Freemasons

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS (As under UGLE)


The masonic story of King Solomon's Temple is a symbolic illustration of incidents connected with a certain secret deposited in a place which it was hoped would ensure its preservation from a prophesised catastrophe. When that prophesy materialised the secret was lost for a time but afterwards recovered. In the solomonic degrees the loss is exemplified in the third degree. The steps taken to preserve it are shown in the Cryptic degrees ( RSM ) while its recovery is explained in the Royal Arch.

The cryptic degrees are based on various Jewish legends. In one such, it is stated that while the building of the Temple was in its early stages, King Solomon, realising the danger of attack
by heathen powers, determined to take steps to safeguard the more important Temple treasures. To this end he ordered the construction of a vault into which the said treasures could be removed from the Sanctuary. A subterranean passage from the King's palace to a spot beneath the sanctuary was made. It was supported by nine arches and ended in a chamber or vault. Those who worked on the tunnel and vault were sworn to secrecy.

After the death of Hiram Abif, certain treasures, together with a copy of the Word and the key to its pronounciation, were placed in the vault. This operation was carried out in the utmost secrecy, known only to a very limited number of persons. As a consequence knowledge of the vault gradually faded and became, in time, no more than a vague legend. In the Royal Arch Degree we learn of the recovery of the Word.

Those who, realising that the Solomonic degrees are important links in the allegorical search for the Lost Word, will see that these degrees, perhaps, should be studied in chronological order. as under:-



Degree Approx, date Phase

1 Mark B.C.974-967 Preparation of material & commencement of building.
2 S.M. 969-968 Building in hand and construction of the S.V

3 R.M. 968 Death of H.A: Deposition of the Word

4 M.E.M 967 Dedication of KST.

5 S.E.M 586 Destruction of KST. The Word is lost.

6 E.M 536 Rebuilding of the Temple.

7 R.A 534 Recovery of the Word.


Qualification to join: You must be a Master Mason, Royal Arch Companion and a Mark Master Mason.

I'm confused. Many of the side orders talk about recovery of a "lost word". I always thought that what was lost was "the genuine secrets of a Master Mason". Perhaps somebody could point me to the reference to a lost word in the Ritual of the Three Degrees.

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Jeff Allan, P.G.Lec
Librarian, Hawkes Bay Research Lodge No305
Secretary, The Heretaunga Lodge No73