THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. CONTAINING ALL THE DEGREES OF THE ORDER CONFERRED IN A MASTER'S LODGE, AS WRITTEN BY CAPTAIN WILLIAM MORGAN. ALL THE DEGREES CONFERRED IN THE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER AND GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS-KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSSOF THE CHRISTIAN MARK-AND OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.ALSO, THE ELEVEN INEFFABLE DEGREES CONFERRED IN THE LODGE OF PERFECTION-AND THE STILL HIGHER DEGREES OF PRINCE OF JERUSALEM-KNIGHTS OF THE EAST AND WEST-VENERABLE GRAND MASTERS OF SYMBOLIC LODGES-KNIGHTS AND ADEPTS OF THE EAGLE OR SUN-PRINCES OF THE ROYAL S]iCREkT-SOVEREIGN INSPECTOR GENERAL, &c. AtVISED AND CORRECTED TO CORRESPOND WITH THE MOST APPROVED FORMS CEREMONIES IN THE VARIOUS LODGES OF FREE MASONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. BY GEORGE R. CRAFTS, ZXLY THRICE PUISSANT GRAND MASTER OF MANITOU COUNCIL, NEW TORE NEW YORK: WILSON AND COMPANY THE IMYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY, &c. CEREMONIES ON OPENING A LODGE OF ENTERED APPRENTICE MI"ASONS. ONE rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls up the Junior and Senior Deacons; two raps call up the subordinate officers; and three, all the members of the Lodge. The Master having called the Lodge to order, and the officers all seated, the Master says to the Junior Warden, " Brother Junior, are they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the South?" He answers, " They are, WTorshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, are they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the West?" He answers, "They are, Worshipful." The Master then says, " They are in the East;" at the same time he gives a rap with the common gavel, or mallet, which calls up both Deacons. Master to Junior Deacon, " Attend to that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open 4 Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons; and direct him to tyle acordingly." The Tyler then steps to the door, and gives three raps, which are answered Dy three from without; the Junior Deacon then gives one, which is also answered by the Tyler with one; the door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon delivers his message and resumes his situation, and says, " The door is tyled, Worshipful" (at the same time giving the due-guard, which is never omitted when the Master is addressed.) The Master to the Junior Deacon, " By whom?" He answers, "By a Master Mason without the door, armed with the proper implements of his office." Master to the Junior Deacon. " His duty there?" He answers, " To keep off all cowans and eave-droppers, see that none pass or re-pass without permission from the Master." [Some say without permission from the chair.] Master to Junior Deacon, "Brother Junior, your place in the Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the West." Master to Junior Deacon, "Your business there, brother Jniior?" He answers, " To wait on the Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and take charge of the door." Master to Junior Deacon, " The Senior Deacon's place in the Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East." [The Master, while asking the last question, gives two raps, which call up all the subordinate officers.] Master to Senior Deacon. "Your duty there, brother Senior?" He answers, " To wait on the Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the acti'-, rAes of the Lodge, attend to the preparatwn and introduction of candidates nnd welcome and clothe all visiting brethren," i. e., furnish them with an apron.] Master to Senior Deacon, The Secretary's place in the Lodge, brother Senior?" He answers, " At the left hand of the Worshipful Master in the East." M3aster to the Secretary, "Your duty there, brother Secretary?" le answers, " The better to observe the Wor.. shipful Master's will and pleasure, record the proceedings of the Lodge transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge, if required; receive all moneys and money bills fron the hands of the brethren, pay them cve.r to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same." The Master to the Secretary, " The Treasurer's place in the Lodge?"' He ans:er, " At the right hand of the Worshipful 1IMaster.',Master to the Treasurer, " Your duty there, brother Treasurer?" Ile answvers, "Duly to observe the Worshipful M aster's will. and pleasure; receive all moneys and money bills from the hands of the Secretary; leep a just and true account of the same; payi themn out by order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the brethren." The Master to the Treasurer, " The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge, brother Treasurer?"!He answtrs, "In the South, Worshipful."! Master to Junior Warden, "Your business there, brother Junior?" He answers, " As the sun in the South at high meridian, is the* beauty and glory of the day, so stands the Junior Warden in the South the better to cbserve the time; can tne crafts fromi labor to refreshment; superintend them during the hours thereof; see that none convert the hours of refreslunent into that of intemperance or excess; and call them on again in due season, that the Worshipful Master may have honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby." Master to the Junior Warden, "The Senior Warden's place in the Lodge?" He answers, "In the West, Worshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, "You duty there, brother Senior?" He answers, "As the sun sets in the West, to close the day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening his Lodge; take care of the jewels and implements; see that none be lost; pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go avway dissatisfied." Master to the Senior Warden, " The Master's place in the Lodge?" He answers, "In the East, Worshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, "His duty there?" He answers, " As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the day, so presides the Worshipful Master in the East to open and adorn his Lodge; set his crafts to work with good and wholesome laws or cause the samn to be 4Q TlITAI Y SSTTE1:S OO FFERE MASONRY. done." The Master now gives thrce raps, when all the brethren rise, and the Master, taking off his hat, proceeds as followes Ir like manner so do 1, strictly forbidding all profane language, private committees, oi ant other disorderly conduct wliereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge may be interrup-ted while engaged in its lawful. pursuits, undei no less penalty than the bye-laws, or such penalty as a majority of the brethren present -may see fit to inflict. Brethren, attend tc giving, the signs." [Here Lodges differ very much. In some they declare the Lodge open, as follows, befor6 they give the siggn.] The M4as-ter (all the brethren imitating him), extends his left arm from his body so as to form an angle of about forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand traversely across his left, the pahins thereof one inch apart. This is called the first sign of a Mason-is the sign of distress in this degree, and alludes to the position a candidate's hands are placed in when he takes the obligation of an Entered ApprenItice Mason. The Master then draws his right hand across his throat, the hand open, with the thumb next to the throat, and drops it down by his side. This is called the dueL0uard of an Entered Apprentice Mason (many call it the sign), and alludes to the penalty of an obligation. The Master then declares the Lodge opened, in the followinig Manner:-" I now declare the Lodge of Eutered Apprentice Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business." The Senior Warden declares it to, the Junior Warden, and he to the brethren. 11 Come, brethren, let us pray."' PRAyER.-Most holy and glorious God! tie great Architect of the Universe: the giver of all good gifts and graces. Thou bait promnised that " Where two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt be i~n the midst of them, and bless them.", In thy name we assemble, most hiunbly beseeching thee to bl~ess us in all our undertakings: that we may know and serve thee aright, and that all our actions may tend to thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge and viitue. And we beseech thee, 0 Lord* God, to bl~ess our present asserminhg; and to fibsumine our minds through the influence of the Son of Righteousness, that we may walk in the, light of thy countenance; and when the trials of our probationary state are over, be admitted into the temple, not mrede with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. So mote it be. ANOTHER PR~kyER.-Behold how good and how pleasant it is for br 'ethren to d-weii together i'n unity! It is like the precious chitment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even. Aaron's' beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments: as the dew of IHermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountain of Zion, for there the Lord comm~anded the blessing, evermore. Atmen. So mote it be. [This prayer is likewise used on closing the Lodge.] The Lodge being now open and ready to -nproceedto busioness+,.te aserdiecs -h ness of the presen~t. If tnere are tiny candidates to be broughllt forward, that is the first, ibusine.ss attendled to.*, C r.:.tioru s OF T1E ADMISSION AND ITNITIAThIN OF A CANDI'D ATE1: iN THRE Fisas DEGRtEE OF. FrEE MASONaY. I Ar the first regular communiation after tthe cantdidate ha~s petitioned for admis-8sion, if no objection has been urged against him, the Lodge proceeds to a ballot. One black, ball' will ioject a candidate. The boxes ma~y be passed three times. The Deacons are the proper persons to pass them; cue of the boxes has black and white beans or balls in it, the, other empty; the one with the balls in it goes before, and furnishes each member- with a black and whit'e ball; the empty box follows and receives th(ýn. There are two holes in the top of this box, with a smnall. tube in emh one of which is black, and the other white, with a partition in' the box. The memrbers pu Lohter balls into this box as their,fseeings dictate; when the' balls are received, the box is presented to the Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens, who pronounce cleas or not clear, as the case may be. The ballot preying clear, the candidate (if present) is cundoected into a small preparation roonn aij oiningthe Lodge: he is asked the following quo r eons, and gives the following answers. Senior Deacon to candidate, " Do, you sincerely Geclatre, upon your honor before these goneltienic-n t,11 -unbiassed by friends, Uninfluenced by un cc - thy motives, yen freely anad yoluntarily offrer yourself a candidate foi the mrrt.re s of i N sonry P Candidate answeriS.I do." Sno Deacon to candidate, "Do yon sini c.rty declare, upon youi honor b fete thesle an men, that you are promjpt--1 týoV to.1, leges of Masonry) by a iavcilile, opinion c ceived of the, instit-ntion, a delsie of kio7;I1 edge, and a sin~ere wish ofibbingso cbl to your fellow cieatures?'" C audahdate answers, " I do." Senior Leacon to cane date, "Do you sincerely declare, u~pon your ne1noc before these gentlemen, that you -will cheecrfnlly conform to all the ancient cst ablilhed usages and customs of the fraternity?"' Carndidate answers," I do." After tlhe ab-Iove questions are proposed and answered., and the result reported to the master, he says, " BIethren, at the request of Mr. A. B,,he has, txvn * A Per-son wvishing to becomes a Mason must get siome one who is a Mason to preseut his petition to a Lodge, when, if there are no serious objections, it WiM be entered on the minutes, sod a committee of two cr thrss appointed to inquire into his character, s mid report to the next regular conminuniclatien. Thefototiewhg is thle form of a petition used by a?audidatke; hut a worthy catndidate will not be rejectedi for the want of f-irm~ality in his petition. liodge2 of Firee coed Aece~pted JMi es. Th esubscribe, eidiendm-gin -,of lawful awe sond by occsmpasio a -, ben- leave to state that, unbiasised by Crleudo,and uninfluse-d by irtercenztcy notives, he frcely and voluntarily offshm s me.f a candldate for the ey~stries efAlaisonyand tdltclhe is pr-ompt to sotlicie this privillee byoe favorable qasnmon conceived of theinstitutirna desiio- of knowledgo and a sincere wish of being iserviceable to his fellow crea TIKE MYSTERIES OF FREIE MASONRY. 5 proposed and accepted in the regular form. I therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the 'Mysteries of Masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity; and in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the Order." The candidate, during the time, is divested of all his apparel (shirt excepted), and furnished with a pair of drawers, kept in the Lodge for the use of candidates; he is then blindfolded, his left foot bare, his right in a slipper, his left breast and arm naked, and a rope, called a cable-tow, round his neck and left arm (the rope is not put round the arm in all Lodges) in which postaure the candidate is conducted to the door, where he is caused to give, or the conductor gives, three distinct knocks, which are answered by three from within; the conductor gives one more, which is also answered by one from within. The door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon generally asks, "Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there?" The *conductor, alias the Senior Deacon, answers,# "A poor blind candidate, who has long been 'desirous of having and receiving a part of the rights and benefits of this worshipful Lodge, dedicated (some say erected) to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, as all true fellows and brothers have done, who have gone this way befýcr him." The Junior Deacon then asks, " Is it of his own free will and accord he makes this request? Is he duly and truly prepared? Worthy and well qualifled? And properly avouched for?" All of which being answered in the' affirmative, the Junior Deacon says to the Senior Deacon, ' By what further right does he expect to obtain this benefit?" The Senior Deacon replies, " By being a man, free born, of lawful age, and under the tongue of good report." The Junior Deacon then says, " Since this is the case you will wait till the Worshipful Master in the East is made acquainted with:his request, and his answer returned." The Junior Deacon repairs to the Master, when the same questions are asked, and answers returned as at the door; after which, the Master says, "Since he comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this worshipful Lodge in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters." The candidate then enters, the Junior Deacon at the same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the compass, and asks the candidate, "Did you feel anything?" Ans. "I did." Junior Deacon to the candidate, "What was it?" Ans. "A torture." The Junior Deacon then says, " As this is a torture to your flesh, so may it ever be to your mind and conscience, if ever you should attempt to reveal the secrets of Masonry unlawfully." The candidate is then conducted to the centre of the Lodge, where he and the Senior Deacon kneel, and the Deacon says the following prayer:" Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universte, to this our present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and become a true and faithful brother among us! Endue him with a competency of thy divine wisdom, that by the secrets of our art he may be the better enabled to display the beauties of holiness, to the honor of thy holy name. So mote it be. Amen!" The Master then asks the candidate, " In whom do you put your trust?" The candidate answers, 'In God." The BMaster then takes h h by the right hand, and says, " Since in God you put your trust, arise, follow your leader, and fear no danger." The Senior Deacon then conducts the candidate three times regularly round the Lodge, and halts at the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions are asked, and answers returned as at the door. As the candidate and the conductor are going round the room, the Master reads the following passage of Scripture, and takes the same time to read it, that they do to go round the Lodge three times. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon thle beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garment: as the dew of IIermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for ever more." The candidate is then conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions are asked, and answers returned as before; from thence he is conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions are asked, and answers returned as before. The Master likewise demands of him from whence he came, and whither he is traveling. The candidate answers, " From the West, and traveling to the East." Master inquires; " Why do you leave the West and travel to the East?" He answers, " In search of light." Master then says, "Since the candidate is travelling in search of light, you will please conduct him back to the West from whence he came, and put him in the care of the Senior Warden, who will teach him how to approach the East, the place of light, by advancing upon one upright regular step, to the first step, his feet forming the right angle of an oblong square, his bdIy erect at the altar before the Master, and place him in a proper position to take upon himself the solemn oath or obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason." The Senior Warden receives the candidate, and instructs him as directed. He first steps off with his left foot and brings up the heel of the right into the hollow thereof; the heel of the right foot against the ancle of the left, will of course form the right angle of an oblong square: the candidate then kneels on his left knee, and places his right foot so as to form a square with the left, he turns his foot round until the ancle bone is as much in front of him as the toes on the left: the candidate's left hand is then put under the Holy Bible, squaxe and compass, and the right hand on them. This is the position in which a candidate is placed when he takes upon him the oath or obliga 6 THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. tion of an Entered Apprentice Mason. As scorn a dishonest act. Brother, what da soon as the candidate is placed in this posi- you most desire?" The candidate answers, tion, the Worshipful Master approaches him, " Light." Master to brethren, " Brethren, and says, " Mr. A. B., you are now placed in stretch forth your hands and assist in bringing a proper position to take upon you the solemn this new made brother from darkness to l-igt." oath or obligation of an Entered Apprentice The members having formed a circle round MVason,* which I assure you is neither to af- the candidate, the Master says, " And God feet your religion nor politics. If you are said, Let there be light, and there was.liht." willing to take it, repeat your name, and say At the same time, all the brethren clap their after me:- hands, and stramp on the floor with ithe right "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, feet as heavy as possible, the bandag5e dicpin presence of Almighty God, and this wor- ping from the candidate's eyes at tho same ishipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, statnt, which, after having been so long blind dedicated to God, and held forth to the holy and full of fearful apprehensions all the time, order of St. John, do hereby and hereon most this great and sudden transition from perfect solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, darkness to a li'hit brighter (if possible) than that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never the meridian sun in a midsummer day: somereveal any part or parts, art or arts, point or times produces an alarming effect. points of the secrets, arts, and mysteries of an- After the candidate is brought to light, the cient Free Masonry, which I have received, Master addresses him as follows:-" Berother, am about to receive, or may hereafter be in- on being brought to light, you first discover structed in, to any person or persons in the three great lights in Masonry by the assistance known world, except it be a true. and lawful of three lesser; they are thus explained: the brother Mason, or within the body 6f a just three great lights in Masonry arhethe Holy and lawfully constituted L6dge of such, and Bible, Square, and Compass. The Holy Bible not unto him, nor unto them whom I shall is given to us as a rule and guide for our faith hear so to be, but unto him and them only and practice; the Square, to square our acwhom I shall find so to be, after strict trial tions, and the Compass to keep us in due and due examination or lawful information. bounds with all mankind, but more especially Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I with the brethren. The three lesser lights will not write, print, stamp, stain, hew, cut, are three burning tapers, or candles placed carve, indent, paint, or engrave it on anything on candlesticks (some say, or candles on pemoveable or immoveable, under the whole destals), they represent the Sun, Moon, and canopy of heaven, whereby, or whereon the Master of the Lodge, and are thus explained. least letter, figure, character, mark, stain, As the sun rules the day and the moon govshadow, or resemblance of the same may be- erns the night, so ought the Worshipful Mascome legible or intelligible t9 myself or any ter with equal regularity to rule and govern other person in the known world, whereby his Lodge, or cause the same to be done; you the secrets of Masonry may be unlawfully ob- next discover me as Master of this Lodge, aptained through my unworthiness. To all proaching you from the East upon the first which I do most solemnly and sincerely pro- step of Masonry, under the sign and due-guard mise and swear, without the least equivoca- of an Entered Apprentice Mason, as already tion, mental reservation, or self-evasion of revealed to you. This is the manner of givmind in me whatever; binding myself under ing them; imitate me, as near as yen can, no less penalty, than to have my throat cut keeping your position. First, step off with across, my tongue torn out by the roots, and your left foot, and bring the heel of the my body buried in the rough sands of the sea right into the hollow thereof, so as to form a at low water mark, where the tide ebbs and square." [This is the first step in Masonry.] flows twice in twenty-four hours; so help The following is the sign of an Entered Apme God, and keep me steadfast in the true prentice Mason, and is the sign of distress in performance of the same." this degree; you are not to give it unless in After the obligation, the Master addresses distress. [It is given by holding your two the candidate in the following manner: Bro- hands traversely across each other, the right ther, to you the secrets of Masonry are about hand upwards, and one inch from the left.] to.be unveiled, and a brighter sun never shone The following is the due-guard of an Entered lustre on your eyes; while prostrate before Apprentice Mason. [This is given by drawthis sacred altar, do you not shudder at every ing your right hand across your throat, the crime? Have you not confidence in every vir- thumb next to your throat, your arm as high tue? May these thoughts ever inspire you as the elbow, in a horizontal position.] "'Browith the most qoble sentiments; may you ther, I now present you my right hand, in ever feel that elevation of soul, that shall token of brotherly love and esteem, and with it the grip and name of the grip of an Entered Apprentice Mlason." The right hands * In many Lodges this is put in the form of a ques- are joined together, as in shaking s, and tion, thus: "Are you willing to take an obligation upon are you that does not affect your politics or religion?" The each sticks his thumb nail into the third joint promise" to conform,"made before entering the Lodge, or upper end of the fore-finger; the name of the " assurance that the oath is not to interfere with the+ their itical or reliious principles," and the nner grip is Bc and is to be given in th folthe obligation is administered, only two or three words lowing manner and no other; the Master gives being repdated at a time, consequently not fully under- the grip and word, and divides it for the instood, are among the reasons which have led many struction of the candidate; the questions are great and good men to take oaths incompatible withe the. laws of God and our country. as follows. The Master and candidate hold-- THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. ing each other by the grip as before described, the Master says: " What is this?" Candidate--" A grip." Master-" A grip of what?" Candidate-" The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason." Master-" Has it a name?" Candidate-"' It has." Master-" Will you give it to me?" Candidate-" I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it." Master-" What will you do with it?" Candidate-" Letter it, or halve it." Master-- "Halve it and begin." Candidate-" You begin." Master-" Begin you." Candidate"BO." Master-" AZ." Candidate-" BOAZ." Master says, " Right, brother Boaz, I greet you. It is the name of the left hand pillar of the porch of King Solomon's Temple-arise, brother Boaz, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as such, and convince them that you have been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, and have got the sign, grip, and word." The Master returns to his seat, while the Wardens are examining the candidate, and gets a lamb-skin or white apron, presents it to the candidate, and observes, "Brother, I now present you with a lamb-skin, or white apron; it is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; it has been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, who have never been ashamed to wear it; it is more honorable than the diamonds of kings, or pearls of princesses, when worthily worn; it is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and Garter; or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this, or any other time, except it be in the body of a just and fully constituted Lodge; you will carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason." The Senior Warden ties the apron on, and turns up the flap, instead of letting it fall down in front of the apron. This is the way Entered Apprentice Masons wear, or ought to wear, their aprons until they are advanced. The candidate is now conducted to the Master in the East, who says, "Brother, as you are dressed, it is necessary you should have tools to work with; I will now present you with the working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason, which are the twenty-four inch gauge and common gavel; they are thus explained: The twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to measure and lay out their work, but we as Free and Accepted Masons, make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. The twenty-four inches on the gauge, are emblematical of the twenty-four hours in the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God, and a worthy distressed brother; eight hours for our usual,vocations; and eight for refreshment and sleep; the common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superflui ties of life, thereby fitting our minds as living and lively stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION; it teaches you, as you are barely instructed in the rudiments of MIasonry, that you should be cautious over all your words and actions, particularly when be. fore the enemies of Masonry. I shall next present you with three precious jewels, which are, a LISTENING EAR, a SILENT TONGUE, and a FAITHFUL HEART. A listening ear teaches you to listen to the instructions of the Worshipful Master; but more especially that you should listen to the cries of a worthy distressed brother. A silent tongue teaches you to be silent while in the Lodge, that the peace and harmony thereof may not be disturbed, but more especially, that you should be silent before the enemies of Masonry, that the craft may not be brought into disrepute by your imprudence. A faithful heart teaches you to be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master at all times, but more especially, that you should be faithful, and keep and conceal the secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother when given to.you in charge as such, that they may remain as secure and inviolable in your breast as his own, before communicated to you. I further present you with check words two; their names are TRUTH and UNION, and are thus explained:-Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue; to be good and true, is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry; on this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and, deceit are unknown among us, sincerity, and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's prosperity. Union is that kind of friendship which ought to appear conspicuous in every Mason's conduct. It is so closely allied to the divine attribute, truth, that he who enjoys the one, is seldom destitute of the other. Should interest honor, prejudice, or human depravity, ever induce you to violate any part of the sacred trust we now repose in you, let these two important words, at the earliest insinuation, teach you to put on the check-line of truth, which will infallibly direct you to pursue that straight and narrow path which ends in the full enjoyment of the Grand Lodge abov_ where we shall all meet as Masons and members of the same family, in peace, harmony, and love; where all discord on account of politics, religion, or private opinion, shall be unknown, and banished from within our walls. " Brother, it has been a custom from time immemorial to demand, or ask from a newly made brother, something of a metallic kind, not so much on account of its intrinsic value, but that it may be deposited in the archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you was herein made a Mason;-a small trifle will be sufficient;-anything of a metallic kind will do; if you have no money, anything of a metallic nature will be sufficient; even a button will do," [The candidate says he has nothing 8 THEi MYSTERIES OF FREE MAONTRY. about hirn; it is anewvs he, as nothing.] the last care of a Mason 2 The Junior Dee'10 "Search yonrself-," the M aster replies. He con answers, "To see the Lodge tyled, Woris assisted in searching-nothing is found. shipful." Mlaster to the Junior Deac-on, "Perhaps you can borrow a trifle," says the "Attend to that pac of your duty, and inform Master. -[1He tries to borrow, none will lend the Tyler' that we are, ahout to close this,him-he proposes to go into the other room Lodge of EnteredI Apprentice Masonc, 'and where his clothes are; he is not permitted- direct him to tyle accordingly." The JoNnior if a, stranger, he is very much emnbarassed.] Deacon steps to the door, and gives three raps, Master to candidate, " Brother, let this ever which are answered by the Tyler with three be a striking lesson to you, and' teach you, if more; the Junior Deacon then grives one,, you should ever see a friend, but mnore espe- which is also answered by the Tyler by one. cially a brother, in a like penniless situation, The Junior Deacon then opens the door, de. to contribute as liberally to his relief as his livers his message, and resnmes his p]I -ee inl situation may require, and your abilities will the Lodge, and says, " The door is tyled, admit, without material injury to yourself or Worshipful." Master to Junior Deacon. family." Master to Senior Deacon, " You " By whom T" Ans " By n Master Masou will conduct the' candidate back from whence without' the door, arme4 with the proper imhe came, and invest him of what he has been plements of his office." M~'aster to Junior divestied, and let him return for further in- Deacon, "Hi-s business there?" Ans. "To st~ruction. A zealous attachment to these keep off all cowans and eaves-droppers., andl, principlcs will ensure a public and private es- see that none pass* or re-pass withoudt permisteem. In the State, you arc to be a quiet and sion from the chair." Mas-ter to Junior Deapeaceable subject, true to your government, con, "Your duty there T" Ans. " To 'alt and just to your country; you are not to on the Worshipful Mas-ter and WardI'ens., act countenance disloyalty-, but faithfully submit as their proxy 'in the ac.tive duties of thhe to legal authority, and conform with cheerful- Lodge, and takfe care of the. door." Ma's-ter ness to thie government of the country in to Juniior, Deacon, "The Senior Deacon'.which you live. In your outward demeanor place in the Lodge T" Ans. "1At the right be particularly careful to avoid censure or' hand of the Worshipful Master in the East..reproach. Although your frequent sppear- Master to Senior Deacon, "1Your duty there, azice at our regular meetings is earneostly so- brother Senior T' Ans. "To wait on te licited, yet it is not mneant that Masonry Worshipful Mlaster and Wardens; act as their should interfere with your necessary voca- proxy in the active duties of the Lodge; attions; for these are on no account to be neg- tend to the preparation and introduction of lected; neither are you to suffer your zeal for candidates; receive and clothe all visiting the in 'stitution to lead you, into argument with brethren." Master to the Senior Deacon, those who, through ignorance, may ridicule "'The Secretary's place in the Lodge?" Anzs. it. A-t your leisure hours, that you may im- " At your left hand, Worshipful." Master to prove in Masonic know-ledge, you are to con- Secretary, " Your duty there, brother Secreverse. with well-informed brethren, who will tary?" The Secretary replies, -'.Duly to oh-. be always as ready to give, as you will be to serve the Master's will and pleasure; record receive information. Finally, keep sacred the proceedings of t~he Lodge; transmit a6 and inviolable the mysteries of the order, as copy of the same to the 0-rand Lodge, if re these -are to distinlguish you from the rest of quired; receive all monies and money bills the community, end mark. your consequence from the hands of the brethren: pay themc among Masons. If, in the circle of your so- over to the Treasurer; and tske his receiptý for quaintance, yout find a person desirous of be- the same." Master to the Secretary, "The ing initiated into Masonry, be particularly Treasurer's place in the Lodge?2' An's. "At attentive n~t to commend him, unless you are the right hand of the Worshipful Master." convinced he will conform to our rules; that Master to Treasurer. "1Your business there, the honor, glory, and reputation of the insti- brother Treasurer?I"I Treasurer answers tution may be firmly established, and the " Duly to observe the Worshipful Master's world at large convinced of its good effects." will and pleasure; receive all monies a d Here the initiation ends, and the candidate is money bills from the hands of the Secretary n gratulated by his Masonic friends, keep a just and accurate account of the same' -After this, the business of the meeting pro- paf them out by order of the Worshipful ceeds according to the bye-laws or regulations Master and consent of the brethren." Master of the Lodge. Before adjourning, it is a very to the Treasurer, " The Junior Wlarden's Common practice to close a Lodge of Entered place in the Lodge?".nsi. "In. the South., Apprentices, and open a Lodge-- of Fellow Worshipful." Master to the Junior Warden, Crafts, and c~ose maut, and open a Master "Your business there, br.other- Junior?2" The.Mason's Lodge, all in the samne evening. Junior Warden says, "4As the sun in the South, at high meridian, is the. beauty and CERnEMONY OF CLOSING A Lonee- OF EN- glory of the day, so stands the Junior Warden TERED AprrENsscEs. in the South at high twelve, the better to ob-.serve the time; call the crafts from labor to A wtOTHER. having made a mlotion that the refreshment; su perintend them during the Lodge be closed, it being seconded and ear- hours thereof; see that none convert the purnied, the Mastef.,r osays tn o the Jnior Deac n-zposes f re.fres~hmentf into that of excess or in TILE MYSTERIES OLTrREE i MASONRlY. 