4°Secret Master

Prologue

The drapes in this degree are black strewn with teardrops.

On the altar is placed the V.S.L., square, compasses and triangle. The last not being utilised in any of the three Craft degrees. The V.S.L. is opened at Exodus 25, which reads “And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering, of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering”. Then follows the list of materials to be provided for the building of the Sanctuary, the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.

In the East is a censer and a tray with twelve pieces of Shewbread. The fragrant fumes from the former symbolises the prayers of the faithful ascending to the Almighty - the Shewbread is symbolic of the Bread of Life and of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Fourth degree is a Lodge of Mourning and follows logically on the Third Degree. Hiram Abif is dead, substituted secrets have been established and a period of mourning for the deceased Master follows. .

There are only two principal officers, thus emphasising the absence of the third. The candidate is exhorted to get knowledge, to get wisdom, but above all to get understanding.
There is also emphasis on the burdens and responsibilities of duty. There are barriers to overcome, for no real advancement is possible without exertion. The path to wisdom and understanding is long and arduous, but there is the first indication that hope and that truth are within reach. There is repetition of the Divine Dictum “If with all your heart ye truly seek me, ye shall surely find me”. A lesson that is taught frequently but usually disregarded being taken as a matter of course and not as a direct command.
For the Secret Master there only remains to practise virtue, to shun vice and to remain in silence.

Epilogue

I remind you of the words of the Senior Deacon during the first perambulation “Get understanding and she shall preserve thee - love her and she shall keep thee”
Understanding is the foundation of love in its deepest sense.

Not romantic love for which the Greek uses the word “Eros” but rather in the sense of their word “Agape” meaning the understanding and empathy given to one’s fellow man.

Remember the beautiful ceremony of the Third Point of the Eighteenth Degree. Knowledge is power consisting of facts and the ability to make use of them. But it is of questionable use unless formed and consolidated by Understanding.

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