The Three Degrees of Freemasonry

Master Mason Degree

Second Section - The Hiramic Legend

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(Officers and abbreviations)
 

Second Section - Hiramic Legend

WM - (*)

JW - (***) Brethren, the gavel having sounded in the East, you will take due notice and come to order as Master Masons [all give the Due Guard]. Worshipful Master [all give the Sign], the brethren are in order.

WM - Is brother A.B. present? If so, he will approach the East. [candidate goes to position in front of WM.]

WM - My brother, you now probably consider yourself a Master Mason, and as such, entitled to all the rights and benefits of this degree. I presume you do from the jewel you wear as one of the Wardens of this Lodge. It becomes my duty, however, to inform you that you are not, but far from it. You have yet a rough and rugged path to travel, beset with ruffians if not with murderers. The instance has been known, and should you even lose your life in the contest, you will not be the first. You will, therefore, remember in whom you put your trust, and that he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. On a former degree [SD moves without rod to the right of the candidate] you had someone to pray for you, now you have none, you must pray for yourself. [SD conducts candidate on south side to the Altar].

WM - You will, therefore, suffer yourself again to be hoodwinked, kneel and pray either mentally or orally as you please, but to signify when done, say "Amen." [SD prepares candidate, has him kneel.

[WM (***). All rise.]

Candidate - Amen.

WM - Arise and make your progress. (*) [All are seated.]

SD - [SD assists candidate to rise and conducts him to the South via the North and East, saying...] My brother, it was the usual custom of our Grand Master Hiram Abif, at high-twelve, when the craft was called from labor to refreshment, to enter into the unfinished Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple and there offer his devotions to Deity and draw his designs on the trestleboard, after which it was his usual practice to retire by the South gate. In imitation of him, let us retire by the South gate.

[They are stopped by Jubela in the South. Jubela grabs the blindfolded candidate.]

Jubela - Grand Master Hiram Abif, I am glad to meet you alone. I have long sought this opportunity. You will remember, you promised us that at the completion of the Temple, we should receive the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we might travel into foreign countries, work and receive Master's wages. Behold, the Temple is now about to be completed and we have not received that for which we have so long sought. At first I did not doubt your veracity, but now I do. I, therefore, demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

Senior Deacon - Brother, this is an unusual way of asking for them, neither is it a proper time nor place. Be true to your engagements and I will to mine. Wait until the Temple is completed, and then if found worthy and well qualified, no doubt you will receive them; until then you cannot.

Jubela - Talk not to me of time nor place, but give me the secrets of a Master Mason or I will take your life.

Senior Deacon - I cannot, neither can they be given except in the presence of three; Solomon, King of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and myself.

Jubela - This does not satisfy me. I will hear no more of your cavil. Give me the Master's Word or I will take your life in a moment.

Senior Deacon - I will not.

Jubela - Then die! [Jubela takes a twenty-four inch gauge and presses it against the candidate's throat. Senior Deacon hurries the candidate toward the West.]

Senior Deacon - Let us endeavor to pass out by the West gate. [They are stopped by Jubelo in the West. Jubelo grabs the blindfolded candidate.]

Jubelo - Give me the secrets of a Master Mason.

Senior Deacon - I cannot.

Jubelo - Give me the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your life.

Senior Deacon - I shall not.

Jubelo - Give me the Master's Word or I will take your life in a moment.

Senior Deacon - I will not.

Jubelo - Then die! [Jubelo strikes the candidate's left breast with a carpenter's square. Senior Deacon hurries candidate toward the East.]

Senior Deacon - Let us endeavor to make our escape by the East gate. [They are stopped by Jubelum in the Northeast corner. Jubelum grabs the blindfolded candidate.]

Jubelum - Give me the secrets of a Master Mason.

Senior Deacon - I cannot.

Jubelum - Give me the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your life.

Senior Deacon - I shall not.

Jubelum - You have escaped Jubela and Jubelo, but me you cannot pass. My name is Jubelum. What I purpose, that I perform. I hold in my hand an instrument of death. Give me the Master's Word, or I will take your life in a moment.

Senior Deacon - I will not.