9 9 honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby." to me by Brother Junior; so let it be done." The Master to the Jualor Wayden, "cThe Master to the Junicr Wtarden, "Brother JuMas ter's Place in the Lodge_?" Anms. "In nior, how do Mal sons meetb?" Ans. 1On the the East, Worshipful." Master to Junior level." Master to Senior Warden, "IHow do Warden, "ils duty there 2" Ans. "As the M _'asons part 2" Ans. "On the square." sun rises in the East to open and adorn the Master to the Junior and Senior Wardens, day, so presides the Worslipful laster in the" S~nce cre meet on the level, bro [her Junior, East, to open and adorn his Lodge; set his and part on the square, brother Senior, so let crafts to work with good and wholesome, laws, us ever imeet and part in the name, of tho or cause the same to he done." Master to Lord. " Mlaster to the brethren, "Brethren, the Junior Warden, "The Senior Warden's let us pray." place in the Lodge?" A a. "In the West, " Suprnee Archlitect of the Unive'rse! Worshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, cept our humble praises for the many mercies "Your business there, brother Senior?"'' The and blessings which thy bounty ha~s conferSenior Warden replies, "As the sun sets n red upon us, and especi.ally for this friendly the West to close the d-y,,v so stands the Senii end social intercourse. Panrdon, we beseech Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful thee wheateaver thou hast seen amiss in us M astelr in opening and closing the Lodge;)shince we have been togeteer; and continue take car- of the jewels and implements; see to as thy presene, prteectioni --Ca blessing. that none be lost; pay the craft their.wages, i ake ss sensible of the renewed obligations if ny be due-; and see that none go away we are under to love Tlae supremnely, and to dis-satisfied." The Mast-er now, gives foree be flielncflly to eachi othier. May ohifr irreguraps, when all the brethlren rise, and the I par passicris be. subdued, and may we daily Master aslks, " Are you all satisfifed " Tbey c in f aeir if, hope, au.ol neyt ybat more answer in the affirmative by, Fjgiving the due- especially in that charity ava eli is thc: bond guard. Should the Master discover that any of peace, and perfectiioic of every virtue. dechined giving it, inquiry is immediately iMlay we so practice Thy pr-cepts, that, made why it is so; and if any member is dis- through the merits of theP Redeeernr, we may sat -ni'ed with any part of the proceedings, or finally obtaina thy promises, and find an acwll a sny brother, the subject is immediately ceptance, through the gates, and into the temin"festifated. Master to the brethr.en, "At- pie and city of our God. So mote it be, tend to ga vicg the signs; as I do, so do you Amen." givr them downwards;" [which is by giving It is often that the prayer 's neglected, and tie Iast in opening, first in closing. In clo- the following benediction substituted:-May smg on this degree, you first draw your right the blessing of Heaven rest upon us, and all hdill across your throat, as herein before de- regular M~sons! May brotherly love prevail, seribed", and then hold your two hands over and eve- mro ral and social virtue cement us o-a6ni. other as before described. This is the So mote it is.. Amen.,c tYhod pprsued through all the degrees; and After the prayer, tice following chlarge ought pohea c's ncng on any of the upper degrees, to b,, r-ivered, but it is seldom attended to; 1,.' the u signs, of all the preceding degrees, aie in asmajority of Lodges it is never tftended atien beforf you give the signs of the degree toM--master to brethren, "e n we are which you -ar opening.] This being done, n e abo C to ct this sacred retreat of friend-eb_ Master proceeds,"I now declare this,s-23and. in' e, to rxagalu with the world. Le,-'a os Entered Apprentice, Masons regu-!'Urmidsts concerses, rd employments, forget Ia looeed in duo and ancient form. Bro- i:nt the duties wnic you have heard So frethe0,1* Junior iVardni,, please inform Brothec ýqun lv inclulcated, n? so forcibly recoinWSaor l\ aiden, ant, request 1dm to inforrr.)se dodd in this Lcdge, Iveiember that 'around. the bnz-!_ren that it is my will and pleasu,. 'this altar you Fse hv sed to belirend and thoat mthis Lodge of Entered Apprentice Al re-nieve every brother a'1o oshall need aour asýn-s Se no-v closed, and stand closed until ' fix Isistace. You hav o,uns.d in the most nex- regular comnmunication, unless a case friendly mnia. cs to a-.. nd him of his errors, cases ul enfeency shall -eqciire earlier ' n d aid a r'oina - Tbese generous rninventiart, of which every -nember shall a' x es..e to extend farthei eAe L i an osotifiel, duinn a' lclih time it is eeriee...; has a claim un you), kxl lA Ofhei. Do e.Csped anzd epseted that evecy brler 1i tooUnto alel. i meni it 'cc demea hirnselt as becomes a Freec atid o- e"' ic tbh la i of the `ithfid. 1 F1 ~i~ M nd ason." Junioy Wardlen to '; ' u y brethren In 'e s1' of one `rndý Iu-ve in Wa-k dee. `Birofhei Sensor., it is the A an-'.j d may yfhl Ga'f f love -11-a sosre, d e s.hill-fel ilfasteC s will and pleasure that - lisfit to dwei as-l with ani d...ss you." Lodge, of Ent-ered Apprentice Mlasoroý s'e Len s eseLodge, the clsarge is do coeoulc staA.. -ed util our next i lEvered. t e las Lr s-s, "Brethren fo--.. on lai cormnnsanica?,tion., udiless a case or case, s. t aqe." T e ic -ie lx.-- -'cciform vesýneseeey et afl eq -lire eas1-ier converit a,.-ircle, ndf's a h l. erlllowtd by every of which e-.c x-, rouher shall be notific in cero[th Ocpt aina uomg O~iw vordsj, s ay.s dicrina wh -ih f inc. 11 ig seriously horeed ar- -'And God said, Let there i iir t and there x-pct si d tfilat ovcý- '-r--other will dec-aen- was light." At the Esa~ rnnsio thatt the lnis~ielC as "-omir '--e and Accepted Ix I...t of Aheae ao ds drons few' ce Master' so" e or NV'.:t-'-l; to the brethzren-- bps, every memb'er if w-rs iv+ h~ ight foot "Brethren 1on Ia.!-d the 'oribfitfuel ew the f doo sd, and p 't tb brings s VViQl and Lý-e+n- a+ cok mbr'alt' d4 i a,1ane s togethe% with cs~nr. a-is>, an' ire 10 THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. such perfect unison vrith each other, that date, who has long' been deirous of having persons situated so as to hear it, would sup- and receiving a part of the rights and blne fit pose it the precursor of some dreadful catas- of this Worshipful Lodge, dedicated to God, trophe. This is called "the shock" The and held forth to the holy order of St. Johnl members of the Lodge then separate. as all true fellows and brothl.: l.ovo done,, The above comprises all the secret forms who have gone this way before mj. and ceremonies in a Lodge of Entered Ap- Q. What further was said to you from prentice Miasons; but if the candidate would within? A. I wa - a-skedJ it i was of my own thoroughly understand the whole, he must free will and accord I made ihis r1;qu1:';; if I commit to memoroy the following " Lecture." was duly an d truly prepared, worthy and we Very few do this except the officers of the qualified; all of which being aoswerd ion t Lodge. The " Lecture"' is nothing more nor aflirmative, I was asked by what fu'tber righ t less than a recapitulation of the preceding I expected to obtain so great a aivor or bene ceremonies and forms by way of question and fit. answer, in order fully to explain the same. In fact, the ceremonies and forms (mnasonically called the work) and lecture are so much the same, that he who possesses a knowledge of the Lecture cannot be destitute of a knowviedge of what the ceremonies and forms are. The ceremonies used in opening and closing are the same in all the degrees. FIRST SECTION.-Lecture on the First Degree of MJasonry. Question-From whence came you as an Entered Apprentice Mason? Answer-From the IHoly Lodge of St. John at Jerusalem. Q. What recommendations do you bring? A. Recommendations from the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and brethren of that Right Worshipful Lodge, who greet you. Q. What comest thou hither to do? A. To learn to subdue my passions, and improve myself in the secret arts and mysteries of Ancient Free Masonry. Q. You are a Mason then, I presume? A. I am. Q. How do you know that you are a M ason? A. By being often tried, never denied, and willing to be tried again. Q. How shall I know you to be a Mason? A. By certain signs, and a token. Q. What are signs? A. All right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars. Q. What is a token? A. A certain friendly and brotherly grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as well as in the light? Q. Where was you first prepared to be a Mason? A. In my heart. V Q. Where secondly? A. In a room adjacent to the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such. Q. How was you prepared? A. By being divested of all metals, neither naked nor 0lothed, barefoot nor shod, hood-winked, with a cable-tow about my neck, in which situation: i was conducted to the door of the Lodge. F Q. You being hood-winked, how did you know it to be a dour? A. By first meeting with resistance, and afterwards gaining admis- ] sion. Q. How did you gain admission? A. By t three distinct knocks from without, answered by the same from within. t Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there? i Q. Your answer? A. A poor blind candi ] 1 ( Q. Your answer? A By being a man, fire born, of lawful age, and well recommended. Q. SWhat was then satid to you? A. I was bid to wait till the Yoornhipful M.aster in the East was madce acquainted with my requost, and his answer returned, Q. After his answer was returned what followed? A. I was caused to enter the Lodge. Q. How? A. On the point of some sharp instrument pressing my naked left breast, in the name of the Lord. Q. How was you then disposed of? A. I was conducted to the centre of the Lodge, and there caused to kneel for the benefit of a prayer. Q. After prayer what was said to you? A. I was asked in whom I put my trust. Q. Your answer? A. God. Q. What followed? A. The Worshipful Master took me by the right hand and said, since in God you put your trust, arise, follow your leader, and fear no danger. Q. How was you then' disposed of? A. I was conducted three times regularly around the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden, in the South, where the same questions were asked, and answers returned at the door. Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before. Q. How did the Senior Warden disposs of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before, who likewise demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and travelig to the East. Q. Why do you leave the West, and travel to the East? A. In search of light. Q. How did the Worshipful Master then: dispose of you. A. He ordered me to be conducted back to the West from whence I came, and put in care of the Senior Warden, who taught me how to approach the East, the place of light, by advancing upon one upright regular step to the first step, my feet forming the right angle of an oblong square, my body. erect at the altar before the Worshipful Mas-;er. Q. What did the Worshipful Master d( with you? A. He made an Entered Apprentice Mason of me. Q. How? A. In due form. THE MYSTERIES OF Q. What was that due form? A. My left knee bare and bent, my right forming a square; my left hand supporting the Holy Bible, Square and Compass; I took upon me the solemn oath or obligation of an Entered Apprentice Malson. Q. After you had taken your obligation what was said to you? A. I was asked what I most desired. Q. Your answer? A. Light. Q. Was you immediately brought to light? A. I was. Q. How? A. By the direction of the Master, and assistance of the brethren. Q. What did you first discover after being brought to light? A. Three great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three lesser. Q. What were those three great lights in Masonry? A. The Holy Bible, Square, and Compass. Q. How are they explained? A. The Holy Bible is given to us as a guide for our faith and practice; the Square to square our actions; and the Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind, but more especially with the brethren. Q. What were those three lesser lights? A. Three burning tapers, or candles on candle-sticks, Q. What do they represent? A. The Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge. Q. How are they explained? A. As the Sun rules the day, and the Moon governs the night, so ought the Worshipful Master to use his endeavors to rule and govern his Lodge with equal regularity, or cause the same to be done. Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East, under the sign and due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason, who presented me with his right hand in token of, brotherly love and esteem, and proceeded to give me the grip and word of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and bid me arise and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens, and convince them that I had been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, and was in possession of the sign, grip, and word. Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master a second time approaching me from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or white apron, which he said was an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a IMason; that it had been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, who had never been ashamed to wear it; that it was more honorable than the diamonds of kings, or pearls of princesses, when worthily worn; and more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Rornan Eagle; more honorable than the Star or Garter, or any other order that could be conferred on me at that time, or any time thereafter, except it be in the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons; and bid me carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason. Q. What was you next presented with? A. The working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason. FlEE MASONRY. 11 Q. What were they? A. The twenty-four inch guage and common gavel. Q. How were they explained? A. The twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative masons to measure and lay out their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time; e thewenty-four incies on the gauge are emblematical of the twenty-four hours in the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God, and a worthy distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocation, and eight hours for refreshment and sleep. The common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, therebf fitting our minds as lively and living stone for that spiritual building, that house ndc made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Q. What was you next presented with A. A new name. Q. What was it? A. Caution. Q. What does it teach? A. It teaches me, as I was barely instructed in the rudiments of Masonry, that I should be.autious over all my words and actions, esped1ly when before its enemies. Q. What was you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels. Q. What were they? A. A listening ear, a silent tongue, and a faithful heart. Q. What do they teach? A. A listening ear teaches me to listen to the instructions of the Worshipful Master, but more especially that I should listen to the calls and cries of a worthy distressed brother. A silent tongue teaches me to be silent in the Lodge, that the peace and harmony thereof may not be disturbed; but more especially that I should be silent when before the enemies of Masonry. A faithful heart, that I should be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master at all times; but more especially that I should be faithful, and keep and conceal the secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother, when delivered to me in charge as such, that they may remain as secure and inviolable in my breast, as in his own, before communicated to me. Q. What was you next presented with? A, Check-words two. Q. What were they? A. Truth and Union. Q. How explained? A. Truth is a divin( attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true are the first lessons we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct; hence, while influ. enced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown amongst us; sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us; and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's proms perity. 12 TIL SIYCT~ME3 OF PRE MISEE~ONGIl. Union is that kind of iriecc~n.,1tp ithat our h ' j hilities wouldj admrit, w~itliout ma erial mjr to appear conspicuous in the conduct of every to ay self or family. Mlason. 16' is so closely A to t'l ie v~n Q XW.Y Awa~s you needter barefoo nor sheod 2 attri~bute tirnthtat he c ao enoy os t- oneA. It was3 an an-celeIsatLncctic-i castorn, adopis ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e siei ciutcth ot Si ' a tWamong M Basone; and we seAd in tho bIook terstlua, proju 1," ~ susAa i tof a is conicerning their mode andclma-nner ever influence, you to violate any p-,,t cc the of chagin I n eceig and toecndI sacred 0 tust we now repoe Lins you.,i'et these.all1 things a hroetl r plucked coif his shoe, and two e -Lpo.tant wsorsd, at the e0rlies nsenuma- gave it to his neighbor, and that was testiteen, teach you to icot on te che.- '_e of nmonj in.Lisnael. This then, therefore, we do truth xh' si 11inaibly iv de-ect you to par- in consfinmation of a token, aad as a pledge of sue that str" cr-htand narow pathwhicchscnd's oui fidslity, tli e core signsiying itiat we -will "in the mullenjoymnt of fi-aGiand Loderr renoucco our owrn will in all things, and heab~ove, whlevwe. i;h dl il meet ai vasorees orr' cldcinet to the lavis of our anciwent Ain. and us 01nsofone famieiy -wluoro alldissi tut-lons cord, cc racounit. of r,.igno, PoItC nor P-,Q- Why was you hood-winkzed? A. That vate op,"incon, 'shall he Lunknowvn and ban-",hed-rmy heart rnieght conceive hebc:,,rq,niy eyeos befrom wviithurinour valls,.hlAd thlbeaheties of Masonry. -A he followed? A. T he Wo -shipfal Q A second reason? A. As I was in Mas-teor in thle E cest miade, a demnand of use of d sednes tfleettm, it wvas to reenlied rme io0met-1 nof rarmota> d, whieks, he taP - I should keep the wvhole world so reVas onot. -,0r11c ~h on account of its metuinsis ccein asn.1 -alne 5 bes ii ie e ndeposited in the a Q-- Vl5 y hed you a cable-tow about year hive s o.* ce Lodgm -.ziea nacmr fi"tat 1 had' secks?A. In ae lead not su'-.nitted to heiernnosman' rs Ii~nei ased mode, of m-y initiation. that I Qflow did th_ AVe sho i,lMaster tn i-L11-i m ~1-e" Vut of thes Lodge without dispose of you? A. H e odered me to he cion-.ee~ ghfoins adiidbantics thereof. dutecto out of the, Lod' a ad isvestedl o-1'weeK Q mb1 cy id1you give three distissef knooks I had 'been devested, andl return fo(r fuirther at thec doe''1 A. To alarrr the Lodge, and instiuctiona 1 L the Woriceipfai Master, Wardens, and Q. After you retterned how v was you. dic-_ brethl-en knew that a poor b"isid candidate psosed of?9 A. I wa s conducted to, the Nortle_- aed amession. east corner of the"Lodgre, arid there. caused -to Q What do these f11ere distinct knocks alstand upe'ighit like, a nian, my feet formineg a luden to? A. A certain passage, in Scripture, square., acid received a solemn injunction, wherein it says, " Ask:X and it shall be given, ever to s-ealk and act uprightly before God -seek and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be and sesan, aicd in addition thereto received the opened unt.o you." follovwing chaarge. [For this charge see p. ges Q. How did you apply this to your then 7 and 8.] case in Masonry?, A. I asked the recoinirendation of a friend to become a Mason; I SroveoN SEcoNDm-Question-Wisy was you sought admission throughe his recommeadadlivested of all metals when you was made tions and knocked, and -the door of Masonry a Mason? Answer-Because Masonry1 re- opened unato mce. gards no man on account of his worldly Q. Why was you caused to enter on the wealth or honors; it is therefore the binter- point of some sharp instrument pressing your nal, and not the. external qualifications that naked left breast in the name of -the Lord? recomnmend a main to Masons. A. Ils this was a torturo to my flesh, so might Q. A second reason? A. There was nei- the recollection of it ever be to my flesh and ther the sound of ace axe, hammer, or any conscience, if ever I attempted to reveal the other metal tool heard at the building of King secrets of Masonry unlawfully. Solonion's Temple. Q, Why was you conducted to the ceiitre Q. How could so stupendous a fabric he of the Lodge, and there caused to knerel for erected without the sound of axe, hammer, the benefit of a prayer? A. Before entering or any other metal tool? A. All the, stones on this, or any other great and important were hewed, squared, and nunchered in the undertaking, it is highly necessary to implore quarries where. they wvere raised, all the tim- a blessincg from Deity. bers felled and prepared in the forests of Leb- Q. WNhy was you asked in whom you put anon, and carried down to Joppa, on floats, and your trust? A. Agreeably to the laws of taken from thence, up to Jerusalem, and set our ancient institution, no Atheist could be up with wooden malls, prepared for that pur- made. a Mason; it was therefore necessary pose; which, when completed, every part that1 I should believe in Deity; otherwiste, no theceof fitlbted with that exact niicety, that it oath or obligationc could hind me. had more the reasemblance of the handy Q. Why did the Worshipful Master take workmanship of the Suprenme Architect of you by the right hand, and bid you rise, folthe TJniverse, than of human hands. low your leader, and fear no danger. A. As.Q. Why was you neither naked nor clothed? I was in darkness at that time, and could asiA. As I was an object of distress at that time, ther foresee nor avoid danger, it was to rewas to remind me, if ever * I saw a friend, mind me that I was in the hands of an af1tuatio11-tha1I1should4conribute aslierallyPvithvsfety confide THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 13 regularly round the Lodge? A. That the with the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, Worshipful Master, Wardens, and brethren and other Masonic implements, with a charmight see that I was duly and truly pre- ter from the Grand Lodge, empowering them pared, to work. Q. Why did you meet with those several Q. Where did our ancient brethren meet obstructions on the way? A. This, and ev- before Lodges were erected? A. On the ery other Lodge is, or ought to be, a true highest hills, and in the lowest vales. representation of King Solomon's Temple, Q. Why on the highest hills and in the which, when completed, had guards stationed lowest vales? A. The better to guard against at the East. Wvest, and South gates. cowans and enemies either ascending or deQ. Why had they guards stationed at those scending, that the brethren might have timely several gates? A. To prevent any one from notice of their approach, to prevent being surpassing or re-passing that was not duly quali- prised. fied. Q. What is the form of your Lodge? A Q. Why did you kneel on your left knee, An oblong square. And not on your right, or both? A. The left Q. How long? A. From East to West. jide has ever been considered the weakest Q. How wide? A. Between North and part of the body; it was, therefore, to remind South. me that that part I was then taking upon me Q. How high? A. From the surface of the was the weakest part of Masonry, it being earth to the highest heavens. that only of an Entered Apprentice. Q. How deep? From the surface to the Q. Why was your right hand placed on the centre. SHoly Bible, Square, and Compass, and not Q. What supports your Lodge? A. Three your left, cr both? A. The right hand has large columns or pillars. ever been considered the seat of fidelity, and Q. Q hat are their names? A. Wisdom, )ur ancient brethren worshipped Deity under Strength, and Beauty. the names of FIDES; which has sometimes Q. Why so? A. It is necessary there been represented by two right hands joined should be wisdom to contrive, strength to /ogcther; at others, by two human figures support anid beauty to adorn, all great and holding each other by the right hand; the important undertakings; but more especially cight hand, therefore, we use in this great this of ours. -nd important undertking, to signify, in the Q. Has your Lodge any covering. A. It strongest manncr possible, the sincerity of our has; a. clouded canopy, or starry-decked heaintentions in the business we are engaged. ven, rhlre all good Masons hope to arrive. Q. Why did the Worshipful Master present Q.. l[ov- do you hope. to arrive ther,? A. you with a l;unb-kin, or a white apron? A. By th-; ';asistance of Jacob's ladder. I'he lamb--kin ha-', in all ages, been deemeds Q. IHw many principal rournds has i;, got? an emblem of innocence; he, therefore, who A. Thee. wears the la:b-sakin, as a badge of a Mason, Q. VWhat are their names? A. Faith, is thereby cntin.uily remindied of that purity.lope, and Charity. of lifi and rectitude of conduct, wdhicl is so Q. Vhat do they teach? A. Faith in God, essentially n.ece -ssary to our gaining admis- hope in immortality, and charity to all mansion into the Ccic~.'ial TLog abovle, where kind. the Supreme Architect of the Universe pre- Q. lTas your Lodge any furniture? A. It sides. has; ihe Holy Bible, Square, and Compass. Q. Why did the 1Master make a demand of Q. To whom do they belong? A. The yoa of something of a metallic nature? A Bible to God; the Square to the Master; and As I was in a poor and penniless situation at the, Compass to the Craft. the time, it was to remind me if ever I saw a Q. How explained? A. The Bible to God friend, but more especially a brother, in the it being the inbstimable gift of God to mal: like poor and penniless situation, that I should for his instruction, to guide him through tl contribute as liberally to his relief as my abili- rugged paths of life; the Square to the Matti-: would admnit and his situation required, ter, it being the proper emblem of his office; without injuring myself or family, the Compass to the Craft; by a due attention Q. Why vas you conducted to the North- to which we are taught to limit our desires, east corner lof the Lodge, and there caused to curb our ambition, subdue our irregular apstand upri'ght, like a man, your feet forming a petites, and keep our passions and prejudices square, reccvming, at the same time, a solemn in due bounds with all mankind; but more charg: to w-ak and act upr ghtly before God especially with the brethren. and man? A. The first stone in every Ma- Q. Has your Lodge any ornaments? A. It sonic edifLe is, or ought to be, placed at the has; the Mosaic, or chequered pavement; Northea.st corner; that being the place where the indented tessel; that beautiful tesselated an Entered Apprentice.iason receives his border which surrounds it, with the blazing first inuctions to build his future Masonic star in the centre. edifice -:'on. QQ. What do they represent? A. The MoSsaic, or chequered pavement, represents this Thn'. SEcTIoN.-Questifon-We have been world; which, though chequered over with sayir a good deal about a Lodge, I want good and evil,. yet brethren may walk together to k-'ow what constitutes a Lodge? Answer thereon and not stumble; the indented tessel, -A c. ertin number of Free and Accepted with the blazing star in the centre, the mani'Maans, duly assembled in a room, or place fold blessings and comforts with which we 14 14T'l OF annen 01? PIEL1 MASONRIY. are surrounded in this life; but more especially, those wvhich we hope to enjoy hereafter; the blazing star, that prudence which ought to appear conpepicuous in the conduct of every Mason; but more especially, commemorative of the star which appeared in the.East to guide the wise, men.to Bethlehem, to prcclaim the birth and the presence of the Son of God. Q. Has ycur Lodge any lights? A. It has; three. Q. H'ow are they situated? A. East, VWest, and South. Q. Has it none in the North? A. It has not. Q. Why so? A. Because this, and every other Lodge is, or ought to be, a true representation of King Solomon's temple, which was situated North of the ecliptic; the sun and moon, therefore, darting their rays from the South, no light was to be expected from the North; we. therefore, Masonically, term the North a place of darkness. Q. Has your Lodge any jewels? A. It has; six: three movable and three immovable. Q. W'hat are the three movable jewels? A. The Square, Level, and Plumb. Q. What do they teach? A. The Square, morality; the Level, equality; and the Plumb, rectitude of life and conduct. Q. What are the three immovable jewels? A. The rough Ashlar, the perfect Ashlar, and the Tressle-Board. Q. What are they? A. The rough Ashlar is a stone in its rough and natural state; the perfect Ashlar is also a stone, made ready by the working tools of the Fellow Craft, to be adjusted in the building; and the tressle-board is for the master workman to draw his plans and designs upon. Q. What do they represent? A. The rough ashlar represents man in his rude and imperfect state by nature; the perfect ashlar l1so represents man in that state of perfeclion to which we all hope to arrive, by means af a virtuous life and education, our own enieavors, and the blessing of God. In erecting our temporal building, we pursue the plans and- designs laid down by the master workman on his tressle-board; but in erecting our spiritual building we pursue the plans and designs laid down by the Supreme Geometrician of the Universe, in the book of life; which we, Masonically, term our spiritual tressle-board. Q. Who did you serve? A. My Master.. How long? A. Six days. Q. What did you serve him with? A. Freedom, Fervency, and Zeal. Q. What do they represent? A. Chalk, Charcoal, and Earth. Q. Why so? A. There is nothing freer, than chalk; the slightest touch of which leaves a trace Lehind; nothing more fervent than heated charcoal; it will melt the most obdurate metals; nothing more zealous than the earth to bring forth. Q. How is your Lodge situated? A. Due East and West. Q. Why so? A. Because the Sun ries in tile East, and sets in the West. Q. A second reason? A. The gospel was first preached in the East, and is spreading to the West. Q. A third reason? A. The liberal arts and sciences began in the East, and are extending to the West. Q. A fourth reason? A. Because all the churches and chapels are, or ought tc be, so situated. Q. Why are all churches and chapels so situated? A. Because King Solomon's temple was so situated. Q. Why was King Solomon's temple so situated? A. Because Moses, after conducting, the children of Israel through the fed Sea, by Divine command, erected a tabernacle to God, and placed it due East and West; which was to commemorate, to the latest posterity, that miraculous East wind that wrought their mighty deliverance; and this was an exact model of Solomon's temple; since which time, every well regulated and governed Lodge is, or ought to be, so situated. Q. To whom did our ancient brethren dedicate their Lodges? A. To king Solomon. Q. VWhy so? A. Because King Solomon was our most ancient Grand Master. Q. To whom do modern Masons dedicate their Lodges? A. To St. John the Baptist. and St. John the Evangelist. Q. Why so? A. Because they were the two most ancient Christian patrons of Masonry; and, since their time, in every wellregulated and governed Lodge, there has been a certain point within a circle, which circle is bounded on the East and the West by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing the anniversary of St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who were two perfect parallels, as well in Masonry as Christianity; on the vertex of which rests the Book of the Holy Scriptures, supporting Jacob's Ladder, which is said to reach the watery clouds; and, in passing round this circle, we naturally touch on both these perpendicular parallel lines, as well as the Book of the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, he cannot materially err. END OF THE LECTURE, AND OF THE FIRST DEGREE. It is proper to add, here, that very few Masons ever learn the Lecture. Of course it is necessary that the officers of the Lodge shou-, understand their own particular part; anld that is generally all they learn. The Second, or Fellow Craft Mason's Degree. Tins degree is usually called " passing." The ceremonies of opening and closing the Lodge are precisely the same as in the first degree; except two knocks are used in this degree, and the door is entered by the benefit of a pass-word. It is Shibboleth, and explained in the Lecture. The candidate, as before, is taken into the preparation room, and prepared in the manner following:-All his clothing taken off, except his shirt; furnished with a pair of drawers; his right breast bare; his left foct in a slipper the riglat ITE MYSTERIES OF FREEJ MASONEIY. 15 bare; a cable-tow twice round his neck semi-hood-winked; in which situation he i conducted to the door of the Lodge, where hi gives two knocks, when the Senior Wardey rises and says, " Worshipful, while we ar peaceably at work on the second degree oJ Masonry, under the influence of faith, hope and charity, the door of our Lodge is alarm -ed." Master to Junior Deacon, " Brothe Junior, inquire the cause of that alarm.' [In many Lodges they come to the door knock, are answered by the Junior Deacon and come in without being noticed by the Se nior Warden or Master.] The Junior Deacoi gives two raps on the inside of the door The candidate gives one without. It is an swered by the Junior Deacon with one; whey the door i6 partly opened by the Junior Dea con, who inquires, " Who comes here Who comes here?" The Senior Deacon, wh( is, or ought to be, the conductor, answers " A worthy brother, who has been regularl] initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason served a proper time as such, and now wishel for further light in Masonry, by being passec to the degree of Fellow Craft." Junior Dea con to Senior Deacon, "Is it of his own frec will and accord he makes this request?" Se. nior Deacon replies, "It is." Junior Deacor to Senior Deaoor, Is he duly and truly pre. pared?" Ans. " He is." Junior Deacor to Senior Deacon, "Is he worthy and wel qualified?" Ans. " He is." Junior Deacor to Senior Deacon, "Has he made suitable profieiency in the preceding degree?" Ans. "He has." Junior Deacoa to Senior Deacon, " By what further rights does he expect to oblhin this benefit?" Ans. " By the benefit of a pass-word." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, " Has he a pass-word?" Ans. " He has not, but I have it for him." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Give it to me." The Senior Deacon whispers in the Junior Deacon's ear, " Shibboleth." The Junior Deaeon says, " The pass is right; since this is the case, you will wait until the Worshipful Master in the East is made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned." The Junior Deacon then repairs to the Master, and gives two knocks, as at the door, which are answered by two by the Master; when the same "questions are asked, and answers returned, as at the door. After which, the Master says, "Since he comes endued with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters." He enters; the angle of the Square is pressed hard against his naked right breast; at which time, the Junior Deacon says, " Brother, when you entered this Lodge the first time, you- entered ion the point of the compass pressing your naked left breast, which was then explained to you. You now enter it on the angle of the Square, pressing your naked right breast; which is to teach you to act upon the square with all mankind, but more especially with the brethren." The candidate is then conducted twice regularly round the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden in the South, where he gives two raps, and is; answered by two, when the same questions s are asked, and answers returned as at the e door; from thence he is conducted to the n Senior Warden, where the same questions are e asked, and answers returned as before; he is f then conducted to the Master in the East,, where the same questions are asked and an- swers returned as before; the Master liker wise demands of him, from whence he came, ' and whither he was traveling; he answers,, " From the West, and traveling to the East.", The Master says, "Why do you leave the - West, and travel to the East?" The candin date answers, "In search of more light.".The Master then says to the Senior Deacon, - " Since this is the case, you will please cona duct the candidate back to the West, from - whence he came, and put him in the care of? the Senior Warden, who will teach him how o to approach the East, ' the place of light,' by, advancing upon two upright regular steps to y the second step (his heel is in the hollow of, the right foot, in this degree;) his feet forms ing the right angle of an oblong square, and 1 his body elect at the altar before the Wor- shipful Master, and place him in a proper poe sition to take the solemn oath or obligation - of a Fellow Craft Mason." The Master then i leaves his seat, and approaches the kneeling - candidate (the candidate lmeels on the right i knee, the left forming a square; his left I arm, as far as the elbow, in a horizontal posiI tion, and the rest of the arm in a vertical position, so as to form a square; his arm supportSed by the Square held under his elbow;) and says, " Brother, you are now placed in a proper position to take on you the solemn oath, or obligation, of a Fellow Craft Mason, which SI assure you, as before, is neither to affect your religion nor politics; if you are willing to take it, repeat your name, and say after me:" I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons, dedicated' to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition to my former obligation, that I will not give the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason to any one of an inferior degree, nor to any other being in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother, or brethren Fellow Craft Masons, or within the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due examination, or lawful information. