Operatives - Ritual V

Worshipful Society of Freemasons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers
Ritual V° Intendent, Overseer, Super Intendent and Warden

1970s

In olden times a V° Lodge was entered by a porch-way with the inner door leading to the V° Lodge and guarded on the inside by the I.G. and an outer door guarded on the inside by the O.G. Therefore, so far as is practicable, the actual door of the Lodge room represents the inner door of the porch way whilst the porch and outer door must be imagined, unless a suitable room is available. The arrangement of the Lodge room is the same as that for an Assemblage of Lodges IV°to I°.
The Candidate is required to have served in the IV° for the minimum period laid down in the Constitutions, Rules and Regulations of the Society and have proved himself to be proficient in that Degree. He must also have been recommended by the D.M.M. of his Assemblage on the prescribed form and his advancement approved by the G.M.M.s. He should be wearing a Setter Erector’s apron and have completed Form Y in readiness. If there is more than one Candidate, the D.M.M.’s Deacon will collect completed Forms Y, except that of the representative candidate, and hand them to the Clerk before the ceremony starts.
D.M.M.: I must now request all below the rank of Setter Erector to retire.
D.M.M., *, all stand: By the power deputed to me by the G.M.M.s at my appointment to rule over an Assemblage, I open a Lodge for work in the IV° Degree and close the doors to all other Lodges. I demand the hailing sign of a Setter Erector. Held until discharged by the D.M.M. giving p.s. The V.S.L. is opened at I Kings VI, v. 7 by D.M.M., J., B. and S.I.W.
D.M.M. knocks * *   * *, repeated by S.W., J.W., I.G. and O.G. All sit.
D.M.M.: Any Super-Fellow Setter Erector deeming himself qualified and desiring promotion may now make his application. The Candidate rises and is conducted by D.M.M.’s Deacon to the Clerk’s table and signs Form Y. D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Candidate, carrying his Form Y, to the N. W. corner where he stands. His feet are not in any ritualistic position.
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon shows IV° sign which is answered by D.M.M. W.D.M.M.: I request permission to read my application.
D.M.M.: Pray read it. Can. does so.
D.M.M.: Your application will receive attention. As your proficiency in the Society has been vouched for by your D..M.M., I will not examine you further.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Candidate to Clerk’s table to hand in Form Y and then places him in front of D.M.M.
D.M.M.: Are you willing to take an obligation of secrecy?
D.M.M.’s D. to Can: Answer.
Can.: I am.
D.M.M.: Do you promise to respect all your former obligations?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I do and will.
D.M.M.: Do you promise to conceal what I am now about to impart to you?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I do.
D.M.M.: Then I will entrust you with a passing grip and passing word to enable you to enter a Lodge of Menatzchim. In olden times this would have been communicated to you privately, therefore, I must ask all below the rank of Warden, with the exception of the Candidates, to retire. Rises.
The passing grip is given thus, with thumb erect representing the Overseer’s Mark of Approval, the passing word is Ch…h, to which the reply is M…k C…y. You will now retire and present yourself at the V°Lodge, symbolically on the next Saturday at High Twelve. Sits.
D.M.M.’s Deacon’, with Candidate, retires. Any other Candidates also retire. No sign.
D.M.M., *: Worthy Superintendents assist me to pen the Lodge in the antient official Degree of Menatzchim or Superintendents. All stand.
D.M.M.: Supt. J.W., what should be our first care?
J.W.: To see that we are tyled externally.
D.M.M.: Direct that duty to be done.
J.W.: Supt. I.G., see that we are tyled externally.
I.G. goes outside, sees that O.G. is at his post and returns: Supt. J.W., we are properly tyled externally.
J.W.: W.D.M.M. we are tyled externally.
D.M.M.: Supt. S.W., what is our next care?
S.W.: To see that we are tyled internally.
D.M.M.: To order Worthy Menatzchim.
All give due guard sign which is held until discharged by D.M.M. giving the penal sign.
D.M.M.: Supt. J.W., your position in Lodge?
J.W.: In the N.
D.M.M.: Why are you placed there?
J.W.: To mark the sun at its meridian and attend to the wants of the Fellowship by calling them from L. to R. that in due time they may come on invigorated.
D.M.M.: Supt. S.W., your place in Lodge?
S.W.: In the E.
D.M.M.: Why are you placed there?
S.W.: To mark the setting sun, to call the attention of the D.M.M. to the close of day and to pay the Craft their wages if any be due.
