons when = convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler = that I am=20 about to open a Lodge of Master Masons, and direct him to tyle=20 accordingly.

JD: Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you = that the=20 Worshipful Master is about to open a Lodge of Master Masons. Take = due=20 notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: *. Tyl: *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly = tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Master Mason without, armed = with the=20 proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and = eavesdroppers,=20 and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly = qualified and=20 have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SW: I am.

WM: What induced you to become a Master = Mason?

SW: That I might obtain the Master=92s Word, = travel in=20 foreign countries, work and receive Master=92s wages, and be = thereby better=20 enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief = of=20 distressed worth Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

WM: What makes you a Master Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly = constituted Lodge=20 of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum = Sanctorum=20 of King Solomon=92s Temple.

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge.

SW: Three or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it = consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior = Wardens,=20 Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior = Deacon=92s place in=20 the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in = the West=20 to the Junior Warden in the south, and elsewhere about the Lodge = as he may=20 direct. Attend the alarms at the outer door and report the same to = the=20 Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon=92s place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in = the=20 East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master = in the=20 East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the = Lodge as he=20 may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the = alarms at the=20 inner door; also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden=92s station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is = the glory=20 and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment,=20 superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe = that their=20 means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, = and see=20 that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful = Master=20 may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden=92s station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the set is in the West at close of day, = so stands=20 the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in = opening=20 and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be = due, that=20 none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all=20 institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master=92s Station.

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and = govern the=20 day(WM:***) so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and = govern=20 the Lodge, setting the Craft at work, giving them proper = instruction for=20 their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that = ______=20 _____Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of = Freemasonry for=20 work and instruction. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the = South,=20 and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, = they may=20 govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master = that ______=20 ______ Lodge No ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of = Freemasonry for=20 work and instruction. This communicate to the Brethren present, = that=20 having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves = accordingly.

JW: Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful = Master,=20 communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that = ______=20 _______ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of = Freemasonry for=20 work and instruction. I communicate the same to you that having = due notice=20 thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master = Mason?

SW: I have, from West to East, and from East to = West=20 again.

WM: Of what were you in search?

SW: Of that which was lost.

WM: To what do you allude?

SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.

WM: Did you find it?

SW: I did not, but found a substitute.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that = the=20 substitute be sent to the East, accompanied with the steps, = due-guards and=20 signs, through the Junior Deacon.

SW: Brother Junior Deacon, attend.

(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs = of the 3=20 degrees, as well as the substitute word, are communicated from the = Senior=20 Warden to the Junior Deacon. The Junior Deacon then carries them = to the=20 East and communicates them to the Worshipful Master.)

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the substitute has = come to the=20 East correctly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; = observe the=20 East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the = Chaplain.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the = Great=20 Architect of the Universe, the Giver of all good gifts and graces. = Thou=20 hast promised that where two or three are gathered together in Thy = name,=20 Thou wilt be in their midst and bless them. In Thy name we have = assembled,=20 and in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings.

Grant that the sublime principles of = Freemasonry may so=20 subdue every discordant passion within us - so harmonize and = enrich our=20 hearts with Thine own love and goodness - that the Lodge at this = time may=20 humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before = Thy=20 throne. AMEN.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three = Great=20 Lights in Masonry.

WM: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for = Brethren=20 to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon = the=20 head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron=92s beard; that = went down to=20 the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew = that=20 descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded = the=20 blessing, even life for evermore.

WM: In the name of God and the Holy Saints = John, I now=20 declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly opened and in order for = business; at=20 the same time strictly forbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby = the=20 harmony of the same might be disturbed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to = inform you=20 that the Lodge is now opened on the Master Masons Degree. Take due = notice=20 thereof and tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Present the flag of our country at the = Altar.

WM: Brethren; you will join with me in the = Pledge of=20 Allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

(ALL) (Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.)

WM:*. If there are present any Present or Past = Grand=20 Officers, Present or Past Masters, they are cordially and = fraternally=20 invited to a seat in our East.

 

MASTER MASON DEGREE:

WM: *. Brethren; Brother _______ is in waiting = for the=20 Third Degree of Freemasonry, he having made suitable proficiency = in the=20 preceding degree. If there is no objection, I shall confer this = degree=20 upon him.

WM: Brethren, there being none, I will = proceed.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SS: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should a Brother be prepared for the = Third Degree=20 of Freemasonry?

SS: By being divested of all metallic = substances, neither=20 naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees and breasts bare, = hood-winked, and=20 with a cable-two three times around his body, clothed as a Fellow=20 Craft.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where = Brother _______=20 is in waiting. When thus prepared, cause him to make the usual = alarm at=20 the inner door.

Cand: * * *.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the = cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Brother _______, who has been duly = initiated an=20 Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now = wishes=20 further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason.

SD: Brother _______, is this an act of your own = free will=20 and accord?

Cand: It is.

SD: Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well=20 qualified?

SS: He is.

SD: Duly and truly prepared?

SS: He is.

SD: Has he made suitable proficiency in the = preceding=20 degree?

SS: He has.

SD: By what further right or benefit does he = expect to=20 obtain this important privilege?

SS: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SD: Has he the pass-word?

SS: He has not, I have it for him

SD: Advance and give it.

SS: Tubalcain. (Said softly so as no to be = overheard by=20 the candidate.)

SD: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother = is in=20 possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him wait = until the=20 Worshipful Master can be informed of his request, and his answer=20 returned.

SD: * * *. Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is without, Brother _______, who has = been duly=20 initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow = Craft, and=20 now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime = Degree=20 of Master Mason.

WM: Is this an act of his own free will and = accord?

SD: It is.

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the = preceding=20 degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he = expect to=20 obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

WM: Give it for the benefit of the Craft.

SD: Tubalcain.

WM: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother = is in=20 possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him enter = this=20 Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, and be received in due and = ancient=20 form.

SD: * * *. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge = of Master=20 Masons, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother _______, when first you entered a = Lodge of=20 Free and Accepted Masons, you were received on the point of a = sharp=20 instrument piercing your naked left breast; on your second = entrance, you=20 were received on the angle of a square applied to your naked right = breast,=20 the morals of which were at those times explained to you. I am now = commanded to receive you on the extreme points of the Compasses, = extending=20 from your naked right to your naked left breast, which is to teach = you=20 that as within the breast are contained the most vital parts of = man, so=20 between the extreme points of the Compasses are contained the most = valuable tenets of Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality, = and=20 Brotherly Love.

JW: *.

Chap: Remember now Thy Creator in the days of = thy youth,=20 while the evil days come not;

SW: *.

Chap: Nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt = say: I=20 have no pleasure in them; while the sun, or the light, or the = moon, or the=20 stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain.

WM: *.,

Chap: In the days when the keepers of the house = shall=20 tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves:

JW: * *.

Chap: And the grinders cease because they are = few, and=20 those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors = shall be=20 shut in the streets:

SW: * *.

Chap: When the sound of the grinding is low, = and he shall=20 rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music = shall be=20 brought low:

WM: * *.

Chap: Also when they shall be afraid of that = which is=20 high, and fears shall be in the way:

JW: * * *.

Chap: And the almond tree shall flourish, and = the=20 grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail:

SW: * * *.

Chap: Because man goeth to his long home, and = the=20 mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver cord be loosed, = or the=20 golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the = cistern:

WM: * * *.

Chap: Then shall the dust return to the earth = as it was;=20 and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated = an=20 Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now = wishes=20 further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason.

JW: Brother ______, is this an act of your own = free will=20 and accord?

Cand: It is.

JW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and = well=20 qualified?

SD: He is.

JW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

JW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the = preceding=20 degree?

SD: He has.

JW: By what further right or benefit does he = expect to=20 obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

JW: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

JW: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered in ear of JW)

JW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother = is in=20 possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to = the=20 Senior Warden in the East for his examination.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated = an=20 Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now = wishes=20 further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason.

SW: Brother ______, is this an act of your own = free will=20 and accord?

Cand: It is.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and = well=20 qualified?

SD: He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

SW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the = preceding=20 degree?

SD: He has.

SW: By what further right or benefit does he = expect to=20 obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SW: Has he the pass-word.

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

SW: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered)

SW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother = is in=20 possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to = the=20 Worshipful Master in the East for his examination.

SD: * * *.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated = an=20 Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now = wishes=20 further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason.

WM: Brother ______, is this an act of your own = free will=20 and accord?

Cand: It is.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and = well=20 qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the = preceding=20 degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he = expect to=20 obtain this important privilege?

SD: By benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

WM: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered)

WM: The pass-word is right. Whence came you and = whither=20 are you traveling?

SD: From the West, traveling East.

WM: Why did you leave the West and travel = East?

SD: In search of further Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the Brother is in possession of all = these=20 necessary qualifications, and in search of further Light in = Masonry,=20 re-conduct him to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach = him how to=20 approach the East in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master = that you=20 teach this Brother how to approach the East in due and ancient = form.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East.

SW: Brother ______, advance on your left foot = as an=20 Entered Apprentice; and on your right as a Fellow Craft. Take an=20 additional step on your left foot, bringing the heel of your right = to the=20 heel of your left, thereby forming the angle of a square.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: The Brother is in order.

