The ruffians being executed, the brethren all return quietly to the Lodge, when one of them reports, in a loud tone of voice:
“Most Worshipful King Solomon, your orders have been duly executed upon the three murderers of Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.”1
K. S.–You twelve Fellow Crafts will go in search of the body, and, if found, observe whether the Master’s word, or a key to it, or any thing that appertains to the Master’s Degree, is on or about it.
The brethren representing the twelve repentant conspirators now walk out near the spot where the candidate is lying, and, when close to him, one of the party says:
“Well, brothers, can we find where the acacia was pulled up?”
Approaching the candidate, another replies:
“Yes, this is the place; let us remove the rubbish and dig down here.”
A third, lifting up the canvas, says:
“Yes, here is the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, in a mangled and putrid state. Let us go and report. But what were our orders? We were ordered to observe whether the Master’s word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master’s Degree, was on or about the body; but, brothers, we are only Fellow Crafts, and know nothing about the Master’s word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master’s
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[paragraph continues] Degree; we must, however, make an examination, or we will be put to death.”
They then commence to search about the candidate, lifting off the canvas, feeling about his neck, &c., &c.: finally, one of the brethren, taking hold of the jewel which is attached to the yoke about the candidate’s neck, exclaims:
“This is the jewel of his office.”
Another says:
“Let us go and report that we find nothing on or about the body excepting the jewel of his office.”
One of the brothers now takes off the jewel from the candidate’s neck, and all repair to the Master’s seat in the east, and report:
“Tidings of the body.”
K. S.–Where was it found?
Answer–A westerly course, where our weary brother sat down to rest and refresh himself.
K. S.–Was the Master’s word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master’s Degree, on or about it?1
Answer–Most Worshipful King Solomon, we are but Fellow Crafts; we therefore know nothing about the Master’s word or the Master’s Degree. There was nothing found on or about the body excepting the jewel of his office, by which his body was discovered.
They present the jewel to the Master, who, on examination of it, says:
“This is the jewel of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; there can be no longer any doubt as to the identity of the body.”
K. S.–You twelve Fellow Crafts will now go and assist in raising the body.
Turning in his seat toward the Treasurer’s desk, he says to the Treasurer:
“My worthy brother of Tyre, as the Master’s word is now lost, 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 generations shall find out the right.”
Treasurer–Agreed.
All now form in a circle around the body, the Master and
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[paragraph continues] Wardens at the head, when the Master makes the sign of “distress” of a Master Mason, which is done by raising both hands and arms above the head. (See grand hailing sign of distress, Fig. 7, p. 18.) As the Master makes this sign, he says:
“O Lord my God, I fear the Master’s word is forever lost!”
I would remark here, that in some Lodges the Master does not make the sign of distress first at the body, but only gives the sign of a Master Mason, which is done by drawing the right hand across the body, with the thumb inward. (See sign of a Master Mason, Fig. 6, p. 18.) After the sign is made, the whole party commence marching around the body with the sun, singing the following dirge; and, if the Lodge has an organ or melodeon, it is played on this occasion, in a very solemn and impressive manner.
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
