Most Excellent Master, or Sixth Degree | Chapter 6

J. D.–He is.

S. D.–Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees?

J. D.–He has.

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

J. D.–By the benefit of a pass-word.

S. D.–Has he a pass-word?

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

S. D.–Give it to me.

Junior Deacon whispers in the ear of the Senior Deacon the word RABBONI. (In many Lodges, the Past Master’s word, GIBLEM, is used as pass-word for this Degree, and the word RABBONI,1 as the real word.)

S. D.–The word is right. You will wait until the Most Excellent Master is made acquainted with your request, and his answer returned.

Senior Deacon repairs to the Right Worshipful Master in the east, and gives six raps at the door.

Master–Who comes there?

S. D.–A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice; passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason; advanced to the honorary Degree of Mark Master; presided as Master in the chair, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being received and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master.

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

S. D.–It is.

Master–Is he duly and truly prepared?

S. D.–He is.

Master–Is he worthy and qualified?

S. D.–He is.

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Master–Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degrees?

S. D.–He has.

Master–By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this favor?

S. D.–By the benefit of a pass-word.

Master–Has he a pass-word?

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

Master–Give it.

Senior Deacon whispers in his ear the word RABBONI.

Master–The pass is right. Since he comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters, in the name of the Lord.

The door is then flung open, and the Senior Deacon receives the candidate upon the keystone. The candidate is then walked six times around the Lodge by the Senior Deacon, moving with the sun. The first time they pass around the Lodge, when opposite the Junior Warden, he gives one rap with the gavel; when opposite the Senior Warden, he does the same, and likewise when opposite the Right Worshipful Master. The second time around each gives two blows; the third, three, and so on, until they arrive to six. (See Note K, Appendix.)

During this time the Right Worshipful Master reads the following verses from Psalm cxii.:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. (• •)

“Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. (• • •)

“Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. (• • • •)

“For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. (• • • • •)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. (• • • • • •)

“For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.”

The reading of the foregoing is so timed as not to be fully ended until the Senior Deacon and candidate have performed the sixth revolution. Immediately after this the Senior Deacon and candidate arrive at the Junior Warden’s station in the south, where the same questions are asked and the same answers returned as at the door. (Who comes there? &c.) The Junior

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[paragraph continues] Warden then directs the candidate to pass on to the Senior Warden in the west, for further examination; where the same questions are asked and answers returned as before. The Senior Warden directs him to be conducted to the Right Worshipful Master in the east, for further examination. The Right Worshipful Master asks the same questions and receives the same answers as before.

Master (to Senior Deacon.)–Please to conduct the candidate back to the west, from whence he came, and put him in the care of the Senior Warden, and request him to teach the candidate how to approach the east, by advancing upon six upright regular steps to the sixth step, and place him in a position to take upon him the solemn oath, or obligation, of a Most Excellent Master Mason.