Jubelum - Then die! [Jubelum strikes the head of the blindfolded candidate with a padded setting maul, and the candidate is pushed off of his feet into a large sack where he is caught by the brethren. He remains blindfolded and is instructed to remain lying down.]

Jubela - Is he dead?

Jubelo - He is, his skull is broken.

Jubela - What horrid deed is this we have done? We have murdered our Grand Master Hiram Abif and have not obtained that for which we have so long sought.

Jubelum - This is not time for reflection. The question is, what shall we do with the body?

Jubelo - Let us bury it in the rubbish of the Temple until low twelve, then meet and give it a more decent burial.

Jubela and Jubelo - Agreed. [The brothers convey the candidate to the Southeast corner of the lodge and place sticks over his body to reflect the "rubbish" of the Temple. Jubela and Jubelo move to the West and pause with perfect silence in the lodge.]

Jubelum - [recites the Soliloquy.] The horrid deed is done! Here, cold and mute, wrapped in the icy cloak of death, the Master sleeps. No more pageantry and pomp of power. No more the crowd of craftsmen hastening to do his deep designs. No more the temple rising proudly from the hills and beckoning the heavens to rest upon its stately columns. No more will this, his high ambition, gratify. Oh death untimely! Yet, oh timely death! Wrested from life while fresh his honors clustered, before the fetid breath of calumny had marred the splendor of his name, or slander smirched the worth of his achievements. He has fallen, yielding up life rather than break his vow. Surrendering all - all that the world holds dear; life, power, riches, everything, but holding fast to his Masonic secret.

Oh rare integrity! Oh, fortitude most grand! To him in future years will countless thousands raise their songs of praise, and laud his name who death preferred than faithless prove, than trust betray.

Yet, though well kept, his secret stands revealed. I read it thus: the Masonic secret is in these three words contained: Truth, Honor, Fortitude. [Low-twelve bell tolls.] But hark! The tuneful bell rings out the hour of meeting. My comrades come. Now must we hasten away, bearing our heavy burden of remorse. [Jubela and Jubelo approach from the West.]

Jubelum - Low-twelve. Jubela, is that you?

Jubela - It is.

Jubelum - Jubelo, is it you?

Jubelo - It is.

Jubelum - Well we have met according to agreement, and now what shall we do with the body?

Jubelo - Let us convey it a Westerly coarse from the Temple to the brow of a hill West of Mount Moriah, where we have been and dug a grave situated due East and West, six feet perpendicular, and there give it a decent burial.

Jubela and Jubelo - Agreed. [The brothers convey the candidate to the Northwest corner of the lodge.]

Jubelum - Now let us plant an acacia at the head of the grave in order to conceal it and that the place might be known should occasion ever require. [Jubelum places an acacia plant at the head of the grave.]

Jubelum - Now let us make our escape out of the country.

[Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum then encounter a Seafaring man who approaches from the North sideline of the lodge.]

Jubelum - Hail friend, are you a seafaring man?

Seafaring Man - I am.

Jubelum - Do you put to sea soon?

Seafaring Man - Immediately.

Jubelum - Wither are you bound?

Seafaring Man - To Ethiopia.

Jubelum - The very place we want to go. We should like to gain a passage with you, three of us brethren.

Seafaring Man - You can have a passage, I suppose. You appear to be workmen from the Temple at Jerusalem, are you not?

Jubelum - We are.

Seafaring Man - I should be glad of your company. You have King Solomon's pass?

Jubelum - No, we have no pass. We were sent off in a hurry and on urgent business; there was nothing said about giving us a pass; no doubt it was forgotten or not deemed necessary.

Seafaring Man - No pass! You cannot gain a passage with me then, I assure you. It is strictly forbidden!

Jubelum - We can go back and get one, I suppose.

Seafaring Man - The sooner the better, suspicious characters. [The Seafaring man retires.]

Jubela - What shall we do now?

Jubelo - Let us go to some other port and endeavor to obtain a passage.

Jubela - But it is as well known at other ports as is this, and if these are the regulations, we cannot get a passage from any port.

Jubelo - Let us secret ourselves until night, then steal a small boat and put to sea.

Jubela - We cannot make our escape in that way for this is a rough and dangerous coast, and we shall be cast away if not taken. The fact is, we shall be taken; for by this time or soon after, the coast will be landed with our pursuers.

