Master Mason Initiation Lecture

The broken column denotes the untimely death of our Grand Master Hiram Abiff;
the beautiful Virgin, weeping, denotes the Temple, unfinished;
the book open before her, that his virtues there lie on perpetual record;
the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the timely discovery of his body;

the urn in her left, that his ashes were there safely deposited
to perpetuate the remembrance of so distinguished a character;
and Time standing behind her unfolding the ringlets of her hair denotes that time,
patience and perseverance will accomplish all things...