Worshipful Society of Freemasons, Rough

Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors,

Plaisterers and Bricklayers
Ritual III Super Fellow Fitter and Marker

1995

Preamble to the III

In olden times a III Lodge was entered by a porchway from the II Lodge. The
porchway was guarded by the O.G and the III was guarded by the I.G. Therefore,
ideally there should be three rooms but, if only two are available, then the outside room
must divided by some artificial means.
The Candidate must have with him his jewel and certificate as a Fellow of the Craft,
form W, complete except for signature and be wearing a Fellow of the Crafts apron.
Any other Candidates must complete form W, including signature1 and hand these to the
Clerk before the start of the ceremony. A perfect ashlar stone of the proportions 3 x 1 x
1 should be conveniently available for the S.Ws.D. later in the ceremony.
The Assemblage has been previously opened and necessary business has been
completed.
D.M.M.: I must now ask all Apprentices to retire. done. And I close the doors to the I
Lodge. No adjustment need be made to the H.B.
Examining and Entrusting the Candidate in the II Lodge
D.M.M.: Any Fellow of the Craft deeming himself qualified and desiring promotion
may now make his application. Only the representative Candidate rises.
S.Ws.D. conducts Cand. to the Clerks table to sign form W.
S.Ws.D. conducts Cand. to S.I.W. to whom, on being prompted by the S.Ws Deacon, he
hands form W.
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I desire promotion to the grade of Super Fellow. Will you
vouch for my good character?
S.I.W. signs form W and returns it to the Cand.
S.Ws.D conducts Cand., carrying his Certificate and form W, to the S.E.Corner where
he stands facing the D.M.M.. His feet are not in any ritualistic position.
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D. shows II sign which is answered by D.M.M.
Cand.: W.D.M.M., I request permission to read my application.
D.M.M.: Pray read it. Done.
D M.M.: Your application will receive attention.
D.M.M.: Worthy S.I.W., pray examine the candidate.
S.I.W. approaches the Cand. carrying two-armed square and a II rule.

S.I.W.: Show me your certificate as a Fellow of the Craft.

Cand. hands his certificate to the S.I.W., who examines and returns it.
S.I.W. to Cand.: Are you a Fellow of the Craft?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I am, try me and prove me.
S.I.W. to Cand.: By what will you be proved?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: By the Perfect Ashlar square.
S.I.W. to Cand.: What is this square?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: It has four sides and four right angles.
S.J.W. to Cand.: How do you prove the correctness of this square?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: By measuring the two diameters. (Used with its ancient
meaning of diagonals).
S.I.W. to Cand.: Show me a specimen of your work.
S.Ws.D. hands Cand. a 3 x 1 x 1 perfect ashlar stone.
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D. hands the stone to the S.I.W.
S.I.W. examines stone by square and rule and, being satisfied, takes candidates
certificate and form W.
S.I.W. to D.M.M.: The candidate is well qualified W.D.M.M. and his work is excellent.
S.I.W. places ashlar stone to the N. of the centre column, hands candidates certificate
and form W to the Clerk and returns to his seat.
S.I.W. conducts other candidates to the D.M.M. who stand equally on either side of the
representative candidate.
D.M.M.: Are you willing to take an Obligation of secrecy?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I am.
D.M.M.: Do you promise that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of
advancement to Super Fellow Fitter and Marker?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I do.
D.M.M.: Do you promise to continue to respect your Obligation as Fellow of the Craft?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I do and will.
D.M.M.: Do you promise to conceal what I am now about to impart to you?
Cand., prompted by S.Ws.D.: I do.
D.M.M.: Then I will entrust you with a passing grip and passing word to enable you to
enter a Lodge of Fitters and Markers.
In olden times these would have been communicated to you privately, therefore, I must
ask all below the degree of Fitter and Marker, with the exception of the Candidates, to
retire. (done).
D.M.M.: The passing grip is , the passing word is Bi. As you have proved your
ability to produce perfect ashlar stones you would now be entitled to another sign and
word. That sign I am permitted to communicate to you. It is raising the right arm
vertically, hand with fingers and thumb together in line with the arm; at the same time
raise the left arm to the horizontal position to the side, hand, with fingers and thumb
together, in line with the arm, both palms forward. In giving this sign you represent, at
the same time, the square, the level (drop R. arm) and the plumb-rule (drop L. arm and
raise R. arm), the three working tools of a Fellow of the Craft. The word which, in
operative days would have been communicated to you now, has been adopted by
speculative Freemasonry and may not in these days be communicated to you until you
achieve the VI of our Society.
D.M.M.: You will now retire.
Cand. retires, under the direction of the S.Ws.D., and followed by all the other
Candidates.

