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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
Before he can enter upon his undertaking, the candidate has to kneel at the
altar and invoke the aid of the Deity. Then, he is blindfolded again, and the
Senior Deacon leads him to the Junior Warden's station in the South. The Junior
Warden represents Jubela, one of the three "ruffians" who attack of Hiram Abiff.
He stops the candidate, places his right hand on the latter's left shoulder, and
demands of him the secret word of a Master Mason, in order to be entitled to
obtain a Master's wages. The Senior Deacon answers for the candidate that he
will not give the word ere the temple is completed and dedicated, and the
craftsman found worthy. Jubela threatens him, but "Hiram" remains obstinate, so
the former exclaims, "Then die" (p. 155). This modern ritual gives no stage
directions that hint at a soft blow at the candidate, whereas the older rituals
describe how "Jubela" draws the 24-inch gauge across "Hiram's" throat.
However, Hiram is only hurt and rushes to the West, where the Senior
Warden, representing the second ruffian, Jubelo, who likewise asks of him the
Master Mason's word, attacks him. Since Hiram remains steadfast and does not
reveal the secret word, Jubela exclaims: "Then die" (p. 155), and the older rituals
describe how he strikes Hiram with the square on the left breast.
Still not dead, the candidate, alias Hiram, is conducted to the East, where the
Worshipful Master, enacting the role of Jubelum, the third ruffian, assaults him.
Jubelum puts both his hands on the candidate's shoulders and assures him that
from him he cannot escape. However, he equally does not obtain the Master
Mason's word from Hiram, for the Senior Deacon, speaking for the candidate,
exclaims: "My life you may take, my integrity never" (p. 156). Jubelum replies,
"Then die," and in the old rituals we find an illustration 1283 of how he strikes
Hiram on the forehead with his setting-maul and thus kills him.
the outer courts of the Temple; and in conformity with the custom of our Grand Master, whose
memory we all so reverently adore, we will now retire at the south gate of the Temple."
1283 Illustration taken from Standard Freemasonry Illustrated (1921, copyrighted 1904).