WM: Brother ______, before you can proceed = further in=20 Freemasonry, it will be necessary for you to take an Obligation=20 appertaining to this degree. It becomes my duty as well as = pleasure to=20 inform you that there is nothing contained in the Obligation that=20 conflicts with the duties you owe to God, your country, your = neighbor,=20 your family, or yourself. With this assurance on my part, are you = willing=20 to take the Obligation.

Cand: (answers in the affirmative).

WM: Then advance to the Sacred Altar of = Freemasonry.=20 There kneel on your naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy = Bible,=20 Square and Compasses.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master, the Brother is in = due=20 form.

WM: * * *.

WM: Brother ______, if you are still willing to = take the=20 Obligation, say "I", repeat your name in full, and repeat after = me.

Cand: I, _____ ______, of my own free will and = accord, in=20 the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Master = Masons,=20 erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints = John, do=20 hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I = will=20 keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belonging to = the=20 Degree of Master Mason, which I have received, am about to = receive, or may=20 be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a = worthy=20 Brother Master Mason, or within the body of a just and duly = constituted=20 Lodge of such, and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict = examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him = or them=20 justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = support=20 the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of Nevada, also = all the=20 laws, rules, and edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge = from=20 whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail; together with the = by-laws, rules,=20 and regulations of this or any other Lodge of which I may become a = member,=20 so far as the same shall come to my knowledge.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = answer=20 and obey all due signs and regular summons sent me from the body = of a just=20 and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or handed me by a = worthy=20 Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = help,=20 aid, and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons, their = widows and=20 orphans, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and = can do so=20 without material to myself or family.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = keep the=20 secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to me = as such,=20 as secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in his before=20 communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not give=20 the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for = the=20 benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a = Brother,=20 unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or = hear the=20 word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving = it.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not give=20 the substitute for the Master=92s Word in any other way or manner = than that=20 in which I receive it, which will be on the Five points of = Fellowship, and=20 at low breath.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not=20 wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge, or a worthy = Brother of=20 this degree to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to = be done=20 by another, if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not=20 knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor otherwise do him = personal=20 violence in anger, except in the necessary of myself, family or=20 property.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not have=20 illicit carnal intercourse with a Master Mason=92s wife, widow, = mother,=20 sister or daughter, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my = power to=20 prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not be=20 present at the initiating, passing, or raising of an old man in = dotage, a=20 young man under age, an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a = person of=20 unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not be=20 present at the initiating, passing, or raising of a candidate=20 clandestinely, nor hold Masonic intercourse with a clandestine = Mason, or=20 with one who has been suspended or expelled, knowing him to be = such, until=20 duly restored.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely = promise and=20 swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret = evasion of=20 mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than = that of=20 having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with = my body=20 burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds = of=20 Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor = remembrance among=20 man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, = should I=20 ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of = a Master=20 Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform = the=20 same.

WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy = Bible on=20 which your hands rest.

WM: Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow; we now = hold this=20 Brother by a stronger tie.

WM: Brother ______, in your present situation, = what do=20 you most desire?

Cand: Further Light in Masonry (prompted).

WM: Let the Brother be brought to Light.

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light in = this degree,=20 you behold the Three Great Lights in Masonry as in the preceding = degree,=20 with this difference; both points of the Compasses are above the = Square,=20 which is to teach you that you have received, and are entitled to = receive=20 all the Light that can be conferred upon or communicated to you in = a=20 Master Masons Lodge.

WM: *. You now behold me as Worshipful Master = of this=20 Lodge, approaching you from the East, upon the step, under the = due-guard=20 and sign of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the = due-guard and=20 sign of a Fellow Craft; upon the step, under the due-guard and = sign of a=20 Master Mason. My Brother, a Master Mason advances on his left = foot,=20 bringing the heel of his right to the heel of his left, thereby = forming=20 the angle of a square. This is the due-guard, and alludes to the = position=20 of your hands while taking the Obligation; this is the sign, and = alludes=20 to the penalty of the Obligation. This due-guard and sign are = always to be=20 given as a salutation to the Worshipful Master, also on entering = or=20 retiring from a Master Masons Lodge.

On entering your own or any other Lodge in this = jurisdiction, you will advance immediately in front of the Altar = and=20 observe the points of the Compasses. Should both points be below = the=20 Square, it will be a sure indication that the Lodge is open on the = First=20 Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with the = due-guard=20 and sign of an Entered Apprentice. Should one point be above the = Square,=20 it will be an equally sure indication that the Lodge is open on = the Second=20 Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with the = due-guard=20 and sign of a Fellow Craft. Should both points be above the = Square, it=20 will also be an equally sure indication that the Lodge is open on = the=20 Third Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with = the=20 due-guard and sign of a Master Mason.

I now present my right hand in token of the = continuance=20 of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the = pass-grip=20 and pass-word of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who = has=20 hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the = real grip=20 of a Fellow Craft.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the = pass-grip=20 of a Master Mason.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

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=20 it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

WM: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin you.

SD: Tu. WM: bal. SD: cain.

WM: Tubalcain, my Brother, is the name of this = grip. You=20 should always remember it, for should you be present at the = opening of a=20 Master Masons Lodge, this pass-word will be demanded of you by one = of the=20 Deacons, and should you be unable to give it, it would cause = confusion in=20 the Craft. Rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy = them=20 that you are a duly obligated Master Mason, and in possession of = the step,=20 due-guard, sign, pass-grip and pass-word.

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly obligated Master Mason.

JW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

JW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and = perpendiculars.

JW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while = taking the=20 Obligation.

JW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

JW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the = Obligation.

JW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip = whereby one=20 Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

JW: Advance and give me a token. What is = that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so = impart=20 it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

JW: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand(prompted as necessary): Tu; JW: bal; Cand: = cain.

Cand: Tubalcain.

JW: The word is right. I am satisfied.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly obligated Master Mason.

SW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

SW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and = perpendiculars.

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while = taking the=20 Obligation.

SW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the = Obligation.

SW: What is a token?

SD: A certainly friendly or brotherly grip, = whereby one=20 Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is = that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so = impart=20 it.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

SW: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand(prompted as necessary): Tu; SW: bal; Cand: = cain.

Cand: Tubalcain.

SW: The word is right; I am satisfied. Conduct = the=20 Brother to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: *. Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the = Brother to=20 the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to wear his = apron as=20 a Master Mason.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master = that you=20 teach this Brother how to wear his apron as a Master Mason.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My = Brother, you=20 have already been informed that at the building of King = Solomon=92s Temple,=20 the different bands of workmen were distinguished by the manner in = which=20 they wore their aprons. Master Masons wore theirs turned down in = the form=20 of a square to designate them as Master Masons or overseers of the = work.=20 As a speculative Master Mason you will therefore wear yours in = this=20 manner, to admonish you that your acts toward all mankind should = possess=20 the qualities of that perfect figure; to symbolize the integrity = of your=20 service to God, and to remind you of your four-fold duty, to your = country,=20 your neighbor, your family, and yourself.

SD: Worshipful Master, your orders have been = obeyed.

WM: My Brother, as you are now clothed as a = Master Mason,=20 I present you emblematically the working tools, which are all the = tools in=20 Masonry, especially the Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument used = by=20 operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building = into one=20 common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to = use it for=20 the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of = brotherly=20 love and affection - that cement which unites us into one sacred = band or=20 society of friends and Brothers, among whom no contention should = ever=20 exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who = best can=20 work and best agree.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the = Brother to the=20 place whence he came, invest him with that of which he has been = divested,=20 and return him to the Lodge for further instruction.

WM: My Brother, salute as you have been = instructed.

WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, = to resume=20 labor at the sound of the gavel in the East.

JW: * * *. Brethren; it is the order of the = Worshipful=20 Master that you be now called from labor to refreshment, to resume = labor=20 at the sound of the gavel in the East. *.

 

MASTER MASON DEGREE - SECOND = SECTION;

Cast of Characters(in addition to = officers):

WM ----------------------- King = Solomon(Worshipful=20 Master)

SW ------------------------Senior Grand = Warden(Senior=20 Warden)

R #1 ----------------------- First Ruffian = (Jubela)

R #2 ----------------------- Second Ruffian = (Jubelo)

R #3 ----------------------- Third Ruffian = (Jubelum)

FC #1 --------------------- First Fellow = Craft

FC #2 --------------------- Second Fellow = Craft

FC #3 --------------------- Third Fellow = Craft

S-F ------------------------- Sea-faring = Man

W-F ------------------------ Way-faring Man

(When lodge reconvenes, the newly obligated = Master Mason=20 has been adorned with the jewel of the Junior Warden and placed in = the=20 Junior Warden=92s station. He has been given a scant set of = instructions on=20 what to do when he is called upon by the Worshipful Master.)

 

WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the = hour?

(The Cand is confused by the question, so he = has no=20 answer to give)

WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the = hour?

SW: (S) Worshipful Master, there appears to be = a stranger=20 in the South.

WM: What! A stranger in the South! Brother = Senior Deacon,=20 conduct the stranger to the East.

