This electronic file contains three items:

1.) 2006 Ministry to Masons Conference announcement

2.) The Master Mason Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986.
3.) Who is Hiram Abiff?
Would you like to see the Master Mason ritual with your own eyes? Ex-Masons for
Jesus performed the Master Mason ritual and the reenactment was video taped by
Ephesians 5:11, Inc. The portion where Hiram Abiff is killed, buried and raised from
the grave will be shown at the 2006 Ministry to Masons Conference. There is no
charge to attend.

2006 Ministry to Masons Conference

Wilmore, Kentucky May 11-13, 2006
(On the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary)
The fifteenth Ministry to Masons conference will be held at Asbury Theological Seminary in rooms MC205-206 on May 11-13, 2006.
Asbury is located in Wilmore, Kentucky - a small city just southwest of Lexington. Lexington is located at the junction of I64 and
I75, about 2 hours south of Cincinnati. This event is not sponsored by, or a function of, Asbury Theological Seminary.
Freemasonry requires faith in the existence of A Supreme Being as a condition of membership. Freemasons are men who embrace
many different religions. Do all religions worship God? Does Freemasonry actually require its members to have faith in God? We
will consider these questions at this years conference.
This conference is open to the public. Asbury students and members of local churches are strongly encouraged to attend. Masons
are welcome. There is no registration fee, or attendance fee. Registration is not required, non-reserved seating is on a first come,
first seated basis. All sessions will be taped; video and audio tapes will be available. Video cameras and tape recorders prohibited.

Schedule - (complete schedule on the other side)

Conference hours are 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM on Thursday and Friday and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday.

Speakers
The 2006 Ministry to Masons Conference includes the following speakers:
DR. JAMES BOLDEN III - Former Prince Hall Mason, Pastor Evangelistic Ministries Church
PASTOR STEWART BEDILLION - Southern Baptist Pastor
PASTOR GREG DELONG - Evangelical Pastor
THOMAS HILTON - Former Mason, Co-founder, Ex-Masons for Jesus
DUANE WASHUM - Former Worshipful Master, Director, Ex-Masons for Jesus
DR. JERRY L. WALLS - Professor: Philosophy of Religion, Asbury Theological Seminary
DR. STEVEN TSOUKALAS - Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion, Centre College - Exec. Dir., Sound Doctrine Ministries
JEAN EASON - Former Jehovahs Witness, Tutors for Christ
MICHAEL BLUNK - Apologetics writer, Got Questions Ministries of Colorado Springs
DAN HARTING - Former Mormon, Co-founder, Families Against Cults
REX SMITH - Director, Families Against Cults
JIM VALENTINE - Director, Christian Apologetics: Information and Research Service
SKIP SAMPSON - Cornerstone Ministries
DAVID CARRICO - Followers of Jesus Christ Ministries
LARRY KUNK - Former Rosicrucian, Ephesians 5:11, Inc.

Directions to Asbury
Wilmore is Southwest of Lexington about 15 miles. Rt 4 (New Circle Rd.) circles Lexington. These directions assume that you are traveling south
on Rt 4 on the west side of Lexington. From Rt 4 take the US68 exit #2 (Harrodsburg Rd) towards Harrodsburg. You will get to Wilmore before
you would get to Harrodsburg. Travel on US68-S (runs south and west) and go past the first turnoff for KY29. At the Y, in the middle of which
is a Marathon station, bear left onto KY29. At the first traffic light take a left, then take the first right turn. Go 1/10 mile to the stop sign. If you
look straight ahead, you will see Asburys McKenna Chapel. Beeson Manor is adjacent on the circle drive on your left. The receptionist at
Beeson Manor will be able to advise you about parking and the location of the conference.

Additional Information
The Ministry to Masons Conferences are a cooperative effort of a number of former Masons, pastors, seminary professors, lecturers, and
counter-cult ministries and are coordinated by Ephesians 5:11, Inc. Additional copies of this flyer and schedule may be downloaded at
www.ephesians5-11.org/pdf/flyer_2006.pdf. Phone (317) 842-4543 between 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. EST before May ninth for further information,
or inquire by email. Alternatively, you may ask questions through the Masonic Discussion Board at www.ephesians5-11.org/discussion.htm
and read the questions others have asked, along with the answers. Lodging and other information will be posted on the web site and on the
discussion board. Several of the conference speakers are taking part in the on-line discussions.

Ephesians 5:11, Inc. - Box 291 - Fishers, IN 46038 - http://www.ephesians5-11.org - [email protected]

2006 Ministry to Masons Conference Schedule

THURSDAY - MAY 11
8:30 - 8:45

Opening remarks and Prayer

8:45 - 9:15

DR. STEVEN TSOUKALAS

The Person of Christ

9:25 - 10:25

JIM VALENTINE

Christian Science

10:35 - 11:35

REX SMITH

Islam

11:35 - 12:50

LUNCH BREAK

Lunch is available on campus

12:50 - 1:50

DAVID CARRICO

Scientology

2:05 - 3:05

REX SMITH

New Age

3:15 - 4:30

JIM VALENTINE

Bahai

4:40 - 5:30

DR. STEVEN TSOUKALAS

Nation of Islam

5:30 - 7:00

DINNER

A list of local restaurants will be available

7:00 - 7:30

JEAN EASON

Testimony of a former Jehovahs Witness

7:40 - 8:40

MICHAEL BLUNK

Jehovahs Witnesses - Doctrine and Teachings

8:40 - 9:00

Closing remarks and Prayer

FRIDAY - MAY 12
8:30 - 8:45

Opening Remarks and Prayer

8:45 - 9:45

DR. JAMES BOLDEN III

Prince Hall Freemasonry

9:55 - 10:55

DR. JERRY WALLS

Why Christianity is the One True religion

11:05 - 12:05

PASTOR STEWART BEDILLION

Does God call lay people to address Masonry within the church?

12:05 - 1:15

LUNCH BREAK

Lunch is available on campus

1:15 - 2:30

DUANE WASHUM

Doctrinal Statements

2:40 - 3:50

LARRY KUNK

Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry compared

4:00 - 5:00

DR. JAMES BOLDEN III

Spiritual Warfare

5:10 - 6:00

DR. STEVEN TSOUKALAS

Are Brahman, Vishnu, Krishna, Allah, Yahweh, etc., the GAOTU?

6:00 - 7:30

DINNER

A list of local restaurants will be available

7:30 - 8:20

THOMAS HILTON

Have Masons turned their backs to God?

8:30 - 9:00

EX-MASONS FOR JESUS

Testimonial

SATURDAY - MAY 13
8:30 - 8:45

Opening remarks and Prayer

8:45 - 9:30

DR. STEVEN TSOUKALAS

A Christian case against Freemasonry

9:40 - 10:40

PASTOR STEWART BEDILLION

How Satan infiltrates churches

10:50 - 11:50

DAVID CARRICO

The most evil thing in the world

11:50 - 1:20

LUNCH BREAK

1:20 - 2:00

EX-MASONS FOR JESUS

Video - Master Mason Ritual - Hiram is killed, buried and raised from the grave.

2:00 - 3:00

DUANE WASHUM

Understanding the Hiramic Legend

3:10 - 4:10

PASTOR GREG DELONG

When leadership condones heresy

4:20 - 5:00

LARRY KUNK

Will Christian Masons go to heaven, or hell? What should we tell them?

5:10 - 6:25

DAVID CARRICO

Is Christianity the only true religion? Where is the proof?

6:25 - 6:30

Closing remarks

Master Mason Degree

of Freemasonry

as practiced in the

State of Nevada
circa 1986

Since as early as 1727, men have been leaving the

Masonic Lodge because Freemasonry is incompatible
with a sincere expression of Christianity. When a Mason
becomes a born again Christian, he sees Freemasonry
clearly for the first time. Many men have left the lodge
to follow Jesus Christ. Usually they do so quietly. Often,
it takes a period of time before they are released from
the spiritual bondage which results from the practice of
occult religion. Some former Masons have had
substantial ministries. Charles Finney, the 19th century
evangelist, was one such man. God used him in a mighty
way.
The following exposure has been translated from a
Masonic cypher. The cypher was issued to a former
Worshipful Master who has turned his life over to Jesus
Christ. He has exposed the content of Masonic ritual so
that Christians who wish to witness to Masons will be
educated and equipped to take issue with the teachings
found within Masonic ritual.
Masonic ritual varies slightly from state to state. Yet,
the variations do not change the character of Masonic
ritual as practiced in any particular lodge. The striking
similarity of the rituals of various states can be
demonstrated by examining Masonic Monitors. Monitors
often contain selected portions of ritual, in addition to
explanations of the meaning of the ritual.
Commercially printed exposures of Masonic ritual are
readily available. LESTERS LOOK TO THE EAST and DUNCANS
RITUAL are two of the better known editions in the United
States. They are available at many book stores.
Masonic Cyphers are commonly used as a memory
aid for those who are learning ritual. Such cyphers
contain one to several letters which represent each and
every word in the ritual. Masonic ritual is not placed
entirely in print by the lodge, for obvious reasons.
However, Grand Lodges do publish small books which
are given to men who are raised to Master Mason. These
Masonic Monitors contain statements as to the Grand
Lodges authoritative interpretation of the meaning of the
ritual. Masonic Monitors are not normally available to
the public. Masonic Monitors are available on CDROM
for most states from Ephesians 5:11, Inc.
An Internet web site which contains information about
leading men away from the Masonic Lodge can be found
at http://www.ephesians5-11.org
Additional copies of this printed Masonic ritual may be
obtained by downloading them from the web site and
printing the file using your laser, or ink jet printer, in
conjunction with the Adobe Reader. The Adobe Reader
is available FREE from Adobe Systems. A link is
available on the page where this file is available.

The following abbreviations are used throughout this

ritual.
Active Participants
WM..Worshipful Master
SW..Senior Warden
JW..Junior Warden
Tr. ..Treasurer
Sec.Secretary
SD..Senior Deacon
JD..Junior Deacon
SS..Senior Steward
JS..Junior Steward
Tyl..Tyler
Ch..Chaplain
Lect......Lecturer - designated by WM
Cand.Candidate
(*; * *; or * * *, normally signifies the number of raps
from a gavel. In the case of the Senior Deacon, it
signifies his staff, pounding on the floor. When done at
either the outer or inner door, it signifies a knock on
the door.
(S) signifies the due-guard and sign being given as a
salutation to the Worshipful Master.)
Other designations are found. KS represents King
Solomon, who is usually portrayed by the Worshipful
Master. S-F represents sea faring man, W-F represents
way faring man and R#1, R#2, and R#3 represents
the three ruffians. These characters in ritual are
portrayed by different lodge members at various times.
Page numbers and line numbers have been placed in
the margins as an aid to identifying specific portions of
the ritual. By specifying page number, left or right
column and line number, a particular section of ritual
may be uniquely identified. Of course, those
designations pertain only to the printed copy of this
document.

3
1

MASTER MASONS OPENING:

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am

about to open a Lodge of Master Masons, and
direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD:

Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the

Worshipful Master is about to open a Lodge of
Master Masons. Take due notice thereof and
govern yourself accordingly.

WM: Are all present Master Masons?

JD:

*.

10

SW: I will ascertain through the proper officer and

report.

Tyl:

*.

JD:

(S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations and

places; Brethren, be clothed.
5
WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.
SW: Worshipful Master.
10

15

SW: Brother Junior Deacon.

15
WM: How are we tyled?

JD:

Brother Senior Warden.

JD:

By a Brother Master Mason without, armed with

the proper implement of his office.

WM:

His duty there?

JD:

To observe the approach of cowans and

eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass
except such as are duly qualified and have
permission from the Worshipful Master.

SW: Are all present Master Masons?

20

20
JD:

SW:

Brother Senior Warden, all present are Master

Masons.
Worshipful Master.

25
WM: Brother Senior Warden.

30

SW: All present are Master Masons.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

WM: As further evidence that all present are Master

Masons, receive the pass-word from the Senior
and Junior Deacons, who will obtain it from the
Brethren on the right and left, and communicate
it in the East.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

SW: *. Deacons, attend the West.

WM: What induced you to become a Master Mason?

SW: Give me the pass-word of a Master Mason. Now

obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left
and communicate it to the Worshipful Master
in the East.
WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: That I might obtain the Masters Word, travel in

foreign countries, work and receive Masters
wages, and be thereby better enabled to support
myself and family, and contribute to the relief of
distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows
and orphans.

45

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM:

WM: The pass-word is right and duly received in the

East.

SW: My Obligation.

30

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SW: I am.

35

40

25

35

What makes you a Master Mason?

40

45

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

50

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

50

WM: The first great care of Masons when convened?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted

Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place
representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King
Solomons Temple.

JD:

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge?

JD:

Worshipful Master.

55

55
To see that they are duly tyled.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

4
1

SW: Three or more.

excess, and see that they return to their labor in

due season, that the Worshipful Master may
receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

5

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior

Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: The Senior Wardens station?

JW:

In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacons place

in the Lodge?

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: At my right.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

WM: Why in the West?

JD:

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so

stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist
the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the
Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be
due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony
being the support of all institutions, especially this
of ours.

10

15

10

(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD:
20

To carry messages from the Senior Warden in

the West to the Junior Warden in the south, and
elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct.
Attend the alarms at the outer door and report the
same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that
we are duly tyled.

20

WM: The Masters Station.

SW: In the East.

25

15

25

WM: The Senior Deacons place?

WM: Why in the East?
JD:
30

At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD:

(S) Worshipful Master.

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern

the day (WM:***) so rises the Worshipful Master
in the East to open and govern the Lodge, setting
the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction
for their labor.

30

WM: Your duty?

35
SD:

40

45

To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the

East to the Senior Warden in the West, and
elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;
welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the
alarms at the inner door; also to receive and
conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Wardens station?

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

SD:

JW:

In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW:

(S) Worshipful Master.

50
WM: Your duty in the South?
JW:
55

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that

___________Lodge No. ___ be now opened on
the Third Degree of Freemasonry for work and
instruction. This communicate to the Junior
Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren
present, that having due notice thereof, they may
govern themselves accordingly.

To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory

and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to
refreshment, superintend them during the hours
thereof, carefully to observe that their means of
refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that

____________ Lodge No ___ be now opened on
the Third Degree of Freemasonry for work and
instruction. This communicate to the Brethren
present, that having due notice thereof, they may
govern themselves accordingly.
JW:

Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master,

communicated to me through the Senior Warden
in the West, that ______ _______ Lodge No. ___
be now opened on the Third Degree of

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

35

40

45

50

55

5
Freemasonry for work and instruction. I
communicate the same to you that having due
notice thereof, you may govern yourselves
accordingly.

1
SW: *.
JW:

*.

10

5
WM: Brother Senior Warden.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the Great

Architect of the Universe, the Giver of all good
gifts and graces. Thou hast promised that where
two or three are gathered together in Thy name,
Thou wilt be in their midst and bless them. In Thy
name we have assembled, and in Thy name we
desire to proceed in all our doings.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master Mason?

