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diff --git a/18136-8.txt b/18136-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e9fe9b --- /dev/null +++ b/18136-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12635 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mysteries of Free Masonry, by William +Morgan + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Mysteries of Free Masonry + Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge + + +Author: William Morgan + + + +Release Date: April 9, 2006 [eBook #18136] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY*** + + +E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Jeannie Howse, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 18136-h.htm or 18136-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/1/3/18136/18136-h/18136-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/1/3/18136/18136-h.zip) + + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | While there are many cases of inconsistent spelling, there | + | are a number of obvious typographical errors that have been | + | corrected in this text. For a complete list, please see the | + | bottom of this document. | + | As the original is not divided into chapters, end of page | + | footnotes have been converted into endnotes. | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +Price, One-Dollar + +Morgan's Expose of Free Masonry. + +As Written by Captain William Morgan + + +[Illustration] + + +Printed in U.S.A. + + + + +THE MYSTERIES OF FREEMASONRY + +Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge, + +As Written by + +CAPTAIN WILLIAM MORGAN. + +All the Degrees Conferred in the Royal Arch Chapter and + Grand Encampment of Knights Templars--Knights + of the Red Cross--of the Christian Mark--and + of the Holy Sepulchre. + +ALSO + +The Eleven Ineffable Degrees Conferred in the Lodge of Perfection--and the + still higher degrees of Prince of Jerusalem--Knights of the East and + West--Venerable Grand Masters of Symbolic Lodges--Knights + and Adepts of the Eagle or Sun--Princes of the Royal + Secret--Sovereign Inspector General, etc. + +Revised and Corrected to Correspond with the Most Approved +Forms and Ceremonies in the Various Lodges of Free-Masons +Throughout the United States. + +By GEORGE R. CRAFTS, + +Formerly Thrice Puissant Grand Master of Manitou Council, N.Y. + + * * * * * + + + + +MORGAN'S EXPOSE OF FREEMASONRY. + + +CEREMONIES OF OPENING A LODGE OF ENTERED APPRENTICE MASONS. + +One rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls up the Junior and Senior +Deacons; two raps call up the subordinate officers; and three, all the +members of the Lodge. + +The Master having called the Lodge to order, and the officers all +seated, the Master says to the Junior Warden, "Brother Junior, are +they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the South?" He answers, "They +are, Worshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, are +they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the West?" He answers, "They +are, Worshipful." The Master then says, "They are in the East;" at the +same time he gives a rap with the common gavel, or mallet, which calls +up both Deacons. Master to Junior Deacon, "Attend to that part of your +duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of +Entered Apprentice Masons; and direct him to tyle accordingly." The +Tyler then steps to the door and gives three raps, which are answered +by three from without; the Junior Deacon then gives one, which is also +answered by the Tyler with one; the door is then partly opened, and +the Junior Deacon delivers his message and resumes his situation, and +says, "The door is tyled, Worshipful" (at the same time giving the +due-guard, which is never omitted when the Master is addressed). The +Master to the Junior Deacon, "By whom?" He answers, "By a Master Mason +without the door, armed with the proper implements of his office." +Master to the Junior Deacon, "His duty there?" He answers, "To keep +off all cowans and eave-droppers, see that none pass or repass without +permission from the Master." [Some say without permission from the +chair.] Master to Junior Deacon, "Brother Junior, your place in the +Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the +West." Master to Junior Deacon, "Your business there, Brother Junior?" +He answers, "To wait on the Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as +their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and take charge of the +door." Master to Junior Deacon, "The Senior Deacon's place in the +Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the +East." [The Master, while asking the last question, gives two raps, +which call up all the subordinate officers.] Master to Senior Deacon, +"Your duty there, Brother Senior?" He answers, "To wait on the +Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties +of the Lodge, attend to the preparation and introduction of +candidates--and welcome and clothe all visiting brethren." [i.e., +furnish them with an apron.] Master to Senior Deacon, "The Secretary's +place in the Lodge, Brother Senior?" He answers, "At the left hand of +the Worshipful Master in the East." Master to the Secretary, "Your +duty there, Brother Secretary?" He answers, "The better to observe +the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure, record the proceedings of +the Lodge; transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge, if +required; receive all moneys and money-bills from the hands of the +brethren, pay them over to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the +same." The Master to the Secretary, "The Treasurer's place in the +Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Worshipful Master." +Master to the Treasurer, "Your duty there, Brother Treasurer?" He +answers, "Duly to observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; +receive all moneys and money-bills from the hands of the Secretary; +keep a just and true account of the same; pay them out by order of the +Worshipful Master and consent of the brethren." The Master to the +Treasurer, "The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge, Brother +Treasurer?" He answers, "In the South, Worshipful." Master to Junior +Warden, "Your business there, Brother Junior?" He answers, "As the sun +in the South at high meridian, is the beauty and glory of the day, so +stands the Junior Warden in the South the better to observe the time; +call the crafts from labor to refreshment; superintend them during the +hours thereof; see that none convert the hours of refreshment into +that of intemperance or excess; and call them on again in due season, +that the Worshipful Master may have honor, and they pleasure and +profit thereby." Master to the Junior Warden, "The Senior Warden's +place in the Lodge?" He answers, "In the West, Worshipful." Master to +the Senior Warden, "Your duty there, Brother Senior?" He answers, "As +the sun sets in the West, to close the day, so stands the Senior +Warden in the West, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening his +Lodge; take care of the jewels and implements; see that none be lost; +pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go away +dissatisfied." Master to the Senior Warden, "The Master's place in the +Lodge?" He answers, "In the East, Worshipful." Master to the Senior +Warden, "His duty there?" He answers, "As the sun rises in the East to +open and adorn the day, so presides the Worshipful Master in the East +to open and adorn his Lodge; set his crafts to work with good and +wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." The Master now gives +three raps, when all the brethren rise, and the Master, taking off his +hat, proceeds as follows: "In like manner so do I, strictly forbidding +all profane language, private committees, or any other disorderly +conduct whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge may be interrupted +while engaged in its lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the +by-laws, or such penalty as a majority of the brethren present may see +fit to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the signs." [Here Lodges +differ very much. In some they declare the Lodge open, as follows, +before they give the sign.] The Master (all the brethren imitating +him) extends his left arm from his body, so as to form an angle of +about forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand traversely across +his left, the palms thereof one inch apart. This is called the first +sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in this degree, and alludes +to the position a candidate's hands are placed in when he takes the +obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason. The Master then draws his +right hand across his throat, the hand open, with the thumb next to +the throat, and drops it down by his side. This is called the +due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason (many call it the sign), and +alludes to the penalty of an obligation. The Master then declares the +Lodge opened in the following manner:--"I now declare the Lodge of +Entered Apprentice Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business." +The Senior Warden declares it to the Junior Warden, and he to the +brethren. "Come, brethren, let us pray." + +PRAYER.--Most holy and glorious God! the great Architect of the +Universe: the giver of all good gifts and graces. Thou hast promised +that "Where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt +be in the midst of them, and bless them." In Thy name we assemble, +most humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that +we may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend +to Thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge and virtue. And we +beseech Thee, O Lord God, to bless our present assembling; and to +illumine our minds through the influence of the Son of Righteousness, +that we may walk in the Light of Thy countenance; and when the trials +of our probationary state are over, be admitted into the temple not +made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. So mote it be. + +ANOTHER PRAYER.--Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren +to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the +head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down +to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew +that descended upon the mountain of Zion, for there the Lord commanded +the blessing, evermore. Amen. So mote it be. [This prayer is likewise +used on closing the Lodge.] + +The Lodge being now open and ready to proceed to business, the Master +directs the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting, which +naturally brings to view the business of the present. If there are any +candidates to be brought forward, that is the first business attended +to.[1] + + * * * * * + + +CEREMONIES OF THE ADMISSION AND INITIATION OF A CANDIDATE IN THE FIRST +DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY. + +At the first regular communication after the candidate has petitioned +for admission, if no objection has been urged against him, the Lodge +proceeds to a ballot. One black ball will reject a candidate. The +boxes may be passed three times. The Deacons are the proper persons +to pass them; one of the boxes has black and white beans or balls in +it, the other empty; the one with the balls in it goes before and +furnishes each member with a black and white ball; the empty box +follows and receives them. There are two holes in the top of this box, +with a small tube in each, one of which is black, and the other white, +with a partition in the box. The members put both their balls into +this box as their feelings dictate; when the balls are received, the +box is presented to the Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens, who +pronounce clear or not clear, as the case may be. The ballot proving +clear, the candidate (if present) is conducted into a small +preparation room adjoining the Lodge; he is asked the following +questions, and gives the following answers. Senior Deacon to +candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these +gentlemen, that, unbiassed by friends, uninfluenced by unworthy +motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the +mysteries of Masonry?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to +candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these +gentlemen, that you are prompt to solicit the privileges of Masonry, +by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of +knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your +fellow-creatures?