D.M.M.: Where then is the Master’s place?
S.W.: In the W.
D.M.M.: Why is he placed there?
S.W.: To mark the rising sun. As it hasteneth to enlighten the day in the E., even so the Master is placed in the W. to illuminate his Lodge with his instructions and bounty.
J.: We supplicate the G.S. who erected this visible Universe to aid us in all our undertakings. May He endue us with the Light of Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support us in the arduous duties of our offices and Beauty to adorn our edifices. May our labours thus begun in order, be conducted in peace and closed in harmony. Amen.
All: So mote it be.
D.M.M.: The sun rises. If the G.M.Ms. are present they may order the 7-fold to the M.H. to be given at this stage.
In the name of the G.S.O.T.U., I declare this Lodge duly opened for acceptation and for the instruction and improvement of all members of the V°of our Society.
J. opens V.S.L. at I Kings V, v. 16. S.I.W. places symbol on V.S.L. and Elbow Square Gauge on E. side of centre column.
D.M.M. knocks *** **, repeated by S.W., J.W., I.G. and O.G.
D.M.M.: Worthy Superintendents, be seated.
Any business should now be transacted before proceeding with the ceremony of acceptation.
During the opening of the V°Lodge, the Candidate is prepared in the porchway by being clothed in a white cloak with a IV°apron bound over it. His ankles are roped to limit his step to one cubit or 21⁷/₈ inches. Any other candidates should witness this operation. This preparation being complete, the D.M.M.’s Deacon addresses the Candidate.
D.M.M.’s D.: Worthy Erector, the importance of this Degree or rank in our Society is such that, in the ceremony you have solicited, a strict examination will be made of your qualifications and you will have to give proof that you have wrought in all the various sections of our Sodality up to the grade you seek. As you have already been recommended as proficient in the IV°and been entrusted with a p.g. and p.w., you will follow me to the door of the Lodge and give the p.g. and p.w. when required.
D.M.M.’s D. gives ***   ** on inner door.
I.G.: Supt. J.W., there is an alarm.
J.W.: Ascertain the reason.
I.G., opening door: Who cometh here?
D.M.M’s D.: The Setter Erector … Can.’s name who symbolically has wrought twelve months or more at the erection of the Temple on Mount Moriah and now solicits the Worthy Superintendents and the Worthy Lodge of Menatzchim that he may be promoted to the position of Foreman under the Grand Superintendent of Works.
I.G.: How does he hope to obtain such promotion?
D.M.M’s D.: By his previous good conduct as testified by the p.g. and p.w. he offers.
I.G.: Give them. Can. gives grip and word.
J.: Halt while I report to the W.D.M.M. Closes door.
I.G.: W.D.M.M., to the door of the Lodge cometh the Setter Erector … name of Can. who has given me the p.g. and p.w.
D.M.M.: Let him be admitted that his qualifications for promotion may be tested.
I.G.. opens door and admits any other candidates who are led to their places in the S.E. by the S.I.W. and seated. He then admits D.M.M.’s Deacon who takes the representative Candidate by both hands and walking backwards places him at the N.E. corner facing W. D.M.M.’s Deacon then stands behind Can.
D.M.M.: Setter Erector … name of Can., we have already been advised that you seek promotion at our hands and that the diligence which you have shown in all the positions you have hitherto held must be admitted as an appeal in your favour, but the duties of the office you now desire require ability of another order, for it will devolve upon you to inspect the work, Lo reject the imperfect, as well as to overlook the conduct of the Fellows under your charge. Are you capable of this and are you willing to undertake these more onerous duties?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I am.
D.M.M.: Before we can pass you, even as an Intendent, it is necessary that our Wardens prove to the Lodge that you have passed through the various yards and their accompanying ceremonies.
D.M.M.’s Deacon turns Candidate to face S. and standing on his right instructs him to “advance using end on work”. It is only necessary to do three or four such steps, then do the same at the S.E., S.W. and N. W. corners. D.M.M.’s Deacon halts Candidate in front of J.W. and turns him to face J.W.
J.W.: Who cometh here’?
D.M.M.’s D.: Setter Erector … name of Can. who desires to be promoted to the rank of Foreman.
J.W.: How does he hope to obtain such promotion?
D.M.M.’s D.: By giving proof that he has wrought in the various sections.
J.W.: Begin by giving me the s., g. and w. of an apprentice.
Can. gives s. which is held until discharged by J.W. giving p.s. J.W. then rises and Can. gives g. and w.
