W. M.--From whence came you, and whither are you travelling? Freemasonry is not a religion per se, but agnostics or atheists cannot belong, said Brent Morris, a Masonic historian, editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, and a 33rd degree Freemason. By there being no designs drawn on the trestle-board. (pdf), Order of Demolay Ritual - Masonic Youth Organization 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. Reader, I have given you the whole of the first three Degrees in Masonry. 97:1 What does it denote? 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. Conductor--By the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason. Behold! Q. We were sent in haste and on urgent business; there was nothing said about giving us a pass, and we presume it was forgotten, or not deemed necessary. Takes the candidate by the "real grip" of a Fellow Craft, and says. It is very singular, that, a man so celebrated as Hiram Abiff was, universally acknowledged as the third most distinguished man then living, and, in many respects, the greatest man in the world, should pass from off the stage of action, in the presence of King Solomon, three thousand three hundred grand overseers, and one hundred and fifty thousand workmen, with whom he had spent a number of years, and with King Solomon, his bosom friend, without any of his numerous confrres even recording his death, or any thing, A Master Masons' Lodge is styled by the Craft the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of King Solomon's Temple," and when the Lodge is opened on this Degree, both points of the compasses are elevated above the square. W. M.--By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission? J. W.--Pass. A. Updated on March 23, 2022. W. M. (two raps, all the officers rise to their feet.) . A momentary silence then ensues, during which one of the party groans, as if nearly dying. 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. 112.) 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. In order that I might receive a Masters' wages, and be the better enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief of poor, distressed Master Mason, their widows and orphans. 12, p. 67), and letting his hand slip off quickly, he reports as follows: "Owing to the reason before given, the flesh cleaves from the bone, and the body cannot be so raised.". All the brethren take their seats but the Master and candidate, when the Master continues: "Brother Gabe, you will now repair to the east, and receive an historical account of this degree.". SW: All present are Master Masons. Some substitute for the latter, but with less propriety, the crown of thorns. Amid its concerns and temptations, forget not the duties you have heard so frequently inculcated and so forcibly recommended in this Lodge. 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. 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. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God, who gave it.". Upon which we rushed in, seized and bound the ruffians, and now have them before your majesty.". This Master Mason Quiz may be used by any member of the Lodge who seeks more light. No three States in the Union "work" alike. The first was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming: "Oh! The Master kneels at the head of the candidate, and, taking off his hat, repeats the following prayer, which may be found in all the Masonic Monitors: Thou, O God! THE MM'S BOOK by J.S.M. ", All now form in a circle around the body, the Master and. And finally, the veracity of the legend is completely ignored by a reference to the Holy Scriptures. With the trowel, spread liberally the cement of brotherly love and affection; and, circumscribed by the compass, let us ponder well our words and actions, and let all the energies of our minds and the affections of our souls be employed in the attainment of our Supreme Grand Warden's approbation. Conductor--From the "real grip" of a Fellow Craft to the pass grip of a Master Mason. 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.". 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.' 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. The second was that of Jubelo, exclaiming: 'Oh! 126:1 Among such a vast concourse of people as were assembled together at the construction of this edifice, it is natural to expect every variety of propensities, both good and evil. Answer--We will bury it in the rubbish of the Temple, until low twelve, and then we will meet and give it a decent burial. Complete Master Mason Study Guide - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. . "4th. These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence. The drawers are rolled up just above the candidate's knees, and both arms are taken out of his shirt-sleeves, leaving his legs and breast bare. A. "Solemn strikes the funeral chime, Notes of our departing time; As we journey here below, Through a pilgrimage of woe!" B.? How should a Master Mason wear his apron? A. (pdf), Masonry of Adoption: (Masonic Rituals for Women) Also learned a lot about some Masonic symbology. pdf, Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike [1872] W. M.--Why in the south, and your duty there, Brother Junior? How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? pdf, Grand Lodge of Nevada Master Mason Ritual in "Further, that I will not sit in a Lodge of clandestine-made Masons, nor converse on the subject of Masonry with a clandestine-made Mason, nor one who has been expelled or suspended from a Lodge, while under that sentence, knowing him or them to be such. A late 18th century Freemasonry mnemonic aid. Senior Deacon passes on to the west, where the same questions are asked and answered as before, and the Senior Warden suffers them to pass on to the Worshipful Master in the east, where the same questions and answers are repeated. "Further, that I will not give the Grand Masonic word, in any other manner or form than that in which I shall receive it, and then in a low breath. (1 Kings vii. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was slain just before the completion of King Solomon's Temple. Candidate. Ruffians--We will go back and get a pass, if that is the case. We will suppose the business of the Lodge finished, and that the Master proceeds to close. Then, by the benefit of the pass--a pure and blameless life--with a firm reliance on Divine Providence, shall we gain ready admission into that Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Grand Warden forever presides--forever reigns. The Deacon then closes the door, repairs to the centre of the Lodge-room before the altar, and sounds his rod on the floor three times (), which is responded to by the Master with three raps of the gavel, when the Senior Deacon makes the sign of a Master Mason (see Fig. Masonic lectures cover various aspects of the moral and spiritual teachings of Freemasonry and explanations of the symbols. within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge. As Masons, we understand the moral lessons derived from the square. A. The Entered Apprentice Obligation was about 350 words and the Fellow Craft Obligation was only about 250. p. 175. If this was of my own free will and accord, if I was duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; if I has made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees; all of which being answered in the affirmative. By this time the candidate is dressed, his apron is tied on as a Master Mason. S. D.--At the left hand of the Worshipful Master in the east. reflect with horror on the atrocity of your crime, and on the amiable character of your Worshipful Grand Master, whom you have so basely assassinated. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was found to be missing on the following day; his absence was discovered by there being no designs drawn on the trestle-board. "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. 9, p. 36), and then lets his hand slip off in a careless manner, and reports: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, owing to the high state of putrefaction, it having been dead already fifteen days, the skin slips, and the body cannot be raised.". Let us pray.". 129:1 THEOREM.--In any right-angled triangle, the square which is described p. 130 upon the side subtending the right angle, is equal to the squares described upon the sides which contain the right angle.--Euclid, Lib. 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. 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. Master, pointing to these pillars, says: "These are called the three grand Masonic columns or pillars, and are designated Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. At each exclamation he gives the grand hailing sign of distress (see Fig. ), passed peacefully at home on the morning of February 24, 2023. The ruffians being executed, the brethren all return quietly to the Lodge, when one of them reports, in a loud tone of voice: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, your orders have been duly executed upon the three murderers of Grand Master, Hiram Abiff." Morgan [1827] (Murdered by A. 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. In the second section, the historical traditions of the Order are introduced, and an important instance of Masonic virtue is exemplified. Answer--We have murdered our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. W. M. (one rap, Senior Warden rises to his feet.) It is very true, we have been associated with these three ruffians, but we have not committed any actual crime". Let us imitate, in all his various perfections, him who, when assailed by the murderous band of rebellious craftsmen, maintained his integrity, even in death, and sealed his pledge with his own blood. But is this. Worldly possession.--Dr. It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all other beings; but, as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they thereby enjoy better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship. sign of an Entered Apprentice, who presented his. conceal it so that the place may be known should occasion hereafter require. "Five constitute a Lodge of Fellow Crafts two Master Masons and three Fellow Crafts. Ruffian--That does not satisfy me. 87:1 Our present Third Degree is not architectural, but traditionary, historical, and legendary; its traditions being unfortunately hyperbolical; its history apocryphal, and its legends fabulous.--The Freemason's Treasury, p. 222. 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. 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. Having my curiosity aroused, I examined it, and found it to be a grave.". After saluting the Wardens, what did you first discover? W. M.--Why leave you the west, and travel toward the east! After the candidate is conducted to the east, before the Master, the conductor takes his position behind the candidate, with a hoodwink either in his hand or secreted in his pocket. &c., &c.; the third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming, "Oh! W. M.--Your duty there, Brother Senior Deacon? 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. The next ceremony was to p. 114 tear the breast open and pluck out the heart, and if there were the least imperfection, the body would be considered unclean. The "work" in Minnesota and New York is strongly impregnated with what is called, among Masons, "Morganry"--very similar to the disclosures of Morgan and Richardson--so much so, that many Masters purchase these publications for their instruction in their duties and in the ritual. Here, too, one may easily discover the visual, in terms of a sequence; memorizing accordingly. King Solomon then ordered them to take it by the Fellow Craft grip; but on trial, for the reason before given, the Fellow Craft's grip failed to benefit any--it could not be raised. The last of the lodge ceremonies, the Master Mason degree completes the initiation ceremonies into the fraternity, and the new Master Mason may enjoy both the rights and responsibilities of membership. In a way, the Masonic ritual represents the rebirth of man. A concise sketch of Brother Barney, the author of the three lectures introduced in. A. "This is an . [paragraph continues] Master's carpet is a large map that Lodges generally keep, which is highly embellished with Masonic emblems). "Brother Gabe, seven constitute a Lodge of Entered Apprentices--one Master Mason, and six Entered Apprentices. After calling a few more names, which are responded to by the brethren, he says: "Jubelo! The Badge of a Mason signifies, among other things, that Masons are workers and builders. How came he to be assassinated at that hour? He informed them that he had seen three, who, from their appearance, were workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage into Ethiopia; but, not having King Solomon's pass, were unable to obtain one, and had returned back into the country. Subsequently to 1818, Brother Barney went to the Western and Southwestern States, and, being in delicate health, adopted the profession of Masonic lecturing as a means of subsistence.