The Mysteries of Free Masonry Part 8

Q. What did they represent? A. The pillar of Wisdom represented Solomon, King of Israel, whose wisdom contrived the mighty fabric; the pillar of Strength, Hiram, King of Tyre, who strengthened Solomon in his glorious undertaking; the pillar of Beauty, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, whose cunning craft and curious workmanship beautified and adorned the Temple.

Q. How many were there employed in the building of King Solomon's Temple? A. Three Grand Masters; three thousand, three hundred Masters, or overseers of the work; eighty thousand Fellow Crafts, and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices; all those were cla.s.sed and arranged in such a manner, by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, discord, nor confusion were suffered to interrupt that universal peace and tranquility that pervaded the work at that important period.

Q. How many const.i.tutes an Entered Apprentice's Lodge? A. Seven; one Master and six Entered Apprentices.

Q. Where did they usually meet? A. On the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple.

Q. How many const.i.tutes a Fellow Craft's Lodge? A. Five; two Masters and three Fellow Crafts.

Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In the middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

Q. How many const.i.tutes a Master's Lodge? A. Three Master Masons.

Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple.

Q. Have you any emblems on this degree? A. We have several, which are divided into two cla.s.ses.

Q. What are the first cla.s.s? A. The pot of incense; the bee-hive; the book of const.i.tutions, guarded by the Tyler's sword; the sword, pointing to a naked heart; the all-seeing eye; the anchor and ark; the forty-seventh problem of Euclid; the hour-gla.s.s; the scythe; and the three steps usually delineated on the Master's carpet, which are thus explained: The pot of INCENSE is an emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity; and as this glows with fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow with grat.i.tude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence, for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy. The BEE-HIVE is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them, without inconvenience to ourselves. When we take a survey of nature, we behold man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies languishing for days, weeks, months, and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself; of guarding against the attacks of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather.

It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all other beings, but as independence 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 n.o.blest part of the work of G.o.d; 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 CONSt.i.tUTIONS, 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 CIRc.u.mSPECTION. 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 well-grounded 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, and 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-GLa.s.s 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 pa.s.s away almost imperceptibly, and yet, to our surprise, in the short s.p.a.ce 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 shoot, and when he thinks his greatness is still ripening, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth. The SCYTHE is an 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 escape the numerous evils incident to childhood 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 Master's carpet, are emblematical of the three princ.i.p.al stages of human life, viz.: Youth, Manhood, and Age. In youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously to occupy 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 G.o.d, our neighbors, and ourselves; so that in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

Q. What are the second cla.s.s of emblems? A. The spade, coffin, death-head, marrow bones, and sprig of ca.s.sia, which are thus explained: The SPADE opens the vault to receive our bodies, where our active limbs will soon moulder to dust. The COFFIN, DEATH-HEAD, 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 Ca.s.sIA is emblematical of that immortal part of man which never dies; and when the cold winter of death shall have pa.s.sed, 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 pa.s.s-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 fraternity.

Here ends the first three degrees of Masonry, which const.i.tutes 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 lost by 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, except they three were present (and it is generally believed that there was not another person in the world, at that time, that had it), consequently the word was lost, and supposed to be forever; but the sequel will show it was found, after a lapse of four hundred and seventy years; notwithstanding, the word MAH-HAH-BONE, which was subst.i.tuted by Solomon, still continues to be used by Master Masons, and no doubt will, as long as Masonry attracts the attention of men; and the word which was lost is used in the Royal Arch Degree. What was the word of the Royal Arch Degree before they found the Master's word, which was lost at the death of Hiram Abiff, and was not found for four hundred and seventy years? Were there any Royal Arch Masons before the Master's word was found? I wish some masonic gentleman would solve these two questions.

The ceremonies, histories, and the Lecture, in the preceding degree are so similar that perhaps some one of the three might have been dispensed with, and the subject well understood by most readers, notwithstanding there is a small difference between the work and history, and between the history and the Lecture.

