137:1 We are told that when the Temple was nearly finished, it was customary at the hour of H. (high) XII., when the men were called from labor to refreshment, for H. A. The brethren then all take their seats, and the candidate with them. Some Lodges have a small box with a house-plant or dry twig in it, which is set down on the floor near the candidate's head. A. A. WM: What is the proper position to receive it? K. S. (to the S. W.)--My worthy brother of Tyre, I shall endeavor (with your assistance) to raise the body by the strong grip, or lion's paw, of the tribe of Judah. Both points of the compasses are elevated above the square, which is to teach you never to lose sight of those truly Masonic virtues, which are friendship, morality, and brotherly love. For this purpose the ACACIA was used.--Lexicon. 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. WM: From what and to what? The method described is virtually identical for all workings, with certain minor variations. Begone! S. D.--At the left hand of the Worshipful Master in the east. (As explained from the preceding degrees, he then has this exchange On your return to the Lodge, where were you placed? At the revival in 1717, they were called setting-tool, setting maul, and setting-beetle; later in the century, it was the twenty-four-inch gauge, square, and gavel; then the setting-tool, square, and rule; and now the plumb-rule, square, and strong or heavy maul.--The Freemason's Treasury, p. 306. S. D.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees? ii. In a regularly constituted Lodge of Masons. 112.) 7, p. 18), which would be three times, then, turning to the Senior Warden, says: "My worthy brother of Tyre, what shall we do?". But few Masons take sufficient interest in Masonry to be advanced further, and consequently do not get the password which was lost by the tragical death of Hiram Abiff. S. D.--He has it not, but I have it for him. that my body had been severed in two, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I. Ah! Conductor--From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the pass grip of a Master Mason. (See Fig. 15. ", Master (as K. S.) makes the "grand hailing sign of distress" (see Fig. W. M. (one rap, Senior Warden rises to his feet.) There is a great degree of uniformity in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin--also in Indiana and Iowa. It is the one that is clearly explained during the Master Mason degree. the general phrase a mason uses as a sign of distress is is there no mercy for a widows son? , CEO "The Way of Heaven." at 1st Defense Inc (2011-present) was an attempt to save his life and the life of his friends by calling out to Freemasons in the mob. We are told, if we do not find the ruffians we must be punished--put to death, probably. 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. Knee to knee--that you will ever remember a brother's welfare, as well as your own, in all your adorations to Deity. Q. for the Master's Word in any other way or manner than that in which I receive After receiving instruction in the proper communication of the substitute for the Master's Word, the candidate is then instructed in regards to the Grand Hail i ng Sign of Distress. It is given by raising both hands toward heaven, with each arm forming the angle of a square, or a 90 degree angle. The subject was there referred for examination to a committee, which reported that these lectures were according to the most approved method of 'work' in the United States, and proposed to give Brother Barney letters of recommendation to all Lodges and brethren in all parts as a brother well qualified to give Masonic information to any desirous of his services. Conductor here takes off the hoodwink and removes the cable-tow, and all around the altar place their hands in the position of the duegard of a Master Mason. "5th. J. W.--High twelve, Worshipful. Thus, brother, we close our lecture on the emblems with the solemn thought of death. "Further, that I will keep a worthy brother Master Mason's secrets inviolable, when communicated to and received by me as such, murder and treason excepted. 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. 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. (See Figs. (The signs are just the same as at opening. Second Ruffian, Jubelo, generally the S. W. in the west. (Sits down.). S. W.--Brother Junior Warden, it is the orders of the Worshipful Master, &c., &c. J. W.--Brethren, you have heard the orders of the Worshipful Master, as communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the west--you will take notice, and govern yourselves accordingly. The following appears to be the proper way:--After the candidate gets up from the altar, the conductor should lead him from the altar direct to the Junior Warden's station in the south. (See Fig. with the right-hand corner tucked up, and he wears a yoke with a Senior Warden's jewel attached to it. The Hailing Sign: whence did it take its rise? As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered who is still kneeling at the altar, after having assume the obligation SD: I What say you, sir, guilty or not guilty? Amen. If this is the case, you cannot get a passage with me, I assure you. I suppose you are brothers, workmen from the Temple, and journeying, are you not? : youth, man-hood, and age. The Mason firmly grasps the right hand of a fellow Mason. A. WM: H A. "All this I most solemnly, sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to perform the same, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind what-ever, binding myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two,1 my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I would be, should I ever, knowingly, violate this my Master Mason's obligation. The body of our Grand Master was buried three times: first, in the rubbish of the Temple; secondly, on the brow of a hill west of Mount Moriah; and, thirdly and lastly, as near the "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple, as the Jewish law would permit; and Masonic tradition informs us that there was erected to his memory a Masonic monument, consisting of "a beautiful virgin, weeping over a broken column; before her was a book open; in her right hand a sprig of acacia, in her left an urn; behind her stands Time, unfolding and counting the, ringlets of her hair.". WM: What are the Five Points of Fellowship? From the above it appears the last words of Joseph Smith were believed by at least some people who knew him to be the Masonic cry of distress. W. M.