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to +candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these +gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient +established usages and customs of the fraternity?" Candidate answers, +"I do." After the above questions are proposed and answered, and the +result reported to the Master, he says, "Brethren, at the request of +Mr. A. B., he has been proposed and accepted in the regular form. I +therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the Mysteries of +Masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity; +and in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily +made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the Order." +The candidate, during the time, is divested of all his apparel (shirt +excepted), and furnished with a pair of drawers, kept in the Lodge for +the use of candidates; he is then blindfolded, his left foot bare, his +right in a slipper, his left breast and arm naked, and a rope, called +a cable-tow, 'round his neck and left arm (the rope is not put 'round +the arm in all Lodges) in which posture the candidate is conducted to +the door, where he is caused to give, or the conductor gives, three +distinct knocks, which are answered by three from within; the +conductor gives one more, which is also answered by one from within. +The door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon generally asks, +"Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there?" The conductor +_alias_ the Senior Deacon, answers, "A poor, blind candidate, who has +long been desirous of having and receiving a part of the rights and +benefits of this worshipful Lodge, dedicated (some say erected) to +God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, as all true fellows +and brothers have done, who have gone this way before him." The Junior +Deacon then asks, "Is it of his own free will and accord he makes this +request? Is he duly and truly prepared? Worthy and well qualified? And +properly avouched for?" All of which being answered in the +affirmative, the Junior Deacon says to the Senior Deacon, "By what +further right does he expect to obtain this benefit?" The Senior +Deacon replies, "By being a man, free born, of lawful age, and under +the tongue of good report." The Junior Deacon then says, "Since this +is the case you will wait till the Worshipful Master in the East is +made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned." The Junior +Deacon repairs to the Master, when the same questions are asked, and +answers returned as at the door; after which the Master says, "Since +he comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him +enter this worshipful Lodge in the name of the Lord, and take heed on +what he enters." The candidate then enters, the Junior Deacon at the +same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the +compass, and asks the candidate, "Did you feel anything?" ANS.--"I +did." Junior Deacon to the candidate, "What was it?" ANS.--"A +torture." The Junior Deacon then says, "As this is a torture to your +flesh, so may it ever be to your mind and conscience, if ever you +should attempt to reveal the secrets of Masonry unlawfully." The +candidate is then conducted to the centre of the Lodge, where he and +the Senior Deacon kneel, and the Deacon says the following prayer: + +"Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this, our +present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may +dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, and become a true and +faithful brother among us! Endue him with a competency of Thy divine +wisdom, that by the secrets of our art, he may be the better enabled +to display the beauties of holiness, to the honor of Thy holy name. So +mote it be. Amen!" + +The Master then asks the candidate, "In whom do you put your trust?" +The candidate answers, "In God." The Master then takes him by the +right hand, and says, "Since in God you put your trust, arise, follow +your leader, and fear no danger." The Senior Deacon then conducts the +candidate three times regularly around the Lodge and halts at the +Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions are asked, and +answers returned as at the door. + +As the candidate and the conductor are going around the room, the +Master reads the following passage of Scripture, and takes the same +time to read it that they do to go around the Lodge three times. + +"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together +in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran +down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts +of his garment; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended +upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, +even life forevermore." + +The candidate is then conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, +where the same Questions are asked, and answers returned as before; +from thence he is conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, +where the same questions are asked, and answers returned as before. +The Master likewise demands of him from whence he came, and whither he +is traveling. The candidate answers, "From the West, and traveling to +the East." Master inquires, "Why do you leave the West and travel to +the East?" He answers, "In search of light." Master then says "Since +the candidate is traveling in search of light, you will please conduct +him back to the West from whence he came, and put him in the care of +the Senior Warden, who will teach him how to approach the East, the +place of light, by advancing upon one upright regular step, to the +first step, his feet forming the right angle of an oblong square, his +body erect at the altar before the Master, and place him in a proper +position to take upon himself the solemn oath or obligation of an +Entered Apprentice Mason." The Senior Warden receives the candidate, +and instructs him as directed. He first steps off with his left foot +and brings up the heel of the right into the hollow thereof; the heel +of the right foot against the ankle of the left, will, of course, form +the right angle of an oblong square; the candidate then kneels on his +left knee, and places his right foot so as to form a square with the +left, he turns his foot around until the ankle bone is as much in +front of him as the toes on the left; the candidate's left hand is +then put under the Holy Bible, square and compass, and the right hand +on them. This is the position in which a candidate is placed when he +takes upon him the oath or obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason. +As soon as the candidate is placed in this position, the Worshipful +Master approaches him, and says, "Mr. A. B., you are now placed in a +proper position to take upon you the solemn oath or obligation of an +Entered Apprentice Mason,[2] which I assure you is neither to affect +your religion nor politics. If you are willing to take it, repeat your +name, and say after me: + +"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty +God, and this worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, dedicated +to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, do hereby and +hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will +always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any part or parts, art or +arts, point or points of the secrets, arts and mysteries of ancient +Free Masonry, which I have received, am about to receive, or may +hereafter be instructed in, to any person or persons in the known +world, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the +body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, and not unto +him, nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto them only +after strict trial and due examination or lawful information. +Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not write, print, +stamp, stain, hew, cut, carve, indent, paint, or engrave it on +anything moveable or immoveable, under the whole canopy of heaven, +whereby, or whereon the least letter, figure, character, mark, stain, +shadow, or resemblance of the same may become legible or intelligible +to myself or any other person in the known world, whereby the secrets +of Masonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all +which I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without the +least equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me +whatever; $1$2: so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the true +performance of the same." + +After the obligation, the Master addresses the candidate in the +following manner: "Brother, to you the secrets of Masonry are about to +be unveiled, and a brighter sun never shone lustre on your eyes; while +prostrate before this sacred altar, do you not shudder at every crime? +Have you not confidence in every virtue? May these thoughts ever +inspire you with the most noble sentiments; may you ever feel that +elevation of soul that shall scorn a dishonest act. Brother, what do +you most desire?" The candidate answers, "Light." Master to brethren, +"Brethren, stretch forth your hands and assist in bringing this +new-made brother from darkness to light." The members having formed a +circle round the candidate, the Master says, "And God said, Let there +be light, and there was light." At the same time, all the brethren +clap their hands and stamp on the floor with their right feet as heavy +as possible, the bandage dropping from the candidate's eyes at the +same instant, which, after having been so long blind, and full of +fearful apprehensions all the time, this great and sudden transition +from perfect darkness to a light brighter (if possible) than the +meridian sun in a midsummer day, sometimes produces an alarming +effect. + +After the candidate is brought to light, the Master addresses him as +follows: "Brother, on being brought to light, you first discover three +great lights in Masonry by the assistance of three lesser; they are +thus explained: The three great lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible, +Square and Compass. The Holy Bible is given to us as a rule and guide +for our faith and practice; the Square, to square our actions, and the +Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind, but more especially +with the brethren. Three lesser lights are three burning tapers, or +candles placed on candlesticks (some say, or candles on pedestals), +they represent the Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge, and are thus +explained: As the sun rules the day, and the moon governs the night, +so ought the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, to rule and +govern his Lodge, or cause the same to be done; you next discover me, +as Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East upon the first +step of Masonry, under the sign and due-guard of an Entered Apprentice +Mason, as already revealed to you. This is the manner of giving them; +imitate me, as near as you can, keeping your position. First, step off +with your left foot, and bring the heel of the right into the hollow +thereof, so as to form a square." [This is the first step in Masonry.] +The following is the sign of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and is the +sign of distress in this degree; you are not to give it unless in +distress. [It is given by holding your two hands traversely across +each other, the right hand upwards, and one inch from the left.] The +following is the due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason. [This is +given by drawing your right hand across your throat, the thumb next to +your throat, your arm as high as the elbow, in a horizontal +position.] "Brother, I now present you my right hand, in token of +brotherly love and esteem, and with it the grip and name of the grip +of an Entered Apprentice Mason." The right hands are joined together, +as in shaking hands, and each sticks his thumb nail into the third +joint or upper end of the forefinger; the name of the grip is BOAZ, +and is to be given in the following manner and no other: The Master +gives the grip and word, and divides it for the instruction of the +candidate; the questions are as follows: The Master and candidate +holding each other by the grip as before described, the Master says, +"What is this?" Candidate--"A grip." Master "A grip of what?" +Candidate--"The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason." Master--"Has it +a name?" Candidate--"It has." Master--"Will you give it to me?" +Candidate--"I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it." +Master--"What will you do with it?" Candidate--"Letter it, or halve +it." Master--"Halve it and begin." Candidate--"You begin." +Master--"Begin you." Candidate--"BO." Master--"AZ." Candidate--"BOAZ." +Master says, "Right, Brother BOAZ, I greet you. It is the name of the +left hand pillar of the porch of King Solomon's Temple--arise, Brother +Boaz, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as such, and convince +them that you have been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice +Mason, and have got the sign, grip, and word." The Master returns to +his seat, while the Wardens are examining the candidate, and gets a +lamb-skin or white apron, presents it to the candidate and observes, +"Brother, I now present you with a lamb-skin, or white apron; it is an +emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; it has been worn by +kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, who have never been +ashamed to wear it; it is more honorable than the diamonds of kings, +or pearls of princesses, when worthily worn; it is more ancient than +the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and +Garter, or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this or +any other time, except it be in the body of a just and fully +constituted Lodge; you will carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, +who will teach you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason." The +Senior Warden ties the apron on, and turns up the flap, instead of +letting it fall down in front of the apron. This is the way Entered +Apprentice Masons wear, or ought to wear, their aprons until they are +advanced. The candidate is now conducted to the Master in the East, +who says, "Brother, as