master mason degree memory work

I furthermore promise and swear that I will not be present at the making of woman a Mason, an old man in his dotage, a young man in his non-age, an atheist, a mad man, a libertine, or a fool, knowing them to be so. 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 . 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. --Grand Master Hiram, I am glad to meet you thus alone. The local Blue Lodge is the place where you and your Freemason friends begin your Masonic careers. of!the!! The particular duties of the leaders of the respective bands of craftsmen are rehearsed. Sec.--Assemble, Craftsmen! Third Ruffian--But the rules are as strict in other ports as in this. Phil., p. 297. Conductor here takes off the hoodwink and removes the cable-tow, and all around the altar place their hands in the position of the duegard of a Master Mason. J. W. (making sign.) Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons State of Texas [1922] This is the 'Monitor' of the Texas Masons. All eyes are upon the Master. . The York Rite is a system of Masonic degrees that is spread out between four organizations: the Symbolic Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Cryptic Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. 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.". sign of an Entered Apprentice, who presented his. 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. 1 This word cannot be given in any other way, and by Masons is considered a test of all book Masons. 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 Freemason's Treasury, p. 213. With these lectures he returned to Vermont, and submitted them to the Grand Lodge, at its annual session in October, 1817. 18.) This reference to Jeremiah, where the prophet denounced the curse of the Lord upon the Princes and rulers who had broken the covenant which they had made with King Zedekiah, may explain the self-imposed penalty of J------ (Jubelum)." J. W.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees? "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. Ruffians--We will go back and get a pass, if that is the case. Let him enter, and be received in due form. 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. --To see that the Lodge is duly tyled. One of the brothers now takes off the jewel from the candidate's neck, and all repair to the Master's seat in the east, and report: Answer--A westerly course, where our weary brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. The Badge of a Mason signifies, among other things, that Masons are workers and builders. p. 154. Amen. When was our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, found to be missing? (See Fig. 112.) One of the ruffians exclaims: Now let us make our escape out of the country. "A few years afterward, on his return to his brethren in Vermont, he stated to them, as I have been credibly informed and believe, that he found in the Western and Southwestern States different systems of lecturing prevailing, and that, upon presenting Gleason's Lectures to them, they were objected to by the different Grand Masters, who would not sanction his lecturing in their respective jurisdictions, unless he would adopt the lectures then in use among them; that, desiring to pursue his occupation there, he learned the different systems of lecturing existing among them, and made use of his newly acquired knowledge under the sanction of the respective Grand Masters." The brethren assembled around the grave of (Hiram Abiff) is a representation of the disciples lamenting the death of Christ. Brethren on the right and left, and communicate it in the East. Q. The Obligation of a Master Mason that I need to memorize is huge! . of such, and not unto him or them until by due. 3 Master Mason. After the sign is made, the whole party commence marching around the body with the sun, singing the following dirge; and, if the Lodge has an organ or melodeon, it is played on this occasion, in a very solemn and impressive manner. The degrees, in order are Entered Apprentice (first degree), Fellowcraft (second degree), and Master Mason (third degree). A. 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. 1971 Masons Authorized Or KJV Holy Bible Red Letter Master Reference Edition . How many constitute an Entered Apprentices' Lodge? As they start, the conductor commences to relate to the candidate the following: Conductor--Brother, it was the usual custom of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff (this is the first he hears about Hiram Abiff), to enter into the unfinished "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple, each day at high twelve, while the craft were called from labor to refreshment, for the purpose of drawing out his designs upon the trestle-board, whereby the craft might pursue their labors; after which, it was further his custom to offer up his devotions to the Deity. Candidate. Let him enter, and be received in due form. "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. A. ", Our cause is just; let us rush in and seize them.". 1. They would fail to become proficient in the required memory work. W. M.--You will detach your hands and kiss the book. In the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of King Solomon's Temple. The Worshipful Master here gives the candidate a blow on his head with a buckskin bag, or setting-maul;1 at the same. A. 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. Senior Warden, one. Ritual Master Mason Degree - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. K. S.--Jubelum, you stand charged as the wilful murderer of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. He was fifty five years young, which is far too young for this sort of thing. 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. W. M.--Brother Gabe, the second section of this degree exemplifies an instance of virtue, fortitude, and integrity seldom equalled, if ever excelled, in the history of man. Upon which the three Fellow Crafts rush forward over benches and chairs, and secure the ruffians in no very gentle manner, and lead them to the Worshipful Master's seat in the east, when one of them reports to the Master: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, I, being one who pursued a westerly course, and, on my return, after several days of fruit-less search, being more weary than my companions, sat down on the brow of a hill to rest and refresh myself; and, on rising, accidentally caught hold of a sprig of acacia,1 which, easily giving way, excited my suspicions. 