M. 0. — The skilful Fellow Craftsman who prepared it.

W. M. — Let me see it! I congratulate you on your
good fortune in being the bearer of this Kgv- stone, as it
entitles you to receive as your recompense the Secrets of
the Mark Master's Degree, with which I shall now proceed
to entrust you. You will therefore advance to me as a

Master Mason, now take another with your as

before, that is the fourth regular stej) in Freemasonry, and
it is in that position that the Secrets of this Degree are
communicated, they consist of a Pass Word given on your
entrance to the Lodge, a Pass Grip, by which you were
elevated by the W. M. after your 0. B., and a Sign, Token,
and a Word peculiar to this degree, but before further
explanation it is my duty to claim your attention while
the Eev. Chaplain reads a portion of the Holy Word.

Chaplain. — (Beads 2 Chron., chap, ii., verses 11 to 16.)

W. M. — The Pass Grip is given by in form of a

, which is called the S — G — in Masonry, or a L —

of L — , in allusion to the mechanical arrangement of
certain pieces of metal into a stone to enable operative
masons to raise great weights to certain heights without
encumbrance, whilst placing them on their x^roper basis.

The Pass Word is , and is said to have taken its rise

either in consequence of the Degree having been esta-
blished there by H. A. before he went to Jerusalem, or
from the Timbers of the Temple, prepared in the Forests
of Lebanon, being carried there in floats by Sea, as
Masonic tradition informs us that the shore at that place
was so steep it was impossible to ascent from the rafts
without assistance from above, which was rendered by
persons stationed there for the purpose, and by the S —
G — , which is called a L — of L — . The Signs peculiar
to this Degree are in number, viz. .

(Chants BeYelations, chap, iii., yer. 13.)

04 THE MARK MASTEr's DEGREE.

W. M.— Of these the first, as in the Fellow Crafts
Degree, is of a three-fold character — the first is called the

, and is given thus ; the second is called the

, and is given thus ; the third is called the ,

and is given thus , and refers to . This took its

rise when the sldlful F. C. witnessed the unworthy treat-
ment and rejection of his work, the Key-stone being
ordered to be heaved over amongst the rubbish, at which
he exclaimed — Alas! alas! my 1 — is 1 — ! The fourth

sign of is given by , the and , this is

the ancient mode of rendering thanks to the Grd. Overseer
of the Universe for favours received, but its use in this
Degree is referable to a circumstance which will be fully
explained in the Lecture. The Grip or Token is given by

in opposition, and alludes to the perfect adaptation

of each portion of the work joint to joint, and also to the
Mark of a Mark Master, the Triangle,

(Chants Ezekl., chap, xhv., ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.)

W. M. — The ancient word is , signifying , but

in most Lodges where the English language is spoken
are substituted ! Pass .

(S. D. conducts the Candidate to the J. W. and says)

S. D. — Bro. J. W., I present to you Bro. A. B. on his
Advancement to the Honble. Degree of Mark Master.

J. W. — I will thank Bro. A. B, to advance to me as a
Mark Master Mason, shewing the Sign and communica-
ting the Word.

(Candidate does so, J. W. rises and says)

J. W.— What is this?

Candidate, prompted by S. D. — The Pass Grip, leading
to and by which I was elevated to the Honble. Degree of
Mark Master.

J. W.— What is it called?

Cand. — The S — G — in Masonry, or a L — of L— .

THE MAEK MASTER's DEGREE. 65

J. Y/. — To what does it allude ?

Cand. — The mechanical arrangement of certain pieces
of metal into a stone to enable operative Masons to raise
great weights to certain heights with little encumbrance,
whilst fixing on their proper basis.

J. W. — What does it demand ?

Cand. — A Word.

J. W. — Give me that Word.

Cand. — (Gives it.)

J. W. — To what does it allude ?

Cand. — To the precip — nat — of the S — at that place
where persons were constantly stationed to assist.

J. W.— Pass .

(S. D. conducts him to the Sen. Warden, and presents
him as before.)

S. W. — I will thank Bro. A. B. to advance to me as a
Mark Master.

(At the fourth step S. W. says)

S. W\— What is that?

Cand., prompted by S. D., says — The Fourth regular
step in Freemasonry.

S. W. — Do you bring anything with you?

(S. D. instructs him to present his Mark at the Wicket.)

S. W.— What is that?

Cand.— The S— M— , or S— of S— , by which I, as
the Mark Masters of former times, hope to be found
worthy to receive the wages of a Mark Master.

S. W. — Do you bring anything else?

Cand. — I do (Cand. gives him first part of Sign).

S.W.— What is that?

(Cand. describes it.)

S. W. — Anything else?

(Cand. gives second part.)

S.W.— What is that?

F

66 THE MAEK MASTER's DEGEEE.

(Candidate describes it.)

S. W. — Anything else ?

(Cand. gives third part.)

S. W.— What is that?

(Cand. describes it.)

S. W.— To what does it allude?

S. D. — The ]3enalty of my 0. B., signifying, &c.

S. W. — Have you anything further ?

(Cand. gives h — or — .)