I shall now proceed with the Mark Master's degree, which is the first degree in the Chapter. The Mark Master's degree, the Past Master's, and the Most Excellent Master's, are Lodges of Mark Master Masons, Past Master, and Most Excellent Master; yet, although called Lodges, they are called component parts of the Chapter. Ask a Mark Master Mason if he belongs to the Chapter; he will tell you he does, but that he has only been marked. It is not an uncommon thing, by any means, for a Chapter to confer all four of the degrees in one night, viz:--the Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch degrees.

TEST-OATH AND WORD.

The following "test-oath and word" were invented and adopted by the "Grand Lodge" of the State of New York, at their Session in June, 1827, for the purpose of guarding against BOOK Masons. They are given in a Master's Lodge. They were obtained from a gentleman in high standing in society, and among Masons, but a friend to Anti-Masonry.

He was a member of the "Grand Lodge," and present when they were adopted.

A person wishing to be admitted into the Lodge, presents himself at the door; the Tyler (or some brother from within) demands or asks, "Do you wish to visit this Lodge?" The candidate for admission says, "If thought worthy." TYLER--"By what are you recommended?" ANS.--"By fidelity." TYLER says, "Prove that;" at the same time advances and throws out his hand or arm to an angle of about forty-five degrees obliquely forward, the hand open, and thumb upward. The candidate then advances, and places the back of his LEFT HAND against the PALM of the Tyler's RIGHT HAND--still extended puts his mouth to the Tyler's ear and whispers, L-O-S, and p.r.o.nounces LOS.

TEST-OATH.--"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty G.o.d, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will not communicate the secret test-word, annexed to this obligation, to any but a true and lawful Master Mason, and that in the body of a lawful Lodge of such, in actual session, or at the door of a Lodge, for the purpose of gaining admission; under the penalty of being forever disgraced and dishonored as a man, and despised, degraded, and expelled as a Mason."

FOURTH, OR MARK MASTER'S DEGREE.

CEREMONIES USED IN OPENING A LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS.

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 Right Worshipful Master having called the Lodge to order, and all being seated, the Right Worshipful Master says to the Junior Warden, "Brother Junior, are they all Mark Master Masons in the South?" Junior Warden answers, "They are, Right Worshipful." R.

W. M.--"I thank you, brother." R. W. M.--"Brother Senior, are they all Mark Master Masons in the West?" Senior Warden--"They are, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"They are in the East." At the same time gives a rap with the mallet which calls up both Deacons. R. W. M.--"Brother Junior, the first care of a Mason?" "To see the Lodge tyled, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"Attend to that part of the duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and direct him to tyle accordingly." Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives four raps, which are answered by four without by the Tyler; the Junior Deacon then gives one, which is answered by the Tyler with one; the door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon then delivers his message and resumes his station, gives the due-guard of a Mark Master Mason, and says, "The door is tyled, Right Worshipful." R. W.

M.--"By whom?" J. D.--"By a Mark Master Mason without the door, armed with the proper implements of his office." R. W. M.--"His duty there?"

J. D.--"To keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers, see that none pa.s.s or repa.s.s without permission from the Right Worshipful Master." R. W.

M.--"Brother Junior, your place in the Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the West." R. W. M.--"Your business there, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"To wait on the Right Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and take care of the door." R. W. M.--"The Senior Deacon's place in the Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother." He then gives two raps with the mallet, and the subordinate officers rise. R. W. M.--"Your duty there, Brother Senior?" S. D.--"To wait on the Right Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, attend to the preparation and introduction of candidates, and welcome and clothe all visiting brethren." R. W. M.--"The Secretary's place in the Lodge, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, Brother Secretary?" Sec.--"The better to observe the Right Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; record the proceedings of the Lodge; transmit the same to the Grand Lodge, if required; receive all monies and money-bills from the hands of the brethren, pay them over to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same." R. W. M.--"The Treasurer's place in the Lodge?" Sec.--"At the right hand of the Right Worshipful Master." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, Brother Treasurer?" Treasurer--"Duly to observe the Right Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; receive all monies and money-bills from the hands of the Secretary; give a receipt for the same; keep a just and true account of the same; pay them out by order of the Right Worshipful Master and consent of the brethren." R. W. M.--"The Junior Overseer's place in the Lodge, Brother Treasurer?" Treas.--"At the right hand of the Junior Warden in the South, Right Worshipful." R. W.