J.W.: Pass J…l. Sits.
D.M.M.’S Deacon turns Candidate to face E. and standing on his right instructs him to “advance using header and stretcher work”. It is only necessary to do three or four such steps, then do the same at the N.E. corner. D.M.M.’s Deacon halts Candidate in front of SW. and turns him to face S.W.
S.W.: Who cometh here?
D.M.M.’s D.: Setter Erector … name of Can. who desires to be promoted to the rank of Foreman.
S.W.: How does he hope to obtain such promotion?
D.M.M.’s D:. By giving proof that he has wrought in the various sections.
S.W.: Then give me the s., g. and w. of a F.C.
Can. gives s. which is held until discharged by S.W. giving p.s. S.W. then rises and Can. gives g. and w.
S.W.: Pass B…i. Sits.
D.M.M.’s Deacon turns Candidate to face S. and standing on his right instructs him to “step off with your l.f. to the full extent of the cubit cord and make your other paces of the same length”. Candidate does this all the way round track until halted by D.M.M.’s Deacon in front of J.W. D.M.M.’s Deacon then turns Candidate to face J.W.
D.M.M.’s D.: Setter Erector … name of Can. has given to the S.W. the F.C. proof.
J.W.: Give me the s., g. and w. of a Super-Fellow Filter and Marker.
Can. gives s. which is held until discharged by J.W. giving p.s. J.W. then rises and Can gives g. and w.
J.W.: Pass J…a. Sits.
D.M.M.’s Deacon turns Candidate to face F. and standing on his right instructs him to “advance with cubit steps as before”. D.M.M.’s Deacon halts Candidate in front of S.W. and turns him to face S.W.
D.M.M.’s D.: Setter Erector … name of Can. has given to the J.W. the proof of a Fitter and Marker.
S.W.: Give me the s., g. and w. of a Super-Fellow setter Erector.
Can. gives s. which is held until discharged by S.W. giving p.s. S.W. then rises and Can. gives g. and w.
S.W.: Give me the p.g. and p.w. by which you obtained admission to this Lodge.
Can. gives p.g. and p.w.
S.W.: Pass Ch…h.
D.M.M.’s Deacon places Candidate on left of S. W. facing W. and stands on his left.
S.W.: W.D.M.M., I present to you the Setter Erector … name of Can. who has given proof that he has wrought well and worthily in the four previous ranks of our Fellowship and has been examined and entrusted. I therefore recommend him for promotion to Foreman Intendent.
D.M.M.: Supt. S.W., your presentation shall be attended to. S.W. sits and D.M.M.’s Deacon removes cord from Candidate’s ankles.
D.M.M.: Let the Candidate be led to the centre column and stand erect within the Elbow Square Gauge. D.M.M.’s. Deacon complies.
S.I.W. will instruct any other candidates to rise and form up in rows behind the representative Candidate.
D.M.M.: I have to inform you that an oath binding you to perform the duties of the office which you seek is now required of you. Are you willing to take it?
All candidates will answer.
D.M.M., *, all stand: The Candidate will kneel on both knees, place both hand on the H.B., other candidates will stand with left hand on shoulder of representative Candidate or Super-Fellow in front showing Sign of Fidelity with right hand. State your names at length and mentally assent to the oath I sha1l now read to you:
I, …, in the presence of the G.S.O.T.U. and of this worthy and regular Lodge of Superintendents or Mentazchim, do hereby and hereon sincerely and solemnly swear and do confirm all my previous obligations in this Society. Furthermore, I swear that I will never divulge the secrets and charges which I am about Lo receive or any or either of them to anyone in the world unless it be to a true and regularly promoted Superintendent or member of the V°in Free Masonry, whom I have sufficient reason to believe has come by them as legally as I am now about to do, or in the body of a regular Lodge of the Degree. I swear that I will oversee the members of the Fellowship and will rule them with Justice and Moderation, favouring no man for love, nor grieving any man out of hatred. That I will carefully examine all material and, if any be defective, will either reject it myself or call the attention to it of a more expert person than myself.
D.M.M.: If you accept this Obligation you will now repeat after me: All these points I solemnly swear to observe under no less penalty than that of body severed in two. So help me God the G.S.O.T.U. and keep me steadfast in this solemn obligation of the Superintendents or Menatzchim.
D.M.M.: You will seal that obligation with your lips five times on the H.B. Representative Candidate does so whilst S.I.W. offers small H.B. to each of the other Candidates in turn for the same purpose.
