Grand Master Architects
Opening.—Most Potent knocks one (Grand Marshal rises). “Are we all,” etc. Your place? etc. Your duty? A. To see that the Chapter is duly guarded. “Attend,” etc. Most Potent knocks two.—Warden rises. Most Potent says, “What is the hour?” A. A star indicates the first instant, the first hour, and the first day, in which the Grand Architect commenced the creation of the universe. Most Potent knocks one and two.—Companions rise. Most Potent says, “Companions, it is the first instant, the first hour, the first day, the first year, when Solomon commenced the temple; the first day, the first hour, the first instant for opening this Chapter. It is time to commence our labors. Give notice,” etc. Signs. Most Potent knocks one and two, Senior Warden one and two, Companions one and two, and Most Potent declares Chapter open, etc.
Lecture.—Question—Are you a Grand Master Architect? Answer—I know the use of every mathematical instrument.
Q. What are they? A. A square, a single compass, a compass with four points, a rule, a line, a compass of perfection, a quadrant, a level and plumb.
Q. Where were you received? A. In a white place, painted with flames.
Q. What does that signify? A. That purity of heart and that zeal which should characterize every Grand Master Architect.
Q. How were you admitted? A. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies to the door of the Chapter, where he gave one and two distinct knocks.
Q. How were those knocks answered? A. One and two from within.
Q. What followed? A. I was asked, “Who comes there?”
Q. Your answer? A. An Illustrious Knight who wishes to receive the degree of Grand Architect.
Q. What then followed? A. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies to the west, and thus addressed: “It has become necessary to form a school of Architecture for the instruction of the brethren employed in the temple, as none but skilful Architects can bring the same to perfection. In order to prevent some brethren from receiving the honors and rewards due only to brethren of talents, we have deemed it expedient to prove and test all those who present themselves as candidates for this degree. We, therefore, require you to make the tour of the temple, for the purpose of examining the work, and to produce a plan drawn with exactness which you must present for inspection, that we may judge whether you are entitled to this degree.”
Q. What followed? A. I was conducted through the anti-chamber and ’round the Lodge, when the Master of Ceremonies again stationed me in the west, and where I drew a plan according to my direction. When the same was finished, the Master of Ceremonies informed the Most Potent that I had obeyed his directions. Most Potent inquired, “My brother, what are the fruits of your travels?”
Q. Your answer? A. “Most Potent, I have brought a plan of the works of the temple, which I am ready to present for inspection.”
Q. What followed? A. I was directed to approach the east, and present the plan to the Most Potent, which I accordingly did, and the Most Potent examined the same, and then passed it on to the other companions, who, after examining, returned it with expressions of approbation, and then the Most Potent addressed me thus: “It is with pleasure we witness the skill you have manifested in fulfilling the conditions prescribed to you, but we require further proof before you can be admitted among us. We again require you to travel.”
Q. What followed? A. I was conducted once ’round the Lodge, to the north, where I stopped to view the north star, and was told, that as the north star was a guide to mariners, so ought virtue to be a guide to every Grand Master Architect, and was again conducted to the west, and directed to approach the east by one and two steps, which brought me to the altar, when the Most Potent inquired, “What have you learned in your travels?”
Q. Your answer? A. That virtue as well as talents should be possessed by every one who is admitted to this degree.
Q. What followed? A. I received the obligation of a Grand Master Architect.
Q. Repeat the obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) Under the penalty of having my left hand cut in twain. So help, etc.
Q. What then followed? A. I was then addressed by the Most Potent.
Q. What then followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, words, and tokens of this degree.
Q. Give me the sign? A. (Make the motion of writing in the left hand), also alluding to penalty.
Q. Give me the token? A. (Interlace the last finger of the right hand, so as to form a square, and place the left hand on each other’s right shoulder.)
Q. Give me the pass-word? A. Rab-kuam.
Q. What does it signify? A. Grand Master Architect.
Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jehovah (pronounced Ye-ho-wah).
Q. What was then done to you? A. The Most Potent invested me with the jewel, apron and gloves of this degree, and thus addressed me: “I have elevated,” etc.
Q. What then followed? A. I was directed to salute the Senior Warden, as a Grand Architect, and return to the east for further instruction.
Q. Give me the history? A. Solomon established this degree for the purpose, etc.
Q. What do the seven small rays ’round the north star signify? A. Seven liberal arts and sciences.
Closing.—Most Potent knocks one. (Grand Marshal rises.) Most Potent says, “The last as well as the first care,” etc. Most Potent knocks two. Senior Warden rises. Most Potent says, “What is the hour?” Ans. The last instant, the last hour, the last day, in which the Grand Architect completed the creation of the universe. Most Potent knocks one and two.—Companions rise. Most Potent says, “It is the last instant, etc.; it is the last hour, the last day, the last year, in which Solomon completed the temple, the last instant for closing this Chapter. Give notice,” etc. Signs. Most Potent knocks one and two, Senior Warden one and two, and Companions one and two, with their hands.