SW: I have, from West to East, and from East to West
again.

15

WM: Of what were you in search?

15
Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry
may so subdue every discordant passion within
us - so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine
own love and goodness - that the Lodge at this
time may humbly reflect that order and beauty
which reign forever before Thy throne. AMEN.

SW: Of that which was lost.

WM: To what do you allude?
20
SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.
WM: Did you find it?

(ALL): So mote it be.

25

SW: I did not, but found a substitute.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD:

30

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that the

substitute be sent to the East, accompanied with
the steps, due-guards and signs, through the
Junior Deacon.
SW: Brother Junior Deacon, attend.

WM: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for

Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down
upon the beard, even Aarons beard; that went
down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of
Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord
commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

35

40

(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs of the 3

degrees, as well as the substitute word, are
communicated from the Senior Warden to the Junior
Deacon. The Junior Deacon then carries them to the
East and communicates them to the Worshipful Master.)
WM: Brother Senior Warden, the substitute has come
to the East correctly.
WM:

Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the

East.

45

10

20

25

(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three Great

Lights in Masonry.

30

35

40
WM: In the name of God and the Holy Saints John, I
now declare _______ Lodge No. ___ duly opened
and in order for business; at the same time strictly
forbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby the
harmony of the same might be disturbed.

45

WM: *.
WM: Brother Junior Deacon.
SW: *.
JD:
50

JW:

(S) Worshipful Master.

50

*.
WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *.
JD:
SW: *.
55

* * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you

that the Lodge is now opened on the Master
Masons Degree. Take due notice thereof and tyle
accordingly.
* * *.

JW: *.
WM: *.

JD:

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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55

6
SS:

1
Tyl:

* * *.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

5
SD:

(S) Worshipful Master.

SD:

WM: Present the flag of our country at the Altar.

10

Brother _______, who has been duly initiated an

Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of
Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in
Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason.

WM: Brethren; you will join with me in the Pledge of

Allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

Brother _______, is this an act of your own free

will and accord?

Cand: It is.
SD:

Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well qualified?

SS:

He is.

SD:

Duly and truly prepared?

SS:

He is.

SD:

Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding

degree?

SS:

He has.

SD:

By what further right or benefit does he expect to

obtain this important privilege?

WM: Brethren, there being none, I will proceed.

SS:

By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SD:

Has he the pass-word?

SS:

SS:

He has not, I have it for him

SD:

Advance and give it.

SS:
By being divested of all metallic substances,
neither naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees
and breasts bare, hood-winked, and with a cabletow three times around his body, clothed as a
Fellow Craft.

Tubalcain. (Said softly so as no to be overheard

by the candidate.)

SD:

The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in

possession of all these necessary qualifications,
let him wait until the Worshipful Master can be
informed of his request, and his answer returned.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where Brother

_______ is in waiting. When thus prepared, cause
him to make the usual alarm at the inner door.

SD:

10

(ALL) (Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.)

15

20

25

30

35

WM:*. If there are present any Present or Past Grand

Officers, Present or Past Masters, they are
cordially and fraternally invited to a seat in our
East.
MASTER MASON DEGREE
WM: *. Brethren; Brother _______ is in waiting for the
Third Degree of Freemasonry, he having made
suitable proficiency in the preceding degree. If
there is no objection, I shall confer this degree
upon him.

WM: How should a Brother be prepared for the Third

Degree of Freemasonry?
SS:

40

45

(S) Worshipful Master.

15

20

25

30

35

40

* * *. Worshipful Master.
45

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

Cand: * * *.
SD:
SD:

(S) Worshipful Master.

50
WM: Brother Senior Deacon.
SD:

There is without, Brother _______, who has been

duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to
the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further
Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime
Degree of Master Mason.

50

There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Is this an act of his own free will and accord?

55

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SD:

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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55
It is.

7
1

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD:

10

He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

WM: *.

SD:

Chap: In the days when the keepers of the house shall

tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves:

He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding

degree?
SD:

15

have no pleasure in them; while the sun, or the

light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened,
nor the clouds return after the rain.

He has.

JW:

* *.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to

obtain this important privilege?

Chap: And the grinders cease because they are few,

and those that look out of the windows be
darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the
streets:

SD:

SW: * *.

By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

20
SD:

He has not, I have it for him.

Chap: When the sound of the grinding is low, and he

shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the
daughters of music shall be brought low:

WM: Give it for the benefit of the Craft.

WM: * *.

25

SD:

Chap: Also when they shall be afraid of that which is

high, and fears shall be in the way:

30

WM: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in

possession of all these necessary qualifications,
let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master
Masons, and be received in due and ancient form.

Tubalcain.

SD:

* * *. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master

Masons, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD:

Brother _______, when first you entered a Lodge

of Free and Accepted Masons, you were received
on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your
naked left breast; on your second entrance, you
were received on the angle of a square applied to
your naked right breast, the morals of which were
at those times explained to you. I am now
commanded to receive you on the extreme points
of the Compasses, extending from your naked
right to your naked left breast, which is to teach
you that as within the breast are contained the
most vital parts of man, so between the extreme
points of the Compasses are contained the most
valuable tenets of Freemasonry, which are
Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love.

JW:

10

15

20

25

* * *.

Chap: And the almond tree shall flourish, and the

grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall
fail:

30

SW: * * *.
35

40

45

35
Chap: Because man goeth to his long home, and the
mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver
cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or
the pitcher be broken at the cistern:
40
WM: * * *.
Chap: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was;
and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
SD: * * *.
JW:

*. Who comes here?

SD:

Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an

Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of
Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in
Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason.

50
JW:

55

*.

Chap: Remember now Thy Creator in the days of thy

youth, while the evil days come not;
SW: *.

JW:

Brother ______, is this an act of your own free

will and accord?

Chap: Nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: I
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

45

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8
1

Cand: It is.
JW:

Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well

qualified?

SD:

He is.

JW:

Duly and truly prepared?

SW: By what further right or benefit does he expect to

obtain this important privilege?

SD:

He is.

SD:

JW:

Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding

degree?

SW: Has he the pass-word.

SD:

He has.

SD:

10

1
SW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding
degree?

SD:
15

He has.

By the benefit of the pass-word.

10

He has not, I have it for him.

15

SW: Advance and give it.

JW:

By what further right or benefit does he expect to

obtain this important privilege?

SD:

By the benefit of the pass-word.

JW:

Has he the pass-word?

SD:

He has not, I have it for him.

JW:

Advance and give it.

SD:

Tubalcain (whispered in ear of JW)

30

JW:

The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in

possession of all these necessary qualifications,
conduct him to the Senior Warden in the West
for his examination.

35

SD:

* * *.

20

25

SD:

Tubalcain (whispered)

SW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in

possession of all these necessary qualifications,
conduct him to the Worshipful Master in the East
for his examination.

20

SD:

25

* * *.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD:

Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an

Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of
Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in
Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason.

WM: Brother ______, is this an act of your own free

will and accord?

30

35

SW: *. Who comes here?

Cand: It is.
SD:
40

45

Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an

Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of
Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in
Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason.

SW: Brother ______, is this an act of your own free

will and accord?

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well

qualified?
SD:

He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD:

40

45

He is.

Cand: It is.
50

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well

qualified?

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding

degree?
SD:

SD:
55

He has.

He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD:

50

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to

obtain this important privilege?

He is.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

55

9
1

SD:

By benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

5

SD:

He has not, I have it for him.

Cand: (answers in the affirmative).

WM: Then advance to the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry.

There kneel on your naked knees, both hands
resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

WM: Advance and give it.

SD:

SD:

WM: * * *.

Tubalcain (whispered)

(S) Worshipful Master, the Brother is in due form.

10

10
WM: The pass-word is right. Whence came you and
whither are you traveling?
SD:

From the West, traveling East.

15
WM: Why did you leave the West and travel East?
SD:
20

In search of further Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the Brother is in possession of all these

necessary qualifications, and in search of further
Light in Masonry, re-conduct him to the Senior
Warden in the West, who will teach him how to
approach the East in due and ancient form.

25
SD:

Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

30

SD:

It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you

teach this Brother how to approach the East in
due and ancient form.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East.

35

40

SW: Brother ______, advance on your left foot as an

Entered Apprentice; and on your right as a Fellow
Craft. Take an additional step on your left foot,
bringing the heel of your right to the heel of your
left, thereby forming the angle of a square.
SW: (S) Worshipful Master.
WM: Brother Senior Warden.

45
SW: The Brother is in order.

50

55

WM: Brother ______, if you are still willing to take the

Obligation, say I, repeat your name in full, and
repeat after me.

WM: Brother ______, before you can proceed further

in Freemasonry, it will be necessary for you to
take an Obligation appertaining to this degree. It
becomes my duty as well as pleasure to inform
you that there is nothing contained in the
Obligation that conflicts with the duties you owe
to God, your country, your neighbor, your family,
or yourself. With this assurance on my part, are
you willing to take the Obligation.
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Cand: I, _____ ______, of my own free will and accord,

in the presence of Almighty God and this
Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected to
Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy
Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and
sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and
conceal and never reveal any of the secrets
belonging to the Degree of Master Mason, which
I have received, am about to receive, or may be
hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it
shall be to a worthy Brother Master Mason, or
within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge
of such, and not unto him or them until by due
trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic
information, I shall have found him or them justly
entitled to receive the same.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of
the State of Nevada, also all the laws, rules, and
edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge
from whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail;
together with the by-laws, rules, and regulations
of this or any other Lodge of which I may become
a member, so far as the same shall come to my
knowledge.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
answer and obey all due signs and regular
summons sent me from the body of a just and
duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or
handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if
within the length of my cable-tow.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed
Master Masons, their widows and orphans, they
applying to me as such, I finding them worthy,
and can do so without material injury to myself or
family.

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
keep the secrets of a worthy Brother Master
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10
1

Mason, when communicated to me as such, as

secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in
his before communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a
Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft
while at work or for the instruction of a Brother,
unless I am in real distress; and should I see the
sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten
to the relief of the person so giving it.

10

15

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

not give the substitute for the Masters Word in
any other way or manner than that in which I receive
it, which will be on the Five Points of Fellowship,
and at low breath.

to the four winds of Heaven, that there might

remain neither track, trace nor remembrance
among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a
wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or
willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a
Master Mason. So help me God and make me
steadfast to keep and perform the same.
WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible on
which your hands rest.

10

WM: Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow; we now

hold this Brother by a stronger tie.
WM: Brother ______, in your present situation, what
do you most desire?

15

Cand: Further Light in Masonry (prompted).

20

25

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons
Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree to the
value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be
done by another, if in my power to prevent.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor
otherwise do him personal violence in anger,
except in the necessary defense of myself, family
or property.

WM: Let the Brother be brought to Light.

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light in this
degree, you behold the Three Great Lights in
Masonry as in the preceding degree, with this
difference; both points of the Compasses are above
the Square, which is to teach you that you have
received, and are entitled to receive all the Light
that can be conferred upon or communicated to
you in a Master Masons Lodge.

30

35

40

45

25

30
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not have illicit carnal intercourse with a Master
Masons wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter,
nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power
to prevent.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising
of an old man in dotage, a young man under age,
an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a person of
unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be
such.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising
of a candidate clandestinely, nor hold Masonic
intercourse with a clandestine Mason, or with one
who has been suspended or expelled, knowing
him to be such, until duly restored.

50

55

20

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise

and swear, without any hesitation, mental
reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me
whatsoever; binding myself under no less a
penalty than that of having my body severed in
twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body
burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

WM: *. You now behold me as Worshipful Master of

this Lodge, approaching you from the East, upon
the step, under the due-guard and sign of an
Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the dueguard and sign of a Fellow Craft; upon the step,
under the due-guard and sign of a Master Mason.
My Brother, a Master Mason advances on his left
foot, bringing the heel of his right to the heel of his
left, thereby forming the angle of a square. This
is the due-guard, and alludes to the position of
your hands while taking the Obligation; this is the
sign, and alludes to the penalty of the Obligation.
This due-guard and sign are always to be given
as a salutation to the Worshipful Master, also on
entering or retiring from a Master Masons Lodge.
On entering your own or any other Lodge in this
jurisdiction, you will advance immediately in front
of the Altar and observe the points of the
Compasses. Should both points be below the
Square, it will be a sure indication that the Lodge
is open on the First Degree, wherein you will salute
the Worshipful Master with the due-guard and sign
of an Entered Apprentice. Should one point be
above the Square, it will be an equally sure
indication that the Lodge is open on the Second
Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful
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35

40

45

50

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11

I now present my right hand in token of the

continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and
will invest you with the pass-grip and pass-word
of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he
who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at
this time. Give me the real grip of a Fellow Craft.

10

15

be present at the opening of a Master Masons

Lodge, this pass-word will be demanded of you
by one of the Deacons, and should you be unable
to give it, it would cause confusion in the Craft.
Rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and
satisfy them that you are a duly obligated Master
Mason, and in possession of the step, due-guard,
sign, pass-grip and pass-word.

SD:

* * *.

10

JW:

*. Who comes here?

SD:

A duly obligated Master Mason.

JW:

How may I know him to be such?

SD:

By certain signs and a token.

JW:

What are signs?

SD:

Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

JW:

Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD:

It has; to the position of my hands while taking

the Obligation.

JW:

Have you a further sign?

SD:

I have.

JW:

Has that an allusion?

SD:

It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

JW:

What is a token?

SD:

A certain friendly or brotherly grip whereby one

Mason may know another in the dark as in the
light.

Master with the due-guard and sign of a Fellow

Craft. Should both points be above the Square, it
will also be an equally sure indication that the
Lodge is open on the Third Degree, wherein you
will salute the Worshipful Master with the dueguard and sign of a Master Mason.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD:

15

Worshipful Master.

WM: Will you be off or from?

20
SD:

20

From.

WM: From what and to what?

25

SD:

From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the passgrip of a Master Mason.

25

WM: Pass. What is that?

30

SD:

The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

30

WM: Has it a name?

SD:

It has.

35

35

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD:
40

I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD:

40

Letter or syllable it.

JW:

Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD:

The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

JW:

Has it a name?

SD:

It has.

WM: bal.

JW:
SD:

Will you give it to me?

I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

SD: cain.

JW:

How will you dispose of it?

WM: Tubalcain, my Brother, is the name of this grip.

You should always remember it, for should you

SD:

Letter or syllable it.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

WM: Syllable it and begin.

45
SD:

45

You begin.

WM: Begin you.

50

SD:

Tu.

50

55

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12
1

JW:

Syllable it and begin.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD:

You begin.

SD:

JW:

Begin you.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

Cand: Tu; (Prompted as necessary)

SD:

JW:

SW: Syllable it and begin.

bal;

10
Cand: cain.

SD:

You begin.

Cand: Tubalcain.

SW: Begin you.

JW:

The word is right. I am satisfied.

Cand: Tu; (prompted as necessary)

SD:

* * *.

