Our map will help you identify the lodges that are closest to your home or workplace. 1. "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. "Further, that I will always aid and assist all poor, distressed, worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans, knowing them to be such, as far as their necessities may require, and my ability permit, without material injury to myself and family. W. M.--By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission? 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. Q. The Senior Warden moves to the East if WM is Absent or cannot perform his duties. It is very true, we have been associated with these three ruffians, but we have not committed any actual crime". Knee to knee--that you will ever remember a brother's welfare, as well as your own, in all your adorations to Deity. As the candidate falls into the canvas the brethren lower it to the floor, when the following dialogue ensues between those who held the canvas and the Master, or the brother acting as the Third Ruffian. The Worshipful Master gives one rap with his gavel, when all the brethren retire to their seats, leaving at the altar the Master, conductor, and candidate. 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. EL Masonic Temple holds public open house Prop. A. W. M.--Brother Gabe, you will please approach the east. If there is a death between election of Officers and their installation, the outgoing Master is responsible for attending to the funeral service. Are you a sea-captain? Illustrations of Masonry: Illustrations of Masonry: Opening the Lodge and signing your name to the constitution and by-laws--which will then make you a member of this Lodge. John, do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secrets, arts, parts, point or points, of the Master Masons' Degree, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be to a true and lawful brother of this Degree, or in a regularly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, nor unto him, or them, until by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him, or them, as lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself. Worshipful Master in opening and closing, the Senior Warden, one. What followed? They advance before the Master in the east, and form across the Lodge, when all make the duegard and sign of a Fellow Craft (Figs. ", "Oh! For the purpose of Masonic funerals only, a Lodge of Sorrow may be opened annually on the Degree of Master Mason, after the installation of officers, the usual lodge ceremonies conducted. Brother Grand Secretary (turning to the Secretary of the Lodge), you will go out and see to calling the several rolls of the craft, and report to me as soon as possible. despicable villains! From Josephus we learn, that although seven years were occupied in building it, yet, during the whole time, it rained not in the daytime, that the workmen might not be obstructed in their labor, and from sacred history it appears that there was neither the sound of hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was building. due season, that the Worshipful Master may, receive Attempting to get up, he exclaims, "Hallo! OPENING THE LODGE WM: Officers, take your respective stations and places; Brethren, be clothed. 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. The false brethren are represented by Judas, who proved false to his Master; and the sprig of cassia represented the cross, of which wood it is said to have been composed." A. Let us pray.". 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. 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. i. WM: brother Junior Warden the Senior Warden station in the lodge, WM: brother Senior Warden Whey in the West and your duties there, SW: As the sun sets in the west to close the day. And Dalcho observes that the interpolated word is not to be found in any language that ever was used. WM: what is your duties brother Junior Deacon? In the Adonhiramite Masonry, which was used there about 1787, the doors are not mentioned at all.--The Freemason's Treasury, p. 307. 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. ", "Oh! Now obtain it from the brothers on the right and left and communicated it to the WM in the East. (Sits down.). I suppose you are brothers, workmen from the Temple, and journeying, are you not? The Master kneels at the head of the candidate, and, taking off his hat, repeats the following prayer, which may be found in all the Masonic Monitors: Thou, O God! Remember it more "especially to the household of the faithful.". At high twelve. I therefore now demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason! A. Freemasons. 299-300. any un-Masonic conduct whereby the. Second Craftsman--The very fellows of whom we are in pursuit. W. M.--Brother Gabe, as you are clothed as a Master Mason,1 it is necessary that you should have the working-tools or a Master Mason. I am decidedly of opinion that our tradition is merely allegorical; for there can be no doubt but the Chief Architect was present at the dedication of the Temple. Q. in a loud voice, until he calls that of the First Ruffian, "Jubela! 116:1 The occasion of the brethren searching so diligently for their Master was, to receive from him the secret word of Masonry, which should be delivered down as a test to the fraternity of after ages.--Historical Land marks, vol. W. M.