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, nor a brother of this degree, to the value of two cents, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it. Further.. more, do I promise and swear, that I will support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and of the Grand Lodge of this State, under which this Lodge is held, and conform to all the bye-laws, rules, and regulations of this, or any other Lodge, of which I may, at any time hereafter, become a memi 16 THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. ber, as far as in my power. Furthermore, do Craft Mason, and they are never given scpI promise and swear, that I will obey all reg- arate; they would not be recognised by a uilar signs and summons given, handed, sent, Mason if given separately. The Master, by or thrown to me by the hand of a brother the time he gives his steps, sign, and dueFellow Craft Mason, or from the body of a guard, arrives at the candidate, and says, just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; "Brother, I now present you with my right provided it be within the length of my cable- hand, in token of brotherly love and confitow, or a square and angle of my work. Fur- dence, and with it the pass-grip and word of thermore, do I promise and swear, that I a Felow Craft Mason." The pass, or more will be aiding and assisting all poor and pen- properly the pass-grip, is given by taking niless brethren Fellow Crafts, their widows each other by the right hand, as though going and orphans, wheresoever disposed round the to shake hands, and each putting his thu mb gldbe, they applying to me as such, as far as in between the fore and second finger, where my power, without injuring myself or family. they join the hands, and pressing the thirmb To all which I do most solemnly and sincerely between the joints. This is the pass-grip of promise and swear, without the least hesita- a Fellow Craft Mason; the name of it is tion, mental reservation, or self-evasion of Shibboleth. Its origin will be explained in the mind in me whatever; binding myself under Lecture';-the pass-grip some give without no less penalty than to have my left breast lettering or syllabling, and others give it in torn open, and my heart and vitals taken the same way they do the real grip. The from thence, and thrown over my left -shoul- real grip of a Fellow Craft Mason is given der, and carried into the valley of Jehosa- by putting the thumb on the joint of the secphat, there to become a prey to the wild ond finger, where it joins the hand, and crookbeasts of the fields, and vultures $of the air, if ing your thumb so that each can stick the ever I should prove wilfully guilty of violat- nail of his thumb into the joint of the other. ing any part of this my solemn oath or obliga- This is the real grip of a Fellow Craft Mation of a Fellow Craft Mason; so keep me son; the name of it is Jachin; it is given in God, and keep me steadfast in the. due per- the following manner:-If you wish to examformance of the same." ine a person, after having taken each other by The Master then says, " Detach your hands, the grip, ask him, " What is this?" A. "A and kiss the book, which is the Holy Bible, grip."' Q. "A grip of what?" A. " The twice." The bandage is now (by one of the grip of a Fellow Craft Mason." Q. "Has it brethren) dropped over the other eye, and a name?" A. "It has." Q. "Will you give the Master says, " Brother" (at the same time it to me?" A. "I did not so receive it, neilaying his hand on the top of the candidate's ther can I so impart it." Q. "WVhat will head,) "what do you most desire?" The can- you do with it?" A. " I'll letter it or halve didate answers, after his prompter, "More it." Q. "Halve it, and you begin." A. light." The Master says, " Brethren, fom " No; begin you." Q. " You begin." A. on the square, and assist in bringing our "JA."' Q. "CHIN?" A. "JACHIN." Q. new made brother from darkness to light; and "Right, brother Jachin, I greet you." God said, Let there be light, and there was After the Master gives the candidate the light." At this instant all the brethren clap pass-grip and grip, and their names, he says, their hands, and stamp on the floor, as in the " Brother, you will rise and salute the Junior preceding degree. The Master says to the and Senior Wardens as such, and convince candidate, "Brother, what do you discover them that you have been regularly passed to different from before?" The Master says, the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason, and after a short pause, "You now discover one have got the sign and pass-grip, real grip, and point of the compass elevated above the Square, their names." [I do not here express it as which denotes light in this degree; but as expressed in Lodges generally; the Master one is yet in obscurity, it is to remind you usually says, you will rise and salute the that you are yet one material point in the dark, Wardens, &c., and convince them, &c., that respecting Masonry." The Master steps off you have got the sign, pass-grip, and word." from the candidate three or four steps, and It is obviously wrong; because the first thing says, "Brother, you now discover me as a he gives is the sign, then the due-guard, then Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the pass-grip, and their names. While the the East, under the sign and due-guard of a Wardens are examining the candidate, the Fellow Craft.Mason; do as I do, as near as Master gets an apron, and returns to the canyou can, keeping your position." The sign didate, and says, Brother, I now have the is given by drawing your right hand flat, with honor of presenting you with a lamb-skin, or the palm of it next to your breast, across your white apron, as before, which I hope you will )breast, from the left to the right side, with continue to wear, with honor to yourselfl and some quickness, and dropping it down by your satisfaction to the brethren; you. will please aide the due-guard is given by raising the carry it to the Senior WVa'rden inr thb: iest, left arm until that part of it between the who will teach you how to vwear it a. s a Felelbow and shoulder is perfectly horizontal, low Craft Mason." The Senior WIarden ties and raising the rest of the arm in a vertical on his apron, and turnis tp one corner of the position, so that that part of the arm below lower end of the apion, snd tucks it under the elbow, and that part above it, forms a the apron string. The Senior Deacon then square; this is called the due-guard of a Fel- conducts his pupil to the Master, who has low Craft Mason. The two given together, by this time resumed his seat in the East, are called the sign and due-guard '* ' e he has, or ought to have, the floor car THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 17 pet to assist him in his explanations. Master to be thus extensive, to denote the universality to the candidate, " Brother, as you are dress- of Masonry, and that a Mason's charity ought ed, it is necessary you should have tools to to be equally extensive. Their composition is work with; I will, therefore, present you molten, or cast brass; they were cast on the with the tools of a Fellow Craft Mason. They banks of the river Jordan, in the clay-ground are the plumb, square, and level. The plumb between Succoth and Zaradatha, where King is an instrument made use of by operative Solomon ordered these and all other holy ves. Masons to raise perpendiculars; the square, sels to be cast; they were cast hollow; ana to square their work; and the level, to lay were four inches, or a hand's breadth thick'; horizontals: but we, as Free and Accepted they were cast hollow, the better to withstand Masons, are taught to use them for more noble inundations and conflagrations; they were the and glorious puiposes; the plumb teaches us archives of Masonry, and contained the conto walk uprightly, in our several stations, be- stitution, rolls, and records." The Senior fore God and man; squaring our actions by Deacon having explained the columns, he the square of virtue; and remembering that passes between them, advances a step or two, we are traveling on the level of time to that observing as he advances, " Brother, we will Sundiscovered country, from whose bourne pursue our travels; the next thing that we no traveler has returned.' I further present come to, is a long, winding stair-case, with you with three precious jewels; their names three, five, seven steps, or more. The three are faith, hope, and charity; they teach us to first allude to the three principal supports in have faith in God, hope in immortality, and Maecnry, viz.: wisdom, strength, and beaucharity to all mankind." The Master to the ty; the five steps allude to the five orders in Senior Deacon, " You will now conduct the architecture, and the five human senses; the candidate out of this Lodge, and invest him five orders in architecture are, the TasEan, with what he has been divested." After he Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite the is clothed, and the necessary arrangements five human senwes are hearing, seeing, f6eng made for his reception, such as placing the smelling, and tasting; the three first of whie columns and floor carpet, if they have any, have ever been highly essential among Maand the candidate is reconducted back to the sons: hearing, to hear the word; seeing, to Lodge, as he enters the door, the Senior Dea- see the sign; and feeling, to feel the grip, eon observes, " We are now about to return whereby one Mason may know another in the to the middle chamber of King Solomon's dark as well as in the light. The seven steps temple" When within the door, the Senior allude to the seven sabbatical years; seven Deacon proceeds; " Brother, we have worked years of famine; seven years in building the in speculative Masonry, but our forefathers temple; seven golden candle-sticks; seven wrought both in speculative and operative wonders of the world; seven planets; but, more Masonry. They worked atl the building of especially, the seven liberal arts and sciKing Solomon's temple, and many other ma- ences, which are grammar, rhetoric, logic, sonic edifices; they wrought six days; they arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy; did not work on the seventh, because in six for this, and many other reasons, the number days God created the heavens and the earth, seven has ever been held in high estimation and rested on the seventh day. The seventh, among Masons." Advancing a few steps, the 'therefore, our ancient brethren consecrated Senior Deacon proceeds; " Brother, the next as a day of rest; thereby enjoying more fre- thing we come to is the outer door of the quent opportunities to contemplate the glo- middle chamber of King Solomon's temple, rious works of creation, and to adore their which is partly open, but closely tyled by the great Creator." Moving a step or two, the Junior Warden;" [It is the Junior Warden in Senior Deacon proceeds; "Brother, the first the South who represents the Tyler, at the thing that attracts our attention, are two large outer door of the middle chamber of King columns, or pillars, one on the left hand, and Solomon's temple;] who, on the approach the other on the right; the name of the one of the Senior Deacon and candidate, inon the left hand is Boaz, and denotes strength; quires, " Who comes here? Who comes the name of the one on the right hand is Ja- here?" The Senior Deacon answers, "A thin, and denotes establishment; they collec- Fellow Craft Mason." Junior Warden to tively allude to a passage in scripture, wherein Senior Deacon, " How do you expect to gain God has declared in his word, 'In strength admission?" A. " By a pass, and token of a shall this house be established.' These pass." Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, columns are eighteeen cubits high, twelve in " Will you give them to me?" [The Senior circumference, and four in diameter; they Deacon, or the candidate, (prompted by him,) are adorned with two large chapiters, one on gives them; this and many other tokens, cr each, and these chapiters are ornamented grips, are frequently given by strangers, wien with net work, lily work, and pomegranates; first introduced to each other. If given to a they denote unity, peace, and plenty. The Mason, he will immediately return it; they net work, from its connection, denotes union; can be given in any company unobserved, even the lily work, from its whiteness, purity and by Masons, when shaking hands. J1 pass, peace; and the pomegranate', from the exube- and token of a pass: the pass is the word rance of its seed, denotes plenty. They also Shibboleth; the token, alias the pass-grip, is have two large globes, or balls, one on each; given, as before described, by taking each these globes, or balls, contain, on their con- other by the right hand, as if shaking handsg vex surfaces, all the maps and charts of the and placing the thumb between the fore finger celestial and terrestrial bodies; they are said and second finger. at the third joint, or w1ere B THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MA5SONRY. they join the hand, and pressing it hard enough to attract attention. In the lecture it is called a token, but generally called the pass-grip. It is an undeniable fact that Masons express themselves so differently, when they mean the same thing, that they frequently wholly misunderstand each other.] After the Junior Warden has received the pass Shibboleth, he inquires, " What does it denote?" A. "Plenty." Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, "Why so?" A, "From an ear of corn being placed at the water-ford." Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, " Why was this pass instituted?" A. "In consequence of a quarrel which had long existed between Jephthah, Judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites; the latter of whom had long been a stubborn, rebellious people, whom Jephthah had endeavored to subdue by lenient measures, but to no effect. The Ephraimites being highly incensed against Jephthah, for not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, assembled a mighty awy and passed over the river Jordan to #W Jphthah battle; but he, being apprised t iheir approach, called to ether the men of Israel, and gave them battle, and put them to flight; and to make his victory more complete, he ordered guards to be placed at the different passes on the banks of the river Jordan, and commanded, if the Ephraimites passed that way, that they should pronounce the word Shibboleth; but they, being of a different tribe, pronounced it Sibboleth; which trifling defect proved them spies, and cost them their lives: and there fell that day, at the different passes on the banks of the river Jordan, forty and two thousand. This word was also used by our ancient brethren to distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been adopted as a proper pass-word, to be given before entering any well regulated and governed Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons." Since this is the case, you will pass on to the Senior Warden in the West for further examination. As they approach the Senior Warden in the West, the Senior Deacon says to the candidate, " Brother, the next thing we come to, is the inner door of the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple, which we find partly open, but more closely tyled by the Senior Warden;" when the Senior Warden inquires, " Who comes here? Who comes here?" The Senior Deacon answers, "A Fellow Craft Mason." Senior Warden to Senior Deacon, "How do you expect to gain admission?" A. "By the grip and word." The Senior Warden to the Senior Deacon, " Will you give them to me?" They are then given as herein before described. The word is Jachin. After they are given, the Senior Warden says, "They are right; 'you can pass on to the Worshipful Master in I the East." As they approach the Master, he inquires, " Who comes here? Who comes here?" Senior Deacon answers, "A Fellow Craft Mason." The Master then says to the candidate, "Brother, you have been admitted into the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple, for the sake of the letter G. It de- Deity; before whom we all ought to bow with reverence, worship, and adoration. It also denotes geometry, the fifth science; it being that on which this degree was principally founded. By geometry, we may curiously trace nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses: by it, we may discover the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine:,by it, we may discover how the planets move in their different orbits, and demonstrate their various revolutions: by it, we account for the return of a season, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds surrojnd us, all formed by the same Divine Architect, which roll through this vast expanse, and all conducted by the same unerring law of nature. A survey of nature, and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the divine plan, and study symmetry arid order. The architect began to design; and the plans which he laid down., being improved by experience and time, have produced works which are the admiration of every age. The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war, have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force.The attentive ear received the sound from the instructive Obngue; and the mysteries of Free Masonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and implements of architecture, and symbolic emblems, most expressive, are selected by the fraternity, to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, are transmitted, unimpaired, the most excellent tenets of our institution." Here the labor ends of the Fellow Craft's de-- gree. It will be observed that the candidate' has received, in this place, the second section of the lecture on this degree. This courseis not generally pursued, but it is much the most instructive method; and when it is omitted, I generally conclude that it is for want of a knowledge of the lecture. Monitorial' writers, (who are by no means coeval with Masonry,) all write, or copy, very much after each other; and they have all inserted, in their books, all those clauses of the several: lectures which are not considered by the wise ones as tending to develope the secrets of Masonry. Ih some instances, they change the phraseology a little; in others, they are literal extracts from the lectures. This, it is said, is done to facilitate the progress of learners, or young Masons; when, in fact, it has the contrary effect. The following charge is, or ought to be, delivered to the candidate after he has got through the ceremonies; but he is generally told, "It is in the Monitor, and you can learn it at your leisure." " Brother, being advanced to the second degree ot Masonry, we congrat' THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONTR. 19 alate you on your preferment. The internal, ed Apprentice Mason; served a proper time and not the external, qualifications of a man, as such and now wishes for further light in are what Masonry regards. As you increase Masonry, by being passed to the degree of a in knowledge, you will improve in social in- Fellow Craft. tercourse. It is unnecessary to recapitulate Q. What was then said to you from within? the duties which, as a Mason, you are bound A. I was asked if it was of my own free will to discharge; or enlarge on the necessity of a and accord I made this request; if I was duly strict adherence to them, as your own experi- and truly prepared; worthy and well quali. ence must have established their value. Our fied; and had made suitable proficiency in laws and regulations you are strenuously to the preceding degree: all of which being ansupport; and be always ready to assist in see- swered in the affirmative, I was asked, by ing them duly executed. You are not to what further rights I expected to obtain so palliate or aggravate the offences of your great a benefit. brethren; but in the decision of every tres- Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass against our rules, you are to judge with pass-word. candor, admonish with friendship, and repre- Q. What is that pass-word? A. Shibbohend with justice. The study of the liberal leth. arts, that valuable branch of education, which Q. What further was said to you from tends so effectually to polish and adorn the within? A. I was bid to wait till the Wormind, is earnestly recommended to your con- shipful Master in the East was made acquaintsideration; especially the science of geometry, ed with my request, and his answer returned. which-is established as the basis of our art. Q. After his answer was returned, what Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous followed? A. I was caused to enter the terms, being of a divine moral nature, is en- Lodge. riched with the most useful knowledge; Q. How did you enter? A. On the angle while it proves the wonderful properties of of the square presented to my naked right nature, it demonstrates the more important breast, in the name of the Lord. truths of morality. Your past behavior and Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I regular deportment, have merited the honor was conducted twice regularly round the which we have now conferred; and, in your Lodge and halted at the Junior Warden in new character, it is expected that you will the South, where the same questions were conform to the principles of the order, by asked and answers returned, as at the door. steadily perseveang in the practice of every Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of commendable vi-rte. Such is the nature of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to your engagements as a Fellow Craft, and to the Senior Warden in the West, where the these duties you are bound by the most sacred same questions were asked and answers reties." turned, as before. I will now proceed with the lecture on this Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of degree; it is divided into two sections. you? A. JIe ordered me to be conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where SECTION FIRST.-Question - Are you a the same questions were asked and answers Fellow Craft Mason? Answer-I am; try returned, as before; who likewise demanded me. of me from whence I came, and whither I Q. By what will you be tried? A. By the was traveling. Square. Q. Your answer? A. From the West, ind Q. Why by the Square? A. Because it is traveling to the East. an emblem of virtue. Q. Why do you leave the West, and travel Q. What is a Square? A. An angle ex- to the East? A. In search of more light. 'V tending to ninety degrees, or the fourth part Q. How did the Worshipful Master then of a circle, dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be Q. Where was you prepared to be made a conducted back to the West, from whence I Fellow Craft Mason? A. In a room adjacent came, and put in care of the Senior Warden, to the body of a just and lawfully constituted who taught me how to approach the East, Lodge of such, duly assembled in a room, or by advancing upon two upright regular steps place, representing the middle chamber of to the second step, my feet forming the right King Solomon's temple. angle of an oblong square, and my body erect Q. How was you prepared? A. By being at the altar before the Worshipful Master. divested of all metals: neither naked nor Q. What did the Worshipful Master do clothed; barefooted nor shod; hood-winked; with you? 'A. He made a Fellow Craft Mawith a cable-tow twice round my neck; in son of me. which situation I was conducted to the door Q. How? A. In due form. of the Lodge, where I gave two distinct Q. What was that due form? A. My right knocks. knee bare bent; my left knee forming a Q. What did those two distinct knocks al- square; my right hand on the Holy Bible, lude to? A. The second degree in Mason- Square, and Compass; my left arm forming ry; it being that on which I was about to an angle, supported by the square, and my enter. hand in a vertical position: in which posture Q. What was said to you from within? A. I took upon me the solemn oath, or obligaWho comes there, Who cones there.' tion, of a Fellow Craft Miason. [See page Q. Your answer? A A worthy brother, 15 for obligation.] who has been regularly initiated as an Enter- Q. After your oath, or obligation, what 20 THE MYSTERIES vwas said to you. A. I was asked what I most desired. Q. Your answer? A. More light. Q. On being brought to light, what did you discover different from before? A. One point ot the compass elevated above the square, which denoted light in this degree; but as one point was yet in obscurity, it was to remind me that I was yet one material point in the dark, respecting Masonry. Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East, under the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason, who presented me with his right hand in token of brotherly love and confidence; and proceeded to give me the pass-grip and word of a Fellow Craft Mason, and bid me arise and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens, and convince them that I had been regularly passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft, and had the sign, grip, and word, of a Fellow Craft Masoh. Q. What next did you discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me a second time from the East, who presented me a lamb-skin, or white apron; which, he said, he hoped I would continue to wear with honor to myself and satisfaction and advantage to my brethren. Q. What was you next presented with? A. The working tools of a Fellow Craft Mason. Q. What are they? A. The Plumb, Square, and Level. Q. What do they teach? [I think this question ought to be, "How explained?"] A. The plumb is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to raise perpendiculars; the square, to square the work; and the level, to lay horizontals: but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes. The plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly, in our several stations, before God and, man; squaring our actions by the square of virtue; and remembering that we are all traveling, mpon the level of time, to that undiscovered icountry, from whose bourne no traveler returns. Q. What was you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels. Q. What were they? A. Faith, Hope, *Id Charity. Q. What do they teach? A. Faith in God, Ihope in immortality, and charity to all manaind. Q. How was you then disposed of? A. I as conducted out of the Lodge, and invested,of what I had been divested. SECTION SECOND.-Question-Have you ver worked as a Fellow Craft Mason? Anwer-I have, in speculative; but our foretthers wrought both in speculative and operative Masonry. Q. Where did they work? A. At the building of King Solomon's temple, and many ether Masonic edifices. Q. How long did they work? A. Six days. Q. Did they not work on the seventh? A. They did not. -Q. Why so? A.' Because in six days God OF FREE MIASONRY. created the heavens and the earth, and rested on the seventh day; the seventh day, therefore, our ancient brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labors; thereby enjoying more frequent opportunities to contem plate the glorious works of creation, and adore their great Creator. Q. Did you ever return to the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King Solpmon's temple? A. I did. Q. By what way' A. Thrqugh a long porch, or alley. Q. Did anything particular strike your attention on your return? A. There did; viz.: -two large columns, or pillars, one on thi left hand, and the other on the right. Q. What was the name of the one on the left hand? A. Boaz, to denote strength. Q. What was t.e name of the one on the right hand? A. Jachin, denoting establishment. Q. What do they collectively allude tot A. A passage in scripture, wherein God has declared in his word, "In strength shall this house be established." Q. What were their dimensions? A Eighteen culits in height, twelve in circum1 ference, and four in diameter. Q. Were-they'adorned with anything? AThey were; with two large chapiters, one on each. Q. Were they ornamented with anything? A. They were; with wreaths of net work, lily work, and pomegranates. Q. What do they denote? A. Unity, Peace, and Plenty. Q. Why so? A. Net work, from its connection, denotes union; lily work, from its whiteness and purity, denotes peace; and pomegranates, from the exuberance of its seed, denotes plenty. Q. Were those columns adorned with any thing further? A. They were, viz.:-two large globes, or balls, one on each. Q. Did they contain anything? A. They did, viz.:-all the maps and charts of the celestial and terrestrial bodies. Q.. Why are they said to be so extensive? A. To denote the universality of Masonry, and that a Mason's charity ought to be equaky extensive. Q. What was their composition? A. Molten, or cast brass. Q. Who cast them? A. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Q. Where were they cast? A. On the banks of the river Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zaradatha, where King Solomon ordered these, and all other holy vessels to be cast. Q. Were they cast solid or hollow? A. Hollow. Q. What was their thickness? A. Four inches, or a hand's breadth. Q. Why were they cast hollow? A. The better to withstand inundations or conflagrations; were the archives of Masonry, and contained the constitution, rolls and records. Q. What did you next come to? A. A long, winding stair case, with three, fiveo, seven steps, or more THE MYSTERIES 01 OF IEE MASONRY. 21 Q. What does the three steps allude to? A, The three principal supports in Masonry, viz.:-wisdom, strength, and beauty. Q. What does the five steps allude to? A. The five orders in architecture, and the five human senses. Q. What are the five orders in architecture? A. The Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite. Q. What are the five human senses? A. Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting; the first three of which have ever been deemed highly essential among Masons; hearing, to hear the word, seeing, to see the sign, and feeling, to feel the grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as well as in the light. Q, What does the seven steps allude to? A. The seven sabbatical years; seven years of famine; seven years in building the temple; seven golden candle-sticks; seven wonders of the world; seven planets; but more especially the seven liberal arts and sciences; which are, grammar, rhetoric, Yogic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. For these, and many other reasons, the number seven has ever been held in high estimation among Masons. Q. What did you next come to? A. The outer door of the middle chamber of King Solomoi's temple, which I foynd partly open, but closely tyled by the Junioi Warden. Q. How did you gain admission? A. By a pass, and token of a pass. Q. What was the name of the pass? A. Shibboleth. Q. What does it denote? A. Plenty. Q. Why so? A. From an ear of corn being placed at the water-ford. Q. Why was this pass instituted? A. In consequence of a quarrel which had long existed between Jephthah, Judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites; the latter of whom had long been a stubborn, rebellious people, whom Jephthah had endeavored to subdue by lenient measures, but to no effect. The Ephraimites, being highly incensed against Jephthah, for not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, assembled a mighty army, and passed over the river Jordan to give Jephthah battle; but he, being apprised of their approach, called together the men of Israel, and gave them battle, and put them to flight; and to make his victory more complete, he ordered guards to be placed at the different passes on the banks of the river Jordan, and commanded, if the Ephraimites passed that way, that they should pronounce the word Shibboleth; but they, being of a different tribe, pronounced it Sibboleth; which trifling defect proved them spies, and cost them their lives: and there fell that day, at the different passes on the banks of the river Jordan, forty and two thousand. This word was (Aso used by our ancient brethren to distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been adopted as a proper pass-word, to be given before entering any well regulated and governed Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons. Q. What did you next discover? A. The inner door of the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple, which I found partly open., but closely tyled by the Senior Warden. Q. How did you gain admission? A. Bythe grip and word. Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose es you? A, He ordered me to be conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, who informed re that I had been admitted into the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple for the sake of the letter G. Q. Does it denote anything? A. It does; DEITY:-before whom we should all bow with reverence, worship, and adoration. It also denotes geometry, the fifth science; it being that on which this degree was principally founded. Thus ends the second degree of Masonry;. The Third, or.Master.Mason's Degree. THE traditional account of the death, several burials, and resurrection of Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, (as hereafter narrated,) admitted as facts, this degree is certainly very interesting. The Bible informs us,that there. was a person of that name employed at the building of King Solomon's temple; but neither the Bible, the writings of Josephus, nor any other writings, however ancient, of whicb I have any krowledge, furnish any information respecting his death. It is very singular, that a man, so celebrated as Hiram Abiff was, an arbiter between Solomon, King of Israel, and Hiram, King of Tyre, universally acknowledged as the third most distinguished man then living, and, in many respects, the greatest man in the world, should pass 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 neither King Solomon, his bosom friend, nor any other among his numerous friends, even recorded his death or anything about him. A person, who has received the two preceding degrees, and wishes to be raised t% the sublime degree of a Master Mason, is (the Lodge being opened as in the preceding degrees,) conducted from the preparation room to the door, (the manner of preparing him is particularly explained in the lecture,) where he gives three distinct knocks, wheni the Senior Warden rises and says, " Worshipful, while we are peaceably at work on the third degree of Masonry, undexr the influence of humanity, brotherly love, and affectios the door of our Lodge appears to be alarmed.' The Master to the Junior Deac6n, "Brother Junior, inquire the cause of that alarm.' The Junior Deacon then steps to the door and answers the three knocks that have been given, by three more; (the knocks are much louder than those given on any occasion, other than that of the admission of candidates in the several degrees:) one knock is then given without, and answered by one from within, when the door is partly opened, and the Junior Deacon asks, " Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there?" The Senior Deacon answers, " A worthy brother, who hasbeen regularly initiated as an Entered Ap, 22 THlE MYSTERIEIS OF rnxR11' 2ASOIiRlY. prentice Mason, passed to the degree of a Fel ductor and candidate traveling, and the Master low Craft, and novw wishes for further light in reading, so that the traveling and reading terXMasonry, by being raised to the sublime degree minates at the same time: " Rememzber now of a Master Mason." Junior Deacon to Senior thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while Deacon, " Is it of his own free will and ac- the evil days come not, nor the years draw cord he makes this request?" A. " It is." nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, " Is he wor- in them; while the sun, or the moon, or the thy and well qualified?" A. "He is." Junior stars be not darkened, nor the clouds return Deacon to Senior Deacon, " Has he made after the rain; in the day when the keepers suitable proficiency in the preceding degree? of the house shall tremble, and the strong A. " He has." Junior Deacon to Senior Dea- men shall bow themselves,' and the grinders "on, " By what further rights does he expect cease because they are few, and those that to obtain this benefit?" A. " By the benefit look out of the windows be darkened, and of a pass-word." Junior Deacon to Senior the doors shall be shut in the streets; when Deacon, " Has he a pass-word?" A. " He the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall has not, but I have it for him." Junior Dea- rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the con to Senior Deacon, " Will you give it to daughters of music shall be brought low. me?" The Senior Deacon then whispers Also, when they shall be afraid of that which in the ear of the Junior Deacon, " Tubal is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the Cain." Junior Deacon says, "The pass is almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopright; since this is the case, you will wait till per shall be a burthen, and desire shall fail: the Worshipful Master be made acquainted because man goeth to his long home, and the with his request, and his answer returned." mourners go about the streets. Or ever the The Junior Deacon then repairs to the Mas- silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be ter, and gives three knocks, as at the door; broken, or the pitcher be broken at the founafter answering which, the same questions tain, or the wheel at the cistern. Then shall are asked and answers returned, as at the the dust return to the earth, as it was; and door; when the Master says, " Since he the spirit return unto God who gave it." The comes endued with all these necessary qual- conductor and candidate halt at the Junior ifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge Warden in the South, where the same quesin the name of the Lord, and take heed on tions are asked and answers returned, as at what he enters." The Junior Deacon re- the door; he is then conducted to the Senior turns to the door and says, " Let him enter Warden, where the same questions are asked this Worshipful Lodge in the name of the and answers returned, as before; from thence Lord, and take heed on what he enters." In he is conducted to the Worshipful Master in entering, both points of the compass are the East, who asks the same questions and pressed against hi3 naked right and left receives the same answers as before; and who breasts, when the Junior Deacon stops the likewise asks the candidate, from whence he candidate, and says, " Brother, when you came, and whither he is traveling? Ans. first entered this Lodge, you was received on "From the West, and traveling to the East." the point of the compass pressing your naked Q. " Why do you leave the West, and travel left breast, which was then explained to to the East?" A. "In search of more light." you; when you entered it the second time, The Master then says to the Senior Deacon, you was received on the angle of the square, " You will please conduct the candidate back which was also explained to you; on enter- to the West, from whence he came, and put ing it now, you are received on the two ex- him in the care of the Senior Warden, and treme points of the compass pressing your request him to teach the candidate how to naked right and left breasts, which are thus approach the East, by advancing upon three explained: " As the most vital parts of man upright regular steps to the third step, his are contained between the two breasts, so are feet forming a square, his body erect at the the most valuable tenets of Masonry contained altar before the Worshipful Master, and place between the two extreme points of the comrn- him in a proper position to take upon him pass, which are, 'virtue, morality, and bro- the solemn oath, or obligation, of a Master therly love.'" The Senior Deacon then con- Mason." The Master then comes to the canducts the candidate three times regularly didate, and says, " Brother, you are now round the Lodge. [I wish the reader to ob- placed in a proper position, (the lecture exserve, that on this, as well as every other de- plains it,) to take upon you the solemn oath, gree, the Junior Warden is the first of the three or obligation, of a Master Mason; which I principal officers that the candidate passes, assure you, as before, is neither to affect traveling with the sun, when he starts round your religion nor politics. If you are willing the Lodge and as he passes the Junior War- to take it, repeat your name, and say after den, Senior Warden, and Master, the first me:"time going round, they each give one rap; the " I, A: B., of my own free will and accord, ~econd time, two raps; and the third time, in the presence of Almighty God, and thus three raps. The number of raps given, on Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected those occasions, are the same as the number to God, and dedicated to the holy order of of the degree, except the first degree, en St. John, do hereby and hereon, most solemnly which three are given, I always thought im- and sincerely promise and swear, in addition properly.] During the time the candidate is to my former obligations, that I will not give traveling round the room, the Master reads the degree of a Master Mason to any one of the following passage of scripture, the con- an inferior degree, nor to any other being is THE MYSTBIRIES OF FREE MASONiRY. 