Jubelum - Let us flee into the interior of the country and avoid being taken as long as possible.

Jubela and Jubelo - Agreed. [Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum retire through the Outer Door of the Lodge.]

[At this time, the titles of the officers change for the remainder of this section of the degree. The Worshipful Master is King Solomon, the Senior Warden is King Hiram, the Senior Deacon is First Fellowcraft, the Junior Deacon is Second Fellowcraft, and the Secretary is the Scribe. All Due Guards are given in the Fellowcraft degree.]

[The First and Second Fellowcrafts assemble in front of the West Station.]

First Fellowcraft - I haven't any work to do. I finished my work about an hour ago and there are no designs drawn on the trestleboard. Have you any work to do?

Second Fellowcraft - I have about an hour's work on this column and then I will be finished because there are no designs drawn on the trestleboard.

First and Second Fellowcrafts [alternatively asking the four other Fellowcrafts...] - Have you any work to do?

Fellowcrafts - I haven't any work to do. There are no designs drawn on the trestleboard.

King Solomon - [*] What means all this confusion among the workman? Why are they not at work as usual?

King Hiram - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], there is no work laid out for us, and it is said we can have none, probably owing to there being no designs drawn on the trestleboard. For this reason, most of us are idle.

King Solomon - No work laid out! No designs drawn on the trestleboard! What is the meaning of this? Where is our Grand Master Hiram Abif?

King Hiram - We do not know [Due Guard], Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], he has not been seen since high twelve yesterday.

King Solomon - Not been seen since high twelve yesterday? I fear that he is indisposed. It is my order that strict search and due inquiry be made for him throughout the several apartments of the Temple. Let him be found if possible.

King Hiram - Craftsmen, you will make strict search and due inquiry throughout the several apartments of the Temple for our Grand Master Hiram Abif. Let him be found if possible.

First and Second Fellowcrafts [alternatively asking the four other Fellowcrafts] - Have you seen our Grand Master Hiram Abif?

Fellowcrafts - Not since high twelve yesterday.

First Fellowcraft [faces King Hiram in the West, no salute] - Strict search and due inquiry have been made, and he cannot be found.

King Hiram - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], strict search and due inquiry have been made for him throughout the several apartments of the Temple, and he cannot be found.

King Solomon - I fear that some accident has befallen him. [*] Scribe [Scribe rises], you will assemble the workman and see that the several roles are called and reports made as soon as possible. [Scribe moves toward Outer Door, announcing as he goes.]

Scribe - Hail craftsmen, it is King Solomon's order that you assemble for role call. Craftsmen, assemble for role call. Craftsmen, assemble for role call. Craftsmen, assemble for role call.

[The First and Second Fellowcrafts, along with the four Fellowcrafts, retire via the Outer Door. Scribe halts inside the lodge room. Role is called. Scribe recites the following names and the Fellowcrafts answer accordingly.]

Aaron? Here. Amos? Here. David? Here. Ezekiel? Here. Ira? Here. Jeroboam. Here. Jubela? Jubela? Jubela?

Levi? Here. Nathan? Here. Saul? Here. Timothy? Here. Zabud? Here. Adoniram? Here. Barnabas? Here. Daniel? Here. Esau? Here. Hosea? Here. Isaac? Here. Joab? Here. Jubelo? Jubelo? Jubelo?

Malachi? Here. Noah? Here. Seth? Here. Tobiah? Here. Zachariah? Here. Ahishar? Here. Bendeker? Here. Ezra? Here. Gabriel? Here. Heth? Here. Isaiah? Here. Johnathan? Here. Jubelum? Jubelum? Jubelum?

Moses? Here. Obed? Here. Simon? Here. Uriah? Here. Zadok? Here.

Scribe - [Closes door, about faces, goes to Altar and reports. Fellowcrafts put on white Masonic gloves at this time.] [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], the several roles have been called and reports received, from which it appears that three Fellowcrafts are missing; Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum, who, from the similarity of their names, are supposed to be brothers and men from Tyre. [Scribe returns to his place and is seated.]

[In anteroom, Second Fellowcraft gives *** on the Outer Door.]

