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THE MASONIC MANUAL
A pocket Companion for the Initiated
Compiled and arranged
by Robert Macoy
Revised Editon 1867
VI.
Page 85
THE CHAPTER DEGREES.
MARK MASTER.
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THIS degree of Masonry was not less useful
in its original institution, nor are its effects less beneficial to
mankind, than those which precede it. By the influence of this degree,
each operative Mason, at the erection of the Temple of Solomon, was known
and distinguished by the Senior Warden. By its effects the disorder and
confusion, that might otherwise have attended
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so immense an undertaking was completely
prevented; and not only the craftsmen themselves, who were eighty thousand
in number, but every part of their workmanship, was discriminated with the
greatest nicety, and the utmost facility. If defects were found in the
work, by the help of this degree, the Overseers were enabled, without
difficulty, to ascertain who was the faulty workman; so that its
deficiencies might be remedied without injuring the credit, or diminishing
the reward of the industrious and faithful of the craft.
CHARGE AT OPENING.*)
"Wherefore, brethren, lay
aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies and all evil
speakings. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious; to whom
coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of
GOD, and precious; ye also, as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to GOD.
"Brethren, this is the will of GOD, that,
with well doing, ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free,
and not as using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness; but as the
servants of GOD. Honor all men; love the brotherhood; fear GOD."
*) A more appropriate lesson for the opening ceremonies of this degree may
be found in Isaiah xxviii. 16,17,18.
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SECTION I.
This section explains the manner of opening
the lodge. It also teaches the stations *) and duties of the officers, and
the preparation and introduction of candidates
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*) A Mark Master's Lodge, when fully organized for work, consists on the
members of the Chapter to which it is attached, and the following
officers, viz: R. W. Master, in the East; Senior Warden, in the, West;
Junior Warden, in the South: Treasurer on the right, and Secretary, on the
left, near the chair; Marshal, or Master of Ceremonies on
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In this section is exemplified the
regularity and good order that was observed by the craftsmen on Mount
Libanus, and in the plains and quarries of Zeredatha, and ends with a
beautiful display of the manner in which one of the principal events
originated, which characterizes this degree.
* * * * * * * *
SECTION II.
Illustrates the foundation
and history of the degree, and impresses upon the mind of the candidate,
in a striking manner, the Importance of a strict observance of his
obligation to be ever ready to stretch forth his hand for the relief of
indigent and worthy brethren. The number of workmen employed in building
the Temple of Solomon, and the privileges they enjoyed, are specified; the
mode of rewarding
the left, in front of the Secretary, Senior Deacon, on the right, in front
of the Treasurer; Junior Deacon, at the right of the Senior Warden Master
Oveseer, at the East Gate; Senior Overseer at the West Gate Junior
Overseer, at the South Gate; Stewards on the right and left of the Junior
Warden; Chaplain, in the East, on tie left of the Master.
The officers of Chapters take rank in Mark Master's Lodges as follows, viz:
the High Priest, as R. W. Master; King, as Senior Warden; Scribe, as
Junior Warden; Captain of the Host, as Marshal, or Master of Ceremonies;
Principal Sojourner, as Senior Deacon; Roal Arch Captain as Junior Deacon;
Master of the Third Veil, as Master Overseer; Master of the Second Veil,
as Senior Overseer; Master of the First Veil, as Junior Overseer. The
Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Stewards, and Tyler, a officers of
corresponding rank.
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merit, and of punishing the guilty, are
pointed out: and the marks of distinction, which were conferred on our
ancient brethren, as the rewards of excellence, are named.
* * * * * * * *
The following passages of Scripture are
introduced and explained.
The stone which the builders refused, is
become the head stone of the corner. - PSALMS cxviii. 22.
Did ye never read in the scriptures, The
stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the
corner? - - MATT. xxi. 42.
And have ye not read this scripture, The
stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner? - -
MARK xii. 10.
What is this then that is written, The
stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the
corner? LUKE xx. 17.
This is the stone which was set at naught
of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. - - Acts iv. 11.
* * * * * *
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.
- - R.EV. iii. 13.
To him that overcometh will I give to eat
of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a
new name written, which no man knoweth saving he hat receiveth it. - -
REV. ii. 17
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And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as
much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to
Joppa, and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem. - - II CHRON. ii. 16.
* * * * * * * *
Then he brought me back the way of the gate
of the outward sanctuary, which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.
And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, MARK WELL, and behold with thine
eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the
ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark
well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the
sanctuary. - - EZEKIEL xliv. 1-5.
* * * * * * * *
The working tools of a Mark Master
are the chisel and mallet.
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THE CHISEL
Morally demonstrates the
advantages of discipline and education. The mind, like the diamond in its
original state, is rude and unpolished; but as the effect of the chisel on
the external coat soon presents to view the latent beauties of the
diamond, so education discovers the latent virtues of the mind, and draws
them forth to range the large field of master and space, to display the
summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and to man.
THE MALLET
Morally teaches to correct irregularities,
and reduce man to a proper level; so that, by quiet deportment, he may, in
the shhool of discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the
workman enlightened reason is to the passions: it curbs ambition; it
depresses envy; it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions;
whence arises among good masons that comely order,
"Which nothing earthly gives, or can
destroy, The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy"
THE FOLLOWING SONG MAY BE SUNG.
Music - " God save great Waslington."
MARK MASTERS all appear,
Before the Chief O'erseer, In concert move:
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Let him your work inspect,
For the Chief Architect;
If there be no defect,
He will approve.You who have
passed the square,
For your rewards prepare,
Join heart and hand;
Each with his mark in view,
March with the just and true;
Wages to you are due,
At your command.
HIRAM, the widow's son,
Sent unto Solomon
Our great key-sone; |
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On it appears the name
Which raises high the fame
Of all to whom the same
Is truly known.Now to the
westward move,
Where, full of strength and love,
HIRAM doth stand;
But if impostors are
Mix'd with the worthy there,
Caution them to beware
Of the right hand. |
* * * * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING PARABLE IS
RECITED.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire
laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a
penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the
third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said
unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right I will
give you. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth
and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour, he went out
and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all
the day idle. They say unto him, Because no man bath hired us. He saith
unto them, Go ye also into the
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vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that
shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith
unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning
from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the
eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came,
they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise
received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured
against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one
hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden
and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said
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Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou
agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give
unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I
will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall
be first, and the first last: for man be clled, but few ehosen. - MATT.
xx. 1-16.
* * * * * * * *
Now to the praise of those
Who triumph'd o'er the foes
Of mason's art;
To the praiseworthy three,
Who founded this degree;
May all their virtues be
Deep in our hearts. |
CHARGE TO THE CANDIDATE.
BROTHER: - I congratulate you on having
been thought worthy of being promoted to this honorable degree of Masonry.
Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be
commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive as you
advance in Masonry.
The situation to which you are now
promoted, will draw upon you not only the scrutinizing eyes of the world
at large, but those also of your brethren, on whom this degree of Masonry
has not been
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conferred; all will be justified in
expecting your conduct and behavior to be such as may with safety be
imitated.
In the honorable character of Mark Master
Mason, it is more particularly your duty to endeavor to let your conduct
in the lodge, and among your brethren, be such as may stand the test of
the Grand Overseer's square, that you may not, like the unfinished and
imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be
rejected and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building, that
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
While such is your conduct, should
misfortunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce
your good name, and malice persecute you; yet may you have confidence,
that among Mark Master Masons you will have friends who will administer
relief to your distresses, and comfort in your afflictions; ever bearing
in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an
encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the
builders rejected, (possessing merits to them unknown) became the
chief stone of the corner.
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