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. In one form of the Degree of Elect of Fifteen, they assume the Protean names of JUBELA-KURMAVIL (another corruption of Cromwell), JUBELO-GRAVELOT, and JUBELUM-AKIROP.--The Freemason's Treasury, pp. The Senior Deacon, who has stationed himself at the inner door, at the right of the Senior Warden, on hearing these raps rises to his feet, makes the sign of a Master Mason to the Master (see Fig. p. 175. The lecture is as follows: Q. How does a crew neckline differ from a bateau? The three craftsmen, having stood by the candidate all this time, listening to the ruffians, whose voices they recognize, say one to another: "What shall we do? As the embers of mortality are faintly glimmering in the sockets of existence, the Bible removes the dark cloud, draws aside the sable curtains of the tomb, bids hope and joy rouse us, and sustains and cheers the departing spirit; it points beyond the silent grave, and bids us turn our eyes with faith and confidence upon the opening scenes of our eternity. In the second section, the historical traditions of the Order are introduced, and an important instance of Masonic virtue is exemplified. On both points of the compasses, extending from my naked left to my right breast, which was to teach me that, as the most vital parts of man are contained within the breast, so the most excellent tenets of our institution are contained between the points of the compasses, which are, friendship, morality, and brotherly love. I would remark here, that in some Lodges the Master does not make the sign of distress first at the body, but only gives the sign of a Master Mason, which is done by drawing the right hand across the body, with the thumb inward. Q. 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. You will pass on to the Senior Warden's station in the west, for his examination. Some Lodges sing the following, to the air of "Bonny Doon"; BRETHREN:--You are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Accepted masons, we make use of it for more noble purposes. Are you a sea-captain? S. W. (now styled J. G. W.)--Most Worshipful King Solomon, there is no work laid out for us, and it is said we can have none. 299-300. The three, as they were passing a westerly course, coming down near the port of Joppa, met a seafaring man, of whom they inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way. Morgan [1827] (Murdered by . See real grip of a Fellow Craft, Fig. He is ultimately responsible for every other lodge officer and their duties, every lodge committee, ritual and degree work, Masonic education, social functions, fundraisers, District and Grand Lodge liaison, Trestle Board communication, etc. At each exclamation he gives the grand hailing sign of distress (see Fig. (1 Kings vii. Her tomb was in the rubbish and filth cast forth from the Temple, and acacia waved its branches over her monument. 96:1 Here the conductor or some brother draws his hand across candidate's naked belly: the sword is often used, especially if the initiation takes place in winter, the sword is left in a cold place--and when it is drawn across candidate's belly, it has a very shocking effect, causing the candidate to jump or tremble. Brother Grand Secretary (turning to the Secretary of the Lodge), you will go out and see to calling the several rolls of the craft, and report to me as soon as possible. Q. W. M.--You will attend to the alarm, and ascertain the cause. King Solomon ordered them to divide in parties, and travel three east, three west, three north, and three south, with others whom he should appoint, in search of the ruffians. These generous principles are to extend further. That is strictly forbidden; so you may set your minds at rest. The third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming, louder than the rest: 'It was I that gave the fatal blow, it was I that killed him. King Solomon then ordered the twelve Fellow Crafts to go in search of the body, and, if found, 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 it. The Rough Ashlar is the stone taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state The Perfect Ashlar is the stone prepared by the workmen, to be adjusted by the working tools . This Degree has a reference to the Christian dispensation, when the day of salvation is more fully revealed; atonement is made for sin; and the resurrection from the dead plainly communicated and confirmed by the resurrection of Christ from the grave. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God; and he that will so demean himself as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, may be deemed a drone In the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons. K. S.--Arise, you twelve Fellow Crafts, divide yourselves into parties and travel--three east, three north, three south, and three west--with others whom I shall appoint, in search of the ruffians. . Why had you a cable-tow three times around your body? --O Lord my God, I fear the Master's word is forever lost! Where is our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff? Our three ancient Grand Masters formed a resolution to reward all worthy Master Masons who should prove themselves worthy, by fidelity, industry, and skill, by communicating the omnific 5 word to them. W. M.--And part on the Square; and so let us ever meet, act, and part. Freemasonry | Definition, History, Stages, Lodges, & Facts Let us emulate his amiable and virtuous conduct, his unfeigned piety to his God, his inflexible integrity to his trust; and as the evergreen that bloomed at the head of the grave be. Let us go and report. J. W.--High twelve, Worshipful. The Monitor has model speeches and prayers for various occasions, and defines the order of Masonic processions. The Pot of Incense, the Beehive. 140:1 The questions and answers in this lecture, relative to the disposition of the body and its discovery, &c., &c., are precisely like the historical part of this Degree, page 122, or that portion describing the conferring of the Degree, page 107. What did the Worshipful Master do with you? Conductor (S. D.) leads the candidate up in front of the Master's seat in the east. despicable villains! THE THIRD, OR MASTER MASON'S DEGREE. - sacred-texts.com or Best Offer. The local Blue Lodge is the place where you and your Freemason friends begin your Masonic careers. S. D.--He has it not, but I have it for him. A. --Nothing, Worshipful. No three States in the Union "work" alike. 17. 