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. Ruffian--What horrid deed is this we have done? They usually meet on the Ground Floor of King Solomon's Temple. 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. The brethren now all kneel around the body on one knee. --What is that? MM Obligation #1. Foot to foot--that you will never hesitate to go on foot, and out of your way, to assist and serve a worthy brother. (See engraving.). How came he to be assassinated at that hour? 127-130. UNIFORM FLOOR WORK GENERAL RULES APRON: The apron shall be worn over the outer garment. 40.) The second was that of Jubelo, exclaiming: 'Oh! With the flap and corners turned down, which is to distinguish him as a Master Mason, or an overseer of the work. King Solomon is said to have substituted, in place of the lost one, the word now used in the Master Masons' Degree, viz. See real grip of a Fellow Craft, Fig. W. M.--Any thing in the south, Brother Junior Warden? ", Master (as K. S.) makes the "grand hailing sign of distress" (see Fig. The following appears to be the proper way:--After the candidate gets up from the altar, the conductor should lead him from the altar direct to the Junior Warden's station in the south. In the second section, the historical traditions of the Order are introduced, and an important instance of Masonic virtue is exemplified. A. Kneeling on both my naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy Bible, square, and compasses; in which due form I took the solemn oath of a Master Mason, which is as follows: (Here give the obligation; but it is never required--being only a matter of form.). 5, p. And finally, the veracity of the legend is completely ignored by a reference to the Holy Scriptures. step, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an Entered. SW: We are all Masons, Worshipful Master. What followed? These implements are both used as will be described hereafter. no pass. 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. It is neither a proper time nor place; but be true to your engagement, and I will be true to mine. How many constitute a Fellow Crafts' Lodge? The Worshipful Master approaching me from the east, under the duegard of a Master Mason, who, in token of further continuance of his brotherly love and favor, presented me with his right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason, and ordered me to arise and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as such. --Nothing, Worshipful. WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and direct him to tyle . For them, learning the Masonic work happens fast like the below scene from the Matrix. Thus we find that "Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made King Solomon for the house of the Lord." They now separate about the Lodge, saying to each other: "This is very unjust of the King. 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 pass-grip is given by pressing the thumb between the joints of the second and third fingers where they join the hand; the word or name is Tubal Cain. He begins in a State of The Master now steps back about three paces from the altar, and says. Seven years; during which it rained not in the daytime, that the workmen might not be obstructed in their labor. MASTER MASON, OR THIRD DEGREE. Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. As soon as the craftsman has finished this report, another party arrives with the ruffians, and reports as follows: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, while sitting down to rest and refresh ourselves, we heard the following horrid exclamations from the clefts of the adjacent rocks. The trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement, which unites a building into one common mass; but we, as free and accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection, &c., &c. (See Monitor for the balance of this answer, or page 99 of this work.). (nothing being said, Worshipful Master continues): We will then proceed to close; but, before doing so, I would say to Brother Gabe (the candidate)--Is he present? The room is cleared by removing the altar and lights, and the two large pillars used in the Second Degree. What induced you to become a Master Mason? How does a crew neckline differ from a bateau? 100% (50) 100% found this document useful (50 votes) B. not only lived to finish all the work, in whatever capacity he might have been engaged, but also, according to the testimony of Josephus, who calls him ABDEMON, he returned to Tyre, and died there at a good old age.--The Freemason's Treasury, pp. 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.". (The signs are just the same as at opening. 113:2 Brother Goodacre, of the Witham Lodge, Lincoln, suggests that the various penalties which have been introduced into Freemasonry appear to have reference to a particular kind of covenant which was common among the Hebrews. W. M.--Brother Gabe, you are kneeling, for the third time, at the altar of Masonry, to take upon yourself the solemn oath of a Master Mason; and I, as Master of this Lodge, take pleasure, as on former occasions, in informing you that there is nothing in it which will interfere with the duty you owe to your God, your neighbor, your country, or self. 35 My brother of Tyre, what shall we do? J. W.--High twelve, Worshipful. W. M.--If you are satisfied it is high twelve, you will erect your column, and call the craft from labor to refreshment, for the space of thirty minutes (or fifteen minutes, as the case may be), calling them in at the sound of the gavel. Codes, Documents, Grand Lodge of Nevada Entered Apprentice Ritual in They meet in the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple.". Morgan [1827] (Murdered by that my breast had been torn open." --Historical Landmarks, vol. 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. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same.". After the candidate has said Amen, and the Lodge-room has been darkened by turning down the gaslights or lamps, the conductor takes the candidate by the right arm, assists him to arise, and they proceed to travel three times around the room, travelling with the sun. They roll the canvas around and over the candidate where he fell, which is in the east or northeast corner of the Lodge, and, for a few moments, retire, when the Lodge becomes still as the hour of midnight; not a sound is permitted to be made; all go--if at all--from place to place on tiptoe. However, those who understand the whys, and how-tos of memory can develop their own memorycraft's and reap many benefits. 