SW: bal;

SW: *. Who comes here?

Cand: cain.

SD:

Cand: Tubalcain.

20

15

20
A duly obligated Master Mason.

SW: How may I know him to be such?

25

Letter or syllable it.

10

15

SD:

By certain signs and a token.

SW: What are signs?

SD:

SW: The word is right; I am satisfied. Conduct the

Brother to the Worshipful Master in the East.
25
WM: *. Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother
to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach
him how to wear his apron as a Master Mason.

Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

SD:

30

Brother Senior Warden.

30

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.
SD:

It has; to the position of my hands while taking

the Obligation.

SD:

35
SW: Have you a further sign?
SD:
40

It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

SW: What is a token?

45
SD:

50

A certainly friendly or brotherly grip, whereby one

Mason may know another in the dark as in the
light.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD:

35

I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD:

It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you

teach this Brother how to wear his apron as a
Master Mason.

The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My Brother,

you have already been informed that at the building
of King Solomons Temple, the different bands of
workmen were distinguished by the manner in
which they wore their aprons. Master Masons
wore theirs turned down in the form of a square to
designate them as Master Masons or overseers
of the work. As a speculative Master Mason you
will therefore wear yours in this manner, to
admonish you that your acts toward all mankind
should possess the qualities of that perfect figure;
to symbolize the integrity of your service to God,
and to remind you of your four-fold duty, to your
country, your neighbor, your family, and yourself.

SW: Has it a name?

SD:

SD:

WM: My Brother, as you are now clothed as a Master

Mason, I present you emblematically the working

40

45

50

Worshipful Master, your orders have been obeyed.

55

55
It has.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

13
tools, which are all the tools in Masonry, especially
the Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument used by
operative masons to spread the cement which
unites the building into one common mass; but
we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to
use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of
spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection
- that cement which unites us into one sacred
band or society of friends and Brothers, among
whom no contention should ever exist, save that
noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best
can work and best agree.

10

15

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother to

the place whence he came, invest him with that
of which he has been divested, and return him to
the Lodge for further instruction.
WM: My Brother, salute as you have been instructed.

20
WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.
JW:
25

(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, to resume

labor at the sound of the gavel in the East.
JW:

30

* * *. Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful

Master that you be now called from labor to
refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the
gavel in the East. *.

MASTER MASON DEGREE - SECOND SECTION

35

Mason has been adorned with the jewel of the Junior

Warden and placed in the Junior Wardens station. He
has been given a scant set of instructions on what to do
when he is called upon by the Worshipful Master.)

5
WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?
(The Cand is confused by the question, so he has no
answer to give)
10
WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?
SW: (S) Worshipful Master, there appears to be a
stranger in the South.
15
WM: What! A stranger in the South! Brother Senior
Deacon, conduct the stranger to the East.
WM: My Brother, you have this evening been obligated
by the various solemn and weighty ties of a Master
Mason. Having voluntarily assumed this
obligation, you were brought to Light and
instructed. You have been taught to wear your
apron as a Master Mason, and are so wearing it
among us at this moment. Even our Working
Tools, the implements of Masonry have been
explained to you, and you have been exhorted to
make a proper use of the Trowel, the principal
Working Tool of this degree. All this would imply
that you are a Master Mason and qualified to travel
and work as one. Nay more, my Brother, I observe
upon your person a badge of office, the jewel of
the Junior Warden, one of the principal officers of
the Lodge, which all doubtless confirms you in
the belief that you are a Master Mason. Is it so?

20

25

30

35

Cast of Characters (in addition to officers):

40

WM

King Solomon (Worshipful Master)

SW

Senior Grand Warden (Senior Warden)

R #1 First Ruffian (Jubela)

R #2 Second Ruffian (Jubelo)
45
R #3 Third Ruffian (Jubelum)
FC #1 First Fellow Craft
50

55

FC #2 Second Fellow Craft

FC #3 Third Fellow Craft
S-F

Sea-faring Man

W-F

Way-faring Man

Cand: (prompted, if necessary, answers in the

affirmative).
WM: However natural that supposition may be to you,
yet it is erroneous. You have not yet attained the
Sublime Degree of Master Mason. You are not
yet a Master Mason, so far as to enable you to
prove yourself one, or to travel and work as one;
nor do I know that you will ever become a Master
Mason. You have a way to travel over that is
extremely perilous. You will be beset with danger
of many kinds, and may perhaps meet with death,
as did once befall an eminent Brother of this
degree. But your trust is in God and your faith is
well founded. Before setting out, therefore, upon
such a serious enterprise as this, you will repair
to the Altar for the purpose of prayer. Heretofore
you have had a Brother to pray for you; now you
must pray for yourself. Go then, my Brother, and
may the blessing of God accompany you.

(When lodge reconvenes, the newly obligated Master

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Available for download from http://www.ephesians5-11.org

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14
1

SD:

You are now at the Altar. You must be again

hood-winked. Kneel and pray. Your prayer may
be mental or audible, and when you have
concluded it you will signify the same by saying
Amen, and rising.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, most of the Craft are weary,

and many are exceedingly anxious to receive the
secrets of a Master Mason, and we can see no
good reason why we are put off so long; and some
of us have determined to wait no longer. I therefore
demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

WM: * * *.
SD:
Cand: Amen.
10
(ALL) So mote it be.
WM: *.
15

SD:

20

25

30

35

50

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, your life is in danger. All

the avenues of the Temple are securely guarded;
escape is impossible. I therefore demand of you
the secrets of a Master Mason.
SD:

20

SD:

My life you can have; my integrity, never!

SD:

He then fled and attempted to make his exit out

at the east gate, as you will now do.

SD:

SD:

R #1: Talk not to me of time nor place. Now is the time,

and here is the place; none other will satisfy me.
I therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master
Mason.
SD: Craftsman, I can not give them.
R #1: Grand Master Hiram, for the third and last time I
demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

55

Craftsman, I can not, and will not, give them.

SD:

He then fled, and attempted to pass out at the

west gate, as you will now do.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Craftsman, I have often refused you and shall

always refuse you when accosted in this manner.
Your demands are vain.

25

30

35

40

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the second time demand

of you the secrets of a Master Mason.
45
SD:

Craftsman, your demands are vain. I shall not

give them.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the third and last time
demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.
SD:

SD:

15

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, I again, and for the last time,
demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason, or
your life.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I have heard your caviling

with Jubela and Jubelo. From them you have
escaped; but from me - never! My name is
Jubelum. What I purpose, that I perform. I hold
in my hand an instrument of death. If you refuse
me now, you do so at your peril. I say, give me
the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your
life.

Craftsman, this is neither a proper time nor place;

wait until the Temple is completed, then, if found
worthy, you shall receive them; otherwise you can
not.

10

Craftsman, I shall not give them. Wait with

patience for the proper time.

R #1: Grand Master Hiram, I am glad to meet you thus

alone; long have I sought this opportunity. You
promised us that when the Temple was completed
we should receive the secrets of a Master Mason,
whereby we could travel in foreign countries and
receive wages as such. Behold! The Temple is
about completed, and we have not received what
we strived for. At first I did not doubt your veracity,
but now I do. I therefore demand of you the secrets
of a Master Mason.

40

45

My Brother, heretofore you have represented a

candidate in search of Light. Now you represent
a character, none less a personage than our Grand
Master Hiram Abif, who was the Grand Architect
at the building of King Solomons Temple. It was
the usual custom of this great and good man, at
high twelve, when the Craft was called from labor
to refreshment, to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum,
or Holy of Holies, there to offer up his adorations
to Deity and draw his designs on the Trestleboard. This you have done. He would then retire
by the South gate, as you will now do.

Craftsman, why this violence? I can not give them,

neither can they be given, except in the presence
of Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre;
and myself.

50

And I, for the third time, refuse you.

(Jubelum then strikes the Cand across the forehead, he

is caused to fall backward into a large canvas that he
can be carried in.)
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15
R #3: Yonder is a sea-faring man. Let us accost him.

R #1: What have we done?

R #3: Is that your ship there?
5

R #2: We have slain our Grand Master Hiram Abif. What

shall we do with the body?

10

R #3: Let us carry it into a remote corner, and bury it in

the rubbish of the Temple. (Having done so): Now
let us retire until low twelve, when we will meet
here again.

S-F:

It is.

R #3: Where are you bound?

S-F:

To Ethiopia.
10

R #3: When do you sail?

15

20

SOLILOQUY: R #3 (Jubelum):
At last, the awful deed is done; here, cold and
mute, wrapped in the icy cloak of death, the Master
sleeps. No more the pageantry of pomp and
power. No more the Craftsmen hastening to
perform his deep design. No more the Temple
rising proudly on its hill and beckoning Heaven
itself to smile upon its stately columns. No more
shall he these high ambitions gratify.

S-F:

R #3: Do you take passengers?

S-F:

25

I do.

20
I will, if you have King Solomons permit to leave
the country.

R #3: We will pay your demands, but we have no

permits.
S-F:

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30
Oh, daring loyalty; Oh, fortitude most grand. For
him in coming time shall countless thousands
sound his name and sing his praise, who death
preferred, than faithless prove, than trust betray.
Yet, kept so well, his secret stands revealed and
in his death I read it thus: Truth - Honor - Fortitude.
But hark. The temple bell rings out the midnight
hour. Come now, my comrades, let us haste away
and bear with us, where-ere we go, the heavy
burden of remorse.
R #1: This is the hour.

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25

Then you can not go, for I am strictly forbidden to

take any of the workmen from the Temple out of
the country without King Solomons permit.

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35

15

R #3: Will you take us?

S-F:

Oh Death, untimely, yet Oh timely Death. Wrested

from earth while yet his honors clustered; before
the breath of calumny had stained, or slander
marred the worth of his achievements, he is fallen;
yielding up his life ere he would betray his sacred
trust; surrendering all - all that life holds dear power, wealth, everything - yet holding fast to his
Masonic faith.

Immediately.

R #3: Then let us return back into the country.

KS:

*. Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the

confusion in the Temple, and why are the
Craftsmen not at their labors as usual?

SW: (S) Our Grand Master Hiram Abif is missing and

there are no designs on the trestle-board.
KS:

That is very strange. He has ever been punctual

and faithful to his trust. He must be indisposed.
Order strict search to be made for him throughout
the several apartments of the Temple, and see if
he can be found.

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R #2: This is the place.

R #3: And here is the body. Assist me to carry it in a
due west course from the Temple to the brow of a
hill, where I have dug a grave six feet deep east
and west and six feet perpendicular, in which we
will bury it.

35

SW: Craftsmen; you will make strict search throughout

the several apartments of the Temple and see if
our Grand Master Hiram Abif can be found.
(Fellow Crafts go around the room, asking, Have you
see anything of our Grand Master Hiram Abif?, to which
some of the Brethren respond with, No, I have not seen
him since high twelve yesterday.)

R #3: I will set this sprig of acacia at the head of the

grave, that the place may be known should
occasion every require it. Now, let us make our
escape by way of Joppa, out of the country.

FC#1: Brother Senior Grand Warden, strict search has

been made, but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can
not be found. He has not been seen since high

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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twelve yesterday.
SW: (S) Your orders have been obeyed, Most Excellent
King Solomon. Strict search has been made
throughout the several apartments of the Temple,
but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can not be found.
He has not been seen since high twelve yesterday.

FC#1: And we, west.

FC#1: Yonder is a way-faring man. Let us accost him.

FC#1: Have you seen any strangers pass this way?

W-F: I saw some yesterday, three, who from their

appearance were workmen from the Temple.

WM: I fear some fateful act has befallen him.

FC#1: Where were they going?

10
FC#1: * * *. Twelve Fellow Crafts, clothed in white gloves
and aprons, crave audience with Most Excellent
King Solomon.

10

W-F: They were seeking a passage to Ethiopia.

FC#1: Did they obtain one?

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WM: Admit them.

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W-F: They did not.

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FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, we twelve who

appear before you are clothed in white gloves and
aprons in token of our innocence. We twelve,
with three others, seeing the Temple about to be
completed, and being desirous of obtaining the
secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we could
travel in foreign countries and receive wages as
such, entered into the horrid conspiracy of extorting
them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif, or taking
his life; but, reflecting on the atrocity of our
intentions, being stricken with horror, we twelve
recanted, but we fear the other three have
persisted in their murderous design. We twelve
have come before you to confess our premeditated
guilt, and implore your pardon.
WM: Brother Grand Secretary, call the roll of the
workmen.

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(The roll of the workmen is called)

40

Secy: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, the roll of the

workmen has been called and Jubela, Jubelo and
Jubelum are found missing.
WM: Craftsmen, are they the three who were aligned
with you in this horrid conspiracy?

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FC#1: (S) They are the three, Most Excellent King

Solomon.
WM: It is my order that you divide yourselves into parts
of three, and three travel east, three west, three
north, and three south in pursuit of the ruffians.
FC#1: Let us go east.
FC#2: We will go north.

FC#1: Where did they go?

W-F: They returned back into the country.

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FC#1: This is important. Let us return and report it to

King Solomon.
FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent King
Solomon.

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WM: Report them.

FC#1: We three who pursued a due west course from
the Temple, went until we met with a way-faring
man, of whom we inquired if he had seen any
strangers pass that way, who informed us that he
had, three, who from their appearance were
workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage to
Ethiopia, but not having obtained one they returned
back into the country. Deeming this of great
importance, we have returned to bring this
intelligence to you.

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WM: Your intelligence proves but one thing to my mind,
that the ruffians are still in the country and within
our power. You will divide yourselves as before,
and travel as before. I now give you positive
injunction to find the criminals, and as positive
assurance that if you do not, you will be deemed
the murderers, and shall suffer for their enormous
crime.
FC#2: I am weary and worn out and must sit down to
rest and refresh myself.

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FC#1: Dont stop here. Remember, that if we do not find

the criminals, we will be deemed the murderers
and shall suffer for their enormous crime.

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FC#3: We will go south.

FC#2: Alas, this is the reward of evil companionship.

Had I but heeded the lessons taught me as a

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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Fellow Craft, I would now be among the workmen

of the Temple, honored and respected; as it is, I
am an outcast. Hail, Brothers. This is singular,
on rising up I accidentally caught hold of this sprig
of acacia, and it easily gave way.
FC#1: That is singular.
R #1: O, that my throat had been cut across ,

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FC#1: Hark, what is that?

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R #1: , my tongue torn out, and with my body

buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark,
where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twentyfour hours, ere I have been accessory to the death
of so great and good a man as our Grand Master
Hiram Abif.
FC#3: That is the voice of Jubela.
R #2: O, that my left breast had been torn open, my
heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body
given as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have
been accessory to the death of so great and good
a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.
FC#2: That is the voice of Jubelo.

