The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume Two

GA 265

The Fourth Altar in the Third Degree Ritual

Recording of participants, from which it emerges that a fourth altar (in the north) figured in this ritual.

After the chimes had sounded, it says:

(To the masters present):

“Let us now seek the tomb of Hiram Abiff.”

(A procession follows.)

"Here is the grave of Hiram Abiff. I plant an acacia branch on this grave as a sign that your higher self lives out of your lower self, just as this acacia branch lives out of your grave.”¹

(Hereupon one speaks):

"Memento mori! Think of death, think that everything mortal about you is not you."

(Then the Grand Master General speaks):

“Newborn shall he be as Hiram Abiff once was.”

(This is repeated by one of the Masters standing at the North Altar.)

(The Grand Master General speaks):

“The Light shall shine to him from the East, as once did Hiram Abiff.”

(Repeated again by one of the Masters standing at the West Altar.)

(The Grand Master General speaks):

“Victor shall he be over death, as once was Hiram Abiff.”

(Repeated again by one of the Masters standing at the south altar.)

(Now the Grand Master General approaches the coffin; it is opened and the Grand Master General speaks):

“With the Master's lion's grip I lift you from this tomb.”

(He lifts him out and speaks to him in a low tone the Master's word):

"M.. b.. a..” [The bones come out of the flesh - with the master's grip.