you are dressed, it is necessary you should +have tools to work with; I will now present you with the working tools +of an Entered Apprentice Mason, which are the twenty-four-inch gauge +and common gavel; they are thus explained: The twenty-four-inch gauge +is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to measure and lay +out their work, but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, make use of it +for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. The +twenty-four inches on the gauge are emblematical of the twenty-four +hours in the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal +parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a worthy +distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocations; and eight for +refreshment and sleep; the common gavel is an instrument made use of +by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the +better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted +Masons, use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting +our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, +thereby fitting our minds as living and lively stones for that +spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the +Heavens. I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION; it teaches +you, as you are barely instructed in the rudiments of Masonry, that +you should be cautious over all your words and actions, particularly +when before the enemies of Masonry. I shall next present you with +three precious jewels, which are a LISTENING EAR, a SILENT TONGUE, and +a FAITHFUL HEART. A listening ear teaches you to listen to the +instructions of the Worshipful Master, but more especially that you +should listen to the cries of a worthy distressed brother. A silent +tongue teaches you to be silent while in the Lodge, that the peace and +harmony thereof may not be disturbed, but more especially that you +should be silent before the enemies of Masonry, that the craft may not +be brought into disrepute by your imprudence. A faithful heart teaches +you to be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master at all +times, but more especially that you should be faithful, and keep and +conceal the secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother when given to +you in charge as such, that they may remain as secure and inviolable +in your breast as his own, before communicated to you. I further +present you with check-words two; their names are TRUTH and UNION, and +are thus explained: Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of +every virtue; to be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in +Masonry; on this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to +regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle, +hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing +distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each +other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's prosperity. Union is +that kind of friendship which ought to appear conspicuous in every +Mason's conduct. It is so closely allied to the divine attribute, +truth, that he who enjoys the one is seldom destitute of the other. +Should interest, honor, prejudice, or human depravity ever induce you +to violate any part of the sacred trust we now repose in you, let +these two important words, at the earliest insinuation, teach you to +put on the check-line of truth, which will infallibly direct you to +pursue that straight and narrow path which ends in the full enjoyment +of the Grand Lodge above, where we shall all meet as Masons and +members of the same family, in peace, harmony, and love; where all +discord on account of politics, religion, or private opinion, shall be +unknown, and banished from within our walls. + +"Brother, it has been a custom from time immemorial to demand, or ask +from a newly-made brother, something of a metallic kind, not so much +on account of its intrinsic value, but that it may be deposited in the +archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you was herein made a Mason; +a small trifle will be sufficient--anything of a metallic kind will +do; if you have no money, anything of a metallic nature will be +sufficient; even a button will do." [The candidate says he has nothing +about him; it is known he has nothing.] "Search yourself," the Master +replies. He is assisted in searching--nothing is found. "Perhaps you +can borrow a trifle," says the Master. [He tries to borrow, none will +lend him; he proposes to go into the other room where his clothes are; +he is not permitted: if a stranger, he is very much embarrassed.] +Master to candidate, "Brother, let this ever be a striking lesson to +you, and teach you, if you should ever see a friend, but more +especially a brother, in a like penniless situation, to contribute as +liberally to his relief as his situation may require, and your +abilities will admit, without material injury to yourself or family." +Master to Senior Deacon, "You will conduct the candidate back from +whence he came, and invest him of what he has been divested, and let +him return for further instruction. A zealous attachment to these +principles will insure a public and private esteem. In the State, you +are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your government, and +just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty, but +faithfully submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to +the government of the country in which you live. In your outward +demeanor be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach. +Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly +solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your +necessary vocations; for these are on no account to be neglected: +neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you +into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it. At +your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are +to converse with well-informed brethren, who will be always as ready +to give, as you will be to receive information. Finally, keep sacred +and inviolable the mysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguish +you from the rest of the community, and mark your consequence among +Masons. If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person +desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive +not to commend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our +rules; that the honor, glory, and reputation of the institution may be +firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good +effects." Here the initiation ends, and the candidate is congratulated +by his Masonic friends. + +After this, the business of the meeting proceeds according to the +by-laws or regulations of the Lodge. Before adjourning, it is a very +common practice to close a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and open a +Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and close that, and open a Master Mason's +Lodge, all in the same evening. + + * * * * * + + +CEREMONY OF CLOSING A LODGE OF ENTERED APPRENTICES. + +A brother having made a motion that the Lodge be closed, it being +seconded and carried, the Master says to the Junior Deacon, "Brother +Junior [giving one rap, which calls up both Deacons], the first as +well as the last care of a Mason?" The Junior Deacon answers, "To see +the Lodge tyled, Worshipful." Master to the Junior Deacon, "Attend to +that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to +close this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons, and direct him to tyle +accordingly." The Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives three +raps, which are answered by the Tyler with three more; the Junior +Deacon then gives one, which is also answered by the Tyler by one. The +Junior Deacon then opens the door, delivers his message, and resumes +his place in the Lodge, and says, "The door is tyled, Worshipful." +Master to Junior Deacon, "By whom?" ANS. "By a Master Mason without +the door, armed with the proper implements of his office." Master to +Junior Deacon, "His business there?" ANS. "To keep off all cowans and +eavesdroppers, and see that none pass or repass without permission +from the chair." Master to Junior Deacon, "Your duty there?" ANS. "To +wait on the Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the +active duties of the Lodge, and take care of the door." Master to +Junior Deacon, "The Senior Deacon's place in the Lodge?" ANS. "At the +right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East." Master to Senior +Deacon, "Your duty there, Brother Senior?" ANS. "To wait on the +Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties +of the Lodge, attend to the preparation and introduction of +candidates; receive and clothe all visiting brethren." Master to the +Senior Deacon, "The Secretary's place in the Lodge?" ANS. "At your +left hand, Worshipful." Master to Secretary, "Your duty there, Brother +Secretary?" The Secretary replies, "Duly to observe the Master's will +and pleasure; record the proceedings of the Lodge; transmit a copy of +the same to the Grand Lodge, if required; receive all moneys and +money-bills from the hands of the brethren; pay them over to the +Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same." Master to the +Secretary, "The Treasurer's place in the Lodge?" ANS. "At the right +hand of the Worshipful Master." Master to Treasurer, "Your business +there, Brother Treasurer?" Treasurer answers, "Duly to observe the +Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; receive all moneys and +money-bills from the hands of the Secretary; keep a just and accurate +account of the same; pay them out by order of the Worshipful Master +and consent of the brethren." Master to the Treasurer, "The Junior +Warden's place in the Lodge?" ANS. "In the South, Worshipful." Master +to the Junior Warden, "Your business there, Brother Junior?" The +Junior Warden says, "As the sun in the South, at high meridian, is the +beauty and glory of the day, so stands the Junior Warden in the South +at high twelve, the better to observe the time, call the crafts from +labor to refreshment; superintend them during the hours thereof; see +that none convert the purposes of refreshment into that of excess or +intemperance; call them on again in due season; that the Worshipful +Master may have honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby." The +Master to the Junior Warden, "The Master's place in the Lodge?" ANS. +"In the East, Worshipful." Master to Junior Warden, "His duty there?" +ANS. "As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the day, so +presides the Worshipful Master in the East, to open and adorn his +Lodge, set his crafts to work with good and wholesome laws, or cause +the same to be done." Master to the Junior Warden, "The Senior +Warden's place in the Lodge?" ANS. "In the West, Worshipful." Master +to the Senior Warden, "Your business there, Brother Senior?" The +Senior Warden replies, "As the sun sets in the West to close the day, +so stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful +Master in opening and closing the Lodge; take care of the jewels and +implements; see that none be lost; pay the craft their wages, if any +be due; and see that none go away dissatisfied." The Master now gives +three raps, when all the brethren rise, and the Master asks, "Are you +all satisfied?" They answer in the affirmative by giving the +due-guard. Should the Master discover that any declined giving it, +inquiry is immediately made why it is so; and if any member is +dissatisfied with any part of the proceedings, or with any brother, +the subject is immediately investigated. Master to the brethren, +"Attend to giving the signs; as I do, so do you give them downwards;" +[which is by giving the last in opening, first in closing. In closing, +on this degree, you first draw your right hand across your throat, as +hereinbefore described, and then hold your two hands over each other +as before described. This is the method pursued through all the +degrees; and when opening on any of the upper degrees, all the signs +of all the preceding degrees are given before you give the signs of +the degree on which you are opening.] This being done, the Master +proceeds, "I now declare this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons +regularly closed in due and ancient form. Brother Junior Warden, +please inform Brother Senior Warden, and request him to inform the +brethren that it is my will and pleasure that this Lodge of Entered +Apprentice Masons be now closed, and stand closed until our next +regular communication, unless a case or cases of emergency shall +require earlier convention, of which every member shall be notified; +during which time it is seriously hoped and expected that every +brother will demean himself as becomes a Free and Accepted Mason." +Junior Warden to Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, it is the Worshipful +Master's will and pleasure that this Lodge of Entered Apprentice +Masons be closed, and stand closed until our next regular +communication, unless a case or cases of emergency shall require +earlier convention, of which every brother shall be notified; during +which time it is seriously hoped and expected that every brother will +demean himself as becomes a Free and Accepted Mason." Senior Warden to +the brethren, "Brethren, you have heard the Worshipful Master's will +and pleasure as