WM: My Brother, you have this evening been = obligated by=20 the various solemn and weighty ties of a Master Mason. Having = voluntarily=20 assumed this obligation, you were brought to Light and instructed. = You=20 have been taught to wear your apron as a Master Mason, and are so = wearing=20 it among us at this moment. Even our Working Tools, the implements = of=20 Masonry have been explained to you, and you have been exhorted to = make a=20 proper use of the Trowel, the principal Working Tool of this = degree. All=20 this would imply that you are a Master Mason and qualified to = travel and=20 work as one. Nay more, my Brother, I observe upon your person a = badge of=20 office, the jewel of the Junior Warden, one of the principal = officers of=20 the Lodge, which all doubtless confirms you in the belief that you = are a=20 Master Mason. Is it so?

Cand(prompted, if necessary, answers in the=20 affirmative).

WM: However natural that assumption may be to = you, yet it=20 is erroneous. You have not yet attained the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason. You are not yet a Master Mason, so far as to enable you to = prove=20 yourself one, or to travel and work as one; nor do I know that you = will=20 ever become a Master Mason. You have a way to travel over that is=20 extremely perilous. You will be beset with danger of many kinds, = and may=20 perhaps meet with death, as did once befall an eminent Brother of = this=20 degree. But your trust is in God and your faith is well founded. = Before=20 setting out, therefore, upon such a serious enterprise as this, = you will=20 repair to the Altar for the purpose of prayer. Heretofore you have = had a=20 Brother to pray for you; now you must pray for yourself. Go then, = my=20 Brother, and may the blessing of God accompany you.

SD: You are now at the Altar. You must be again = hood-winked. Kneel and pray. Your prayer may be mental or audible, = and=20 when you have concluded it you will signify the same by saying = Amen, and=20 rising.

WM: * * *.

Cand: Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: *.

SD: My Brother, heretofore you have represented = a=20 candidate in search of Light. Now you represent a character, none = less a=20 personage than our Grand Master Hiram Abif, who was the Grand = Architect at=20 the building of King Solomon=92s Temple. It was the usual custom = of this=20 great and good man, at high twelve, when the Craft was called from = labor=20 to refreshment, to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, = there=20 to order up his adorations to Deity and draw his designs on the=20 Trestle-board. This you have done. He would then retire by the = South gate,=20 as you will now do.

R #!: Grand Master Hiram, I am glad to meet you = thus=20 alone; long have I sought this opportunity. You promised us that = when the=20 Temple was completed we should receive the secrets of a Master = Mason,=20 whereby we could travel in foreign countries and receive wages as = such.=20 Behold! The Temple is about completed, and we have not received = what we=20 strived for. At first I did not doubt your veracity, but now I do. = I=20 therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, this is neither a proper time = nor place;=20 wait until the Temple is completed, then, if found worthy, you = shall=20 receive them; otherwise you can not.

R #1: Talk not to me of time nor place. Now is = the time,=20 and here is the place; none other will satisfy me. I therefore = demand of=20 you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I can not give them.

R #!: Grand Master Hiram, for the third and = last time I=20 demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I can not, and will not, give = them.

SD: He then fled, and attempted to pass out at = the west=20 gate, as you will now do.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, most of the Craft are = weary,=20 and many are exceedingly anxious to receive the secrets of a = Master Mason,=20 and we can see no good reason why we are put off so long; and some = of us=20 have determined to wait no longer. I therefore demand of you the = secrets=20 of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, why this violence? I can not = give them,=20 neither can they be given, except in the presence of Solomon, King = of=20 Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and myself.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, your life is in = danger. All the=20 avenues of the Temple are securely guarded; escape is impossible. = I=20 therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I shall not give them. Wait with = patience=20 for the proper time.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, I again, and for the = last time,=20 demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason, or your life.

SD: My life you can have; my integrity, = never!

SD: He then fled and attempted to make his exit = out at=20 the east gate, as you will now do.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I have hear your = caviling with=20 Jubela and Jubelo. From them you have escaped; but from me - = never! My=20 name is Jubelum. What I purpose, that I perform. I hold in my hand = an=20 instrument of death. If you refuse me now, you do so at your = peril. I say,=20 give me the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your = life.

SD: Craftsman, I have often refused you and = shall always=20 refuse you when accosted in this manner. Your demands are = vain.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the second time = demand of=20 you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, your demands are vain. I shall = not give=20 them.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the third and = last time=20 demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: And I, for the third time, refuse you.

(Jubelum then strikes the Cand across the = forehead, he is=20 caused to fall backward into a large canvas that he can be carried = in.)

R #1: What have we done?

R #2: We have slain our Grand Master Hiram = Abif. What=20 shall we do with the body?

R #3: Let us carry it into a remote corner, and = bury it=20 in the rubbish of the Temple. (Having done so): Now let us retire = until=20 low twelve, when we will meet here again.

 

SOLILOQUY:

R #3(Jubelum): At last, the awful deed is done; = here,=20 cold and mute, wrapped in the icy cloak of death, the Master = sleeps. No=20 more the pageantry of pomp and power. No more the Craftsmen = hastening to=20 perform his deep design. No more the Temple rising proudly on its = hill and=20 beckoning Heaven itself to smile upon its stately columns. No more = shall=20 he these high ambitions gratify.

Oh Death, untimely, yet Oh timely Death. = Wrested from=20 earth while yet his honors clustered; before the breath of calumny = had=20 stained, or slander marred the worth of his achievements, he is = fallen;=20 yielding up his life ere he would betray his sacred trust; = surrendering=20 all - all that life holds dear - power, wealth, everything - yet = holding=20 fast to his Masonic faith.

Oh, daring loyalty; Oh, fortitude most grand. = For him in=20 coming time shall countless thousands sound his name and sing his = praise,=20 who death preferred, than faithless prove, than trust betray.

Yet, kept so well, his secret stands revealed = and in his=20 death I read it thus: Truth - Honor - Fortitude.

But hark. The temple bell rings out the = midnight hour.=20 Come now, my comrades, let us haste away and bear with us, = where-ere we=20 go, the heavy burden of remorse.

R #!: This is the hour.

R #2: This is the place.

R #3: And here is the body. Assist me to carry = it in a=20 due west course from the Temple to the brow of a hill, where I = have dug a=20 grave six feet deep east and west and six feet perpendicular, in = which we=20 will bury it.

R #3: I will set this sprig of acacia at the = head of the=20 grave, that the place may be known should occasion every require = it. Now,=20 let us make our escape by way of Joppa, out of the country.

R #3: Yonder is a sea-faring man. Let us accost = him.

R #3: Is that your ship there?

S-f: It is.

R #3: Where are you bound?

S-f: To Ethiopia.

R #3: When do you sail?

S-f: Immediately.

R #3: Do you take passengers?

S-f: I do.

R #3: Will you take us?

S-f: I will, if you have King Solomon=92s = permit to leave=20 the country.

R #3: We will pay your demands, but we have no=20 permits.

S-f: Then you can not go, for I am strictly = forbidden to=20 take any of the workmen from the Temple out of the country without = King=20 Solomon=92s permit.

R #3: Then let us return back into the = country.

* * * * * *

KS: *. Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the = confusion=20 in the Temple, and why are the Craftsmen not at their labors as = usual?

SW: (S) Our Grand Master Hiram Abif is missing = and there=20 are no designs on the trestle-board

KS: That is very strange. He has ever been = punctual and=20 faithful to his trust. He must be indisposed. Order strict search = to be=20 made for him throughout the several apartments of the Temple, and = see if=20 he can be found.

SW: Craftsmen; you will make strict search = throughout the=20 several apartments of the Temple and see if our Grand Master Hiram = Abif=20 can be found

(Fellow Crafts go around the room, asking, = "Have you see=20 anything of our Grand Master Hiram Abif?", to which some of the = Brethren=20 respond with, "No, I have not seen him since high twelve = yesterday.")

FC#1: Brother Senior Grand Warden, strict = search has been=20 made, but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can not be found. He has not = been=20 seen since high twelve yesterday.

SW: (S) Your orders have been obeyed, Most = Excellent King=20 Solomon. Strict search has been made throughout the several = apartments of=20 the Temple, but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can not be found. He = has not=20 been seen since high twelve yesterday.

WM: I fear some fateful act has befallen = him.

FC#1: * * *. Twelve Fellow Crafts, clothed in = white=20 gloves and aprons, crave audience with Most Excellent King = Solomon.

WM: Admit them.

FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, we = twelve who=20 appear before you are clothed in white gloves and aprons in token = of our=20 innocence. We twelve, with three others, seeing the Temple about = to be=20 completed, and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master = Mason,=20 whereby we could travel in foreign countries and receive wages as = such,=20 entered into the horrid conspiracy of extorting them from our = Grand Master=20 Hiram Abif, or taking his life; but, reflecting on the atrocity of = our=20 intentions, being stricken with horror, we twelve recanted, but we = fear=20 the other three have persisted in their murderous design. We = twelve have=20 come before you to confess our premeditated guilt, and implore = your=20 pardon.

WM: Brother Grand Secretary, call the roll of = the=20 workmen.

(The roll of the workmen is called)

Secy: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, the roll = of the=20 workmen has been called and Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum are found=20 missing.

WM: Craftsmen, are they the three who were = aligned with=20 you in this horrid conspiracy?

FC#1: (S) They are the three, Most Excellent = King=20 Solomon.