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R #3: It was I who gave the fatal blow; it was I who killed
him. O, that my body had been severed in twain,
my bowels taken thence, and with my body
burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered
to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty
of the death of so great and good a man as our
Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC#1: As we three who pursued a due west course from

the Temple were returning, one of our number
becoming more weary than the rest, sat down at
the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself, and
on rising up he accidentally caught hold of a sprig
of acacia, which easily gave way, exciting his
curiosity; and while we were meditating over the
singularity of the occasion, we heard three frightful
exclamations from the clefts of the adjacent rocks.
The first was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming, O,
that my throat had been cut across, my tongue
torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of
the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs
and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I have
been accessory to the death of so great and good
a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The
second was the voice of Jubelo, exclaiming, O,
that my left breast had been torn open, my heart
and vitals taken thence, and with my body given
as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have been
guilty of the death of so great and good a man as
our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The third was the
voice of Jubelum, exclaiming more horribly than
the rest, It was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I
who killed him. O, that my body had been severed
in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my
body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof
scattered to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have
been guilty of the death of so great and good a
man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif. Upon which
we rushed in, seized, bound, and have brought
them before you.

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WM: Jubela, are you guilty of this horrid deed?

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R #1: I am guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon.

FC #1 I know that voice; that is the voice of Jubelum.

WM: Jubelo, are you also guilty?

FC#3: What shall we do? They are the murderers of

whom we are in search.

R #2: I am more guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon.

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WM: Jubelum, are you likewise guilty?

FC#2: They are desperate men. It would be a serious
undertaking to capture them.
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FC#1: There are but three of them, and there are three of
us. Our cause is just, and our trust is in God.
Let us rush in, seize, bound, and take them before
King Solomon.
FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent King
Solomon.

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WM: Report them.
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

R #3: I am most guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon; I

am more guilty than the rest. It was I who gave
the fatal blow, it was I who killed him.
WM: Then you shall die, impious wretches, to conspire
against the life of so great and good a man as
your Grand Master Hiram Abif. Take them without
the gates of the city and execute them according
to their several imprecations in the clefts of the
rocks.
FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, your orders
have been obeyed. The murderers have been put
to death according to their several imprecations
in the clefts of the rocks.
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18
side of the Lodge, double file, facing the East.

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WM: It is well. Go now, you Fellow Crafts, in search of

the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, and if
found, observe whether the Masters Word, or a
key to it, is on or about it.
FC#1: Here is the place where our worthy Brother sat
down to rest and refresh himself. Here is the
appearance of a newly made grave. Let us open
it. Here is a body, but in such a mangled and
putrid condition that it cannot be recognized.
What a deathly effluvium arises from it. The
Masters Word, or a key to it, can not be found on
or about it. Here is a Jewel. Let us remove it and
carry it to King Solomon.
FC#1: (S) Tidings, Most Excellent King Solomon.

DIRGE:
(Sung by all, while in Grand Procession):
Solemn strikes the funeral chime,
Notes of our departing time;
As we journey here below,
Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Mortals now indulge a tear,

For mortality is here.
See how wide her trophies wave
Oer the slumbers of the grave.

10

Here another guest we bring.

Seraphs of celestial wing,
To our funeral altar come:
Waft this friend and brother home.

15

There, enlarged, thy soul shall see

What was veiled in mystery;
Heavenly glories of the place
Show his Maker, face to face.

20

Lord of all, below - above

Fill our hearts with truth and love.
When dissolves our earthly tie,
Take us to thy Lodge on High.

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WM: Report them.

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FC#1: We traveled a due west course from the Temple

to the brow of the hill where our worthy Brother
sat down to rest and refresh himself. We found
the appearance of a newly made grave; we opened
it and discovered a body, but in such a mangled
and putrid condition that it could not be recognized;
and we found our hands involuntarily placed in
this position to guard against the deathly effluvium
that arose from it. The Masters Word, or a key
to it, could not be found on or about it; however,
we found this Jewel, which we have brought up for
your inspection.
WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, this is indeed the
Jewel of our Grand Master Hiram Abif. No doubt
can now remain as to his lamentable fate.
Craftsmen, the pardon you sought I now grant
you, in token of my appreciation of your efforts to
detect the murderers and to deliver the body of
your Grand Master Hiram Abif.
WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you will form the
Craft in Grand Procession to go with me, to
endeavor to raise the body of our Grand Master
Hiram Abif for more decent interment; and as the
Masters Word is now lost, it is my order that the
first sign given at the grave, and the first word
spoken after the body is raised, shall be adopted
for the regulation of all Masters Lodges, until future
ages shall find out the right.
SW: * * *. Craftsmen, form in Grand Procession to
repair with me to the grave, to endeavor to raise
the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif for more
decent interment.
SD:

Brethren; form in Grand Procession on the north

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

WM: Here then lie the remains of your Grand Master

Hiram Abif. Stricken down in the performance of
duty, a martyr to his faith. He was bourne to this
lonely spot by unhallowed hands at a midnight
hour, upon the hope that the eye of man would
never more behold him, or the hand of justice be
laid upon his guilty murderers. Vain hope. Here
lies the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif.
His work was not done, yet his column is broken.
His death was untimely and his Brethren mourn.
The honors so justly his due have not been paid
him. His body shall be raised; shall be honored;
shall be borne back to the Temple for more decent
interment; and a monument shall be erected to
commemorate his labors, his fidelity and his
untimely death.

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WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, apply to the body

the grip of an Entered Apprentice, and endeavor
to raise it.
50
SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the high
state of putrefaction, the body having been dead
fifteen days, the skin slips from the flesh and it
can not be so raised.
55
(All raise their arms toward Heaven, their arms forming a
square, and lowering them by three movements, to their
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sides.): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widows

Son?
WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you have a stronger
grip; that of a Fellow Craft. Apply that to the body
and endeavor to raise it.

10

SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the reason

before given, the flesh cleaves from the bones,
and the body can not be so raised.

15

(All, in unison, as above, only this time, it is done twice):

Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widows Son?
(Again, with arms raised): Oh Lord, my God, is there no
help for the Widows Son?
WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, our attempts are
vain. What shall we do?

20

and buoyed up by the promise that when the

Temple was completed, those of you who were
found worthy should receive the secrets of a
Master Mason. The Masters Word is lost in the
death of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, but I will
substitute a word which shall be adopted for the
regulation of all Masters Lodges, until future ages
shall find out the right; and the first word I utter
after the body is raised shall be such substitute
word. Yea, my Brethren, I have a Word; and though
the skin may slip from the flesh, and the flesh
cleaves from the bones, there is strength in the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and he shall prevail.
(The Worshipful Master now reaches down and grasps
the candidates right hand with the real grip of a Master
Mason, and as he raises the candidate up, it is done on
the Five Points of Fellowship. The WM then whispers
the substitute Word into the candidates ear):

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SW: Let us pray.

WM: Ma - Ha - Bone.

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Chap: Thou, O God. Knowest our down sitting and our

uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off.
Shield and defend us from the evil intentions of
our enemies, and support us under the trials and
afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling
through this vale of tears. Man that is born of a
woman is of few days and full of trouble. He
cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Seeing his days are determined, the number of
his months is with Thee: Thou hast appointed
his bounds that he cannot pass. Turn from him
that he may rest till he shall accomplish his day.
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that
it will sprout again, and that the tender branch
thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth
away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is
he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood
decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and
riseth not till the Heavens be no more. Yet, O
Lord, have compassion on the children of Thy
creation; administer them comfort in time of
trouble, and save them with an everlasting
salvation. AMEN.
(ALL): So mote it be.

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WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, your counsel was

timely and good. Masons should ever remember
that when the strength and wisdom of man fails,
there is an inexhaustible supply above, yielded to
us through the power of prayer. My mind is now
clear, and the body shall be raised.
Craftsmen, you have labored upon the Temple
more than six years, honestly toiling, encouraged
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

WM: My Brother, the word you have just received is a

Hebrew word, and signifies, What! The Builder?,
and alludes to a particular tie in your Obligation
wherein you swore that you would never give the
substitute for the Masters Word in any other way
or manner than that in which you would receive it,
which would be on the Five Points of Fellowship
and at low breath. The Five Points of Fellowship
are: foot to foot; knee to knee; breast to breast;
hand to back; and cheek to cheek or mouth to
ear, and teach us these important lessons: Foot
to foot, that we should be ever ready to go on
foot, even barefoot, on a worthy Master Masons
errand, should his necessities require it, and we
be no better provided. Knee to knee, that we
should ever remember our Brethren in our
devotions to Deity. Breast to breast, that the
secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when
communicated to us as such, should be as
secure and inviolate in our breasts as they were
in his before communication. Hand to back, that
we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to
support a falling Brother, and aid him on all lawful
occasions. Cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear, that
we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel
in the ear of an erring Brother, and warn him of
approaching danger.

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My Brother, I will now instruct you as to the manner
of arriving at the real grip and word of a Master
Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who has
hitherto answered for you will do so at this time.
Give me the pass-grip of a Master Mason.
WM: Brother Senior Deacon.
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SD:

Worshipful Master.

WM: Will be you be off or from?

5
SD:

From.

WM: From what and to what?

10

SD:

From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real

grip of the same.

WM: Pass. What is that?

15

SD:

The real grip of a Master Mason, or lions paw.

WM: Has it a name?

SD:

It has.

20
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD:

Place yourself in the proper position to receive it

and I will.

WM: My Brother, the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of

a Master Mason is given in this manner: raising
the hands toward Heaven, your arms forming a
square, and lowering them by three distinct
motions to the sides, and alludes to a particular
tie in your Obligation, wherein you swore that you
would not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress
of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the
Craft while at work or for the instruction of a
Brother, unless you were in real distress. Should
you be in a place where the Sign could not be
seen, the words, O Lord, my God, is there no
help for the Widows son?, are to be substituted,
but the sign and words are never to be given
together. Should you see the Sign or hear the
Words, you will hasten to the relief of the person
so giving them, for you may rest assured that
they come from one who has traveled the same
road and received the same Light in Masonry that
you have.

WM: *
30

WM: What is the proper position to receive it?

SD:

On the Five Points of Fellowship.

WM: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

SD:

Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand

to back, and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear.
(Cand and WM are placing themselves on the
Five Points of Fellowship as the SD names them.)

WM: Ma.
Cand: Ha.
45
WM: Bone.
(WM may have the cand begin, while still in position, ie.,
Cand: Ma.
WM: Ha.
55

20

MASTER MASON LECTURE:

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25
WM: Mark the difference, my Brother, Heretofore your
answer has been; I did not so receive it, neither
will I so impart it. Now it is: Place yourself in the
proper position to receive it and I will.

40

10

WM: My Brother, you will now return to the East, and

receive an historical account of this degree.

25

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Cand: Bone
being sure the candidate fully understands the word.)
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Lect: Sacred history informs us that it was determined

in the councils of infinite wisdom that a Temple
should be founded at Jerusalem, which should be
erected to God, and dedicated to His Holy Name.
The high honor and distinguished privilege of
performing this sacred service was denied to
David, King of Israel, because, as the Scriptures
inform us, he had made great wars and shed blood
abundantly. From the same sacred source we
learn that the God of Israel had promised David
that out of his loins he should raise up seed to
serve Him. This divine and memorable promise
was afterward fulfilled in the person of Solomon,
and in the splendid and unexampled career of his
prosperity.
After David had been gathered to his fathers, and
the last honor paid to his memory, Solomon
wielded the sceptre of Israel, peace reigned within
her borders, and the Children of Israel looked
forward with peculiar satisfaction for the display
of that wisdom which was destined to astonish
and amaze the world.
In the second month of the fourth year of his reign,
Solomon commenced the erection of this edifice,
the curious workmanship of which was calculated
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to excite the wonder and admiration of all

succeeding ages. It was located on Mount
Moriah, near the place where Abraham was about
to offer up his son Isaac, and where David met
and appeased the destroying angel that was visible
over the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite.
About that time, King Solomon received a
congratulatory letter from Hiram, King of Tyre,
offering him every assistance in his power, and
manifesting a strong desire to participate in the
high honors then clustering around the Throne of
Israel. Thus was the building progressing, with
the assistance of Hiram, King of Tyre, and under
the immediate supervision of our ancient operative
Grand Master Hiram Abif, and was well nigh
completed when several of the Craft, in an attempt
to extort from Grand Master Hiram Abif the secrets
of a Master Mason, became his assassins, and
for a short period the building was impeded in its
progress.
You, my brother, have this evening represented
that cunning workman who fell a martyr to his
integrity and inflexible fidelity.
His death was premeditated by fifteen Fellow
Crafts who, seeing the Temple about to be
completed and being desirous of obtaining the
secrets of a Master Mason, whereby they could
travel in foreign countries and receive wages as
such, entered into the horrid conspiracy of extorting
them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif or taking
his life. But, reflecting on the atrocity of their
intentions and being stricken with horror, twelve
of them recanted; the other three, however,
persisted in their murderous designs.
It was the usual custom of this great and good
man, at high twelve, when the craft were called
from labor to refreshment, to enter into the
Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies, there to
offer up his adorations to Deity, and to draw his
designs on the trestle-board. The three Fellow
Crafts who persisted in their murderous design,
knowing that to be his usual custom, placed
themselves at the south, west and east gates of
the Temple and there awaited his return.
On the day of his death, having fulfilled his usual
custom, he attempted to retire by the south gate,
where he was accosted by Jubela, who thrice
demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason,
and on being refused, gave him a blow with a
twenty-four inch gauge across the throat, upon
which he fled and attempted to pass out at the
west gate where he was accosted by Jubelo, who
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

in like mind, thrice demanded of him the secrets

of a Master Mason, and on being refused, gave
him a blow with a square upon his breast, upon
which he fled and attempted to make his escape
out at the east gate, where he was assaulted by
Jubelum, who in like manner thrice demanded of
him the secrets of a Master Mason, and on being
thrice refused, gave him a violent blow with a
setting maul oh his forehead, which felled him
dead on the spot.
They then buried the body in the rubbish of the
Temple until low twelve, or twelve at midnight,
when they met by agreement and carried it in a
due west course from the Temple to the brow of a
hill, where they buried it in a grave dug six feet
deep east and west and six feet perpendicular, at
the head of which they planted a sprig of acacia,
that the place might be known should occasion
ever require it, and made their exit.
The following day our Grand Master Hiram Abif
was missing. His absence was detected by there
being no designs drawn on the Trestle-board.
King Solomon being informed of this supposed
him to be indisposed, and ordered strict search
to be made for him throughout the several
apartments of the Temple to see if he could be
found. Strict search was made but he could not
be found. King Solomon then feared that some
fearful accident had befallen him.
The twelve Fellow Crafts, who had recanted from
their murderous design, presented themselves
before King Solomon, clothed in white gloves and
aprons, in token of their innocence, confessed
their premeditated guilt and implored his pardon.
King Solomon then ordered a roll of the workmen
to be called and upon roll-call there were three
Fellow Crafts missing, namely Jubela, Jubelo, and
Jubelum.

