in Masonry by being
received and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master." Junior
Deacon--"Is it of his own free will and accord he makes this request?"
Senior Deacon--"It is." J. D.--"Is he duly and truly prepared?" S.
D.--"He is." J. D.--"Is he worthy and well qualified?" S. D.--"He is."
J. D.--"Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees?" S.
D.--"He has." J. D.--"By what further right or benefit does he expect
to obtain this favor?" S. D.--"By the benefit of a pass-word." J.
D.--"Has he a pass-word?" S. D.--"He has not, but I have it for him."
J. D.--"Will you give it to me?" S. D. whispers in the ear of the
Junior Deacon the word, "RABBONI." [In many Lodges the Past Master's
word, "GIBLEM" is used as a pass-word for this degree, and the word,
"RABBONI," as the real word.] J. D.--"The word is right; since this is
the case, you will wait until the Most Excellent Master in the East is
made acquainted with your request, and his answer returned." Junior
Deacon repairs to the Most Excellent Master in the East and gives six
raps, as at the door. M. E. M.--"Who comes here?" J. D.--"A worthy
brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice
Mason; passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime
degree of a Master Mason; advanced to the honorary degree of Mark
Master Mason; presided in the chair as Past Master: and now wishes for
further light in Masonry by being received and acknowledged as a Most
Excellent Master." M. E. M.--"Is it of his own free will and choice he
makes this request?" J. D.--"It is." M. E. M.--"Is he duly and truly
prepared?" J. D.--"He is." M. E. M.--"Is he worthy and well
qualified?" J. D.--"He is." M. E. M.--"Has he made suitable
proficiency in the preceding degrees?" J. D.--"He has." M. E. M.--"By
what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this favor?" J.
D.--"By the benefit of a pass-word." M. E. M.--"Has he a pass-word?"
J. D.--"He has not, but I have it for him." M. E. M.--"Will you give
it to me?" Junior Deacon whispers in the ear of the Most Excellent
Master the word, "RABBONI." M. E. M.--"The pass is right; since he
comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter
this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters in the name of the Lord." The
candidate is then conducted six times around the Lodge by the Senior
Deacon, moving with the sun. The first time they pass around the
Lodge, when opposite the Junior Warden, he gives one blow