--Brother Senior Warden, it is my orders that this Lodge be now closed, and stand closed until our next regular communication (barring emergency), when all, or a suitable number, shall have due and timely notice. B. divided the operatives the three classes, viz., Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, and Masters; paying the wages of the former at the pillar of J (Jachin), and the Masters in the Middle Chamber. Each Grand Lodge has a "work" of its own, which is taught the subordinate Lodges annually by its Grand Lecturer. The ground has been newly broken; this has the appearance of a grave," pointing to the candidate on the floor. wilt be in their midst and bless them. They returned and bore this intelligence to King Solomon, who ordered them to divide themselves, and travel as before, with positive instructions to find the ruffians, and with as positive assurance, that if they did not the twelve should be deemed the murderers, and suffer severely for the crime committed. It was from the last that he was led to that most violent and excruciating death. Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacons, JD: J. D.--He has it not, but I have it for him. 1 (See p. W. M.--Your duty there, Brother Treasurer? I hold in my hand an instrument of death; therefore, give me the Master's word, or I will take your life in a moment! "Here another guest we bring. (See grand hailing sign of distress, Fig. Foot to foot--that you will never hesitate to go on foot, and out of your way, to assist and serve a worthy brother. JD: 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. At the point is a blue rosette, in the centre of which is a silver five-pointed star. When the Lodge is opened, the Junior Warden's column is turned down, and the Senior Warden's turned up, at his right hand. I have long sought this opportunity. Brother JD JD: Worshipful Master WM:The first great care of Masons when convened? "Mortals, now indulge a tear, For Mortality is here: See how wide her trophies wave Oer the slumbers of the grave! Sorority & Fraternity. By a Brother Master Mason without, armed with, JD: ), Conductor--Cain. To carry messages from the Senior Warden in, the Upon which they rushed in, seized, bound, and brought them before King Solomon; who, after due conviction of their guilt, ordered them to be executed according to their several imprecations upon their own heads, uttered from the clefts of the rocks. A. Rapping three times each. But is this. His ancient duties were to pay the Craft (the members of the guild) their wages and to handle disputes among the workers. You have a rough and rugged road to travel, beset with thieves, robbers, and murderers; and should you lose your life in the attempt, it will not be the first instance of the kind, my brother. of Master Masons, assembled in a place, representing Begone! 1. The brethren now all kneel around the body on one knee. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same.". In Scotland the arrangement is east, south, and west. It is the order of the Worshipful Master that, ____________ At the time of request for Masonic funeral services, the Master shall notify lodge officers and members to assemble at a . time may humbly reflect that order and beauty. According to Katherine Thomson, there are many other examples of specific musical symbols taken from the Masonic rites that appear throughout Mozart's compositions. W. M. (two raps, all the officers rise to their feet.) The missing word was found, after four hundred and seventy years, and was then, and still is, used in the Royal Arch Degree, as will be seen in the ceremonies of that Degree. With another classmate, design a draped or wrapped garment using a square or rectangular piece of fabric. 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. but which, he adds, "I can find only twice particularly described. If it was of my own free-will and accord, if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared, had made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degree, and was properly vouched for; all which being answered in the affirmative, I was asked by what further right or benefit I expected to gain admission. "I furthermore promise and swear, that I will stand to and abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of the Master Masons' Degree, and of the Lodge of which I may hereafter become a member, as far as the same shall come to my knowledge; and that I will ever maintain and support the constitution, laws, and edicts of the Grand Lodge under which the same shall be holden. 82-3 OPENING AND CLOSING LODGE. this work, would not be out of place, as it will account to the reader for the difference existing between Masonic "works" in the several States, and in Europe: "In the year 1817, Brother John Barney, formerly of Charlotte, Vermont, went to Boston, and obtained possession of the Preston Lectures, taught there by Gleason, and approved by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. which All the brethren take their seats but the Master and candidate, when the Master continues: "Brother Gabe, you will now repair to the east, and receive an historical account of this degree.". further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. SW: within the body of a just and regular constituted lodge of Master Masons assembled in a place representing the unfurnishes Sanctum Sanctorum of King Solomon's Temple furnishes with the Holy Bible Square and Compass together with a charter or dispensation from some grand body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work, WM: how many constitute a Master Mason lodge, SW: the Worshipful Master Senior and Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacon, SW: at the right in front of the Senior Warden in the West. This is all intended to produce its effect upon the ears of the candidate. 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. In the centre, where I was caused to kneel, and implore the blessings of Deity. 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. be Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. A. In this state of darkness and despair she lay until the Saviour came, instituted the five points of Christian fellowship, and raised her from the dust, in which she had been indecently interred, to a more glorious inheritance."