23 thle known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother, or brethren Master Masons, or within the body of a just and 4awfully iconstituted Lodge of such; and not unto him, nor unto them, whom I shall hear so to be, Sbut unto him and them only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due examinaStion, or lawful information received. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not give the Master's word, which I shall hereafter receive, neither in the Lodge, nor out of it, except it be on the five points of fellwvship, and then not above my breath. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not give the grand hailing sign of distress, except I am in real distress, or for the benefit of the craft when at work; and should I ever see that sign given, or the word accompanying it, and the person who gave it appearing to be in distress, I will fly to his relief at the risk of my life, should there be a greater probability of saving his life than of losing my own. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not wrong this Lodge, nor a brother of this degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in.my power to prevent It. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating, passing, and raising a candidate at one communication, without a regular dispensation from the Grand Lodge for the same. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not be at the initiating, passing, or raising, a candidate in a clandestine Lodge, I knowing it to be such. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not be at the initiating of an old man in dotage, a young man in nonage, an atheist, irreligious libertine, idiot, madman, hermaphrodite, nor woman. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not speak evil of a brother Master Mason, neither behind his back, nor before his face, but will apprize him of all approaching danger, if in my power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will fiot violate the chastity of a Master Mason's wife, mother, sister, or daughter, I lemowing them to be such, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will support the constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of --, under which,this Lodge is held, and conform to all the bylaws, rules and regulations of this, or any other Lodge, of which I may, at any time hereafter, become a member. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will obey all regular signs, summons, or tokens, given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a brother Master Mason, or from the body of a just and lawfully constituted LJdge of such; provided it be within the length of my cable-tow. Furthermore, do I promise and twqear that a Master Mason's secrets, given to me in charge as sucn, and I knowing them to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as in his own, when communicated to me, murder and treason excepted; and they left to my own election. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that 1 will go on a Master Mason's errand, whenever re: uired, even should I have to go barefoot, and bareheaded, if within the length of my cable-tow.* Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will always remember a brother Master Mason, when on my knees, offering up my devotions to Almighty God. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will be aiding and assisting all poor indigent Master Masons, their wives and orphans, wheresoever dispbsed round the globe, as far as in my power, without injuring myself or family materially. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that if any part of this my solemn oath or obligation be omitted at this time. that I will hold myself amenable thereto, wheýsver informed. To all which I do most so:m nlvy and sincerely promise and swear, with a lsd and steady purpose of mind tn me, to keep and perform the same, binding myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two in the midst, and divided to the North and South, my bowels burnt to ashes in the centre, and the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that there might not the least tract or trace of remembrance remain among men or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, were I ever to prove wilfully guilty of violating any part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Master Mason; so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same." The Master then asks the candidate, "What do you most desire?" The candidate answers after his prompter, " More light." The bandage which was tied round his head in the preparation room, is, by one of the brethren who stands behind him for that purpose, loosened and put over both eyes, and he is immediately brought to light in the same. manner as in the preceding degree, except three stamps on the floor, and three claps of the hands are given in this degree. On being brought'to light, the Master says to the candidate, "You first discover, as before, three great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three lesser, with this difference, both points of the compass are elevated above the square, which denotes to you that you are about to receive all the light that can be conferred on you in a Mason's Lodge." The Master st3ps back from the candidate and says, " Brcpter you now discover me as Master of this Jlegt approaching you from the East, und.o. sign and due-guard of a Master Mason." The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows perpendicularly, one on either side of the head, the elbows forming a square. The words accompanying this sign in case of distress, are, " 0 Lord my God, is there no help for the widow's son!" As the last words drop from your lips you let your hands fall in that manner best calculated to indicate solemnity. King Solomon is said to have made this exclamation on the receipt of the information of the death of Hiram Abiff. Ma* Literally a rope several yards in length, but mys.tically three miles; so that a Master Mason must go on a brother Master Mason's errand whenever required, the d'itance of three miles, should he have to go barefoot and bareheaded. In the degrees of knight. hood the distance is fo"vy miles. 24 THE MYSTERIS 0; FREE MASONRY. ons are all charged never to give the words emulation, of who can best work, or best except in the dark, when the sign cannot be agree. I also present you with three pre seen. Here Masons differ very much; some cious jewels; their names are Humanity,. contend that Solomon gave this sign, and Friendship, and Brotherly Love. Brother, made this exclamation, when informed of you are not yet invested with all the secrets Hiram's death, and work accordingly in their of this degree, nor do I know whether you Lodges. Others say the sign was given, and ever will, until I know how you withstand the exclamation made at the grave when the amazing trials and dangers that await you. Solomon went there to raise Hiram, and of You are now about to travel to give us a course they work accordingly; that is to say, specimen of your fortitude, perseverance, and the Master who governs a Lodge holding the fidelity, in the preservation of what you have latter opinion, gives the sign, &c. at the grave, already received; fare you well, and may the when he goes to raise the body, and vice versa. Lord be with you, and support you through The due-guard is given by putting the right your trials and difficulties." [In some Lodges hand to the left side of the bowels, the hand they make him pray before he starts,] The open, with the thumb next to the belly, and candidate is then conducted out of the Lodge, drawing it across the belly, and let it fall; clothed, and returns; as he enters the door, this is done tolerably quick. After the Mas- his conductor says to him, " Brother, we ter has given *he sign and due-guard, which are now in a place representing the sanctumv does not take more than a minute, he says, sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King "Brother, I now present you with my right Solomon's temple. It was the custom of hand in token of brotherly love and affection, our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day and with it the pass-grip and word." The at high twelve, when the crafts were from pass-grip is given by pressing the thumb be- labor to refreshment, to enter into the sanetween the jointe of the second and third fin- tum sanctorum, and offer up his devotions gers, where they join the hand, and the word to the ever living God. Let us, in imitaor name is Tubal Cain. It is the pass-word tion of him, kneel and pray." They then to the Master's degree. The Master after kneel, and the conductor says the following having given the candidate the pass-grip and prayer: word, bids him rise and salute the Junior and " Thou, 0 God, knowest our down sitting Senior Wardens, and convince them that he and up rising, and understandest our thoughts is an obligated Master Mason, and is in pos- afar off; shield and defend us from the evil session of the pass-grip and word. While intentions of our enemies, and support us unthe Wardens are examining the candidate, der the trials and afflictions we are destined the Master returns to the East and gets an to endure, while traveling through this vale apron, and as he returns to the candidate, one of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of of the Wardens, [sometimes both,] says to few days, and full of trouble. He cometh the Master, "Worshipful, we are satisfied forth as a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth that Brother - is an obligated Master also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing Mason." The Master then says to the candi- his days are determined, the number of his' date, " Brother, I now have the honor to pre- months are with thee, thou hast appointed sent you with a lamb-skin, or white aspron, as his bounds that he cannot pass; turn frombefore, which, I hope, you will continue to him that he may rest, till he shall acwear with credit to yourself, and satisfaction complish his day. For there is hope of a and advantage to the brethren; you will please tree if it be cut down, that it will sprout OnJy it to the Senior Warden in the West, again, and that the tender branch thereof 0 w\ill teach you how to wear it as a Master will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth fT;eD." away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, arnd ~0 Senior Warden ties on his apron, and where is he? As the waters fail from the ts the flap fall down before in its natural sea, and flood decayeth and drieth up, so man and common situation. lieth down and riseth not up till the heavensThe Master returns to his seat, and the shall be no more. Yet, O Lord! have corncandidate is conducted to him. Master to passion on the children of thy creation; adcandidate, " Brother, I perceive you are minister unto them comfort in time of troudressed, it is, ur course, necessary you should ble, and save them with an everlasting salvahave tools to work with; I will now present tien. Amen--so mote it be." you with the working tools of a Master Ma- They then rise, and the conductor says to son, and explain their uses to you. The the candidate, " Brother, in further imitaworking tools of a Master Mason are all the tion of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, let implements of Masonry indiscriminately; but us retir at the South gate." They then admore especially the trowel. The trowel is an vance tothe Junior Warden, (who represent. instrument made use of by operative masons Jubela, one of the ruffians,) who exclaims, to spread the cement which unites a building " Who comes here?" [The room is darmk, of into one common mass; but we, as Free and the candidate hood-winked.] The conductor Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of answers, " Our Grand Master, Hirnam AbfiiT" it for the more noble and glorious purpoee of "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abif!" exclaims spreading the cement of brotherly love and the ruffian, "he is the very man I wanted to affection; that cement which unites us into see; (seizing the candidate by the throat at one sacred band or society of friends and bro- the same time, and jerking him about with thers, among whom no co;tention should ever violence;) give me the MIaster Mason's vword,. exist, but that noble contention, or rather or I'll take your life." The conductoh r re THI. MYfYSTERi-ES OF FREE MASONRY. plies, " I cannot give it now, but it you will wait till the Grand Lodge assembles at Jerusalem, if you are worthy, you shall thei. receive it, otherwise you cannot." The ruffian then gives the candidate a blow with the twenty-four inch guage a6ross the throat, on which he fled to the West gate, where he was accosted by the second ruffian,.kbelo, with more violence, and on his refusing to comply with his request, he gave him a severe blow with the square across his breast; on which he attempted to make his escape at the East gate, where he was accosted by the third ruffian, Jubelum, with still more violence, and refusing to cemply with his request, the ruffian gave him a violent blow with the common gavel on the forehead, which brought him to the floor, on which one of them exclaimed, " What shall we do, we have killed our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff?" Another answers, " Let us carri4 him out at the East gate, and bury him in the rubbish till low twelve, and then meet and carry him a Westerly course and bury him." The candidate is then taken up in a blanket, on which he fell, and carried to the West end of the Lodge, and covered up and left; by this time the Master has resur.ad his seat, (King Solomon is supposed to arrive at the temple at this juncture,) and calls to order, and asks the Senior War. den the cause of all that confusion; the Senior Warden answers, "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, is missing, and there are no plans or designs laid down on the tressleboard for the crafts to pursue their labor." The Master, alias King Solomon, replies, " Our Grand Master missing! our Grand Master has always been very punctual in his attendance; I fear he is indisposed; assemble the crafts, and search in and about the temple, and see if he can be found." They all shuffle about the floor awhile, when the Master calls them to order, and asks the Senior Warden, " What success?" He answers, " We cannot find our Grand Master, my Lord." The Master then orders the Secretary to call the roll of workmen, and see whether any of them are missing. The Secretary and made him employ, after the temple is finished, and that suspicious of a deception; on which he hailed I may be able to support my wife and chil- his companions, who immediately assembled, dren." Hiram persisting in his refusal; he and on examination, found that the earth had gave Hiram a violent blow with the gavel, on been recently moved; and on moving the rubthe forehead, which felled him to the floor bish, discovered the appearance-of the grave; and killed him-they took the body and car- and while they were confabulating about what ried it out of the West gate, and buried it in measures to take, they heard voices issuing the rubbish, till low twelve at night, (which from a cavern in the clefts of the rocks, on is twelve o'clock,) when they three met agree- which they immediately repaired to the place, ably to appointment, and carried the body a where they heard the voice of Jubela exclaim. Westerly course, and burie!dit at the brow of " 0! that my throat had been cut across, my a hill, in a grave, dug due East and West six tongue torn out, and my body buried in the:feet perpendicular,' and made their' escape. rough sands of the sea at low water-mark,:Kirin Solomon coming up to the temple at where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twety 28 TIHE AVVSTERtX' S OF FREE WASONR. four hours, ere 1 had been accessary to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff:"-on which they distinctly heard the voice of Jubelo exclaim, " 0! that my left breast had been torn open, and my heart and vitals taken from thence, and thrown over my left shoulder, carried into the valley of Jehosaphat, there to become a prey to the wild beasts of the field, and vultures of the air, ere Lhad conspired to take the life of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff#- hen they more distinctly heard the vbiece of Jubelum exclaim, " 0! that my body had been severed in two in the midst, and divided to the North and the South, my bowels burint to ashes in the centre, and the ashes scattered by the four winds of heaven, that there might not remain the least trace of remembrance among men, or Masons, of so vile and perjured a wretch as I am, who wilfully took the life of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Ah! Jubela and Jube1o, it was I that struck him harder than you both!-it was I that gave him the fatal blow! -it was I that.killed him outright!" on which, they rushed' forward, seized, bound, and carried them before King Solomon, who, after hearing the testimony of the three Fellow Crafts, and the three ruffians having pleaded guilty, ordered* them to be taken out at the West gate of the temple, and executed agreeably to the several imprecations of their own mouths. King Solomon then ordered fifteen Fellow Crafts to be elected from the bands of the workmen, clothed with white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, and sent three East, three West, three North, three South; and three in and about the temple, in search of the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; and the three that traveled a Westlerly course found it under a sprig of cassia, where a worthy brother sat down to rest and refresh himself; and on removing the earth till they came to the coffin, they involuntarily found their hands raised, as herein before described, to guard their nostrils against the offensive effluvia that rose from the grave. It is also said, that the body had lain there fourteen days; some say, fifteen. The body was raised in the manner herein before described, carried up to the temple, and buried as explained in the closing clauses of the lecture. Not one third part of the preceding history of this degree is ever given to a candidate. A few general, desultory, unconnected remarks are made to him, and he is generally referred to the manner of raising, and to the lecture, for information as to the particulars. Here follows a charge which ought to be, and sometimes is, delivered to the candidate after hearing the history of the degree. An address to be delivered to the Candidate after the History has been given. " Brother, your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the mystery, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor ard esteem. " You are bound, by'duty, honor, and grati tude, to be faithful to ydur trust; to suppor' the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example,. obedience to the tenets of the order. "In the character of a Master Mason you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. " To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied, must be your constant care; and, for this purpose, it is your province to recommend to your inferiors, obedience and' submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you arealways to inculcate; and, by the regularity of your own behavior, afford the best example' for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve; andnever suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity. " Your virtue, honor, and reputation, are concerned in supporting, with dignity, the character you now bear. Let no motive,. therefore, make you swerve from your duty,. violate your vow, or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you this evening represent; thus you will render yourself deserving the honor which we have conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed." Here follows the lecture on this degree, which is divided into three sections. SECTION FIRST.-Question-Are you a Master Mason? Answer-I am; try me; disprove me if you can. Q. Where were you prepared to be made a Master Mason? A. In a room adjacent to the. body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, duly assembled in a room, repiesent.ing the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King Solomon's temple. Q. How were you prepared? A. By being divested of all metals: neither naked nor clothed; barefooted nor shod; with a cabletow three times about my naked body; in which posture I was conducted to the door of the Lodge, where I gave three distinct knocks. Q. What did those three distinct kaocks allude to:? A, To the third degree in Masonry; it being that on which I was about to enter. Q. What was said to you from within? A Who comes there, Who comes there, Who comes there. Q. Your answer? A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was of my own freewill and accord I made this request; if I was duly and truly prepared; worthy and well qualifled; and had made suitable proficiency i, THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 29 tie preceding degrees: all of which being answered it tLe affirmative, I was asked, by what further rights I expected to obtain that benefit Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. Q. What was that pass-word? A. Tubal Cain. V Q. What was next said to you? A. I was bid to wait till the Worshipful Master in the East was made acquainted with my request, -and his answer returned. Q. After his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to enter the Lodge on the two extreme points of the compass, pressing my right and left breasts, in the name of the Lord. Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted three times regularly round the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned, as at the door. Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned, as before. Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned, as before; who likewise demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and 'traveling to the East. Q. Why do you leave the West, and travel -to the East? A. In search of light. Q.WHow did the Worshipful Master dispose of you?' A. 'He ordered me to be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in care of the Senior Warden,,who taught me how to approach the East, by advancing upon three upright regular steps to the third step, my feet forming a square, and my body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master. Q. What did the Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made an obligated Master Mason of me. Q. How? A. In due form. Q. What was that due form? A. Both my knees bare bent, they forming a square; both hands on the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass; in which posture I took upon me the solemn oath, or obligation, of a true Master Mason. Q. After your obligation, what was said to you? A. What do you most desire. Q. Your answer? A. More light. [The *bandage round the head, is now dropped over the eyes.] Q. Did you receive light? A. I did. Q. On being brought to light on this degree, what did you first discover? A. Three great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three less, and both points of the Compass,elevated above the Square; which denoted to me that I had received, or was about to receive, all the light that could be conferred on vme in a Master's Lodge Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East, under the sign and due-guard of a Master Mason, who presented me with his right hand in token of brotherly love and confidence; and proceeded to give me the passgrip and word of a Master Mason, [the word is the name of the pass-grip;] and bid me rise and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens, and convince them that I was an obligated Master Mason, and had the sign, passgrip, and word. (Tubal Cain.) ~ Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me a second time from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or white apron; which, he said, he hoped I would continue to wear with honor to myselh -nd satisfaction and advantage to the brethren. Q. What were 'ou next presented with? A. The workifg tools of a Master Mason. Q. What are they? A. All the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the trowel. Q.. How explained? A. 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 purposes of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society, of brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best work, or best agree. Q. What were you next presented with? A. Three precious jewelsQ. What are they? A. Humanity, Friendship, and Brotherly love. Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted out of the Lodge, and invested of what I had been divested, and returned again in due season. SSCTION SECOND.-Question-Did you ever return to the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King Solomon's temple? A. I did. Q. Was there anything in particular took place on your return? A. There was, viz.: I was accosted by three ruffians, who demanded of me the Master Mason's word. Q. Did you ever give it to them? A. I did not, but bid them wait, with time and patience, till the Grand Lodge assembled at Jerusalem; and then, if they were found worthy, they should receive it; otherwise they could not. Q. In what manner was you accosted? A. In attempting to retire at the South gate, I was accosted by one of them, who demanded of me the Master Mason's word, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a blow with the twenty-four inch guage, across my breast; on which I fled to the West gate, where I was accosted by the second with more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a severe blow, with the square, across my breast; on which I attempted to make my escape at the East gate, where I was accosted by the third wilA 30 THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY still more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a violent blow with the common gavel, on the forehead, and brought me to the floor. Q. Whom did you represent at that time? A. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was slain at the building of King Solomon's temple. Q. Was his death premeditated? A. It was;-by fifteen Fellow Crafts, who conspired to extort from him the Master Mason's word; twelve of,whom recanted, but the other three were base enough to carry their atrocious deisigns into execution. Q. What did they do with the body? A. They carried it out at the West gate of the temple, and buried it till low twelve at night, when they three met agreeably to appointment, and carried it a Westerly course from the temple, and buried it under the brow of a hill, in a grave six feet due East and West, six feet perpendicular, and made their escape. Q. What time was he slain? A. At high twelve at noon, when the crafts were from labor to refreshment. Q. How came he to be alone at that time? A. Because it was the usual custom of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day, at highetwelve, when the crafts were from labor to refreshment, to enter into the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, and offer up his adorations to the ever living God, and draw out his plans and designs on his tressle-board for the crafts to pursue their labor. Q. At what time was he missing? A. At low six in the morning, when King Solomon came up to the temple, as usual, to view the work, and found the crafts all in confusion; and, on inquiring the cause, he was informed that their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was missing, and no plans or designs were laid down on the tressle-board for the crafts to pursue their labor. Q. What observations did King Solomon make at that time? A. He observed that our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had always been very punctual in attending, and feared that he was indisposed, and ordered search to be made in and about the temple, to see if he could be found. Q. Search being made, and he not found, what further remarks did King Solomon make? A. He observed he feared some fatal accident had befallen our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff-that morning twelve Fellow,Crafts, clothed in white gloves and aprons in token of their innocence, had confessed that they twelve, with three others, had conspired to extort the Master Mason's word from their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, or take his life; that they twelve had recanted, but feared the other three had been base en6ugh to carry their atrocious designs into execution. Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered the roll of workmen to be called, to see. there were any missing. Q. The roll being called, were there any missing? A. There were three, viz.: Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum. Q. Were the uuffians ever found? A. They were. Q. How? A. By the wisdom of King Solomon, who ordered twelve Fellow Crafts to be. selected from the bands of the workmen, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, and sent three East, three West, three North, and three South, in search of the ruffians, and, if found, to bring them forward. i Q. What success? A. The three that traveled a Westerly course from the temple,. coming near the coast of Joppa, were informed, by a wayfaring man, that three men had' been seen that way that morning, who, from their appearance and dress, were workmen from the temple, inquiring for a passage to Ethiopia; but were unable to obtain one, in consequence of an embargo which had recently been laid on all the shipping, and had turned back into the country. Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered them to go and search again, and search! till they were found, if possible; and if theywere not found, that the twelve, who had confessed, should be considered as the reputed murderers, and suffer accordingly. Q. What success? A. One of the three that traveled a Westerly course from the temple, being more weary than the rest, sat down under the brow of a hill, to rest and refresh himself; and, in attempting to rise, caught hold of a sprig of cassia, which easily gave way, and excited his curiosity, and made him*. suspicious of a deception, on which he hailed'. his companions, who immediately assembled; and, on examination, found that the earth had recently been moved, aad, on moving the rubbish, discovered the appearance of a grave; and while they were confabulating about what measures to take, they eard voices issuing from a cavern in theclefts`of the rocks, on which they immediately repaired to the place, where they heard the voice of Jubela exclaim, " 0! that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at -low water-mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twentyfour hours, ere I had been accessary to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff:"-on which they distinctly heard the voice of Jubelo exclaim, " 0! that my left breast had been torn open, and my heart and vitals taken from thence, and thrown over my left shoulder, carried to the valley of Jehosaphat, there to become a prey to the wild beasts of the field, and vultures of the air, ere I had conspired to take the life of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff:"-when they more distinctly heard the voice of Jubelum exclaim, " 0! that my body had been severed'in two in the midst, and divided to the North and the South, my bowels burnt to ashes in the centre, and the ashes scattered by the four winds of heaven, that there might not remain the least track or trace of remembrance among men or Masons, of so vile and perjured a wretch as I am, who wilfully took the life of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Ah! Jubela and.ubelo, it was I that struck him harder than you both! it was I that gave him the fatal blow! it was I that killed him outright!' on THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRI. 31 which, they rushed forward, seized, bound, Q. What did they represent? A. The pilind carried them up before King Solomon. lar of Wisdom represented Solomon, King of Q. What did King Solomon do with them? Israel, whose wisdom contrived the mighty A He ordered them to be executed agreeably fabric; the pillar of strength, Hiram, King of to the several imprecations of their own Tyre, who strengthened Solomon in his glomouths. rious undertaking; the pillar of beauty, HiQ. Was the body of our Grand Master, Hi- ram Abiff, the widow's son, whose cunning ram Abiff, ever found? A. It was. craft and curious workmanship beautified and Q. How? A. By the wisdom of King adorned the temple. Solomon, who ordered fifteen (in some Lodges Q. How many were there employed in the they say twelve) Fellow Crafts to be selected building of King Solomon's temple? A. from the bands of the workmen, and sent three Three Grand Masters; three thousand three East, three West, three North, and three hundred Masters, or overseers of the work; South, and three in and about the temple, in eighty thousand Fellow Crafts; and seventy search of the body. thousand Entered Apprentices: all those Q. Where was it found? A. Under that were classed and arranged in such a manner, sprig of cassia where a worthy brother sat by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, down to rest and refresh himself. discord, nor confusion were suffered to interQ. Was there anything particular took rupt that universal peace and tranquility that place on the discovery of the body? A. pervaded the work at that important period. There was, viz.: en removing the earth till Q. How many constitutes an Entered Apthey came to the coffin, they involuntarily prentice's Lodge? A. Seven; one Master found their hands raised in this position, to and six Entered Apprentices. guard their nostrils against the offensive ef- Q. Where did they usually meet? A. On fuvia that rose from the grave, the ground floor of King Solomon's temple. Q. How long had the body lain there? A. Q. How many constitutes a Fellow Craft's Fourteen days. Lodge? A. Five; two Masters and three Q. What did they do with the body? A. Fellow Crafts. Raised it in a masonic form, and carried it up Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In to the temple for more decent interment, the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple. Q. Where was it buried? A. Under the Q. How many constitutes a Master's Lodge sanctum sanctorum,. or holy of holies, of A. Three Master Masons. King Solomon's temple, over which they Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In erected a marble monument, with this inscrip- the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, tion delineated thereon:-A virgin weeping of King Solomon's temple. over a broken column, with a book open be- Q. Have you any emblems on this degree fore her; in her right hand a sprig of cassia; A. We have several, which are divided into in her left, an urn:-Time standing behind two classes. her, with his hands infolded in the ringlets Q. What are the first class? A. The pot of her hair. of incense; the bee-hive; the book of conQ. What do they denote. A. The weep- stitutions, guarded by the Tyler's sword; the ing virgin denotes the unfinished state of the sword, pointing to a naked heart: the all-seetemple; the broken column, that one of* the ing eye; the anchor and ark; the forty-seventh principal supporters of Masonry had fallen; problem of Euclid; the hour-glass; the the book open before her, that his memory scythe; and the three steps usually delineawas on perpetual record; the sprig of cassia, ted on the Master's carpet, which are thus the timely discovery of his grave; the urn in explained:-The pot of incense is an emblem her left hand, that his ashes were safely de- of a pure heart, which is always an aceeptposited under the sanctum sanctorum, or able sacrifice to the Deity; and as this glows holy of holies, of King Solomon's temple; with fervent heat, so should our hearts conand Time, standing behind her with his hands tinually glow with gratitude to the great and infolded in the ringlets of her hair, that time, beneficent Author of our existence, for the patience, and perseverance will accomplish manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy. all things. The bee-hive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all SECTION THIRD.