Opening of the IIILodge by Power

D.M.M. kns. *., all rise: By the power deputed to me by the G.M.Ms. at my
appointment to rule over this Assemblage I open a Lodge for work in the III and close
the doors to all other Lodges. I demand the hailing sign of a Fitter and Marker. Held
until discharged by D.M.M. giving the p.s.
D.M.M., Dep.J., Dep.B. & S.I.W. proceed to Altar, change H.B. to Job 33, v. 31 and
return.
D.M.M. gives knocks * * **, repeated by S.W., J.W., I.G. and O.G. (All sit).
S.I.W., D.M.Ms.D. & J.Ws.D. lay down carpet strips 10/12 wide to form a rectangle
on the floor with internal dimensions of 12 x 4.
The rectangle represents a template or pattern of the wall plan of the Temple. The
template should be continuous with no spaces left for doors nor windows.
The R.S. Gauge is placed on the floor to the East of the centre column with a kneeling
stool within it. The gauge should not overlap the carpet strips and there should be room
between the west end of the template and the D.M.Ms. column for the gauge to be
placed there later in the ceremony.
Within the II Lodge
When the S.Ws.D. and the Candidates retire they pass through the Porch or
Preparation room to the Outer room which now represents the II Lodge.
S.Ws.D. prepares the Cand. by clothing him in a white cloak with the Fellow of the
Crafts apron bound over it. His ankles are roped, to limit his step to one cubit or 21 7/8
inches. All the Cands. must see this preparation.
Within the Preparation Room
S.Wa.D. Knocks * * ** on the outer door - or on the floor with his foot - and is
admitted with all the Candidates by the O.G.
S.Ws.D. to Cand.: As you previously have been informed, in all the rites of this Society
the Candidate represents a living stone which is being wrought from the rough to a
state of perfection. In the III Lodge you represent a perfect ashlar stone which has to be
fitted to its neighbours, marked and numbered, and approved as ready for erection on
the site of the Holy Temple. It was in this Lodge that every stone was made ready before
it was brought to the site as explained in verse seven of chapter six in the First Book of
Kings (reads). And the house, when It was in building, was built of stone made ready
before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of
iron heard in the house while in was In building.
S.Ws.D. to Cand.: Were you given the passing grip and passing word by the D.M.M. of
your Fellows Lodge?
Cand., prompted by O.G.: I was.
S.Ws.D.: Then you will follow me.
III Ceremony
S.Ws.D. knocks * * ** on Inner Door.

I.G. opens door: Who comes?