WM: It is my order that you divide yourselves = into parts=20 of three, and three travel east, three west, three north, and = three south=20 in pursuit of the ruffians.

FC#1: Let us go east.

FC#2: We will go north.

FC#3: We will go south.

FC#1: And we, west.

FC#1: Yonder is a way-faring man. Let us accost = him.

FC#1: Have you seen any strangers pass this = way?

W-f: I saw some yesterday, three, who from = their=20 appearance were workmen from the Temple.

FC#1: Where were they going?

W-f: They were seeking a passage to = Ethiopia.

FC#1: Did they obtain one?

W-f: They did not.

FC#1: Where did they go?

W-f: They returned back into the country.

FC#1: This is important. Let us return and = report it to=20 King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent = King=20 Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: We three who pursued a due west course = from the=20 Temple, went until we met with a way-faring man, of whom we = inquired if he=20 had seen any strangers pass that way, who informed us that he had, = three,=20 who from their appearance were workmen from the Temple, seeking a = passage=20 to Ethiopia, but not having obtained one they returned back into = the=20 country. Deeming this of great importance, we have returned to = bring this=20 intelligence to you.

WM: Your intelligence proves but one thing to = my mind,=20 that the ruffians are still in the country and within our power. = You will=20 divide yourselves as before, and travel as before. I now give you = positive=20 injunction to find the criminals, and as positive assurance that = if you do=20 not, you will be deemed the murderers, and shall suffer for their = enormous=20 crime.

FC#2: I am weary and worn out and must sit down = to rest=20 and refresh myself.

FC#1: Don=92t stop here. Remember, that if we = do not find=20 the criminals, we will be deemed the murderers and shall suffer = for their=20 enormous crime.

FC#2: Alas, this is the reward of evil = companionship. Had=20 I but heeded the lessons taught me as a Fellow Craft, I would now = be among=20 the workmen of the Temple, honored and respected; as it is, I am = an=20 outcast.Hail, Brothers. This is singular, on rising up I = accidentally=20 caught hold of this sprig of acacia, and it easily gave way.

FC#1: That is singular.

R #1: O, that my throat had been cut across = -----,

FC#1: Hark, what is that?

R #1: -------, my tongue torn out, and with my = body=20 buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide = ebbs and=20 flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I have been accessory to the = death=20 of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC#3: That is the voice of Jubela.

R #2: O, that my left breast had been torn = open, my heart=20 and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the = vultures=20 of the air, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and = good a=20 man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC#2: That is the voice of Jubelo.

R #3: It was I who gave the fatal blow; it was = I who=20 killed him. O, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels = taken=20 thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof = scattered=20 to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the death = of so=20 great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC #1 I know that voice; that is the voice of=20 Jubelum.

FC#3: What shall we do? They are the murderers = of whom we=20 are in search.

FC#2: They are desperate men. It would be a = serious=20 undertaking to capture them.

FC#1: There are but three of them, and there = are three of=20 us. Our cause is just, and our trust is in God. Let us rush in, = seize,=20 bound, and take them before King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent = King=20 Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: As we three who pursued a due west course = from the=20 Temple were returning, one of our number becoming more weary than = the=20 rest, sat down at the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself, = and on=20 rising up he accidentally caught hold of a sprig of acacia, which = easily=20 gave way, exciting his curiosity; and while we were meditating = over the=20 singularity of the occasion, we heard three frightful exclamations = from=20 the clefts of the adjacent rocks.The first was the voice of = Jubela,=20 exclaiming, "O, that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn = out,=20 and with my body buried in the sands of the sea, at low-water = mark, where=20 the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I have = been=20 accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand = Master=20 Hiram Abif."The second was the voice of Jubelo, exclaiming, "O, = that my=20 left breast had been torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, = and with=20 my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have = been guilty=20 of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram = Abif.The=20 third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming more horribly than the = rest,=20 "It was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him. O, = that my=20 body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with = my body=20 burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds = of=20 Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the death of so great and good a = man as=20 our Grand Master Hiram Abif." Upon which we rushed in, seized, = bound, and=20 have brought them before you.

WM: Jubela, are you guilty of this horrid = deed?

R #1: I am guilty, Most Excellent King = Solomon.

WM: Jubelo, are you also guilty?

R #2: I am more guilty, Most Excellent King = Solomon.

WM: Jubelum, are you likewise guilty?

R #3: I am most guilty, Most Excellent King = Solomon; I am=20 more guilty than the rest. It was I who gave the fatal blow, it = was I who=20 killed him.

WM: Then you shall die, impious wretches, to = conspire=20 against the life of so great and good a man as your Grand Master = Hiram=20 Abif. Take them without the gates of the city and execute them = according=20 to their several imprecations in the clefts of the rocks.

FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, your = orders have=20 been obeyed. The murderers have been put to death according to = their=20 several imprecations in the clefts of the rocks.

WM: It is well. Go now, you Fellow Crafts, in = search of=20 the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, and if found, observe = whether=20 the Master=92s Word, or a key to it, is on or about it.

FC#1: Here is the place where our worthy = Brother sat down=20 to rest and refresh himself. Here is the appearance of a newly = made grave.=20 Let us open it. Here is a body, but in such a mangled and putrid = condition=20 that it cannot be recognized. What a deathly effluvium arises from = it. The=20 Master=92s Word, or a key to it, can not be found on or about it. = Here is a=20 Jewel. Let us remove it and carry it to King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings, Most Excellent King = Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: We traveled a due west course from the = Temple to=20 the brow of the hill where our worthy Brother sat down to rest and = refresh=20 himself. We found the appearance of a newly made grave; we opened = it and=20 discovered a body, but in such a mangled and putrid condition that = it=20 could not be recognized; and we found our hands involuntarily = placed in=20 this position to guard against the deathly effluvium that arose = from it.=20 The Master=92s Word, or a key to it, could not be found on or = about it;=20 however, we found this Jewel, which we have brought up for your=20 inspection.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, this is indeed = the Jewel=20 of our Grand Master Hiram Abif. No doubt can now remain as to his=20 lamentable fate. Craftsmen, the pardon you sought I now grant you, = in=20 token of my appreciation of your efforts to detect the murderers = and to=20 deliver the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you will form = the Craft=20 in Grand Procession to go with me, to endeavor to raise the body = of our=20 Grand Master Hiram Abif for more decent interment; and as the = Master=92s=20 Word is now lost, it is my order that the first sign given at the = grave,=20 and the first word spoken after the body is raised, shall be = adopted for=20 the regulation of all Masters Lodges, until future ages shall find = out the=20 right.

SW: * * *. Craftsmen, form in Grand Procession = to repair=20 with me to the grave, to endeavor to raise the body of our Grand = Master=20 Hiram Abif for more decent interment.

SD: Brethren; form in Grand Procession on the = north side=20 of the Lodge, double file, facing the East.

 

DIRGE:

(Sung by all, while in Grand Procession):

Solemn strikes the funeral chime,

Notes of our departing time;

As we journey here below,

Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Mortals now indulge a tear,

For mortality is here.

See how wide her trophies wave

O=92er the slumbers of the grave.

Here another guest we bring.

Seraphs of celestial wing,

To our funeral altar come:

Waft this friend and brother home.

There, enlarged, thy soul shall see

What was veiled in mystery;

Heavenly glories of the place

Show his Maker, face to face.

Lord of all, below - above

Fill our hearts with truth and love.

When dissolves our earthly tie,

Take us to thy Lodge on=20 High.

WM: Here then lie the remains of your Grand = Master Hiram=20 Abif. Stricken down in the performance of duty, a martyr to his = faith. He=20 was bourne to this lonely spot by unhallowed hands at a midnight = hour,=20 upon the hope that the eye of man would never more behold him, or = the hand=20 of justice be laid upon his guilty murderers. Vain hope. Here lies = the=20 body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif. His work was not done, yet = his=20 column is broken. His death was untimely and his Brethren mourn. = The=20 honors so justly his due have not been paid him. His body shall be = raised;=20 shall be honored; shall be borne back to the Temple for more = decent=20 interment; and a monument shall be erected to commemorate his = labors, his=20 fidelity and his untimely death.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, apply to the = body the=20 grip of an Entered Apprentice, and endeavor to raise it.

SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the = high state=20 of putrefaction, the body having been dead fifteen days, the skin = slips=20 from the flesh and it can not be so raised.

(All raise their arms toward Heaven, their arms = forming a=20 square, and lowering them by three movements, to their sides.): Oh = Lord,=20 my God, is there no help for the Widow=92s Son?

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you have a = stronger=20 grip; that of a Fellow Craft. Apply that to the body and endeavor = to raise=20 it.

SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the = reason=20 before given, the flesh cleaves from the bones, and the body can = not be so=20 raised.

(All, in unison, as above, only this time, it = is done=20 twice): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow=92s Son? = (Again,=20 with arms raised): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the = Widow=92s=20 Son?

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, our attempts = are vain.=20 What shall we do?

SW: Let us pray.