communicated to me by Brother Junior; so let it be +done." Master to the Junior Warden, "Brother Junior, how do Mason's +meet?" ANS. "On the level." Master to Senior Warden, "How do Masons +part?" ANS. "On the square." Master to the Junior and Senior Wardens, +"Since we meet on the level, Brother Junior, and part on the square, +Brother Senior, so let us ever meet and part in the name of the Lord." +Master to the brethren, "Brethren, let us pray." + +"Supreme Architect of the Universe! Accept our humble praises for the +many mercies and blessings which Thy bounty has conferred upon us, and +especially for this friendly and social intercourse. Pardon, we +beseech Thee, whatever Thou hast seen amiss in us since we have been +together; and continue to us Thy presence, protection and blessing. +Make us sensible of the renewed obligations we are under to love Thee +supremely, and to be friendly to each other. May all our irregular +passions be subdued, and may we daily increase in faith, hope, and +charity; but more especially in that charity which is the bond of +peace, and perfection of every virtue. May we so practice Thy +precepts, that through the merits of the Redeemer we may finally +obtain Thy promises, and find an acceptance through the gates and into +the temple and city of our God. So mote it be. Amen." + +It is often that the prayer is neglected and the following benediction +substituted: May the blessing of heaven rest upon us, and all regular +Masons! May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue +cement us. So mote it be. Amen. + +After the prayer the following charge ought to be delivered, but it is +seldom attended to; in a majority of Lodges it is never attended to; +Master to brethren, "Brethren, we are now about to quit this sacred +retreat of friendship and virtue to mix again with the world. Amidst +its concerns and employments, forget not the duties which you have +heard so frequently inculcated, and so forcibly recommended in this +Lodge. Remember that around this altar you have promised to befriend +and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance. You have +promised in the most friendly manner to remind him of his errors and +aid a reformation. These generous principles are to extend further; +every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good unto +all. Recommend it more 'especially to the household of the faithful.' +Finally, brethren, be ye all of one mind, live in peace, and may the +God of love and peace delight to dwell with and bless you." + +In some Lodges, after the charge is delivered, the Master says, +"Brethren, form on the square." Then all the brethren form a circle, +and the Master, followed by every brother [except in using the words], +says, "And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." At the +same moment that the last of these words drops from the Master's lips, +every member stamps with his right foot on the floor, and at the same +instant brings his hands together with equal force, and in such +perfect unison with each other, that persons situated so as to hear it +would suppose it the precursor of some dreadful catastrophe. This is +called "THE SHOCK." The members of the Lodge then separate. + +The above comprises all the secret forms and ceremonies in a Lodge of +Entered Apprentice Masons; but if the candidate would thoroughly +understand the whole, he must commit to memory the following +"Lecture." Very few do this except the officers of the Lodge. The +"Lecture" is nothing more nor less than a recapitulation of the +preceding ceremonies and forms by way of question and answer, in order +fully to explain the same. In fact, the ceremonies and forms +(masonically called the WORK) and Lecture are so much the same that he +who possesses a knowledge of the Lecture cannot be destitute of a +knowledge of what the ceremonies and forms are. The ceremonies used in +opening and closing are the same in all the degrees. + + * * * * * + + +FIRST SECTION. + +LECTURE ON THE FIRST DEGREE OF MASONRY. + +Question--From whence came you as an Entered Apprentice Mason? +Answer--From the Holy Lodge of St. John at Jerusalem. + +Q. What recommendations do you bring? A. Recommendations from the +Worshipful Master, Wardens, and brethren of that Right Worshipful +Lodge, who greet you. + +Q. What comest thou hither to do? A. To learn to subdue my passions, +and improve myself in the secret arts and mysteries of Ancient +Freemasonry. + +Q. You are a Mason, then, I presume? A. I am. + +Q. How do you know that you are a Mason? A. By being often tried, +never denied, and willing to be tried again. + +Q. How shall I know you to be a Mason? A. By certain signs, and a +token. + +Q. What are signs? A. All right angles, horizontals and +perpendiculars. + +Q. What is a token? A. A certain friendly and brotherly grip, whereby +one Mason may know another in the dark as well as in the light. + +Q. Where were you first prepared to be a Mason? A. In my heart. + +Q. Where secondly? A. In a room adjacent to the body of a just and +lawfully constituted Lodge of such. + +Q. How were you prepared? A. By being divested of all metals, neither +naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, hoodwinked, with a cable-tow +about my neck, in which situation I was conducted to the door of the +Lodge. + +Q. You being hoodwinked, how did you know it to be a door? A. By first +meeting with resistance, and afterwards gaining admission. + +Q. How did you gain admission? A. By three distinct knocks from +without, answered by the same from within. + +Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? Who comes +there? Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A poor, blind candidate, who has long been desirous +of having and receiving a part of the rights and benefits of this +Worshipful Lodge, dedicated to God, and held forth to the Holy Order +of St. John, as all true fellows and brothers have done, who have gone +this way before me. + +Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was +of my own free will and accord I made this request; if I was duly and +truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; all of which being answered +in the affirmative, I was asked by what further rights I expected to +obtain so great a favor or benefit. + +Q. Your answer? A. By being a man, free-born, of lawful age, and well +recommended. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was bid to wait till the Worshipful +Master in the East was made acquainted with my request and his answer +returned. + +Q. After his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to +enter the Lodge. + +Q. How? A. On the point of some sharp instrument pressing my naked +left breast, in the name of the Lord. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted to the centre of +the Lodge, and there caused to kneel for the benefit of a prayer. + +Q. After prayer, what was said to you? A. I was asked in whom I put my +trust. + +Q. Your answer? A. God. + +Q. What followed? A. The Worshipful Master took me by the right hand +and said, Since in God you put your trust, arise, follow your leader, +and fear no danger. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted three times +regularly around the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden in the +South, where the same questions were asked, and answers returned at +the door. + +Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions +were asked, and answers returned as before. + +Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same +questions were asked, and answers returned as before, who likewise +demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. + +Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and traveling to the East. + +Q. Why do you leave the West and travel to the East? A. In search of +light. + +Q. How did the Worshipful Master then dispose of you? A. He ordered me +to be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in care +of the Senior Warden, who taught me how to approach the East, the +place of light, by advancing upon one upright regular step to the +first step, my feet forming the right angle of an oblong square, my +body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master. + +Q. What did the Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made an Entered +Apprentice Mason of me. + +Q. How? A. In due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. My left knee bare and bent, my right +forming a square, my left hand supporting the Holy Bible, Square and +Compass; I took upon me the solemn oath or obligation of an Entered +Apprentice Mason. + +Q. After you had taken your obligation, what was said to you? A. I was +asked what I most desired. + +Q. Your answer? A. Light. + +Q. Was you immediately brought to light? A. I was. + +Q. How? A. By the direction of the Master, and assistance of the +brethren. + +Q. What did you first discover after being brought to light? A. Three +great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three lesser. + +Q. What were those three great lights in Masonry? A. The Holy Bible, +Square and Compass. + +Q. How are they explained? A. The Holy Bible is given to us as a guide +for our faith and practice; the Square, to square our actions; and the +Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind, but more especially +with the brethren. + +Q. What were those three lesser lights? A. Three burning tapers, or +candles on candlesticks. + +Q. What do they represent? A. The Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge. + +Q. How are they explained? A. As the Sun rules the day, and the Moon +governs the night, so ought the Worshipful Master to use his endeavors +to rule and govern his Lodge with equal regularity, or cause the same +to be done. + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me +from the East, under the sign and due-guard of an Entered Apprentice +Mason, who presented me with his right hand in token of brotherly love +and esteem, and proceeded to give me the grip and word of an Entered +Apprentice Mason, and bid me arise and salute the Junior and Senior +Wardens, and convince them that I had been regularly initiated as an +Entered Apprentice Mason, and was in possession of the sign, grip, and +word. + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master a second time +approaching me from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or +white apron, which he said was an emblem of innocence, and the badge +of a Mason; that it had been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of +the earth, who had never been ashamed to wear it; that it was more +honorable than the diamonds of kings, or pearls of princesses, when +worthily worn; and more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; +more honorable than the Star or Garter, or any other order that could +be conferred on me at that time, or any time thereafter, except it be +in the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons; and +bid me carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to +wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason. + +Q. What were you next presented with? A. The working tools of an +Entered Apprentice Mason. + +Q. What were they? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge and common gavel. + +Q. How were they explained? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge is an +instrument made use of by operative masons to measure and lay out +their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make +use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our +time; the twenty-four inches on the gauge are emblematical of the +twenty-four hours in the day, which we are taught so divide into three +equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a +worthy distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocation, and +eight hours for refreshment and sleep. The common gavel is an +instrument made use of by operative masons to break off the corners of +rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as +Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more +noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of +all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds as +lively and living stone for that spiritual building, that house not +made with hands, eternal in the heavens. + +Q. What was you next presented with? A. A new name. + +Q. What was it? A. Caution. + +Q. What does it teach? A. It teaches me, as I was barely instructed in +the rudiments of Masonry, that I should be cautious over all my words +and actions, especially when before its enemies. + +Q. What were you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels. + +Q. What were they? A. A listening ear, a silent tongue, and a faithful +heart. + +Q. What do they teach? A. A listening ear teaches me to listen to the +instructions of the Worshipful Master, but more especially that I +should listen to the calls and cries of a worthy distressed brother. A +silent tongue teaches me to be silent in the Lodge, that the peace and +harmony thereof may not be disturbed; but more especially that I +should be silent when before the enemies of Masonry. A faithful heart, +that I should be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master +at all times; but more especially that I should be faithful and keep +and conceal the secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother, when +delivered to me in charge as such, that they may remain as secure and +inviolable in my breast as in his own, before communicated to me. + +Q. What was you next presented with? A. Check-words two. + +Q. What were they? A. Truth and Union. + +Q. How explained? A. Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation +of every virtue. To be good and true are the first lessons we are +taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates +endeavor to regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this +principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown amongst us; sincerity and +plain dealing distinguish us; and the heart and tongue join in +promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's +prosperity. + +Union is that kind of friendship that ought to appear conspicuous in +the conduct of every Mason. It is so closely allied to the divine +attribute, truth, that he who enjoys the one, is seldom destitute of +the other. Should interest, honor, prejudice, or human depravity ever +influence you to violate any part of the sacred trust we now repose in +you, let these two important words, at the earliest insinuation, teach +you to put on the check-line of truth, which will infallibly direct +you to pursue that straight and narrow path which ends in the full +enjoyment of the Grand Lodge above, where we shall all meet as Masons +and members of one family; where all discord on account of religion, +politics, or private opinion, shall be unknown and banished from +within our walls. + +Q. What followed? A. The Worshipful Master in the East made a demand +of me of something of a metallic kind, which, he said, was not so much +on account of its intrinsic value, as that it might be deposited in +the archives of the Lodge as a memorial that I had herein been made a +Mason. + +Q. How did the Worshipful Master then dispose of you? A. He ordered me +to be conducted out of the Lodge and invested of what I had been +divested, and return for further instruction. + +Q. After you returned, how was you disposed of? A. I was conducted to +the northeast corner of the Lodge, and there caused to stand upright +like a man, my feet forming a square, and received a solemn +injunction, ever to walk and act uprightly before God and man, and in +addition thereto received too following charge. [For this charge see +pages 10-12.] + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--Why was you divested of all metals when you was made a +Mason? Answer--Because Masonry regards no man on account of his +worldly wealth or honors; it is therefore the internal, and not the +external qualifications that recommend a man to Masons. + +Q. A second reason? A. There was neither the sound of an axe, hammer, +or any other metal tool heard at the building of King Solomon's +Temple. + +Q. How could so stupendous a fabric be erected without the sound of +axe, hammer, or any other metal tool? A. All the stones were hewed, +squared, and numbered in the quarries where they were raised, all the +timbers felled and prepared in the forests of Lebanon, and carried +down to Joppa on floats, and taken from thence up to Jerusalem and set +up with wooden mauls, prepared for that purpose; which, when +completed, every part thereof fitted with that exact nicety, that it +had more the resemblance of the handy workmanship of the Supreme +Architect of the Universe than of human hands. + +Q. Why was you neither naked nor clothed? A. As I was an object of +distress at that time, it was to remind me, if ever I saw a friend, +more especially a brother, in a like distressed situation, that I +should contribute as liberally to his relief as his situation +required, and my abilities would admit, without material injury to +myself or family. + +Q. Why was you neither barefoot nor shod? A. It was an ancient +Israelitish custom adopted among Masons; and we read in the Book of +Ruth concerning their mode and manner of changing and redeeming, and +to confirm all things, a brother plucked off his shoe and gave it to +his neighbor, and that was testimony in Israel. This, then, therefore, +we do in confirmation of a token, and as a pledge of our fidelity; +therefore signifying that we will renounce our own will in all things, +and become obedient to the laws of our ancient institutions. + +Q. Why was you hoodwinked? A. That my heart might conceive before my +eyes beheld the beauties of Masonry. + +Q. A second reason? A. As I was in darkness at that time, it was to +remind me that I should keep the whole world so respecting Masonry. + +Q. Why had you a cable-tow about your neck? A. In case I had not +submitted to the manner and mode of my initiation, that I might have +been led out of the Lodge without seeing the form and beauties +thereof. + +Q. Why did you give three distinct knocks at the door? A. To alarm the +Lodge, and let the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethren know that a +poor blind candidate prayed admission. + +Q. What do those three distinct knocks allude to? A. A certain passage +in Scripture wherein it says, "Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye +shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." + +Q. How did you apply this to your then case in Masonry? A. I asked the +recommendation of a friend to become a Mason; I sought admission +through his recommendations and knocked, and the door of Masonry +opened unto me. + +Q. Why was you caused to enter on the point of some sharp instrument +pressing your naked left breast in the name of the Lord? A. As this +was a torture to my flesh, so might the recollection of it ever be to +my flesh and conscience, if ever I attempted to reveal the secrets of +Masonry unlawfully. + +Q. Why was you conducted to the centre of the Lodge, and there caused +to kneel for the benefit of a prayer? A. Before entering on this, or +any other great and important undertaking, it is highly necessary to +implore a blessing from Deity. + +Q. Why was you asked in whom you put your trust? A. Agreeably to the +laws of our ancient institution, no Atheist could be made a Mason; it +was, therefore, necessary that I should believe in Deity; otherwise, +no oath or obligation could bind me. + +Q. Why did the Worshipful Master take you by the right hand and bid +you rise, follow your leader, and fear no danger? A. As I was in +darkness at that time, and could neither forsee nor avoid danger, it +was to remind me that I was in the hands of an affectionate friend, in +whose fidelity I might with safety confide. + +Q. Why was you conducted three times regularly round the Lodge? A. +That the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethren might see that I was +duly and truly prepared. + +Q. Why did you meet with those several obstructions on the way? A. +This, and every other Lodge is, or ought to be, a true representation +of King Solomon's Temple, which, when completed, had guards stationed +at the East, West, and South gates. + +Q. Why had they guards stationed at those several gates? A. To prevent +any one from passing or repassing that was not duly qualified. + +Q. Why did you kneel on your left knee and not on your right, or both? +A. The left side has ever been considered the weakest part of the +body; it was, therefore, to remind me that that part I was then taking +upon me was the weakest part of Masonry, it being that only of an +Entered Apprentice. + +Q. Why was your right hand placed on the Holy Bible, Square and +Compass, and not your left, or both? A. The right hand has ever been +considered the seat of fidelity, and our ancient brethren worshipped +Deity under the name of FIDES, which has sometimes been represented by +two right hands joined together; at others, by two human figures +holding each other by the right hand; the right hand, therefore, we +use in this great and important undertaking, to signify, in the +strongest manner possible, the sincerity of our intentions in the +business we are engaged. + +Q. Why did the Worshipful Master present you with a lamb-skin, or a +white apron? A. The lamb-skin has, in all ages, been deemed an emblem +of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lamb-skin, as a badge of a +Mason, is thereby continually reminded of that purity of life and +rectitude of conduct, which is so essentially necessary to our gaining +admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect +of the Universe presides. + +Q. Why did the Master make a demand of you of something of a metallic +nature? A. As I was in a poor and penniless situation at the time, it +was to remind me if ever I saw a friend, but more especially a +brother, in a like poor and penniless situation, that I should +contribute as liberally to his relief as my abilities would admit and +his situation required, without injuring myself or family. + +Q. Why was you conducted to the northeast corner of the Lodge, and +there caused to stand upright, like a man, your feet forming a square, +receiving, at the same time, a solemn charge to walk and act uprightly +before God and man? A. The first stone in every Masonic edifice is, or +ought to be, placed at the northeast corner; that being the place +where an Entered Apprentice Mason receives his first instructions to +build his future Masonic edifice upon. + + * * * * * + + +THIRD SECTION. + +Question--We have been saying a good deal about a Lodge, I want to +know what constitutes a Lodge? Answer--A certain number of Free and +Accepted Masons, duly assembled in a room or place, with the Holy +Bible, Square and Compass, and other Masonic Implements, with a +charter from the Grand Lodge, empowering them to work. + +Q. Where did our ancient brethren meet before Lodges were erected? A. +On the highest hills, and in the lowest vales. + +Q. Why on the highest hills and in the lowest vales? A. The better to +guard against cowans and enemies either ascending or descending, that +the brethren might have timely notice of their approach, to prevent +being surprised. + +Q. What is the form of your Lodge? A. An oblong square. + +Q. How long? A. From East to West. + +Q. How wide? A. Between North and South. + +Q. How high? A. From the surface of the earth to the highest heavens. + +Q. How deep? A. From the surface to the centre. + +Q. What supports your Lodge? A. Three large columns or pillars. + +Q. What are their names? A. Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. + +Q. Why so? A. It is necessary there should be wisdom to contrive, +strength to support, and beauty to adorn, all great and important +undertakings; but more especially this of ours. + +Q. Has your Lodge any covering? A. It has; a clouded canopy, or +starry-decked heaven, where all good Masons hope to arrive. + +Q. How do you hope to arrive there? A. By the assistance of Jacob's +ladder. + +Q. How many principal rounds has it got? A. Three. + +Q. What are their names? A. Faith, Hope, and Charity. + +Q. What do they teach? A. Faith in God, hope in immortality, and +charity to all mankind. + +Q. Has your Lodge any furniture? A. It has; the Holy Bible, Square, +and Compass. + +Q. To whom do they belong? A. The Bible to God; the Square to the +Master; and the Compass to the Craft. + +Q. How explained? A. The Bible to God, it being the inestimable gift +of God to man for his instruction, to guide him through the rugged +paths of life; the Square to the Master, it being the proper emblem +of his office: the Compass to the Craft; by a due attention to which +we are taught to limit our desires, curb our ambition, subdue our +irregular appetites, and keep our passions and prejudices in due +bounds with all mankind, but more especially with the brethren. + +Q. Has your Lodge any ornaments? A. It has; the Mosaic, or checkered +pavement; the indented tressel; that beautiful tesselated border which +surrounds it, with the blazing star in the centre. + +Q. What do they represent? A. The Mosaic, or checkered pavement, +represents this world; which, though checkered over with good and +evil, yet brethren may walk together thereon and not stumble; the +indented tressel, with the blazing star in the centre, the manifold +blessings and comforts with which we are surrounded in this life, but +more especially those which we hope to enjoy hereafter; the blazing +star, that prudence which ought to appear conspicuous in the conduct +of every Mason, but more especially commemorative of the star which +appeared in the East to guide the wise men to Bethlehem, to proclaim +the birth and the presence of the Son of God. + +Q. Has your Lodge any lights? A. It has; three. + +Q. How are they situated? A. East, West, and South. + +Q. Has it none in the North? A. It has not. + +Q. Why so? A. Because this and every other Lodge is, or ought to be, a +true representation of King Solomon's Temple, which was situated North +of the ecliptic; the Sun and Moon, therefore, darting their rays from +the South, no light was to be expected from the North; we, therefore, +Masonically, term the North a place of darkness. + +Q. Has your Lodge any jewels? A. It has; six; three movable and three +immovable. + +Q. What are the three movable jewels? A. The Square, Level, and Plumb. + +Q. What do they teach? A. The Square, morality; the Level, equality; +and the Plumb, rectitude of life and conduct. + +Q. What are the three immovable jewels? A. The rough Ashlar, the +perfect Ashlar, and the Tressel-Board. + +Q. What are they? A. The rough Ashlar is a stone in its rough and +natural state; the perfect Ashlar is also a stone, made ready by the +working tools of the Fellow Craft to be adjusted in the building; and +the Tressle-Board is