S.Ws.D.: The Fellow Mason (name) who has duly and truly served his time as a
Fellow of the Craft, has prepared work which has entitled him to receive the passing
grip and passing word and who desires to become a Super Fellow Fitter and Marker that
he may be able to work in a III Lodge, fitting and marking the stones before they are
sent to the site of the Temple for erection.
I.G. to Cand.: Give me the passing grip and passing word. Done.
I.G.: Wait while I report. Closes door.
I.G.: W.D.M.M., the Fellow Mason (name of Cand.) who has given me the passing
grip and passing word.
D.M.M.: Let him be admitted in due form.
I.G. opens door to Cand.: Enter on the chisel at your head. I.G. places chisel near
Cands. head and gives it one blow with a mallet. All other Cands. are received in the
same manner.
S.I.W. conducts other Cands. to seats in the S.E.
S.Ws.D. places Cand. in the S.E. Corner facing the D.M.M.
D.M.Ms.D. places a kneeling stool in front of the Cand. and takes charge of him.
S.Ws.D. Returns to his seat.
D.M.M. to Cand.: You will kneel while the blessing of heaven is invoked on our
proceedings. done.
D.M.M. Knocks *. All stand with sign.
Dep.J.: We supplicate the continuance of Thy blessing O El Shaddai on behalf of
ourselves and of our Brother and Fellow who kneels before Thee. Pour down on our
Assemblage the continual dew of Thy blessing; and grant that this Candidate, and all of
us, whether footing atones, running stones or headstones, may be marked with Thy
emblem of approbation as fitted to form part of Thy heavenly Temple where peace,
order and harmony eternally reign. Amen.
Omnes: So Mote It Be.
D.M.M. to Cand.: Rise. Let him be led round the Template. All sit.
S.Ws.D. removes kneeling stool and places it to E. of Centre column.
D.M.Ms.D. to Cand.: Walk round the Template and at the end you will know how many
cubits it is. Step off with your left foot to the full length of the cubit cord and make your
other paces of the same length.
D.M.Ms.D. conducts the Cand. once around the rectangle, representing the Template of
the wall plan, keeping on the strips of carpet which he should not overstep.
D.M.Ms.D. stops Cand. in the centre of the E. wall in front of the S.W. and turns him to
face the D.M.M. in the W.
D.M.M.: In operative days you would have been required to walk three times round the
Lodge on the template. You would then have chosen your mark which would have been
duly registered, As you already have a mark the ceremony will not be repeated. You
must, however, register your mark with the Clerk in due course.
D.M.M.: Before I can advance you to the rank you seek I must point out to you that in
every degree of our Worshipful Society the secret tokens of membership as well as our
methods of work, whether In rites or in the working of stone in the yards, must be kept
separate and distinct, therefore another oath is required of you. Are you prepared to take
it?
Cand., prompted by D.M.Ms.D.: I am.
D.M.Ms.D. leads Cand. to the Centre column.
S.I.W. leads other Cands. via the E. to stand behind Rep. Cand.
D.M.M. knocks *. All stand with sign.