M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Junior Overseer?" J. O.--"To inspect all material brought up for the building of the Temple; approve or disapprove of the same; and, if approved, pa.s.s it on to the Senior Overseer for further inspection." R. W.

M.--"The Senior Overseer's place in the Lodge?" J. O.--"At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the West, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Senior Overseer?" S.

O.--"To inspect all materials brought up for the building of the Temple; and, if approved, pa.s.s it on to the Master Overseer at the East gate for further inspection." R. W. M.--"The Master Overseer's place in the Lodge, Brother Senior Overseer?" S. O.--"At the right hand of the Right Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Master Overseer?" M.

O.--"To a.s.sist in the inspection of all materials brought up for the building of the Temple; and if disapproved, to call a council of my brother Overseers." R. W. M.--"The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge, Brother Master Overseer?" M. O.--"In the South, Right Worshipful." R.

W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Junior?" J.

W.--"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 observe the time, call the crafts from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, see that none convert the hours of refreshment into that of intemperance or excess, and call them on again in due season, that the Right Worshipful Master may have honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby." R. W. M.--"The Senior Warden's place in the Lodge?" J. W.--"In the West, Right Worshipful."

R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, Brother Senior?" S.

W.--"As the sun sets in the West to close the day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West, to a.s.sist the Right Worshipful in opening and closing the 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." R. W. M.--"The Master's place in the Lodge?" S. W.--"In the East, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"His duty there?" S. W.--"As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the day, so presides the Right Worshipful Master in the East to open and adorn his Lodge, set his crafts to work, and govern them with good and wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother." Gives three raps with the mallet, which calls up all the brethren, takes off his hat and says, "In like manner, so do I, strictly prohibiting all profane language, private committees, or any other disorderly conduct, whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge may be interrupted, while engaged in its lawful pursuits; under no less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren present may see cause to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the signs." The Right Worshipful Master (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 transversely across his left, the palms thereof about an inch apart. This is called the first sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in the first degree, and alludes to the position a candidate's hands are placed when he takes the obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason; he then draws his right hand across his throat, the hand open, with his thumb next his throat, drops it down by his side. This is called the due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and alludes to the penal part of the obligation.

Next he places the palm of his open right hand upon his left breast, and, at the same time, throws up his left hand, and so extends his left arm as to form a right angle; from the shoulder to the elbow it is horizontal, from the elbow to the tip of the finger it is perpendicular. This is the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason, and also alludes to the penal part of the obligation, which is administered in this degree. After this, the Right Worshipful Master draws his right hand across his bowels, with his hand open, and thumb next his body, and drops it down by his side. This is the sign or due-guard of a Master Mason, and, like the others, alludes to the penalty of this degree. He then throws up the grand hailing sign of distress; this is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbow, perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a square, his arms then drop by his side; he then clutches the third and little fingers of his right hand; with his thumb extended at the same time, his middle and forefingers, brings up his hand in such a manner as to have the side of the middle finger touch the rim of the right ear, then lets it drop, and, as it falls, brings 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 before 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 are any candidates to be brought forward, that is generally the first business. A Master Mason, wishing for further light in Masonry, sends a pet.i.tion to the Chapter, and requests to be advanced to the honorary degree of Mark Master Mason; if there is no serious objection to the pet.i.tion, 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 pa.s.s; if carried, the Deacons pa.s.s the ballot boxes; these boxes are the same as in the preceding degrees.