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King Solomon then ordered them to divide
themselves into parts of three and three travel east,
three west, three north and three south in pursuit
of the ruffians.
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The twelve departed and those who traveled a due
west course from the Temple went until they met
with a way-faring man of whom they inquired if he
had seen any strangers pass that way, who
informed them that he had, three, who from their
appearance were workmen from the Temple,
seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having
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obtained one, returned back into the country.

not be found on or about it.

They returned and brought this information to King

Solomon, who ordered them to divide as before
and travel as before, with the positive injunction
to find the criminals, and as positive assurance
that if they did not, they would be deemed the
murderers, and should suffer for their enormous
crime.

King Solomon then ordered them to go with him

to raise the body for more decent interment, and
ordered that as the Masters Word was then lost,
the first sign given at the grave and the first word
spoken after the body was raised should be
adopted for the regulation of all Masters Lodges,
until future ages should find out the right.

They traveled as before and as those who pursued

a due west course from the Temple were returning,
one of their number becoming more weary than
the rest, sat down at the brow of a hill to rest and
refresh himself, and on arising he accidentally
caught hold of a sprig of acacia, which easily giving
way, excited his curiosity, and while they were
meditating over the singularity of the occasion,
they heard three frightful exclamations issuing
from the clefts of the adjacent rocks. The first
was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming O, that my
throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out,
and with my body buried in the sands of the sea
at low-water mark, ere I have been accessory to
the death of so great and good a man as our Grand
Master Hiram Abif. The second was the voice of
Jubelo, exclaiming, O, that my left breast had
been torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence,
and with my body given as a prey to the vultures
of the air, ere I have been accessory to the death
of so great and good a man as our Grand Master
Hiram Abif; and the third was the voice of Jubelum,
exclaiming more horribly than the rest, it was I
who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him.
O, that my body had been severed in twain, by
bowels taken thence, and with my body burned
to ashes and the ashes thereof scattered to the
four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the
death of so great and good a man as our Grand
Master Hiram Abif.

They repaired to the grave where King Solomon

ordered them to take the body by the grip of an
Entered Apprentice and endeavor to raise it, but
owing to the horrible state of putrefaction, the body
having been dead fifteen days, the skin slipped
from the flesh and it could not so be raised. King
Solomon then ordered them to take it by the real
grip of a Fellow Craft and endeavor to raise it, but
owing to the reason before given, the flesh cleaved
from the bones, and it could not be so raised.
King Solomon then took it by the strong grip of a
Master Mason and raised it on the Five Points of
Fellowship, which are, foot to foot, knee to knee,
breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to
cheek or mouth to ear.

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Whereupon they rushed in, seized, bound, and

took them before King Solomon, who ordered
them taken without the gates of the city and there
executed according to their several imprecations
in the clefts of the rocks. They were accordingly
executed.
King Solomon then ordered the Fellow Crafts to
go in search of the body of our Grand Master
Hiram Abif, and if found, to observe whether the
Masters Word or a key to it could be found on or
about it.
His body was found at the brow of the hill where
one worthy Brother sat down to rest and refresh
himself. The Masters Word or a key to it could
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

They teach us these important lessons; foot to

foot, that we should be ever ready to go on foot,
even barefoot, on a worthy Master Masons errand,
should his necessities require it and we be no
better provided; knee to knee, that we should ever
remember our Brethren in our devotions to Deity;
breast to breast, that the secrets of a worthy
Brother Master Mason, when communicated to
us as such, should be as secure and inviolate in
our breasts as they were in his before
communication; hand to back, that we should be
ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support a
falling Brother and aid him on all lawful occasions;
cheek to cheek or mouth to ear, that we should
be ever ready to whisper wise counsel into the
ear of an erring Brother and warn him of
approaching danger.
They carried the body to the Temple and buried it
in due form, and Masonic tradition informs us that
a monument was erected to his memory, on which
was delineated a beautiful Virgin weeping over a
broken column; before her lay a book, open; in
her right hand a sprig of acacia; in her left, an urn;
and behind her stood Time with his fingers
unfolding and counting the ringlets of her hair.
The broken column denotes the untimely death
of our Grand Master Hiram Abif; the beautiful
Virgin, weeping, denotes the Temple, unfinished;
the book open before her, that his virtues there lie
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on perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her

right hand, the timely discovery of his body; the
urn in her left, that his ashes were there safely
deposited to perpetuate the remembrance of so
distinguished a character; and Time standing
behind her unfolding the ringlets of her hair denotes
that time, patience and perseverance will
accomplish all things.
Thus we close the second section with a tribute
to the memory of that distinguished artist, who
preferred to lose his life rather than betray his
trust, and whose death exhibited an instance of
virtue, fortitude and integrity seldom equaled, and
never excelled in the history of man.
In the third section, many particulars relative to
King Solomons Temple are considered. This
section also illustrates certain hieroglyphical
emblems and inculcates many useful lessons to
extend knowledge and promote virtue.
This magnificent Temple, which long challenged
the admiration of the world, far exceeded in
splendor all other structures that had hitherto been
erected. It was begun in the month of April, A. M.
2992, 480 years after the Children of Israel came
out of the land of Egypt, and it was finished in the
month of October, A. M. 2999, 1005 years before
Christ.
There were two remarkable events attending the
erection of the edifice. Sacred history informs us
that there was not heard the sound of axe,
hammer, or any metal tool in the building; and
Josephus informs us that, although a little more
than seven years were employed in its erection,
it did not rain except in the night season and while
the Craft were gone from labor to refreshment.
This we regard as a striking manifestation of the
superintending care of Divine Providence.

The Temple is said to have been supported by

1453 columns and 2906 pilasters, all hewn from
the finest Parian marble.
There were employed in its erection, three Grand
Masters, three thousand three hundred Masters
or overseers of the work, eighty thousand Fellow
Crafts or hewers in the mountains and quarries,
and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices or
bearers of burdens. All these were classed and
arranged in such manner by the wisdom of King
Solomon that neither envy, discord nor confusion
was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and
good fellowship which prevailed among the
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

workmen.
Entered Apprentices formerly held their meetings
on the checkered pavement, or ground floor of
King Solomons Temple, where they met every
evening to receive instructions relative to the work
of the following day. A Lodge of Entered
Apprentices consists of seven or more and must
be composed of one Master Mason and six or
more Entered Apprentices.
Fellow Crafts held their meetings in the Middle
Chamber of King Solomons Temple, where they
met on the evening of the sixth day of each week
to receive their wages. A Lodge of Fellow Crafts
consists of five or more, and must be composed
of two Master Masons and three or more Fellow
Crafts.
Master Masons held their meetings in the Sanctum
Sanctorum or Holy of Holies of King Solomons
Temple, where they met occasionally to devise
plans for the prosecution of the work. A Lodge of
Master Masons consists of three or more, and
must be composed of three Master Masons,
representing Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King
of Tyre; and Hiram Abif.
The three pillars here represented were explained
in a preceding degree, and there represented
Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Here they
represent our three ancient Grand Masters:
Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and
Hiram Abif. The pillar Wisdom, Solomon, King of
Israel, by whose wisdom the Temple was erected,
the superb model of excellence which has so
honored and exalted his name; the pillar Strength,
Hiram, King of Tyre, who strengthened King
Solomon in his great and important undertaking;
and the pillar Beauty, Hiram Abif, the Widows
Son of the tribe of Naphtali, by whose cunning
workmanship the Temple was so beautified and
adorned.
The three steps usually delineated on the Masters
carpet are emblematical of the three principal
stages of human life: Youth, Manhood and Age.
In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought
industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment
of useful knowledge; in Manhood, as Fellow
Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the
discharge of our respective duties to God, our
neighbor, and ourselves, so that in age, as Master
Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection
consequent on a well spent life, and die in the
hope of a glorious immortality.
There are nine classes of Masonic emblems, the
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first eight of which are: the Pot of Incense, the

Beehive, the Book of Constitutions guarded by
the Tylers Sword, the Sword pointing to the Naked
Heart, the All-seeing Eye, the Anchor and the Ark,
the Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid, the Hourglass and the Scythe.
The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart,
which is always an acceptable sacrifice to Deity,
and as this glows with fervent heat, so should our
hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great
and beneficent Author of our existence for the
manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy.
The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and
recommends the practice of that virtue to all
created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven
to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us
that as we came into the world rational and
intelligent beings, so we should ever be
industrious ones; never sitting down contented
while our fellow creatures around us are in want,
especially when it is in our power to relieve them
without inconvenience to ourselves.

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The Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tylers

Sword reminds us that we should be ever watchful
and guarded in our thoughts, words and actions,
particularly when before the enemies of Masonry,
ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic
virtues, silence and circumspection.
The Sword pointing to the Naked Heart
demonstrates that justice will sooner or later
overtake us; and although our thoughts, words
and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men,
yet that All-seeing Eye, whom the Sun, Moon and
Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even
the Comets perform their stupendous revolutions,
pervades the inmost recesses of the human Heart,
and will reward us according to our merits.
The Anchor and the Ark are emblems of a wellgrounded hope and a well-spent life. They are
emblematical of the Divine Ark which safely wafts
us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and
that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a
peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from
troubling and the weary are at rest.

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The Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid teaches
Masons to be general lovers of the arts and
sciences.
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The Hour-glass is an emblem of human life.

Behold how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly
our lives are drawing to a close. We cannot,
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

without astonishment, behold the little particles

which are contained in this machine - how they
pass away almost imperceptibly; and yet, to our
surprise, in the short space of an hour they are all
exhausted. Thus wastes man. Today he puts
forth the tender leaves of hope; tomorrow
blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick
upon him; the next day comes a frost which nips
the shoot; and when he thinks his greatness is
still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich
our mother earth.
The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the
brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity.
Behold what havoc the Scythe of Time makes
among the human race. If by chance we should
escape the numerous ills incident to childhood
and youth, and with health and vigor arrive at the
years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be
cut down by the all-devouring Scythe of Time, and
be gathered into the land where our fathers have
gone before us.
The ninth is not monitorial; it is the Setting Maul,
the Spade, the Coffin, and the Sprig of Acacia.
The Setting Maul is that by which our Grand
Master Hiram Abif was slain; the Spade, that
which dug his grave; the Coffin, that which received
his lifeless remains; and the Sprig of Acacia, that
which bloomed at the head of his grave.
The first three are striking emblems of mortality
and afford serious reflection to all thinking men,
but they would be more dark and gloomy were it
not for the Sprig of Acacia that bloomed at the
head of the grave, (WM: * * *.) which serves to
remind us that there is an imperishable part within
us which bears the nearest affinity to the Supreme
Intelligence which pervades all nature and which
will never, never, never die. (WM: *)
Thus we close the explanation of the emblems
upon the solemn thought of death, which without
revelation would be dark and gloomy, but we are
suddenly revived by that ever green and ever living
sprig of Faith, which strengthens us with
confidence and composure, to look forward to a
blessed immortality, and we doubt not that on the
glorious morn of resurrection our bodies will rise
and become as incorruptible as our souls.
Then let us imitate the example of our Grand
Master Hiram Abif, in his virtuous and amiable
conduct, in his unfeigned piety to God, in his
inflexible fidelity to his trust, that we may welcome
the grim tyrant, Death, and receive him as a kind
messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master
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to translate us from this imperfect to that

perfect, glorious and celestial Lodge
above, where the Supreme Architect of
the Universe presides.

5
WM: My Brother, this concludes the Third
Degree of Freemasonry, with the
exception of the Charge. If you will rise,
I will repeat it to you.
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to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed,

nor are you to countenance any deviation from
our established customs.

If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a

person desirous of being initiated into the
Fraternity, be particularly careful not to
recommend him unless you are convinced that
he will conform to our rules, that the honor, glory
and reputation of the institution may be firmly
established, and the world at large convinced of
its good effects.

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CHARGE AT RAISING:
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My Brother, your zeal for our Institution,

the progress you have made in our
mysteries, and your steady conformity
to our useful regulations, have pointed you
out as a proper object for this peculiar
mark of our favor.
Duty and honor, now alone, bind you to
be faithful to every trust, to support the
dignity of your character on all occasions,
and strenuously to enforce, by precept
and example, a steady attachment to the
tenets of Freemasonry. Exemplary
conduct on your part will convince the
world that merit is the just title to our
privileges, and that on you our favors have
not been undeservedly bestowed.
As a Master Mason, you are authorized
to correct the irregularities of your less
informed Brethren; to fortify their minds
with resolutions against the snares of the
insidious, and to guard them against every
allurement to vicious practices. To
preserve the reputation of the Fraternity,
unsullied, ought to be your constant care,
and therefore it becomes your province
to caution the inexperienced against a
breach of fidelity.
To your inferiors in rank or office, you are
to recommend obedience and
submission; to your equals, courtesy and
affability; and to your superiors, kindness
and condescension.
Universal benevolence you are zealously
to inculcate, and by the regulation of your
own conduct, endeavor to remove every
aspersion against this venerable
institution.
Our ancient landmarks you are carefully
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with
this degree that it will be necessary for you to
commit to memory and on which you must pass
a suitable examination in open Lodge, or as
provided by our Nevada Code, within sixty days.
I have no doubt the Brother who has instructed
you thus far will be pleased to continue.
You will now step to the Secretarys desk and
sign the by-laws, after which you will be entitled
to your share of our privileges, as well as subjected
to your share of our responsibilities.

MASTER MASON CLOSING:

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Finally, my Brother, congratulating you most

sincerely, let me enjoin upon you that your honor
and reputation are concerned in supporting with
dignity the respectable character you now bear.
Let no motive, therefore, tempt you to swerve from
your duties, violate your vows, or betray your trust,
but be true and faithful, and imitate the example
of that celebrated artist whom you have this
evening represented; thus rendering yourself
worthy of the honor we have conferred and meriting
the trust we have reposed in you.
My Brother, I congratulate you on becoming a
Master Mason, and as such commend you to the
kind care, love and protection of Master Masons
whithersoever dispersed around the globe. Be
good; be true; and satisfy the world that by
becoming a Master Mason you have become a
better man. Retain, I entreat you, that purity of
life and rectitude of conduct with which we hope
you are endowed, and of which that spotless apron
is the emblem, and the badge.

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WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.
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WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge before
I proceed to close?
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foreign countries, work and receive Masters
wages, and be thereby better enabled to support
myself and family, and contribute to the relief of
distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows
and orphans.

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SW: Nothing in the West.
WM: And in the South, Brother Junior Warden?
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JW:

(S) Nothing in the South.

WM: What makes you a Master Mason?

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before the Lodge

before I proceed to close?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

JD:

WM: The last as well as the first great care of Masons

when convened?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted

Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place
representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King
Solomons Temple.

JD:

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge?

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(S) Worshipful Master.

To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am

about to close this Lodge of Master Masons, and
direct him to tyle accordingly.

SW: Three or more.

JD:

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior

Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons.

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* * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you

that the Worshipful Master is about to close this
Lodge of Master Masons. Take due notice thereof
and govern yourself accordingly.

JD:

* * *.

Tyl:

* * *.

JD:

(S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

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WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

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WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacons place

in the Lodge?
SW: At my right.