D.M.M.: Rise newly obligated Menatzchim of the rank of Intendent. Can. rises. You must now pass the test of the Elbow Square Gauge.
S.W. and J.W. take position at each end of the gauge and then raise it over the Can.’s head. D.M.M.’s Deacon takes representative Candidate to one side. S.I.W. then instructs each of the other Candidates in turn to step into’ the frame which is raised over his head by S.W. and J.W. and to return to their places and remain standing.
S.I.W. for each Can.: The candidate passes the test.
D.M.M.: Worthy Superintendents, be seated.
S.I.W., S.W. and J.W. return to their places and sit. D.M.M.’s Deacon places representative Candidate in original position.
D.M.M.: We receive out to you that you are Society and your office G.S.O.T.U. endue you material to distinguish Strength to enable you in accordance with our to appreciate Beauty in
you thus, symbolically to point beginning another course in our is that of Intendent. May the with Wisdom when examining the good work from the bad, to reject any work which is not plans and designs, and capacity the adornment of the edifice.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts candidate to D.M.M.
D.M.M.: I will now entrust you with the secrets by which members of this rank recognise each other. Rises.
As in former Degrees these secrets consist of sign, token and word.
The D.G. or Hailing Sign which must be given when entering or leaving a V°Lodge or when addressing the W.D.M.M. thereof is given thus: Left hand extended as though holding Scales of Justice, and as always must be maintained until it is answered by the Penal Sign which is S…r B…y at C….
The E.S. is given by striking both thighs with both hands in allusion to the two pillars at the Porch Entrance of Kong Solomon’s Temple.
The Signs of Secrecy and Distress are the same as for Apprentices and Fellows throughout the Society.
The grip or token is given by taking a step with left foot, bringing the heel of the right foot into the hollow of the left foot, then grasping each other’s right wrist, slide hand to elbow and press with finger on elbow: ***   **. It is never complete without the word nor can the word be given without the grip The word is M…m.
The knocks are ***   **. The H.B. is open at I Kings V, v. 16. Sits.
D.M.M.: As you have already passed through the various working grades of our Society, there is no necessity to instruct you in those duties with which you are already well acquainted. Having been promoted t0 the rank of Intendent, you are no longer required to work with your hands but henceforth are expected to use your eyes and brain to see what is right and to comprehend what is wrong, to see that all the material is correct and that all men do a proper day’s work.
You must clearly understand that when you pass a piece of stone or other work, you, and you alone, are to blame if it is found to be defective; it is no use to say that the man in the grade below is at fault, it is on you who have failed in your duty that the blame will fall. Do you fully understand this important part of your duty?
Can.: I do.
D.M.M.: As a member of this Degree all gauges are under your care. Every stone must pass the square test and one other, namely the running stone, the footing corner stone or the elbow square gauge test, to ascertain that it is of the correct proportions. You will also tap it with the mallet to detect any flaws. If satisfied, you will cut with the chisel your portion of the mark of approval and pass the stone to the next Intendent for further inspection, or to the site if your mark completes the Δ. If you find any bad work it is your duty to cut thereon the mark of rejection, an x, together with your personal mark and to see that it is heaved over the edge of the hill into the rubbish heap, but if in doubt you may appeal to an Intendent more expert than yourself.
With regard to the men under your rule, you will act with justice, study their comfort, but take especial care that the work of the G.S. is not neglected. If you find any man who will not work, or who does bad work, it is your duty to instruct him. If he remains obdurate, you will warn him thrice. If he continue obstinate, you must report him to the Supt. of Works when he makes his rounds, or you may order a Deacon to convey him at once to the Supt. of Works at his office, or go before the chief in the V°yard yourself and make your charge against him, but be careful to take at least two witnesses with you.
Such is your duty in the various yards and symbolically in our ceremonial Lodges. Let your own conduct be without reproach and an example to all our Fellowship. You will first be put in charge of a gang of apprentices whom you will rule and teach; you will enforce that proper respect which they ought to show to those who are placed in charge of them. You must no longer speak to the four lower grades as in the past, but must hold yourself as a member of the staff of the Supt. of Works. Unless you know your own position, you cannot rule the men under you. You will be very careful to see that the young apprentices are not put to any work in which a stone may be damaged for want of cunning. If this happens the blame will be upon you.
You will now present yourself to the Supt. J.W. and S.W. to prove that you are a duly instructed Intendent.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to J.W.
D.M.M.’s D.: Worthy Supt. J.W., I present to you the newly instructed Intendent … (name of Can.)