D.M.M. moves to Centre column and says: Then you will kneel, symbolically with both
knees bare, on the perfect ashlar stone.
S.I.W. provides the H.B. open at Job 33, v. 31.
D.M.M.: Support the H.B. on your left hand and place your right hand on it. The other
Cands. will each place his left hand on the shoulder of the Fellow in front and give the
sign of F. with the right hand.
D.M.M.: State your names at length and mentally assent to the oath I shall now read to
you. I, ..., in the presence of El Shaddai and of this Worthy and Worshipful Lodge of
Super Fellow Fitters and Markers, do hereby and hereon, solemnly confirm my former
obligation as a Fellow of the Craft of Free Mason and do further swear that I will never
divulge the secrets of my reception, nor the instruction which I am about to
receive, to anyone in the world, unless it be to a free and regularly passed Super Fellow
of the said Craft, whom I have sufficient reason to believe has come by them as
regularly as I am now about to do, or in the body of a Regular Lodge of Super Fellows
consisting of three or more, presided over by the D.M.M., the S.I.W. or a duly Passed
Master VI. I will acknowledge my own Mark and cut it only on stones which I have
carefully prepared. I will strictly respect the Marks of all Super Fellow Fitters and
Markers and keep my former obligation to give aid in time of need.
D.M.M.: If you accept this obligation you will now repeat after me: All these points I
solemnly swear to observe under no less a penalty than that of having my right hand
struck off that I may no longer be able to give the grip. So help me El Shaddai and keep
me steadfast in this my obligation of a Super Fellow Fitter and Marker.
D.M.M.: As a pledge of your sincerity you will seal that obligation thrice with your, lips
on the H.B. (done).
S.I.W. offers another H.B. for each of the other Cands. to seal his obligation. (done).
D.M.M.: The Book is open at the verse which reads: Mark well, O Job; harken unto
me; hold thy peace and I will speak.
S.I.W. takes H.B. from Cand.
D.M.M.: Rise, accepted Super Fellow Fitter and Marker.
D.M.M. returns to his seat and all sit.
S.I.W. returns supernumerary Cands. to the S.E.
D.M.Ms.D. conducts Cand. to a position in the E. outside the template and facing W.
D.M.M. to Cand.: For the better elucidation of the methods of work in this Lodge it is
desirable that you proceed to the Second Degree yard to prepare a specimen of your
work under the guidance of at least three Super Fellow Fitters and Markers of the
present Lodge.
D.M.Ms.D., S.Ws.D., J.Ws.D. & Others (not more than seven) retire with the Cand(s).
to the Porch.
S.I.W. nominates four members to act as corner stones later in the ceremony.
D.M.Ms.D. removes cubit cord from Cand.
D.M.Ms.D., after idling for a short time says to Cand.: Though you are sent to prepare
stones for the building, you have already been informed that you, yourself, are a stone
already wrought from the rough to the perfect ashlar. Let us therefore re-enter the Lodge
for the time is at hand when the first course of stones must be fitted.
All who went out now re-enter the Lodge and take their seats. No knocks are required as
all are known to the I.G.
D.M.M.: When King Solomon laid the foundation of the Temple on the threshing floor
of Araunah the Jebusite, he declared it holy ground and forbade all noise of tools of iron
under pain of death. Therefore it becomes necessary that, before erection on the site,
every stone must. be fitted and marked in the III yard in which there is a full size

template or wall plan of the Temple. In the forthcoming ceremony the Fellows represent
a course of stones to be fitted and marked.
D.M.M.: Worthy S.I.W., let the first course be placed in position on the Temple
template, 60 by 20 cubits, and let the stones be tested, fitted and marked ready for
conveyance to the site.
S.I.W., loudly: Every stone to his place!
All, except D.M.M., Dep.J., Dep.B., S.I.W. and Wardens, speedily arrange themselves on
the carpet strips, shoulder to shoulder, facing inwards. The nominated corner
stones take up their positions (right foot in hollow of left, right foot pointing to right
along the template).
D.M.Ms.D. places Cand. on the North side of the template adjacent to the N.E. corner
stone. The representative Candidate moves to the right to make room for other Cands.
on his left, the last Candidate being adjacent to the corner stone.
D.M.Ms.D. places himself on the right of the Candidate(s).
S.I.W.: W.D.M.M., the first course of stones is ready to be sent to the Temple site.
D.M.M. to S.I.W.: Are they complete and are they all perfectly fitted and marked for the
Super Fellow Setter Erectors?
S.I.W.: They are W.D.M.M.
D.M.M.: Then I will examine them.
D.M.M. goes to N.E.Corner and takes III grip (Lewis covered by challenged) and word
(JA) from that member. Moving clockwise he examines each stone with grip and word
until he arrives at the Cand.
S.I.W. follows the D.M.M. carrying a chisel and small maul.
D.M.M. to S.I.W. and pointing to Cand.: Here is a stone which has not been fitted to the
one at its side and is not marked! Angrily: How comes it here?
Cand., prompted by D.M.Ms.D.: I entered with the others.
D.M.M. to Cand., still angrily: This must be enquired into. The penalty is a serious one
for allowing an unmarked stone to enter here. What say you?
D.M.Ms.D. to D.M.M.: We are all equally guilty and to blame for this serious fault,
W.D.M.M. We beg you will pardon the omission and allow him to be fitted and marked
for we can vouch that he has been well and truly prepared. We will answer for his
fidelity to Cand.: is this not so? Will you pledge your fidelity?
Cand., prompted by D.M.Ms.D.: I pledge myself. Prompted by D.M.Ms.D. gives sign
of Secrecy.
D.M.M., after a short pause for consideration: You have gone too far to withdraw.
Nevertheless, as you have made the sign of secrecy, I will remit the usual penalty of
having your right hand struck off and I will accede to the request and proceed to mark
you.
S.I.W. hands chisel and maul to D.M.M.
D.M.M. marks Cand. on breast by symbolically cutting an equilateral triangle with
maul and chisel.
Single taps only with maul. Other Cands. are marked in the same way and the maul and
chisel are returned to the S.I.W.
D.M.M.: In olden times the Cand. was marked indelibly in blue.
D.M.M. & S.I.W. return to their seats.
D.M.M.: The course is now complete and will be sent to the site. All sit.
D.M.Ms.D. places Cand(s) before D.M.M. in W.
D.M.M.: I will now instruct you in the grip, word and signs. of a Super Fellow Fitter
and Marker. The grip is a Lewis. This must always be covered by the Fellow who is
challenged. It is never complete without the word nor can the w. be given without the