for the master workman to draw his plans and +designs upon. + +Q. What do they represent? A. The rough Ashlar represents man in his +rude and imperfect state by nature; the perfect Ashlar also represents +man in that state of perfection to which we all hope to arrive, by +means of a virtuous life and education, our own endeavors, and the +blessing of God. In erecting our temporal building, we pursue the +plans and designs laid down by the master workman on his +Tressle-Board: but in erecting our spiritual building, we pursue the +plans and designs laid down by the Supreme Geometrician of the +Universe, in the Book of Life, which we, Masonically, term our +spiritual Tressle-Board. + +Q. Who did you serve? A. My Master. + +Q. How long? A. Six days. + +Q. What did you serve him with? A. Freedom, Fervency, and Zeal. + +Q. What do they represent? A. Chalk, Charcoal, and Earth. + +Q. Why so? A. There is nothing freer than chalk, the slightest touch +of which leaves a trace behind; nothing more fervent than heated +charcoal; it will melt the most obdurate metals; nothing more zealous +than the earth to bring forth. + +Q. How is your Lodge situated? A. Due East and West. + +Q. Why so? A. Because the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. + +Q. A second reason? A. The gospel was first preached in the East and +is spreading to the West. + +Q. A third reason? A. The liberal arts and sciences began in the East +and are extending to the West. + +Q. A fourth reason? A. Because all the churches and chapels are, or +ought to be, so situated. + +Q. Why are all churches and chapels so situated? A. Because King +Solomon's Temple was so situated. + +Q. Why was King Solomon's Temple so situated? A. Because Moses, after +conducting the children of Israel through the Red Sea, by divine +command, erected a tabernacle to God, and placed it due East and West, +which was to commemorate, to the latest posterity, that miraculous +East wind that wrought their mighty deliverance; and this was an exact +model of Solomon's Temple; since which time, every well regulated and +governed Lodge is, or ought to be, so situated. + +Q. To whom did our ancient brethren dedicate their Lodges? A. To King +Solomon. + +Q. Why so? A. Because King Solomon was our most ancient Grand Master. + +Q. To whom do modern Masons dedicate their Lodges? A. To St. John the +Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. + +Q. Why so? A. Because they were the two most ancient Christian patrons +of Masonry; and, since their time, in every well-regulated and +governed Lodge there has been a certain point within a circle, which +circle is bounded on the East and the West by two perpendicular +parallel lines, representing the anniversary of St. John the Baptist +and St. John the Evangelist, who were two perfect parallels, as well +in Masonry as Christianity, on the vertex of which rests the Book of +the Holy Scriptures, supporting Jacob's Ladder, which is said to reach +the watery clouds, and, in passing round this circle, we naturally +touch on both these perpendicular parallel lines, as well as the Book +of the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself thus +circumscribed, he cannot materially err. + + +END OF THE LECTURE, AND OF THE FIRST DEGREE. + +It is proper to add here that very few Masons ever learn the Lecture. +Of course, it is necessary that the officers of the Lodge should +understand their own particular part, and that is generally all they +learn. + + * * * * * + + +THE SECOND OR FELLOW CRAFT MASON'S DEGREE. + +This degree is usually called "passing." The ceremonies of opening and +closing the Lodge are precisely the same as in the first degree; +except two knocks are used in this degree, and the door is entered by +the benefit of a pass-word. It is SHIBBOLETH, and explained in the +Lecture. The candidate, as before, is taken into the preparation room +and prepared in the manner following: All his clothing taken off, +except his shirt; furnished with a pair of drawers; his right breast +bare; his left foot in a slipper; the right bare; a cable-tow twice +'round his neck; semi-hoodwinked; in which situation he is conducted +to the door of the Lodge, where he gives two knocks, when the Senior +Warden rises and says, "Worshipful, while we are peaceably at work on +the second degree of Masonry, under the influence of faith, hope, and +charity, the door of our Lodge is alarmed." Master to Junior Deacon, +"Brother Junior, inquire the cause of that alarm." [In many Lodges +they come to the door, knock, are answered by the Junior Deacon, and +come in without being noticed by the Senior Warden or Master.] The +Junior Deacon gives two raps on the inside of the door. The candidate +gives one without. It is answered by the Junior Deacon with one; when +the door is partly opened by the Junior Deacon, who inquires, "Who +comes here? Who comes here?" The Senior Deacon, who is, or ought to +be, the conductor, answers, "A worthy brother, who has been regularly +initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, served a proper time as +such, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being passed to +the degree of Fellow Craft." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Is it of +his own free will and accord he makes this request?" Senior Deacon +replies, "It is." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Is he duly and +truly prepared?" ANS. "He is." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Is he +worthy and well qualified?" ANS. "He is." Junior Deacon to Senior +Deacon, "Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?" +ANS. "He has." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "By what further rights +does he expect to obtain this benefit?" ANS. "By the benefit of a +pass-word." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Has he a pass-word?" ANS. +"He has not, but I have it for him." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, +"Give it to me." The Senior Deacon whispers in the Junior Deacon's +ear, "SHIBBOLETH." The Junior Deacon says, "The pass is right; since +this is the case, you will wait until the Worshipful Master in the +East is made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned." +The Junior Deacon then repairs to the Master and gives two knocks, as +at the door, which are answered by two by the Master; when the same +questions are asked, and answers returned, as at the door. After +which, the Master says, "Since he comes endued with all these +necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge in the +name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters." He enters; the +angle of the Square is pressed hard against his naked right breast, at +which time the Junior Deacon says, "Brother, when you entered this +Lodge the first time, you entered on the point of the Compass pressing +your naked left breast, which was then explained to you. You now enter +it on the angle of the Square, pressing your naked right breast; which +is to teach you to act upon the square with all mankind, but more +especially with the brethren." The candidate is then conducted twice +regularly 'round the Lodge and halted at the Junior Warden in the +South, where he gives two raps, and is answered by two, when the same +questions are asked, and answers returned as at the door; from thence +he is conducted to the Senior Warden, where the same questions are +asked, and answers returned as before; he is then conducted to the +Master in the East, where the same questions are asked, and answers +returned as before; the Master likewise demands of him from whence he +came, and whither he was traveling; he answers, "From the West, and +traveling to the East." The Master says, "Why do you leave the West, +and travel to the East?" The candidate answers, "In search of more +light." The Master then says to the Senior Deacon, "Since this is the +case, you will please conduct the candidate back to the West, from +whence he came, and put him in the care of the Senior Warden, who will +teach him how to approach the East, 'the place of light,' by advancing +upon two upright regular steps to the second step (his heel is in the +hollow of the right foot in this degree), his feet forming the right +angle of an oblong square, and his body erect at the altar before the +Worshipful Master, and place him in a proper position to take the +solemn oath or obligation of a Fellow Craft Mason." The Master then +leaves his seat and approaches the kneeling candidate (the candidate +kneels on the right knee, the left forming a square; his left arm, as +far as the elbow, in a horizontal position, and the rest of the arm in +a vertical position, so as to form a square; his arm supported by the +Square held under his elbow), and says, "Brother, you are now placed +in a proper position to take on you the solemn oath or obligation of a +Fellow Craft Mason, which, I assure you, as before, is neither to +affect your religion nor politics; if you are willing to take it, +repeat your name, and say after me: + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of + Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons, + dedicated to God, and held forth to the Holy Order of St. John, do + hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, + in addition to my former obligation, that I will not give the + degree of a Fellow Craft Mason to any one of an inferior degree, + nor to any one being in the known world, except it be to a true + and lawful brother, or brethren Fellow Craft Masons, or within the + body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; and not + unto him nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him + and them only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and + due examination, or lawful information. Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, nor a brother of this + degree, to the value of two cents, knowingly, myself, nor suffer + it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will support the + Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and of the + Grand Lodge of this State, under which this Lodge is held, and + conform to all the by-laws, rules, and regulations of this, or any + other Lodge, of which I may at any time hereafter become a member, + as far as in my power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I + will obey all regular signs and summons given, handed, sent, or + thrown to me by the hand of a brother Fellow Craft Mason, or from + the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; + provided it be within the length of my cable-tow, or a square and + angle of my work. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will + be aiding and assisting all poor and penniless brethren Fellow + Crafts, their widows and orphans, wheresoever disposed 'round the + globe, they applying to me as such, as far as in my power, without + injuring myself or family. To all which I do most solemnly and + sincerely promise and swear, without the least hesitation, mental + reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever; binding + myself under no less penalty than to have my left breast torn + open, and my heart and vitals taken from thence and thrown over my + left shoulder, and carried into the valley of Jehosaphat, there to + become a prey to the wild beasts of the fields, and vultures of + the air, if ever I should prove wilfully guilty of violating any + part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Fellow Craft Mason; + so keep me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of + the same." + +The Master then says, "Detach your hands and kiss the book, which is +the Holy Bible, twice." The bandage is now (by one of the brethren) +dropped over the other eye, and the Master says, "Brother (at the same +time laying his hand on the top of the candidate's head), what do you +most desire?" The candidate answers, after his prompter, "More light." +The Master says, "Brethren, form on the square, and assist in bringing +our new-made brother from darkness to light; 'And God said, Let there +be light, and there was light.'" At this instant all the brethren clap +their hands, and stamp on the floor, as in the preceding degree. The +Master says to the candidate, "Brother, what do you discover different +from before?" The Master says, after a short pause, "You now discover +one point of the Compass elevated above the Square, which denotes +light in this degree; but as one is yet in obscurity, it is to remind +you that you are yet one material point in the dark respecting +Masonry." The Master steps off from the candidate three or four steps, +and says, "Brother, you now discover me as a Master of this Lodge, +approaching you from the East, under the sign and due-guard of a +Fellow Craft Mason; do as I do, as near as you can, keeping your +position." The sign is given by drawing your right hand flat, with the +palm of it next to your breast, across your breast, from the left to +the right side, with some quickness, and dropping it down by your +side; the due-guard is given by raising the left arm until that part +of it between the elbow and shoulder is perfectly horizontal, and +raising the rest of the arm in a vertical position, so that that part +of the arm below the elbow, and that part above it, forms a square; +this is called the due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason. The two given +together are called the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason, +and they are never