Chap: Thou, O God. Knowest our down sitting and = our=20 uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off. Shield and = defend us=20 from the evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the = trials=20 and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through = this=20 vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full = of=20 trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth = also as=20 a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the = number=20 of his months is with Thee: Thou hast appointed his bounds that he = cannot=20 pass. Turn from him that he may rest till he shall accomplish his = day. For=20 there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout = again, and=20 that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and = wasteth=20 away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters = fail=20 from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth = down and=20 riseth not till the Heavens be no more. Yet, O Lord, have = compassion on=20 the children of Thy creation; administer them comfort in time of = trouble,=20 and save them with an everlasting salvation. AMEN.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, your counsel = was timely=20 and good. Masons should ever remember that when the strength and = wisdom of=20 man fails, there is an inexhaustible supply above, yielded to us = through=20 the power of prayer. My mind is now clear, and the body shall be=20 raised.

Craftsmen, you have labored upon the Temple = more than six=20 years, honestly toiling, encouraged and buoyed up by the promise = that when=20 the Temple was completed, those of you who were found worthy = should=20 receive the secrets of a Master Mason. The Master=92s Word is lost = in the=20 death of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, but I will substitute a = word which=20 shall be adopted for the regulation of all Master=92s Lodges, = until future=20 ages shall find out the right; and the first word I utter after = the body=20 is raised shall be such substitute word. Yea, my Brethren, I have = a Word;=20 and though the skin may slip from the flesh, and the flesh cleaves = from=20 the bones, there is strength in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, = and he=20 shall prevail.

(The Worshipful Master now reaches down and = grasps the=20 candidate=92s right hand with the real grip of a Master Mason, and = as he=20 raises the candidate up, it is done on the Five Point of = Fellowship. The=20 WM then whispers the substitute Word into the candidate=92s ear): =

WM: Ma - Ha - Bone.

WM: My Brother, the word you have just received = is a=20 Hebrew word, and signifies, "What! The Builder?", and alludes to a = particular tie in your Obligation wherein you swore that you would = never=20 give the substitute for the Master=92s Word in any other way or = manner than=20 that in which you would receive it, which would be on the Five = Points of=20 Fellowship and at low breath. The Five Points of Fellowship are: = foot to=20 foot; knee to knee; breast to breast; hand to back; and cheek to = cheek or=20 mouth to ear. And teach us these important lessons: Foot to foot, = that we=20 should be ever ready to go on foot, even barefoot, on a worthy = Master=20 Mason=92s errand, should his necessities require it, and we be no = better=20 provided. Knee to knee, that we should ever remember our Brethren = in our=20 devotions to Deity. Breast to breast, that the secrets of a worthy = Brother=20 Master Mason, when communicated to us as such, should be as secure = and=20 inviolate in our breasts as they were in his before communication. = Hand to=20 back, that we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to = support a=20 falling Brother, and aid him on all lawful occasions. Cheek to = cheek, or=20 mouth to ear, that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel = in the=20 ear of an erring Brother, and warn him of approaching danger.

My Brother, I will now instruct you as to the = manner of=20 arriving at the real grip and word of a Master Mason. As you are=20 uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you will do so at = this=20 time. Give me the pass-grip of a Master Mason.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: Will be you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the = real grip=20 of the same.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Master Mason, or = lion=92s paw.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: Place yourself in the proper position to = receive it=20 and I will.

WM: Mark the difference, my Brother, Heretofore = your=20 answer has been; I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart = it. Now=20 it is: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I = will.

WM: What is the proper position to receive = it?

SD: On the Five Points of Fellowship.

WM: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

SD: Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to = breast, hand to=20 back, and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear.(Cand and WM are placing=20 themselves on the Five Points of Fellowship as the SD names = them.)

WM: Ma. Cand: Ha. WM: Bone.(WM may have the = cand begin,=20 while still in position, ie., Cand: Ma. WM: Ha. Cand: Bone, being = sure the=20 candidate fully understands the word.)

WM: My Brother, the Grand Hailing Sign of = Distress of a=20 Master Mason is given in this manner: raising the hands toward = Heaven,=20 your arms forming a square, and lowering them by three distinct = motions to=20 the sides, and alludes to a particular tie in your Obligation, = wherein you=20 swore that you would not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress = of a=20 Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or = for the=20 instruction of a Brother, unless you were in real distress. Should = you be=20 in a place where the Sign could not be seen, the words, "O Lord, = my God,=20 is there no help for the Widow=92s son?", are to be substituted, = but the=20 sign and words are never to be given together. Should you see the = Sign or=20 hear the Words, you will hasten to the relief of the person so = giving=20 them, for you may rest assured that they come from one who has = traveled=20 the same road and received the same Light in Masonry that you = have.

WM: My Brother, you will now return to the = East, and=20 receive an historical account of this degree.

 

MASTER MASON LECTURE:

WM: *

Lecturer: Sacred history informs us that it was = determined in the councils of infinite wisdom that a Temple should = be=20 founded at Jerusalem, which should be erected to God, and = dedicated to His=20 Holy Name. The high honor and distinguished privilege of = performing this=20 sacred service was denied to David, King of Israel, because, as = the=20 Scriptures inform us, he had made great wars and shed blood = abundantly.=20 From the same sacred source we learn that the God of Israel had = promised=20 David that out of his loins he should raise up seed to serve Him. = This=20 divine and memorable promise was afterward fulfilled in the person = of=20 Solomon, and in the splendid and unexampled career of his = prosperity.

After David had been gathered to his fathers, = and the=20 last honor paid to his memory, Solomon wielded the sceptre of = Israel,=20 peace reigned within her borders, and the Children of Israel = looked=20 forward with peculiar satisfaction for the display of that wisdom = which=20 was destined to astonish and amaze the world.

In the second month of the fourth year of his = reign,=20 Solomon commenced the erection of this edifice, the curious = workmanship of=20 which was calculated to excite the wonder and admiration of all = succeeding=20 ages. It was located on Mount Moriah, near the place where Abraham = was=20 about to offer up his son Isaac, and where David met and appeased = the=20 destroying angel that was visible over the threshing floor of = Ornan, the=20 Jebusite.

About that time, King Solomon received a = congratulatory=20 letter from Hiram, King of Tyre, offering him every assistance in = his=20 power, and manifesting a strong desire to participate in the high = honors=20 then clustering around the Throne of Israel. Thus was the building = progressing, with the assistance of Hiram, King of Tyre, and under = the=20 immediate supervision of our ancient operative Grand Master Hiram = Abif,=20 and was well nigh completed when several of the Craft, in an = attempt to=20 extort from Grand Master Hiram Abif the secrets of a Master Mason, = became=20 his assassins, and for a short period the building was impeded in = its=20 progress.

You, my brother, have this evening represented = that=20 cunning workman who fell a martyr to his integrity and inflexible=20 fidelity.

His death was premeditated by fifteen Fellow = Crafts who,=20 seeing the Temple about to be completed and being desirous of = obtaining=20 the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby they could travel in = foreign=20 countries and receive wages as such, entered into the horrid = conspiracy of=20 extorting them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif or taking his = life. But,=20 reflecting on the atrocity of their intentions and being stricken = with=20 horror, twelve of them recanted; the other three, however, = persisted in=20 their murderous designs.

It was the usual custom of this great and good = man, at=20 high twelve, when the craft were called from labor to refreshment, = to=20 enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies, there to offer = up his=20 adorations to Deity, and to draw his designs on the trestle-board. = The=20 three Fellow Crafts who persisted in their murderous design, = knowing that=20 to be his usual custom, placed themselves at the south, west and = east=20 gates of the Temple and there awaited his return.

On the day of his death, having fulfilled his = usual=20 custom, he attempted to retire by the south gate, where he was = accosted by=20 Jubela, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, = and on=20 being refused, gave him a blow with a twenty-four inch gauge = across the=20 throat, upon which he fled and attempted to pass out at the west = gate=20 where he was accosted by Jubelo, who in like mind, thrice demanded = of him=20 the secrets of a Master Mason, and on being refused, gave him a = blow with=20 a square upon his breast, upon which he fled and attempted to make = his=20 escape out at the east gate, where he was assaulted by Jubelum, = who in=20 like manner thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, = and on=20 being thrice refused, gave him a violent blow with a setting maul = oh his=20 forehead, which felled him dead on the spot.

They then buried the body in the rubbish of the = Temple=20 until low twelve, or twelve at midnight, when they met by = agreement and=20 carried it in a due west course from the Temple to the brow of a = hill,=20 where they buried it in a grave dug six feet deep east and west = and six=20 feet perpendicular, at the head of which they planted a sprig of = acacia,=20 that the place might be known should occasion ever require it, and = made=20 their exit.

The following day our Grand Master Hiram Abif = was=20 missing. His absence was detected by there being no designs drawn = on the=20 Trestle-board.

King Solomon being informed of this supposed = him to be=20 indisposed, and ordered strict search to be made for him = throughout the=20 several apartments of the Temple to see if he could be found. = Strict=20 search was made but he could not be found. King Solomon then = feared that=20 some fearful accident had befallen him.

The twelve Fellow Crafts, who had recanted from = their=20 murderous design, presented themselves before King Solomon, = clothed in=20 white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, confessed = their=20 premeditated guilt and implored his pardon.

King Solomon then ordered a roll of the workmen = to be=20 called and upon roll-call there were three Fellow Crafts missing, = namely=20 Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum.