King Hiram - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], there is an alarm at the outer gate of the Temple.

King Solomon - You will attend to the alarm and report the cause.

King Hiram - [goes to and opens Outer Door.] Who comes here?

Second Fellowcraft - Twelve craftsmen praying admission. We come with important tidings.

King Hiram - [closes Outer Door and reports therefrom.] [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], there are at the outer gate twelve Fellowcrafts praying admission. They say they come with important tidings.

King Solomon - Admit them.

King Hiram - [Opens door.] Come in you twelve Fellowcrafts. [First Fellowcraft, the four other Fellowcrafts and the Second Fellowcraft enter in a single file line, move to East. King Hiram closes Outer Door and returns to the West.]

Second Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], we come to inform you that fifteen of us Fellowcrafts, seeing the Temple about to be completed and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we might travel into foreign countries, work and receive Master's wages, entered into a horrid conspiracy to extort them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif or take his life; but reflecting with horror on the atrocity of the crime, twelve of us recanted. The other three still persisted in their murderous designs and, we fear, have taken his life. We, therefore, appear before your majesty, clothed in white gloves and aprons in token of our innocence, and kneeling [Fellowcrafts kneel on right knee], humbly implore your pardon.

King Solomon - You twelve Fellowcrafts will arise, divide yourselves into parties and travel three East, three West, three North and three South, with others whom I shall appoint in such of the ruffians, and return not without tidings.

[The Fellowcrafts divide, the First Fellowcraft leading, two Fellowcrafts on the left, moving West on the North sideline, while the Second Fellowcraft leads the other two Fellowcrafts to the right, moving West on the South sideline. Second Fellowcraft turns right near the Outer Door and goes to meet First Fellowcraft between the West and the Altar. The Fellowcraft in the rear of the party on the North side remains near the First Fellowcraft, while the other three Fellowcrafts move to the South sideline and are removed from the scene. The Seafaring Man approaches from the North sideline and meets the First Fellowcraft, Second Fellowcraft and other Fellowcraft at the body.]

First Fellowcraft - Hail friend, have you seen any strangers pass this way?

Seafaring Man - I have, three.

First Fellowcraft - Describe them, if you please.

Seafaring Man - They appeared to be workman from the Temple at Jerusalem seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, they were unable to obtain passage and returned into the country.

First Fellowcraft - The very fellows we are in search of. You say they returned into the country?

Seafaring Man - They did.

First Fellowcraft - This is tidings. Let us go and report.

Second Fellowcraft - Agreed.

[Seafaring Man retires. Second Fellowcraft, another Fellowcraft and First Fellowcraft go to the East, forming a line facing King Solomon with First Fellowcraft on the right.]

First Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], tidings from the West.

King Solomon - Report your tidings.

First Fellowcraft - As we, who pursued a Westerly course, came down near the port of Joppa, we fell in with a Seafaring Man of whom we inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way. He informed us that he had, three, who appeared to be workman from the Temple at Jerusalem, seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, they were unable to obtain passage and returned into the country.

King Solomon - You will disguise yourselves and travel as before with a positive injunction not to return without the ruffians and with a positive assurance that if you do, the twelve will be deemed the murderers and severally suffer for the crime committed.

[They turn left, Second Fellowcraft leading, moving toward West, First Fellowcraft moving diagonally takes lead in front of Second Fellowcraft, and proceed to positions in the West, the three Fellowcrafts on the South sidelines join them in the West.]

First Fellowcraft - [In the Northwest at the head of the grave.] Well brethren, I am weary. I must sit down and rest and refresh myself before going further. [Done.] Well, here we are back in sight of Jerusalem and no tidings from the ruffians. What shall we do?

Second Fellowcraft - Let us go and report.

First Fellowcraft - It will not do to go and report, for if we do the twelve will be taken and put to death, and here are three of the poor fellows with us. It will not do to give them up to be put to death. What shall we do?

Second Fellowcraft - Let us take some other course and be off.

First Fellowcraft - What course shall we take?

Second Fellowcraft - Let us take a South Easterly course.

First Fellowcraft - Agreed, let us be going.

[They start to move away, and First Fellowcraft, in rising, picks up the sprig of acacia.]

