3rd Degree: Master Mason. The Apron is at once an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. W. M.--Your duty there, Brother Secretary? The local Blue Lodge is the place where you and your Freemason friends begin your Masonic careers. King Solomon, fearing some accident had befallen him, ordered the several rolls of the workmen to be called; and, after roll-call, it was found that three Craftsmen were missing, namely, Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum, who, from the similarity of their names, were supposed to be brothers, and men from Tyre. You are now bound by duty, honor, and gratitude, to be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the Order. The other example of such a covenant is in Genesis xv.--Historical Landmarks, vol. I suppose you are brothers, workmen from the Temple, and journeying, are you not? 1, King Solomon then ordered them to go and assist in raising the body; and it was agreed between him and Hiram, king of Tyre, that as the Master's word was then lost, the first sigh given at the grave, and the first word spoken after the body should be raised, should be used for the regulation of all Masters'. A. Are you willing to take the oath? J. W.--Brother Gabe, is it of your own free-will and accord? 7, p. 18), which would be three times, then, turning to the Senior Warden, says: "My worthy brother of Tyre, what shall we do?". with hands, eternal in the heavens," where no discordant voice shall be heard, but all the soul shall experience shall be perfect bliss, and all it shall express shall be perfect praise, and love divine shall ennoble every heart, and hallelujahs exalted employ every tongue. generally the W. M. in the east. The following is the representation of the Master giving candidate the grand Masonic word, or at least this is a substitute, for, ac-cording to Masonic tradition, the right one was lost at the death of Hiram Abiff. K. S. (making grand hailing sign of distress.) One can become a 32nd Degree Mason in a relatively short period of time depending on one's obedience. Both points of the Compasses bare; which was to teach me never to lose sight of the Masonic application of that useful and valuable instrument, which teaches friendship, morality, and Brotherly love. no pass. Masons use memory craft for a variety of purposes. His friends now approach him, and congratulate him upon his Masonic appearance, asking him how he likes the degree, and if he is not glad he is through, &c., &c. The object of this is to mislead the candidate, and to impress upon his mind the idea that there is no more of the ceremony, and that his initiation is completed. 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. W. M.--Brother Gabe, you will now take your seat in this Lodge as a Master Mason, after stepping to the Secretary's desk. 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. They present the jewel to the Master, who, on examination of it, says: "This is the jewel of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; there can be no longer any doubt as to the identity of the body.". Jubela!! Why, it is well known that the celebrated artist was living at Tyre many years after the Temple was completed.--The Freemason's Treasury, p. 291. Reader, I have given you the whole of the first three Degrees in Masonry. The three Symbolic Lodge degreesespecially for the Entered Apprentice and the Master Masonwere particularly considered to be individual and deeply personal experiences. Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons State of Texas [1922] This is the 'Monitor' of the Texas Masons. 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. If this is the case, you cannot get a passage with me, I assure you. The Barney "work" is that adopted by the Baltimore Convention. Having my curiosity aroused, I examined it, and found it to be a grave.". W. M.--Brother Junior Warden, have you any to make? One of the ruffians exclaims: Now let us make our escape out of the country. Here Lodges differ in their mode of work; some only pass the candidate around the Lodge once, and as he passes the Junior and Senior Wardens he gives the Master's sign. Quoting from "When is a Man a Mason?" by James S. Peterson, Master-elect, in the June 1991 Occasional Bulletin of the Texas Lodge of Research, which has a bit more on the holding of Stated Meetings or doing business in the E.A. 112:1 The system of Freemasonry, as practised in different countries and at different periods, is not uniform on this subject; and I feel so little at liberty to bring forward evidence on such a delicate point, that I am afraid it will he impossible to place it clearly before the brethren. See real grip of a Fellow Craft, Fig. with the right-hand corner tucked up, and he wears a yoke with a Senior Warden's jewel attached to it. They would fail to become proficient in the required memory work. Candidate (prompted by conductor.) First Ruffian--If such are the regulations, we shall not get a pass at any port, and what will become of us? BRETHREN KNEELING AT PRAYER AROUND THE GRAVE OF HIRAM ABIFF, THE WIDOW'S SON. Sec.--Assemble, Craftsmen! A. 127-130. however, the connection of the widow's son with the building of the Temple was endeared to the two monarchs; and, to preserve and consecrate his memory, a new arrangement of discipline was adopted; and a legend incorporated into the system, which served to promote a similar object with the fabulous narrative used in the spurious initiations, viz., to inculcate and impress on the candidate's mind the doctrine of a resurrection and a future state--Theo. p. 127 It testifies our faith in the resurrection of the body, and while it inculcates a practical lesson of prudence and unshrinking fidelity, it inspires the most cheering hone of that final reward which belongs alone to "just made perfect."--Lexicon. 30 WM: As further evidence that all present are Master Masons, receive the pass-word from the Senior SW: (S) Worshipful Master. 16, 17, 18; also p. Foot to foot--that you will never hesitate to go on foot, and out of your way, to assist and serve a worthy brother. 