King Solomon then ordered them to divide = themselves into=20 parts of three and three travel east, three west, three north and = three=20 south in pursuit of the ruffians.

The twelve departed and those who traveled a = due west=20 course from the Temple went until they met with a way-faring man = of whom=20 they inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way, who = informed=20 them that he had, three, who from their appearance were workmen = from the=20 Temple, seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having obtained = one,=20 returned back into the country.

They returned and brought this information to = King=20 Solomon, who ordered them to divide as before and travel as = before, with=20 the positive injunction to find the criminals, and as positive = assurance=20 that if they did not, they would be deemed the murderers, and = should=20 suffer for their enormous crime.

They traveled as before and as those who = pursued a due=20 west course from the Temple were returning, one of their number = becoming=20 more weary than the rest, sat down at the brow of a hill to rest = and=20 refresh himself, and on arising he accidentally caught hold of a = sprig of=20 acacia, which easily giving way, excited his curiosity, and while = they=20 were meditating over the singularity of the occasion, they heard = three=20 frightful exclamations issuing from the clefts of the adjacent = rocks. The=20 first was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming O, that my throat had = been cut=20 across, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands = of the=20 sea at low-water mark, ere I have been accessory to the death of = so great=20 and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The second was the = voice of=20 Jubelo, exclaiming, O, that my left breast had been torn open, my = heart=20 and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the = vultures=20 of the air, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and = good a=20 man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif; and the third was the voice of = Jubelum, exclaiming more horribly than the rest, it was I who gave = the=20 fatal blow, it was I who killed him. O, that my body had been = severed in=20 twain, by bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes = and the=20 ashes thereof scatter to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been = guilty=20 of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram=20 Abif.

Whereupon they rushed in, seized, bound, and = took them=20 before King Solomon, who order them taken without the gates of the = city=20 and there executed according to their several imprecations in the = clefts=20 of the rocks. They were accordingly executed.

King Solomon then ordered the Fellow Crafts to = go in=20 search of the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif, and if found, = to=20 observe whether the Master=92s Word or a key to it could be found = on or=20 about it.

His body was found at the brow of the hill = where one=20 worthy Brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. The = Master=92s Word or=20 a key to it could not be found on or about it.

King Solomon then ordered them to go with him = to raise=20 the body for more decent interment, and ordered that as the = Master=92s Word=20 was then lost, the first sign given at the grave and the first = word spoken=20 after the body was raised should be adopted for the regulation of = all=20 Masters Lodges, until future ages should find out the right.

They repaired to the grave where King Solomon = ordered=20 them to take the body by the grip of an Entered Apprentice and = endeavor to=20 raise it, but owing to the horrible state of putrefaction, the = body having=20 been dead fifteen days, the skin slipped from the flesh and it = could not=20 so be raised. King Solomon then ordered them to take it by the = real grip=20 of a Fellow Craft and endeavor to raise it, but owing to the = reason before=20 given, the flesh cleaved from the bones, and it could not be so = raised.=20 King Solomon then took it by the strong grip of a Master Mason and = raised=20 it on the Five Points of Fellowship, which are, foot to foot, knee = to=20 knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek or mouth = to=20 ear.

They teach us these important lessons; foot to = foot, that=20 we should be ever ready to go on foot, even barefoot, on a worthy = Master=20 Mason=92s errand, should his necessities require it and we be no = better=20 provided; knee to knee, that we should ever remember our Brethren = in our=20 devotions to Deity; breast to breast, that the secrets of a worthy = Brother=20 Master Mason, when communicated to us as such, should be as secure = and=20 inviolate in our breasts as they were in his before communication; = hand to=20 back, that we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to = support a=20 falling Brother and aid him on all lawful occasions; cheek to = cheek or=20 mouth to ear, that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel = into=20 the ear of an erring Brother and warn him of approaching = danger.

They carried the body to the Temple and buried = it in due=20 form, and Masonic tradition informs us that a monument was erected = to his=20 memory, on which was delineated a beautiful Virgin weeping over a = broken=20 column; before her lay a book, open; in her right hand a sprig of = acacia;=20 in her left, an urn; and behind her stood Time with his fingers = unfolding=20 and counting the ringlets of her hair.

The broken column denotes the untimely death of = our Grand=20 Master Hiram Abif; the beautiful Virgin, weeping, denotes the = Temple,=20 unfinished; the book open before her, that his virtues there lie = on=20 perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the = timely=20 discovery of his body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were = there=20 safely deposited to perpetuate the remembrance of so distinguished = a=20 character; and Time standing behind her unfolding the ringlets of = her hair=20 denotes that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all=20 things.

Thus we close the second section with a tribute = to the=20 memory of that distinguished artist, who preferred to lose his = life rather=20 than betray his trust, and whose death exhibited an instance of = virtue,=20 fortitude and integrity seldom equaled, and never excelled in the = history=20 of man.

In the third section, many particulars relative = to King=20 Solomon=92s Temple are considered. This section also illustrates = certain=20 hieroglyphical emblems and inculcates many useful lessons to = extend=20 knowledge and promote virtue.

This magnificent Temple, which long challenged = the=20 admiration of the world, far exceeded in splendor all other = structures=20 that had hitherto been erected. It was begun in the month of = April, A. M.=20 2992, 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of the land = of=20 Egypt, and it was finished in the month of October, A. M. 2999, = 1005 years=20 before Christ.

There were two remarkable events attending the = erection=20 of the edifice. Sacred history informs us that there was not heard = the=20 sound of axe, hammer, or any metal tool in the building; and = Josephus=20 informs us that, although a little more than seven years were = employed in=20 its erection, it did not rain except in the night season and while = the=20 Craft were gone from labor to refreshment. This we regard as a = striking=20 manifestation of the superintending care of Divine Providence.

The Temple is said to have been supported by = 1453 columns=20 and 2906 pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble.

There were employed in its erection, three = Grand Masters,=20 three thousand three hundred Masters of overseers of the work, = eighty=20 thousand Fellow Crafts or hewers in the mountains and quarries, = and=20 seventy thousand Entered Apprentices or bearers of burdens. All = these were=20 classed and arranged in such manner by the wisdom of King Solomon = that=20 neither envy, discord nor confusion was suffered to interrupt or = disturb=20 the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the = workmen.

Entered Apprentices formerly held their = meetings on the=20 checkered pavement, or ground floor of King Solomon=92s Temple, = where they=20 met every evening to receive instructions relative to the work of = the=20 following day. A Lodge of Entered Apprentices consists of seven or = more=20 and must be composed of one Master Mason and six or more Entered=20 Apprentices.

Fellow Crafts held their meetings in the Middle = Chamber=20 of King Solomon=92s Temple, where they met on the evening of the = sixth day=20 of each week to receive their wages. A Lodge of Fellow Crafts = consists of=20 five or more, and must be composed of two Master Masons and three = or more=20 Fellow Crafts.

Master Masons held their meetings in the = Sanctum=20 Sanctorum or Holy of Holies of King Solomon=92s Temple, where they = met=20 occasionally to devise plans for the prosecution of the work. A = Lodge of=20 Master Masons consists of three or more, and must be composed of = three=20 Master Masons, representing Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King = of Tyre;=20 and Hiram Abif.

The three pillars here represented were = explained in a=20 preceding degree, and there represented Wisdom, Strength and = Beauty. Here=20 they represent our three ancient Grand Masters: Solomon, King of = Israel;=20 Hiram, King of Tyre; and Hiram Abif. The pillar Wisdom, Solomon, = King of=20 Israel, by whose wisdom the Temple was erected, the superb model = of=20 excellence which has so honored and exalted his name; the pillar = Strength,=20 Hiram, King of Tyre, who strengthened King Solomon in his great = and=20 important undertaking; and the pillar Beauty, Hiram Abif, the = Widow=92s Son=20 of the tribe of Naphtali, by whose cunning workmanship the Temple = was so=20 beautified and adorned.

The three steps usually delineated on the = Master=92s carpet=20 are emblematical of the three principal stages of human life: = Youth,=20 Manhood and Age. In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought = industriously=20 to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge; in = Manhood, as=20 Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of = our=20 respective duties to God, our neighbor, and ourselves, so that in = age, as=20 Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a = well=20 spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

There are nine classes of Masonic emblems, the = first=20 eight of which are: the Pot of Incense, the Beehive, the Book of=20 Constitutions guarded by the Tyler=92s Sword, the Sword pointing = to the=20 Naked Heart, the All-seeing Eye, the Anchor and the Ark, the = Forty-seventh=20 Problem of Euclid, the Hour-glass and the Scythe.

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure = heart, which is=20 always an acceptable sacrifice to Deity, and as this glows with = fervent=20 heat, so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the = great=20 and beneficent Author of our existence for the manifold blessings = and=20 comforts we enjoy.

The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and = recommends the=20 practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest = seraph in=20 heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we = came=20 into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever = be=20 industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow = creatures=20 around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to = relieve them=20 without inconvenience to ourselves.

The Book of Constitutions guarded by the = Tyler=92s Sword=20 reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded in our = thoughts,=20 words and actions, particularly when before the enemies of = Masonry, ever=20 bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues, silence and=20 circumspection.