--You will cause him to kneel on his naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy Bible, square, and compasses. W. M.--Brethren, the minutes will stand approved, if there are no objections. Brother Junior Deacon, the last as well as the first care of Masons, when convened? Having my curiosity aroused, I examined it, and found it to be a grave.". John Taylor, a Master Mason himself, wrote: Time, unfolding the ringlets of her hair, denoted that time, patience, and perseverance accomplish all things. SD: It has. It is King Solomon's orders that the several rolls be called, and report made as soon as possible. We were ordered to observe whether the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's Degree, was on or about the body; but, brothers, we are only Fellow Crafts, and know nothing about the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's, [paragraph continues] Degree; we must, however, make an examination, or we will be put to death.". As the last sound of twelve dies away, the three ruffians cautiously approach the body, and converse among themselves nearly as follows: First Ruffian--Well, we have all met as agreed upon: the question is, what shall we do with the body? the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly Let him enter, and be received in due form. Q. 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. (See Fig. (See Note Q, Appendix.). 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.' Thus, when dissolution draws nigh, and the cold winds of death come sighing around us, and his chilly dews already glisten on our foreheads, with joy shall we obey the summons of the Grand Warden of Heaven, and go from our labors on earth to everlasting refreshments in the Paradise of God. 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. I would remark here, that in some Lodges the Master does not make the sign of distress first at the body, but only gives the sign of a Master Mason, which is done by drawing the right hand across the body, with the thumb inward. xxxiv. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. "The construction of this grand edifice was attended with two remarkable circumstances. After receiving instruction in the proper communication of the substitute for the Masters Word, the candidate is then instructed in regards to the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress. on the Five Points of Fellowship as the SD names them.) The only alterations which occur in the lectures of each degree are in the commencement. [paragraph continues] Wardens at the head, when the Master makes the sign of "distress" of a Master Mason, which is done by raising both hands and arms above the head. We are a volunteer organization. Three ruffian nations from the south, the west, and the east--the Syrians, the Chaldeans, and the Romans--gave in succession this temporary dispensation its death-blow; those who sought religion through the wisdom of the ancients were not able to raise her; she eluded their grasp, and the polluted hands were also stretched forth in vain for her restoration. We ended up calling a tow truck and catching a ride home with someone (who would eventually be a great friend to my grandpaw). It is done by putting the inside of your right foot to the inside of the right foot of the one to whom you are going to give the word, the inside of your own knee to his, laying your breast close against his, your left hands on each other's back, and each one putting his mouth to the other's right ear. W. M.--Brother Senior Warden, I now declare this Lodge duly closed. below--above-- Fill our hearts with truth and love; When dissolves our earthly tie, Take us to thy Lodge on High. Joseph's last exclamation was "O Lord my God! J. W.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees? B. In one form of the Degree of Elect of Fifteen, they assume the Protean names of JUBELA-KURMAVIL (another corruption of Cromwell), JUBELO-GRAVELOT, and JUBELUM-AKIROP.--The Freemason's Treasury, pp. 147:1 A Grand Lecturer is elected annually at the session of the Grand Lodge of each State. 2. Let us emulate his amiable and virtuous conduct, his unfeigned piety to his God, his inflexible integrity to his trust; and as the evergreen that bloomed at the head of the grave be. Conductor here instructs candidate to pass his thumb from the second joint to space beyond, which is the second space. Junior Deacon here steps forward and whispers in the Senior Deacon's ear, "Tubal Cain.". SD: Letter or halve it. 130.). As soon as the craftsman has finished this report, another party arrives with the ruffians, and reports as follows: "Most Worshipful King Solomon, while sitting down to rest and refresh ourselves, we heard the following horrid exclamations from the clefts of the adjacent rocks. The second was that of Jubelo, exclaiming: 'Oh! W. M.--From whence came you, and whither are you travelling? FIG. how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close. --Brother this is an unusual way of asking for them. WM: Ma : "O Lord my God, I fear the Master's word is forever lost!" 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. While in this position, and at low breath, the Worshipful The Master silently steps to the east, near the candidate's head, and strikes the hour of low twelve (which is twelve o'clock at night) on a triangle or bell. "Further, that I will not sit in a Lodge of clandestine-made Masons, nor converse on the subject of Masonry with a clandestine-made Mason, nor one who has been expelled or suspended from a Lodge, while under that sentence, knowing him or them to be such. S. W. (rising to his feet, and giving the sign of a Master Mason, if opened on that Degree.) 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. King Solomon then ordered the twelve Fellow Crafts to go in search of the body, and, if found, to observe whether the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's Degree, was on or about it. Where is our good Master Joseph and Hyrum? It is my orders that you be taken without the gates of the court, and be executed, according to your several imprecations, in the clefts of the rocks. 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. According to Masonic code, any Mason who hears another Mason utter the Grand Hailing Sign must come to his aid. Brother A. 