grip The word is JA. The D.G. or Hailing Sign which must be given when entering or
leaving a III Lodge or when addressing the D.M.M. thereof is given thus, extending the
right hand, index finger and second finger extended, third and fourth fingers closed over
the palm of your hand and, as always must be maintained until it is answered by the
Penal Sign. The Emblematical sign is given by striking both thighs with both hands in
allusion to the two pillars at the Porch Entrance of King Solomons Temple. The signs
of secrecy and distress are the same as for Apprentices and Fellows and throughout the
Society.
D.M.M.: You must now pass the test of the running stone gauge as a living stone.
S.I.W. places the R.S.G. on the floor behind the Cand.
S.W. & J.W. take position at each end of the gauge.
S.I.W. instructs Cand(s). to step backwards into the frame. (done).
S.W. and J.W. raise the frame over the Candidates head.
S.I.W. reports: The Cand. passes the test. With more than one Cand. The Candidates
pass the test.
D.M.M.: Thus we receive you as (a) Super Fellow Fitter(s) and Marker(s).
S.W. & J.W. resume their seats.
S.I.W. removes R.S.G. to a convenient place.
D.M.Ms.D. removes Candidates II apron.
D.M.M.: I invest you with the apron of a Super Fellow Fitter and Marker which bears a
representation of the working tools of the Degree. I also invest you with the jewel of a
Fitter and Marker, the running stone gauge. done.
D.M.M.: I present to you the working tools of a Super Fellow, the mallet and chisel.
D.M.M. receives working tools from the S.I.W., shows them to the Cand. and returns
them to the S.I.W.
D.M.M.: We symbolise your advancement by representing the cubic ashlar in this form.
D.M.M. shows the cube both open and closed and says: This is the second
development of the cube.
D.M.M.: The rule is twelve units long with two hinges dividing it into lengths of three,
five and four units.
D.M.M.: The knocks are * * ** and the H.B. is open at Job 33, v. 31.
Dep.J. reads Job 33, v. 31.
D.M.M.: You will now sign the roll of Super Fellow Fitters and Markers and register
your mark at the Clerks table. (Done by all Candidates).
S.I.W. conducts supernumerary Cands. to their seats.
D.M.Ms.D. conducts Cand. to the S.W. corner where he stands facing North.
D.M.M. to Cand.: This completes the operative part of the ceremony. Those points
which are dealt with in speculative Mark Masonry have been omitted as you are already
aware of them. At this point, in operative days, practical Instruction was given on the
testing and fitting of stones and a lecture was delivered dealing with various traditions
connected with the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem. We wish you well.
D.M.Ms.D. conducts Cand. to his seat.
Orator or Clerk or some member of the VI reads the lecture.
III Lecture
The charges which follow the I and the II date from the 17th century and possibly
quite earlier. Nothing comparable has come down to us to indicate the wording of the
charges to be given after the III and IV, but it seems likely that charges in one form or

another were given.

