The candidate is now requested to rise, and the Most Excellent Master gives him the sign, grip, and word appertaining to this degree. The sign is given by placing your hands, one on each breast, the fingers meeting in the centre of the body, and jerking them apart as though you were trying to tear open your breast; it alludes to the penalty of the obligation. The grip is given by taking each other by the right hand, and clasping them so that each compresses the third finger of the other with his thumb. [If one hand is large and the other small, they cannot both give the grip at the same time.] It is called the grip of all grips, because it is said to cover all the preceding grips. The Most Excellent holds the candidate by the hand, and puts the inside of his right foot to the inside of the candidate's right foot, and whispers in his ear, "RABBONI." In some Lodges the word is not given in a whisper, but in a low voice. After these ceremonies are over, and the members seated, some noise is intentionally made by shuffling the feet. M. E. M.--"Brother Senior, what is the cause of this confusion?" S. W.--"Is not this the day set apart for the celebration of the copestone, Most Excellent?" M. E. M.--"I will ask Brother Secretary. Brother Secretary, is this the day set apart for the celebration of the copestone?" Secretary (looking in his book)--"It is, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"Brother Senior Warden, assemble the brethren, and form a procession, for the purpose of celebrating the copestone." The brethren then assemble (the candidate stands aside, not joining in the procession), form a procession double file, and march six times around the Lodge, against the course of the sun, singing the following song, and giving all the signs from an Entered Apprentice to that of Most Excellent Master. When opposite the Most Excellent Master, the first time they march around the Lodge, each member gives the first sign of an Entered Apprentice, and preserves it until he nearly arrives opposite the Most Excellent a second time, then gives the second sign, and continues it in the same manner, and so of all others, up to that of this degree, saying,
All hail to the morning that bids us rejoice, The Temple's completed, exalt high each voice. The copestone is finished--our labor is o'er, The sound of the gavel shall hail us no more.