given separate; they would not be recognized by a +Mason if given separately. The Master, by the time he gives his steps, +sign, and due-guard, arrives at the candidate, and says, "Brother, I +now present you with my right hand, in token of brotherly love and +confidence, and with it the pass-grip and word of a Fellow Craft +Mason." The pass, or more properly the pass-grip, is given by taking +each other by the right hand, as though going to shake hands, and each +putting his thumb between the fore and second finger, where they join +the hands, and pressing the thumb between the joints. This is the +pass-grip of a Fellow Craft Mason; the name of it is SHIBBOLETH. Its +origin will be explained in the Lecture; the pass-grip some give +without lettering or syllabling, and others give it in the same way +they do the real grip. The real grip of a Fellow Craft Mason is given +by putting the thumb on the joint of the second finger, where it joins +the hand, and crooking your thumb so that each can stick the nail of +his thumb into the joint of the other. This is the real grip of a +Fellow Craft Mason; the name of it is JACHIN; it is given in the +following manner: If you wish to examine a person, after having taken +each other by the grip, ask him, "What is this?" A. "A grip." Q. "A +grip of what?" A. "The grip of a Fellow Craft Mason." Q. "Has it a +name?" A. "It has." Q. "Will you give it to me?" A. "I did not so +receive it, neither can I so impart it." Q. "What will you do with +it?" A. "I'll letter it or halve it." Q. "Halve it, and you begin." A. +"No; begin you." Q. "You begin." A. "JA." Q. "CHIN." A. "JACHIN." Q. +"Right, Brother JACHIN, I greet you." + +After the Master gives the candidate the pass-grip and grip, and their +names, he says, "Brother, you will rise and salute the Junior and +Senior Wardens as such, and convince them that you have been regularly +passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason, and have got the sign +and pass-grip, real grip, and their names." [I do not here express it +as expressed in Lodges generally; the Master usually says you will +rise and salute the Wardens, &c., and convince them, &c., that you +have got the sign, pass-grip, and word. It is obviously wrong, because +the first thing he gives is the sign, then the due-guard, then the +pass-grip, and their names.] While the Wardens are examining the +candidate, the Master gets an apron, and returns to the candidate, and +says, "Brother, I now have the honor of presenting you with a +lamb-skin, or white apron, as before, which I hope you will continue +to wear, with honor to yourself, and satisfaction to the brethren; you +will please carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach +you how to wear it as a Fellow Craft Mason." The Senior Warden ties on +his apron, and turns up one corner of the lower end of the apron, and +tucks it under the apron string. The Senior Deacon then conducts his +pupil to the Master, who has by this time resumed his seat in the +East, where he has, or ought to have, the floor carpet to assist him +in his explanations. Master to the candidate, "Brother, as you are +dressed, it is necessary you should have tools to work with; I will, +therefore, present you with the tools of a Fellow Craft Mason. They +are the Plumb, Square, and Level. The Plumb is an instrument made use +of by operative masons to raise perpendiculars; the Square, to square +their work; and the Level, to lay horizontals; but we, as Free and +Accepted Masons, are taught to use them for more noble and glorious +purposes; the Plumb teaches us to walk uprightly, in our several +stations, before God and man; squaring our actions by the square of +virtue; and remembering that we are traveling on the level of time to +that 'undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler has +returned.' I further present you with three precious jewels; their +names are Faith, Hope, and Charity; they teach us to have faith in +God, hope in immortality, and charity to all mankind." The Master to +the Senior Deacon, "You will now conduct the candidate out of this +Lodge, and invest him with what he has been divested." After he is +clothed, and the necessary arrangements made for his reception, such +as placing the columns and floor carpet, if they have any, and the +candidate is reconducted back to the Lodge; as he enters the door, the +Senior Deacon observes, "We are now about to return to the middle +chamber of King Solomon's Temple." When within the door, the Senior +Deacon proceeds, "Brother, we have worked in speculative Masonry, but +our forefathers wrought both in speculative and operative Masonry. +They worked at the building of King Solomon's Temple, and many other +Masonic edifices; they wrought six days; they did not work on the +seventh, because in six days God created the heavens and the earth, +and rested on the seventh day. The seventh, therefore, our ancient +brethren consecrated as a day of rest; thereby enjoying more frequent +opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of creation, and to +adore their great Creator." Moving a step or two, the Senior Deacon +proceeds, "Brother, the first thing that attracts our attention are +two large columns, or pillars, one on the left hand, and the other on +the right; the name of the one on the left hand is BOAZ, and denotes +strength; the name of the one on the right hand is JACHIN, and denotes +establishment; they collectively allude to a passage in Scripture, +wherein God has declared in his word, 'In strength shall this house be +established.' These columns are eighteen cubits high, twelve in +circumference, and four in diameter; they are adorned with two large +chapiters, one on each, and these chapiters are ornamented with net +work, lily work, and pomegranates; they denote unity, peace, and +plenty. The net work, from its connection, denotes union; the lily +work, from its whiteness, purity and peace; and the pomegranate, from +the exuberance of its seed, denotes plenty. They also have two large +globes, or balls, one on each; these globes or balls contain, on their +convex surfaces, all the maps and charts of the celestial and +terrestrial bodies; they are said to be thus extensive to denote the +universality of Masonry, and that a Mason's charity ought to be +equally extensive. Their composition is molten, or cast brass; they +were cast on the banks of the river Jordan, in the clay-ground between +Succoth and Zaradatha, where King Solomon ordered these and all other +holy vessels to be cast; they were cast hollow; and were four inches, +or a hand's breadth thick; they were cast hollow, the better to +withstand inundations and conflagrations; they were the archives of +Masonry, and contained the constitution, rolls, and records." The +Senior Deacon having explained the columns, he passes between them, +advances a step or two, observing as he advances, "Brother, we will +pursue our travels; the next thing that we come to is a long, winding +staircase, with three, five, seven steps, or more. The three first +allude to the three principal supports in Masonry, viz., wisdom, +strength, and beauty; the five steps allude to the five orders in +architecture, and the five human senses; the five orders in +architecture are the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite; +the five human senses are Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling, and +Tasting; the three first of which have ever been highly essential +among Masons: Hearing, to hear the word; Seeing, to see the sign; and +Feeling, to feel the grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the +dark as well as in the light. The seven steps allude to the seven +sabbatical years; seven years of famine; seven years in building the +temple; seven golden candlesticks; seven wonders of the world; seven +planets; but more especially the seven liberal arts and sciences, +which are Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and +Astronomy; for this, and many other reasons, the number seven has ever +been held in high estimation among Masons." Advancing a few steps, +the Senior Deacon proceeds, "Brother, the next thing we come to is the +outer door of the middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple, which is +partly open, but closely tyled by the Junior Warden" [It is the Junior +Warden in the South who represents the Tyler at the outer door of the +middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple], who, on the approach of the +Senior Deacon and candidate, inquires, "Who comes here? Who comes +here?" The Senior Deacon answers, "A Fellow Craft Mason." Junior +Warden to Senior Deacon, "How do you expect to gain admission?" A. "By +a pass, and token of a pass." Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, "Will +you give them to me?" [The Senior Deacon, or the candidate (prompted +by him), gives them; this and many other tokens, or grips, are +frequently given by strangers when first introduced to each other. If +given to a Mason, he will immediately return it; they can be given in +any company unobserved, even by Masons, when shaking hands. A PASS, +AND TOKEN OF A PASS; the pass is the word SHIBBOLETH; the token, alias +the pass-grip, is given, as before described, by taking each other by +the right hand, as if shaking hands, and placing the thumb between the +forefinger and second finger, at the third joint, or where they join +the hand, and pressing it hard enough to attract attention. In the +Lecture it is called a token, but generally called the pass-grip. It +is an undeniable fact that Masons express themselves so differently, +when they mean the same thing, that they frequently wholly +misunderstand each other.] + +After the Junior Warden has received the pass SHIBBOLETH, he inquires, +"What does it denote?" A. "Plenty." Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, +"Why so?" A. "From an ear of corn being placed at the water-ford." +Junior Warden to Senior Deacon, "Why was this pass instituted?" A. "In +consequence of a quarrel which had long existed between Jephthah, +Judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites, the latter of whom had long been +a stubborn, rebellious people, whom Jephthah had endeavored to subdue +by lenient measures, but to no effect. The Ephraimites being highly +incensed against Jephthah, for not being called to fight and share in +the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, assembled a mighty army, and +passed over the river Jordan to give Jephthah battle; but he, being +apprised of their approach, called together the men of Israel, and +gave them battle, and put them to flight; and to make his victory more +complete, he ordered guards to be placed at the different passes on +the banks of the river Jordan, and commanded, if the Ephraimites +passed that way, that they should pronounce the word SHIBBOLETH; but +they, being of a different tribe, pronounced it SIBBOLETH, which +trifling defect proved them spies, and cost them their lives; and +there fell that day, at the different passes on the banks of the river +Jordan, forty and two thousand. This word was also used by our ancient +brethren to distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been +adopted as a proper pass-word, to be given before entering any +well-regulated and governed Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons." Since this +is the case, you will pass on to the Senior Warden in the West for +further examination. As they approach the Senior Warden in the West, +the Senior Deacon says to the candidate, "Brother, the next thing we +come to is the inner door of the middle chamber of King Solomon's +Temple, which we find partly open, but more closely tyled by the +Senior Warden;" when the Senior Warden inquires, "Who comes here? Who +comes here?" The Senior Deacon answers, "A Fellow Craft Mason." Senior +Warden to Senior Deacon, "How do you expect to gain admission?" A. "By +the grip and word." The Senior Warden to the Senior Deacon, "Will you +give them to me?" They are then given as hereinbefore described. The +word is JACHIN. After they are given, the Senior Warden says, "They +are right; you can pass on to the Worshipful Master in the East." As +they approach the Master, he inquires, "Who comes here? Who comes +here?" Senior Deacon answers, "A Fellow Craft Mason." The Master then +says to the candidate, "Brother you have been admitted into the middle +chamber of King Solomon's Temple for the sake of the letter G. It +denotes Deity, before whom we all ought to bow with reverence, +worship, and adoration. It also denotes Geometry, the fifth science: +it being that on which this degree was principally founded. By +Geometry we may curiously trace nature through her various windings to +her most concealed recesses; by it we may discover the power, the +wisdom, and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and +view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine; by +it we may discover how the planets move in their different orbits, and +demonstrate their various revolutions; by it we account for the return +of a season, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to +the discerning eye. Numberless worlds surround us, all formed by the +same Divine Architect, which roll through this vast expanse, and all +conducted by the same unerring law of nature. A survey of nature, and +the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to +imitate the divine plan, and study symmetry and order. The