Page 136 - LESTER'S LOOK TOTHE EAST

fifteen days, the skin slipped from the flesh, and it could not be so
raised.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. King Solomon then ordered them to take it by the Fellow Crafts
grip, and see if it could be so raised; but on taking the body by this grip,
the flesh cleft from the bone, and it could not be so raised.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. King Solomon then took it by the strong grip of a Master Mason
or Lion's Paw, and raised it on the five points of fellowship, which are
foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, cheek to
cheek or mouth to ear. Foot to foot, that we will never hesitate to go,
etc.. . . that he may ward off all approaching danger.

W.M. What did they then do with the body?

S.W. They carried it to the Temple, and buried it in due form. And
Masonic tradition informs us that there was a marble column erected to
his memory, upon which was delineated a beautiful virgin weeping;
before her lay a book open, in her right hand a sprig of acacia, in her
left an urn, and behind her stood Time, with his fingers unfolding the
ringlets of her hair.

W.M. What do these hieroglyphic figures denote?

S.W. The broken column denotes the untimely death of our Grand
Master, Hiram Abiff; the beautiful virgin weeping, the Temple
unfinished; the book open before her, that his virtues lie there on
perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the timely
discovery of his body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were there
safely deposited to perpetuate the remembrance of so distinguished a
character; Time unfolding the ringlets of her hair, that time, patience
and perseverance accomplish all things.

W.M. Have you any signs belonging to this degree?

S.W. I have several.

W.M. Give me a sign.

The Senior Warden makes the Penal sign.

W.M. What is that called?

S.W. The due guard of a Master Mason.

140