The III and IV were more closely connected than the others and one account possibly in error - shows them as a single degree. Brother Stretton states that the full
working took 8everal hours and hints that details may have been Included of parts of
what we now know as the Royal Arch, Cryptic and Allied Degrees.
In the I the Apprentices were taught their work and in practice shaped the stones, as
received from the quarries, by truing them fairly accurately to size. When Sir
Christopher Wren ordered stones from the quarries at Portland, the stones were
scrabbled before leaving the quarries. Stretton says that, in his time, stones were
delivered scrabbled from the quarries so as to be approximately 2 over-size. The
scrabbling was done with gavels - that is with hammers with one flat face and one chisel
edge. Scrabblers were considered to be cowans and not true members of the Craft of
Free Mason. Gavels of this form likewise were not included among the working tools of
a true Free Mason.
In the II the Fellows of the Craft of Free Mason shaped the stones received from the
Apprentices true to the size required. Their labours were considerably reduced by
already having the stone roughly prepared, firstly by the scrabblers in the quarry, and
secondly by the Apprentices in the I yard.
Before he could be promoted from the II to the III a Fellow had to give proof of his
proficiency by preparing a masterpiece, which may have been a cubical stone true to
size and shape, and smoothed or even polished on all its faces.
To spoil such a stone, by cutting too deeply, quite evidently would have been a serious
matter. To raise such a stone to its position on the walls was also quite an undertaking to
be sure that, having raised it there, every care had to be taken previously to ensure that it
would fit its neighbours on each side and beneath it. The work of the Fitter and Marker
was to fit the stones one to another. This was done by laying out the stones for each
course on the ground according to a template or pattern provided, and by making such
minor adjustments as might be required.
The template itself is said to have been in the form of a series of diamonds or lozenge
shapes; each diamond being formed by four 3x4x5 triangles. If so, it would look very
much like the pattern on a Royal Arch sash. It may account for the traditional
indented border of the speculative Lodge carpet. It is probable that the preparation of
the template was the province of the V or VI masons.
One of our members, a Purbeck marbler has stated that his father when making, for
example, a column of Purbeck marble, would assemble and, if necessary, adjust the
individual stones in his workshop before transporting the stones to the building site for
erection.
To fit the stones in this manner meant that each course for the building had to be
completed at one time. It also meant that the stones, having been fitted one to another
had to be in the same position in the actual building. To ensure this, it was nece8sary to
mark the stones so that intended positions would be known to the Setter Erectors. The
method of marking will be described in the lecture that follows the IV.
We have no satisfactory account of the development of the cube. It has been stated,
however, that the Apprentice started on the side opposite the bed mark followed by
the bed marked side, then by the other sides, though in what order these were worked
is not now known. Perhaps in the II and III the faces were worked in a different order
and the various developments of the cube were used as an aid to memory.
In the III yard, stones would be tested for their soundness and each would be inspected
and marked by three independent overseers.
The III gives practical explanation of the Scriptures 1 Kings, VI v7 And the

House when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought
thither; so that there was neither hammer, nor ax, nor any tool of iron heard in the House
when it was in building.
D.M.Ms.D. assists the Cand. to disrobe.
S.I.W. assisted by the other Deacons clears the template and perfect ashlar from the
floor.
Closing the III Lodge by Power
D.M.M., knocks *. All stand.
D.M.M.: By the power deputed to me by the Grand Master Masons at my appointment
to rule over an Assemblage I close this III Lodge and open the doors to all Lodges IV.
to I.
D.M.M., Dep.J., Dep.B. & S.I.W. proceed to the central column, change the H.B. to
Ruth IV, v. 7 and return to their places.
D.M.M. knocks * * **, followed by S.W., J.W., I.G. and O.G.. All sit.
D.M.M. Asks I.G. to admit any members of the lower degrees.