Chapter 3
PART II.
Caird the MAJOR'S DEGREE.
Q- VIL/HAT are You ?
yy- A. A Mason.
Q. In what Degree ?
A. - The Major's.
Q. How came you to arrive at that Honour?
A. By Virtue of a Signet.
Q. How came you by that Signet ?
' A. By my good Behaviour, and also after a true
and just Examination.
Q. Where did you pass that Examination?
A. Ill a * secret Arbour, on the Banks of the Tij-
gris.
Q. Who examined you ?
A. The Man whose Name was Sabas.
Q. Have you then serv'd your time ?
A . And can ' the Ladder climb.
Q. Know you the Art full well?
^4. In that I do excell.
(I What is the Ait?
A. Tlie Art of Masonry; that is, cutting stone,
according to Geometry, by Means of S(|uare, Level,
and Plumb, and cementing them to each other ; and
also the Art of Examination, by which one Mason
may know another.
Q. What
• The Hecrot Arbour Ih a Kooin joining to the Lodge; and
the operative Free-IMasons, wlien tliey are employed in any great
Building, have a Shed near it, whicli they call tli(! Ardour; here
they keep their curious Tools, Utensils,' Ac. and likewiKe exa-
mine strange Brethren; here they also retire at Noon in sultry
"Wf'iither to refresh, and sometimes to infltruct each other.
( 17 )
Q. What did Sabas do with you ?
A. After he had examined lae, he led me round
the Tower, and then knocked at the Brazen Gate nine
Times.
Q. Why did he knock nine times ?
A. In Order that the Watchman of the Gate might
know that he liad been with me round the Tower,
which was nine IMiles.
Q. What was the 1 )iameter ?
A. Three Miles.
Q. How high was it ?
A. r,14r; Paces.
Q. Give me a farther Account of it,
^-1. The Passage that went to the Top was on the
Outside, and like a winding Stair-Case, of a very great
Breadth, ko that Camels and Carriages might go up
and down, and turn with lOase.
Q. How manj-^ men were employed in this Build-
ing ?
.4. r,uo,ouo.
Q. How many Years were thoy employed in this
Work ?
.4. r>y,.
(J. What was the Keason this Tower was built so
very extensive ?
A. To make them a great Nanie, and also to save
them from the second I)eluge.
Q. When Sabas had knocked, did the Gate open ?
A . Yes.
Q. Wlu) ^vas Sabas '/
A. Tlie eldest Brotlier of Br/as.
Q. Why was the eldest lirother set to examine
you ?
A. liecause he was Super-intendent and Examiner
extraordinary to Jiehta.
Q. What did Saha.^ do with you ?
A. He led me to Belus.
Q. What did Belu.^ say to you ?
.4. He asked me what 1 came there for.
(4. Wliat was your reply ?
A . \ told liim. tliat as T had served my Time du-
ly and truly, I lio]ied he would now employ me, and
give me Wages.
Q. What did he reply '!
A. He asked me for the Warrant, and I gave him
the Signet, and then he addressed me as follows :
" Will you oliey your Master. Superintendent,
" Wardens,
( 18 )
" Wardens, and Deacons of your Ijudge ? NVill yon
" submit to their Directions, and do your daily Task
" with Freedom, Chearfuhiess, and Sobriety ?
A. I will.
Q. Will you readily answer all lawful Signs and
Summons's given or sent you, and attend the Duties
of your Lodge, closely applying yourself to the Bu-
siness of Masonry ?
A. I will.
Q. Will you be behave like a true * Noachida?, and
instruct the younger Brethren, using all Endeavours
to increase Brother!}' Love ?
A. I will.
Q. Will you be cautious in your Woixls and Car-
riage, that the most penetrating Stranger may not
discover or find out what is not proper to be in-
timated, having always your Breast fortified against
all Attempts that may be made by the Artful and
I)esigning ?
A. I will endeavour so to be.
Q. If a Brother comes to f visit your Lodge, will
you prudently and cautiously examine him, (if or-
dered) that you may not be imposed on by an igno-
rant Pretender, and beware of giving him any Hints
of Knowledge ; but if he proves a true and faithful
Brother of a Regular Lodge, especially an Officer,
be sui'e you admit him ; otherwise you strike at the
veiy Foundation of Masonry, and in Time will de-
stroy our glorious Building of Friendship, by deny-
ing a true Brother that Freedom, which our Society
alone, so many Centuries has boasted of.
