ere the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I
had been accessory to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master,
Hiram Abiff"--on which they distinctly heard the voice of JUBELO
exclaim, "O that my left breast had been torn open, and my heart and
vitals taken from thence, and thrown over my left shoulder, carried
into the valley of Jehosaphat, there to become a prey to the wild
beasts of the field, and vultures of the air, ere I had conspired to
take the life of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff"--when
they more distinctly heard the voice of JUBELUM exclaim, "O that my
body had been severed in two in the midst, and divided to the North
and the South, my bowels burnt to ashes in the centre, and the ashes
scattered by the four winds of heaven, that there might not remain
the least track or trace of remembrance among men or Masons of so vile
and perjured a wretch as I am, who wilfully took the life of so good a
man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. Ah, JUBELA and JUBELO, it was I
that struck him harder than you both--it was I that gave him the fatal
blow--it was I that killed him outright!" on which they rushed
forward, seized, bound, and carried them up before King Solomon.
Q. What did King Solomon do with them? A. He ordered them to be
executed agreeably to the several imprecations of their own mouths.
Q. Was the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, ever found? A. It
was.
Q. How? A. By the wisdom of King Solomon, who ordered fifteen (in some
Lodges they say twelve) Fellow Crafts to be selected from the bands of
the workmen, and sent three East, three West, three North, and three
South; and three in and about the Temple, in search of the body.
Q. Where was it found? A. Under that sprig of cassia, where a worthy
brother sat down to rest and refresh himself.
Q. Was there anything particular took place on the discovery of the
body? A. There was, viz.: On removing the earth till they came to the
coffin, they involuntarily found their hands raised in this position
to guard their nostrils against the offensive effluvia that 'rose from
the grave.
Q. How long had the body lain there? A. Fourteen days.
Q. What did they do with the body? A. Raised it in a Masonic form, and
carried it up to the Temple for more decent interment.
Q. Where was it buried? A. Under the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF
HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple, over which they erected a marble
monument, with this ins
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