opening and closing a master masons lodge

(Pronounced by conductor--Tubal Cain.). And at the same time he steps to the Master's desk, and re-ports as follows: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, I, being one of those who pursued a westerly course, coming down near the port of Joppa, met a seafaring man, of whom I inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way; he informed me that he had--three--who from their appearance were workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, were not able to obtain one, and returned back into the country. Brethren Privileges of a Master Mason. WM: J. W.--Brethren, you are now called from refreshment to labor again. cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree. finishing with a few other names; when he leaves the brethren in the ante-room, closes the door, and reports as follows to King Solomon: G. the Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tyler's Sword, the Sword pointing to a Naked Heart, the All-seeing Eye, the Anchor and Ark, the Forty-seventh. The Senior Deacon then conducts the candidate to the Senior Warden in the west, and reports: S. D.--Brother Senior Warden, it is the orders of the Worshipful Master that you teach this candidate to approach the east, the place of further light in Masonry, by three upright, regular steps, his body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master in the east. 146:1 "In the performance of a ceremony so solemn and momentous as the closing of a Mason's Lodge, every member has a lively interest. How came he to be assassinated at that hour? New core Masonic symbolism, including the beehive, trowel, the hourglass, acacia sprig, and many others. A. I was conducted to the Worshipful Master in the east, who presented me with the working-tools of a Master Mason, which are all the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the trowel. [paragraph continues] Lodges, until future generations should find out the right one. And now, my brethren, let us see to it, and so regulate our lives by the plumb-line of justice, ever squaring our actions by the square of virtue, that when the Grand Warden of Heaven may call for us, we may be found ready; let us cultivate assiduously the noble tenets of our profession--brotherly love, relief, and truth--and, from the square, learn morality; from the level, equality; from the plumb, rectitude of life. Conductor (for candidate.) 3 and p. 17) which is responded to by the Master. What is the meaning of this? The second was that of Jubelo, exclaiming: 'Oh! The brethren now all kneel around the body on one knee. It is very true, we have been associated with these three ruffians, but we have not committed any actual crime". WM: Are all present Master Masons? The animal was then divided into two parts, and placed north and south, that the parties to the covenant may pass between them from east to west, and the carcase was then left as a prey to voracious animals. W. M.--Brother Senior Warden, do you know of any thing further before this Lodge of Masons previous to closing? What have we done? On being brought to light, what did you discover more than you had heretofore discovered? to the Flag of our Country. The Worshipful Master here gives the candidate a blow on his head with a buckskin bag, or setting-maul;1 at the same. Yet, O Lord! The beautiful virgin weeping over the broken column denotes the unfinished state of the Temple, likewise the untimely death of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; the book open before her, that his virtues lay on perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the divinity of the body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were therein safely deposited, under the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple. One system says fifteen Fellow Crafts went in search; another, twelve; and asserts that the three (murderers) left the sprig of acacia: others affirm that it was the recanters who placed it there as a mark. Conductor--The pass grip of a Master Mason. This is the first time this has been done . 67.). (Sits down.). : before Caiaphas. After the candidate is lowered, one of the ruffians says: Let us plant an acacia at the head of the grave, in order to. Brother JD JD: Worshipful Master WM:The first great care of Masons when convened? The Worshipful Master approaching me from the east, under the duegard of a Master Mason, who, in token of further continuance of his brotherly love and favor, presented me with his right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason, and ordered me to arise and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as such. elsewhere They now separate about the Lodge, saying to each other: "This is very unjust of the King. W. M.--Brother Gabe, you are kneeling, for the third time, at the altar of Masonry, to take upon yourself the solemn oath of a Master Mason; and I, as Master of this Lodge, take pleasure, as on former occasions, in informing you that there is nothing in it which will interfere with the duty you owe to your God, your neighbor, your country, or self. At the command of the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden performs his duty, after seeing that the brethren have received their due proportion of Masonic instruction and improvement; and the whole concludes with an impressive address to the brethren on their respective duties as men and Masons, when pursuing their accustomed avocations in the world; and with a fervent petition to the Deity, supplicating his blessing on the fraternity wheresoever dispersed under the wide canopy of heaven."--Theo. Now obtain it from the brothers on the right and left and communicated it to the WM in the East. Subsequently to 1818, Brother Barney went to the Western and Southwestern States, and, being in delicate health, adopted the profession of Masonic lecturing as a means of subsistence. 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 for our favor and esteem. Where were you made a Master Mason? You have this evening represented one of the greatest men, and perhaps the greatest Mason, the world ever knew, viz., our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was slain just before the completion of King Solomon's Temple. By there being no designs drawn on the trestle-board. S. D.