A. All this I will i-eadily and glady perform.
Q. Will you relieve your distressed Brethren, if it
is in your Power, or else direct them how they may
be relieved ? Will you employ them, or recommend
them to be employed, always preferring a poor Bro-
ther, that is a good Man and true, before any other
poor person whjitevei?
A. I will. Q. Give
• This was the first Name of Masons, according to some Tra-
flitions, and signifies one of Noitti's Race, who were all Masons
at the Buildiuf? of this Tower.
t Visitinfj Lodf^es is an ancient Practice, and M'a.s ahvaj's
thought necesBary, in order to ol)Berve the same Usages, and for
cultivating a good Understanding among Free -Masons; for
which Reason the eleventh General Regulation enjoins, that
some Members out of every Lodge, shall be deputed to visit
the other Lodges as often as shall be thought eonveiiient. See
lifink of f'oniitihitiovs.
I
( li* )
Q. Will you be a peaceable Subject, and conform
chearfully to the Government, under which you do
now, or may hereafter live ? Will you be a good
Parent, and a good Husband, loving your Wife as
yourself, being always cai'efnl that you defile not your
Neighbour's Wife, but more especially a Brother's
Wife, Sister, or Daughter?
A. To this I will chearfully conform,
Q. Finally, all these Laws you shall faithfully
keep and perform, to the utmost of your Power,
without any Equivocation, Mental Eesevvation, or
Self-Evasion of Mind : that all Mankind may see
the benign Influence of Masonry, and that the Praise
thereof may endure till the General Conflagation.
A. All these I will perform to the utmost of my
Power.
Q. What succeeded this?
A. After this I was instructed in the Nature of
Signs, Tokens, and Words.
Q. Can you give me the first Sign of a Mason ?
A. Yes*.
Q. Can yuu give me the Second ?
A. Yesf.
Q. Chu you give me the first Token ?
A. Yes;.
Q. Can you give me the Second ?
A . Yes**.
Q. Give
* Here he gives the Sign, by pointing the Fore-Finger of his
Right-Hancl to his Mouth, which is an Emblem of Silence.
t Here he gives the Second, bj' drawing liis Hand across
Viis Mouth, and is much like tlie former, and likewise signifies
Silence or Secrecy: But some other Traditions athrm, that this
is of a later Date than Buhel^ and that it took its Eise fi-om the
Story of Sampson, Judf/ex xv. who, after he had slain a Thou-
sand with the Jaw-Bone of an Ass, he was sore athirst, and he
jjraytd, and l)ehold a Spring jiroceeded from a Rock called the
Jaw, by Reason of this E.vjjhiit, the Masons, after this, fre-
quently used this Method of asking a Brother to drink, by draw-
ing their Hand across their Month or IJnder-Jaw. This Victory
over the Phi/istiiifs happened before Sampson had revealed the
great f-'ecret wtierein his strength lay, to his Mistress ; for which
Reason, this will be always celebrated by the Masons.
!| This Token is given by shaking Hands, and at the wime
Time, pressing the Fore Finger hard into the Palm of the other's
Hand.
* • This Token is likewise given by shaking Hands, and at
the same Time, placing tVie Fore-Finger on one Side the other's
Wrist, and the Middle-Finger of the other. The AntiyallicauM
frequently make Use of this Method of shaking Hands, having
stoleji other Ceremoiiic.", as well as this, from the Masons.
The
( 20 )
Q. Give me the fii-st Word ?
A. iEUREKA.
Q. Give me the Second ?
A. ^PHILADELPHIA.
Q. Of what Use ai-e Signs, Tokens, and Words ?
A. To make ourselves known to each other, where-
soever dispersed over the Face of the Earth and Sea ;
so that we may be admitted into all Lodges, and, if
in Distress, find Relief.
Q. What did Belus present you with after this ?
A. He presented me Avith the Square, Level, Plumb
Rule, and Compass.
Q. What are their Uses ?
A . That we may work both regular and true,
And Virtue's Paths most ardently pursue ;
For by these Tools we learn Morality,
As well as learn the Art of Masonry.
