At this time, the twelve Fellow Crafts, who had recanted from their murderous designs, appeared before King Solomon, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, acknowledging their premeditated guilt, and humbly imploring his pardon. "Further, that I will always aid and assist all poor, distressed, worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans, knowing them to be such, as far as their necessities may require, and my ability permit, without material injury to myself and family. MASTER MASON, OR THIRD DEGREE. It is King Solomon's orders that the several rolls be called, and report made as soon as possible. (They all kneel.). --Further light in Masonry. $399.00. If this is the case, you cannot get a passage with me, I assure you. At the same time the Senior Warden steps to his stand, and turns up the column on his desk at his right. 2. Do good unto all. Hiram is presented as the chief architect of King Solomon's Temple. 147:1 A Grand Lecturer is elected annually at the session of the Grand Lodge of each State. The Master now gives and explains to the candidate the several signs and tokens of this Degree, commencing with the first (see Figs. After taking the obligation, what were you then asked? 17.) All these were, classed and arranged in such a manner, by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, discord, nor confusion was suffered to interrupt that universal peace and tranquillity which pervaded the world at that important period." S. D.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees? (See Fig. Ruffian--This (shaking candidate) does not satisfy me! In a way, the Masonic ritual represents the rebirth of man. We were ordered to observe whether the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's Degree, was on or about the body; but, brothers, we are only Fellow Crafts, and know nothing about the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's, [paragraph continues] Degree; we must, however, make an examination, or we will be put to death.". B. divided the operatives the three classes, viz., Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, and Masters; paying the wages of the former at the pillar of J (Jachin), and the Masters in the Middle Chamber. SPONSORED. It is done by putting the inside of your right foot to the inside of the right foot of the one to whom you are going to give the word, the inside of your own knee to his, laying your breast close against his, your left hands on each other's back, and each one putting his mouth to the other's right ear. They usually meet on the Ground Floor of King Solomon's Temple. --Nothing, Worshipful. The body of our Grand Master was buried three times: first, in the rubbish of the Temple; secondly, on the brow of a hill west of Mount Moriah; and, thirdly and lastly, as near the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple, as the Jewish law would permit; and Masonic tradition informs us that there was erected to his memory a Masonic monument, consisting of "a beautiful virgin, weeping over a broken column; before her was a book open; in her right hand a sprig of acacia, in her left an urn; behind her stands Time, unfolding and counting the, ringlets of her hair.". J. W.--Pass. He is murdered inside this Temple by three ruffians, after they failed to obtain from him the Master Masons' secrets. A. Senior Deacon steps forward, and whispers in the Warden's ear, "Tubal Cain.". Climbing the ranks to Master Mason takes months or years. The unfinished Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of King Solomon's Temple. J. G. W.--We do not know, Most Worshipful King Solomon. J. W.--The password is right. The Master either reads or repeats the following from a Monitor, which by many is committed to memory; but when he has the "work" (i.e., that part which is not monitorial), it is not necessary that he should commit to memory what is called the Master's carpet of emblems, but as it is a part of the initiation of the Third Degree, the author proposes to give it in its regular order of Lodge business. (See page 247.). Brother Gabe, permit me to call your attention to the last emblem on the carpet--the spade, setting-maul, coffin, grave, and sprig of acacia. S. D--In search of further light in Masonry. In Scotland the arrangement is east, south, and west. The Applicant must perform the ritual parts from memory. In the Adonhiramite Masonry, which was used there about 1787, the doors are not mentioned at all.--The Freemason's Treasury, p. 307. This Degree is very lengthy, and to give the lecture at an initiation would take up too much of the night; but if there is time, the Master and Senior Warden usually go through with the first section before closing the Lodge, so that the candidate and brethren may become conversant with it. No designs are drawn on the trestle-board, and for this reason many of us are idle. By there being no designs drawn on the trestle-board. W. M.--Brother Gabe, you will now take your seat in this Lodge as a Master Mason, after stepping to the Secretary's desk. witnessed the Light at this Degree before. p. 118. Some say, that many days were expended in the search, and that the lost (body) was found near the seaside; others, that it was soon discovered near Jerusalem. Uploaded by Rob Bonner. The traditional account of the death, several burials, and resurrections of one of the craft, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, as developed in conferring this Degree, is very interesting. It is right around 490 words long. Why had you a cable-tow three times around your body? Turning in his seat toward the Treasurer's desk, he says to the Treasurer: "My worthy brother of Tyre, as the Master's word is now lost, the first sign given at the grave, and the first word spoken, after the body is raised, shall be adopted for the regulation of all Masters' Lodges, until future generations shall find out the right. JD: To see that they are duly tyled. It is, in fact, not a word, but merely a jumble of letters, forming a sound without meaning." "There were employed in its building three Grand Masters; three thousand three hundred Masters, or overseers of the work; eighty thousand Fellow Crafts, or hewers on the mountains and in the quarries; and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices, or bearers of burdens. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God, who gave it.". 7, p. 18--some Masters make this sign twice), accompanied by the following exclamation, viz. In the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. 155.). never--no, never dies. step, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an Entered. WM: The first great care of Masons when convened. (See Note Q, Appendix.). By this time they have got near the candidate (who is still lying on the floor, rolled up in the canvas), when one of the party sits down near his head, and at the same time says: "Well, brothers, I am very weary; I must sit down and rest before I can go any farther.". We will suppose the business of the Lodge finished, and that the Master proceeds to close. W. M. (looking conductor in the eye.) In the third section, our emblems are explained, and the construction of Solomon's Temple described.--Lexicon. About this time, the twelve Fellow Crafts, who had recanted from their murderous designs, appeared before King Solomon, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, acknowledging their premeditated guilt, and, kneeling, implored his pardon. "Further, I will not cheat, wrong, nor defraud a Master Mason's Lodge, nor a brother of this Degree, knowingly, nor supplant him in any of his laudable undertakings, but will give him due and timely notice, that he may ward off all danger. You will pass on to the Senior Warden's station in the west, for his examination. Your virtue, honor, and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. pdf, Royal Arch