--From the west, travelling toward the east. The MASTER MASON represents a man under the doctrine of love, saved from the grave of iniquity, and raised to the faith of salvation. two A. 1 (See p. The closing, in many jurisdictions, includes a closing charge, and the closing becomes a part of that initiation, of the circumambulation, the hoodwink, the lecture, and the EA charge. JD: (See Fig. At this command the Secretary passes out of the Lodge, accompanied by ten or fifteen of the brethren, into the ante-room, leaving the door open, so that the candidate can hear the rolls called. Scribd is the world's largest socializing lesen and publishing site. instruction. that my breast had been torn open, my heart plucked out and placed upon the highest pinnacle of the Temple, there to be devoured by the vultures of the air, ere I had consented to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.' 18.) about the Lodge as he may direct. that my throat had been cut across," &c., &c. The second was the voice of Jubelo, exclaiming: "Oh! JD: (return to his place) the tiler his been inform WM and the lodge is duly tiler. Craft at work, giving them proper instruction, WM: This Degree has a reference to the Christian dispensation, when the day of salvation is more fully revealed; atonement is made for sin; and the resurrection from the dead plainly communicated and confirmed by the resurrection of Christ from the grave. Some Lodges sing the following, to the air of "Bonny Doon"; BRETHREN:--You are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. (See Note P, page 272. Hand to back--that you will ever be ready to stretch forth your hand to assist and save a fallen brother; and that you will vindicate his character behind his back, as well as before his face. A. Wait until the Temple is completed, and then, if you are found worthy and well qualified, you will unquestionably receive the secrets of a Master Mason; but, until then, you cannot. - Good evening Brethren. A. At Closing in the First Degree. All the business of a "Blue Lodge" (a Lodge of three Degrees) is done in the Lodge while opened on this Degree, except that of entering an Apprentice or passing a Fellow Craft, when the Lodge is lowered from the Masters' Degree for that purpose. Is the Tiler of the lodge present? It is very singular, that, a man so celebrated as Hiram Abiff was, universally acknowledged as the third most distinguished man then living, and, in many respects, the greatest man in the world, should pass from off the stage of action, in the presence of King Solomon, three thousand three hundred grand overseers, and one hundred and fifty thousand workmen, with whom he had spent a number of years, and with King Solomon, his bosom friend, without any of his numerous confrres even recording his death, or any thing, A Master Masons' Lodge is styled by the Craft the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of King Solomon's Temple," and when the Lodge is opened on this Degree, both points of the compasses are elevated above the square. These answers are monitorial. Ruffian--You have (here Master seizes the candidate more fiercely, and affects a great earnestness of purpose) escaped "Jubela" and "Jubelo"; me you cannot escape; my name is "Jubelum!" "O Lord my God, I fear the Master's word is forever lost! A momentary silence then ensues, during which one of the party groans, as if nearly dying. On receiving this order, the Junior Warden takes from his desk a small wooden column, about eighteen inches in length, and sets it in an upright position at his right hand, and at the same time he gives three raps () with the gavel, and says: J. W.--Brethren, you are accordingly at refreshment. How many constitute an Entered Apprentices' Lodge? Why are they not at work as usual? Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. After prayer, King Solomon took the body by the strong grip of a Master Mason, or lion's paw, and raised it on the five points of fellowship, which have been explained to you. 'The five points of fellowship are--foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was slain just before the completion of King Solomon's Temple. The third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming, louder than the rest: 'It was I that gave the fatal blow, it was I that killed him. which 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. Q. To place the fact of Hiram's being alive at the finishing the Temple beyond all doubt, it is said (2 Chron. Brethren, be clothed. Amen.". I therefore now demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason! SW: that I might obtain the Master word travel in foreign countries work and receive Master wages and be thereby better enabled to support myself and family. Some substitute for the latter, but with less propriety, the crown of thorns. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him that he may rest, till he shall accomplish his day. W. M.--Your duty there, Brother Senior Deacon? and have not obtained that which we have sought: this is no time for vain reflection--the question is, what shall we do with the body? The Worshipful Master, who ordered me to the Senior Warden in the west, who taught me how to wear my apron as a Master Mason. At the usual report, preceded by an inquiry involving the best interests of Masonry, the brethren are again reminded what is the chief care of a Mason. This is not, however, practised in city Lodges. Here are three of the poor fellows with us; we must not go and give them up, to be put to death; rather let us take a northwesterly or a southwesterly course. xxxiv. In, Thy "Further, I will not cheat, wrong, nor defraud a Master Mason's Lodge, nor a brother of this Degree, knowingly, nor supplant him in any of his laudable undertakings, but will give him due and timely notice, that he may ward off all danger. These facts will account for the want of agreement between the East and the West and Southwest, as to what are the true Barney Lectures. Cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear--that you will ever caution and whisper good counsel in the ear of an erring brother, and, in the most friendly manner, remind him of his errors, and aid his reformation, giving him due and timely notice, that he may ward off approaching danger.". Duncan's Masoic Ritual and Monitor, by Malcom C. Duncan, [1866], at sacred-texts.com. be sent to the East, accompanied with, the 120:1 Respecting the lost word and its substitute, some say that King Solomon advised the change, while others affirm that the three Fellow Crafts adopted the substituted word without consulting him. 15. [paragraph continues] Master that you teach this candidate how to wear his apron as a Master Mason. The RW Provincial Grand Master/ME Grand Superintendent has confirmed that he is prepared to accept the return of a Lodge Warrant/Chapter Charter to UGLE/SGC or the amalgamation of Lodges or Chapters if the members see this as the only way forward. Ruffian--The very port to which we wish to go. The Ruffians now return near to the body, when the following conversation takes place: First Ruffian--What shall we do in this case? Approaching the candidate, another replies: "Yes, this is the place; let us remove the rubbish and dig down here. S. W.