--Theo. You have a pass from King Solomon, I presume? The ceremony of opening and closing a Lodge with solemnity and decorum, is therefore universally admitted among masons; and though the mode in some lodges may vary, and in every degree must vary, still an uniformity in the general practice prevails in every lodge; and the variation (if any) is solely occasioned by a want of method, which a little A. With these lectures he returned to Vermont, and submitted them to the Grand Lodge, at its annual session in October, 1817. First Ruffian--If such are the regulations, we shall not get a pass at any port, and what will become of us? in the South, and he to the Brethren, present, Take due notice thereof and. SW: I will ascertain through the proper officer and report. You will remember you promised us, that when the Temple was completed, we should receive the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we might travel in foreign countries, work, and receive Master's wages. --Brother this is an unusual way of asking for them. MASTER GIVING THE GRAND MASONIC WORD ON THE FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP. Is there no hope for the widow's son? you with my right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason. What induced you to become a Master Mason? With the flap and corners turned down, which is to distinguish him as a Master Mason, or an overseer of the work. W. M. (looking conductor in the eye.) with hands, eternal in the heavens," where no discordant voice shall be heard, but all the soul shall experience shall be perfect bliss, and all it shall express shall be perfect praise, and love divine shall ennoble every heart, and hallelujahs exalted employ every tongue. 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.). Conductor--The pass grip of a Master Mason. (They now pass to the pass grip of a Master Mason. Degree. 138:1 Our traditions further say, that the time when this celebrated use went into the H. of H. (Holy of Holies) to offer up his orisons to God, at the hour of H (high) twelve, the Ark of the Covenant had not been removed thither, for that took place at the dedication, after which no one was permitted to enter but the H. P. (High Priest), and he only ours a year, on the great day of expiation, at which time he had a string or belt around his waist, which extended into the court of the tabernacle, that he might be drawn forth from the S. S. (Sanctum Santorum) in case sudden death should occur while he officiated there.--Historical Land-marks, vol. The Masonic Ritual. Jubelo!! . Ruffians (affecting surprise.) 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. W. M.--Have you any thing on your desk, Brother Secretary? How came he to be assassinated at that hour? J. W.--Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees? SW: Q. At first, I did not doubt your veracity; but now I do! 1. JW: of an acacia, which easily giving way, excited his curiosity: upon examination they found it to be a grave. After an animal had been selected, his throat was cut across with one single blow, so as to divide the windpipe, arteries, and veins, without touching any bone. MWB Palmer served the Grand Lodge of Masons in Tennessee as Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1997, and as Grand Secretary from 2005 until 2007. elsewhere If there are present any Present or Past Grand, Officers, be sent to the East, accompanied with, the iv. "O Lord my God, I fear the Master's word is forever lost! Besides, when a work is nearly completed, the necessity of Plans and designs ceases altogether. [paragraph continues] Lodges, until future generations should find out the right one. the blessing, even life for evermore. We will carry the body a westerly course from the Temple to the brow of the hill west of Mount Moriah, where I have dug a grave due east and west, six feet perpendicular. "Further, that I will not aid, nor be present at, the initiation, passing, or raising of a woman, an old man in his dotage, a young man in his nonage, an atheist, a madman, or fool, knowing them to be such. Treasurer--(See opening ceremony, p. Brother A. J. W.--Brethren, you are now called from refreshment to labor again. Jubelum!!!" The Barney "work" is that adopted by the Baltimore Convention. 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. SW: Deacons approach the west give me the password of a master mason. excess, and see that they return to their labor, in Second Ruffian--We shall be taken and put to death. W. M. (lifting the candidate up.) Brethren; you will join with me in the Pledge of. (Shakes candidate. In, Thy (1 Kings vii. S. W.--The candidate is in order, Worshipful, and awaits your further will and pleasure. --You will arise, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as an obligated Master Mason. WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge? sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. on the right and left, and communicate, SW: ii. ", Master (as K. S.) makes the "grand hailing sign of distress" (see Fig. Chapter 13 - The Ceremony Of Opening And Closing A Lodge Lodge No ___ be now opened, on 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. Some substitute for the latter, but with less propriety, the crown of thorns. 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. Sublime Degree of Master Mason on 4-14-1950, and has been a Member of Fort Pierce Masonic Lodge No. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for, Brethren ___ be now opened on, the left to right: S. D., or Conductor. 1. BRETHREN KNEELING AT PRAYER AROUND THE GRAVE OF HIRAM ABIFF, THE WIDOW'S SON. He has not been seen since high twelve yesterday. A. Purple Card Certificate of Proficiency - Sarasota Lodge No. 147 They now retire from the body, in different directions. 