1. The Master silently steps to the east, near the candidate's head, and strikes the hour of low twelve (which is twelve o'clock at night) on a triangle or bell. You have a rough and rugged road to travel, beset with thieves, robbers, and murderers; and should you lose your life in the attempt, it will not be the first instance of the kind, my brother. No! Craftsmen, we are having good times; I wonder if it will last. I am decidedly of opinion that our tradition is merely allegorical; for there can be no doubt but the Chief Architect was present at the dedication of the Temple. On the points of the compasses, extended from my naked right to left breast, which was to show that as the vital parts of man are contained within the two points of the Compasses, which are friendship, morality, and Brotherly love. The lecture is as follows: Q. You will therefore suffer yourself to be again hoodwinked, and kneel where you are, and pray orally or mentally, as you please. In a regularly constituted Lodge of Masons. K. S.--You twelve Fellow Crafts will go in search of the body, and, if found, observe whether the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing that appertains to the Master's Degree, is on or about it. 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. But nothing could be seen or heard of him. These are taught in the ritual and lectures of the Entered Apprentice Degree. How does a crew neckline differ from a bateau? K. S. (to the S. W.)--My worthy brother of Tyre, I shall endeavor (with your assistance) to raise the body by the strong grip, or lion's paw, of the tribe of Judah. In the third section, our emblems are explained, and the construction of Solomon's Temple described.--Lexicon. K. S.--Jubela, you stand charged as accessory to the death of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Do good unto all. In the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. What have we done? below--above-- Fill our hearts with truth and love; When dissolves our earthly tie, Take us to thy Lodge on High. this work, would not be out of place, as it will account to the reader for the difference existing between Masonic "works" in the several States, and in Europe: "In the year 1817, Brother John Barney, formerly of Charlotte, Vermont, went to Boston, and obtained possession of the Preston Lectures, taught there by Gleason, and approved by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. (Sits down.). The Worshipful Master, who ordered me to the Senior Warden in the west, who taught me how to wear my apron as a Master Mason. 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. Masonic Mastor Mason Degree Work - I, , of my own free will and accord, in the presence of almighty God and this worshipful master masons lodge erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the holy Saint's John do hereby and here-on sincerely promise and solemnly swear that I will not reveal the secrets of this degree to a brother of a preceding degree, nor to any person in the world . It was, by fifteen Fellow Crafts, who, seeing the Temple about to be completed, and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby they might travel in foreign countries, work, and receive Master's wages, entered into a horrid conspiracy to extort them from our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, or take his life; but, reflecting with horror on the atrocity of the crime, twelve of them recanted; the other three persisted in their murderous designs. --Brother Senior Warden, at the opening of this Lodge you informed me that you were a Master Mason. While they are going out, the Master gives three sounds with his gavel (), and says, in a loud tone of voice: W. M.--Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour? tokened the place of his interment, so may virtue's ever-blooming loveliness designate us as free and accepted Masons. 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. Hiram Abiff (also Hiram Abif or the Widow's son) is the central character of an allegory presented to all candidates during the third degree in Freemasonry . (makes the sign, see Fig. you with my right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason. W. M.--Brother Senior Deacon, you will now reconduct this candidate to the place from whence he came, and reinvest him with what he has been divested of, and await my further will and pleasure. 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. It is very true, we have been associated with these three ruffians, but we have not committed any actual crime". 5, 6, and 7, pages 17 and 18) and ending with the grips. ), The Master steps to the feet of the candidate, bending over, takes him by the real grip of a Master Mason, places his right foot against the candidate's. me to rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens. Remember that you have promised to befriend and relieve every brother, who shall need your assistance; you have promised to remind him, in the most friendly manner, of his errors, and, if possible, to aid him in a reformation. but which, he adds, "I can find only twice particularly described. Brother Junior Deacon (turning to that officer), you will inform the Tyler. Remember it more "especially to the household of the faithful.". Avery Allyn, in Ritual of Freemasonry, explains that this degree originated, according to Masonic tradition, at the building of KST. Phil., p. 232. It was his usual practice at high twelve, while the Craft were called from labor to refreshment, to enter into the unfinished Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies of the Temple, and there to offer up his adorations to Deity, and there to draw his designs on the trestle-board. : "O Lord my God, I fear the Master's word is forever lost!" The only alterations which occur in the lectures of each degree are in the commencement. 16, p. K. S.