-Question-What does a created beings, from the highest seraph in Master's Lodge represent? A. The sanctum heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King Solo- teaches us, that, as we came into the world mon's temple. rational and intelligent beings, so we should Q. How long was the temple building? A. ever be industrious ones; never sitting down Seven years; during which it rained not in contented, while our fellow creatures around the day time, that the workmen might not be us are in want, when it is in our power to reobstructed in their labor. lieve them, without inconvenience to our. Q. What supported the temple? A. Four- selves. When we take a survey of nature, teen hundred and fifty-three columns, and we behold man, in b i infancy, more helpless two thousand, nine hundred and six pilasters; and indigent than thv; brute creation; he lie9 all hewn from the finest Parian marble, languishing for days, weeks, months, and Q. What further supported it? A. Three years, totally incapable of providing sustegrand columns, or pillars. nance for himself; of guarding against the Q. What were they called? A. Wisdom, attacks of the field, or sheltering himself Strength, and Beauty, from the inclemencies of the weather. It 32 TITKt MYSTERIES 0F fRET tIASOtNRT. 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. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God; and he, who 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. The book of constitutions, guarded by the Tyler's sword, reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded, in our thoughts, words, and actions, and particularly when before the enemies of Masonry; ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection. The sword, pointing to a naked heart, demonstrates that justice will sooner or later overtake us; and, although our thoughts, words, and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men; yet, that all-seeing eye, whom the sun, moon, and stars obey,.and under whose watchful care even comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart, and will reward us according to our merits. The anchor and ark, are emblems of a wellgrounded hope and well spent life. They are emblematical of that divine ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary shall find rest. The forty-seventh problem of Euclid:-this was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras,,who, in his travels through Asia, Africa, aid Europe, was initiated into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things, and more especially in geometry, or Masonry; on this subject he drew out many problems and theorems: and, among the most distinguished, he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart, he called Eureka in the Grecian language signifying, I have found it; and upon the discovery of which he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences. The hour-glass is an emblem of human life. Behold! how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close. We cannot without astonishment behold the little particles which are contained in this machine; how they pass away almost imperceptibly, and yet to our surprise, in the short ipace of an hour they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man ' to-day, he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; to-morrow, blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; the next day comes a frost, which nips the.ahoot, and when he thinks his greatness is still ripening, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth. The scythe is at emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life, and launches us into eternity. Behold what havoc the scythe of time makes among the human race: if, by chance, we should es cape the numerous evils incident to child hood and youth, and, with health and vigor, arrive to the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be cut down by the all devouring scythe of time, and be gathered into the land where our fathers had gone before us. The three steps, usually delineated upon the Mas ter's carpet, are emblematical of the three principal stages of human life, viz.:-youth manhood, and age. In youth, as Enterea Apprentices, we ought industriously to oc cupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge; in manhood, as Fellow Crafts we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to God, out neighbors., and ourselves; so that, in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy re flections consequent on a well spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality. Q. What are the second class of emblems, A. The spade, cofin, death-head, marrow bones, and sprig of cassia, which are thus explained:-The spade opens the vault to receive our bodies, where our active limbs wiK soon moulder to dust. The coffin, death-hea. and marrow bones, are emblematical of the death and burial of our Grand' Master, Hiram Abiff, and are worthy our serious attention. The sprig of cassia is emblematical of that immortal part of man which never dies; and when the cold winter of death shall have passed, and the bright summer's morn of the resurrection appears, the Son of Righteousness shall descend, and send forth his angels to collect our ransomed dust; then, if we are found worthy, by his pass-word, we shall enter into the 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. Here ends the first three degrees of Masonry, which constitute a Master Mason's Lodge. A Master Mason's Lodge and a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, are two distinct bodies, wholly independent of each other. The members of a Chapter are privileged to visit all Master Mason's Lodges when they please; and may be, and often are, members of both at the same time: and all the members of a Master Mason's Lodge who are Royal Arch Masons, though not members of any Chapter, may visit any Chapter. I wish the reader to understand that neither all Royal Arch Masons nor Master Masons are members of either Lodge or Chapter; there are tens of thousands who are not members, and scarcely ever attend, although privileged to do so. A very small proportion of Masons, comparatively speaking, ever advance any further than the third degree, and consequently never get the great word which was los~ y Hiram's untimely death. Solomon, King of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, having sworn that they, nor either of them, would ever give the word THSE MYaSTXRl OF FT MMABON1RY,33 33 except they three were present; (and it is Test-oath.-" I, A. B., of my own free will generally believed that there was not another and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, person in the world, at that time, that had it,) solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, consequently the word was lost, and supposed that I will not communicate the secret testto be forever.; but the sequel will shiow it word, annexed to this obligation, to any but a was found after a lapse of four hundred and true and lawful Master Mason, and that in the seventy years; notwithstanding, the word Mah- body of a lawful Lodge of such, in actual ses-hah-bone, which was substituted by Solomon, sion, or at the door of a Lodge, far the purstill continues to be used by Master Masons, pose of gaining admission; under the penalty and no doubt will, as long as Masonry attracts of being forever disgraced and dishonored as a the attention of men; and the word which man, and despised, degraded, and expelled, as was lost, is used in the Royal Arch Degree. a Mason." What was the word of the Royal Arch Degree, before they found the Master's word, which Fourth, or Mark Master's Degree, was lost at the dea&h of Hiram Abiff, and was CEREMONIES USED IN OPENING A LoDGE OF not found for four hundred and seventy years? MAR HS STEE I IASONS. Were there any Royal Arch Masons before the Master's word was found? I wish some ONE rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls Masonic gentleman would solve these two up the Junior and Senior Deacons; two raps questions, call up the subordinate officers; and three The ceremonies, histories, and the lecture, all the members of the Lodge. The Right in the preceding degree, are so similar, that Worshipful Master having called the Lodge perhaps some one of the three might have to order, and all being seated, the, Right bebn dispensed with, and the subject well Worshipful Master says to the Junior War. understood by most readers, notwithstanding den, " Brother Junior, are they all Mark there is a small difference between the work Master Masons in the South?" Junior Warand history, and between the history and the den answers, "They are, Right Worshipful." lecture. R. W. M. "I thank you, brother." R. W. M. I shall now proceed with the Mark Master's " Brother Senior, are they all Mark Master degree, which is the first degree in the Chap- Masons in the West?" Senior Warden, ter. The Mark Master's degree, the Past "They are, Right- Worshipful." R. W. M. Master's, and the Most Excellent Master's, " They are in the East." At the same time are Lodges of Mark Master Masons, Past gives a rap with the mallet, which calls up Master, and Most Excellent Master; yet, al- both Deacons. R. W. M. "Brother Junior, though called Lodges, they are called compo- the first care of a Mason?" "To see the nent parts of the Chapter. Ask a Mark Mas- Lodge tyled, Right Worshipful." R. W. M. ter Mason if he belongs to the Chapter; he " Attend to that part of the duty, and inform will tell you he does, but that he has only the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge been marked. It is not an uncommon thing, of Mark Master Masons, and direct him to by any means, for a Chapter to confer all four tyle accordingly." Junior Deacon steps to of the degrees in one night, viz:--the Mark the door, and gives four raps, which are anMaster, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, swered by four without, by the Tyler; the and Royal Arch degrees. Junior Deacon then gives one, which is answered by the Tyler with one; the door is Test-oath and Word.-The following "test- then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon oath and word" were invented and adopt- then delivers his message, and resumes his ed by the " Grand Lodge " of the State of station, gives the due-guard of a Mark Master New York, at their Session in June, 1827, Mason, and says, " The door is tyled, Right for the purpose., of guarding against book Ma- Worshipful." R. W. M. " By whom?" J. D. sons. They ape given in a Master's Lodge. "By a Mark Master Mason without the door, They were obtained from a gentleman in high armed with the proper implements of his ofstanding in society, and among Masons, but a fice." R. W. M. "H: is duty there?" J. D. friend to Anti-Masonry. IHe was a member "To keep off all cowans and eaves-droppers, of the " Grand Lodge," and present when they see that none pass or re-pass without permis-were adopted.. sion from the Right Worshipful Master." R. A person wishing to be admitted into the W. M. "Brother Junior, your place in the Lodge, presents himself at the door; the Lodge?" J. D. "At the right hand of the Tyler (or some brother from within) de- Senior Warden in the West." R. W. M. mands, or asks, "Do you wish to visit this "Your business there, brother Junior?" J. Lodge?" The candidate for admission says, D. " To wait on the Rigli Worshipful Master "If thought worthy." Tyler. " By what and Wardens, act as their proxy in the activo are you recommended?" Ans. " By fidelity." duties of the Lodge, and take care of the Tyler says, "Prove that;" at the same time door." R. W. M. "The Senior Deacon's advances and throws out his hand, or arm, to place in the Lodge?" J. D. "At the right. an angle of about forty-five degrees obliquely hand of the Right Worshipful Master in thl, forward, the hand open, and thumb upward. East." R.W.M. "I thank you, brother." He The candidate then advances, and places the then gives two raps with the mallet, and the hack of his left hand against the palm of subordinate officers rise. R.W. M. "Your duty: the Tyler's right hand-still extended-puts there, brother Senior?" S. D. "To wait on his mouth to the Tyler's ear, and whispers,, the Right Worshipful Master and Wardens, IrO-S, and pronounces LOS. act as their proxy in the active duties of tbh 34 THE IflSTEUIES ))F FREE IMASONRY. Lodge, attend to the preparation and intro.1""I thank you, brother. Your duty there duction of candidates, and welcome and clothe1brother Senior?' S. W. "1AAs the sun set. all visiting brethren." R. W. M. "The in the West to close the day', so stl.;ds the Secretary's place in the Lodge, brother Ju.j Senior Warden in the West, to assist the nior?" T. D. "At the right hand of theitight tWorshipful in opening and closing the Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M. Lodge; take care of the jewels and imple. "I thank you, brother. Your duty there, ments; see that none be lost; pay the craft brother Secretary?" Sec. "The better to their wages, if any be due; and see that none observe- the Right Worshipful Master's will o away dissatisfied." R. IV. M. " The Ma.e1 -and pleasure; record the proceedings of the ter's place in the Lodge?' S. W. "In the Lodge; transmit the same to the Grand Lodge, ast, Right Worshipful." RI. W. M. "His if required; receive all monies and moy.(' duty there?" S. WV. "'As the sun rises in bills from the hands of the brethren, pay -he Las, to open and adorn the day; so rethem over to the Treasurer, and 'take his re- 'id es the Right Worshipful Master in the ceipt for the same." R "AV. M. "The Tren. East, to opeen and adorn his Lodge; set Iris surer s place in the Lodge?" Sec. "At the crafnts tovork, and govern them with good right hand of the Right Worshipful Master." and wholesome laws, or cause the same to be R. W. M. 11I thank" you, brother. Y done." R. W M." I thank you, brother." You-' Gives three raps with the mallet, which callo duty there, brother Treasurer T" Treasurer, op all th-e brethren, takes off' his 'at, and "Duly to observe the Right 'Worshipful Mas. sys, "inlike manner, so do I, strictly proter's will and pleasure; receive all monies hibiting all profane language, private co-m. and money-bills from the hands of the Secre.irnttees, or any other disorderly conduct, tary; give a receipt for the same; keep a'whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge just and true account of the same; pay them may be interrupted, while engaged in its law.out by order of the Right Worshipful Master, folpursoits; under no less penalty than the and consent of the brethren." R. W. M. by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren "The Junior Overseer's place in' the Lodge, present mnay see cause to inflict. Brethren, brother Treasurer?" Treas. "At the righi attend to giving the signs." The RightXWor.r hand of the Junior Warden in the South, shipful Master (all the brethren imitating Right Worshipful." R. W. M. "I thank I him,) extends his left arm from his body, so you, brother. Your business there, brothei as to form an angle of about forty-five degrees, Junior Overseer?" 5. 0. 11 To inspect all and holds.his right hand transversely across mnaterial brought up for the building of th( his left, the palms thereof about an inch temple; approve or disapprove of the same; apart. This is called the first sign of a Mason. and if approved,. pass it on. to the Senior --is the sign of distress in the first degree, Overseer for further inspection." R. W. MT. and alludes to the position a candidate's hands "The Senior Overseer's place' in the Lodge?" are placed 'hen he takes the obligation of an J. 0. "At the right hand of the Senior War. ELtered Apprentice Mason; he then draws den in the West, Rioht Worshipful." R. W. his right hand across his throat, the hand M. i I thank yourother. Your business open, with his thumb next his th roat, drops, there, brother Senior Overseer S". 0. " To it down by his side. This is called the dueinspect all materials brought up for the build- guard of an Lotered Apprentice Mas'i, and iug of the temple; and, if approved, pass it alludes to the penal part of the obligation. on to the Master Overseer at the Last gate for Next ho pnees the palm of his open right further inspection." R. 'W'. M. " The Mas. hand upon his left breast, andi at the same ticr Overseer's place in the Lodge, brothei time, tibrows up his left hand, and so extend' Senior Overseer T" 5. 0. "11At the right hand his left arm as to firm a right angle; fin of the Right 'Worshipful Master in the Last,, the shoulder to the elbow it is horizontal, R. W. M. "II thank you, brother. Your busi from the elbow to the tip of the finger it is, ness there, brother M~aster Overseer?" I. 0. perpendicular. This is the sign and dne. "To assist in the inspection of all materials guard of a Fellow Ciaft Mason, and also o. brought up for the building of the temple; ludes to the- penall part of the obligation, and, if disapproved, to call a council of my which is admnivstered ma t ois de0 cc kite brother Overseers." R. W. MI. "The Junior this, the Ri-ht Worshmnful Mastei drsv a hi) Warden's place in the Lodge, brother Master right hand across his bowels, with his hanod Overseer?" M. 0. "In the South, Right open, and thumb next his body, and drops it WYorshiipful." Rt. X. N. " I thank 4, io down by his side. This is the sign, or (hue-.her. Your business th~ere, brother Junior?' guard, of a.AMlaster Mason, and, idke the others, -. "As the sun in the Sooth, at higli me- alludes to the penalty of thisulicgree, He thew idian, is the beauty -and glory of the day,; so throws up the graZnd ha)lna sr' of di i0). tands the Junior Warden ii the South, the tlis is given by resin" both hands and rm'u ""better to Observe the time; call thea crafts to the elbow, perpendicularlys one op e'r from labor to refreshment; superintend them side of the head, toe elbows forming a sqoc during the hours thereof; see that ione his arms then drop by his side; he the*a convert the hours of refreshment into that clutches the thard ann little fngers of n0 of intemperance, or excess; and call them right,h'nd; with his thumb., extended,'at thee on again in due season, that the Right Wor- saine time, his middle and fore-dao'0ers, brings shiplul Mastermay have honor, aid they up his hand in such a rnaannr as to haye th) pleasure aid. profit thereby." R. -*. M. "C The side of the middle finger touch the rina of thie, Senior WardenI ' place in the Lodg'I e I I1 r. right ear, then lets it drop, and, as it if.ll, 'In the West, Right WIorship~fuL~.".' ~ THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 35 brivgs the outward side of the little finger of the left hand across the wrist of the right, then lets them fall by his sides. This is the sign, or due-guard, of a Mark Master Mason, and also alludes to the penal part of the obligation in this degree. Here it is proper to remark, that, in the opening of any Lodge of Masons, they commence giving the signs of an Entered Apprentice, and go through all the signs of the different degrees, in regular gradation, until they arrive to the one which they are opening, and commence at the sign of the degree in which they are at work, and descend to the last when' closing. After going through all the signs, as above described, the Right Worshipful Master declares the Lodge opened, in the following manner:" I now declare this Lodge of Mark Master Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business;" the Senior Warden declares it to the Junior Warden, and he to the brethren. The Right Worshipful Master then repeats a. charge: " Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice and guile," &c. &c. The Lodge being opened and ready for business, the Right Worshipful Master directs the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting, which generally brings to view the business of the present. If there afe any candidates to be brought forward, that is generally the first business. A Master Mason, wishing for further light in Masonry, sends a petition to the Chapter, and requests to be advanced to the honorary degree of Mark Master Mason; if there is, no serious objection to the petition, it is entered on the minutes, and a committee of several appointed to inquire into his character and report to the next regular communication; at that time, if the committee report in his favor, and no serious objection is made against him otherwise, a motion is made that the ballot pass; if carried, the Deacons pass the ballot boxes: these boxes are the same as in the preceding degrees. When the balls are received, the box is presented to the Right Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. R. W. M. "Clear in the West, brother Senior?" S. W. " Clear, Right Worshipful." R. W. M. "o Clear in the South, brother Junior?" J. W. " Clear, Right Worshipful." Right Worshipful Master says, " Clear in the East." This being the case, the candidate is accepted; but if there is one black ball in that end of the box which has the white tube, and the Senior Warden pronouncing " Not clear," all stop, and inquiry is made, and the ballot passes again; and, if blacked a third time, the candidate is rejected. It being otherwise, the Senior Deacon, who is the candidate's conductor, passes out of the Lodge into the adjoining room, where the candidate is in waiting, and there the conductor is furnished with a small oblong square, six inches longthe candidate is presented with a large white marble key-stone, weighing, 'probably, twenty pounds, and is ordered, by his conductor, to take it by the little end, between his first and second fingers and thumb of his right hand. The door is. then opened without ceremony, and they pass directly to the Junior Over seer's station at the South gate, which is nothing more than the Junior Warden's seat, and the conductor gives four raps, with his block of timber, on a pedestal in front of the Junior Overseer's station. J. 0. " Who comes here?" Cond. " Two brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the temple." J. 0 ' Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cond. "I have." J. 0. "Present it." The conductor then presents the piece of timber before described; the Junior Overseer receives it, and applies a small trying square to its different angles, and they agreeing with the angles of square, he says, " This is good work, square work, such work as we are authorized to receive." Returns the block of timber, and turning his eye upon the candidate, asks,. "Who is this you have with you?" Cond. "A brother Fellow Craft." J. 0. "Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand. "I have." J. 0. " Present it." The candidate then presents the key stone; the Junior Overseer receives it, and applies his square to all its angles, and they not agreeing with the angles of the square, he says, "What have you here, brother? this is neither an oblong nor a square, neither has it the regular mark of the craft upon it, but from its singular form and beauty I am unwilling to reject it; pass on to the Senior Overseer at the West gate for further inspection." They then pass -on to the Senior Overseer's station at the West gate, which is the Senior Warden's seat, and give four raps, as before, on the pedestal which stands in front of the Senior Overseer. S. 0. "Who comes here?" Cond. "Two brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the temple." S. 0. "Have you a specimen of your labor?" ' Cond. "I have." S. O. "Present it." The conductor, as before, presents the block of timber; the Senior Overseer applies his square to it, and finding it agrees with the angles of his square, says, " This is good work, square work, such work as we are authorized to receive: who is this you have with you?" Cond. "A brother Fellow Craft." S. 0. " Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand. "I have." S. 0. "Present it." The candidate then presents the key stone, and he applies it, but not fitting, he says, " This is neither an oblong nor a square, neither has it the regular mark of the craft upon it; it is a curious wrought stone, and on account of its singular form and beauty, I am unwilling to reject it: pass on to the Master Overseer at the East gate, for fdrther inspection." They pass to his station at the East gate, and give four raps. M. 0. " Who comes here?" Con. " Two brethren, Fellow Crafts, with tjheir materials for the temple." M. 0. "Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cond. "I have." M. 0. " Present it." The conductor presents his billet of wood to him, and he applies his square to it, and, like the other Overseers, says, " This is good work, square work, such work as we are authorized to receive: Who is this you have with you?" Cond. " A brother Fellow Craft." M. 0. " Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand. " I have." M. 0. " Present it." [It ought here to be remarked, that, when the candidate is Tre 36 THE MYSTERIES OF FULE IUaASJONRY sented with the key stone, and takes it between his thumb and two fingers, it hangs suspended by his side, and he is requested to carry his work plumb; and the conductor taking good care to see that he does it, by the time he arrives at the Master Overseer's station at the East gate, and when the Master Overseer says, " Present it," the candidate is extremely willing to hand over the key stone to him for inspection; for, by this time, it becomes very painful to hold any longer the stone which he has in charge.] The Master Overseer having received the key stone, he applies his square to the different angles of it, and, being found not 4o be square, he, like the other Overseers, s 'j, " This is neither an oblong nor a square,:ither has it the regular mark of the craft ' 1,o" it." He then looks sternly upon the aendidate, and demands, " this your work?' Cand. " It is not." M. O. "Is this vour mark?" Cand. " It is not." M. 0. " Where did you get it?" Cand, " I picked it up in the quarry." M. 0. " Picked it up in the quarry?" this explains the matter: what! been loitering away your time this whole week, and now brought up another man's work to impose upon the Grand Oversers! this deoCrves the severest punishment. (Motions the candidate to stand aside.) Brother Junior and Senior Overseers, here is work brought up for inspection which demands a council." The Junior, Senior, and Master Overseers then assemble in council. M. 0., presenting the stone, "Did a Fellow Craft present this to you for inspection, brother Junior?" J. 0. " A Fellow Craft came to my office and presented this stone for inspection: I examined it, and found it was neither an oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but, on account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it, and ordered it to the Senior Overseer at the West gate for further inspection." M. 0. "Brother Senior, was this stone presented to you for inspection?" S. 0. "It was: I know of no use for it in the temple: I tried it with the square, and observed it was neither an oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but, on account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it, and, therefore, directed it to the Master Overseer at the East gate, for further inspection." M. O. "It was also presented to me for inspection; but I do not know of any use which it can be in the building." S. 0. "1I know of no use for it." J. O. " I know of no use for it." M... " Brother Senior, what shall we do with it?" S. O. " Heave it over among the rubbish." The Master and Senior Overseers then take the stone between them, and, after waving it backward and forward four times, they heave it over in such a manner that the one letting go while the stone is arriving at the highest point, it brings the stone in a quarterly direction over the other's left shoulder: the Junior Overseer, being stationed in a suitable position, at this moment receives the stone, and carries it away into the preparation room. R. W. M. " Brother Senior Warden, assemble the crafts to receive wages." At this commanId the bretý,tAn arise, and form a procession single file iene candidate is placed at the head of the procession, and when stationed, is told, that "the last shall be first, and the first, last.' The procession being formed, they commence singing the following song: "Mark Masters all appear," &c. and, at the same time, commence a circular march (against the course of the sun,) around the room, giving all the signs during their march, beginning with thae. of Entered Apprentice, and ending at that of Mark Master. They are given in tse follow ing manner: The first revolution each brother, when opposite the Right Worshiptful Master, gives the first sign in aMasonry. The second revolution, when opposite the M.ister. the second; and so oil, until they give all the signs to thaf cf Mark Master. While th& ceremony is going on in the Lodge, the Senior Grand Warden procures a suficient number of cents and passes into the preparation room, and opens a lattice window in the door which communicates to the Lodge room, and when the craftsmen arrive to the Mark Master Mason's sign, each of them, in their last revolution, puts his hand through the wind3ow in the door and gives a token, (thia is given by shutting the third and little fingers, extending the fore and middle fingers, and placing the thumb over them in a suitable manner to receive the penny, or cent;) and receives af penny, or cent, from the Senior Grand Warden. Matters are so timed in the march, that when they come to that part of the song which says, "Caution them to beware of the right hand," it comes the turn of the candidate to put his hand through the aperture of the door, and receive his penny; but not being able to give the token, he is detected as an impostor, and the Senior Grand Warden, instead of giving him his penny, seizes him by the hand and draws his arm full length through the door, and holds him securely, exclaiming, at the same time, "an impostor! an impostor!" Others, who are in the room with the Senior Grand Warden, cry out, " Chop off his hand I chop off his hand!" At this moment, the conductor steps to the candidate and intercedes warmly in his behalf. Cond. "6Spare him! spare him!" S. G. W. " He is an impostor. He has attempted to receive wages without being able to give the token. The penalty must be inflicted " Cond. " He is a brother Fellow Craft, and on condition that you will release him, I will be responsible that he shall be taken before the Right Worshipful Master, where all the circumstances shall be made known; and, if he condemns him, I will see that the penalty is inflicted." S. G. W. " On these conditions, I release him." The candidate is released, and taken before the Right Worshipful Master. Cond. " This young Fellow Craft has brought up work for inspection, which was not his own, and has attempted to receive wages for it; he was detected at the Senior Grand Warden's apartment as an impostor, and I became responsible, on condition of his release, that he should appear before the Right Worshipful, and if, after a fair trial, you should pronouace THE MYSTERIES OF FREEJ MASONMtY. num guilty, that I should see the penalty of an impostor inflicted upon him." R. W. M. " Brother Junior Overseer, did this man bring up work to your station for inspection?" J. 0. "He did. I inspected it, and observed that it was neither an oblong nor asquare, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but, on account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it; therefore, I ordered it passed to the Senior Overseer's station at the West gate, for further inspection." R. W. M. " Brother Senior Overseer, did this young man bring up work to you for inspection?" S. O. "He did; and I, for similar reasons offered by brother Jurior Overseer, was unwilling to reject it, and Srdered it passed on to the Master Overseer at the East gate, for further inspection." R. W. M. "Brother Master Overseer, did this young man bring up work to you for inspection?" M. O. "He did. I inspected the work, and observed that it was neither an oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it: I then asked him if it was his work. He admitted that it was not. I asked him where he got it; he said he picked it up in the quarry. I rebuked him severely for his attempt to impose upon the Grand Overseers, and for loitering away his time, and then bringing up another man's work for inspection. I then called a council of my brother Overseers, and we, knowing no use for the work, hove it over among the rubbish. R. W. M. " Senior Grand Warden, did the young man attempt to receive wages at your apartment?" S. G. W. "He did, and I detected him as an impostor, and was about to inflict the penalty, but the conductor becoming responsible, that, if I would release him, he would see the impostor taken before the Right Worshipful, and, if found guilty, that the penalty should be inflicted, I released him." R. W. M. " Young man, it appears that you have been loitering away your time this whole week, and have now brought up another man's work for inspection, to impose upon the Grand Overseers, and what is more, you have attempted to receive wages for labor which you never performed; conduct like this deserves prompt punishment. The penalty of an impostor is that of having his right hand chopped off. This young man appears as though he deserved a better fate, and as though he might be serviceable in the building of the temple. Are you a Fellow Craft?" Cand. "I am." R. W. M. " Can you give us any proof of it?" Candidate gives the sign of a Fellcow Cra. R. R.W. M. "He is a Fell. Craft. Have you ever been taug;t how to receive wages?" Cand. I1 have not." R. W. M. " This serves in a measure, to mitigate his crime. If you are instructed how to receive wages, will you do better in future, and never again attempt to impose on the Grand Overseers, and, above all, never attempt to receive wages for labor which you never performed?"' Cand. "I will." R. W. M. "The penalty is remitted." The candidate is then taken into the preparation room, and divested of his outward apparel, and all money and valuables, his breast bare, and a cable tow four times round his body: in which condition he is conducted to the door, when the conductor gives four distinct knocks, upon the hearing of which, the Senior Warden says to the Right Worshipful, "While we are peaceably at work on the fourth degree of Masonry, the door of our Lodge appears to be alarmed." R. W. M. "Brother Junior, see the cause of that alarm." The Junior Warden then steps to the door and answers the alarm by four knocks, the conductor and himself each giving another; the door is then partly opened, and the Junior Warden then asks, "Who comes there?" Cond. " A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice, served a proper time as such; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; and now wishes further light in Masonry, by being advanced to the more honorable degree of a Mark Master Mason." J. W; " Is it of his own free will and: accord he makes this request?" Cond. " It is." J. W. " Is he duly and truly prepared!" Cond. "He is." J. W. "Has he wrought in the quarry, and exhibited specimens of his skill in the preceding degrees?" Cond. "He has." J, W. "By what further right, or benefit,. does he expect to obtain this favor?" Cond. "By the benefit of a.pass-word." J. W. " Has he a pass-word?" Cond. " He has not, but I have it for him." J. W. " Give it me." Conductor whispers in his ear, "Joppa." J. W. "The pass-word is right. You will let him wait until the Right Worshipful Master is made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned." The Junior Warden returns him to the Rlight Worshipful Master, where the same questions are asked, and answers returned, as at the door. The Right Worshipful Master then says, " Since he comes endowed with the necessary quialifications, let him enter in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters. (Previous to the candidate's entering, one of the brethren, who is best qualified for the station, is selected and furnished with an engraving chisel and mallet, and placed near the door, so that when the candidate enters, it is on the edge of an engraving chisel, under the pressure of the mallet. As this is the business, of no particular officer, we have, for convenience,.styl6d him executioner.) Brother, it becomes my duty to put a mark on you, and such a one, too, as you will probably carry to your grave." Places the edge of the chisel near his.eft Nre.at, and makes several motions with the mallet, as though he was about to strike upon the head of the chisel. Executioner. " This is a painful undertaking; I do not feel able to perform it, Right Worshipful, (turning to the Right WorshipfiA Master;) this task is too painful; I feel that I cannot perform it:" I wish the Right Worshipful would select some other brother to perform it in my stead." R. W. M. "I know the task is unpleasant, and a painful one; but as you have undertaken to perform it, unless some other brother will volunteer his service and take your olace, you must proceed.' 