The message in the full closing in the 3rd Degree is vitally important as it informs us quite clearly that despite the 3rd Degree story ending in death and despair, it is certainly not the end of the story! In the Opening of the 3rd Degree we hear:
WM (to JW) “Your duty?”
JW “To seek for that which was lost, which, by your (the WM’s) instruction and our own industry, we hope to find.”
WM (to SW) “What is that which was lost” ?
SW “The genuine Secrets of a Master Mason.”
- Why are we looking for something that was lost, if there isn’t something to find?
Later in the ceremony, King Solomon gives us another clue when he orders that the casual signs, token and word observed by the Fellow Crafts during the recovery of Hiram’s body “should designate you and all MM’s throughout the universe until time or circumstances should restore the genuine.”
In the ‘full’ closing of the 3rd Degree after the SW has been asked if the genuine secrets have been found, he confirms:
SW “they have not, but we bring with us certain substituted secrets, which we are anxious to impart for your approbation.”
WM “Let those substituted secrets be regularly communicated to me.”
When done, he then makes a very important statement confirming and declaring: “that they shall designate you and all MM’s throughout the Universe, until time or circumstances SHALL restore the genuine.”
The word “SHALL”, makes it absolutely clear that the 3rd Degree is not the end of the story. There is clearly more to know! This encourages the question from newly raised MM’s: “How are the genuine secrets restored”? Those of us who are members of the Royal Arch or “Chapter” of course know the answer!
Every Lodge has a Royal Arch Contact to inform the interested MM’s that the Craft picture is completed by membership of the Royal Arch.
The full closings don’t add that much time to the meeting but, without demonstrating them at least once each year, sadly, the important and vital information they contain is lost and the opportunity to inspire further investigation is lost.
