The Lodge of Secret Masters represents the gathering of the Princes of Israel upon Hiram’s death, to remind us of his death.

The Perfect Master Degree continues the legend of our Master Hiram Abif. It portrays the funeral of Hiram, the architect of King Solomon’s Temple.

The 6th Degree is based on the Biblical account (1 Kings 9:11-12) describing how Hiram King of Tyre had furnished King Solomon with cedar and fir trees with gold in return for twenty cities in Galilee. Hiram, however, wasn’t pleased with the cities.

The Degree originally worked in France, was called the Irish Degree. The working lodges claimed possession of a charter from Ireland. The members claimed jurisdiction and the right of inspection over subordinate lodges and the jewel of the Irish Master was a key symbolizing this authority. It was incorporated in the Perfection Degrees in the 18th Century as the Provost and Judge Degree.

Following Hiram’s death, King Solomon, represented as Master, wishes to continue work on the Temple. Hiram, prior to his death, communicated some of the arts and sciences to a group of young craftsman. Hiram’s delight in transmitting his knowledge teaches the importance of education to maintain cultural continuity.

The Master Mason’s Degree conferred in the Blue Lodge differs markedly as to the allegorical demise of the three ruffians than does the Scottish Rite portrayal. While the assassins are executed in the 3° in Blue Lodge (York Rite version), punishment is not inflicted on the assassins until the 9° and 10° in Scottish Rite.

The Degree depicts the capture of the two remaining murderers of Hiram Abif. King Solomon expresses fear the assassins have escaped but the High Priest reassures him that the Lord will deliver them unto him. One Elu of the Nine reports that he has discovered the two assassins in Gath. Solomon selects six additional men to accompany the first nine Elus who killed the first assassin in the cave.

This Degree is a continuation of the lessons taught in the 9th and 10th Degrees. The Lodge represents the audience Chamber of King Solomon. King Solomon is informed that the assassins have been executed. Solomon then declares that from this day forward Hiram Abif shall be the symbol of intelligence, liberty, and truth; the assassins shall symbolize tyranny, ignorance, and intolerance.

As one begins to learn more of the philosophical lessons of Masonry, the symbology encountered in the degrees becomes more complex. The 12th Degree is a good example of this, filled as it is with numerous symbols.

Those of you who are York Rite Masons will recognize that there is a great similarity between this Degree, which has evolved from the European system of Freemasonry and was modified and crafted by Albert Pike into its current form, and the Royal Arch Degree in the York Rite, which is the product of English Freemasonry.

Following the recovery of the stone bearing the Ineffable Name of Deity, in the previous degree, Solomon decides to place the stone in a special underground vault used by himself, Hiram King of Tyre, and Hiram Abif for private conferences. This vault was constructed horizontally, through nine arches, in contrast to the vertical shaft, constructed by Enoch, from which the stone was removed.