38 TH1' iTAYSTEriiEj OF F axx aAsýa0Y. Exec. " Brother, (calling the name,) wi:ll promise and swear,, tlhat I ill not give the you volunteer your service, and take my degree of a Mark Master Mason to any one place?" Brother. " I cannot consent to do of an inferior degree, nor to any other person it; (after several solicitations and refusals.) in the known world, except it be to a true and Exec. " Right Worshipful, no brother feels lawful brother, or brethren, of this degree, willing to volunteer his services anl I de- and not unto him nor unto them, whom I dare I feel unwilling and unable:a aerform shall hear so to be, but unto him and them. it." R. W. M. ' As no brother feels dis- only, whom I shall find so to be, after strict posed to take your station, it becomes your trial and due examination, or lawful inforduty to perform it yourselff" Exec. (taking mation given. Furthermore, do I promise his station,) " Brethren, support the candi- and swear, that I will support the constitudate; (several take hold of the candidate:) tion of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapbrother, (naming omephysician or surgeon,) ter of the United States of America, also the will you assist?" Doctor, (stepping up,) Grand Royal Arch Chapter of this State, under " Brethren, it becomes necessary that we which this Lodge is held, and conform to all should have a'bowl, or some other vessel, to the by-laws, rules and regulations of this or receive the blood." A bowl is presented, any other Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of having the appearance of blood upon it, and which I may at any time hereafter become a is held in a suitable position to receive the member. Furthermore, do I promise and blood; the surgeon places his fingers on the swear, that I will obey all regular signs and left breast of the candidate, and gives coun- summons given, handed, sent, or thrown to sel where it would be adviseable to inflict the me from the hand of a brother Mark Master wound. The executioner then places the Mason, or from the body of a just and legally edge of the chisel near the spot, and draws constituted Lodge of such, provided it -be back the mallet, and while making several within the length of my cable-tow. Furfalse motions, says, " Operative Masons make thermore, do I promise and swear, that I will use of the engraving chisel and mallet to cut, not wrong this Lodge, or a brother of this dehew, carve, and indent their work; but we, gree, to the value of his wages, (or one penny) as Free and Accepted Masons, make use of myself, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by them for a more noble and glorious purpose: others, if in my power to prevent it. Furwe use' them to cut, hew, carve, and indent thermore, do I promise and swear, that I will the mind*;" giving, at the instant the last not sell, swap, barter, or exchange my mark, word is pronounced, a severe blow with the which I shall hereafter choose, nor send it a mallet upon the head of the chisel, without second time to pledge until it is lawfully rethe least injury to the candidate, which often deemed from the first. Furthermore, do I terrifies him to an alarming degree. The promise and swear, that I will receive a brocandidate is then conducted four times round ther's mark when offered to me requesting a the Lodge, and each time, as he passes the favor, and grant him his request, if in my station of the Master, Senior and Junior War- power; and if it is not in my power to grant dens, they each give one loud rap with their his request, I will return him his mark with mallet; the Master, in the mean time, reads the value thereof, which is half a shekel of the following passages of scripture-Psalms silver, or quarter of a dollar. To all of which cxviii. 22, "The stone which the builders I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and refused is become the head stone of the cor- swear, with a fixed and steady purpose of ner." Matt. xxi. 42. " Did ye never read in mind in me, to keep and perform the same, the scriptures, the stone which the builders binding myself under no less penalty, than to rejected, the same is become the head of the have my right ear smote off, that I may forcorner?" Luke xx. 17. " What is this, then, ever be unable to hear the word, and my right that is written: The stone which the builders hand chopped off, as the penalty of an imposgejected, the same is become the head of the tor, if I should ever prove wilfully guilty of corner?" Acts iv. 11. "This is the stone violating any part of this my solemn oath, or ~hich was set at nought of you builders, obligation, of a Mark Master Mason. So help which is become the head of the corner." me God, and make me steadfast to keep and The reading of them is so timed,, as to be perform the same." "Detach your hand and completed just as the candidate arrives at kiss the book." the Junior Warden's post; here he stops, and The Master then produces the same kv the same questions are asked and answers stone, concerning which so much has already returned, as at the door; the same passes been said; and says to the candidate, "We at the Senior Warden and Master, who or- read in a passage of scripture," Rev. ii. 17, ders the candidate to be conducted back to " To him that overcometh will I give to eat the Senior Warden in the West, by him to of the hidden manna, and will give him a be taught ta approach the East, by four up- white stone, and in the stone a new name right regular steps, his feet forming a square, written, which no man knoweth save him that and body erect at the altar; the candidate receiveth it." He then presents the stone to then kneels and receives the obligation, as the candidate and says, "I now present you follows:- with a white stone, on which is written a new "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, name; we give the words that form this in presence of Almighty God, and this Right circle; (the letters are so engraved on the Worshipful Lodge of Mark Master Masons, stone as to form a circle:) the initials are, do hereby and hereon, in addition to my for- H. T. W. S. S. T. K. S. Hiram Tyran, mer obligations, most solemnly and si~cerely Widow's Son, sent to King Solomon. These, THE MYSTERIES OF FrEE MASONRTY 39 placed in this form, were the mark of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff At present they are used as the general mark of this degree, and in the centre of them each brother places his own individual mark." The stone is removed, and the candidate still remains on his knees at the altar, the Master then takes the jewel containing his mark from his neck and presents it to the candidate-requests, of him some favor, such as the loan of five, ten, or twenty dollars. The candidate havisg left all his money and valuables in the preparation room, answers, " I cannot do it; I have no money about me;" and offers to return the mark to the Master, but he refuses to take it, and says to the candidate, "Have you not just sworn that you will receive a brother Mark Master's mark when offered to you, requesting' a favor, and if not in your power to grant the favor, you would return him his mark with the value of it? Is this the way you mind your obligations? Here I presented my mark with a request for a small favor; you say you cannot grant it, and offer to return my mark alone? Where is the quarter of a dollar you have sworn to return with it?" The candidate, much embarrassed, answers, " I cannot do even that. I have no money about me. It was all taken from me in the preparation room." The Master asks, " are you quite sure you have none?" Candidate answers, " I am; it is all in the other room." Master, "you have not examined; perhaps some friend has, in pity to your des. titute situation, supplied you with that amount unknown to yourself: feel in all your pockets, and if you find, after a thorough search, that you have really none, we shall have less reason to think that you meant wilfully to violate your obligation." The candidate examines his pockets and finds a quarter of a dollar, which some brother had slily placed there; this adds not a little to his embarrassment; he protests he had no intention of concealing it; really supposed he had none about him, and hands it to the Master, with his mark. The Master receives it and says to the candidate, " Brother, let this scene be a striking lesson to you; should you ever hereafter have a mark presented you by a worthy brother, asking a favor, before you deny him, make diligent search, and be quite sure of your inability to serve him; perhaps you will then find, as in the present instance, that some unknown person has befriended you, and you are really in a better situation than you think yourself." The candidate then rises and is made acquainted with the grips, words, and signs of this degree. The passgrip of this degree is made by extending the right arms and clapsing the fingers of the right hands, as one would naturally do to asudst another up a steep ascent; the pass-word. is " Joppa;" the real grip is made by locking the little fingers of the right hand, bringing the knuckles together, placing the ends of the thumbs against each other; the word is, " Mark well." The signs have been described. After tne grips, words, and signs are given and explained, (see lectures,) the MIaster says, "Brother, I now present you with the tools of a Mark Master, (here he points them out in the carpet, or ia the chart,) which are the chisel and mallet; they are thus explained; the chisel morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and edu. cation; the mind, like the diamond in its original state, is rude and unpolished, but as the effect of the chisel on the external coat, soon presents to view the latent beauties of the diamond, so education discovers the latent beauties of the mind, and draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space, to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and man. The mallet morally teaches to correct irregularities, and to reduce man to a proper level; so that by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the workmen, enlightened reason is to the passions; it curbs ambition, it depresses envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions, whence arises among good Masons that comely order, 'Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy. ' The Worshipful Master then delivers a charge to the candidate, which completes the ceremony of advancement to this degree. CEREMONIES GENERALLY GONE THROUGH IN CLOSING A LODGE OF MARK MASONS. THE Worshipful Master says, "Brother Junior Warden, assemble the brethren, and form a procession for the purpose of closing the Lodge." The brethren then assemble and commence a circular march, singing the song, " Mark Masters pll appear " After the song is completed, the brethren compare the wages they have received, and finding that all have received alike, (one penny or cent,) they begin to murmur among themselves, some pretending to think they ought to have more, as they have done all the labor. They finally throw down their wages upon the altar, declaring if they cannot be dealt justly with, they will have none. The Worshipful Master calls to order, and demands the cause of the confusion. Some brother answers, " Worshipful, we are not satisfied with the manner of paying the workmen; for we find those who have done nothing, and even the candidate just received, is paid just as much as we, who have borne the heat and burden of the day." Master says, "it is perfectly right." Brother. " It cannot be right-it is very unreasonable." Master. " Hear what the law says on this subject. He then reads the following parable, Matt. xx. 1, 16: " For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw qthers standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, I will give you. And they went their way. Again he we.t out about the sixth and ninth hour, 40 0 THlE ITETIES OF VEE MASONRY. and did likewise. And aoout the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? they say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more: and they likewise Te. ceived every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the firs: last: for many be called, but few chosen." The brethren then declare themselves satisfied; the signs are given from Mark Master down to the Entered Apprentice, and the Master declares the Lodge closed. Lecture on the Fourth Degree of Masonry, or Mark.Master's Degree. SECTION FIRST.-Question-Are you a Mark Master Mason?. Answer-I am; try me. Q. By what will you be tried? A. By the engraving chisel and mallet. Q. Why by the engraving chisel and mallet? A. Because they are the proper Masonic implements of this degree. Q. On what was the degree founded? A. On a certain key stone which belonged to the principal arch of King Solomon's temple. Q. Who formed this key stone? A. Our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Q. What were the preparatory steps relative to you: advancement to this degree? A. I was caused to represent one of the Fellow Craft, at the building of King Solomon's temple, whose custom it was, on the eve of every sixth day, to carry up their work for inspection. Q. Why was you caused to represent these Fellow Crafts? A. Because, our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had completed this key stone, agreeable.to the original plan, an'! before he gave. orders to haye it carried up to the temple, was slain by three ruffians, j as already represented in the preceding degrees; and it so happened that on the eve of a certain sixth day, as the craft were carrying up work for inspection, a young Fellow Craft discovered this stone in the quarry, and from its singular form and beauty, supposing it to belong to some part of the temple, carried it I u'p for inspection. Q, Who inspected it? A. The Grand Over- I [ 1 [ I l 1 seers, placed at the East, West, and South gates. Q. How did they inspect it? A. On its being presented to the Junior Overseer at the South gate, he cbserved that it was neither an oblong or a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but* from its singular form and beauty was unwilling tc reject it, therefore ordered it to be passed te the Senior Overseer at the West gate, for further inspection; who, for similar reasons, suffered it to pass to the Master Overseer at the East gate, who held a consultation with his brother Overseers, and they observed, as before, that it was neither an oblong or square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; and neither of them being Mark Master Masons, supposed it of ho use in the building, and hove it over among the rubbish. Q. How many Fellow Crafts were there engaged at the building of the temple? A. Eighty thousand. Q. Were not the Master Overseers liable to be imposed upon by receiving bad work from the hands of such a vast number of workmen? A. They were not. Q. How was this imposition prevented? A. By the wisdom of King Solomon, who wisely ordered, that the craftsman who worked, should choose him a particular mark and place it upon all his work; by which it was known and distinguished when carried up to the building, and if approved, to receive wages. Q. What was the wages of a Fellow Craft? A. A penny a day. Q. Who paid the craftsmen? A. The Senior Grand Warden. Q. Was not the Senior Grand Warden liable to be imposed upon by impostors, in paying off such a vast number of workmen? A. He was not. Q. How was this imposition prevented? A. By the wisdom of King Solomon, who also ordered that every craftsman applying to receive wages, should present his right hand through a lattice window of the door of the Junior Grand Warden's apartment, with a copy of his mark in the palm thereof, at the same time giving a token. Q. What was that token? (This was be fore explained.) Q. What did it allude to? A. To the manner of receiving wages; it was also to distinguish a true craftsman from an impostor. Q. What is the penalty of an impostor? A. To have his right hand chopped off. SECTION SECOND.-Question-Where was you prepared to be made a Mark Master Mason? Answer-In the room adjoining the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, duly assembled in a room, or place, representing a work shop that was erected near the ruins of King Solomon's temple. Q. How was you prepared? A. By being divested of all my outward apparel and all money; my breast bare, with a cable-tow four times about my body; in which situation I was conducted to the door of a Lodge, where Sgave foar distinct knocks. THE MYSTERTES GOF XrREE MASONRtY.4 41 Q. What do these four distinct knocks allude to? A. To the fourth degree of Masonry: it being that on which I was about to enter. Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? Q. Your answer? A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice, served a proper time as such; passed to the Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; and now wishes further light in Masonry, by being advanced to the more honorable degree of a Mark Master Mason. Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was of my own free will and accord, I made this request; if I was duly and truly prepared; worthy and well qualified; had wrought in the quarries, and exhibited specimens of my skill and proficiency in the preceding degrees; all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was asked by what further, right, or benefit, I expected to gain this favor. Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. Q. What was that pass-word? A. Joppa. Q. What did it allude to? A. The city of Joppa, the place where the materials were landed, for building King Solomon's temple, after being prepared in the forests of Lebanon, and carried there on floats, (by sea.) (Masonic tradition informs us, that the banks of this place are so perpendicular, that it was impossible to ascend them without assistance from above, which was effected by brethren stationed there, with this: strong grip; [this has been explained,] which, together with the word Joppa, has since been adopted as a proper pass to be given before entering any well regulated Lodge of Mark Master Masons.) Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was bid to wait till the Right Worshipful Master in the East was made acquainted with my request, and his answer returned. I Q. When his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to enter the Lodge. Q. On what did you enter? A. On the edge of the engraving chisel, under the pressure of the mallet, which was to demonstrate the moral precepts of this degree, and make a deep and lasting impression on my mind and conscience. Q. How was you then disposed of?. A. I was conducted four times regularly round the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden's in the South, where the same questions were asked, and answers returned as at the door. Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked, and the same answers returned as before. Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted to the Right Worshipfiul Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answe-rs returned, as before; who likewise de manded of me fr(n whence I came, and whither I was travding. Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and traveling to the East. Q. Why do you leave the West, and travel to the East? A. In search of light. Q. How did the Right Worshipful Master dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in the care of the Senior Warden, who taught me how to approach the East, the place of light; by advancing upon four upright regular steps, to the fourth step, my feet forming a square, and my body erect at the altar, before the Right Worshipful aster. Q. What did the Right Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made a Mark Master Mason of me. Q. How? A. In due form. SQ. What was that due form? A. Both knees bent, they forming a square, both my hands on the Holy Bible, square, and compass, my body being erect; in which posture I took upon me'the solemn oath, or obligation of a Mark Master Mason. Q. Have you that oath, or obligation? A. I have. Q. Will you give it me? A. I will, with your assistance. (Here, as in the preceding' degree, you repeat, after the Right Worshipful Master, I, A. B., &c. See page 38.) Q. After your oath, or obligation, what follows? A. Information was brought that the temple was almost completed, but the craft was all in confusion for want of a certain key stone, which none of them had been instrumental to make. Q. What followed? A. King Solomon believing in confidence, that our Worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had completed this key stone agreeable to the original plan, ordered inquiry to be made among the Master Overseers, if a stone bearing a particular markhad been presented to them for inspection; and on inquiry being made, it was found that there had. Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered search to be made for the stone, when it wvas found, and.afterwards applied to its intended use. Q. What color was the stone? A. White. Q. What did it allude to? A. To a passage in scripture; where it says, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth." Q. What was that new name? A. The letters on the stone and the initials of the words for which they stand, viz.: H.. T W. S. S. T. K. S. Q. Of what use is this new name to you in Masonry? A. It was the original mark of our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and is the general mark of this degree, and the letters form the circle, in the centre of which, every brother of this degree places his particular mark, to which his obligation alludes. Q. What followed? A. I was more fully instructed with the, secrets of thia degre T-RE MYSTE"' "S 'O r'FRE' MMSOSR Q. Of what do they consist? A. C' signs and tokens Q. Have you a sign? A. J have. Q. What is it called? A. Heave over. Q. What does it allude to? A To the manner of heaving over work that the Overseers said was unfit for the temple: also, the manner the key stone was hove over. Q. H'ave you any other sign? A. I have, (at the same time giving it.) Q. What is that? A. The due-guard of a ~lark Master Mason. Q. What does it allude to A. To the penalty of my obligation; which is, that my right ear should be smote oft, that I might forever be unable to hear the word, and my right hand be chopped off, as the penalty cf an impostor, if I should ever prove wilfully guilty of revealing any part of my obligation. Q. Have you any further sign? A. I have. Q. What is that? A. The grand sign, or sign of distress. Q. What does it allude to? A. To the manner the Fellow Crafts carry their work up to the temple for inspection; also the manner I was taught to carry my work, on my advancement,to this degree. Q. Have you any other sign? A. I have not; but I have a token, (gives it to him.) Q. What is this? A. The pass-grip of a Mark Master Mason. Q. What is the name of it? A. " Joppa." Q. What does it allude to? A. The city of Joppa. Q. Have you any other token? A. I have. Q. What is this? A. The real grip of a Mark Master Mason. Q. What is the name of it? A. Mark well. Q. What does it allude to? A. To a passage of scripture, where it says, " Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary, which looketh towards the east, and it was shut; and the Lord said unto me, son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and the laws thereof, and mark well the entering in of the house, with the going forth of the sanctuary." Q. Who founded this degree? A. Our three ancient Grand Masters, viz.: Solomon, King of' Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. Q. Why was it founded? A. Not only as an. honorary reward, to be conferred on all who have proved themselves meritorious in the preceding degrees; but to render it impossible for a brother to suffer for the immediate necessities of life, when the price of his mark will procure them. Q. A brother, pledging his mark, and asking a favor, who does he represent? A. Our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was a poor man, but on account of his great skill and mysterious conduct at the building of 'ing Solomon's temple, was most eminently Aistinguished. Q. A brother receiving a pledge, and grant-.ng a favor, whom does he represent? A. King Solomon, who was a rich man, but reuowned for his benevolence Thle Past Jaster's Degree. THIs degree is "ery simple. It is neceesary that a Master Mason should take this degree, before he can, constitutionally, preside over a Lodge of Master Masons, as Master of it; and when a Master Mason is elected Master of a Lodge, who has not previo'sly received the Past Master's degree, it is then conferred upon him, often without any other ceremony than that of administering the obligation. This Lodge is opened and closed in the same manner that the Lodges of the first three degrees are; the candidate petitions, and is ballotted for in the same manner, but he is received into the Lodge in a very different manner. He is conducted into the Lodge without any previous preparation, when the presiding officer rises and says, " Brethren, it is inconvenient for me to serve you any longer, as Master of this Lodge. I wish you would select some other brother for that purpose." The candidate is nominated, the usual forms of balloting for officers are then dispensed with, and a vote of the Lodge is taken by yeas and nays. The candidate is elected, and generally refuses to serve, but he is, eventually, prevailed on to accept; whereupon, the presiding officer addresses the Master elect in the words following, viz.:"Brother, previous to your investiture, it is necessary that you assent to those ancient charges and regulations, which point out the duty of a Master of a Lodge. 1. You agree to be a good man, and true, and strictly to obey the moral law. 2. You agree to be a peaceable subject, and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside. 3. You promise not to be concerned in any plots or conspiracies against government; but patiently to submit to the decisions of the supreme legislature. 4. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all men. 5. You agree to hold in veneration the original rules and patrons of Masonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, and to submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, when convened, in every case consistent with the constitution of the order. 6. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess. 7. Yo, agree to be cautious in carriage and behavior, cautious to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge. 8. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and discountenance impostors, and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry. 9. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the arts. 10. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master, for the time being, and to his officer when duly installed; strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or general assembly of Masons, that is not sub THE MYSTE RS OF FFREE IMASONRY. 43!versive of the principles and ground work of that I will support the constitution of the Masonry. General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the 11. Yeou almit that it is not in the power United States of America; also, that of the of any man, or body of men, to maire innova- Grand Chapter of the State of -, under tions in the body of Masonry. which this Lodge'is held, and conform to all 12. You promise a regular attendance on the by-laws, rules and regulations of this, or the committees and communications of the any other Lodge, of which I may at any time Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and hereafter become a member, so far as in my to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, on convenient occasions. that [will not assist, or be present at the con13. You admit that no new Lodge can be ferring of this degree upon any person, who formed without permission of the Grand has not, to the best of my knowledge and beLodge, and that no countenance be given to lief, regularly received the degrees of Enterany irregular lodge, or to any person clandes- ed Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, tinely initiated therein, being contrary to the and Mark Master, or been elected Master of a ancient charges of the order. regular Lodge of Master Masons. Further. 14. You admit that no person can be regu- more, do I promise and swear, that I will aid larly made a Mason in, or admitted a member and assist all poor and indigent Past Master of, any regular Lodge, without previous no- Masons, their widows and orphans, wherever tice, and due inquiry into his character. dispersed round the globe, they applying to 15. You agree that no visitors shall be re- me as such and I finding them worthy, so far ceived into your Lodge without due examin- as in my power, without material injury to ation, and producing proper vouchers of their,myself or family. Furthermore, do I promise having been initiated into a regular Lodge." and swear, that the secrets of a brother of The presiding officer then asks the Master this degree, delivered to me in charge as such, elect (candidate) the following question, which shall remain as secure and inviolable in my he must answer in the affirmative:-Q. " Do breast, as they were in his own, before comyou submit ti these charges and promise to municated to me; murder and treason ex-support these regulations, as Masters have cepted, and those left to my own election. done, in all ages, before you?" A. "I do." Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I The presiding officer then addresses him: will not wrong this Lodge, or a brother of this ' Brother A. B., in consequence of your cheer- degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly, ful conformity to 'he charges and regulations myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in of the order, you are now to be installed Mas- my power to prevent it. Furthermore, do I ter of this degree; in full confidence of your promise and swear, that I will not govern this care, skill and capacity, to govern the same. Lodge, nor any other over which I may be But, previous to your investiture, it is neces- called to preside, in a haughty, arbitrary, or sary you should take upon yourself the solemn impious manner; but will at all times use my oath, or obligation, appertaining to this de- utmost endeavors to preserve peace and hargree; if you are willing to take it upon you, mony among the brethren. Furthermore, do you will please to kineel before the altar,'when I promise and swear, that I will never open a you shall receive the same." [Here Lodges Lodge of Master Masons, unless there be differ very materially, but this is the most present three regular Master Masons, besides prevalent mode of proceeding.] The candi- the Tyler, nor close the same, without giving date then kneels on both knees, lays both a lecture, or some section or part of a lecture, hands on the Holy Bible, square and compass, for the instruction of the Lodge. Furtherand takes the following oath, or obligation: more, that I will not, knowingly, set in any "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, Lodge where any one presides who has not in presence of Almighty God, and this received the degree of Past Master. [This Worshipful Lodge of Past Master Masons, last point is, in many Lodges, entirely omitdo hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sin- ted. In some, the two last.] All which, I cerely promise and swear, in addition to my do most solemnly and sincerely promise and former obligations, that I will not give the swear, with a fixed and steady purpose of degree of Past Master Mason, or any of the mind, to keep and perform the same; bind. secrets pertaining thereto, to any one of an ing myself under no less penalty, than to inferior degree, nor to any person in the have my tongue split from tip to root; that I known world; except it be to a true and law- might forever thereafter, be unable to pro. ful brother, or brethren, Past Master Masons, nounce the word, if ever I should prove wili or within the body of a just and lawfully con- fully guilty of violating any part of this, my stituted Lodge of such; and not unto him or solemn oath, or obligation, or a Past Master unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but Mason. So help me God, and make me steadunto him and them only, whom I shall find fast to keep and perform the same." so to be, after strict trial and examination, The obligation being administered, the canor lawful information. Furthermore, do I didate rises,* and the Master proceeds to give promise and swear, that I will obey all the sign, word, and grip of this degree, as folregular signs and summons, sent, thrown, lows. The sign (sometimes called the duehanded, or given, from the hand of a brother guard,) is given by laying the edge of the 'of this degree, or from the body of a just and thumb of the right hand in a vertical position, lawfully constituted Lodge of Past Masters, - - it be within the lengthof - * In sonic Lodges, the Master takes the candidate provided it be within the length of my cable- by the Master's grip, and says, Brother, you will tow. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, please rise," assisting him. 44 TITE MYSTEMIES, OF 01 FREE MWASONEY on the centre of the mouth, high enough to tcdch the upper lip. The word is given by taking each other by the Master's grip, and pulling the insides of their feet together, when the Master whispers the word, Giblem," in the ear of the candidate. Then they clap their left hand on each other's right arm, between the wrist and elbow, disengaging, (at the same moment,) their right hand from the Master's grip; they each seize the left arm of the other with their right hands, between the wrist and elbow, and, (almost at the same instant,) yielding their left hand hold on each other's right arm, and moving their left hands with a brisk motion, they clasp each other's right arm with their left hands above the elbow, pressing their finger nails hard against the arms, as they shift their hands from place to place: and the Master says, (in union with these movements,) "From grips to spans, and from spans to grips, a twofold cord is strong, but a threefold cord is not easily broken." The Master then conducts the candidate to the chair, and, as he ascends the steps, the Master says, " Brother, I now have the pleasure of conducting you into the oriental chair of King Solomon;" places a large cocked hat on his head, and comes down to the front of the newly installed Master, and addresses him as follows:-" Worshipful brother, I now present you with the furniture and various implements of our profession; they are emblematical of our conduct in life, and will now be enumerated and explained as presented. " The Holy Writings, that great light in Masonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your path to the temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man. The Square teaches to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue. The Compass teaches to limit our desires in every station; thus rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected, and die regretted. The Rule directs, that we should punctually observe our duty; press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither inclining to the right or to the left, in all our actions have eternity in view. The Line teaches the criterion of moral rectitude; to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to direct our steps to the path that leads to immortality. The book of constitutions you are to search at all times; cause it to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent oreceots it enjoins. Lastly, you receive in charge the bye-laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed. "I will also present you with the mallet; it is an emblem of power. One stroke of the mallet calls to order, and calls up the Junior and Senior Deacons; two strokes call up all the subordinate officers; and three, the whole Lodge." The following charge is then de* There is much diversity of opinion among Masons, respecting this word: some insist that Giblem Is the right word; others, that Gibelhm is the right word; the latter word was rejected because it was used by " Jachid and Boaz", livered to the newly installed Master, (alia*s candidate,) by the former Master. " Worshipful Master, being appointed Master of this Lodge, you cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you, as their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties annexed to your appointment. The honor, usefulness, and reputation of your Lodge, will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the genuine principles of our institution. For a pattern of information, consider the luminary of nature; which, rising in the East, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its circle. In like manner, it is your province to spread and, communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge. Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance: df.Masonry, and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge them to practice out of the Lodge, those duties which they have been taught in it; and, by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct, to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution; so that, when any one is said to be a member of it, the world may 'know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows-to whom (istress may prefer its suit -whose hand is guided by justice, and his, heart expanded by benevolence. In short, by a diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitution of Masonry, and, above all, the holy scriptures, which are given as a rule and guide of your faith, you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor afd reputation, and lay up a crown of rejoicing which shall continue when time shall be no more." The Master then says to the newly installed Master, " I now leave you to the government of your Lodge." He then retires to a seat, and, after a moment or two, rises and addresses the candidate, (now in the chair as Master;) "Worshipful Master, in consequence of my resignation, and the election of a new Master, the seats of the Wardens have become vacant. It is necessary you should have Wardens to assist you in the government of your Lodge. The constitution requires us to elect our officers by ballot, but it is common, on occasions of this kind, to dispense with those formalities, and elect by ayes and noes; I move we do so on the present occasion." The question ie tried and carried in the affirmative. The Master has a right to nominate one candidate for office, and the brethren one. Here a scene of confusion takes place, which is not easily described. The newly installed Worshipful is made the butt for every worthy brother to exercise his wit upon. Half-adozen are up at a time, soliciting the Master to nominate them for Wardens, urging their several claims, and decrying the merits of others with much zeal; others crying out"Order, Worshipful! keep order!" Others * This charge is frequently omitted when conferring the degree on a candidate; but never, whena really instaling a Master of a Lodge. THE mrs5rERizs OF FREE'MASONRY. 