p. 164

[paragraph continues] Masonry, by being advanced to the honorary Degree of Mark Master Mason.

S. D.–Is it of his own free-will and accord he makes this request?

J. D.–It is.

S. D.–Is he duly and truly prepared?

J. D.–He is.

S. D.–Has he wrought in the quarries, 1 and exhibited specimens of his skill in the preceding Degrees?

J. D.–He has.

S. D.–By what further right or benefit does he expect this favor?

J. D.–By the benefit of a pass-word.

S. D.–Has he a pass-word?

J. D.–He has not; but I have it for him.

S. D.–Give it me.

Junior Deacon whispers in his ear the word JOPPA.

S. D.–The pass-word is right. You will let him wait until the Right Worshipful Master is made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned.

Senior Deacon returns to the Right Worshipful Master, where the same questions are asked, and answers returned, as at the door.

R. W. M.–Since he comes endowed with the necessary qualifications, let him enter, in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters.

The door is then opened–the candidate enters.

p. 165

S. D. (approaching candidate with a mallet and engraving chisel in his hands.)–Brother, it becomes my duty to place a mark upon you which you will probably carry to your grave. As an Entered Apprentice, you were received upon one point of the compasses, pressing your naked left breast; as a Fellow Craft Mason, you were received upon the angle of a square, pressing your naked right breast; as a Master Mason, you were received upon both points of the compasses, extending from your naked left to the right breast. They were then explained to you. The chisel and mallet (placing the edge of the chisel against his breast) are instruments used by operative masons to hew, cut, carve, and indent their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, make use of them for a more noble and glorious purpose. We use them to hew, cut, carve, and indent the mind. And, as a Mark Master Mason, we receive you upon the edge of the indenting chisel, and under the pressure of the mallet.

As he pronounces the last words, he braces his feet, raises his mallet, makes two or three false motions, and gives a violent blow upon the head of the chisel; throws down mallet and chisel, takes hold of the candidate’s left arm. 1

“Follow me.”

They walk four times round the Lodge, and each time, as he passes the stations of the Master, and Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, they each give one loud rap with their mallet. The Master, in the mean time, reads from a text-book the following passages of Scripture: (•)

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”–Psalm cxviii. 22. (• •)

Did ye never read in the Scriptures, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”?–Gospel of St. Matthew xxi. 42. (• • •)

And have you not read this Scripture, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”?–Mark xii. 10. (• • • •)

What is this, then, that is written, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”?–Luke xx. 17.

The reading is so timed as to be completed just as the candidate arrives at the Junior Warden’s post, who gives an alarm of four knocks, and the same questions are asked, and answers returned, as at the door.

The Junior Grand Warden directs him to his Senior, who, on

p. 166

his arrival, gives four raps, and the like questions are asked and answered. From thence he is directed to the Right Worshipful Master in the east, where the same questions are asked and the same answers are given. The Master then orders that the candidate be conducted back to the Senior Warden in the west, and be taught by him to approach the east by four upright, regular steps, his feet forming a square, and body erect at the altar. The candidate then kneels, and receives the obligation, as follows:–

Pin It on Pinterest