Master Mason, or Third Degree. Sacred Texts. Buy this Book at Amazon. Duncan's Masoic Ritual and Monitor, by Malcom C. Duncan, [1. 86. 6], at sacred- texts. P. 87. MASTER MASON, OR THIRD DEGREE. 1. THE ceremony of opening and conducting the business of a Lodge of Master Masons is nearly the same as in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Crafts' Degrees, already explained. All the. Stonemasons use a wide variety of tools to handle and shape stone blocks and slabs into finished articles. The basic tools for shaping the stone are a mallet, chisels, and a metal straight edge. With these one can make a flat. THE ceremony of opening and conducting the business of a Lodge of Master Masons is nearly the same as in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Crafts' Degrees, already explained. 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. The Third Degree is said to be the height of Ancient Free- masonry, and the most sublime of all the Degrees in Masonry (Royal Arch not even excepted); and when it is conferred, the Lodge is generally well filled with the members of the Lodge and visiting brethren. The traditional account of the death, several burials, and resurrections of one of the craft, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, as developed in conferring this Degree, is very interesting. 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. Not even the Bible, the writings of Josephus, nor any other writings, however ancient, of which we have any knowledge, furnish any information respecting his death. It is very singular, thata 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 confrères even recording his death, or any thing about it. 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. See engraving.)A candidate for the sublime Degree of a Master Mason is generally (as in the preceding Degrees) prepared by the Junior Deacon and the two Stewards, or some other brethren acting as such. PREPARING THE CANDIDATEThe candidate is divested of all wearing apparel, except his shirt and drawers, and if he has not the latter, he is furnished with a pair by the brethren preparing him. The drawers are rolled up just above the candidate's knees, and both arms are taken out of his shirt- sleeves, leaving his legs and breast bare. A rope, technically called, by Masons, a cable- tow, is wound around his body three times, and a bandage, or hoodwink, is tied very closely over his eyes. See engraving.)When the candidate is prepared, the Deacon takes him by the left arm, leads him up to the door of the Lodge, and gives three loud, distinct knocks.
INTRODUCTION TO FREEMASONRY. THE MASTER MASON DEGREE. By Carl H. Claudy. Reproduced by permission of Brother Joe Ohlandt The printed version of this book is available at http:// Similarities exist in. The lambskin Master Mason apron derives from the working apron of the ancient stone masons. It is an Emblem of Innocence and the badge of a Freemason. Thus, the apron is proudly compared with the noblest decorations of. Opening in the Second Degree. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the Second Degree. All rise, if not already standing. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every. The Senior Deacon, who has stationed himself at the inner door, at the right of the Senior Warden, on hearing these raps rises to his feet, makes the sign of a Master Mason to the Master (see Fig. Worshipful Master, while engaged in the lawful pursuit of Masonry, there is an alarm at the inner door of our Lodge. W. M.- -You will attend to the alarm, and ascertain the cause. Senior Deacon gives three loud knocks (• • •), which are responded to by one (•) from the parties outside. The Senior Deacon then answers with one rap (•), and opens the door. See Note J, Appendix.)S. D.- -Who comes here? J. D.- -Brother Gabe, who has been regularly initiated Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes to receive further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. S. D.- -Brother Gabe, is it of your own free- will and accord? Candidate- -It is. S. D.- -Brother Junior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified? J. D.- -He is. S. D.- -Duly and truly prepared? J. D- -He is. S. D.- -Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees? J. D.- -He has. S. D.- -And properly vouched for? J. D.- -He is. S. D.- -Who vouches for him? J. D.- -A brother. S. D.- -By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission? J. D.- -By the benefit of the password. S. D.- -Has he the password? J. D.- -He has it not, but I have it for him. S. D.- -Advance, and give it me. Junior Deacon here steps forward and whispers in the Senior Deacon's ear, "Tubal Cain."S. D.- -The pass is right; you will wait with patience until the Worshipful Master is informed of your request and his answer returned. The Deacon then closes the door, repairs to the centre of the Lodge- room before the altar, and sounds his rod on the floor three times (• • •), which is responded to by the Master with three raps of the gavel, when the Senior Deacon makes the sign of a Master Mason (see Fig. S. D.- -Brother Gabe, who has been regularly initiated Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes to receive further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. W. M.- -Is it of his own free- will and accord? S. D.- -It is. W, M.- -Is he worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared? S. D.- -He is. W. M.- -Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree? S. D.