45,propose to daace, a d request the Master to.sing for them: otnesi whistle, or sing, or jump.about the room; o-e scoffie, and knock down thairs or benches., One proposes to callI from ta ~r to refreshment; another compliments.the Worshipful Master on his dignified appearance, and knocks off his hat, or pulls it.down over his face; another informs him that a lady wishes to' enter, If the Master calls to order, every one obeys the signal with the utmost promptness, and drops upon the near-,est seat; the next instant, before t~he Master can uttera word, all are on their feet again,.and zi noisy as ever,: finally, a nominal election is ef ectedi, and some prudent member, tired of sue-h a ridiculous confusion, moves that the, Lodge be closed: which, being done, the poor, (anad if a stranger,) much enabarrassed candidate, has his big hat taken from him, and iýs reduced to the ranks; but, for hisq consolation, the Worshipful Master infor"'is him. that the preceding scene, nota ithstarding its apparent confusion, is designed to coaivey to him, in a striking manner, the important lesson, never to solici'-t. or accept, any offce, or eta tion, for which lao does not know-.himvself ainply quallified. The LECTURE 0n the fiftla, or Past Master's degrpee, is divided irnte five sections. The filrst section treats of the mnanner of constitutinga a Lodge of Master Masons. The second, treats of the cearoo,,ny of installation, including the manner of receivingf candidates.to this degree, as given above. "_The'third, treats of the ceremonies observed at laying the foundation stones of public structures..The fourth section, of the ceremony observed.at the dedications of Masonic Halls. The fifth, of the ceremony observed at funerals, according to ancient custom, with the service used on the occasion. The foregoing includes all the ceremonies ever used in conferring. the degree of Past Master; hut the ceremonies are more frequently shortened by the emission of some, part of them; the presenting of the "1various, implements of the profession," and their explanations, are often dispensed with; and still Maore often, the chargre..iiost Excellent.Master's Degree. CEREMsONIaES USED IN' OPENvING A LODGE OF MOST EICELILENT MASTER.S. THqE Lodge beingr called to order, the Most.Excellent Master says, "1Brother Junior, are they all Most Excellent Masters in the South?" The Junior Warden replies, " They are, Most Excellent." Most Excelle-nt AMaster to Senior Warden, " Brother Senior, are they all Most Excellent Masters in the West?" The Senior Warden replies, "16They are., Most Excellent." M. E. M. "ItThey are in the East; (gives one rap, which calls up both Deacons.) Brother, Junior Deacon, the first care, of a Mason?" J. D. 41,To see the door tyled, Mlost Excellent." M. E. M. " Attend tc that part of your duty,.and inform the Tyler that we are about to Open this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters, and dirpec-t him to tv'le accordingly~." Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives six knocks which the Tyler answers with six more: Junior Deacon gives -,ne more, which the Ty, 1cr answers wit~is one,-the door is then partly opened, when the Junior Deacon innforms the Tyler that a Lodge of Most Excellent Masters is about to be opened, and tells him to tyle accordingly; and~then returns to his place irn,the Lodge, and says, "1Most Excellent Master, the Lodge is tyled."' M. E. Al."By whom? J. D. "1By a Most Excellent Master Masoa without the door, armed with the proper im. plements of his office." M. E. M. "1His duty there?" J. D. "6To keep off all cowvans and eave-droppers; and see that none pass and repass, without permission from the chair." M E. M. "IYour place in the Lodge, brotheor junior?" J. D. " At the right hand,of the Senior Warden in the West, Most Excellent.' M. E. M. "Your duty there, brother Junior?"' J. D. "1To wait on tlhe Most Excellent Master and W~ardens, act as their pro.xy ila the active duties of. the Lodge, and take charge of the door." M. E. M. "The Senior Deacon')s place in the Lodge e J. D. "At the right hand of the Most Excellent Master in the East." M. E. Mv. " I thank you, brother. Your duty in the East, brother Senior?" S. D. "ýTo wait on the Most Excellent Master and Wardens; acst' as the~ir proxy in the active duties of the Lodge; attend to the preparation and introductioma of candidates; and receive and welcome all visiting brethren."ý M. E. M. "6The Secretary's place in the Lodge, brother Senior?" S. D. "r-At the left hand' of the Most Excellent Master ini the East."' M. E. M. 11I thank you,' brother. Your business there, brother Secretary?" Sec. 4"The better to observe the Most Excellent Master's will and pleasure; record the proceedings of the Lodge, and( transm it acopy of ýh same to the Grand Chapter, if required;!eceive all monies and money bills from the hands of the brethren; pay them, over to the' Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same.". M. E. M. "The Treasurer's place in the Lodge?" Sec. "At your right hand, Most Excellent." M. E. M. I"II thank you, brother. Your duty there, brother Treasurer?" ' Treas. "'The better to observe the Most Excellent Master's will and pleasure; receive all monies and money bills from the hands of the Sectetary; keep a just and true account of the same; pay them out by order of the Most Excellent Mas-. ter, and consent of the brethren." M. E. M. "The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge?" Treas. "In the South, Mopt Excellent." M. E. M. "1 thank you, brother. Your business in the South, brother Junior?" J. W. "'As the sun in the South, at high meridian, is the beauty and glory of tlse day, so stands the Junior Warden in the South, the better to obýserve the time of high twelve; call the craft from labor to refreshment; superintendl them duringr the hours thereof; see that none convert the hours of refreshment into that of intemperance, or excess; call them again ini due season; that the most Excellent Master may have honor, and they profit thereby."' M. E. M. "6The Senior 'Warden's place in the Lodge F' 3. W. "In the West~ Most Excel* 46 THE MYsTERIES OF FREE MASORTY. lent." M..E. M. "I thank you, brother. Your duty in the West, brother Senior?" S. W. " As the sun sets in the West, to close the day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West, to assist the Most Excellent Master in the opening of his Lodge; take care of the jewels and implements; see that none be lost; pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go away dissatisfied." M. E. M, "The Most Excellent Master's place in the Lodge?" S. W. "In the East, Most Excellent." M. E. M. "His duty in the East, brother Senior?" S. W. "As the sun rises in the East, to open and adorn the day, so presides the Most Excellent Master in the East, to open and adorn his Lodge; to set his craft to work; govern them with good and wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done. [In some Lodges the foregoing cerenonies are omitted.] M. E. M. " Brother Senior Warden, assemble the brethren round the altar for the purpose of opening this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons." S. W. "Brethren, please to assemble round the altar for the purpose of opening 'this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons." In pursuance of this request, the brethren assemble round the altar, and form a circle, and stand in such a position as to touch each other, leaving a space for the Most Excellent Master; they then all kneel on their left knee, and join hands, each giving his right hand brother his left hand, and his left hand brother his right hand; their left arms uppermost, and their heads inclining downward: all being thus, situated, the Most Excellent Master reads the following portion of scripture: Psalm xxiv.-" The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath nded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill,of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. IHe shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, 0-ye gates; andbe ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, st.:rg and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift rp your heads, 0 ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of -hosts; he is the King of glory. Selah." The reading being ended, the Most Excellent Master then kneels, joins hands )vith the others, which closes the circle; they all lift their hands, as joined together, up and down six- times, keeping time with the words as the Most Excellent Master repeats them, one, two, three; one, two, three. This is Masonically called balancing. They then rise, disengage their hands, and lift them up above their heads with a moderate, and somewhat graceful, motion; cast up their eyes, turning, at the same time, to the right, they extend their arms and then suffer them to fall loose and nerveless against their sides. This sign is. said, by Masons, to represent the sign of astonishment, made by the Queen of Sheba, on first viewing Solomon's temple.. The Most Excellent Master now resumes his seat, and says, "Brethren, attend to giving the signs." The Most ExcellentMaster then gives all the signs from an Entered Apprentice Mason, up to the degree of Most Excellent Master; in which they all join and imitate him. M. E. M." Brother, Senior Warden, you will please to inform brother Junior, and request him to inform the brethren, that it is my will and pleasure that this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons be now opened for dispatch of business, strictly forbidding all private committees, or profane language, whereby the harmony of the same may be interrupted, while engaged in their lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren may see cause to inflict." S. W. " Brother Junior, it is the will and pleasure of the Most Excellent Master, that this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons be now opened for dispatch of busisiness, strictly prohibiting all private committees, or profane language, whereby the harmony of the same may be interrupted, while engaged in their lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren may see cause to inflict." J. W. " Brethren, you have heard the Most Excellent Master's will and pleasure, as communicated to me by brother Senior-so let it be done." Ceremonies of Initiation.-The Lodge being now opened, and ready for the reception of candidates, the Senior Deacon repairs to the preparation room, where the candidate is in waiting, takes off his coat, puts a cable-tow six times round his body, and, in this situation, conducts him to the door of the Lodge; against which he gives six distinct knocks, which are answered by the same number, by the Junior Deacon from within: the Senior Deacon then gives one knock, and the Junior Deacon answers by giving one more: the door is then partly opened by the Junior Deacon, who says, "Who comes there?" Senior Deacon, "A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason; advanced to the honorary degree of a SMark Master Mason; presided in the chair as Past Master; and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being received and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master." Junior Deacon, "Is it of his own free will and accord he makes this request?" Senior Deacon, "It is." J. D. "Is he duly and truly prepared?" S. D. " He is." J. D. " Is he worthy and well qualified?" S. D. " He is." J. D. " Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees?" S. D. " He has." J. D. "By what further right, or benefit, does he expect to obtain this favor?" S. D. " By the benefit of a pass-word." J D. "Has he a pass-word?" S. D. " He has not, but I THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 47 have it for him." J D. " Will you give it to me?" S. D. whispers in the ear of the Junior Deacon the word, " Rabboni." [In many Lodges, the Past Master's word, " Giblen," is used as a pass-word for this degree, and the word, " Rabboni," as the real word.] J. D. "The word is right; since this is the case, you ~vill wait until the Most Excellent Master in the East is made acquainted with your request, and his answer returned." Junior Deacon repairs to the Most Excellent Master in the East, and gives six raps, as at the door. M. E. M. "Who comes here?" J. D. " A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason; passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; advanced to the honorary degree of Mark Master Mason; presided in the chair as Past Master; and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being received and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master. M. E. M. " Is it of his own free will and choice he makes this request?" J. D. "It is." M. E. M. "Is he duly and truly prepared?" J. D. " He is." M. E. M. ", Is he worthy and well qualified?" J. D. "He is." M. E. M. "Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees?" J. D. "He has." M. E. M. "By what further right, or benefit, does he expect to obtain this favor?" "J. D. " By the benefit of a password." M. E. M. "Has he a pass-word?" J. D. "He has not, but I have it for him?" M. E. M. "Will you give it to me?" Junior Deacon whispers, in the ear of the Most Excellent Master, the word, ' Rabboni." M. E. M. "The pass is right; since he comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters, in the name of the Lord." The candidate is then conducted six times round the Lodge, by the Senior Deacon, moving with the sun. The first time they pass round the Lodge, when opposite the Junior Warden, he gives one blow with the gavel; when opposite the Senior Warden he does the same; and likewise when opposite the Most Excellent Master. The second time round, each gives two blows, the third, three; and so on, until they arrive to six. During this time, the Most Excellent Master reads the following passage of scripture:-Psalm cxxii. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will seek thy good." The reading of the foregoing is. so timed, as not to be fully ended until the Senior Deacon and candidate have performed the sixth revolution. Immediately after this, the Senior Dea con and candidate arrive at the Tunior Warden's station in the South, when the same questions are asked and the same answers returned, as at the door; (Who comes here? &c.) The Junior Warden then directs the candidate to pass on to the Senior Warden in the West, for further examination; where the same questions are asked and answers returned as before. The Senior Warden directs him to be conducted to the Right Worshipful Master in the East, for further examination. The Right Worshipful Master asks the same questions and receives the same answers, as before. / He then says, "Please to conduct the candidate back to the West, from whence he.came, and put him in the care of the Senior Warden, and request him to teach the candidate how to approach the East, by advancing upon six upright regular steps to the sixth step, and place him in a proper position to take upon him the solemn oath, or obligation, of a Most Excellent Master Mason." The candidate is conducted back to the West, and put in care of the Senior Warden, who informs him how to approach the East, as directed by the Most Excellent Master: The candidate kneels on both knees, and places both hands on the leaves of an opened Bible, square and compass. The Most Excellent Master now comes forward, and says, "Brother, you are now placed in a proper position to take upon you the solemn oath, or obligation, of a Most Excellent Master Mason; which I assure you, as before, is neither to affect your religion, or politics. If you are willing to take it, repeat your name, and say after me." The following obligation is then administered: "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty God, and this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons, do hereby and hereon, in addition to my former obligations, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will not give the degree of a Most Excellent Master to any of an inferior degree, nor to any other person, or persons, in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother, or brethren, of this degree, and within the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him nor them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due ex. amination, or lawful information. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will obey all regular signs and summons, given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from a brother of this degree, or from the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, provided it be within the length of my cable-tow, if in my power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will support the constitution of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America; also, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of S-,under which this Lodge is held, and conform to all the by-laws, rules and regulations of this, or any other Lodge, of which I may, at any time hereafter, become a member. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will aid and assist all poor and indigent brethren of this degree, their widows 48 'THE MYSTERIESI@ OF FREE KABSONRY. and orphans, wheresoever dispersed round the round the Lodge, aganist the course of the globe, as far as in my power, without injuring sun, singing the following song, and giving all myself or family. Furthermore, do I promise the signs from an Entered Apprentice to that and swear, that the secrets of a brother of of Most Excellent Master. When opposite this degree, given to me in charge as such, the Most Excellent Master, the first time and I knowing them to be such: shall remain they march round the Lodge, each member as secret and inviolable in my breast as in his gives the first sign of an Entered Apprentice, own, murder and treason excepted, and the and preserves it until he nearly arrives oppothe same left to my own free will and choice. site the Most Excellent a second time, then Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I gives the second sign, and continues it in the will not wrong this Lodge of Most Excellent same manner, and so of all others, up to that Master Masons, nor a brother of this degree, of this degree, saying, to the value of anything, knowingly, myself, All hail to the morning, that bids us rejoioo; nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my The temple's completed, exalt hig each voioe. The ope-stone is finished-our labor is o'er, power to prevent it; but will give due and The sound of the gavel shall hail us no moro. timely notice of all approaches of danger, if To the poer Almighty, who ever has guided in my power. Furthermore, do I promise The tribes of old Israel, exalting their fame; and swear, that I will dispense light and To Him, who hath governed our hearts undivided, knowledge to all igInorant and uninformed Let's send forth our vows to praise his great naame knowledge to all ignorant and uninformed ompanions, assemble n thi.joyf day, brthren, at all times, as far as in my power, Companions, assemble on this.joyful day, brethren, at all times, as far as in my power, (The occasion is glorious.) the key-stone to lay; without material injury to myself, or family. Fulfilled is the promise, by the ANCIeNT of DAYS, To all which, I do most solemnly swear, with To bring forth the cope-stone with shouting and praise. a fixed and steady purpose of mind in me, [The key-stone is now produced and laid to keep and perform the same; binding my- on the altar.] self under no less penalty than to have my There is no more occasion for leveo or plumb-line, For trowel or gavel, for compass or square:* breast torn open, and my heart and vitals Our works are completed, the ark safely seated,f taken from thence, and exposed to rot on the And we shall be greeted as workmen most rare. dunghill, if ever I violate any part of this, my Names, those that are worthy our tribes, who have solemn oath, or obligation, of a Most Excel- shared And proved themselves faithful, shall meet their. lent Master Mason: so help me God, and keep ward: me steadfast in the due performance of the Their viitue and knowledge, industry and skill, Ym 0 Hauve our approbation-have gained our good will. same." "Detach your hands and kiss the Se o aprotioe ed o g wll book." We accept and receivo them,$ Most Excellent Mastes ' bok." Trusted with honor and power to preside. The candidate is now requested to rise, and Among worthy craftsmen, whereer assembled, the Most Excellent Master gives him the The knowledge of Msons to spread far and wide. sign, grip, and word appertaining to this de- Almighty Jehovabl descend now and fill This lodge with thy glory, our hearts with good wil: gree. The sign is given by placing your Preside at our meeting, assist us to find hands one on each breast, the fingers meeting True pleasure in teaching good will to mankind in the centre of the body, and jerking them Thy wisdom inspired the great institution; apart as though you were trying to tear open Thy strength shall support it till nature expire:And when the creation shall fall into ruin, your breast: it alludes to the penalty of the Its beauty shall rise through the midst of the fire. obligation. The grip is given by taking each At the time the ark is placed on the altar, other by the right hand, and clasping them so there is also placed on it a pot of incense, to that each compresses the third finger of the which fre is communicated by the. Most Exother with his thumb. [lf one hand is large cellent Master, just as the last line of the and the other small, they cannot both give the song is sung: this pot to contain incense, is grip at the same time.] It is called the grip sometimes an elegant silver urn; but if the of all grips, because it is said to cover all theLode is too poor to afford that, a common preceding grips. The Most Excellent holds 0tea with spo t and handle broken off, the candidate by the hand, and puts the in- tea-po, eewith spout and hane ene some ide of his right foot to the inside of the can-answers every purpose:-for incense some didate's right foot, and whispers in his ear, pieces of paper are dipped in spirits of tordidate's right foot, and whispers in his ear, pentine.] ' Rabboni." In some Lodges, the word is The members now all join hands, as in not given in a whisper, but in a low voice. The members now all join hands, as in not given in a whisper, but ma low voice, opening; and, while in this attitude, the Most After these ceremonies are over, and the opening; and, while in this attitude, the m bers seated, some noise is intentionally Excellent reads the following passage of scripm brs seated, some noise is intentiolly ture:-2 Chron. vii. 1-4." Now when Solomade, by uff the enior, what is the mon had made an end of praying, the fire M. E M. Brother Senior, came down from heaven, and consumed the cause of this confusion?" S. W. "Is not b o ingan hesa and the this the day set apart for the celebration of burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the the cope-stone, Most Excellent?" M. E. M. r oft uld not enter intolled the house of the,1I will ask brother Secretary. Brother priests could not enter into the house of the SI will ask brother Secretaary. Brother Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled Scretary, is this the day set apart for the the Lord's houe. And when all the chil. celebration of the cope-stone Secretary, den of Israel saw how the fire came down, (looking in his book,) " It is, Most Excellent." M. E. M. "Brother Senior Warden, assemble * Here the brethren divest themselves of their the brethren, and form a procession, for the jewels, sashes, aprons, &c. urpose of celebrating the cope-stone." The t Toe ark. which had been carried by two brethrea rethren then assmble, (the candidate stands in the proceseon, is her placed on the altar. t At these words the candidate is received lAWo '~ide, not joining in the procession;) form a the pocession. procession double file, and march six times I Here all kneel in a circle round the altar. Tim MYTSTRIEIS OF PREH 3YMASONRY. 4 49 I ~ and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bodies of Masons of the preceding degrees are bowed themselves with their faces to the ground called Lodges. All the degrees from Mark upon the pavement, and worshipped, and Master to Royal Arch, are given under the praised the Lord, saying, FOR HIE Is OOOD; sanction of Royal Arch Chapters. A person FORc HIS MIERCY ENDURtETH FOREVER." The making application to a Chapter for admission, members now balance six times, as before; in is understood as applying for all the degrees, opening, rise and balance six times mote, dis- unless he states in his application the particuengage themselves from each other, and take lar degree or degrees he wishes to receive. their seats; the Most Excellent Master then If you ask a Mark Master if he belongs to a delivers the following charge to the candidate: Chapter he will answer yes, but has only been marked. If a person make application "Brother, your admittance to this degree for all the degrees, and wishes to receive of Masonry, is a proof of the good opinion them all at one time, he is frequently ballotthe brethren of this Lodge entertain of your ted for only on the Mark degree, it being unMasonic abilities. Let this consideration in- derstood, that if accepted on that, he is to duce you to be careful of forfeiting, by mis- receive the whole. The members of Chapconduct and inattention to our rules, that ters who have received all the degrees, style esteem which has raised you to the rank you each other companions; if they have not re-. now possess. ceived the Royal Arch degree, brothers. It " it is one of your great duties, as a Most is a point of the Royal Arch degree " not to Excellent Master, to dispense light and truth assist, or be present, at the conferring of to the uninformed Mason; and I need not re- this degree upon more or less than three mind you of the impossibility of complying candidates at one time." If there are not with this obligation without possessing an ac- three candidates present, one or two comcurate acquaintance with the lectures of each panions, as the case may be, volunteer to degree. represent candidates, so as to make tlhe requi" If you are not already completely conver- site number, or a team, as it is technically sant in all the degrees heretofore conferred on styled, and accompany the candidate or canyou, remember, that an indulgence, prompted didates through all the stages of exaltation. by a belief that you will apply yourself with Every Chapter must consist of a High Priest, double diligence to inake yourself so, has in- King, Scribe, Captain of the Host, Principal duced the brethren to accept you. Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, three Grand "Let it, therefore, be your unremitting study Masters of the Veils, Treasurer, Secretary, to acquire such a degree of knowledge and in- and as many members as may be found con. formation as shall enable you to discharge venient for working to advantage. In the with propriety the various duties incumbent Lodges for conferring the preparatory deon you, and to preserve unsullied the title grees, the High Priest presides as Master, the now conferred upon you of a Most Excellent King as Senior Warden, the Scribe as Junior Master." Warden, the Captain of the Host as Marshal, After this a motion is made, by some of the or master of ceremonies, the Principal Somembers, to close the Lodge. This motion journer, as Senior Deacon; the Royal Arch being accepted and received, the Most Ex- Captain, as Junior Deacon; the Master of the cellent savs," Brother Junior Warden, you first, second and third Veils, as Junior, Senior will please assemble the brethren round the and Master Overseers; the Treasurer, Secrealtar, for the purpose of closing this Lodge tary, and Tyler, as officers of corresponding of Most Excellent Masters." The brethren rank. The Chapter is authorised to confer immediately assemble round the attar in a cir- the degrees by a charter, or warrant from cle, and kneel on the right knee, put their left some Grand Chapter. arms over and join hands, as before; while The members being assembled, the High kneeling in this position, the Most Excellent Priest calls to order, and demands of the reads the following Psalm:-Psalm cxxxiv. Royal Arch Captain if all present are Royal "' Behold, bless ve the Lord, all ye servants of Arch Masons. The Royal Arch Captain asthe Lord, which by night stand in the house certains and answers in the affirmative. The of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sane- High Priest then directs him to cause the Tytuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that ler to be stationed, which being done, the made heaven and earth bless thee out of High Priest says, "Companions Royal Arch Zion." The Most Excellent then closes the Masons, you will please to clothe, and arcircle as in opening, when they balance six range yourselves for the purpose of opening times, rise and balance six times more, disen- the Chapter." The furniture of the Chapter gaging their hands, and give all the signs is then arranged, the companions clothed downwards, and declares the Lodge closed. with scarlet sashes and aprons, and the officers invested with the proper insignia of their Royal.-rch Degree. respective offices, and repair to their proper stations. The High Priest then demand* ALL legally constituted bodies of Royal aether the Chapter is tyed andis answered Arch Masons are called Chaptiers, as regular whether the Chapter is tyled, and is ations awered A a o t bod _ the saine as in the Lodge. The stations and * At the words " For He is good," the Most Excel- duties of the officers are then recited, (see 4ant Master, who is High Priest of the Chapter, lecture, sec. 1st.) After the duties of the seels and joins hands with the rest; they all then officers are recited, the High Priest directs epeat in concert the words, "For He is good, h the Captain of the Host to assemble the *omercy endreth forever" si times each timer. ow panions of the altar. The companions form a AZ 50 THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. circle about the altar, all kneeling on the right rate, each repairing to his stati n, and the knee, with their arms crossed, right arm up- High Priest declares the Chapter opened. permost and hands joined, leaving a space for The LECTURE of the Royal Arch degree the High Priest, who reads the following pas- is divided into two sections. The first secsages of scripture: 2 Thess. iii. 6-18. "Now tion designates the appellation, number and we command you, brethren, that you with- station, of the several officers, and points out draw yourselves from every brother that the purpose and duties of their respective walketh disorderly, and not after the tradi- stations. tion that ye have received of us, for yourselves Question-Are you a Royal Arch Mason? know, how ye ought to follow us, for we be- Answer-1 am that I am. haved not ourselves disorderly among you, Q. How shall I know you to be a Royal neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, Arch Mason? A. By three times three. but wrought with labor and travail night and Q. Where was you made a Royal Arch Maday, that we might not be chargeable to any son? A. In a just and legally constituted of you; not because we have not power, but Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, consisting of to make ourselves an ensample unto you to Most Excellent, High Priest, King, and Scribe, follow us. For even when we were with you, Captain of the Host, Principal Sojourner, Roythis we commanded you, that if any man would al Arch Captain, and the three Grand Masters not work, i4ther should he eat. For we hear of the Veils, assembled in a room or place that there are some, which walk among you representing the tabernacle erected by our disorderly, working not at all, but are busy- ancient brethren, near the ruins of King Solbodies. Now them that are such, we com- omen's temple. mand and exhort, that with quietness they Q. Where is the High Priest stationed; work and eat their own bread. But ye, and what are his duties? A. He is stationed? brethren, be not weary in well doing. And in the sanctum sanctorum. His duty, with if any man obey not our word, note that man the King and Scribe, to sit in the Grand and have no company with him, that he may Council, to form plana and give directions to be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, the workmen. but admonish him as a brother. Now the Q. The King's station and duty? A. At Lord of peace himself, give you peace always. the right hand of the High Priest, to aid him, The salutation of Paul, with mine own hand, by his advice and counsel, and in his absence which is the token, so I write." [The reader to preside. is requested to compare this with scripture- Q. The Scribe's station and duty? A. At be will observe that the name of the Saviour the left hand of the High Priest, to assist him is intentionally left out.] The High Priest and the King in the discharge of their duties, then takes his place in the circle. The whole and to preside in their absence. circle then balance with their arms three Q. The Captain of the Host's station and times three, that is, they raise their arms and duty? A. At the right hand of the Grand let them fall upon their knees three times in Council, and to receive their orders, and see concert, after a short pause three times more, them duly executed. and after another pause three times more. Q. The Principal Sojourner's station and Then all break into squads of three, and raise duty? A. At the left hand of the Grand the living arch. This is done by each com- Council, to bring the blind, by a way that they panion's taking his left wrist in his right hand, know not, to lead them in paths they have not and with their left hands, the three grasp known, to make darkness light before them, each other's right wrists, and raise, them and crooked things straight. above their heads. This constitutes the liv- Q. The Royal Arch Captain's station and, ing arch, under which the Grand Omnific duty? A. At the inner veil, or entrance of Royal Arch word must be given, but it must the sanctum sanctorum, to guard the same, also be given by three times three. In open- and see that none pass but sach as arie duly ing the Chapter this is done in the following qualified, and have the proper pass-words and manner. After the three have joined hands signets of truth. they repeat these lines in concert, and at the Q. What is the color of his banner? A close of each line raise them above their White, and is emblematical of that purity of heads, and say, "As we three did agree, the heart and rectitude of conduct, which is essacred word to keep," " And as we three did sential to obtain admission into the divine agree, the sacred word to search," " So we sanctum sanctorum above. three do agree, to raise this Royal Arch." At Q. The stations and dauies cf the three the close of the last line they keep their Grand Masters of the Veil,? A. At the bands raised, while they incline their heads entrance of their respective V is; to guard vnder them, and the first whispers in the ear the same and see that non' pams but such ae of the second the syllable J A H, the second are duly qualified and i'n ipoffjsion cf the pro-to the third, B U H, and the third to the first, per pass-words and tokens. L U N. The second then commences, and it Q. What are the colors of their banners? goes round again in the same manner, then A. That of the third, scarlet, which is emblethe third; so that each companion pronounces GC, eap one p onounc.g a lettr o it in iucceseach syllable of the word.