The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
Temple" (p. 116), thus defining their role and destination. He gives the password
for the candidate, which is "Shibboleth" (cf. our chapter on symbolism). They
are allowed to pass on and symbolically approach the "inner door of King
Solomon's temple," which they find partly open, but closely tyled by the Senior
Warden (cf. p. 117). The Senior Deacon announces them as before, gives the
grip and password, and they are allowed to pass in.
The Senior Deacon conducts the candidate West of the altar, facing the East,
and informs him that they are now in a place representing the Middle Chamber
of King Solomon's Temple. The candidate perceives the letter "G" (cf. our
chapter on symbolism) suspended in the East, and listens to a lecture on this
symbol. Hereafter, the Senior Deacon presents him to the Worshipful Master,
introducing him with a formula that describes the symbolic travels he has just
undergone:
I have the pleasure of presenting Bro. --, who has made an advance
through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five
and seven steps, through an outer and an inner door, into a place
representing the Middle Chamber of K. S. Temple, and now awaits your
pleasure. (p. 121)
The Worshipful Master explains to the candidate that they are now standing
in a place representing the Middle Chamber, where their ancient brethren used to
have their names recorded as faithful workmen. Since the candidate has managed
to arrive there, he is also entitled to have his name recorded, and the Secretary is
ordered to make the record. Further, the Worshipful Master relates that in the
Middle Chamber, their ancient brethren used to receive their wages, which
consisted of corn, wine, and oil, being emblematical of nourishment,
refreshment, and joy (cf. p. 121). In metaphorical language, the Worshipful
Master expresses his hope that the new Fellow Craft will likewise enjoy these
wages: "[m]ay your industrious habits and strict application to business procure
for you a plenty of the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil
of joy" (p. 122). Then follows the climax, for the Worshipful Master reveals the
"higher and more significant meaning" of the letter "G," which has been
presented to the candidate so far as meaning "Geometry." He raps three times
with his gavel, announcing that it is the initial of the great and sacred name of
God, before whom all, from the Entered Apprentice in the Northeast corner to
the Worshipful Master in the East should bow. At this keyword, all members
bow devoutly.
Then follows the Fellow Craft lecture. Rapping his gavel once, the
Worshipful Master announces the catechetical question-and-answer dialogue,
which he enacts with the Senior Deacon, in order to exemplify the contents of
the Second Degree once again for the candidate. The last part of the Fellow Craft
initiation is the charge. The candidate is given some behavioral guide lines, and
the purpose of this degree is once again stated: "The internal, and not the