Most Excellent Master, or Sixth Degree | Chapter 6

The brethren now all halt, and face inward to the altar, and beckon the candidate to come forward and join in the ceremonies. which he does.

As they begin the next verses, each one throws up his hands and rolls his eyes upward–giving a sign of admiration or astonishment like that described (see p. 203) as having been expressed by the Queen of Sheba on first viewing Solomon’s Temple–and keeps them in that position while singing these two verses of the song: (See Fig. 30.)

p. 212

The brothers now all join hands as in opening, and while in this attitude the Right Worshipful Master reads the following passage of Scripture, 2 Chron, vii. 1, 4.

FIG. 30. SIGN OF ADMIRATION, OR ASTONISHMENT. “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good (here the Master, who is high’ priest of the Chapter, kneels and joins hands with the rest), for his mercy endureth forever.”

They all then repeat in concert the words, “For he is good (here one of the brethren, standing behind the candidate, throws a piece of blazing gum-camphor or other combustible matter into the pot of incense standing on the altar, around which the brethren are kneeling), for his mercy endureth forever,” six times, each time bowing their heads low toward the floor. The members

p. 213

now balance six times, as in opening (see page 203), rise and balance six times more, then, disengaging themselves from each other, take their seats.

Master (to candidate.)–Brother, your admission to this Degree of Masonry is a proof of the good opinion the brethren of this Lodge entertain of your Masonic abilities. Let this consideration induce you to be careful of forfeiting, by misconduct and inattention to our rules, that esteem which has raised you to the rank you now possess. It is one of your great duties, as a Most Excellent Master, to dispense light and truth to the uninformed Mason; and I need not remind you of the impossibility of complying with this obligation without possessing an accurate acquaintance with the lectures of each degree. If you are not already completely conversant in all the Degrees heretofore conferred on you remember that an indulgence, prompted by a belief that you will apply yourself with double diligence to make yourself so, has induced the brethren to accept you. Let it, therefore, be your unremitting study to acquire such a degree of knowledge and information as shall enable you to discharge with propriety the various duties incumbent on you, and to preserve unsullied the title now conferred upon you of a Most Excellent Master.

This charge closes the initiation, and a motion is generally made to adjourn, and close the Lodge.

Master (to J. W.)–Brother Junior, you will please assemble the brethren around the altar, for the purpose of closing this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters.

The brethren immediately assemble around the altar in a circle, and kneel on the right knee, put their left arms over, and join hands as before. While kneeling in this position, the Master reads the following verses from the one hundred and thirty-fourth Psalm:

Moe

Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.