* They then sepa- sion, until they have each pr.onouncel every le'tea. of the word, then tih word JEHOVJH a asyliblt at * There is a great difference in the manner of time, and thea the word JA osUHLUvN, a doesc.ibe giving the Royal Arch word in the different Chap- There are also C:hapt;ers m which the laSttr word is ters. Sometimes it is given at the opening, as above not knownr, and thaie are orters iri which the w'or gtated, sometimes they coimemnce with the word is not givea at all at op-i ng. MPtE MY8=Miti O F Fr=E MASONR~tY.M mtilcal of fervency and zeal, and the appro- pared, worthy and well quaxlfuled, had made priate color of the Royal Arch Degree. It ad- suitable proficien-cy in the preoi ing degrees, sonishes us to be fervent in the exercise of and were properly avouched for. All which, our devotions to God, and zealous in our on- being answered in the affirinative, we were deavors topromote the happiness of men. Of asked by what further right or benefit we exthe second, purple, which being produced by pete d to obtain this favor. a due mixture of blue and scarlet, the former Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a of which is the characteristic oolor of the pass-word. symbolic, or three first degrees, and the latter, Q. Had you that pass-word? A. We had that of the Royal Arch Degree, is ap anblemrn not, hut our conductor gave it for us. of union, and is the characteristic color of the Q. What was then said to you? A. We intermediate degrees. It teaches us to culti- were directed to wait with patience, till the vate and improve that spirit of harmony be- Grand Council could be informed of' our retween the brethren of the symbolic degrees, quest and their pleasure known. and the companions of the sublime degrees, Q. What answer was returned? A. Let which should ever distinguish the members them enter under a living arch, and rememof a society founded upon the principles of her to stoop low, for he that humbleth himeverlasting truth and universal philanthropy. self shall be exalted. Of the first, blue, the peculiar color of the Q. Did you pass under a living arch? A. three aneient or symbolical degrees. It is an We did. emblem of universal friendship and benevo- Q. How were you then disposed of? A. lence, and instructs us that in the mind of a We were conducted to the altar, caused to Mason, those virtues should be as expansive kneel, and take upon ourse'ves the solemn as the blue arch of heaven itself. oath, or obligation, of a Royal Arch Mason, Q. The Treasurer's.1ation and duty? A. Q. Have you that obligation? A. I have. At the right band of the Captain of the Host; Q. Will you give it me? his dfity to keep a just and regular account of A. "'I, A. B., of my own free will and acall the property and funds of the Chapter cord, in the presence of Almighty God, and placed in his hands, and exhibit them to the this Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, erectea Chapter when called upon for that purpose. to God, and dedicated to the holy order of Q. The Secretary's place in the Chapter? St. John, do hereby and hereon, must solemnly A. At the left of' the Principal Sojourner, his and sincerely prumise and swear, in addition duty to issue the orders and notifications to my former obligations, that I will not give of his superior officers, record the proceed- the degree of Royal Arch Mason to any one ings of the Chapter proper to be written, to of an inferior degree, nor to any other being receive all monies due to the Chapter, and pay in the knowh world, except it be to a true and them over to the Treasurer. and lawful companion Royal Arch Mason, or Q. Tyler's place and duty? A. His sta- with-in the body of a just and legally constition is at the outer avenue of the Chapter, his tuted Chapter of such; and not unto him or duty to guard against the approach of cowans unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but and eaves-droppers, and suffer norne to pass or unto him or them only whom I shall find so repass but such as are duly qualified. to be, after strict trial, dde examination, or The second section describes the method of legal information received. Furthermore, do exaltation to this sublime degree, as follows: I promise and swear, that I will not give the "Companion, you informed me, at the com- Grand Omonific Royal Arch word, which I mencement of this lecture, that you was shall hereafter receive, neither in the Chapmade a Royal Arch Mason in a just and legally ter nor out of it, except there be present two constituted Chapter of Royal Arch Masons." companions Royal Arch Masons, who, w ith Q. Where was you prepared to be a Royal miyself, make three, and then by three times Arch Mason? A. In a room adjacent to the three, under a living arch not aboveo my breath. Chapter. Furthermore, that I will not reveal the ineffaQ.'How was you prepared? A. In a com- ble characters belonging to this degree, or repany of three, I was hoodwinked, with a ca- tain the key to them in my posses "ion, but ble-tow seven times around our bodies; destroy it, whenever it comes to my sight. in which condition we wvere conducted to the Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I door of the Chapter, and caused to give sevet. will not wrong this Chapter, nor a companion distinct knocks, which were answered by o, of' this degree, to the valuiv of anything, knowlike number from within, and we were asked ingly, myself, or" sufler it to be done by oth"Who comes triers " ers, if in ry power to prevent it. FurtherQ Your answer"? A. Three brethren, morc, do I Iproiise and swear, that I will who have been recu!anly iiitiated as Entered not be at the eexaltation of a candidate to this Appientices, pAssed to the depree of Fellow degree, at a clandestine Chapter, koing0 Craft, raised to the sublirnme degre of' Kaster it to be such. Furthernrore,do I proa"lne and, Dlason, advanced to the ni6tre honorable de- sweari, that I will not a-sist, or be p atsent at gree of Mark Master, presided as Maaeters in the exaltation of a candidate to this ýdeg-e., the chsi.r, accepted ard received as Most x- Exwho has not Lroerullarly recowivedf tiedeiees o zellent Masters, and neow winh for forthe" FuiteredC, Afpr~;' "' "" ret, lN-ster Lallight in Masonry, by being exalted to thel son, Idank Malster, iPast sye iAsI h t clmore. sulih~me der~pee of Roya~;l Arch Masons. losl lil~e. tJ tthe h''~t of rni 1 3lii~cd andI( Q.. W~hat w~as then said to you?~ A. W'ie lb diet b o'rlthsrr~in'"se t.int w ~rill not, axsltt or were "8.kad if we were duly and trulyr prp- isr-oreo less~ tixar tre~ie cad~ ll~r e~~lt' b2 TiU H MYSTERIES OF FREE 11S-ASNRit. ed at one and the same time. Furthermore, important than any of the preedinb; it mae -that I will not assist or be present at the necessary for us to pass through many trials, forming or opening of a Royal Arch Chapter, and to travel in rough and rugged ways to,unless there be present nine regular Royal prove our fidelity., beforo, we could be en. Arch Masons. Furthermore, do I prorrise trusted with the mnore imnortarnt sec-rets of 'hi2 and swear, that I wvill not speak evil of a dgderee. We vere f to'E,, that, though companion Royal Arch Mason, neither behind I we could not discover the path we Wert. to his back nor before his face, hut will apprise tralvel, we were under the diirectioin oci a fithhim of approaching danger, if in my powei% ful guide, who would " brin htle bli nd by a F!urthermore, do I promis6 and strear, that I wy their knew adol, ond lid tV. n in ipli% will not strike' a companion Royal Arch Ma- they had io r kmc -vn; who wowoul ma'e dark. son in anger, so as to draw his blood Fur- ness ight btefore thleme, an.!d cr'ooked tbings thermore, do I promise, and swear, that 1 s t ragl i t; wo o w0.uI doG these 'hinta, atd not wvvill support the constitution of the Genera!. forsale thnei." (ato I sa. xlii. liii.) Grand' Royal Arch Chapter of the United Q. Wohat f Gflowed? A. WVe wore caused States of America; also, the constitution of to travel -h1ee timrnes oie id the rooro, when the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of thi te, e se were 'main cooduii. d to the rl ) aaus 0 under which this Chapter is held,. and con- to kneel and attendtc tohe foilowiný, pt-aycr: formto all the by-laws, rules and regulations Supreme Arichitect of universal natuie, of this, ox any otlier Chapter of' Whicha I miay wh1o0, by tline _ loniirrht i\ ord, didst speak hereafter become a meunher. Furflermore, ilnto beang the sttpendous arch o o"i eai! do I proniise and ýweae, that I will obey all ' nd )"r tr1cton end osea::u ie t a nd y regular siyns, summons,or tokens iven, hand- rational cseatuaes, didit acdiro m cs '\-'v h r teý ed. sent, or throwVn to roe froom the hai t of i a d 1esser li its, ti- toyrn-ri Vno VL''companion Royal Arch Mason, or fiom t1h povi(y and a conea'in.1gUhe'-0 t 1one.'n body of a just and lawfully coiistituted baip- non sof rniCer: We V ul-ri-bly adtora a nd.e aU Li ter of succh, provided it be within toe elength thixe unspeaable peefectio f Xto 'cc my cable-tow. Furthe-rmore, do I promise thee, tlhzt, ilien toon hanec fallen frot Di3 inand swear, that I will aid and assist a coinpan- noconce and happiness, thou didtst leive hiin ion Royal Arch Mason, when engaged in any the poxvcr4 ofi resondag,.d c apacity of difficulty; and espouse his cause, so far asto imiprovement an"1 of -pleasurc. We to onk extricate him from the same, if in mry power, thecs, that amidst the pains an c d I ios of whether he be right or wrong. Also, that I no0r present state, so many mea,s of' refsliwill promote a companion Royal Arco lnM ra-ent andlsatis'licsfaiion are reserved to us, vw rhile son's political preferment in preference to travelino- the rugpdj-c/a cf lifee; esnecially another of equal qualifications.* Further- would tee, at thris tuine, render thee eour niore, do I promise and swear, that a compan- thanksgiving aid praise for the institution, ion Royal Arch Mason's secrets, given me in as members of which we are, at this time, chargre as such, and I knowing thorm to be assercibled, and for a1 the pleasures we have such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in derived from it. We thank thee, th-.t the fcv ry'breast as in his own, murder and treason here assetribled before thee, have baen favor. not excepted t Furthermore, do I promise ed with new indoceaients, and been laid noand swvear, that I will be aiding and assisting der new and stroner obligations of virtue all poor and indigene Royal Arch Masons, and holiness. May thtese obligations, 0 blessed their widows and orphans, wherever dispersed F'ather! have their full effect upoa us. Teach around the globe, so far as in my power, with- us, we pray thee, the true reverence of thy Qut material injury to myself or family. All great, mighty, and terrible name. inspireu. which, I do most solemnly and sincerely pro- with a firma and urishakeoe resolution in our miss and swear, with a firm and steadfast reso- virtuous pursuits. Give us grace dilicently lution to perform the same, without any equi- to search thy word in the book, of nature, vocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion wherein the duties of 3our high vocadion are of mind in me whatever; binding myself uns- inculcated with divine authority. May the der no less penalty than that of having my solemnity of the ceremonies of our instituskull smote off, and my brains exposed to the tion be duly impressed on our minds, anti scorching rays of the sun, should I ever know- have a happy and lasting effect on our lives! ingly, or wilfully, violite or transgress any part 0 thou, who didst aforetime appear unto thy of this my solemn oath, or obligation, of a servant Moses in aflame of fire out of t&! Royal Arch Mason. So help me God, and midst of a bus4, enkindle, we beseech thee, keep me steadfast in the performance of the in each of our h4t, a flame of devotion to same." thee, of loxe to e`dh other, and of charity to Q. After receiving t 1e obligation, what was all mankcind! May all thy miracles and said to you? A. We wyere told that we were mighty works fill us with thy dread, and thy now obligated and received as Royal Arch goodness imgress us with a love of thy holy Masons, but as this degree was infinitely more name! May H-roliness to the Lord, be en-.1 gravei r~vn uponn all oulr thouu-lts, wor~ds, and ae ~ * This clause is sametimees made a distinct gtint rave upo all our thou- twosna In the obligation in thflowingformviz:Furtions! May tie incense of piety, ascend conthermore. do 1 promi'se and swea', that I will vo~e tinually unto thee, from the altar of our hearts. for a companion Royal Arch Mason before any 'ther and burn day and night, as a sacrifice of' sweet of equal qualifications; and in same Chapters,'both smellino savor, well pleasing unto thee!- And are leAt out ol use oblig~ation. snesnhydsrydweln u teF~~ t~ In seine Ch~apters this is administered. A'l th. iiesnhsdsrye ihnu is socrems of a c~ompanion without exception, temple of purity and innocence, may thy hea THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY. 53 4enly grace guide and assist us in rebuilding the reign of the kingdom of Persia." At the a second temple of reformation, and may the close of this there was a representation of the glory of this latter house be greater than the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, glory of the former! Amen, so mote it be. and the carrying captive of the children of Q. After the prayer what followed? A. Israel to Babylon. We were seized, bound in We were again caused to travel three times chains, and confined in a dungeon. round the room, during which the following Q. What followed? A. We heard rejoicpassage of scripture was read, and we were ing, as of good news; the proclamation of shown a representation of the bush that burn- Cyrus, king of Persia, was read in our heared and was not consumed. Exodus iii. 1-6. ing. Ezra, i. 1-3. " Now in the first year "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his fa- of Cyrus, king of Persia, the Lord stirred up ther-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, that he the flock to the back side of the desert, and made a proclamation throughout all his kingcame to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. dom, and put it also in writing, saying: Thus And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him saith Cyrus, king of Persia, the Lord God of in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned earth, and he hath charged me to build him an with fire, and the bush was not consumed. house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and is there among you of all his people? His see this great sight, why the bush is not God be with him, and let him go up to Jeruburned. And when the Lord saw that he salem, which is in Judah, and build the house turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the Lord God of Israel, which is in Jeof the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, rusalem." Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he Q. What was then said to you? A. We said, draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes were unbound and requested to go up to Jefrom off thy feet; for the place whereon thou rusalem to assist in rebuilding the temple, but standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, objected, as we had no pass by which to make I am the God of thy father, the God of Abra- ourselves known to our brethren. ham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Q. What followed? A. The third chapter And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to of Exodus, 13th and 14th verses, were read look upon God." to us: "And Moses said unto God, Behold! Q. What followed? A. We again traveled when, I come unto the children of Israel, and while the following passage was read.- shall say unto them, the God of your fathers 2 Chron. xxxvi. 11-20. "Zedekiah was one hath sent me unto you, and they shall say to me, and twenty years old when he began to reign, what is his name? what shall I say to them? and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And And God said unto Moses, I Al THAT I AM: he did that which was evil in the sight of the And thus thou shalt say unto the children Lord his God, and humbled not himself be- of Israel, I AMa hath sent me unto you." We fore Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the weie directed to use the words, "I am that mouth of the Lord. And he also rebelled I am," as a pass-word. against king Nebuchadnezzar, and he stiffen- Q. What followed? A. We arose to go up ed his neck, and hardened his heart from to Jerusalem, and traveled over hills and valturning unto the Lord God of Israel. More- leys, rough and rugged ways, for many days; over, all the chief of the priests and the peo- during which time, as we stopped occasionale, transgressed very much after all the ally to rest and refresh ourselves, the followabominations of the heathen; and polluted ing passages from the Psalms, were read in the house of the Lord which he had hallowed our hearing for our consolation and encourin Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their agement. [Psalms cxli. cxlii. cxliii.] fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising Psalm cxli.-" Lord, I cry unto thee; up betimnes and sending; because he had make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice. compassion on his people, and on his dwelling Let my prayer be set forth before thee, as inplace. But they mocked the messengers of cense: and the lifting up of hands as the God, and despised his words., and misused his evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, beprophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose fore my mouth; keep the door of my lips..gains his people, till there was no remedy. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to Therefore he.brought upon him the king of practice wicked works with men that work the Chaldees, who slew their young men with iniquity.: Let the righteous smite me; it the sword in the house of their sanctuary, shall be a kindness: ana let him reprove me; and,.1ad no.comp-ssion on young men or maid- iti shall be an excellent oil. Mine eyes are ens, od rmen, or him that stooped for age; he unto thee, 0 God the Lord; in thee is my, gave them all unto his hand. And all the ves- trust; leave not my soul destitute. Keep me sels of the house of God, great and small, and from the snare which they have laid for me, the treasures of the house of the Lord, and and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let 'treasures of the king, and of his princes; all the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst these he brought to.Babylon. And they burnt that I withal escape. the house of God, and broke down the wall Psalm cxlii.-I cried unto the Lord with 9f Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces there- my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I of with fire, and destroyed all the goodly ves- make my supplication. I poured out my comsels thereof. And them that had escaped from plaint before him; I showed before him my the sword carried he away to Babylon; where trouble. When my spirit was over whtln.me they were servants to him aon hi' sons, until within me, thea than knewast my path. In 64 THEE MISTERsES OF FOLEE o MAS a ONRY. the way wherein I walked, have they privily tions were asked and answers resurned, as laid a snare for me. I looked on my right before, with the addition of the pass-wolds hand, and beheld, but there was no man that and token given at the First Veil. would know me; refuge failed ime: no man Q. What followed? A. The Master of the cared fbr my soul. I cried unt9 thee, 0 Lord; Second Veil told us that we must be true and I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in lawful brethren to pass thus far, but further the land of the living. * Attend unto my cry, we could not go without his pass and token, for I am brought very low; deliver me from which he accordingly gave to us. my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Q. What are they? A. The words are Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Shem, Japheth, and.Idoniram; the toke.n is thy name. putting the hand in the bosom, plucking it Psalm cxliii.-Hear my prayer, 0 Lord, out again, in imitation of the second sign give ear to my supplications: in thy faithful- which Moses was directed to make to the Isness answer me, and in thy righteousness.- raelites, when putting his hand into his bo. And enter not into judgment with thy ser- som and taking it out again, it became lep. vant: for in thy sight shall no man living be rous as snow. justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my Q. How were you then disposed of? A. soul; he hath made me to dwell in darkness. We were conducted onwards to the Third Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within Veil, when the same questions were asked me; my heart within me is desolate. Hear and answers returned, as before, with the adme speedily, 0 Lord: my spirit faileth: hide dition of the token and words last received. not thy face from me, lest I be like unto Q. What followed? A. The Master of the them that go down into the pit. Cause me Third Veil then gave us the sign, words, and to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; signet, to enable us to pass the Fourth Veil, for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the to the presence of the Grand Council. way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my Q. What are the words, sign, and signet? soul unto thee. Bring my soul out of trouble, A. The words are Japheth, Shem,.'oah; and of thy mercy cut off mine enemies: for I the sign, pouring water upon the ground, in am thy servant." imitation of Moses, who poured water upon At length we arrived at Jerusalem, and pre- the ground and it became blood; the signet sented ourselves at the first Veil of the Tab- is.called the signet of truth, and is Zerubbaernacle. bel. It alludes to this passage, "In that day Q. What was there said to you? A. The I will take thee, 0 Zerubbabel, my servant, Master of the First Veil demanded of us, the son of Shealtiel, and will make thee as a " Who comes there? who dares approach signet; for I have chosen thee." [See Hagthis outer Veil of our sacred Tabernacle? gai, chap. ii. ver. 23.] who comes here?" Q. What followed? A. We then passed to Q. Your answer? A. Three weary travel- the Fourth Veil, where, after answering the ers from Babylon. They then demanded of same questions, and giving the sign, words, us who we were, and what were our in- and signet, last received, we were admitted tentions. to the presence of the Grand Council, where Q. Your answer? A. We are your own the High Priest made the same demands as brethren and kindred, of the tribe of Benja- were made at the Veils, and received the min; we are the descendants of those noble same answers. families of Giblemites, who wrought so hard Q. What did the High Priest further deat the building of the first temple, were pre- mand of you? A. The signs from Entered sent at its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, by Apprentice to Most Excellent Master in suchim carried away captive to Babylon, where cession. we remained servants to him and his sons, Q. What did he then say to you? A. He till the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, by said we were truly three worthy Most Excel. whose order we were liberated, and are now lent Masters, commended us for our zeal and -returned to assist in rebuilding the house of disinterestedness, and asked what part of the the Lord, withgut expectation of fee or re- work we were willing to undertake. ward. Q. Your answer? A. That we were wit. Q. What further was demanded of you? ling to undertake any service, however serA. The pass-word, " I am that I am." After vile or dangerous, for the sake of forwarding giving which, the Master of the Veil, assured so great and noble an undertaking. of his full confidence in us as worthy breth- Q. What followed? A. We were then fur. ren, commended us for our zeal and gave us nished with a pizk-axe, spade, and crow, and the token and words to enable us to pass the were directed to repair to the north west corsecond Veil. ner of the ruins of the old temple, and comQ. What are they? A. The token is an mence removing the rubbish, to lay the founimitation of that which Moses was com- dation of the new, and to, observe and premanded to exhibit to the children of Israel, serve everything of impcetance and report to casting his rod upon the ground it became a the Grand Council. We accordingly repaired serpent, and putting forth his hand and taking to the place, and after laboring several days, it again by the tail, it became a rod in his we discovered what seemed a rock, but on hand. The words are these, " Shem, Ham, striking it with the crow, it gave a hollow and Japheth." sound, and upon closer examination, we disQ. What followed? A. We were conduct- covered in it an iron ring, by help of which ed to the second Veil, where the same ques- we sucoeeded in reanoving it ~i'ox its place, THEYSTERIES OF FREE MASONR 55 when we found it to be the key-stone of an arch, ana hrough tn- aperture there appeared to be an immense vault curiously arched. We then took the stone, and repaired to the Grand Council, and presented it for their inspection. Q. What did the Grand Council then say to you? A. They told us that the stone contained the mark of our ancient Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; tb0t it was truly a fortunate discovery, and that without doubt the vault contained things of the utmost consequence to the craft. They then directed us to repair again to the place, ýad continue our researches. Q.' What followed? A. We returned again Wo the place, and agreed that one of our number should descend by means of a rope, the middle of which was fixed firmly around his oody, and if he wished to descend, he was to to pull the rope in his right hand, if to ascend, that in his left. He accordingly descended, and in groping about, he found what appeared to be some ancient jewels, but the air becoming offensive, he pulled the rope in his left hand, and was immediately drawn out. We then repaired to the Grand Council, made our report, and presented the articles found, which they pronounced the jewels of our three ancient Grand Masters, Solomon, Hiram, and Hiram Abiff. They commended us highly for our zeal and fidelity, assured us that it was a fortunate discovery, that it would probably lead to still more important ones, and that our disinterested 'inrseverance should not go t,-ewarded. They directed us to repair again,,to the place, and make what further discoveries lay in our power. Q. What followed? A. We again returned to the place, and let down one of our companions, as before. The sun having now reached its meridian height, darted it- rays to the inmost recesses of the vault, and enabled him to discover a small chest, or box, curiously wrought; but the air becoming exceedingly offensive, he gave the sign and was immediately drawn out. We immediately repaired to the Grand Council, and presented our discovery. On examination, the Grand Council pronounced it to be the ark of the covenant, which was deposited in the vault by our ancient Grand Master, for safe keepiag. On inspecting it more closely, they found a key with which they opened it. The High Priest then took from it a book, which he opened, and read as follows: Gen. i. 1-3. " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light."-Deut. xxxi. 24 -26. "And it came to pass when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, uintil they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against 4lee."-Ex. xxv. 21. "And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above, upon the ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." He then declared it to be the book of the law, upon which the Grand Council, in an ecstasy of joy, exclaimed three times, " Long lost, now found, Holiness to the Lord;" at the same time drawing their hands across their foreheads.' Q. What further was found in the ark.? A. A small vessel containing a substance, which, after the Council had examined, and the High Priest again read from the book of the law, Ex. xvi. 32-34, he pronounced to be manna. "And Moses said, this is the thing which the Lord commanded: fill an omer of the manna to be kept for your generations,. that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto Aaron, take a pot and plut an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations. As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the testimony, to be kept for a token." The High Priest then took a rod from the ark, which, after he had read the following passage, Numb. xvii. 10, "And the Lord said unto Moses, bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony to be kept for a token," he pronounced to be Aaron's rod, which budded and blossomed as the rose. Q. Was there anything further found in the ark? A. There was a key to the ineffable characters belonging to this degree, as follows: "I--Z X beginning at top of this diagram at;he left hand angle. ABC DE F G H I J K LM JAJUUIJLL:1 D1 CE E.N 0 P Q R S T U VW X Y Z IflnnlFFVV~<> The upper left angle without a dot is A; the same with a dot is B, &c. Q. What further was said to you? A The High Priest read the following passage, Exodus vi. 2, 3( "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord, and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them." He then informed us that the name of Deity, the divine Logos, or word, to which reterence is had in John i. 1, 5. " In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God; the same was in the beginning with God; all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made: In him was life, and the life was the light of men: And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." That this Logos, or wood, was anciently written only in these sacred characters, and thus preserved from one generation to another. That this was the true Masonic word, which was lost in the death of Hiram Abiff, and was restored at the re-building of the temple, in the manner we had at that time assisted to represent. Q. What followed? A. We were reminded 56 THE MYSTERIES OF FREtE MASONFIT. of the manner in which we had sworn to give the Royal Arch word; were instructed in the manner and finally invested with the all-important word in due form. Q. What is the Grand Royal Arch word? A. JAH-BUH-LUN. Q. How is it to be given? A. Under a living arch by three times three, in low breath, (see description of opening a Chapter.) Q. What followed? A. We were presented with the signs belonging to this degree. Q. Will you give me those signs? Answered by giving the signs, thus: raise the right hand to the forehead, the hand and arm horizontal; thumb towards the forehead, draw it briskly across the forehead, and drop it perpendicularly by the side. This constitutes the due guard of this degree, and refers to the penalty of the obligation. The grand sign is made by locking the fingers of both hands together, and carrying them to the top of the head, the palms upward, alluding to the manner in which the brother who descended into the vault, and found the ark, found his hands involuntarily placed to protect his head from the potent rays of the meridian sun. Q. What followed? A. TIhe High Priest then placed crowns upon our heads, and told us that we were now invested with all the important secrets of this degree, and crowned and received as worthy companions Royal Arch Masons. He then gives the charge. The second section of the lecture on this degree states minutely the ceremonies and forms of exaltation, (as the conferring of this degree is styled,) but there seems to be some parts which require explanation. The Principal Sojourner conducts the candidate, and is considered as representing Moses coiducting the children of Israel through the wilderness. He is usually dressed to represent an old man, bowed with age, with a mask on his face, and long beard hanging down upon his breast; is introduced to the candidate in the preparation room by the name of Moses. On entering the Clapter, the cardidates are received under a "living arch;" that is, the companions arrange themselves in a line on each side of the door, and each joins hands with the one opposite to himself. The candidates entering, the conductor says, " Stoop low, brothers! we are about to enter the arches; remember that he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted: stoop low, brothers, stoop low!" The candidates seldom pass the first pair of hands, or, in other words, the first arch, without being so far humbled as to be very glad to support themselves on all fours. Their progress may well be imagined to be very slow; for, in addition to their humble posture, they are obliged to support on their backs the whole weight of the living arches above. The conductor, to encourage them, calls out occasionally, " Stoop low, brothers, stoop low!" If they go too slow to suit the companions, it is not unusoal for some one to apply a sharp point to their bodies, to urge them on; the points of the pasteboard crown answer quite well for this purpose. After they have endured this humiliating exercise as long as suits the convenience of tha companions, they pasa from under the living arches. The candidatesi next receive the obligation, travel the room attend the prayer, travel again, and are shown a representation of the Lord appearing tc Moses from the burning bush. This last i. done in various ways. Sometimes an earthen pot is filled with earth, and green bushes set round the edge of it, and a candle in the centre; and sometimes a st-'ol is provided with holes about the edge, in which bushes are placed, and a bundle of rags, or tow, saturated with oil of turpentine, placed in the centre, to which fire is communicated. Sometimes a large bush is suspended from the ceiling, around the stem of which tow is wound wet with oil of turpentine. In whatever way the bush is prepared, when the words arc read, " he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire," &c. the bandage is removed, from the eyes of the candidates, and they see the fire in the bush,* and, at the* words, " Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes," &c. the shoes of the candidates are taken off, and they remain in the same situation while the rest of the passage is read to the words, " And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God." The bandage is then replaced, and the candidates again travel about the room, while the next passage of scripture is read. [See Lecture.] At the words, "and break down the walls of Jerusalem," the conpanions make a tremendous crashing and noise, by firing pistols, overturning chairs, benches, and whatever is at hand; rolling cannon balls across the floor, stamping0; &c. &c., and in the midst of the uproar the candidates are seized, a chain thrown about them, and they are hurried away to the preparation roorn. This is the representation of the destruction of Jerusalem, and carrying captive the children of Israel to Babylon. After a short time the proclamation of Cyrus is read, the candidates are unbound, and start to go to Jerusalem, to assist in rebuilding the temple. The candidates, still hood-winked, are brought into the Chapter, and commence their journey over the rugged and rough paths. They are literally rough paths, sticks of timber framed across the path the candidate must travel, some inches from the floor, make no comfortable traveling for a persop blindfolded. But this is not always the way it is prepared; billets of wood singly, or in heaps, ladders, nets of cords, &c. &c., are all put in requisition to form the rough and rugged paths, which are intended as a trial of the fidelity of the candidates. If they escape with nothing more than bruised shins they do well. They have I - - * This is frequently represented in thi3 manner:When the person reading comes to th.at p)rt where it says, " God called to him out of the midst,f the bush, and said," &c., he stops reading, acndi a -cr,,on behind the bushes calls out, "l Mmo:; h, ois:.:;" the conducior answers, "Here au l:" u;c:':;;:.; W -- hind the bush then says. " DraYwu nota::A i'.,; put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for t:;e whereon thou standeth is hoiy gr:.l (i.a. are then slipped of l) Moreover Abraham, the God of Isaac, and tA C:i u,;.' The person first readiig, then:says, " Am;.;;..,.; L his face e; for he was:fC'a.id tIo l;ok ponW:i (;;:i. ' these words the bandage placc ove th: p:aidatei s eyes TSM MSTERIES OF FREE MASOSNRY. 57 been known to faint away under the severity of the discipline, and occasion the worthy companions much alarm. After traveling the rugged paths till all are satisfied, they arrive at the first Veil of the Tabernacle, give the pass-word, and pass on to the second, give the pass-words, and present the sign. This, it will be recollected, is in imitation of the sign which Moses was directed to make to the children of Israel. He threw his rod upon the ground and it became a serpent; he put foith his hand and took it by the tail, and it became a rod in his hand. The conductor is provided with a rod, made in the form of a snake, and painted to resemble one. This he drops upon the floor, and takes it up again. They then pass on to the next Veil, give the pass-word, and make the sign, (put the right hand in the bosom and pluck it out again;) pass on to the next-give the pass-words, and make the sign, (pour water upon the ground;) and are ushered into the presence of the Grand Council. The Veils are four in number, and of the same color as the banners of the three Grand Masters of the Veils, and that of the Royal Arch Captain, blue, purple, scarlet, and white, and have the same references and explanations. [See Lecture.] The Grand Council consists of the Most Excellent High Priest, King, and Scribe. The High Priest is dressed in a white robe, with a breastplate of cut glass, consisting of twelve'pieces to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, an apron, and a mitre. The King wears a scarlet robe, apron, and crown. The mitre and crown are generally made of pasteboard; sometimes they have them of the most splendid materials, gold and silk velvet; but these are kept for public occasions. The mitre has the words,. Holiness to the Lord" in gold letters across the forehead. The Scribe wears a purple' robe, apron, and turban. After having satisfied the Grand Council that,they are true brethren, and stated their object in coming to Jerusalem, the candidates are directed to commence the labor of removing the rubbish of the old temple preparatory to laying the foundation of the new. For the purpose of performing this part of the ceremony, there is in or near the Chapter a narrow kind of closet, the only entrance to which is through a scuttle at the top; there is placed over this scuttle whatever rubbish is at hand, bits of board, brick bats, &c., and among them the key stone. After the candidates are furnished with the tools, (pick-axe, spade, and crow,) they are directed to this place, and remove the rubbish till they discover the key stone. This they convey to the Grand Council, as Stated in the lecture. After the Grand Council have examined it, they pronounce it to be the work of tl.e Grand Master, Hiram Abiff;.and direct them to return and prosecute their researches, not doubting they will make many important discoveries. The candidates return and let down one of their number by a ropehe finds three squares, is drawn out, and all proceed with them to the Grand Council. The Grand Council inspect them, and pro4iunce them to be the three ancient jewels S belonged to the three ancient Gand IMs ters, Solomon, Hiram, and Hiram AbiU The candidates then return to the vault and let down another of their number. Here, let it be remarked, some Chapters, for the purpose of lightening the labor of the candidates, call in the aid of machinery. A pulley i' suspended over the vault, and the candidate is exalted from the bottom at the tail of a snatch block; the ohe last let down finds at the bottom a small chest, or box, upon which he gives the signal to be drawn out: he no sooner discovers the box than the air in t1h vault, in the language of the lecture, " becomes exceedingly offensive." This is strictly true; for at the moment he takes up the box and is preparing to ascend, fire is communicated to a qua::r