The Sword pointing to the Naked Heart = demonstrates that=20 justice will sooner or later overtake us; and although our = thoughts, words=20 and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men, yet that = All-seeing Eye,=20 whom the Sun, Moon and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care = even the=20 Comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost = recesses=20 of the human Heart, and will reward us according to our = merits.

The Anchor and the Ark are emblems of a = well-grounded=20 hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematical of the Divine = Ark which=20 safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that = Anchor=20 which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked = cease=20 from troubling and the weary are at rest.

The Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid teaches = Masons to be=20 general lovers of the arts and sciences.

The Hour-glass is an emblem of human life. = Behold how=20 swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a = close.=20 We cannot, without astonishment, behold the little particles which = are=20 contained in this machine - how they pass away almost = imperceptibly; and=20 yet, to our surprise, in the short space of an hour they are all=20 exhausted. Thus wastes man. Today he puts forth the tender leaves = of hope;=20 tomorrow blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; = the next=20 day comes a frost which nips the shoot; and when he thinks his = greatness=20 is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our = mother=20 earth.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the = brittle=20 thread of life and launches us into eternity. Behold what havoc = the Scythe=20 of Time makes among the human race. If by chance we should escape = the=20 numerous ills incident to childhood and youth, and with health and = vigor=20 arrive at the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be cut = down by the=20 all-devouring Scythe of Time, and be gathered into the land where = our=20 fathers have gone before us.

The ninth is not monitorial; it is the Setting = Maul, the=20 Spade, the Coffin, and the Sprig of Acacia. The Setting Maul is = that by=20 which our Grand Master Hiram Abif was slain; the Spade, that which = dug his=20 grave; the Coffin, that which received his lifeless remains; and = the Sprig=20 of Acacia, that which bloomed at the head of his grave.

The first three are striking emblems of = mortality and=20 afford serious reflection to all thinking men, but they would be = more dark=20 and gloomy were it not for the Sprig of Acacia that bloomed at the = head of=20 the grave, (WM: * * *.) which serves to remind us that there is an = imperishable part within us which bears the nearest affinity to = the=20 Supreme Intelligence which pervades all nature and which will = never,=20 never, never die. (WM: *)

Thus we close the explanation of the emblems = upon the=20 solemn thought of death, which without revelation would be dark = and=20 gloomy, but we are suddenly revived by that ever green and ever = living=20 sprig of Faith, which strengthens us with confidence and = composure, to=20 look forward to a blessed immortality, and we doubt not that on = the=20 glorious morn of resurrection our bodies will rise and become as=20 incorruptible as our souls.

Then let us imitate the example of our Grand = Master Hiram=20 Abif, in his virtuous and amiable conduct, in his unfeigned piety = to God,=20 in his inflexible fidelity to his trust, that we may welcome the = grim=20 tyrant, Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our = Supreme=20 Grand Master to translate us from this imperfect to that perfect, = glorious=20 and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the = Universe=20 presides.

WM: My Brother, this concludes the Third Degree = of=20 Freemasonry, with the exception of the Charge. If you will rise, I = will=20 repeat it to you.

 

CHARGE AT RAISING:

My Brother, your zeal for our Institution, the = progress=20 you have made in our mysteries, and your steady conformity to our = useful=20 regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object for this = peculiar=20 mark of our favor.

Duty and honor, now alone, bind you to be = faithful to=20 every trust, to support the dignity of your character on all = occasions,=20 and strenuously to enforce, by precept and example, a steady = attachment to=20 the tenets of Freemasonry. Exemplary conduct on your part will = convince=20 the world that merit is the just title to our privileges, and that = on you=20 our favors have not been undeservedly bestowed.

As a Master Mason, you are authorized to = correct the=20 irregularities of your less informed Brethren; to fortify their = minds with=20 resolutions against the snares of the insidious, and to guard them = against=20 every allurement to vicious practices. To preserve the reputation = of the=20 Fraternity, unsullied, ought to be your constant care, and = therefore it=20 becomes your province to caution the inexperienced against a = breach of=20 fidelity.

To your inferiors in rank or office, you are to = recommend=20 obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; = and to=20 your superiors, kindness and condescension.

Universal benevolence you are zealously to = inculcate, and=20 by the regulation of your own conduct, endeavor to remove every = aspersion=20 against this venerable institution.

Our ancient landmarks you are carefully to = preserve, and=20 never suffer them to be infringed, nor are you to countenance any=20 deviation from our established customs.

If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you = find a person=20 desirous of being initiated into the Fraternity, be particularly = careful=20 not to recommend him unless you are convinced that he will conform = to our=20 rules, that the honor, glory and reputation of the institution may = be=20 firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good=20 effects.

Finally, my Brother, congratulating you most = sincerely,=20 let me enjoin upon you that your honor and reputation are = concerned in=20 supporting with dignity the respectable character you now bear. = Let no=20 motive, therefore, tempt you to swerve from your duties, violate = your=20 vows, or betray your trust, but be true and faithful, and imitate = the=20 example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening = represented;=20 thus rendering yourself worthy of the honor we have conferred and = meriting=20 the trust we have reposed in you.

My Brother, I congratulate you on becoming a = Master=20 Mason, and as such commend you to the kind care, love and = protection of=20 Master Masons whithersoever dispersed around the globe. Be good; = be true;=20 and satisfy the world that by becoming a Master Mason you have = become a=20 better man. Retain, I entreat you, that purity of life and = rectitude of=20 conduct with which we hope you are endowed, and of which that = spotless=20 apron is the emblem, and the badge.

WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in = connection with=20 this degree that it will be necessary for you to commit to memory = and on=20 which you must pass a suitable examination in open Lodge, or as = provided=20 by our Nevada Code, within sixty days. I have no doubt the Brother = who has=20 instructed you thus far will be pleased to continue.

You will now step to the Secretary=92s desk and = sign the=20 by-laws, after which you will be entitled to your share of our = privileges,=20 as well as subjected to your share of our = responsibilities.

 

MASTER MASON CLOSING:

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge = before I=20 proceed to close?

SW: Nothing in the West.

WM: And in the South, Brother Junior = Warden?

JW: (S) Nothing in the South.

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before = the Lodge=20 before I proceed to close?

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: The last as well as the first great care of = Masons=20 when convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler = that I am=20 about to close this Lodge of Master Masons, and direct him to tyle = accordingly.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to = inform you=20 that the Worshipful Master is about to close this Lodge of Master = Masons.=20 Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly = tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Master Mason without, armed = with the=20 proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and = eavesdroppers,=20 and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly = qualified and=20 have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SW: I am.

WM: What induced you to become a Master = Mason?

SW: That I might obtain the Master=92s Word, = travel in=20 foreign countries, work and receive Master=92s wages, and be = thereby better=20 enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief = of=20 distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

WM: What makes you a Master Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly = constituted Lodge=20 of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum = Sanctorum=20 of King Solomon=92s Temple.

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge?

SW: Three or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it = consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior = Wardens,=20 Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior = Deacon=92s place in=20 the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in = the West=20 to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge = as he may=20 direct; attend the alarms at the outer door and report the same to = the=20 Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon=92s place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in = the=20 East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master = in the=20 East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the = Lodge as he=20 may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the = alarms at the=20 inner door, also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden=92s station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is = the glory=20 and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment,=20 superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe = that the=20 means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, = and see=20 that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful = Master=20 may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden=92s station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, = so stands=20 the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in = opening=20 and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be = due, that=20 none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all=20 institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master=92s station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and = govern the=20 day(WM: ***), so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open = and=20 govern the Lodge, setting the Craft at work, giving them proper=20 instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that = ____ ____=20 Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry, = and stand=20 closed until its next regular communication, unless especially = convened,=20 of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to = the=20 Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that = having=20 due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master = that ____=20 ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of = Freemasonry, and=20 stand closed until its next regular communication, unless = especially=20 called, of which due and timely notice will be given. This = communicate to=20 the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may = govern=20 themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful = Master,=20 communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that = ____ ____=20 Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry, = and stand=20 closed until its next regular communication, unless especially = called, of=20 which due and timely notice will be given. I communicate the same = to you,=20 that having due notice thereof, you will govern yourselves=20 accordingly.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master = Mason?

SW: I have; from West to East, and from East to = West=20 again.

WM: Of what were you in search?

SW: Of that which was lost.

WM: To what do you allude?

SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.

WM: Did you find it?

SW: I did not; but found a substitute, which at = the=20 opening of this Lodge was sent to the East, accompanied with the = steps,=20 due-guards and signs.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, I will now return = the same to=20 the West, accompanied with the steps, due-guards and signs, = through the=20 Senior Deacon. Brother Senior Deacon, attend.

(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs = of the 3=20 degrees, as well as the substitute, are communicated from the = Worshipful=20 Master to the Senior Deacon. The Senior Deacon then carries them = to the=20 West and communicates them to the Senior Warden.)

SW: (S) Worshipful Master, the substitute has = come to the=20 West correctly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; = observe the=20 East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the = Chaplain.

Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy = blessing upon=20 the proceedings of this communication, and as we are about to = separate, we=20 ask Thee to keep us under Thy protecting care until again we are = called=20 together. Teach us, O God, to realize the beauties of the = principles of=20 our time-honored institution, not only while in the Lodge, but = when abroad=20 in the world. Subdue every discordant passion within us. May we = love one=20 another in the bonds of union and friendship. Amen.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should Masons meet?