Q. How.
The Masons Faculty, and ancient universal Practice of con-
versing and knowing each other at a Distance, hy Signs, &c.
is supposed to be greatly lost, by Reason there is so very little
remaining; but however trifling the Remains, a Mason is oliliged
to answer all lawful Signs; therefore, if he be at work on the
Top of a Building, he is obliged to come down and answer, if
such a Sign be given.
t EuHEKA, which signifies Truth, or Fidelity, is very pro-
perlj' used by the Masons, as a Tessera, or Watch-Word, to
distinguish those they stile True and Faithful; and is often oc-
curring amongst them, reminds them of that Secrecy they under-
take to observe, and which to do them Justice, they have so
religiousl}' observed, even to a Proverb.
§ PrntADELPurA, or Brotherly Love. This their second Word
must likewise be allowed no less judiciously chosen, and doiiht-
less has inspired and given Rise to many generous Acts of Esteem
and Benevolence among them ; therefore, as I have now spread
their Vioasted Mystery to public View, I hope their Brotherly
Love will l)ecome universal, which, to use their own Phrase,
ought to lie the Wish of all True and Faithful.
T have heard it objected Iw many critical Brethren, That as
Brlus did not perfect the System of Free-Masonry, or deliver out
his Signs, Tokens, and Words, till after the Confusion of Tongues,
it must, of Consequence, follow, that the Words now in TJse are
at least uncertain, as to their Authenticity; but such Cavillers
would do well to consider that though indeed the Diversity of
Language, then intended as an immediate Punishment of their
T'reK>nnption might prevent Part of that Assembly from their
immediate gaining them ; yet the Art of attaining different Lan-
guagi'S, which Necessity soon set them in Pursuit of, brought also
the Knowledge of the true Sense of those Words -with it; for it
is absurd to suppose they have the Words themselves, as literally
delivered by lichis ; the meaning of them is sufficient for their
Piiri)f)se; and, without Doubt, oral Tradition has done that for
tlieiii, since all foreign Lodges agree in the exact Meaning of the
Words, though not in the absolute literal Bxpression.
( 21 )
Q, How many make a Regular Lodge ?
A. Six*, because the first Lodge was composed of
six Masons only.
Q. Who were the Six ?
A. Belus, Sabas, Evilos, Sahathes, Sabactus, and
Ramus.
Q. Who was their Father?
A. Chiis, the eldest Son of Iltwi, the youngest Son
of N^oah.
Q. What form was the Lodge ?
.4. A Circle.
Q. Why 60 ?
A. Because the Foundation of the Tower was a
Circle
Q. In what Form did the Brethren stand ?
A. They stood circular, Beliis, the Master, and
Sabas, the Superintendent, stood diametrically op-
posite ; Evilas and Sabathes, the two Wardens, and
Sabactus and lianms, the two Deacons, stood oppo-
site likewise.
Q. Can a Mason be made without these Officers
being present ?
A. No ; the Officers must be present, or else the
Lodge is not regular ; and every Officer takes his
Name according to the Seniority of his Office. The
Master of a Lodge is always called Belus the Super-
intendent Sabas, and so on.
Q. How came Belus, who was the youngest Bro-
ther of the Six, to become their Master ?
A. Because he was an active, enterprizing Man,
and was the fir.'^t i)criion who proposed the Building
of the Tower: He was likewise the original Projector
of forming Men into t Society, for which he will be
always celebrated by the Masons, which is the most
ancient Society on Earth.
Ex.
* Though Six are a suflRcient Number to make a Lodge ; yet
in Fact it is not regular, without being forni'd by the Grand
Master's Warrant; and the Eegular Lodges are not to counte-
nance them, till they make due Submission, and obtain Grace.
t The Society of Bucks or Burchusses, call Ximrod their illus-
triouB Founder on this Account; but if they l)ear the Antiquity
they claim, 'tis strange they were never heard of till within these
few Years; but it is said b\' the Masons, that a certain Brother,
despairing of ever making a shining Figure in the Craft, went
and form'd a new Society, and call'd them Bucks, into which he
Introduced many of the M.isons Laws and Ceremonies, but not
a Word of their extraordinary Assi/rftni Manuscript.