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WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD:
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(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How are we tyled?

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WM: Your duty?

JD:

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JD:

WM: His duty there?

JD:

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By a Brother Master Mason without, armed with

the proper implement of his office.

To observe the approach of cowans and

eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass
except such as are duly qualified and have
permission from the Worshipful Master.

To carry messages from the Senior Warden in

the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and
elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;
attend the alarms at the outer door and report the
same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that
we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacons place?

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

JD:

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SD:

SW: I am.

WM: Your duty?

WM: What induced you to become a Master Mason?

SD:

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At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

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SW: That I might obtain the Masters Word, travel in

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

(S) Worshipful Master.

To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the

East to the Senior Warden in the West, and
elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;

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welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the
alarms at the inner door, also to receive and
conduct candidates.

convened, of which due and timely notice will be

given. This communicate to the Junior Warden in
the South, and he to the Brethren present, that
having due notice thereof, they may govern
themselves accordingly.

WM: The Junior Wardens station?

SD:

In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW:

JW:

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____

____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third
Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until
its next regular communication, unless especially
called, of which due and timely notice will be given.
This communicate to the Brethren present, that
having due notice thereof, they may govern
themselves accordingly.

Brother Senior Warden.

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(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW:

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To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory

and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to
refreshment, superintend them during the hours
thereof, carefully to observe that the means of
refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or
excess, and see that they return to their labor in
due season, that the Worshipful Master may
receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Wardens station?

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In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

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JW:

Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master,

communicated to me through the Senior Warden
in the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be
now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry,
and stand closed until its next regular
communication, unless especially called, of which
due and timely notice will be given. I communicate
the same to you, that having due notice thereof,
you will govern yourselves accordingly.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so

stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist
the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the
Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be
due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony
being the support of all institutions, especially this
of ours.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master Mason?

WM: The Masters station?

WM: To what do you allude?

SW: In the East.

SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.

WM: Why in the East?

WM: Did you find it?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern

the day (WM: ***), so rises the Worshipful Master
in the East to open and govern the Lodge, setting
the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction
for their labor.

SW: I did not; but found a substitute, which at the

opening of this Lodge was sent to the East,
accompanied with the steps, due-guards and
signs.

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SW: I have; from West to East, and from East to West
again.
WM: Of what were you in search?
SW: Of that which was lost.

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SW: Brother Junior Warden.

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WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that ____

____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third
Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until
its next regular communication, unless especially
Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

WM: Brother Senior Warden, I will now return the same

to the West, accompanied with the steps, dueguards and signs, through the Senior Deacon.
Brother Senior Deacon, attend.
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(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs of the 3

degrees, as well as the substitute, are communicated
from the Worshipful Master to the Senior Deacon. The
Senior Deacon then carries them to the West and
communicates them to the Senior Warden.)

WM: And part upon the square. So should we, my

Brethren, ever meet, act, and part. May the
blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular
Masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every
moral and social virtue cement us. Amen.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master, the substitute has come

to the West correctly.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

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WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the

East.
WM: *.

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SD:

(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three Great Lights
in Masonry.

SW: *.
JW:

*.

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WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly
closed.

WM: *.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

SW: *.

JD:

JW:

WM: Inform the Tyler.

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*.

WM: *.
SW:

*.

JW:

*.

(S) Worshipful Master.

WM: *.

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WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

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Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy blessing

upon the proceedings of this communication, and
as we are about to separate, we ask Thee to keep
us under Thy protecting care until again we are
called together. Teach us, O God, to realize the
beauties of the principles of our time-honored
institution, not only while in the Lodge, but when
abroad in the world. Subdue every discordant
passion within us. May we love one another in
the bonds of union and friendship. Amen.

35

MASTER MASON EXAMINATION:

Q:

Are you a Master Mason?

A:

I am.

(ALL): So mote it be.

Q:

What induced you to become a Master Mason?

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

A:

That I might obtain the Masters word, travel in

foreign countries, work and receive Masters
wages, and be thereby better enabled to support
myself and family, and contribute to the relief of
distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows
and orphans.

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SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

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40

WM: How should Masons meet?

50

SW: On the level.

Q:

What makes you a Master Mason?

A:

My Obligation.

Q:

Where were you made a Master Mason?

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

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JW:

By the plumb.

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1
A:

Within the body of a just and duly constituted

Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place
representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King
Solomons Temple.

Q:

bal;

A:

cain.

A:

Tubalcain.

How may I know you to be a Master Mason?

Q:

Will you be off or from?

A:

By certain signs and tokens.

A:

From.

Q:

What are signs?

Q:

From what, and to what?

A:

Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

A:

From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real

grip of the same.

Q:

Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

Q:

Pass. What is that?

It has; to the position of my hands while taking

the Obligation.

A:

The real grip of a Master Mason, or lions paw.

Q:

Have you a further sign?

Q:

Has it a name?

A:

I have.

A:

It has.

Q:

Has that an allusion?

Q:

Will you give it to me?

A:

It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

A:

Place yourself in the proper position to receive it

and I will.

Q:

What are tokens?

Q:

What is the proper position to receive it.

A:

Certain friendly or brotherly grips whereby one

Mason may know another in the dark as in the
light.

A:

On the Five Points of Fellowship.

Q:

What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

A:

Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand

to back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear.
(Five Points of Fellowship are assumed as the
response is being given)

35

40

10

A:

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15

25

30

35

40

20

25

30

Q:

Advance and give me a token. What is that?

A:
Q:

The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

Has it a name?

A:

It has.

A:

Ma;

Q:

Will you give it to me?

Q:

Ha;

A:

I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

A:

Bone (whispered)

Q:

How will you dispose of it?

Q:

Where were you prepared to be made a Master

Mason?

A:

Letter or syllable it.

A.

Q:

Syllable it and begin.

In a room adjoining the body of a just and duly

constituted Lodge of Master Masons.

A:

You begin.

Q:

How were you prepared?

Q:

Begin you.

A:

A:

Tu;

By being divested of all metallic substances,

neither naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees
and breasts bare, hood-winked, and with a cabletow three times around my body, clothed as a

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50

Q:

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Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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30
Fellow Craft, in which condition I was conducted
to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three
distinct knocks, which were answered by three
within.

1
Q:

How were you received?

A:

On the points of the Compasses, extending from

my naked right to my naked left breast, which
was to teach me that as within the breast are
contained the most vital parts of man, so between
the extreme points of the Compasses are
contained the most valuable tenets of
Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality, and
Brotherly Love.

5
Q:

Why was the cable-tow three times around your

body?

A:

To teach me that as a Master Mason I was under

a threefold tie to the Fraternity.

10
Q:

To what do the three knocks allude?

A:

To the Third Degree upon which I was then

entering.

15
Q:

What was said to you from within?

A:

Who comes here?

Q:

Your answer?

A:

Brother _____ ______, who has been duly initiated

an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of
Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in
Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree
of Master Mason.

20

25

40

How were you then disposed of?

A:

Conducted three times regularly around the Lodge

and to the Junior Warden in the South, where the
same questions were asked and answers returned
as at the door.

15

Q:

How did the Junior Warden dispose of you?

20

A:

Directed me conducted to the Senior Warden in

the West, where the same questions were asked
and answers returned as before.
25

Q:

How did the Senior Warden dispose of you?

A:

Directed me conducted to the Worshipful Master

in the East, where the same questions were asked
and answers returned as before, who also
demanded of me whence I came and whither
traveling.

What were you then asked?

A:

Q:

If this was an act of my own free will and accord,

if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly
prepared, if I had made suitable proficiency in the
preceding degree, all of which being answered in
the affirmative, I was then asked by what further
right or benefit I expected to obtain this important
privilege.
Your answer?

Q:

Your answer?

A:

By the benefit of the pass-word.

A:

From the West, traveling East.

Q:

Had you the pass-word?

Q:

Why did you leave the West and travel East?

A:

I had not. My conductor had and gave it for me.

A:

In search of further Light in Masonry.

Q:

What were you then told?

Q:

What was then ordered?

A:

Since I was in possession of all these necessary

qualifications, I should wait until the Worshipful
Master could be informed of my request and his
answer returned.

A:

That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden in

the West, who taught me how to approach the
East in due and ancient form.

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10

Q:

Q:
30

30

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40

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50

Q:

What was his answer when returned?

A:

Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master

Masons and be received in due and ancient form.

Q:

What is that due and ancient form?

A:

Advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel of my

right to the heel of my left, thereby forming the
angle of a square, body erect, facing East.
What did the Worshipful Master then do with you?

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Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

Q:

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1
A:

Obligated me as a Master Mason.

Q:

How?

A:

In due form.

Q:

What is that due form?

10

A:

Kneeling on my naked knees, both hands resting

on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, in
which due form I took the solemn Obligation of a
Master Mason.

15

Q:

Have you that Obligation?

A:

I have.

Q:

Repeat it.

A:

I, _____ ______, of my own free will and accord,

in the presence of Almighty God and this
Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected to
Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy
Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and
sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and
conceal and never reveal any of the secrets
belonging to the Degree of Master Mason, which
I have received, am about to receive, or may be
hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it
shall be to a worthy Brother Master Mason, or
within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge
of such, and not unto him or them until by due
trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic
information, I shall have found him or them justly
entitled to receive the same.

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30

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40

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55

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of
the State of Nevada, also all the laws, rules, and
edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge
from whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail;
together with the by-laws, rules, and regulations
of this or any other Lodge of which I may become
a member, so far as the same shall come to my
knowledge.

applying to me as such, I finding them worthy,

and can do so without material to myself or family.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
keep the secrets of a worthy Brother Master
Mason, when communicated to me as such, as
secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in
his before communication.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a
Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft
while at work or for the instruction of a Brother,
unless I am in real distress; and should I see the
sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten
to the relief of the person so giving it.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not give the substitute for the Masters Word in
any other way or manner than that in which I receive
it, which will be on the Five Points of Fellowship,
and at low breath.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons
Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree to the
value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be
done by another, if in my power to prevent.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor
otherwise do him personal violence in anger,
except in the necessary defense of myself, family
or property.
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not have illicit carnal intercourse with a Master
Masons wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter,
nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power
to prevent.

10

15

20

25

30

35

40
Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will
not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising
of an old man in dotage, a young man under age,
an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a person of
unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be
such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

answer and obey all due signs and regular
summons sent me from the body of a just and
duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or
handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if
within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising
of a candidate clandestinely, nor hold Masonic
intercourse with a clandestine Mason, or with one
who has been suspended or expelled, knowing
him to be such, until duly restored.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will

help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed
Master Masons, their widows and orphans, they

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise

and swear, without any hesitation, mental
reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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whatsoever; binding myself under no less a

penalty than that of having my body severed in
twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body
burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered
to the four winds of Heaven, that there might
remain neither track, trace nor remembrance
among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a
wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or
willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a
Master Mason. So help me God and make me
steadfast to keep and perform the same.

10

15

Q:

After the Obligation, what were you asked?

A:

What I most desired.

Q:

Your answer?

A:

Further Light in Masonry.

Q:

Did you receive it?

A:

I did, by order of the Worshipful Master.

Q:

On being brought to Light in this degree, what did

you first behold?

A:

The Three Great Lights in Masonry, as in the

preceding degree, with this difference: Both points
of the Compasses were above the Square, which
was to teach me that I had received, and was
entitled to receive all the Light that could be
conferred upon or communicated to me in a Master
Masons Lodge.

1
Q:

How should a Master Mason wear his apron?

A:

With the flap turned down.

Q:

With what were you then presented?

A:

The working tools of a Master Mason.

Q:

What are they?

A:

All the tools in Masonry, especially the Trowel.

The Trowel is an instrument used by operative
masons to spread the cement which unites the
building into one common mass; but we, as Free
and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the
more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the
cement of brotherly love and affection - that cement
which unites us into one sacred band or society
of friends and Brothers, among whom no
contention should ever exist, save that noble
contention, or rather emulation, of who best can
work and best agree.

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25

30

20

What was then ordered?

25

A:

That I be re-conducted to the place whence I

came, invested with that of which I had been
divested, and returned to the Lodge to represent
our ancient operative Grand Master Hiram Abif.

30

35

Q:

What did you next behold?

A:

The Worshipful Master approaching me from the

East, upon the step, under the due-guard and sign
of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under
the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft; upon
the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Master
Mason, who presented his right hand in token of
the continuance of friendship and brotherly love,
and invested me with the pass-grip and pass-word,
ordered me to rise, salute the Junior and Senior
Wardens and satisfy them that I was a duly
Obligated Master Mason, in possession of the
step, due-guard, sign, pass-grip and pass-word.

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15

Q:

35

40

10

Q:

What was then ordered?

A:

That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden in

the West, who taught me how to wear my apron
as a Master Mason.

Master Mason Degree Ritual as practiced in Nevada, circa 1986

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highly skilled and experienced in all kinds of

bronze work. He came to King Solomon and
did all the work assigned to him.
1 KINGS 7:13-14

Who is Hiram Abiff ?

If the song leaders across the country were
to stand on the platforms on Sunday morning
and ask the members of the church, Who
was killed, buried and raised from the grave?,
the majority of members would immediately
respond with the name Jesus. A few might
also remember the name Lazarus, whom
Jesus raised from the dead. Yet, they would
remember that Lazarus simply died; he was
not killed. In a significant number of churches,
the name Hiram Abiff, the son of a widow of
the tribe of Naphtali, would come into the
consciousness of some of
the male
members. In some churches, the question
would cause even the pastor to think of Hiram.
Although these men know that the name
Hiram Abiff would be considered a valid
answer to the question by other men with
whom they privately associate in Masonic
Lodges, they would be reluctant to mention
the name of Hiram in church. Certainly, they
would not explain the Masonic teaching they
have embraced concerning the death, burial
and resurrection of Hiram. That would cause
others to doubt their Christianity.
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ is the essence of the Gospel. The
Scriptural account of the Gospel is stated most
succinctly by Paul:
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the
gospel I preached to you, which you received
and on which you have taken your stand. By
this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to
the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you
have believed in vain. For what I received I
passed on to you as of first importance: that
Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was
raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and
then to the Twelve.
1 COR. 15:1-5
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus died a brutal
death as the result of being crucified at a place
called Golgotha:
They came to a place called Golgotha (which
means The Place of the Skull). There they
offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;
but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When
they had crucified him, they divided up his
clothes by casting lots.
MATT 27:33-35

Although the most important element of

Masonic symbolism deals with the death,
burial and resurrection of Hiram Abiff, there
is nothing in Scripture to support it. Masonic
Grand Lodges have stated that the account
is not based upon fact, but rather is an
allegory, used to teach.

