12° Grand Master Architect

Prologue

As the lodge is no longer in mourning for Hiram Abif the drapes are now white.
The VSL again appears and it will be opened at 2 Chronicles 2, 4 which reads “Behold I will build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel”.

In this, the 12°, Grand Master Architect, the candidate again pledges himself to comply with the characteristics of one who has attained  the 11° and promises that he will, so far as human frailty and infirmity will allow to practise the virtues which the instruments of an architect symbolise.

The principal lesson in this degree is the necessity for the acquisition of knowledge in its ultimate sense, the knowledge of oneself, with its consequent application to daily living and to one’s relations to one’s fellow man. This degree completes that section of the Rite of Perfection that takes as its thread the reorganisation of the work after the death of Hiram Abif.

The candidate is to exchange the tools of the craftsman for the instruments of design of the Grand Master. The symbolic teaching of these will take him more completely to the spiritual plane of his life. So far he has worked under direction, now, he is to produce his own designs for others, both to execute and learn from them. By his handling of ever increasing problems of the day he will be able to provide a model to others. No longer a pupil; no longer even an overseer; but a teacher; with all the added responsibilities that position demands.

He has attained to the full extent of his earthly craft: knowledge of facts plus the ability to use them, thus giving him power.
But power without understanding can be a source of evil.
Understanding is essential if power is to be applied for good.

Epilogue

You will note that in the earlier part of the ceremony the Chancellor explained that Adoniram (referred to in the Craft as Principle Architect) was later appointed Chief Architect of the Temple and invested with the title of “Grand Master Architect” as the sole successor to Hiram Abif. Symbolically the third Grand Master represents Beauty in the Craft workings. Extended to the Rite of Perfection he represents the supreme virtue of Charity. Thus we have the Wisdom of Solomon, combined with the strength of Hiram of Tyre in erecting the structure, which has been completed in all its glory by the beautifying hand of Hiram Abif as the temple of the Lord.

Taking this symbolism to its logical conclusion, in building the temple of the character of man, we need both Faith and Hope but these must be combined with the greatest of virtues, love and compassion for one’s fellows to make the edifice complete in all respects.

The true light has begun to shine in the dawn of man’s spiritual awakening and the beacon of truth and right indicates the course he must henceforth adopt. There will be no part to which these rays cannot penetrate, it will be that all his thoughts, words, and actions may bear the full light of the dawning day.

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