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. How many constitute an Entered Apprentices' Lodge? Let us imitate, in all his various perfections, him who, when assailed by the murderous band of rebellious craftsmen, maintained his integrity, even in death, and sealed his pledge with his own blood. Drop the hand and handkerchief three distinct times. B. not only lived to finish all the work, in whatever capacity he might have been engaged, but also, according to the testimony of Josephus, who calls him ABDEMON, he returned to Tyre, and died there at a good old age.--The Freemason's Treasury, pp. will. In the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. At high twelve. The Master, stepping back one pace, now says: "Brother Gabe, you have now received that grand Masonic word, which you have solemnly sworn never to give in any other way or form than that in which you have received it, which is on the five points of fellowship, and then in low breath. (Sits down.). : before Caiaphas. obeys orders. S. D.--From the west, travelling toward the east. The Setting-Maul, Spade, Coffin, Grave, and Sprig of Acacia; and are thus explained. 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!" Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, having finished his usual exercises, attempted to retire at the south gate, where he was accosted by Jubela, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, or the Master's word; and, on being refused, gave him a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge across the throat, upon which he fled, and attempted to pass out at the west gate, where he was accosted by Jubelo, who, in like manner, thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, or the Master's word; and, on his being refused, gave him a blow with a square across his breast, upon which he fled, and attempted to make his escape out at the east gate, where he was accosted by Jubelum, who, in like manner, thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master .Mason, or the Master's word: and, on his being refused, gave him a violent blow with a setting-maul, on his forehead, which felled him dead on the spot. (1 Kings vii. A. 1. 107:1 Professor Stuart, of Andover, one of the most skilful linguists and earned men in the United States, has endeavored to show that the legend of the Third Degree is an imposture, "since the names of the criminals are formed from the Latin language, and not from the Hebrew, to which they have no affinity whatever." ", All now form in a circle around the body, the Master and. What is that? SD: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real grip of the A. J. W.--The password is right. Third Ruffian--Let us secrete ourselves until night and steal a small boat and put to sea. Another says: "What course shall we pursue? You will therefore suffer yourself to be again hoodwinked, and kneel where you are, and pray orally or mentally, as you please. ", If one of these murderers, their abettors or accessories before or after the fact, are suffered to cumber the earth, without being dealt with according to law, what is life worth, and what is the benefit of laws? Prop. That is strictly forbidden; so you may set your minds at rest. "Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all due signs and summonses sent to me from a Master Masons' Lodge, or given me by a brother of that Degree, if within the length of my cable-tow. J. D.--To keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or repass, except such as are duly qualified and have the Worshipful Master's permission. . WM: How will you dispose of it? Capt.--They were three brothers, 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. no pass. If you wish to learn J. G. W.--Most Worshipful King Solomon, there are at the gate twelve Fellow Crafts, who wish to be admitted: they say they come with important tidings. "The pillar of Wisdom represents Solomon, King of Israel, whose wisdom contrived the mighty fabric; the pillar of Strength, Hiram, king of Tyre, who strengthened Solomon in his grand undertaking; the pillar of Beauty, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, whose cunning craft and curious workmanship beautified and adorned the Temple. In your present condition, what do you most desire? Drop the hand and handkerchief three distinct times. 17. WM: Syllable it and begin. I am the widow of a Master Mason [Joseph Smith] who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail pierced with bullets, made the Masonic sign of distress; butthose signs were not heeded.[6]. knowest our down-sitting and our uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off. Answer--Most Worshipful King Solomon, we are but Fellow Crafts; we therefore know nothing about the Master's word or the Master's Degree. A. As they start, the conductor commences to relate to the candidate the following: Conductor--Brother, it was the usual custom of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff (this is the first he hears about Hiram Abiff), to enter into the unfinished "Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies," of King Solomon's Temple, each day at high twelve, while the craft were called from labor to refreshment, for the purpose of drawing out his designs upon the trestle-board, whereby the craft might pursue their labors; after which, it was further his custom to offer up his devotions to the Deity. What say you, sir, guilty or not guilty? We are all born to die; we follow our friends to the brink of the grave, and, standing on the shore of a vast ocean, we gaze with exquisite anxiety until the last struggle is over, and we see them sink into the fathomless abyss. ), A. 6. "Further, that I will not give the Grand Masonic word, in any other manner or form than that in which I shall receive it, and then in a low breath. SD: The real grip of a Master Mason, or lion's paw. A. WM: Bone. King Solomon, being informed of this, supposed him to be indisposed, and ordered strict search to be made for him through the several apartments of the Temple, and due inquiry made; search and inquiry were accordingly made, but he could not be found. 99:1 The jewels of a Masters' Lodge are suspended from blue velvet collars, bordered and embroidered with silver. and give three raps on the floor with his rod, the Junior Warden responding by three raps with his gavel.