Before Jesus was killed, he was struck

multiple times. Mark clearly states that fact:
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released
Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and
handed him over to be crucified. MARK 15:15

Hiram Abiff & the Scriptures

Hiram Abiff in Masonic Ritual

The name Hiram Abiff is not found in

Scripture. Yet, the Masonic account of Hiram
is often said to be based upon the Holy Bible.
In the Master Mason degree, in that portion
of the ritual known as the Legend of the Third
Degree, there are three central characters.
The story line is set around the building of
Solomons temple. The characters, King
Solomon, Hiram - the King of Tyre and Hiram
Abiff are all taken from the Scriptural account
of the temple building. King Solomon and
Hiram King of Tyre are mentioned many times
in the Scriptures, such as in 1 Kings 5. About
the closest the Scriptures come to Hiram Abiff
is Huram-Abi which is found in 2 Chronicles
2:13 in the NAS and NIV translations. Huram
is a variant of Hiram. In the KJV translation
of the verse, the name Hiram is found. The
KJV uses both Huram (2 Chron 2:3) and
Hiram (1 Kings 5) to identify Hiram the King
of Tyre. The KJV translation of 2 Chron 2:13
does not contain -abi, but rather Huram my
fathers. The Hebrew word from which the
KJV fathers was translated is ab,
according to the Hebrew Dictionary found in
STRONGS CONCORDANCE. Strongs entry for the
word ab (H1) indicates that it can also mean
father-less, as the son of a widow would be.
The entry for H1 also mentions Abi-.
Studying the various translations along with
a Hebrew dictionary allows us to see how
Freemasonry may have settled on the name
Hiram Abi-ff, also sometimes spelled Abif.

During the Legend of the Third Degree, the

candidate portrays Hiram Abiff in the ritual.
He is blindfolded and led through the ritual by
a conductor. In Masonic ritual, Hiram Abiff is
not a worker of brass as in Scripture, but rather
the Grand Master at the building of Solomons
temple. Each day, he lays out the work for
the workmen to complete. There are
Fellowcrafts who work on the temple who are
to be given the secrets of a Master Mason as
compensation - when the temple is
completed. Once they have the secrets of a
Master Mason they will earn the wages of a
Master. A group of fifteen Fellowcrafts decide
that they do not want to wait until the work is
completed. They form a plot which only three
of them carry through. The three ruffians
sequentially accost Hiram at the East gate,
the South gate and the West gate. A similar
dialog occurs at each temple entrance. The
ruffian demands the secrets of a Master
Mason. Hiram explains that this is neither the
time, nor the place; the secrets can only be
revealed in the presence of three, King
Solomon, Hiram the King of Tyre and myself.
The ruffian demands, Your life, or the
secrets. Hiram responds, My life you can
have, my integrity - never. When they fail to
get what they want, they strike Hiram with one
of the working tools and he staggers to the
next gate and the next encounter. The third
ruffian is also unable to extract the secrets
from Hiram Abiff. He strikes Hiram on the
head with a setting maul and kills him. Hiram
willingly laid down his life rather than betray
his trust.

Hiram King of Tyre wrote a letter to King

Solomon, advising him that he was sending
Huram-Abi to work on the temple. That letter
is documented in 2 Chron 2:11-14. The fact
that Hiram-Abi was the son of a widow of the
tribe of Naphtali is confirmed in Scripture:
King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought
Huram, whose mother was a widow from the
tribe of Naphtali and whose father was a man
of Tyre and a craftsman in bronze. Huram was

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The ruffians have not achieved their goal and

they have a body to dispose of. They bury
the body in temple rubble and plan to return
at midnight to give the body a more decent
burial. At midnight, they return and carry the
body to a hill west of Mt. Moriah, where Hiram
Abiff is reburied. The next day, Hiram is
nowhere to be found. A search is conducted.

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The Fellowcrafts who did not go through with

the conspiracy confess the plot. A grave is
found; the body of Hiram is found within it.
Hiram Abiff has been in the grave for 15 days.
King Solomon gives the order for the body to
be raised using the grips of the Entered
Apprentice and then the Fellowcraft. Those
efforts are unsuccessful. King Solomon states
that he fears that with the death of Hiram Abiff
the word of a Master Mason has been lost.
Therefore, the first word spoken after Hiram
is raised from the grave will be the substitute
until the lost word can be recovered. At that
point, King Solomon raises Hiram Abiff from
a dead level to a living perpendicular using
the real grip of a Master Mason, also known
as the Lions Paw. He embraces Hiram on
the five points of fellowship, standing foot to
foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to
back and mouth to ear. King Solomon, played
by the Worshipful Master, then whispers the
substitute for the lost word in Hirams ear. That
word is Ma-Ha-Bone. Following the Master
Mason Lecture, the following words are
spoken:
Then, finally my brethren, let us
imitate our Grand Master, Hiram
Abiff, in his virtuous conduct, his
unfeigned piety to God, and his
inflexible fidelity to his trust; that, like
him, we may welcome the grim
tyrant, Death, and receive him as a
kind messenger sent by our
Supreme Grand Master, to translate
us from this imperfect to that allperfect, glorious, and celestial
Lodge above , where the Supreme
Architect of the Universe presides.
When this conclusion to the ritual is reread
carefully, breaking it down phrase by phrase,
it is easy to see that what it actually says is
that, Masonic brethren should imitate Hiram
Abif to get into heaven. Notice that
Freemasonry does not urge Freemasons to
have faith in Hiram Abiff. When the words
from the ritual are analyzed carefully, it is clear
that Freemasonry is substituting imitation for
faith and Hiram for Jesus - as the means to
gaining entry into heaven, following death.
Certainly a Christian who is fluent in English
and understands what salvation is will
interpret these words as a plan of salvation.
Many, many Masons who claim to be
Christians take issue with this interpretation
and flatly deny that Freemasonry has a plan
of salvation. What do the Grand Lodges say?
Consider these words from the monitor
distributed to Master Masons by the Grand
Lodge of South Carolina:

It was the single object of all the

ancient rites and mysteries practiced
in the very bosom of pagan darkness.
. .to teach the immortality of the soul.
This is still the great design of the third
degree of Masonry. This is the scope
and aim of its ritual. The Master
Mason represents man, when youth,
manhood, old age, and life itself have
passed away as fleeting shadows, yet
raised from the grave of iniquity, and
quickened into another and better
existence. By its legend and all its
ritual, it is implied that we have been
redeemed from the death of sin and
the sepulchre of pollution. . . .and the
conclusion we arrive at is, that youth,
properly directed, leads us to
honorable and virtuous maturity, and
that the life of man, regulated by
morality, faith, and justice, will be
rewarded at its closing hour by the
prospect of eternal bliss. . . The
important design of the degree is to
symbolize the great doctrines of the
resurrection of the body and the
immortality of the soul; and hence it
has been remarked by a learned writer
of our Order, that the Master Mason
represents a man saved from the
grave of iniquity, and raised to the
faith of salvation.
AHIMAN REZON OR BOOK OF
CONSTITUTIONS, pp. 141-2, 1965 ed.

By its legend and all its

ritual, it is implied that
we have been redeemed
from the death of sin . . .
These words are found in the monitors of
many states including Indiana, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, and the District of
Columbia, to name a few. All other Grand
Lodge monitors which do not contain this text
contain enough other material to prove that
they too teach salvation without Jesus.
Additionally, in virtually all monitors we have
examined, they actually have a prayer which
asks for salvation. Clearly the words of those
Masons who deny that Freemasonry has a
plan of salvation do not agree with the
interpretation of the teachings of ritual offered
by Grand Lodges. Since the Grand Lodges
are the acknowledged authorities of
Freemasonry, those individual Masons who
2

claim that Freemasonry has no plan of

salvation are making claims which many of
them know are untrue.

Resurrection, or reburial?
In Masonic ritual, Hiram Abiff is raised from a
dead level to a living perpendicular. Quite
a number of Masons have claimed that Hiram
Abiff was not resurrected from the grave near
Mt. Moriah, but rather his body was exhumed
and reburied in the temple. Why would they
make that claim? There are several reasons.
First, the ritual actually does state that Hiram
was to be reburied within the temple.
However, it does not happen in ritual. Hiram
was first buried in temple rubble. Then, his
body was moved and he was reburied on a
hill west of Mt. Moriah. He was raised to a
living perpendicular, or resurrected, from that
second grave. Hiram was physically reburied
in ritual, but the reburial preceded resurrection.
The portion of the ritual lecture which deals
with reburial in many states contains built-in
conflicts which make physical reburial within
the temple an impossible interpretation. The
purpose of these built-in conflicts is to indicate
that there is another, deeper, meaning within
ritual - yet to be discovered. If a man carefully
considers what is actually taught, he will know
that physical reburial is not a valid
interpretation. Some Grand Lodges have
placed explanations in their monitors to allow
the thinking Mason to know that physical
reburial is impossible, for one reason, or
another. Still, other Grand Lodges have
placed explanatory text in their monitors which
directly states that resurrection is the actual
teaching contained in the ritual. Examples of
each will be provided.
In the Nevada Master Mason ritual (may be
downloaded from our website) we find the
following:
They carried the body to the Temple and
buried it in due form, and Masonic tradition
informs us that a monument was erected to
his memory, on which was delineated a
beautiful Virgin weeping over a broken
column; before her lay a book, open; in her
right hand a sprig of acacia; in her left, an urn;
and behind her stood Time with his fingers
unfolding and counting the ringlets of her hair.
The broken column denotes the untimely
death of our Grand Master Hiram Abif; the
beautiful Virgin; weeping, denotes the Temple,
unfinished; the book open before her, that his
virtues there lie on perpetual record; the sprig
of acacia in her right hand, the timely discovery
of his body; the urn in her left, that his ashes

were there safely deposited to perpetuate

the remembrance of so distinguished a
character; . . .
NEVADA RITUAL , Master Mason,
p. 23 - left col, lines 1-18
Some time back, I worked with a Past Master
who firmly denied the resurrection of Hiram.
This glaring inconsistency - reburial and then
cremation - in the ritual was brought to his
attention. He remembered the words, having
heard them many times, but he had not
thought about what was actually said. When
he read and analyzed the ritual, he was forced
to admit that physical reburial did not make
sense. They would not have buried Hiram in
the temple, only to dig him back up and then
cremate the body. Later, he found documents
from his Lodge which clearly taught
resurrection. He turned out to be an honest
man in whom the Holy Spirit was working. He
is no longer a Mason.
The cremation - reburial conflict is apparent
in several monitors. There is a widely used
drawing of a weeping virgin leaning over a
broken column. Father Time is standing
behind her holding a scythe. She is holding a
small urn in her hand. The text describing it
states the following:
The weeping virgin denotes the unfinished
state of the Temple; the broken column, that
one of the principal supports of Masonry had
fallen in the death of our G. M. H. A.;. . . the
urn, that his ashes were safely deposited to
perpetuate the memory of so distinguished a
character;
KENTUCKY MONITOR, p.140, 19th ed.
Text found in AHIMAN REZON , OR BOOK OF
CONSTITUTIONS provided by the Grand Lodge
of South Carolina explains that reburial within
the temple could not have occurred, based
upon Jewish law:
The Mosaic law which related to defilement
by dead bodies, rendered it necessary that
none should be buried near sacred places,
nor even within the limits of cities, except in
the case of kings and very distinguished men.
The strictness of the religious code against
pollution would, however, forbid that even
these should be interred in the neighborhood
of a temple or sanctuary.
AHIMAN REZON, 1965, p. 152
Parallels between Hiram Abiff and Jesus
Christ are well developed in the monitor
published by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.
They want to make certain that the Master
Mason will realize that both Jesus Christ and
Hiram Abiff were killed, buried and
resurrected. They call attention to the

peculiar symbolism and what it must

suggest.
The small hill near Mount Moriah can be
clearly identified by the most convincing
analogies as being no other than Mount
Calvary. Thus Mount Calvary was a small hill;
it was situated west from the Temple, and near
Mount Moriah; it was on the direct road from
Jerusalem to Joppa, and is thus the very spot
where a weary brother, traveling on that road,
would find it convenient to sit down to rest and
refresh himself; it was outside of the gate of
the Temple, and lastly, there are several caves,
or clefts in the rocks, in the neighborhood, one
of which, it will be remembered, was,
subsequently to the time of this tradition, used
as the sepulchre of our Lord. The Master
Mason will readily perceive the peculiar
character of the symbolism which this
identification of the spot on which the
great truth of the resurrection was
unfolded in both systems, the Masonic and
the Christian, must suggest.
NEBRASKA MONITOR & CEREMONIES,
1962, p. 54.
Yet another Grand Lodge explains that the
temple is not physical in nature in the symbolic
teaching of the Master Mason Degree. That
being the case, physical reburial of his body
within that spiritual temple would be
impossible. They allude to a deeper meaning
within the allegory.
For instance, in the first two degrees, the
Lodge symbolizes the world, the place where
all workmen labor at useful vocations . . . But
in the Masters degree it represents the
Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies of King
Solomons Temple, which was itself a symbol
of Heaven, or the abode of Deity. It was there
that nothing earthly or unclean was allowed
to enter. . . But there is even a deeper
symbolism in the Masters lodge. The
allusion is not only to the sacred chamber of
Solomons physical temple, it alludes also
to the sacred chamber of that spiritual
temple we all are, or should be. . .
I NDIANA MONITOR & FREEMASONS GUIDE,
1993, p.155
Is it possible that the rituals of some Grand
Lodges teach resurrection, while others
actually do teach physical reburial? A number
of Grand Lodges have gone out of their way
to state that there are no significant
differences in the ritual portrayal of the Legend
of the Third Degree in any jurisdiction
anywhere in the world. Reburial, rather than
resurrection, would change the meaning of
ritual drastically. Consider the words found in
3

the monitor for Texas as one example:

The legend of the third degree has been
considered of so much importance that it has
been preserved in the symbolism of every
Masonic rite. It embodies the symbolic lesson
of life, death and immortality.
No matter what modifications or alterations
the general system may have suffered--no
matter how much the ingenuity or the
imagination of the founders of rites may have
perverted or corrupted other symbols,
abolishing the old, and substituting new ones-the legend of the Temple Builder has ever
been left untouched, to present itself in all the
integrity of its ancient mythical form.
MONITOR OF THE L ODGE , (Texas), 1982, p.78
There is another, more significant reason why
many Masons deny that the resurrection of
Hiram is the only valid interpretation of
Masonic ritual. For those Masons who want
to believe that they are Christians, the difficulty
is obvious. If they admit that they have been
meeting in secret to reenact the death, burial
and resurrection of Hiram Abiff, it will be
unlikely that other Christians will accept them
as a brother in Christ. If they themselves
understand the Gospel, the obvious mockery
of it would be a source of conflict in the minds
of any of them who are even nominal
Christians. Barring repentance, denial is a
necessity for these men. To acknowledge
resurrection as the teaching of ritual and then
remain involved in Freemasonry would mean
admitting, at least to themselves, that they are
not genuine Christians. Does being in denial
make them Christians in Gods sight?
Consider Matthew 7:21-23 and Matthew
28:18-20.

Hiram - the Masonic Savior?