--As the sun rises in the east, to open and govern the day, so rises the Worshipful Master in the east (here the Master gives three raps (), when all in the Lodge rise to their feet, the Master rising first), to open and govern his Lodge, set the Craft to work, and give them proper instructions. (See grand hailing sign of distress, Fig. After the signs are gone through with by the whole Lodge, the Master gives one rap with his gavel, which is responded to by the Senior Warden, and then by the Junior Warden, and then again by the Master, one rap. Junior Deacons, who will obtain it from the, Brethren the Sanctum Sanctorum of King. 61, Manchester, was grand master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire in 1885, and was a 33 of the Scottish Rite. Let us pray.". All- Good evening Worshipful Master W.M. This communicate to the Junior, Warden That is strictly forbidden; so you may set your minds at rest. Besides, when a work is nearly completed, the necessity of Plans and designs ceases altogether. Masonic Fellow-craft Middle Chamber Lecture P, Dis W1W Notes on Interconnected Economy and S, Residential Report Writing and Case Studies. We three should like to take a passage with you. He made me a Master Mason in due form. From the foregoing remarks, it will be seen that the essential points of Masonry are identical the world over, and that the differences, which are of minor importance, may be gathered by comparing the present work with Richardson's Monitor or Allyn's Ritual. Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. When the Lodge is opened, the Junior Warden's column is turned down, and the Senior Warden's turned up, at his right hand. Let us go and report. Conductor here instructs candidate to pass his thumb from the second joint to space beyond, which is the second space. W. M.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree? Hold up your heads, and hear your sentence. 116, W Alfred T. Shiller was recognized for his 65-Years as a Freemason. He cannot be found. We read in the Bible, that Hiram Abiff was one of the head workmen employed at the building of King Solomon's Temple, and other ancient writings inform us that he was an arbiter between King Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre; but his tragical death is nowhere recorded, except in the archives of Freemasonry. These instances, some of which have been thought worthy of preservation in the ineffable Degrees, were not numerous. The particular duties of the leaders of the respective bands of craftsmen are rehearsed. K. S.--Divide yourselves and travel, as before, with positive instructions to find the ruffians, and with as positive assurance that, if you do not, the twelve shall be deemed the murderers, and suffer severally, for the crime committed. The trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement, which unites a building into one common mass; but we, as free and accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection, &c., &c. (See Monitor for the balance of this answer, or page 99 of this work.). ), The Master steps to the feet of the candidate, bending over, takes him by the real grip of a Master Mason, places his right foot against the candidate's. They roll the canvas around and over the candidate where he fell, which is in the east or northeast corner of the Lodge, and, for a few moments, retire, when the Lodge becomes still as the hour of midnight; not a sound is permitted to be made; all go--if at all--from place to place on tiptoe. wilt be in their midst and bless them. Q. that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the rough sands of the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I had been accessory to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.' The Junior Deacon then carries them to the, East Grand Master 2022-2023. 105:1 In the progress of Masonry during the last century the fatal weapons underwent several changes. Master now takes his seat in the east, and requests candidate to stand before him. ", "Oh! --Nothing, Worshipful (some say), in the west. K. S.--Was the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's Degree, on or about it? A. Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the Great, Architect Having my curiosity aroused, I examined it, and found it to be a grave.". W. M.--You will detach your hands and kiss the book. towards the Master), and says: Brother, you will step off with your left foot one full step, and bring the heel of your right in the hollow of your left foot; now step off with your right foot, and bring the heel of your left in the hollow of your right foot; now step off with your left foot, and bring both heels together. Opening of the Lodge - Master Mason Ritual The Officers and Brethren, including the Tiler, enter the Lodge room properly clothed with required regalia of office, or apron, in adequate time to ensure opening of the Lodge at the time specified in the bylaws. S. W. (rising to his feet and making the sign.) which constitute our authority for affirming that no such event ever happened; for H. A. When we take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies languishing for days, months, and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the forest, or sheltering himself from the in-clemencies of the weather. King Solomon is said to have substituted, in place of the lost one, the word now used in the Master Masons' Degree, viz. no pass. Some Lodges use the following questions and answers, both at opening and closing: W. M.--Why did you leave the west and travel to the east? Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the. they There is a great degree of uniformity in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin--also in Indiana and Iowa. W. M.-- Why in the west, and your duty there, Brother Senior? [paragraph continues] Deacon, and he (Junior Deacon) takes his seat near the door, at the right hand of the Senior Warden in the west, while the Senior Deacon proceeds to conduct the candidate, followed by the two Stewards, three times around the Lodge, during which time the Worshipful Master reads the following passage of Scripture: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them: while the sun, or the moon, or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few; and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low.

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