( ^2 )
Ex, If tbou to BabeVs Tow'r hast been,
And hast our first Grand Master seen,
Of that same Tow'r thou hadst the Phin,
From that renown'd and mighty Man.
A . The Plan of Babel's Tow'r I have,
Wliich last of all great Behts gave.
Ex. Welcome loving faithful Brother,
Thou well hast answer'd all :
If we keep true to one another,
The Craft will never fall.
7'Ite End of the Second Part.
aV.j5. When a Masuu is admitted into this Degree,
a Tower is raised in the Lodge-Eoom, about eight
Feet high ; and, in some of the Grand Lodges, it
is really a very curious Piece of Workmanship ; it
is made of Wood, and, though in many Pieces,
can be raised in about two Hours ; the Joints being
made to fit with great Ease, and such Exactness
that they are scarcely perceptible. A Plan of this
Tower is likewise eriven him at the same Time.
THE
T H !•:
OFFICERS PART;
(J i; ,
Ceremony of Installment
Q. W/IIAT is your Niiiiie ?
^^ .1. [Here lie nientious his Name aecortl-
ing ti) his Office.]
Q. What is your Office?
A. [Here he mentions his Office.]
Q. Wliat 'J'ouls bt'long to tlie Officers'?
A. Jielit.", the Master, wears the Compass, pen-
dent, in a white Kihl)on, round his Neck : Sabas, the
Superintendent, wears the Square ; Kvilm and Sa-
bat/ies, the two Wardens, wear the Level and Plumb-
Rule, and Sobactas and Ramas, u twenty-four Inch-
Rule, in eacli of their Hands.
Q. Where was you installed?
A. In the ( )l>servatoiy*.
Q. How high was that?
.1 ( >ii the Top of the Tower.
0. How got you there?
.1 . J 'y a winding Ascent.
Q. Who did you see when you came to the Door?
A. Three 3Ien with drawn Swords.
Q. What did tliey deuiand of you?
A . One (h'manded two Signs, another demanded
two Tokens, and the Third demanded two Words.
Q. AVhat was the reason of that?
A. To let them know I was qualified for an Office.
Q. Did that gain you .Admittance?
A . Yes.
Q. In
* 111 this (Jbservatory the Plan of Free Masonry was laid by
RpIiix only, and then lie instructed his Officers in the Art, after
wliicli }h! assemliled a j^eneral Iii)d<,a*, and there with the Assist-
ance of the Officers he coiivey'd the Method of conversing by
Si$>;nR, Tokens, &c. to the whole Assembly.
( 24 )
Q. In Avhat niaunei* was you installed ?
A. J first passed the Minor's Examination, and
then the Major's ; after which I was installed in pro-
per Form.
Q. How was that ?
A. Bdus informed me the Brethen had unani-
mously agreed to choose me into that Office, and then
he invested me with a Badge of the same.
Q. What was that Badge ?
^4. [Here he names the Tool, which he wore in a
white Ribbon.]
Q Have the Officers a secret Word ?
.4. Ye.s.
Q. How did you receive it ?
A. On my two Knees he order'd me to kneel,
Before he could the secret Word reveal ;
A Word to all but Officers unknown.
Because we give it when we are alone ;
The word is BEL US, be it known to thee,
'Twas that great Man gave Birth to Masonry.
N.B. As it may be difficnilt for me to j^ersuade the
Reader to believe what I have written here to be
Fact, I think I am under an obligation to give him
some Instruction, whereby he may, if he pleases,
have an opportunity of proving the whole of this,
or any Part thereof, to be so : And first let him
go to any Lodge he thinks proper, and go boldly
up to the Door, and give the Man who stands to
guard the Lodge the first Sign of a Mason, and
tell him he wants Admittance, and be sure to say
he belongs to some Lodge in the Country ; then
the Man will ask him his Name, which he must
tell hi in, and then, he informs the Master that
such a Brother desires to visit -the Lodge ; upon
this the Master, or another OflK^r, will come out
to examine him ; and if he can pass an Examina-
tion, he need not doubt gaining Admittance. The
Publication of this Pamjdilet may possibly put the
Masons more upon their Guard, therefore it is
highly necessary, that the Person who would do
this, should be very i)erfect, and quite undaunted.
h