J. W.: Have you anything to communicate?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I have this. Gives sign.
J.W., gives responsive words: What are these?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: The d.g. and P.S.
J.W.: Give me the p.g. and p.w. by which you were passed into the Lodge. Rises and Can. gives p.g. and p.w.
J.W.: Pass Ch…h. Sits.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to S.W.
D.M.M.’s D.: Worthy Supt. S.W., I present to you the newly instructed Intendent … (name of Can.).
S.W.: Have you anything to communicate?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I have this. Gives E.S.
S.W.: What is that and to what does it allude?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: The E.S. and it alludes to the two p. at the Porch of K.S.T.
S.W.: Anything further? Rises and Can. gives grip and word.
S.W.: Pass M…m.
D.M.M.’s Deacon places Can. on left of S.W. facing W.
S.W.: W.D.M.M., I present to you the Intendent … (name of Can.) who has proved himself a duly instructed Intendent Menatzchim. Sits.
D.M.M.: In former times, at this stage of promotion, the jewel of your rank would have been the s. gauge; you would have signed the Intendents’ Roll and you would have been placed in charge of Apprentices for at least 12 months. At the end of that period, if your services had been satisfactory, you would have been re-obligated, have signed the Overseer’s Roll and promoted to oversee 10 juniors. After a further period of 12 months, you might have risen to be a Superintendent with the F.C.S. gauge as your jewel, and finally after another 12 months you could become a Warden, the jewel of which rank is the E.S. Gauge. It thus took at least three years to attain the rank of Warden after acceptation in this Degree, but it has pleased the G.M.M.s to commute the gradual progress and they empower me to confer upon you (and the other candidates) in succession, as I now do, the ranks of —
Intendent,
Overseer,
Superintendent of Works,
and Warden,
to enable you to fill any of these offices in the lower Lodges.
D.M.M.’s Deacon divests Can. of cloak and apron.
D.M.M. to S.W.: I direct you to invest our new Warden with the insignia of his rank after which he will sign the Muster Roll of Officers.
S.I.W. instructs any other candidates to rise and forms them in line behind the representative Candidate on left of S.W.
S.W., rises: By command of the W.D.M.M., I invest you with the symbol of your rank in our Fellowship—the E.S. Gauge (does so). It symbolises that you have advanced from the rough manual task to the smooth work of the brain. You will now sign the Muster Roll.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to Clerk’s table to sign Roll and then stands aside with him. S.I.W. directs other candidates after each is invested to do likewise and then return to their sets. When all have signed D,M.M.’s Deacon places Can. in front of D.M.M. and S.I.W. returns to his seat.
D.M.M.: You may now take your seat. Attention to your duties will, I hope, in due time ensure your further promotion.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can, to his seat and returns to his own.
D.M.M., *: Worthy Supt. Menatzchim, assist me to close the Lodge. All rise.
D.M.M.: Worthy Supt. S.W., what is the last duty?
S.W.: To see that we are tyled externally.
D.M.M.: See that duty done.
S.W.: Supt. I.G., see that we are tyled externally.
I.G. goes outside, sees that O.G. is at his post and returns: Worthy Supt. S.W., we are tyled externally.
S.W.: W.D.M.M., we are tyled externally.
D.M.M.: Worthy Supt. J.W., our constant care?
J.W.: To see that all appear as Menatzchim.
D.M.M.: To order Brethren in the V°.
All give d.g.s. which is held until discharged by D.M.M. giving the p.s.
D.M.M.: Worthy Supt. S.W., your place in Lodge?
S.W.: In the E.
D.M.M.: Why so?
S.W.: To see the setting sun and to inform the D.M.M. when it touches the crust of the earth in the W.
D.M.M.: What is now the position of the sun?
S.W.: I see the sun, it toucheth the earth.
J.: We return thanks to Thee, O Thou M.H.G., for blessings this day received.
S.W.: The sun is set. If the G.M.Ms. are present they may order the 7-fold to the M.H. to be given at this stage.
D.M.M.: It is my will and pleasure that you close the Lodge. Knocks ***   **.
J. and S.I.W. remove symbol and close V.S.L.
S.W.: By command of the W.D.M.M. and in the name of the M.H.G., this Lodge is closed. Knocks ***   **.
J.W.: It is closed accordingly until 6 of the clock in the morning of the next working day and we will retire from labour to rest.
J.W. knocks ***   **, repeated by I.G. and O.G.

Home