THE THIRD STEP
To be presented to the RecipieNt of the MASTER MASON DEGREE
FOR THE USE OF THE MASTER MASON
GRAND LODGE A.F. & A.M. OF CANADA IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
1960

You have now been "raised" to the sublime degree in Freemasonry. You
have now figuratively passed through all the stages of human live and have
been made acquainted with the most profound teachings symbolized by
the Temple of Solomon and the Spiritual Temple of man.  Doubtless you
will require time to reflect upon the ceremony with its many excellent
charges and lectures. Some of these are emphasized in this booklet.

First, however, you should be aware that certain portions of the ceremony
should be memorized and that you should know the answers to certain
questions which you may be asked.  These concern various pieces of
information and instruction to which you are entitled. A good knowledge of
this degree will greatly facilitate your entrance into any Masonic Lodge
which you may wish to visit. If you are a Mason, and not merely a member
of a Lodge, you will insist on securing all the information possible.

YOUR ENTRANCE

Your preparation for this degree and your reception again differed
somewhat from your previous experiences and the conditions in the lodge
room were quite unusual.  You will recall the situation and the stress upon
the importance of Morality, Virtue, and Brotherly Love, and the beautiful
prayer for strength and guidance.

Your journey now included three circuits and a test of your knowledge of
the secrets of the previous degree.

Your approach to the central and sacred point in the Lodge was fraught
with greater difficulty, involving association with the final resting-place of all
human flesh.

Your reception among the brethren of the degree imposed on you a most
solemn obligation, reminding you of your sacred duties towards those
brethren.  These were not inconsistent with a moral and spiritual attitude
towards your fellow-men.

THE TEACHINGS

The philosophy and symbolism of the degrees are associated with Old Age
and the closing experiences of man's mortal existence.  The beautiful
retrospect of your previous Masonic experiences served to emphasize the
solemn, moral and spiritual precepts which you, as a Mason, were, and are,
expected to obey.

The ceremony stressed your previous teaching and experience as a
preparation for the supreme test - the realization that death is a mere
incident leading to a greater and fuller spiritual existence to come.

To every thoughtful Mason - and your brethren believe you are one - the
ceremony of being raised to rejoin your brethren must serve to symbolize
the Resurrection and Life Eternal.

Your fellowship with your brethren was emphasized and symbolized by five
points - recognition of a brother, lawful support, prayerful guidance in
dealing with the afflictions and necessities of life, faithful adherence to
secrecy, and the preservation of a brother's honour, pure and undefiled. 

No one could fail to be impressed by the recitation of the first seven verses
of Ecclesiastes XII.  This beautiful, poetic, and symbolic reference to the
closing days of Old Age is unequalled in sacred or other literature.  It is well
worth memorizing.

Your successful conquest of the King of Terrors was symbolized by the
bright morning star, the emblem of the M.H. who brings comfort and hope
to the "obedient of the human race".  Here again faith, hope, obedience and
guidance by the Deity are emphasized as a part of Masonic doctrine.

THE, HIRAMIC LEGEND

The story of Hiram, one of the Grand Masters during the building of King
Solomon's Temple, runs throughout the ceremony and, indeed, in parts of
it you were his representative.  The historical lecture which followed your 
instruction in the secrets of the degree was a partial repetition and further
development of the legend. 

A proper respect for the dead, the symbolism of continuous life through the
Acacia, and the apprehension and punishment of the culprits served as a
satisfactory ending to the story.

There are many examples of faithful adherence to duty, even unto death,
in sacred and profane literature.  One cannot emphasize too strongly that
obedience to laws, rules and regulations is the foundation of civilized
society.  It, therefore, behooves every Freemason to recall the injunctions
outlined in the first degree as the bases of good citizenship, and to keep
ever before him the exemplary devotion to duty of one of the "brightest
characters recorded in the annals of Freemasonry."

Legends relative to three rulers are common in many primitive religions. 
The death of one and subsequent resurrection in some form is referred to
in the Egyptian Mysteries and may be found in other ancient cults. Perhaps
enough has been intimated to induce the earnest student to delve further
into these obscure and hidden mysteries.

THE CHART AND CHARGE

This is a chart on which the symbolism of this degree is depicted and an
explanation of the same may be found.  As the degree is rather long, and
as there would be additional repetition, the chart is no longer used in this
Grand jurisdiction except as a feature in Masonic Education. However, you
should ask someone to show it to you and reflect on its interpretation.