SW: On the level.

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: By the plumb.

WM: And part upon the square. So should we, by = Brethren,=20 ever meet, act, and part. May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us = and all=20 regular Masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and = social=20 virtue cement us. Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three = Great Lights=20 in Masonry.

WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly=20 closed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *.

 

MASTER MASON EXAMINATION:

Q: Are you a Master Mason?

A: I am.

Q: What induced you to become a Master = Mason?

A: That I might obtain the Master=92s word, = travel in=20 foreign countries, work and receive Master=92s wages, and be = thereby better=20 enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief = of=20 distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

Q: What makes you a Master Mason?

A: My Obligation.

Q: Where were you made a Master Mason?

A: Within the body of a just and duly = constituted Lodge=20 of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum = Sanctorum=20 of King Solomon=92s Temple.

Q: How may I know you to be a Master Mason?

A: By certain signs and tokens.

Q: What are signs?

A: Right angles, horizontals, and = perpendiculars.

Q: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

A: It has; to the position of my hands while = taking the=20 Obligation.

Q: Have you a further sign?

A: I have.

Q: Has that an allusion?

A: It has; to the penalty of the = Obligation.

Q: What are tokens?

A: Certain friendly or brotherly grips whereby = one Mason=20 may know another in the dark as in the light.

Q: Advance and give me a token. What is = that?

A: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

Q: Has it a name?

A: It has.

Q: Will you give it to me?

A: I did not so receive it; neither will I so = impart=20 it.

Q: How will you dispose of it?

A: Letter or syllable it.

Q: Syllable it and begin.

A: You begin.

Q: Begin you.

A: Tu; Q: bal; A: cain.

A: Tubalcain.

Q: Will you be off or from?

A: From.

Q: From what, and to what?

A: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the = real grip=20 of the same.

Q: Pass. What is that?

A: The real grip of a Master Mason, or lion=92s = paw.

Q: Has it a name?

A: It has.

Q: Will you give it to me?

A: Place yourself in the proper position to = receive it=20 and I will.

Q: What is the proper position to receive = it.

A: On the Five Points of Fellowship.

Q: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

A: Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to = breast, hand to=20 back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear.(Five Points of = Fellowship are=20 assumed as the response is being given)

A: Ma; Q: Ha; A: Bone (whispered)

Q: Where were you prepared to be made a Master = Mason?

A:    In a room adjoining the = body of a=20 just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons.

Q: How were you prepared?

A: By being divested of all metallic = substances, neither=20 naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees and breasts bare, = hood-winked, and=20 with a cable-tow three times around my body, clothed as a Fellow = Craft, in=20 which condition I was conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused = to give=20 three distinct knocks, which were answered by three within.

Q: Why was the cable-tow three times around = your=20 body?

A: To teach me that as a Master Mason I was = under a=20 threefold tie to the Fraternity.

Q: To what do the three knocks allude?

A: To the Third Degree upon which I was then=20 entering.

Q: What was said to you from within?

A: Who comes here?

Q: Your answer?

A: Brother _____ ______, who has been duly = initiated an=20 Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now = wishes=20 further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of = Master=20 Mason.

Q: What were you then asked?

A: If this was an act of my own free will and = accord, if=20 I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared, if I had = made=20 suitable proficiency in the preceding degree, all of which being = answered=20 in the affirmative, I was then asked by what further right or = benefit I=20 expected to obtain this important privilege.

Q: Your answer?

A: By the benefit of the pass-word.

Q: Had you the pass-word?

A: I had not. My conductor had and gave it for = me.

Q: What were you then told?

A: Since I was in possession of all these = necessary=20 qualifications, I should wait until the Worshipful Master could be = informed of my request and his answer returned.

Q: What was his answer when returned?

A: Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of = Master Masons=20 and be received in due and ancient form.

Q: How were you received?

A: On the points of the Compasses, extending = from my=20 naked right to my naked left breast, which was to teach me that as = within=20 the breast are contained the most vital parts of man, so between = the=20 extreme points of the Compasses are contained the most valuable = tenets of=20 Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly = Love.

Q: How were you then disposed of?

A: Conducted three times regularly around the = Lodge and=20 to the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions were = asked and=20 answers returned as at the door.

Q: How did the Junior Warden dispose of = you?

A: Directed me conducted to the Senior Warden = in the=20 West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as=20 before.

Q: How did the Senior Warden dispose of = you?

A: Directed me conducted to the Worshipful = Master in the=20 East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as = before,=20 who also demanded of me whence I came and whither traveling.

Q: Your answer?

A: From the West, traveling East.

Q: Why did you leave the West and travel = East?

A: In search of further Light in Masonry.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden = in the=20 West, who taught me how to approach the East in due and ancient = form.

Q: What is that due and ancient form?

A: Advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel = of my=20 right to the heel of my left, thereby forming the angle of a = square, body=20 erect, facing East.

Q: What did the Worshipful Master then do with = you?

A: Obligated me as a Master Mason.

Q: How?

A: In due form.

Q: What is that due form?

A: Kneeling on my naked knees, both hands = resting on the=20 Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, in which due form I took the = solemn=20 Obligation of a Master Mason.

Q: Have you that Obligation?

A: I have.

Q: Repeat it.

A: I, _____ ______, of my own free will and = accord, in=20 the

presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful = Lodge of=20 Master Masons, erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the = Holy=20 Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise = and swear=20 that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets = belonging=20 to the Degree of Master Mason, which I have received, am about to = receive,=20 or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall = be to a=20 worthy Brother Master Mason, or within the body of a just and duly = constituted Lodge of such, and not unto him or them until by due = trial,=20 strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have = found him=20 or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = support=20 the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of Nevada, also = all the=20 laws, rules, and edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge = from=20 whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail; together with the = by-laws, rules,=20 and regulations of this or any other Lodge of which I may become a = member,=20 so far as the same shall come to my knowledge.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = answer=20 and obey all due signs and regular summons sent me from the body = of a just=20 and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or handed me by a = worthy=20 Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = help,=20 aid, and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons, their = widows and=20 orphans, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and = can do so=20 without material to myself or family.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = keep the=20 secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to me = as such,=20 as secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in his before=20 communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not give=20 the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for = the=20 benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a = Brother,=20 unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or = hear the=20 word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving = it.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not give=20 the substitute for the Master=92s Word in any other way or manner = than that=20 in which I receive it, which will be on the Five points of = Fellowship, and=20 at low breath.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not=20 wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge, or a worthy = Brother of=20 this degree to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to = be done=20 by another, if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not=20 knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor otherwise do him = personal=20 violence in anger, except in the necessary of myself, family or=20 property.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not have=20 illicit carnal intercourse with a Master Mason=92s wife, widow, = mother,=20 sister or daughter, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my = power to=20 prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not be=20 present at the initiating, passing, or raising of an old man in = dotage, a=20 young man under age, an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a = person of=20 unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will = not be=20 present at the initiating, passing, or raising of a candidate=20 clandestinely, nor hold Masonic intercourse with a clandestine = Mason, or=20 with one who has been suspended or expelled, knowing him to be = such, until=20 duly restored.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely = promise and=20 swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret = evasion of=20 mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than = that of=20 having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with = my body=20 burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds = of=20 Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor = remembrance among=20 man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, = should I=20 ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of = a Master=20 Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform = the=20 same.

Q: After the Obligation, what were you = asked?

A: What I most desired.

Q: Your answer?

A: Further Light in Masonry.

Q: Did you receive it?

A: I did, by order of the =91Worshipful = Master.

Q: On being brought to Light in this degree, = what did you=20 first behold?

A: The Three Great Lights in Masonry, as in the = preceding=20 degree, with this difference: Both points of the Compasses were = above the=20 Square, which was to teach me that I had received, and was = entitled to=20 receive all the Light that could be conferred upon or communicated = to me=20 in a Master Masons Lodge.

Q: What did you next behold?

A: The Worshipful Master approaching me from = the East,=20 upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered = Apprentice; upon=20 the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft; upon the = step,=20 under the due-guard and sign of a Master Mason, who presented his = right=20 hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, = and=20 invested me with the pass-grip and pass-word, ordered me to rise, = salute=20 the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that I was a duly = Obligated=20 Master Mason, in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, = pass-grip and=20 pass-word.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden = in the=20 West, who taught me how to wear my apron as a Master Mason.

Q: How should a Master Mason wear his = apron?

A: With the flap turned down.

Q: With what were you then presented?

A: The working tools of a Master Mason.

Q: What are they?

A: All the tools in Masonry, especially the = Trowel. The=20 Trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the = cement=20 which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free = and=20 Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and = glorious=20 purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection - = that=20 cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends = and=20 Brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that = noble=20 contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best = agree.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the place whence I = came,=20 invested with that of which I had been divested, and returned to = the Lodge=20 to represent our ancient operative Grand Master Hiram=20 Abif.

------=_NextPart_001_0014_01C3AE8C.4D415E90-- ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C3AE8C.4D415E90 Content-Type: application/octet-stream Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.evangelicaltruth.org.uk/ Rituals of Orange Order and Freemasonry = exposed