First Fellowcraft - Hail, comrades, what means this acacia giving away so easily? It is a plant of hardy growth; and see, the ground is freshly broken. It has the appearance of a newly-made grave.

[At this time, the horrid exclamations of the Masonic penalties are heard from the inner door.]

Jubela - O, 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 watermark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I had caused the death of so great and so good of a man and our Grand Master, Hiram Abif.

First Fellowcraft - That is Jubela!

Jubelo - O, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart plucked out and placed on the highest pinnacle of the Temple, there to be devoured by the vultures of the air, ere I had been accessory to the death of so great and so good of a man and our Grand Master, Hiram Abif.

First Fellowcraft - That is Jubelo!

Jubelum - O, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile a wretch as I am, to have thus basely assassinated our Grand Master Hiram Abif. O Jubela and Jubelo, I am more guilty than you both. It was I who struck the fatal blow, it was I who killed him.

First Fellowcraft - That is Jubelum! Let us rush in and seize them!

[First Fellowcraft, Four Fellowcrafts and Second Fellowcraft hurry out via the Outer Door and seize the ruffians. They re-enter with the three in columns of threes, thus: Second Fellowcraft, Jubelum and Fellowcraft; Fellowcraft, Jubelo and Fellowcraft; and Fellowcraft, Jubela and First Fellowcraft. They proceed to the East and form two lines in front of King Solomon, viz: first line: Jubelum, Jubelo and Jubela; second line: Second Fellowcraft, Four Fellowcrafts and First Fellowcraft.]

First Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], tidings from the ruffians.

King Solomon - What tidings?

First Fellowcraft - As we who pursued a Westerly course were returning after many days of fruitless search, I, being more weary than the rest, sat down on the brow of a hill West of Mount Moriah there to rest and refresh myself. On arising I accidentally caught hold of an acacia, which, easily giving way, excited my curiosity, upon which I hailed my comrades, and on examination, we found the appearance of a newly-made grave. At this time we heard from the clefts of the adjacent rocks the following horrid exclamations.

The first we recognized as the voice of Jubela, who exclaimed: O, 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 watermark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I had caused the death of so great and so good of a man and our Grand Master, Hiram Abif.

The second we recognized as the voice of Jubelo, who exclaimed: O, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart plucked out and placed on the highest pinnacle of the Temple, there to be devoured by the vultures of the air, ere I had been accessory to the death of so great and so good of a man and our Grand Master, Hiram Abif.

The third we recognized as the voice of Jubelum, who exclaimed in accents more horrid than the rest: O, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile a wretch as I am, to have thus basely assassinated our Grand Master Hiram Abif. O Jubela and Jubelo, I am more guilty than you both. It was I who struck the fatal blow, it was I who killed him.

Upon which we rushed in, seized and bound them, and now have them before your majesty.

King Solomon [Rises.] Are these the ruffians?

First Fellowcraft - They are.

King Solomon - Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum, what say you, guilty or not guilty?

Ruffians - [In unison.] Guilty, my Lord.

King Solomon - Vile and impious wretches! Reflect on the atrocity of the crime committed and on the amiable character of him whom you have so basely assassinated. Hold up your heads and hear your sentence. It is my order that you be taken without the gates of the city, and there executed according to your several imprecations made in the clefts of the rocks. Let them be duly executed! (*). [King Solomon is seated.]

[They turn to the right and depart in columns of threes: Fellowcraft, Jubela and First Fellowcraft; Fellowcraft, Jubelo and Fellowcraft; and Second Fellowcraft, Jubelum and Fellowcraft. Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum go out through the Outer Door. At this time, King Hiram quietly goes to the East and is seat at the right of King Solomon.]

[With the Second Fellowcraft leading, followed by the Four Fellowcrafts and the First Fellowcraft in the rear, they about face and return to the East, and form a line in front of King Solomon with First Fellowcraft on the South end of the line.]

First Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], your order has been duly executed.

King Solomon - Tis well. You twelve Fellowcrafts will now go in search of the body, and, if found, observe whether the Master's Word, a key to it, or anything appertaining the Master's degree is on or about it.

[Dividing, the Second Fellowcraft turns left, leads two Fellowcrafts to the West, First Fellowcraft turns right, leads two Fellowcrafts by a diagonal path between the East and the Altar and joins the other group, forming two lines moving West.]