When the b.a.l.l.s 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.--"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 p.r.o.nouncing "Not clear," all stop, and inquiry is made, and the ballot pa.s.ses again; and, if blacked a third time, the candidate is rejected. It being otherwise, the Senior Deacon, who is the candidate's conductor, pa.s.ses 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 long; the candidate is presented with a large white marble keystone, 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 pa.s.s directly to the Junior Overseer'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. O.--"Who comes here?" Cond.--"Two brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the Temple." J. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cond.--"I have." J. O.--"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 the 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. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I have." J. O.--"Present it." The candidate then presents the keystone; 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; pa.s.s on to the Senior Overseer at the West gate for further inspection." They then pa.s.s 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. O.--"Who comes here?" Cond.--"Two brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the Temple." S. O.--"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. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I have." S. O.--"Present it." The candidate then presents the keystone, 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; pa.s.s on to the Master Overseer at the East gate for further inspection." They pa.s.s to to his station at the East gate, and give four raps. M. O.--"Who comes here?" Cond.--"Two brethren, Fellow Crafts, with their materials for the Temple." M. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cond.--"I have." M. O.--"Present it." The conductor presents his billet of wood to him, 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. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I have." M. O.--"Present it." [It ought here to be remarked that when the candidate is presented with the keystone, 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 keystone 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 keystone, he applies his square to the different angles of it, and, being found not to be square, he, like the other Overseers, says, "This is neither an oblong nor a square, neither has it the regular mark of the craft upon it." He then looks sternly upon the candidate and demands, "Is this your work?" Cand.--"It is not." M. O.--"Is this your mark?" Cand.--"It is not." M. O.--"Where did you get it?" Cond.--"I picked it up in the quarry." M. O.--"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 Overseers! this deserves the severest punishment. [Motions the candidate to stand.]

Brother Junior and Senior Overseers, here is work brought up for inspection which demands a council." The Junior, Senior, and Master Overseers then a.s.semble in council. M. O., presenting the stone--"Did a Fellow Craft present this to you for inspection, Brother Junior?" J.

O.--"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. O.--"Brother Senior, was this stone presented to you for inspection?" S. O.--"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. O.--"I know of no use for it." J. O.--"I know of no use for it." M. O.--"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, a.s.semble the crafts to receive wages." At this command the brethren all arise, and form a procession single file; the 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 that of Entered Apprentice, and ending at that of Mark Master. They are given in the following manner: The first revolution each brother, when opposite the Right Worshipful Master, gives the first sign in Masonry.

The second revolution, when opposite the Master, the second; and so on, until they give all the signs to that of Mark Master. While the ceremony is going on in the Lodge, the Senior Grand Warden procures a sufficient number of cents and pa.s.ses 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 window in the door and gives a token (this 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 a 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! chop off his hand!" At this moment the conductor steps to the candidate and intercedes warmly in his behalf. Cond.--"Spare 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 circ.u.mstances 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 p.r.o.nounce him 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. O.--"He did. I inspected it, and observed that 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; therefore, I ordered it pa.s.sed 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 Junior Overseer, was unwilling to reject it, and ordered it pa.s.sed 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 Fellow Craft.

