Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

Divinity was buried in the filth and rubbish of the world; and religion and morality were
scattered to the four winds of heaven. Three ruffian nations from the south, the west, and
the east--the Syrians, the Chaldeans, and the Romans--gave in succession this temporary
dispensation its death-blow; those who sought religion through the wisdom of the
ancients were not able to raise her; she eluded their grasp, and the polluted hands were
also stretched forth in vain for her restoration. Her tomb was in the rubbish and filth cast
forth from the Temple, and acacia waved its branches over her monument. In this state of
darkness and despair she lay until the Saviour came, instituted the five points of Christian
fellowship, and raised her from the dust, in which she had been indecently interred, to a
more glorious inheritance."--Theo. Phil., p. 309.
This interpretation is borne out in the higher Degrees of sublime Masonry. Thus, in the
thirty-second, or Degree of Prince of the Royal Secret, according to the Continental
nomenclature, the following analogies are p. 147 explained: "The symbolical mystery of the
death of (Hiram Abiff) represents that of the Messiah; for the three (blows) which were
given to him at the three gates of (the Temple) allude to the three points of condemnation
against Christ at three separate places, viz.: before Caiaphas. Herod, and Pilate. It was
from the last that he was led to that most violent and excruciating death. The three
(blows) were given with the three (tools, i.e., gauge, square, and gavel). These are
symbols of the blow on the cheek of Christ, the flagellation, and the blow with the spear.
Some substitute for the latter, but with less propriety, the crown of thorns. The brethren
assembled around the grave of (Hiram Abiff) is a representation of the disciples
lamenting the death of Christ. The Word, which was said to be lost, was pronounced
upon the cross, which the Jews could not comprehend. The false brethren are represented
by Judas, who proved false to his Master; and the sprig of cassia represented the cross, of
which wood it is said to have been composed."--Historical Landmarks, vol. ii. p. 176.
I am decidedly of opinion that our tradition is merely allegorical; for there can be no
doubt but the Chief Architect was present at the dedication of the Temple. Thus we find
that "Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made King Solomon for the house
of the Lord." (1 Kings vii. 40.) To place the fact of Hiram's being alive at the finishing
the Temple beyond all doubt, it is said (2 Chron. iv. 11), "And Hiram finished the work
that he was to make for King Solomon for the house of God,"--Historical Landmarks,
vol. ii. p. 166.
147:1 A Grand Lecturer is elected annually at the session of the Grand Lodge of each
State. His business is to teach the subordinate Lodges the Ritual of Freemasonry, and he
is paid generally by salary, or so much from each Lodge before whom he may lecture.
149:1 See Robert Morris's Freemason's Monitor, 1860.