The concluding charge is brief but filled with admonition and instruction. It
emphasizes responsibility towards junior brethren, and urges such a life as
will exemplify the fundamentals on which the Fraternity is based.  Why not
commit it to memory?

THE FINAL INJUNCTION

You have now enjoyed the privileges and experiences of every brother
Master Mason. Your brethren hope that you will take full advantage of every
opportunity to increase in Masonic knowledge and to assist in every activity
of your Mother Lodge.  It is only through the cooperation of every Mason
that this great brotherhood can flourish and exercise the utmost influence
for right living.  We believe that you stand steadfastly in support of Masonic
teachings, and we believe that you wish to aid in the promulgation of moral
truth and virtue.  Your brethren are counting on your punctual attendance
and assistance.

OTHER MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS

Now that you have completed the work of the Craft Lodge, that is, you have
passed through the three degrees and have become a Master Mason, a
friend may ask you to join what he may call a "higher" Masonic body where
you will be given "higher" degrees.  There are no higher degrees; there are
other degrees which elaborate and dramatize the principles you have
already been taught in the Craft Lodge but, when you know the teachings
of the three degrees, you know, or have the opportunity to know, all there
is in Masonry.

There are other Masonic bodies which are recognized as such by our
Grand Lodge and there are organizations of Masons which, though their
aims are good and their service to humanity excellent, are not recognized
by our Grand Lodge.  Then there are clandestine lodges and grand lodges
(Chinese, Italian, French, Negro, etc.), which you must never visit under any
circumstances. The reason such as these are not recognized is chiefly that
they may be political or, in some cases, atheistic, or they may have, some
of then, "invaded Masonic territory" which is occupied by our own Grand
Lodge.  And don't be in any hurry to seek admission to any of the
recognized organizations; you have much to learn yet in the Craft Lodge.

There are organizations of women, which some people, including many of
their members, claim to be Masonic.  These are not so regarded by our
Grand lodge, though they are recognized by some Grand Lodges in the
United States. There is also a body called the Order of DeMolay which
admits youths under twenty-one years of age but which we do not
recognize and with which our members must not have any association Our
Grand Lodge recognizes but five other Masonic organizations; they are the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the Royal Arch Masons, the Knights
Templer, the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine and the Royal Order of
Scotland.

You may be invited to become a member of a Chapter (Royal Arch
Masons) and, later, of a Preceptory (Knights Templar). To proceed in that
way is quite in order. You may wish to join the Scottish Rite.  To that there
is not the slightest objection. As you have observed, the three degrees in
the Craft Lodge are based on the history and the legend of the building of
King Solomon's Temple.  Similarly, the degrees in the other bodies
mentioned are based on later portions of the Old Testament and finally on
the Christian teachings of the New Testament.

The United Grand Lodge of England is the Mother Grand Lodge of the
world; in procedure, in administration, in attitude and in outlook its example
is, for the most part, followed by all other Grand Lodges in the
English-speaking World. The Grand Lodge of Canada, in the Province of
Ontario, ranks twelfth in size in the world.  In each Province of Canada and
in each State in the United States of America there is a Grand Lodge.  Each
of these Grand Lodges is sovereign in its own jurisdiction and is not
responsible to any other. No Grand Lodge holds sway, in the slightest
degree, over any other Grand Lodge: every one of them is absolutely
independent.

If you wish to do some reading, as every Mason should, in order to learn
the history of Freemasonry and its philosophy, purchase from the Grand
Secretary (the cost is $2.00) a book entitled "The History of the Grand
Lodge of Canada, in the Province of Ontario" (by the late M.W. Bro. V.S.
Herrington, Past Grand Master, and by V.W.Bro. R.S. Foley) and make use
of the Grand Lodge Library at 888 Yonge Street, Toronto 5. Always feel free
to ask questions of the officers of your Lodge; they will welcome the
opportunity to assist you.  If they cannot answer your questions, they may
consult the Custodian of the Work.

Another book which you should read is entitled "A Manual for Masonic
Instructors and Students." This book is intended to provide answers to your
questions and will be found interesting and instructive.  The cost is $1.50,
postpaid, and it may be purchased from the Grand Secretary, Drawer 217,
Hamilton, Ontario.  In order to purchase this book you must write a letter
to the Grand Secretary and have the secretary of your Lodge indicate, on
your letter, that you are a Master Mason in good standing.

Every Master Mason should read and study the two books mentioned.

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