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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 417
Mouth to ear, that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsels
in the ear of an erring brother, and warn him of approaching danger. (p.
171)
Hereafter follows a short catechetical instruction for the candidate. Then, in
the third section of the Master Mason's Degree, a historical lecture is being held
that deals with details at the building of King Solomon's temple, e.g. the
symbolism of the monument erected over the final grave of the Grand Master
Hiram Abiff near the unfinished Sanctum Sanctorum (cf. illustration of weeping
virgin in our chapter on symbolism):
[...] over his grave was erected a monument of the finest marble, on
which were delineated a broken column and a weeping virgin; in her
right hand a sprig of acacia, in her left an urn, before her an open book,
and Time behind, unfolding and counting the ringlets of her hair. The
broken column denotes that one of the principal supports of
Freemasonry has fallen; the virgin weeping, the untimely death of
G.M.H.A.; the sprig of acacia, that which lead [sic!] to the timely
recovery of his remains; the urn, that his ashes are safely deposited; the
open book, that his memory is on perpetual record among Masons;
Time denotes that although G.M.H.A. is no more and the secret word of
Master Mason is lost, yet time, patience and perseverance, which
accomplish all things, may yet discover, and bring to light the true
word. (p. 180)
After the rehearsal of the Hiramic legend, the teachings of the two previous
degrees are reviewed, and the candidate is explained the connection between the
death and raising of Hiram Abiff and his own life. He gets to know that of the
three ruffians, Jubela (J-A.) and Jubelo (J-O.) do not represent physical dangers
but threats from within, and that Jubelum (J-M.) signifies death:
Thus it is with man. Strong in youth and confident in his strength, he
starts forth to execute the designs which he has drawn upon the great
trestle-board of his life; but at the very outset he meets his first enemy,
his J-A., in his own evil passions - in envy, hate, licentiousness and
debauchery [...]. But these may be overcome; and, still strong in faith
and hope, he passes forward on life's journey to meet his second and
still stronger enemy, his J-O., fitly represented by sorrow and
misfortune, by disease or poverty, by the coldness of false friends or the
hostility of open enemies.
Weary and faint from the conflict, still struggling for the right,
upward looking with eyes of faith [...], he meets in the evening of his
days, his third and terrible enemy, his J-M. To him this enemy is Death
[...]. (p. 184)