Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

the Society over which he is to preside. The process of conferring the Degree, teaching
by practical illustration, is apparently grave, though withal rather amusing. After the
Lodge is opened upon the Third Degree, the Master receives intelligence from without
that some sudden emergency demands his presence in another place. He therefore resigns
the chair, and desires the brethren to elect a successor. The new Master is placed in the
chair; but from various causes, too long to be enumerated here, he finds himself utterly
unable to keep order, when the old .Master reappears and kindly relieves him from his
embarrassment, by teaching him how to command obedience; for it frequently happens
that, in the plenitude of his power, a scrupulous compliance with his own ignorant and
inopportune mandates has occasioned the very confusion which had appalled him.--
Historical Landmarks, vol. ii. p. 128.
PAST MASTERS--An honorary Degree conferred on the W. (Worshipful) Master, at his
installation into office. In this Degree, the necessary instructions p. 197 are conferred
respecting the various ceremonies of the Order, such as installations, processions, the
laying of corner-stones, etc. The ceremonies of the Degree, when properly conferred,
inculcate a lesson of diffidence in assuming the responsibilities of an office without a due
preparation for the performance of its duties.--Lexicon.
197:1 This portion of the second section of the Lecture on the Fifth Degree relates to the
induction of candidates, and is not given in the Monitors. With the exception of this, the
Lecture may be found in "Webb's Monitor."
199:1 A hat.
p. 200