S. W.— What is that?

(Cand. describes it.)

S. W.— To what does it allude?

Cand. — To the manner in which unapproved work was
rejected in former times.

S. W. — Do you bring anything else ?

Cand. — I do.

(Cand. gives Sign of Th — .)

S. W. — To what does that allude?

Cand. — The ancient mode of rendering thanks to the
<jrand Overseer of the Universe for favours received.

S. W. — Have you anything to communicate ?

Cand. — I have.

(Cand. gives the Grip.) ^.

S. W.— What is this ?

Cand. — The Grip or Token of a Mark Master.

S. W.— To what does it allude?

Cand. — To the perfect adaptation of each portion of the
Building joint to joint, also to the Mark of a Mark Master,
the Tricmgle.

S. W. — What does it denote?

Cand. — A Word.

S. W. — Give me that Word freely and at length.

Cand. — (Gives it.)

S. W.— Pass .

THE MARK MASTER' S DEGREE. 67

(S. D. places Cand. at left of S. W.)

Chaplain. — Cliants, *' To liim that overcometh," &c.

S. W. — W. Master, I present to yon Bro. A. B., on his
Advancement to the Honble. Degree of Mark Master, for
some Mark of your favour.

W. M. — Bro. S. W., I delegate you to invest him with
the Badge and distinguishing Jewel of a Mark Master.

S. W. — Bro. A. B., by command of the Worshipful
Master, I invest you with the Badge and distinguishing
Jewel of a Mark Master, to Mark the further progress you
have made in the Sciences.

W. M. — I must add to the observation of my Bro. S.
Warden that the Jewel with which you have just been
invested is a model of the stone which the builder re-
jected, the Key-stone (a section of K. S.'s Temple), and
not only points out your rank as a Mark Master, but is

meant to remind you that as you , your words and

actions will be observed and recorded by the Grd. Over-
seer of the Universe, to whom you must give an account
of your conduct through life, and who will reward or
punish as we have obeyed or disregarded His divine com-
mands.

I now present you with the working tools of a Mark
Master, which are the Maul and Chisel, on which also
you were admitted to this Degree, their uses in the Elder
Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees you are familiar

with. In this Degree they are employed to the

Mark Master's approval on the Work as being fitted for
its ]place in the intended structure, but as we are not
operative but sx)eculative Masons we are by these Tools
reminded of the moral advantages of discipline and educa-
tion, and led to entertain a firm but humble hope that by
the correction of irregularities, and subjugation of our
passions, we may be hereafter found worthy of the Grd.

f2

68 THE MARK MASTER' S DEGREE.

Overseer of the Universe as fitted to form part of that
Spiritual edifice, that house not made with hands, eternal
in the Heavens. As in the course of the evening you will
be called upon for certain fees for your Advancement, it is
but fair you should know by what authority we act. This
is our Charter or Warrant of Constitution (opens and
shows it), &c., as in the other Degrees.

In conclusion allow me to congratulate you upon being
Advanced to this honorable Degree in Freemasonry; be
assured that while in the discharge of your respective
stations you continue to act in conformity with the sub-
lime precepts of the Craft, do justice, love, show mercy,
practise charity, maintain harmony, and endeavour to live
in Brotherly Love ; should other friends forsake you, should
envy traduce your good name, malice persecute you,
among Mark Masters you will ever find friends who will
administer relief to your distress and comfort in your
affliction, while as a consolation under all the favours of
fortune, and an an encouragement to ho^^e for better
prospects you will bear in mind that " The stone which
the builders rejected," possessing merits to them unknown,
became the Cliief Stone in the Corner !

-:o:-

LECTUEE.

At the building of King Solomon's Temple, and before
the institution of the Degrees of M. M. and P. M., there
were 80,000 operatives employed, part of whom were in the
Quarries at Zarodather, and part builders of the Temple,
besides these there was a levy of 70,000 in the Forests of
Lebanon. In order that each of these 150,000 workmen
might be known to his superior officer, every portion of

THE MARK MASTEE's DEGREE. 69

work was subjected to the nicest scrutiny, and each
Fellow Craft received with iDunctuality the reward of his
industry and skill ; this immense number was divided into
1100 Lodges of Fellow Crafts and Elder Apprentices, the
latter under the superintendence of the former, who
taught them the work, and over the whole presided 3300
Menatschims, Overseers or Mark Masters, three over each
Lodge. Each F. C. had a peculiar mark by which his
work was known to his immediate Overseers, and on the
other hand while the Overseers had but one mark in com-
mon with which they stamped the approval of a F. C.'s
work, they had others by which they noted the Juxta-
position of any two stones, thus without any difficulty was
each individual's work known and recognized, and its
proper place indicated ; the Master's Mark, the Triangle,
refers to G. G. G. and Grd. Overseer of the Universe, to
whom we must all submit, and ought most humbly to
adore ; these 3300 Overseers were again subdivided into
100 Lodges with 33 in each, over whom presided 300
Overseers also Mark Masters, these are now usually called
W. M., S. W., and J. W.; they were appointed by H.
Abiff himself, and on them devolved the responsibility of
paying the others their wages. When the F. C.'s and their
Overseers or Mark Masters went to receive their wages
they xDut in their hands in a different manner and at a
different wicket, so that if a F. C. presumed to put in
his hand at a Mark Master's Wicket he was immediately
detected as an imposter, and as a punishment the J. Ws.
stood ready within armed, to chop off his hand. This
constitutes a part of the penalty of a Mark Master, and
this, as well as the other, was an ancient penalty amongst
the Sidonians.