--No work laid out--no designs drawn on the trestle-board? that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the rough sands of the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I had been accessory to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.' Even in its exoteric aspect its simple, yet dramatic, power must leave a lasting impression on the mind of every Cand.. 105:1 In the progress of Masonry during the last century the fatal weapons underwent several changes. They returned and bore this information to King Solomon, who ordered them to disguise themselves and travel as before, with positive instructions to find the ruffians and with as positive assurance that, if they did not, they twelve should he deemed the murderers, and suffer severely for the crime committed. W. M.--Since that is the object of your search, you will reconduct this candidate to the Senior Warden in the west, with my orders that he be taught 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. The Senior Warden approaches the candidate and ties the apron upon him, with the flap and corners turned down, and says: The conductor now conducts the candidate back to the Worshipful Master in the east. 155.). W. M.--Brother Gabe, you will please approach the east. 1. Let him enter in the name of God, and be received in due and ancient form. 3 Master Mason. Conductor--By the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason. 12, p. W. M.--I presumed that you did from the jewel that you wear, it being the Senior Warden's jewel. They repaired to the grave, when King Solomon ordered one of the Fellow Crafts to take the body by the Entered Apprentice grip, and see if it could be raised; but, on account of its high state of decomposition, it could not be raised--the flesh cleaved from the bone. In some Lodges the following paraphrase of the above is sung; and if the Lodge have an organ, or melodeon, the singers are generally accompanied on the instrument: For balance of this paraphrase, see Freemason's Monitor, or Illustrations of Masonry, by Thomas S. Webb, p. 61. "I furthermore promise and swear, that I will stand to and abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of the Master Masons' Degree, and of the Lodge of which I may hereafter become a member, as far as the same shall come to my knowledge; and that I will ever maintain and support the constitution, laws, and edicts of the Grand Lodge under which the same shall be holden. (See Fig. 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. Very well made and achieved. That which was lost, which, by my endeavors and his assistance, I was in hope to find. In your present condition, what do you most desire? First Ruffian--We cannot make our escape in that way. The body was then carried to the Temple for a more decent burial, and was interred in due form. ), The Master next calls the candidate's attention to the three grand Masonic pillars, usually delineated on Master's carpet (a. J. W.--The token is right, and the pass is right. Brother Junior Deacon, the last as well as the first care of Masons, when convened? A. Yet, O Lord! 14.). --Brother Gabe, I presume you now consider yourself a Master Mason, and, as such, entitled to all the privileges of a Master Mason, do you not? Hold up your heads, and hear your sentence. In the United States they say that the first attack was made at the south door, the second at the west door, and finally at the east. The Monitor has model speeches and prayers for various occasions, and defines the order of Masonic processions. WM: *. that my breast had been torn open, my heart plucked out, and placed upon the highest pinnacle of the Temple, there to be devoured by the vultures of the air, ere I had consented to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Q. the Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tyler's Sword, the Sword pointing to a Naked Heart, the All-seeing Eye, the Anchor and Ark, the Forty-seventh. The candidate is divested of all wearing apparel, except his shirt and drawers, and if he has not the latter, he is furnished with a pair by the brethren preparing him. W. M.--Brother Senior Warden, have you any alterations or additions to make to the minutes? During this degree, the importance of education and work, and the awesome power of God, are taught to the Mason. After an animal had been selected, his throat was cut across with one single blow, so as to divide the windpipe, arteries, and veins, without touching any bone. S. W.--I did not, but found a substitute. "Further, that I will keep a worthy brother Master Mason's secrets inviolable, when communicated to and received by me as such, murder and treason excepted. 35 which constitute our authority for affirming that no such event ever happened; for H. A. 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.". Junior Deacon here steps forward and whispers in the Senior Deacon's ear, "Tubal Cain.". (Gives candidate a sudden twitch by the collar.) S. D.--He has it not, but I have it for him. At the same time the Senior Warden steps to his stand, and turns up the column on his desk at his right. It describes ceremonies, including the those used for the three major initiations and the burial rite. 6, p. 138:2 A similar divergence from uniformity will be found in describing the p. 139 places where the above-mentioned instruments were supposed to have been used with such terrible effect. W. M.--Brother Gabe, on receiving further light, you perceive more than you have heretofore. With these lectures he returned to Vermont, and submitted them to the Grand Lodge, at its annual session in October, 1817. they approach the Junior Warden's station in the south, he steps silently out from his seat to the floor, and confronts the blind-folded candidate, clinching him by the collar in a very rough manner, and at the same time exclaiming: left to right: S. D., or Conductor. 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. A. The spade, which dug the grave of our Grand Master, may soon dig ours; the setting-maul, which terminated his earthly existence, may be among the casualties which will, sooner or later, terminate ours; the coffin, which received his remains, may soon receive ours; the grave, that abode for the dead, may soon be our grave; the acacia (that evergreen which once marked the temporary resting-place of the illustrious dead), that bloomed and flourished at the head of our Grand Master's grave, and was the cause of its timely discovery, is an emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul, which never! Aprons, Royal Arch Jewels, Chains, Collars &
