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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 431
thumb." 1326 This sign antecedes the illustration of the second penalty of an
impostor anticipated in the obligation, that of having one's right hand cut off:
"After having completed the sign, as just described, drop the right hand a little to
the right side, about as high up as the waist, the palm open and horizontal, and, at
the same time, lift up the left hand and bring it down edgewise and vertically
upon the wrist of the right." 1327
It is evident that all the manual signs employed by Mark Masonry "make
sense," i.e. are "speaking signs," exemplifying a live action. There are no such
signs as touching one's nose or the corner of one's mouth, as can be observed in
some androgynous orders - which are attributed some meaning but rather have a
ridiculous touch. Mark Masonry in its signs enacts its most important ritualistic
actions, like helping others to ascend the steep sea cost of Joppa, carrying the
keystone, heaving the rejected keystone over among the rubbish, and punishing
the impostors.
When the candidate has been invested with the secret work and has received
the jewel of a Mark Master and the working tools, mallet and chisel, the lecture
of the degree is delivered. Hereafter, the Ceremony of Advancement is
terminated, and the Ceremony of Closing begins with the Worshipful Master
asking the Junior Warden about the constant care of every Mark Master Mason,
which is to prove the Lodge close tyled. The Inner Guard gives the prescribed
knocks on the door, which are answered by the Tyler from without, and the
Junior Warden reports to the Worshipful Master that the Lodge is close tyled.
The next care consists in seeing that all brethren appear to order as Mark Master
Masons, and the Worshipful Master calls them to order. Then, he asks the Senior
Warden to define his place and duty, to which he replies that he is stationed in
the West, as the sun sets there to close the day. Likewise, he is to close the
1326 Ibid.
1327 Duncan, p. 154.