- -He has. W. M.- -And properly vouched for? S. D.- -He is. W. M.- -Who vouches for him? S. D- -A brother. W. M.- -By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission? S. D.- -By the benefit of the password. W. M.- -Has he that pass? S. D.- -He has it not, but I have it for him. W. M.- -Advance, and give it me. The Senior Deacon steps to the Master, and whispers in his ear, "Tubal Cain."W. M.- -The password is right. Let him enter, and be received in due form. The Senior Deacon steps to the altar, takes the compasses, repairs to the door, opens it, and says: S. D.- -Let him enter, and be received in due form. The Junior Deacon advances, followed by the Stewards, with rods, when the Senior Deacon stops them, by placing his hand against the candidate, at the same time saying: S. D.- -Brother Gabe, on entering this Lodge the first time, you were received on the point of the compasses, pressing your naked left breast, the moral of which was explained to you. On entering the second time, you were received on the angle of the square, which was also explained to you. I now receive you on both points of the compasses, extending from your naked left to your naked right breast (he here places both points against candidate's breasts), which is to teach you, that as the vital parts of man are contained within the breasts, so the most excellent tenets of our institution are contained between the points of the compasses- -which are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. The Junior Deacon now passes the candidate over to the 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. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond- tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken at the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God, who gave it."In some Lodges the following paraphrase of the above is sung; and if the Lodge have an organ, or melodeon, the singers are generally accompanied on the instrument: "Let us remember in our youth,Before the evil days draw nigh,Our Great Creator, and his Truth,Ere memory fail, and pleasures fly; Or sun, or moon, or planet's light. Grow dark, or clouds return in gloom; Ere vital spark no more incite; When strength shall bow and years consume."For balance of this paraphrase, see Freemason's Monitor, or Illustrations of Masonry, by Thomas S. Webb, p. 6. 1. As the Senior Deacon and candidate pass the different stations of the officers, they (the officers) sound their gavels as follows; when they pass the Junior Warden in the south the first time, he gives one rap (•), Senior Warden one rap, and Worshipful Master one rap; the second time, . Junior Warden two raps, Senior Warden two raps, and Worshipful Master two raps (• •); the third time round, Junior Warden three raps (• • •), Senior[paragraph continues] Warden three raps, and the Worshipful Master three raps. The Master so times his reading of the passage of Scripture, as to finish just as the parties reach the Junior Warden's station in the south, on the third round, when they halt. J. W.- -Who comes here? Conductor (S. D.)- -Brother Gabe, who has been regularly initiated Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes to receive further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. J. W.- -Brother Gabe, is it of your own free- will and accord? Candidate- -It is. THE WORKING TOOLS. There are three working tools in each of the three degrees, referring to the three phases in. This emphasis is repeated right throughout our three degrees: three degrees. Each of the nine tools has a moral significance: the Twenty- four Inch Gauge, the. Common Gavel and the Chisel of the First Degree are the tools of preparation; the. Square, Level and Plumb Rule of the Second Degree are the tools of proof; the Skirret. Pencil and Compasses of the Third Degree are the tools of plan. First, the workman, knowing little of the ultimate design, has to learn the use of the tools. The skilled craftsman. Master has to prepare the plan for the skilled. The apprentice takes the rough stone from the quarry and on it he uses the tools of. Rough Ashlar. The craftsman takes the Rough Ashlar and. It becomes the Perfect Ashlar and is placed in the building. Master. Each of us are the living stones, which are to form the Temple not made with hands, and. Temple may be perfect, each one of us has to be so, for the Temple will only. Masonry is more than a ritual; it is a way of living. It. offers us a method and a plan, by which we may build a character so strong and true that. If we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. God, then we can serenely await the solemn moment when we must quit this. God. The Twenty- four Inch Gauge represents the twenty- four hours of the day, part to be spent. Almighty God, part in labour and refreshment and part in serving a friend or. This is a reminder. Initiate that he is mortal, that he has so many years of life, with so many days to. It is only the immortals that do not have to. Later we may learn the secrets of immortality, but first we must make. In other words, time and space are given to us with all their. Time is but the. gateway to eternity, and by learning to use our time, we prepare ourselves for eternity. The first lesson for the Initiate is time, and how to use it, and that time is divided into. God, for our neighbour and for ourselves. The first is emphasised. God, our Lodge opens and closes with prayer. Prayer is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, but we must not stop at