Part 23 (1/2)

Q. Give me the history of this degree. A. After the body of Hiram Abiff had been found, Solomon, pleased with having an opportunity of paying a tribute of respect to the memory of so great and good a man, ordered the n.o.ble Adoniram, his Grand Inspector, to make the suitable arrangements for his interment; the brethren were ordered to attend with white ap.r.o.ns and gloves, and he forbade that the marks of blood which had been spilled in the temple, should be effaced until the a.s.sa.s.sins had been punished. In the meantime, Adoniram furnished a plan for a superb tomb and obelisk of white and black marble, which were finished in nine days. The tomb was entered by pa.s.sing between two pillars, supporting a square stone surrounded by three circles; on the stone was engraved the letter J. On the tomb, was a device representing a virgin, etc. (as in third degree). The heart of Hiram Abiff was enclosed in a golden urn, which was pierced with a sword to denote the desire of the brethren to punish the a.s.sa.s.sins. A triangular stone was affixed to the side of the urn, and on it were the letters J. M. B., surrounded by a wreath of ca.s.sia. This urn was placed on the top of the obelisk which was erected on the tomb. Three days after the interment, Solomon repaired with his court to the temple, and all the brethren being arranged as at the funeral, he directed his prayer to heaven, examined the tomb and the inscription on the urn: struck with admiration, he raised his hands and eyes to heaven, and said in the joy of his heart, ”It is accomplished and complete.”

Q. Where was this monument situated? A. Near the west end of the temple.

Q. What is meant by the letter J. on the square stone? A. Jeva. The ineffable name as known by us.

Q. What is meant by the letters J. M. B. on the triangular stone? A.

They are the initials of the three Hebrew words, Jos.h.a.gn, Mawkoms, Bawheer--signifying ”the elect sleeps in his place.”

Q. What is signified by the pyramids in the Lodge? A. Pyramids were used by our Egyptian brethren, for Masonic purposes. Being built on rocks, they shadow forth the durability of Masonry. Their bases were four-cornered, their external surfaces equilateral triangles, pointing to the four cardinal points. The pyramidical form is also intended to remind us of our mortality. Its broad base represents the commencement, and its termination in a point, the end of human life.

CLOSING.--Master strikes two.--Marshal rises. Master says, ”The last as well as the first care,” etc., as in opening.

INTIMATE SECRETARY.

OPENING.--Most Ill.u.s.trious Master knocks nine.--Marshal rises.

Master says, ”Are we all Intimate Secretaries?” Answer--We are, Most Ill.u.s.trious.

Q. Your place? A. In the anti-chamber at the head of the guards.

Q. Your business there? A. To see that the hall of audience is duly guarded.

Q. How are we guarded? A. By Perfect Masters.

The Most Ill.u.s.trious says, ”I appoint Brother ----, Lieutenant of the Guards, to aid you in the execution of your duty. Repair to your station and see that none approach without permission.” The guards then fall on their right knees, cross their hands in such a manner that their thumbs touch their temples, and repeat in a low voice, Jeva (p.r.o.n. Je-vau), thrice, and then retire. Solomon then strikes twice nine, upon which Hiram rises; they make signs of former degrees with twenty signs of this degree. Most Ill.u.s.trious strikes three times nine and declares Lodge open. A triple triangle is placed on a Bible.

LECTURE.--Question--Are you an intimate Secretary? Answer--I am.

Q. How were you received? A. By curiosity.

Q. Explain that. A. Being placed among the guards in the anti-chamber, a brother, representing the King of Tyre, hastily made his way through the guards, with a countenance expressive of anger, and entered the hall of audience, leaving the door partly open; curiosity led me to the door to observe what pa.s.sed within.

Q. Was you perceived by them? A. I was. Hiram, King of Tyre, hearing the noise I made, suddenly turned his head and discovered me. He exclaimed to Solomon, ”My brother, there is a listener.” Solomon replied, ”It is impossible, since the guards are without.”

Q. What followed? A. Hiram, without replying, rushed to the door, and dragging me into the Lodge, exclaimed, ”Here he is.” Solomon inquired, ”What shall we do with him?” Hiram laid his hand on his sword, and answered, ”Let him be delivered into the custody of the guards, that we may determine what punishment we shall inflict upon him, for this offence.” Solomon then struck on the table which stood before him, whereupon the guards entered, and saluting the Lodge, received this order from him: ”Take this prisoner, secure him, and let him be forthcoming when called for.”

Q. Were those Guards Intimate Secretaries or Perfect Masters? A. Of that I was then ignorant, but I am now convinced that I was the first that was made an Intimate Secretary.

Q. What followed? A. I was conducted out of the hall of audience, and detained in the custody of the guards, until a second alarm from within caused them to return with me into the hall; when, the guards taking their seats around me, I was thus addressed by Solomon: ”I have, by my entreaties, prevailed upon my worthy ally, Hiram, King of Tyre, whom your vain curiosity had offended, to pardon you, and receive you into favor, etc.; are you willing to take an obligation to that effect?” which question I answered in the affirmative, and then received at the altar the obligation of this degree.

Q. Repeat the obligation (same as Perfect Master). A. Under penalty of having my body quartered. So help me, etc.

Q. What did the Master then communicate to you? A. He addressed me thus: ”My brother, I receive you an Intimate Secretary, on your having promised to be faithful,” etc., and then gave me the signs, words, and tokens of this degree.

Q. Give me the signs? A. The first alludes to the penalty made by clenching the right hand, and drawing it from the left shoulder to the right hip. The second is the one made at opening by guards.

Q. Give me the token? A. Made by joining right hands, and turning them downwards thrice, saying, the first time, Berith--the second time, Nedir--and the third time, Shelemoth.