R. W. M.--"He is a Fellow Craft. Have you ever been taught how to receive wages?" Cand.--"I 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 around 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; pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.s-word." J. W.--"Has he a pa.s.s-word?" Cond.--"He has not, but I have it for him." J. W.--"Give it to me." Conductor whispers in his ear, "JOPPA." J. W.--"The pa.s.s-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 Right 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 qualifications, 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, styled 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 left breast 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 Worshipful 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 place, you must proceed." Exec--"Brother (calling the name), will you volunteer your service and take my place?" Brother--"I cannot consent to do it (after several solicitations and refusals)." Exec.--"Right Worshipful, no brother feels willing to volunteer his services, and I declare I feel unwilling and unable to perform it." R. W. M.--"As no brother feels disposed to take your station, it becomes your duty to perform it yourself." Exec. (taking his station) "Brethren, support the candidate (several take hold of the candidate); brother (naming some physician or surgeon), will you a.s.sist?" Doctor (stepping up)--"Brethren, it becomes necessary that we should have a bowl, or some other vessel, to receive the blood." A bowl is presented, having the appearance of blood upon it, and is held in a suitable position to receive the blood; the surgeon places his fingers on the left breast of the candidate, and gives counsel where it would be advisable to inflict the wound. The executioner then places the edge of the chisel near the spot and draws back the mallet, and while making several false motions, says, "Operative Masons make use of the engraving chisel and mallet to cut, hew, carve, and indent their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, make use of them for a more n.o.ble and glorious purpose; we use them to cut, hew, carve, and indent the mind;" giving, at the instant the last word is p.r.o.nounced, a severe blow with the mallet upon the head of the chisel, without the least injury to the candidate, which often terrifies him to an alarming degree. The candidate is then conducted four times around the Lodge, and each time, as he pa.s.ses the station of the Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, they each give one loud rap with their mallet; the Master, in the meantime, reads the following pa.s.sages of Scripture: Psalms cxviii. 22. "The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner." Matt. xxi. 42. "Did ye never read in the Scriptures the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?" Luke xx. 17. "What is this, then, that is written: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?" Acts iv. 11. "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner." The reading of them is so timed as to be completed just as the candidate arrives at the Junior Warden's post; here he stops, and the same questions are asked and answers returned, as at the door; the same pa.s.ses at the Senior Warden and Master, who orders the candidate to be conducted back to the Senior Warden in the West, by him to be taught to approach the East by four upright regular steps, his feet forming a square, and body erect at the altar; the candidate then kneels and receives the obligation, as follows:

"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty G.o.d, and this Right Worshipful Lodge of Mark 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 Mark Master Mason to anyone of an inferior degree, nor to any other person in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother or brethren of this degree, 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 given. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will support the const.i.tution of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America, also the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of this State, under which this Lodge is held, and conform to all the by-laws, rules and regulations of this or any other Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of which I may at any time hereafter become a member. Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will obey all regular signs and summons given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a brother Mark Master Mason, or from the body of a just and legally const.i.tuted Lodge of such, provided it be within the length of my cable tow. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, or a brother of this degree, to the value of his wages (or one penny), myself, knowingly, 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 sell, swap, barter or exchange my mark, which I shall hereafter choose, nor send it a second time to pledge until it is lawfully redeemed from the first. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will receive a brother's mark when offered to me requesting a favor, and grant him his request, if in my power and if it is not in my power to grant his request, I will return him his mark with the value thereof, which is half a shekel of silver, or quarter of a dollar. To all of which I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and steady purpose of mind in me, to keep and perform the same, binding myself under no less penalty than to have my right ear smote off, that I may forever be unable to hear the word, and my right hand chopped off, as the penalty of an impostor, if I should ever prove wilfully guilty of violating any part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Mark Master Mason. So help me G.o.d, and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same."

"Detach your hand and kiss the book"

The Master then produces the same keystone, concerning which so much has already been said, and says to the candidate, "We read in a pa.s.sage of Scripture--Rev. II 17 'To him that overcometh will I give to each of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it'" He then presents the stone to the candidate and says, 'I now present you with a white stone, on which is written a new name; we give the words that form this circle (the letters are so engraved on the stone as to form a circle), the initials are H T W S S T K S--Hiram Tyran, Widow's Son, sent to King Solomon. These, 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 having 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 embarra.s.sed, 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 dest.i.tute 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 slyly placed there; this adds not a little to his embarra.s.sment; 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 pa.s.s-grip of this degree is made by extending the right arms and clasping the fingers of the right hands, as one would naturally do to a.s.sist another up a steep ascent; the pa.s.s-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 the grips, words, and signs are given and explained (see Lectures), the Master says, "Brother, I now present you with the tools of a Mark Master (here he points them out in the carpet, or in the chart), which are the chisel and mallet; they are thus explained: The chisel morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education; 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 s.p.a.ce, to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to G.o.d 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 pa.s.sions; 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.'"