Second Fellowcraft - Can we find the place where our weary brother sat down to rest and refresh himself?

First Fellowcraft - It was a Westerly course from the Temple and near this mound.

[First Fellowcraft and Second Fellowcraft halt at the head of the Cn on opposite sides of the body.]

Second Fellowcraft - Perhaps we can find the acacia that was pulled up.

First Fellowcraft - Yes, here it is, a withered branch. Let us dig down and see what discovery we can make. [They pretend to dig down into the grave, and turn back the flaps of the sack in which rests the Cn.]

First Fellowcraft - Here is the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif, mangled in a shocking manner. His skull is broken.

Second Fellowcraft - Let us go and report.

First Fellowcraft - It will not do to go and report. We were to search for the Master's Word, a key to it, or anything appertaining to the Master's degree.

Second Fellowcraft - But we are only Fellowcrafts. We know nothing of the Master's Word or the Master's degree.

First Fellowcraft - This is true, but we must obey orders.

Second Fellowcraft - Hear is the jewel of his office. Let us take this and report.

First Fellowcraft - Agreed.

[Second Fellowcraft removes the jewel, then First Fellowcraft removes the hoodwink. On moving to report in the East, First Fellowcraft moves behind the two Fellowcrafts to lead to the East. All Fellowcrafts fall in behind, forming a line in the East, Second Fellowcraft in the South.]

Second Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], tidings from the body.

King Solomon - Where was it found?

Second Fellowcraft - On the brow of a hill, West of Mount Moriah, where our weary brother sat down to rest and refresh himself.

King Solomon - Was the Master's Word, a key to it, or anything appertaining to the Master's degree found on or about it?

Second Fellowcraft - [Due Guard] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], we are only Fellowcrafts. We know nothing of the Master's Word or the Master's degree. We found nothing, however, except the jewel of his office by which the body was designated.

[Second Fellowcraft steps forward, presents the jewel to King Solomon and returns to position. King Solomon and King Hiram confer.]

King Solomon - This is indeed the jewel of our murdered Grand Master Hiram Abif. I fear the Master's Word is forever lost. You twelve Fellowcrafts will now repair to the grave and assist me in raising the body. My worthy brother of Tyre, as the Master's Word is now lost, the first sign given at the grave and the first Word spoken after the body is raised shall be adopted for the regulation of all Master's Lodges until future ages shall find out the right.

[Line divides, First Fellowcraft turns left leading two Fellowcrafts toward West, while Second Fellowcraft turns right leading two Fellowcrafts in a diagonal direction between the East and the Altar. Lines meet at North sidelines and alternately merge forming one line with Second Fellowcraft following First Fellowcraft. Merged line continues West on North side of Cn, turns left twice, forming an open square, halts and faces inward, so that First Fellowcraft and Second Fellowcraft are on the South of the Cn facing North, two Fellowcrafts are in the West facing East, and two Fellowcrafts are in the North facing South. King Solomon and King Hiram follow the line and complete the square in the East of the Cn facing West. The singing of the Dirge begins with the commencement of movement from the East as they progress slowly West.]

Funeral Dirge

Solemn strikes the funeral chime,
Notes of our departing time,
As we journey here below,
Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Here another guest we bring,
Seraphs of celestial wing!
To our funeral altar come,
Waft a friend and brother home!

Lord of all! Below-above,
Fill our souls with truth and love!
As dissolves our earthly tie,
Take us to Thy Lodge on High.

[When all are in position around the grave, in unison with King Solomon, they give the Due Guard of a Master Mason.]

King Solomon - O Lord, my God [all give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress], is there no help for the Widow's Son? [All give the Due Guard of a Master Mason].

King Solomon - [Pointing to First Fellowcraft] You will take the body by the Entered Apprentice grip and see if it can be raised. [First Fellowcraft complies.]

First Fellowcraft - [Due Guard of a Fellowcraft] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], owing to the high state of putrefaction, it having been dead already fifteen days, the skin slips from the flesh and it cannot be raised.

King Solomon - O Lord, my God [all give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress], is there no help for the Widow's Son? [All give the Due Guard of a Master Mason].