A. Degree, Holy Royal
J. W.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees? Ruffians (affecting surprise.) (Master has a small trowel, which he shows the candidate as he commences to read concerning it. By being divested of all metals, neither naked nor clad, barefoot, hoodwinked, and a cable-tow three times about my naked body; in which situation I was conducted to the door of the lodge by a Brother. In addition to the presiding Master, three Past Masters will work as acting Masters in obligating an exemplar candidate for each of the three degrees. One, acting as the principal mover, raises his right foot from the floor, at the same time his hands, in the manner of slapping them together, makes two false motions, but at the third all bring down their right feet and hands together, producing a very sharp noise. A. I was conducted three times around the Lodge, to the Junior Warden in the south, where the same questions were asked, and like answers returned as at the door. in a loud voice, until he calls that of the First Ruffian, "Jubela! The "work" known among Masons as the "Webb Work,". Both points of the compasses are elevated above the square, which is to teach you never to lose sight of those truly Masonic virtues, which are friendship, morality, and brotherly love. They returned and bore this intelligence to King Solomon, who ordered them to divide themselves, and travel as before, with positive instructions to find the ruffians, and with as positive assurance, that if they did not the twelve should be deemed the murderers, and suffer severely for the crime committed. 130.). Investigation Committee, Grand Lodge of Wisconsin Rituals, Handbooks,
Here the Warden opens the ante-room door, and says: "Come in, you twelve Fellow Crafts;" when all those that were left out by the Secretary come into the Lodge, stamping and scuffling along, especially if only a few of them, to impress upon the candidate's mind the idea that there are more. and after a few more names, that of the Third Ruffian, "Jubelum! (Sits down.). In one account, the brethren disperse widely, east, west, and south; in another, they keep within hail of each other.--Historical Landmarks, vol. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
These answers are monitorial. These facts will account for the want of agreement between the East and the West and Southwest, as to what are the true Barney Lectures. The Master now steps back about three paces from the altar, and says. See real grip of a Fellow Craft, Fig. In the course of the degree, the new Master Mason is taught the importance of living a life true to the principles of morality and virtue. Morgan [1827] (Murdered by
", "Oh! Brother A. These are ideally delivered from memory, and we work very hard to. CANDIDATE TAKING THE OATH OF A MASTER MASON. The candidate generally gets this from some of the brethren who are well posted in the work. it. In France, it was originally south, north, and east, but now west, south, and east. A. A. All the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the trowel. W. M.--You will attend to that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to close this Lodge, and direct him to tyle accordingly. W. M.--You will repeat your name, and say after me: "I, Peter Gabe (Master gives three raps with his gavel, when all present assemble round the altar), of my own free-will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this worshipful Lodge, erected to him and dedicated to the holy Sts. The three that pursued a westerly course, coming down near the port of Joppa, met with a seafaring man, of whom they made inquiry, if he had seen any strangers pass that way; he informed them that he had, three, who, from their appearance, were work-men from the Temple, seeking a passage into Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, were not allowed to obtain one, and had returned back into the country. This could not be done until the construction was . 146:1 "In the performance of a ceremony so solemn and momentous as the closing of a Mason's Lodge, every member has a lively interest. The Master approaching me from the East, under the due guard and sign of a Master Mason, who in token of the further continuance of his brotherly love and friendship, presented me his right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason; and bade me to arise and salute the Wardens as such. "Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all due signs and summonses sent to me from a Master Masons' Lodge, or given me by a brother of that Degree, if within the length of my cable-tow. The Lodge is closed in nearly the same manner that it is opened, and, in fact, all three of the Degrees are closed alike. W. M.--Reading of the present communication. Jubela! By demonstrating your commitment at meetings and studying Masonic symbolism, you can earn the 2nd degree of Masonry, called Fellowcraft, and finally the 3rd degree. Cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear--that you will ever caution and whisper good counsel in the ear of an erring brother, and, in the most friendly manner, remind him of his errors, and aid his reformation, giving him due and timely notice, that he may ward off approaching danger.". (Hiram Abiff) to retire to the Most Holy Place, to draw his plans and designs, and offer up his orisons, &c. But flow could this be accomplished before the Sanctum Sanctorum was built. They travelled as before, and after fifteen days of weary travel and hardships, one of the brethren, being more weary than the rest, sat down on the brow of a hill, west of Mount Moriah, to rest and refresh himself, and, on attempting to rise, caught hold. The second degree is the Fellow Craft, which represents manhood, the middle period of life. paragraph 6. At this command the Secretary passes out of the Lodge, accompanied by ten or fifteen of the brethren, into the ante-room, leaving the door open, so that the candidate can hear the rolls called. On removal of the earth, they came to the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, which they found in a high state of putrefaction, and in a mutilated and mangled condition, it having been buried already fifteen days: the effluvia which arose from it compelled them to place involuntarily their hands thus (Master here places his hands in form of a duegard of a Master Mason, which alludes to the manner in which his hands were placed when he took the oath of a Master Mason), to guard their nostrils--but nothing was found on or about the body excepting the jewel of his office, by which his body was easily discovered. When all has been again quiet in the Lodge for a few seconds, the brethren jump up, commence laughing, singing, &c., exclaiming: No work to-day.