The Master gives one rap with his gavel, when all take their seats except the candidate, who remains standing before the Master, by whom he is addressed as follows: W. M.--Brother Gabe, in closing this Degree, I now give you the following. J. W. (offering his hand to candidate.) sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. "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 Pot of Incense, the Beehive. (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. You have a pass from King Solomon, I presume? J. W.--Brethren, you are now called from refreshment to labor again. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God, who gave it.". We read in the Bible, that Hiram Abiff was one of the head workmen employed at the building of King Solomon's Temple, and other ancient writings inform us that he was an arbiter between King Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre; but his tragical death is nowhere recorded, except in the archives of Freemasonry. Hemming. 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. A. (Pronounced by the conductor--Tubal Cain.) Jubelo! What! 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. 1 "What means this acacia coming up so easily? We cannot, Is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life, and. B., who has been regularly initiated Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes. He has not been seen in or about the Temple. A. It is my orders that you be taken without the gates of the court, and be executed, according to your several imprecations, in the clefts of the rocks. Candidate. John, do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secrets, arts, parts, point or points, of the Master Masons' Degree, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be to a true and lawful brother of this Degree, or in a regularly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, nor unto him, or them, until by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him, or them, as lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself. They travelled as before, and, after many days of hardships and toil, on their return one of the brethren, more weary than the rest, sat down on the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself, and on attempting to rise, accidentally caught hold of an acacia, which easily giving way, aroused his curiosity; upon which he hailed his companions, and on examination found it to be a grave. THE ceremony of opening and conducting the business of a Lodge of Master Masons is nearly the same as in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Crafts' Degrees, already explained. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not cheat, wrong or defraud a Lodge of Fellow Craft, or a brother of this degree knowingly or wittingly. despicable villains! The missing word was found, after four hundred and seventy years, and was then, and still is, used in the Royal Arch Degree, as will be seen in the ceremonies of that Degree. step, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an Entered. (See page 247.). In this state of darkness and despair she lay until the Saviour came, instituted the five points of Christian fellowship, and raised her from the dust, in which she had been indecently interred, to a more glorious inheritance."--Theo. Jewels, Chains, Collars &
It was his usual practice at that hour, while the craft were called from labor to refreshment, to enter into the unfinished "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of the Temple, and there offer up his adorations to the Deity, and draw his designs on the trestle-board. A. Second Ruffian--We will go to some other port. Second Ruffian, Jubelo, generally the S. W. in the west. He then turns to the Junior Warden, and says: "You will take the body by the Entered Apprentice grip, and see if it can be raised.". . After saluting the Wardens, what did you first discover? As the final and highest honor in Freemasonry, the Master Mason degree symbolizes man's maturity through increased knowledge and wisdom. K. S.--Not been seen since high twelve yesterday! As the candidate is hurried along toward Jubelum (Worshipful Master), the latter seizes him with both hands by the collar of his coat, and swings him round, so as to place his back toward the east, with his heels a few inches from the edge of the canvas before alluded to. (Clinches candidate more fiercely.) Q. A. S. W. (rising to his feet, and giving the sign of a Master Mason, if opened on that Degree.) The Master approaching me from the East, on the step, under the due guard and penal sign of an Entered Apprentice, who, in token of his Brotherly love and friendship presented me with his right hand, and with it the word and grip of an Entered Apprentice, and bade me arise and salute the Wardens as such. First, the Entered Apprentice Degree, second, the Fellow Craft Degree and finally, the Master Mason Degree. The room is cleared by removing the altar and lights, and the two large pillars used in the Second Degree. J. W. (making sign.) Which way shall we go?". On the Ground Floor of King Solomon's Temple. Suspicious characters! Let me admonish you, in the most serious manner, in reference to the close of life, that, when the cold winter of death shall have passed, and the bright summer morn of the resurrection appears, the Sun of Righteousness shall descend and send forth His angels to collect our ransomed dead; then, if we are found worthy, by the benefit of his "pass" we shall gain a ready admission into that celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides, where we shall see the King In the beauty of holiness, and with him enter into an endless eternity. Wait until the Temple is completed, and then, if you are found worthy and well qualified, you will unquestionably receive the secrets of a Master Mason; but, until then, you cannot.