OPENING.--Right Worshipful and Respectable Master strikes two, upon
which Grand Marshal rises, and Master says, "Brother Grand Marshal,
are we all Perfect Masters?" Answer--We are, Right Worshipful and
Respectable.
Q. Your place in the Lodge? A. In the North, Right Worshipful and
Respectable.
Q. Your business there? A. To see that the Lodge is duly tyled.
Q. Please to attend to your duty and inform the Tyler that we are
about to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters. (Grand Marshal reports.)
Right Worshipful and Respectable Master knocks three, upon which the
Warden and the Master of Ceremonies in the South rise. Master says,
"Brother Stokin, are you a Perfect Master?" Answer--I have seen the
tomb of our respectable Master, Hiram Abiff, and have in company with
my brethren shed tears at the same.
Q. What is the hour? A. It is four.
Master then knocks four, upon which all the brethren rise. Master
says, "If it is four, it is time to set the workmen to labor. Give
notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters by four
times four." (Senior Warden reports to brethren.) Signs given of
former degrees, together with those of this degree. Master knocks
four, Stokin four, Master of Ceremonies four, and Grand Marshal
four--then all the brethren strike four times four with their hands.
Then Master declares the Lodge open, and orders the Marshal to inform
the Tyler.
RECEPTION.--The candidate has a green cord put 'round his neck and is
led by the Master of Ceremonies to the door, who knocks four, which is
repeated by the Warden and answered by the Master. The Senior Warden
says, "While the craft are engaged in lamenting the death of our Grand
Master, Hiram Abiff," an alarm is heard at the inner door of the
Lodge.
LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Perfect Master? Answer--I have seen the
tomb of Hiram Abiff, and have in company with my brethren, shed tears
at the same.
Q. How were you prepared to be a Perfect Master? Answer--A sprig of
cassia was placed in my left hand, and a green cord about my neck.
Q. Why was the sprig of cassia placed in the left hand? A. That I
might deposit it in the grave of Hiram Abiff.
Q. Why was a rope of green color put 'round your neck? A. Because the
body of Hiram Abiff was lowered into the grave by the brethren, at his
second interment, by a rope of that color. There is another reason, to
signify thereby that a Perfect Master by flourishing in virtue, might
hope for immortality.
Q. How did you gain admission? A. By four distinct knocks.
Q. What did they denote? A. Life, virtue, death, and immortality.
Q. How were they answered? A. By four from within.
Q. What was then said to you? A. Who comes there?
Q. Your answer? A. A Secret Master who is well qualified, etc.
Q. What was then said to you? A. I was then asked by what further
right, etc.
Q. Your answer? A. By the right, etc.
Q. What was then said to you? A. Wait until the Right Worshipful and
Respectable Master has been informed of your request and his answer
returned.
Q. What was his answer? A. Introduce him in due and ancient form.
Q. What was that form? A. I was conducted to the West by the Master of
Ceremonies and interrogated by the Master, "What is your request?"
Q. Your answer? A. To receive the degree of Perfect Master.
Q. What was then said to you by the Master? A. Before you can be
admitted to this privilege, it will be necessary for you to join the
funeral procession of Hiram Abiff.
Q. What followed? A. I joined in the procession, which moved four
times 'round the Lodge, the brethren singing a funeral ode; when we
arrived at the grave, the procession moved in an inverted order--the
coffin was lowered with a green rope, and the sprigs of cassia thrown
into the grave.
Q. What followed? A. The Master resumed his station, and the
procession moved to the east.
Q. What followed? A. When he directed the Grand Marshal to inform King
Solomon that the tomb of Hiram Abiff was completed, and request him to
examine the same.
Q. What followed? A. Solomon entered and proceeded with the procession
to the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and having examined the same and read the
inscription J. M. B., he made a sign of admiration, and said in the
joy of his heart, "It is accomplished and complete;" the brethren all
making the same sign.
Q. What followed? A. The brethren resumed their places, and the Master
directed the Master of Ceremonies to cause me to approach the east by
four times four steps from the compass extended from an angle of
seven to that of sixty degrees, and take the obligation of a Perfect
Master.
Q. Repeat that obligation. A. OBLIGATION.--"1st point, Secrecy. 2d.
Obey orders and decrees of Council of Princes of Jerusalem, under
penalty of all the former degrees; also, under penalty of being
smitten on the right temple with a common gavel or setting maul. So
help," etc.
Q. What did the Master then communicate to you? A. He said, "It is my
desire to draw you," etc., and then gave me the signs, words, tokens
and history of this degree.
Q. Give me the signs. A. 1st sign--Place the palm of the right hand on
the right temple, at the same time stepping back with the right foot,
then bring up the right foot to its first position and let the right
arm fall perpendicularly on the right side (alluding to the penalty).
Second sign is that of admiration.--Raise the hands and eyes to
heaven, let the arms fall crossed upon the belly, looking downwards.