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. Brother Junior Deacon, the last as well as the first care of Masons, when convened? of Royal and Select Masters, Royal Master Degree, Order of Royal and Select Masters, Most Excellent Master The three Fellow Crafts who persisted in their murderous designs, knowing this to be his usual practice, placed themselves at the south, west, and east gates of the inner courts of the Temple, and there awaited his return. Do good unto all. We feel our own feet sliding from the precarious brink on which We stand, and a few more suns, and we will be whelmed neath death's awful wave, to rest in the stilly shades, and darkness Said silence will reign around our melancholy abode. Senior Warden, one. [paragraph continues] Master's carpet is a large map that Lodges generally keep, which is highly embellished with Masonic emblems). A. I was ordered to be returned to the place from whence I came, and reinvested of what I had been divested of, and wait the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure. In the primitive lectures--i.e., those which were used after the Revival in 1717, for the subject was never ventilated before that date--they were called "the three principal entrances to the Temple"; but subsequently it was thought expedient to particularize these entrances; and the passage was altered at first to "the east, west and south doors"; and, at the Union in 1813, the version became "north, south, and east entrances." cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree. Godwyn says: 'Making a covenant was a solemn binding of each other to the performance of a mutual promise, by outward ceremonies of cutting a beast in twain, and passing between the parts thereof' (Jer. Why had you a cable-tow three times about your naked body? He directed me to the Senior Warden in the west, and he to the Worshipful Master in the east, where the same questions were asked, and like answers returned as before. . 30 and Junior Deacons, who will obtain it from the WM: Are you a Master Mason? You will remember in whom you put your trust, with that divine assurance, that "he who endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved." WM: The first great care of Masons when convened. By innocence is meant clean thinking and clean living, a loyal obedience to the laws of the Craft and sincere good will one's Brethren. Masonic ritual and symbolism - Wikipedia Ritual and Monitor, by Malcolm C. Duncan [1866] in The ground has been newly broken; this has the appearance of a grave," pointing to the candidate on the floor. --Historical Landmarks, vol. Conductor (S. D.)--Brother Gabe, who has been regularly initiated Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes to receive further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. On his last day on earth, it was bright, sunny and warm. ), Conductor--Cain. The Senior Deacon then conducts the candidate to the Senior Warden in the west, and reports: S. D.--Brother Senior Warden, it is the orders of the Worshipful Master that you teach this candidate to approach the east, the place of further light in Masonry, by three upright, regular steps, his body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master in the east. What topics are covered in Masonic Lectures? - emfj.org The Word, which was said to be lost, was pronounced upon the cross, which the Jews could not comprehend. --You will arise, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as an obligated Master Mason. A. The Master having given the word, which is MAH-HAH-BONE, in low breath, requests the candidate to repeat it with him, which is in this wise: Master telling candidate never to give it in any other way than that in which he has received it. Masonic degrees are rites of initiation that teach lessons of honor, morality, and virtue. With these lectures he returned to Vermont, and submitted them to the Grand Lodge, at its annual session in October, 1817. Talk not to me of time or place, but give me the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your life! Conductor--Brother Gabe, an obligated Master Mason. "Three constitute a Lodge of Master Masons--three Master Masons. If it was of my own free-will and accord, if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared, had made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degree, and was properly vouched for; all which being answered in the affirmative, I was asked by what further right or benefit I expected to gain admission. W. M.--You will cause him to kneel on his naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy Bible, square, and compasses. 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. They meet in the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple.". The Square Teaches morality, the Level Equality, and the Plumbrectitude of life. The avenues to the Lodge are carefully inspected by the meridian officer, whose knowledge and fidelity have entitled him to the confidence of the brethren, and, after he had publicly proclaimed the security of the Lodge, the business of closing proceeds. Conductor (for candidate.) Captain--I should be glad of your company. Brother Gabe, you discover me approaching you from the east, under the duegard (some say--step, duegard, and sign) of a Master Mason; and, in token of the further continuance of my brotherly love and favor, I present. Some Lodges have a small box with a house-plant or dry twig in it, which is set down on the floor near the candidate's head. --Brother this is an unusual way of asking for them. To the secrets of a Master Mason; after which he observed that my pursuit was truly laudable, and ordered me to be reconnected to the Senior Warden in the west, who taught me to approach the East, advancing by three upright regular steps, my feet forming the right angle of a perfect square, my body erect to the Master in the East. The beautiful virgin weeping over the broken column denotes the unfinished state of the Temple, likewise the untimely death of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; the book open before her, that his virtues lay on perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the divinity of the body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were therein safely deposited, under the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple. When we take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies languishing for days, months, and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the forest, or sheltering himself from the in-clemencies of the weather. These answers are monitorial. (See sign of a Master Mason, Fig. 'The five points of fellowship are--foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear. What say you, guilty or not guilty? Reading the part will not merit receiving credit for the part.