prayer. Great Architect, but carry out His will through the whole. The second is our duty to our neighbour, and that does not mean to take good care of. It means that. we give and go on giving to our neighbour, but do not make our own family suffer in. In other words, remember our neighbour, but do not neglect. The words "without detriment to yourself or connections". It is, however, only superficial thought that is scandalised. There must be some. Masonic charity. And giving does not mean just giving. There is no real gift without the giver feeling it. There are. many different kinds of gifts; some have cash from their pocket, others have advice. Our duty to ourselves has two parts: Work and refreshment. Without work the gifts that. The finest steel will rust and lose its temper if it is not. Maker. Excess never yet spelled efficiency. So. refreshment is enjoyed. Refreshment, like recreation, means nothing if not renewal. The. very word "recreation" means creating again; or, in other words, a renewal of our strength. The Gavel, we are told, represents the force of conscience, which, of course, is the voice. It is this inner voice that is ever ready to warn us when without it we. If we let conscience guide us, and are prompt to heed it, we will find its voice. Conscience, like the Gavel, will "knock off all superfluous knobs and excrescence's" so. Perfect Ashlar fit for the Temple. The Chisel is the last of the three working tools of the First Degree, and rightly so. Chisel should never leave our hand. As our ritual tells us: "the Chisel points. Points out the advantages of education" - - and is that not the. Second Degree? There we are exhorted to extend our researches into. Science" in that use is the ancient word for. Winding Staircase. As the workman, with the aid of a chisel gives form and regularity to. The Chisel furthermore demonstrates the advantages of discipline. The mind like the. Thus education discovers the latent. God and man. After drawing the candidate's attention to the Chisel, we then exhort him to make a daily. Masonic knowledge. He is then ready for the Second Degree. The tools of the Fellowcraft - - the Square, Level and Plumb Rule are amply explained in a. I will here content myself with several additional remarks. The Square, of course, is one of the most important tools in Freemasonry for, besides. Second Degree, it is also the Second Great Light. The true Level is the surface of a fluid at rest, and we shall find the true Freemason when. Rudyard. "and treat those two impostorsjust the same". Men differ in nature, heredity and opportunity, but above all, in the ability to make full. We can all, however, do our best with. We must work with the full length of our cable tow. So Masonry teaches us equality of regard. On the floor of the Lodge all men are equal. The Plumb Rule is the emblem of integrity, and with the man of integrity we can entertain. We know how he will act, and what he will do, because he stoops to nothing. The man of integrity is ruled by duty. The Plumb Rule consists of a weight hanging freely at the end of a line; the principle that. No matter where it is placed, it always points to the. So it is in the spiritual world, but here it points unerringly to God. A man of integrity does not envy the wealth, the power, or the intelligence and good. He harbours no. avarice, injustice, malice, revenge, nor an envy and contempt of mankind, but holds the. In the Third Degree, the Skirret is an implement which acts on a centre pin, whence a line. Symbolically, the Skirret points out that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid. Volume of the Sacred Law; and so to "square", "level" and. Straight'' is defined as the shortest distance between. God, our neighbour and ourselves, we find that the. We can easily be tempted to take an easier path and. To. keep on the straight requires restraint, which is rarely easy. A criminal usually begins with a small theft or perhaps just a lie, just something small, but. A lie often requires another, till we find that. As Shakespeare said: "Oh, what a tangled. A cross- examining counsel, however clever and able, is often beaten by the witness who. The straight path may lead uphill, or it may lead down the valley; it may cross the grass in. Life does not consist of one moment of impact by one solitary force, it consists of very. With the Skirret to guide him, the Mason works with a spiritual balance; accidental. With the Pencil the skilful artist delineates the building in a draft or plan for the. Our building has been delineated in a draft or. Great Architect of the Universe. It is for us to. understand what is meant by each detail of the design, so that our life, when considered in. We all know that in the erection of a building, just how easy it is to misread the plan, and. We have only to seek, and we will find the light that we need. The light of a Master Mason is but darkness visible, that is, ignorance realised, for there. The Compasses remind us of His unerring and impartial justice, who, having defined for. His divine commands. They remind us to so limit our desires in every station. Dr. Mackey tells us that the Volume of the Sacred Law gives us light on our duty to God. Square on our duty to our neighbour, and the Compasses on our duty to ourselves. It is worthy of note that, while the Square is a rigid angle, the Compasses are infinitely. If the circle is taking in just one other, whose. Lodge, and still further.
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