The Grand Lodge of Kentucky provides
unmistakable evidence that Freemasonry
teaches, not only that there are many different
saviors for various peoples, but that Hiram
Abif is considered a savior for Freemasons.
The context is a discussion of various world
religions.
All believed in a future life, to be
attained by purification and trials; in a
state or successive states of reward
and punishment; and in a Mediator or
Redeemer, by whom the Evil Principle
was to be overcome and the Supreme
Deity reconciled to His creatures. The
belief was general that He was to be
born of a virgin and suffer a painful
death. The Hindus called him Krishna;
the Chinese, Kioun-tse; the Persians,
Sosiosch; the Chaldeans, Dhouvanai;

the Egyptians, Horus; Plato, Love; the

Scandinavians,
Balder;
the
Christians, Jesus; Masons, Hiram.
It is interesting that the small hill west
of Mount Moriah has been identified
as Golgotha, or Mount Calvary.
KENTUCKY MONITOR ,
pp. XIV-XV, 5th-15th editions.
Masonry teaches that Jesus is not unique.
Notice the parallel sentence structure: Hindus
- Krishna, . . Christians - Jesus, Masons Hiram. They clearly are teaching that Krishna
is a savior for Hindus, Jesus is a savior for
Christians and Hiram Abiff is a savior for
Masons. The teaching that Hiram is the
Masonic savior is found in more than a few
books distributed throughout the Masonic
system. Consider the words of Masonic
author, Lynn Perkins:
Therefore Masonry teaches that
redemption and salvation are both the
power and the responsibility of the
individual Mason. Saviors like Hiram
Abiff can and do show the way, but
men must always follow and
demonstrate, each for himself, his
power to save himself, to build his own
spiritual fabric in his own time and way.
Every man in essence is his own savior
and redeemer; for if he does not save
himself, he will not be saved. The
reader who succeeds in getting back
to the real teachings of the masters,
including Jesus of Nazareth, will find
unanimity of thinking on this matter.
THE MEANING OF MASONRY, p. 95

How will Masons

get into heaven?
A number of Masonic Grand Lodges have
distributed educational material to new
members which explains how they will gain
entry into heaven. The name Jesus Christ is
never mentioned. Consider these words
found in the monitors of Kansas, Wisconsin
and the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma:
Let all the energies of our minds and the
affections of our souls be employed in the
attainment of our Supreme Grand Masters
approbation, that when the hour of our
dissolution draws nigh and the cold winds of
death come sighing around us, and his chill
dew glistens on our foreheads, may we with
joy obey the summons of the Grand Warden
of Heaven and go from our labors here on
earth to everlasting refreshment in the
Paradise of God, where, by the benefit of a
pass, a pure life, and a firm reliance on Divine
Providence, we shall gain a ready admission

into the Celestial Lodge above, where the

Supreme Architect of the Universe presides,
where seated at the right hand of our Supreme
Grand master, he will be pleased to pronounce
us just and upright Masons.
MURROW MASONIC MONITOR AND CEREMONIES
(OKLAHOMA), 1997, p.90
Other Grand Lodge monitors contain similar
text which contains a phrase which may have
caused some Masons to mistakenly believe
that Freemasonry lifts up Jesus Christ as the
way to salvation. Notice the phrase - Lion of
the tribe of Judah - and how it is used.
With the trowel spread liberally the cement of
brotherly love; circumscribed by the
compasses, let us ponder well our words and
actions, and let all the energies of our minds
and the affections of our souls be employed
in the attainment of our Supreme Grand
Masters approbation. Then, when our
dissolution draws nigh, and the cold winds of
death come sighing around us, and his chill
dews already glisten upon our foreheads, with
joy shall we obey the summons of the grand
warden of Heaven and go from our labors on
earth to eternal refreshment in the paradise
of God, where, by the benefit of the pass of a
pure and blameless life and an unshaken
confidence in the merits of the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, shall we gain ready admission into
the celestial lodge where the Supreme
Architect of the Universe presides; there,
placed at His right hand, He will be pleased to
pronounce us just and upright Masons. Then,
my brethren . . all the soul shall experience
shall be perfect bliss, and all it shall express
shall be perfect praise. . .
THE OFFICIAL MONITOR (Illinois 62), pp. 77-78
THE OFFICIAL MONITOR is distributed by the
Grand Lodge of Illinois to Masons who are
Jews, Moslems, Hindus, men who have no
faith other than in a Supreme Being, as well
as men who claim to be Christians. How
would each of these groups of men interpret
this text? Notice that it clearly states that they
will gain entry into heaven. This teaching is
applied to all Masons, not just those who claim
to be Christians. Therefore, Jesus Christ
cannot be the common denominator. Notice
that they speak of the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, but they do not define the term in the
monitor. One who attempts to interpret the
text from a Christian paradigm would likely
equate the Lion of the tribe of Judah to Jesus
Christ. He would be misled by attempting to
interpret Freemasonry using a non-Masonic
paradigm. As will become clear, Freemasonry
embraces a different meaning of the phrase.
Consider the words found in a Grand Lodge
4

training manual produced to guide those who

would nurture new Master Masons in the ways
of Masonic light. The explanation includes
statements that there are other mediators
between God and man.
The lion, from the earliest times of recorded
history, has been a symbol of might and
royalty. It was placed on the standard of the
Tribe of Judah because it was the royal tribe
of the Hebrew Nation. The Kings of Judah
were, therefore, called the Lion of the Tribe of
Judah. This was one of the titles of King
Solomon. This is the literal meaning of the
term, but it also has a symbolic one. The
Jewish idea of the Messiah was that of a
mighty temporal king. He was designated the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, for it was from this
tribe that all rulers came. The expression does
not, of necessity, refer to Jesus of Nazareth,
though the Christian Mason may so interpret
the name if he desires. The Lion of the Tribe
of Judah also describes the Messiah of the
Jewish Mason or the mediator of some of
the ancient religions of the East whose
worshippers are Masons. Freedom of choice
as to the application of these symbols is one
of the reasons for the growth of Freemasonry
over the centuries.
F LORIDA MENTOR' S MANUAL p. 24
The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is currently
circulating a book by Oliver Day Street titled,
SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES. The stated
purpose for circulating the book is for
education and enlightenment. Circulation of
their copies are limited to Pennsylvania
Masons only. Quite a number of other Grand
Lodges, including some Canadian Grand
Lodges, also recommend the book to their
members. We have copies of the book which
were reprinted specifically for the Grand

. . . by the benefit of the pass

of a pure and blameless life
and an unshaken confidence in the merits of the
Lion of the tribe of Judah,
shall we gain ready
admission into the celestial
lodge where the Supreme
Architect of the Universe
presides; . . . He will be
pleased to pronounce usjust
and upright Masons.

Lodges of other states. Those special

reprints, in three separate volumes, are used
to educate new Masons as they progress
through the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft
and Master Mason degrees of the Blue Lodge.
A passage in the book closely parallels the
words found in the FLORIDA MENTOR S MANUAL .
Several statements are made concerning the
existence of multiple mediators between God
and man, as well as other redeemers:
The lion from most ancient times has been a
symbol of might or royalty. It was blazoned
upon the standard of the tribe of Judah,
because it was the royal tribe. The kings of
Judah were, therefore, each called Lion of the
Tribe of Judah, and such was one of the titles
of Solomon. Remembrance of this fact gives
appropriateness to an expression employed
at one point in our ceremonies which is
otherwise obscure, not to say absurd. Such
is the literal meaning of this phrase, but it also
has a symbolical one. The Jewish idea of a
Messiah was of a mighty temporal king. He
was also designated as the Lion of the Tribe
of Judah; in fact this title was regarded as
peculiarly belonging to him. This expression
does not, as many Masons suppose,
necessarily have a reference to Jesus of
Nazareth. The Christian Mason is privileged
so to interpret it, if he likes, but the Jew has
equal right to understand it as meaning his
Messiah. Indeed, every great religion of the
world has contained the conception in
some form of a Mediator between God and
man, a Redeemer who would raise
mankind from the death of this life and the
grave to an everlasting existence with God
hereafter. The Mason who is a devotee of
one of these religions, say, Buddhism,
Brahmanism or Mohammedanism, is
likewise entitled to construe this
expression as referring to his own
Mediator.
S YMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES,
pp. 154-155

The Jewish idea of a Messiah

was of a mighty temporal
king. He was also designated
as the Lion of the Tribe of
Judah; . . . This expression
does not, as many Masons
suppose, necessarily have a
reference to Jesus of
Nazareth.

Other books currently being circulated by the

Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and
recommended by other Grand Lodges contain
the teaching that there are various world
saviors. Masonic author George Steinmetz
explains exactly what the word savior means
within the Masonic paradigm. The text is
contained in a chapter titled, TH E M ESSIAH
CONCEPT :

The Masonic view of Jesus

We could infer the position which
Freemasonry takes with regard to Jesus
Christ, but the Grand Lodges use Masonic
literature to make that unnecessary. So that
Masons will not misunderstand, the Masonic
position on the Son of God has been
explained in no uncertain terms:

We may discover why brief but glorious

glimpses of what MAN MAY BE have been
vouchsafed by such saviors as Osiris, Krishna,
Jesus and Hiram.
Ibid, p. 158

Masonry is UNIVERSAL and recognizes no

CREEDS, taking truth wherever it is found.
That Jesus, the man, lived is conceded by
even a vast majority of non-Christian creeds,
the Jew acknowledges him to have been a
Great Teacher. Some Christian creeds declare
him to have been conceived by the Holy
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, others refuse
this dogma, attribute to him no supernatural
birth and claim he achieved Christ-hood.
Occult teaching largely agrees with this latter
thesis and points to him as a prototype of
the perfect man - the goal toward which the
ENTIRE HUMAN RACE is evolving. We are
here referring to the Master strictly in that
sense - one who has Mastered himself in the
fullest sense of the expression.
THE L OST W ORD I TS HIDDEN MEANING, p. 74

The reason that Freemasonry admonishes its

new members to imitate Hiram to get into
heaven is that it considers Hiram to be an
example showing the way to salvation.
Freemasonry teaches that each man is his
own savior; it does not embrace the Christian
teaching of substitutionary atonement.
Freemasonry teaches that Hiram and other
saviors save only themselves. By imitating
Hiram, following his example, Freemasonry
teaches that Masons may save themselves.

Obviously, the heretical teaching that Jesus

Christ is NOT the only mediator between God
and man (1 Timothy 2:5), that he is NOT the
only redeemer and savior (John 14:6), and
that the name of Jesus is NOT the only name
whereby men may be saved (Acts 4:12) is
current Masonic teaching. This heresy is not
limited to an outdated edition of the Kentucky
Monitor, as some Christian Masons have
tried to claim. It is widespread, mainstream,
Masonic teaching. All a Mason has to do to
uncover it is dig around in the lodge library.

There have been numerous prototypes of the

perfect man, forerunners of the perfected race
which is to come. In some way, for some
unexplainable reason, these prototypes came
to be looked upon as Saviors rather than
EXAMPLES.
THE L OST W ORD I TS HIDDEN MEANING, p. 124
It is of course true they are saviors in the
sense that they exemplify what man CAN BE
and what he is to BECOME, but they do not
so much save men as to point the way to
salvation.
Ibid, pp. 124-5

The resurrection of Hiram is also taught by

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania through the
use of THE LOST WORD ITS HIDDEN MEANING and
other Masonic books they circulate which
contain similar teachings. The Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania uses the book to draw a
parallel between Hiram and Jesus, just as
some other Grand Lodges do in their
monitors.
Hiram, like Jesus, is subjected to three
temptations which he withstands. He, like all
the other saviors, loses his life in the contest
between Right and the Principle of Evil. He
lies buried fifteen days in contrast to the three
days Jesus is said to have been in the tomb.
The manner of his resurrection is dramatically
different from all the others. Here, in fact, is a
more enlightening example of resurrection
than in any of the savior legends.
Ibid, p. 156
5

If you are a Mason who claims to be a

Christian, you have a simple choice to make:
1.

You can stand with the church

and defend the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.

2.

You can stand with the Lodge and

defend a false plan of salvation
which is based upon the imitation
ofHiram Abiff.

Your choice will determine where you spend

eternity.
Larry Kunk, Ephesians 5:11, Inc.

A PDF file which contains this

essay may be downloaded from
our website. Permission to
reprint is granted.

Masonic Books
on CDROM
Lodge libraries contains books which contain much
heresy. Normally, Masonic books are not readily
available to Christians who wish to examine the evidence
for themselves.
The following Masonic books are available from
Ephesians 5:11, Inc. on CDROM. These books are
written by Masons and distributed within the Masonic
system for the education and enlightenment of
Freemasons. These are the very same editions found
in Lodge libraries. Using the Adobe Reader (included)
they may be searched electronically for words or phrases.

CD # 1
MORALS AND DOGMA

CD # 3
SYMBOLISM OF

THE

THE BUILDERS
Joseph Fort Newton, a Mason who was a man of the cloth wrote
this work at the direct request of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. It is the
most popular Masonic book ever published. Chapter 4 is titled, The
Secret Doctrine. If they didnt have a Secret Doctrine, while would
the Grand Lodge of Iowa ask him to write about it?
300 pages

THE LOST K EYS OF M ASONRY

One of the classics by Masonic occultist Manly Palmer Hall. Halls
obituary in the Scottish Rite Journal describes him as Freemasonrys
Greatest Philosopher.
130 pages

MYSTIC M ASONRY
J.D. Bucks classic work. There are three chapters titled, The Secret
Doctrine. Buck explains that it is more important to become a Christ
than to believe that Jesus was Christ. The dark side of the craft is
explained in this book.
125 pages

This classic work by Albert Pike, the man who wrote the rituals for the
Scottish Rite, contains a chapter for each of the Scottish Rite degrees.
It was published by the Supreme Council 33rd Degree, Southern
Jurisdiction.
872 pages plus a 221 page index

MACKEYS ENCYCLOPEDIA - 2 Volume set

One of the classic Masonic Encyclopedias. Albert Mackeys works
are well respected within Masonic circles. This major work contains a
wealth of information about many different aspects of Freemasonry.
475 pages per volume

CD # 2
MANUAL

OF THE

CD # 1

$19

CD # 2

$19

CD # 3

$19

All three CDROMs

$39

Shipping

LODGE

This 1862 work by Albert Mackey is the basis for much of the text in
many of todays Masonic monitors. The Grand Lodge of South
Carolina publishes most of this work today as their monitor, AHIMAN
REZON . South Carolina removes the portions which deal with phallic
worship, sun worship, etc.
272 pages

THREE DEGREES

This 3 volume set has been reprinted for the Grand Lodges by the
Masonic Service Association. In this form, the volumes are given to a
man as he goes through the degrees. Oliver Day Street reveals that
Osiris, Krishna, Jesus and Hiram are ALL saviors. If this were not
mainstream Masonic teaching, why would the Grand Lodges distribute
these books?

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SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY

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This work by Mackey has long been considered one of the classic
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THE LOST W ORD I TS HIDDEN MEANING

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An easy to read book which is currently available from the leading
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