The Hiram Key

was armed with a level struck a violent blow on the left temple
which brought him to the ground on his right knee. '
Once again I felt a touch to my own temple and I was pressed down
onto my right knee.
'Finding all chances of escape in both these quarters cut off. our
Master staggered, faint and bleeding. to the east gate where the
third ruffian was posted anliwho, on receiving a similar reply to his
insolent demand, for our Master remained true to his obligation
even in this most trying moment, struck him a violent blow full in the
centre of the forehead with a heavy slone maul, which laid him
lifeless at hisfeet ... Such was the manner of his death. '
In the light of the candle I saw the Worshipful Master reach forward
over his pedestal with an instrument which touched my forehead and I
felt many hands pulling me backwards to the floor. I was held straight
and my feet were kept in place, so that I hinged backwards as I swung
into the darkness. s I touched the ground a funeral shroud was
immediately draped around me!,. so on y my upper face was uncovere
The Worshipful Master continued:
'Brethren in the recent ceremony, as well ru in his present
situation, our Brother has been made to represent one of the
brightest characters in the annals of Freemasonry, namely Hiram
Abifwho lost his life rather than betray the sacred trust reposed in
him. And I trust that this will make a lasting impression, nol only on
his, but on your minds, should you ever be placed in !I'imi/ar
circumstances of trial.
Brother Junior Warden, you will now ettempt to raise the
.!!presentatiy.e_ o( our Master with the grip 0/ an Entered
!:per•alice• '
The Junior Warden reached down, took my hand from under the
shroud and pulled. My hand fell through his fingers .
'Worshipful Master this grip proves to slip.'
Shadowy figures marched around my 'grave' for a few moments,
before [he Worshipful Master spoke again.
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'Brother Senior Warden. you wi/lJQl lbe Fellowp;gft g!Jp. '
-
This proved as ineffectual as the first attempt.
'Brother Wardens, you have both Jailed in your endeavours. There
remains yet a third and peculiar method, known aslhe.Ligp 's Paw_
.!lI..C!!.g!ACJa.w..g!fp, which is given by taking afinn hold on the
sinews oj the wrist oj the right hand with the points of the fingers
andmWn&him.on the f l]!!! PQjats..pffelltnfl/:jp, of which, with your
assistance, I will now make a trial.'
The Worshipful Master gripped my wrist tightly and pulled, hingeing
me instantly upwards to my feet. Once again unseen hands took my
weight. As I reached the vertica1 position .the Worshipful MASte.t
wh jsoered two peculiar words,.in my. sr. I now knew both pans of the
Mason's Word. At the time it was meaningless, but through our
researches we have di scovered its ancient and fascinating meaning. as
will be shown later.
'TIlliS, my dear Brother, have all Master Mruons been raisedfroma
figurative death. to a reunion with the companions of their former
toil. Let me now beg of you 10 observe, that the light of a Master
Mason is but as darkness visible. serving only to express thai gloom
which hangs over the prospect affuturity.lt is that mysterious veil
0/ darkness which the eye oj human reason cannot penetrate,
unless assisted by Ihal divine Jight which is/rom above, Yet even, by
this glimmering ray you will perceive that you stand on the very
brink 0/ the grave into which you have just figuratively descended,
and which, when this transitory life shall have passed away, will
again receive you into its cold bosom.'
As the Worshipful Master spoke .these chilling words he directed my
gaze downwards and to my right, where I could just pick out of the
darkness Ihe shaRe; of an open grave, with a humarukulLon a pair 2L
CCQsscd thighb.Qnes aUts heiLd. (Fig 2) For the first time in any Masonic
ceremony I felt a cold wave of goose bumps pass across my body.
'l&.llhose emblems 0/ mortality, which now lie before you, lead you
to contemplate your inevitable deW1JY and guide your reflections
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