It was the duty of the Overseers to examine each stone,
not only as to its soundness by giving three blows with a

70 THE MARK MASTEK's DEGREE.

Maul upon it, and as to its finish by turning it over, but
also as to its being made in exact accord with the working
plans previous to its being passed to the Master Overseer,
whose duty it was to see that it was so ; if found perfect in
everyway, it received the Mark Master's Mark, and was
sent to the Temple, but if not, it was rejected. This was
effected by two or more F. Cs. taking it between them

thus , and after swaying it backwards and forwards it

was heaved over among the rubbish, a circumstance from
which one of the Signs called the Heaving Over Sign is
derived !, The other Signs, viz., — The Disconsolate, and
the Sign of Th — , are of early date, their use in this
Degree being ascribed to a circumstance which occurred
at the building of K. S.'s Temple. Every six working
days it was the custom of the Mark Masters to wait on
the acting Grand Master Hiram Abiff to receive the work-
ing plans, as well as the instructions for carrying on the
work, part of one of these plans a]Dpears to have been lost,
but an ingenious and intelligent F. C, either having seen
the perfect plan or forming a good opinion of it from the
nature of the work, perceived that a stone of very pecuhar
construction was wanting to complete the design, pro-
bably thinking to gain honor by displaying superior know-
ledge, he immediately commenced blocking out such a
stone, and after spending much time and labour, ultimately
finished it by putting his Mark upon it ; when the work-
ing plans were examined no place was found for this par-
ticular stone, and the F. C, instead of honor, received
angry words and reproaches for idling away his time.
The stone was ordered to be thrown aside, which was
accordingly effected by two F. Cs., well pleased with
the humiliation of their companion's vanity ; the sorrow-
ful F. G. seeing the unworthy treatment of his work
placed his hand to his oh — , and leaning his head upon it

THE MAEK MASTER's DEGREE. 71

in a disconsolate manner, exclaimed "Alas ! alas! my 1 —
is 1 — ;" this being Third or Disconsolate Sign.

The stone long lay hidden among the rubbish. At
length, however, the time drew near when the Key-stone,
to which the portion of the working plan above alluded to
referred, was required, search was made at the Temple,
but no such stone could be found, and on further exami-
nation it was discovered that no stone of the requisite
form and construction had been brought there. The
Overseers of that portion of the building immediately sent
to the Overseers of the Quarries, who had been entrusted
with the plans and orders for this portion of the work,
and received for answer that there was no plan for any
such stone amongst those entrusted to their care. The
work was at a standstill, and the reason was demanded
by and explained to H. Abiff, who not only recollected
drawing the plan and writing orders for that peculiar
stone, but also giving them himseK to the Mark Master,
the latter was repremanded for his carelessness in loosing
any portion of his plans, and on learning the nature of
the stone, it occurred to his recollection that one of a
similar description had b^en cut by one of his workmen.
He at once informed H. Abiff of this, adding that not
finding it on his working plan he had refused to Mark it,
and had caused it to be rejected; H. Abiff forthwith sent
for the F. C. who had cut the stone, and from his rephes
found that this must be the very stone required. Instant
and careful search was ordered to be made for it, and it
was at length found uninjured. To evince his approba-
tion of the skill and ability displayed by the ingenious F.
C, Hiram Abiff ordered that he should be forthwith
Advanced to the Honble. Degree of Mark Master, and
directed him to cut the Mark Master's Mark of approval
on the stone round his own, and outside of it eight letters,

72 THE MAEK MASTEE's DEGREE.

with respect to which there is some ambiguity, from the
fact of the tradition not having been retained in the
original language, but they are usually considered to re-
present

H. T. W. S. S. T. K. S.<

The stone was conveyed to the Temple with much
pomp and j)arade, and whilst it was being fixed in its
place the newly made Mark Master, in an ecstacy of joy,
clasped his hands together, and looking u]3wards ex-
claimed—

Th — be to G — I h — m — r — !

-:o: —

CLOSING.

W. M. — Brethren ! assist me to close this Mark Masters
Masons' Lodge. Bro. J. W., what is the constant care of
every Mark Master Mason?

J. W. — To see that the Lodge is properly Tyled.

W. M. — Direct that duty to be done.

J. W. — Bro. I. G., see that the Lodge is properly
Tyled.

(I. G. reports to J. W., and S. W. to W. M.)

W. M. — Bro. S. W., what is our next care?

S. W. — To see that every Bro. appears to order as a