King Solomon - [Pointing to Second Fellowcraft] My worthy brother, I will thank you to take the body by the Fellowcraft grip and see if it can be raised. [Second Fellowcraft complies.]

Second Fellowcraft - [Due Guard of a Fellowcraft] Most Worshipful King Solomon [Sign], owing to reasons before given, the flesh cleaves from the bone, and it cannot be raised.

King Solomon - O Lord, my God [all give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress], I fear the Master's Word is forever lost. [All give the Due Guard of a Master Mason]. My worthy brother of Tyre, what shall we do?

King Hiram - Let us pray.

King Solomon - Agreed.

[All kneel around the grave on the right knee.]

King Hiram (or Chaplain) - Thou, Oh God, knowest our down-sittings and our uprisings, and understandest our thoughts afar off. Shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through this vale of tears.

Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower and is cut down. He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. 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.

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and riseth not up 'till the heavens shall be no more. But, Oh Lord, have compassion on the children of Thy creation, administer them comfort in time of trouble and save them with an everlasting salvation. Amen.

[Alternate graveside prayer:]

O Thou Great and Glorious God, who canst alone defend amid the manifold dangers which beset our pathway through life, shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through this vale of tears.

And, O God, we pray that Thou wouldst raise this, our brother, from his fallen estate and guide him evermore in an upright walk and conversation. May the still, small voice of Thy Spirit whisper in his ear the words of wisdom. Let Thy Fatherly hand ever be about him, and do Thou, O God, direct his feet in the paths of peace. May his breast safely keep and guard the trust which friendship there reposes.

And when at last he shall have diligently executed in the rough quarries of earth the designs which Thou hast inscribed upon his trestle-board and shall be stricken down by the ruthless Setting Maul of death, may he be raised to the life eternal, be found worthy of fellowship with the good, and in the Grand Lodge above be permitted to see Thee face to face, to worship Thee there in the beauty of holiness forever and ever. - Amen.

All at the grave respond - So mote it be.

[King Hiram assists King Solomon into position in raising the body to the Five Points of Fellowship by the Strong Grip of a Master Mason, or Lion's Paw. King Solomon gives the Grand Masonic Word "Ma-Ha-Bone" to the candidate. Officers now resume their regular or official titles. All are seated except the Worshipful Master and the candidate. Fellowcrafts remove gloves.]

WM - My brother, you have now received the Grand Masonic Word, which you solemnly promised in your obligation never to give in any other manner or form than that in which you have now received it, which is on the five points of fellowship and in low breath.

The five points of fellowship are: foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, cheek to cheek or mouth to ear, and are thus explained. Foot to foot, that you will never hesitate to go on foot or out of your way to assist and serve a needy brother. Knee to knee, that you will ever remember a brother's welfare as well as your own while on your knees offering your devotions to Deity. Breast to breast, that you will ever keep within your breast a brother's secrets when communicated to and received by you as such, murder and treason excluded. Hand to back, that you will ever be ready to stretch forth your hands to aid and support a falling brother, that you will vindicate his character as well behind his back as before his face. Cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear, that you will ever caution and whisper good counsel in the ear of a brother, remind him in the most friendly manner of his error, and if possible, aid in his reformation; give him due and timely notice that he may ward off approaching danger.

The Word you have now received is called the Substitute Word, it being the one which was adopted for the regulation of all Master's Lodges until future ages should find out the right. It is always given by syllable, usually by each, in this manner: I will give the first syllable, you the second, and I the third. [The WM and candidate get into position, and the WM whispers in the candidate's ear "Ma," the candidate whispers back "Ha," and the WM whispers back "Bone."]

I will now proceed to give and explain the different grips belonging to this degree. This [given], you recollect, is the pass grip of a Master Mason, the name of which is Tubal-Cain. This [given] is the Strong Grip of a Master Mason, or Lion's Paw. It also has a name, it being the Word you have now received, and which you are never to give in any other manner or form than that in which you have now received it. Should you ever be asked to give it, your answer should be, "I will if you will place yourself in a proper position to receive it," which you recollect, is on the five points of fellowship and in low breath.

You will now repair with me to the East and receive an historical account of this degree.

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