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. A. WM: brother Junior Deacon the Senior Deacon place in the lodge, JD: to the right and in front of the Worshipful Master in the East, WM: your duty there brother Senior Deacon, SD: to carry order from the Worshipful Master to the Senior Warden and elsewhere around the lodge as he may direct to introduce and accommodate visiting brethren and to received and conduct candidates, SE: to duly observe the Worshipful Master will and pleasure in recoding the proceedings of the lodge transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge if required receive all moneys paid into the lodge pay them over to the Treasurer taking his receipt thereof, WM: brother Secretary the Treasurer place in the lodge brother Secretary, SE: on the right of the Worshipful Master, TRS: to receive all moneys paid into the lodge from the hands of the Secretary to keep a just and regular account of the same and pay them out by order of the Worshipful Master with consent of the brethren, WM: bother Treasurer the Junior Warden station in the lodge, WM: brother Junior Warden Way in the South and your duties there, JW: As the sun in the south at meridian is the glory and beauty of the day. 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. FIG 18. 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. "Lord of all! 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. No three States in the Union "work" alike. (See engraving.). Behold! List of Freemasons (A-D) - Wikipedia Amen. W. M.--Brethren, together on the signs. Q. Seraphs of celestial wing, To our funeral altar come: Waft this friend and brother home. p. 175. G. ", "Yes, here is the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, in a mangled and putrid state. 99:1 The jewels of a Masters' Lodge are suspended from blue velvet collars, bordered and embroidered with silver. The Grand Lodge of Mississippi F & A M JD: to carry messages from the Senior Warden to the Junior Warden and elsewhere around the lodge as he may direct and take charge of the door. Senior Deacon passes on to the west, where the same questions are asked and answered as before, and the Senior Warden suffers them to pass on to the Worshipful Master in the east, where the same questions and answers are repeated. "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. who will obtain it from the brothers on the right and left and communicated it in the East. A. After the first such opening, no further formality need be followed. Second Ruffian, Jubelo, generally the S. W. in the west. p. 166. [paragraph continues] Problem of Euclid, the Hour-Glass, the Scythe, and the Three Steps on the Master's Carpet. A. I was conducted three times around the Lodge, to the Junior Warden in the south, where the same questions were asked, and like answers returned as at the door. As they approach the Worshipful Master's station, he says: W. M.--Brother Senior Deacon, you will reconduct the candidate to the Senior Warden in the west, with my orders that he teach him how to wear his apron as a Master Mason. Answer--We will bury it in the rubbish of the Temple, until low twelve, and then we will meet and give it a decent burial. "2nd. p. 118. His business is to teach the subordinate Lodges the Ritual of Freemasonry, and he is paid generally by salary, or so much from each Lodge before whom he may lecture. how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close. It is a very common practice in lodges to close a lodge of Entered Apprentices, and open a lodge of Fellow Crafts, and close that, and open a Master Mason's lodge, all in the same evening. 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. "Five constitute a Lodge of Fellow Crafts two Master Masons and three Fellow Crafts. Captain--Very well, you can have a passage. What! W. M.--To what do you allude, my brother? Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, having finished his usual exercises, attempted to retire by the south gate, when he was accosted by Jubela, who 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 the twenty-four-inch gauge across his throat, upon which he fled and attempted to pass out at the west gate, where he was accosted by Jubelo, who, in like manner, demanded of him the secrets of a blaster Mason, or the Master's word, and, on his being refused, gave him a blow with the 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 the secrets of a Master Mason, or the Master's word, and, on his like refusal, gave him a violent blow with the setting-maul on his forehead, which felled him dead on the spot. His friends now approach him, and congratulate him upon his Masonic appearance, asking him how he likes the degree, and if he is not glad he is through, &c., &c. The object of this is to mislead the candidate, and to impress upon his mind the idea that there is no more of the ceremony, and that his initiation is completed. WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the Third Degree. ___ 204--5. --Grand Master Hiram, I am glad to meet you thus alone. The body was then carried to the Temple for a more decent burial, and was interred in due form. A. I arose, and on my passage around the Lodge was accosted by three Fellow Crafts, who thrice demanded of me the secrets of a Master Mason; and, on being refused, the first gave me a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge, across my throat; the second with a square, across my breast; the third with a setting-maul, on my forehead, which felled me on the spot. Even thouugh the Junior Warden does not move forward He should be in learning and know how to open all four Lodges. This was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa, and, Is an emblem of human life. Present the flag of our country at the Altar. Solomon Lodge is an active lodge with most of our officers being less than 50 years of age. K. S.--Vile, impious wretches! FIG. In youth, in Entered Apprentices. To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in, the