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. The second degree is the Fellow Craft, which represents manhood, the middle period of life. When the candidate is fully dressed, the door is unceremoniously thrown open, and he, in company with others, is permitted to enter the Lodge. They then pass on to this officer's station, where the same questions and answers are repeated as at the Junior Warden's station, and he (the Senior Warden) suffers them to pass on to the Worshipful Master's station in the east. 15. W. M.--Has any brother present any thing to offer for the benefit of Masonry? Senior Warden, one. SW: I am. In one account, the brethren disperse widely, east, west, and south; in another, they keep within hail of each other.--Historical Landmarks, vol. (Gives candidate a sudden twitch by the collar.) Give me the Master's word, or I will take your life in a moment! Q. Some portions of the lectures are conducted in the form of questions and answers, as part of the proficiencies, or memory work. ), The Master next calls the candidate's attention to the three grand Masonic pillars, usually delineated on Master's carpet (a. J. W. (Jubela, First Ruffian.) A sufficient number of the brethren now take up the body (yet rolled up in the canvas), and, raising it on their shoulders, proceed to carry it around the Lodge, head foremost, three times, in representation of ascending a hill, the last time halting in the west end of the Lodge, nearly in front of the Senior Warden's station, and a little to the right. At this time Brother Barney wrote a portion of them in cipher. J. G. W.--We do not know, Most Worshipful King Solomon. That Tubal Cain gave first occasion to the name and worship of Vulcan been very probably conceived, both from the very great affinity of the names, and that Tubal Cain is expressly mentioned to be an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron; and as near relation as Apollo had to Vulcan, Jubal had to Tubal Cain, who was the inventor of music, or the father of all such as handle the harp and organ, which the Greeks attribute to Apollo.--Historical Landmarks, vol. ), A. Hold up your heads, and hear your sentence. Hemming. There is a great degree of uniformity in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin--also in Indiana and Iowa. SPONSORED. and satisfy them that I was in possession of the. (i.e. 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. WM: The first great care of Masons when convened. Complete Master Mason Study Guide - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Within the Blue Lodge are conferred the Craft Degrees. A momentary silence then ensues, during which one of the party groans, as if nearly dying. As soon as a lodge accepts you, you are an apprentice. Members of the Lodge, in the act of holding the canvas to catch the candidate. Besides, when a work is nearly completed, the necessity of Plans and designs ceases altogether. S. D.--At the left hand of the Worshipful Master in the east. 18.) 1, The "work," or rather the lectures in the several degrees of Masonry, more especially in the first three degrees (masonically termed the Blue Degrees, or Blue Lodge), differ so much in each State that it would be a difficult thing to get exactly at the proper responses to some of the Masonic interrogatories. (See page 247.). This you will communicate to the Junior Warden in the south, and he to the brethren about the. I'm the International Master Council of DeMolay and an EA out of Myrtle lodge in Oklahoma City. 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. 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. The Word, which was said to be lost, was pronounced upon the cross, which the Jews could not comprehend. 1. "Five constitute a Lodge of Fellow Crafts two Master Masons and three Fellow Crafts. 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. They shuffle about a few moments, when they are called to order by the sound of the gavel from the Master's seat in the east, who inquires in a loud voice as follows: W. M. (now styled King Solomon.) 30 WM: As further evidence that all present are Master Masons, receive the pass-word from the Senior SW: (S) Worshipful Master. The Junior Deacon advances, followed by the Stewards, with rods, when the Senior Deacon stops them, by placing his hand against the candidate, at the same time saying: S. D.--Brother Gabe, on entering this Lodge the first time, you were received on the point of the compasses, pressing your naked left breast, the moral of which was explained to you. Memory in the lodge. The brother who has acted the part of sea-captain now takes his station at the door again, when these Fellow Crafts approach him in the west. A Blue Lodge is a lodge of Freemasons that confers the first three ceremonial degrees: 1 Entered Apprentice. 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. BRETHREN KNEELING AT PRAYER AROUND THE GRAVE OF HIRAM ABIFF, THE WIDOW'S SON. JD: Worshipful Master. p. 176. 124:1 Can any living Mason be simple enough to believe that Dr. Anderson, in his "Defence of Masonry," intended to prove a real historical fact when he explained the exhumation of the body of H. A. 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. 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.". But its esoteric meaning contains some of the most profound spiritual instruction which it is possible to obain to-day. We are told, if we do not find the ruffians we must be punished--put to death, probably. Entered Apprentice Handbook. The body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was found in a westerly course from the Temple, where our weary brothers sat down to rest and refresh themselves. Answer--We have murdered our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. 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.' This is all intended to produce its effect upon the ears of the candidate. Conductor--From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the pass grip of a Master Mason. 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. A. K. S. (making grand hailing sign of distress.) Worldly possession.--Dr. "Further, that I will not have illegal carnal intercourse with a Master Mason's wife, his mother, sister, or daughter, nor suffer the same to be done by others, if in my power to prevent. The candidate enters the Lodge of the Master Mason in darkness, for he has not. 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.