architect +began to design; and the plans which he laid down, being improved by +experience and time, have produced works which are the admiration of +every age. The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the +devastations of war, have laid waste and destroyed many valuable +monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius +have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and +magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped +not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. The ATTENTIVE EAR +received the sound from the INSTRUCTIVE TONGUE; and the mysteries of +Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of FAITHFUL BREASTS. +Tools and implements of architecture, and symbolic emblems, most +expressive, are selected by the fraternity to imprint on the mind wise +and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, are +transmitted, unimpaired, the most excellent tenets of our +institution." + +Here the labor ends of the Fellow Craft's degree. It will be observed +that the candidate has received, in this place, the second section of +the Lecture on this degree. This course is not generally pursued, but +it is much the most instructive method; and when it is omitted, I +generally conclude that it is for want of a knowledge of the Lecture. +Monitorial writers (who are by no means coeval with Masonry) all +write, or copy, very much after each other, and they have all inserted +in their books all those clauses of the several Lectures which are +not considered by the wise ones as tending to develop the secrets of +Masonry. In some instances, they change the phraseology a little; in +others, they are literal extracts from the Lectures. This, it is said, +is done to facilitate the progress of learners, or young Masons; when, +in fact, it has the contrary effect. + +The following charge is, or ought to be, delivered to the candidate +after he has got through the ceremonies; but he is generally told, "It +is in the Monitor, and you can learn it at your leisure." "Brother, +being advanced to the second degree of Masonry, we congratulate you on +your preferment. The internal, and not the external, qualifications of +a man are what Masonry regards. As you increase in knowledge, you will +improve in social intercourse. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the +duties which, as a Mason, you are bound to discharge; or enlarge on +the necessity of a strict adherence to them, as your own experience +must have established their value. Our laws and regulations you are +strenuously to support; and be always ready to assist in seeing them +duly executed. You are not to palliate or aggravate the offences of +your brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our +rules, you are to judge with candor, admonish with friendship, and +reprehend with justice. The study of the liberal arts, that valuable +branch of education, which tends so effectually to polish and adorn +the mind, is earnestly recommended to your consideration; especially +the science of Geometry, which is established as the basis of our art. +Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous terms, being of a divine +moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; while it +proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more +important truths of morality. Your past behavior and regular +deportment have merited the honor which we have now conferred, and, in +your new character, it is expected that you will conform to the +principles of the Order, by steadily persevering in the practice of +every commendable virtue. Such is the nature of your engagements as a +Fellow Craft, and to these duties you are bound by the most sacred +ties." + +I will now proceed with the Lecture on this degree; it is divided into +two sections. + + * * * * * + +FIRST SECTION. + +Question--Are you a Fellow Craft Mason? A. I am; try me. + +Q. By what will you be tried? A. By the Square. + +Q. Why by the Square? A. Because it is an emblem of virtue. + +Q. What is a Square? A. An angle extending to ninety degrees, or the +fourth part of a circle. + +Q. Where was you prepared to be made a Fellow Craft Mason? A. In a +room adjacent to the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of +such, duly assembled in a room or place, representing the middle +chamber of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How was you prepared? A. By being divested of all metals; neither +naked nor clothed; barefooted nor shod; hoodwinked; with a cable-tow +twice 'round my neck; in which situation I was conducted to the door +of the Lodge, where I gave two distinct knocks. + +Q. What did those two distinct knocks allude to? A. To the second +degree in Masonry, it being that on which I was about to enter. + +Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? Who comes +there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated +as an Entered Apprentice Mason; served a proper time as such; and now +wishes for further light in Masonry, by being passed to the degree of +a Fellow Craft. + +Q. What was then said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was of +my own free will and accord I made this request; if I was duly and +truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; and had made suitable +proficiency in the preceding degree; all of which being answered in +the affirmative, I was asked by what further rights I expected to +obtain so great a benefit. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. What is that pass-word? A. SHIBBOLETH. + +Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was bid to wait till +the Worshipful Master in the East was made acquainted with my request +and his answer returned. + +Q. After his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to +enter the Lodge. + +Q. How did you enter? A. On the angle of the Square presented to my +naked right breast, in the name of the Lord. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted twice regularly +around the Lodge, and halted at the Junior Warden in the South, where +the same questions were asked, and answers returned as at the door. + +Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions +were asked, and answers returned as before. + +Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same +questions were asked, and answers returned as before, who likewise +demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. + +Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and traveling to the East. + +Q. Why do you leave the West and travel to the East? A. In search of +more light. + +Q. How did the Worshipful Master then dispose of you? A. He ordered me +to be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in care +of the Senior Warden who taught me how to approach the East, by +advancing upon two upright regular steps to the second step, my feet +forming the right angle of an oblong square, and my body erect; at the +altar before the Worshipful Master. + +Q. What did the Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made a Fallow +Craft Mason of me. + +Q. How? A. In due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. My right knee bare bent; my left knee +forming a square; my right hand on the Holy Bible, Square, and +Compass; my left arm forming an angle, supported by the Square, and my +hand in a vertical position; in which posture I took upon me the +solemn oath, or obligation, of a Fellow Craft Mason. [See pages 26 and +27 for obligation.] + +Q. After your oath, or obligation, what was said to you? A. I was +asked what I most desired. + +Q. Your answer? A. More light. + +Q. On being brought to light, what did you discover different from +before? A. One point of the Compass elevated above the Square, which +denoted light in this degree; but as one point was yet in obscurity, +it was to remind me that I was yet one material point in the dark +respecting Masonry. + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me +from the East, under the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason, +who presented me with his right hand in token of brotherly love and +confidence, and proceeded to give me the pass-grip and word of a +Fellow Craft Mason, and bid me arise and salute the Junior and Senior +Wardens, and convince them that I had been regularly passed to the +degree of a Fellow Craft, and had the sign, grip, and word of a Fellow +Craft Mason. + +Q. What next did you discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me +a second time from the East, who presented me a lamb-skin, or white +apron, which, he said, he hoped I would continue to wear with honor to +myself and satisfaction and advantage to my brethren. + +Q. What was you next presented with? A. The working tools of a Fellow +Craft Mason. + +Q. What are they? A. The Plumb, Square, and Level. + +Q. What do they teach? [I think this question ought to be, "How +explained?"] A. The Plumb is an instrument made use of by operative +Masons to raise perpendiculars; the Square, to square the work, and +the Level, to lay horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, +are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes. +The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly, in our several stations, +before God and man; squaring our actions by the square of virtue; and +remembering that we are all traveling upon the level of time, to that +undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns. + +Q. What was you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels. + +Q. What were they? A. Faith, Hope, and Charity. + +Q. What do they teach? A. Faith in God, hope in immortality, and +charity to all mankind. + +Q. How was you then disposed of? A. I was conducted out of the Lodge, +and invested of what I had been divested. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--Have you ever worked as a Fellow Craft Mason? Answer--I +have, in speculative; but our forefathers wrought both in speculative +and operative Masonry. + +Q. Where did they work? A. At the building of King Solomon's Temple, +and many other Masonic edifices. + +Q. How long did they work? A. Six days. + +Q. Did they not work on the Seventh? A. They did not. + +Q. Why so? A. Because in six days God created the heavens and the +earth, and rested on the seventh day; the seventh day, therefore, our +ancient brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labors; +thereby enjoying more frequent opportunities to contemplate the +glorious works of creation, and adore their great Creator. + +Q. Did you ever return to the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of +King Solomon's Temple? A. I did. + +Q. By what way? A. Through a long porch, or alley. + +Q. Did anything particular strike your attention on your return? A. +There did; viz.: Two large columns, or pillars, one on the left hand, +and the other on the right. + +Q. What was the name of the one on the left hand? A. BOAZ, to denote +strength. + +Q. What was the name of the one on the right hand? A. JACHIN, denoting +establishment. + +Q. What do they collectively allude to? A. A passage in Scripture, +wherein God has declared in his word, "In strength shall this house be +established." + +Q. What were their dimensions? A. Eighteen cubits in height, twelve in +circumference, and four in diameter. + +Q. Were they adorned with anything? A. They were; with two large +chapiters, one on each. + +Q. Were they ornamented with anything? A. They were; with wreaths of +net work, lily work, and pomegranates. + +Q. What do they denote? A. Unity, Peace, and Plenty. + +Q. Why so? A. Net work, from its connection, denotes union; lily work, +from its whiteness and purity, denotes peace; and pomegranates, from +the exuberance of its seed, denotes plenty. + +Q. Were those columns adorned with anything further? A. They were; +viz.: Two large globes, or balls, one on each. + +Q. Did they contain anything? A. They did; viz.; All the maps and +charts of the celestial and terrestrial bodies. + +Q. Why are they said to be so extensive? A. To denote the universality +of Masonry, and that a Mason's charity ought to be equally extensive. + +Q. What was their composition? A. Molten, or cast brass. + +Q. Who cast them? A. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. + +Q. Where were they cast? A. On the banks of the river Jordan, in the +clay ground between Succoth and Zaradatha, where King Solomon ordered +these and all other holy vessels to be cast. + +Q. Were they cast solid or hollow? A. Hollow. + +Q. What was their thickness? A. Four inches, or a hand's breadth. + +Q. Why were they cast hollow? A. The better to withstand inundations +or conflagrations; were the archives of Masonry, and contained the +constitution, rolls, and records. + +Q. What did you next come to? A. A long, winding staircase, with +three, five, seven steps, or more. + +Q. What does the three steps allude to? A. The three principal +supports in Masonry, viz., Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. + +Q. What does the five steps allude to? A. The five orders in +architecture, and the five human senses. + +Q. What are the five orders in architecture? A. The Tuscan, Doric, +Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite. + +Q. What are the five human senses? A. Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, +Smelling, and Tasting; the first three of which have ever been deemed +highly essential among Masons: Hearing, to hear the word; Seeing, to +see the sign; and Feeling, to feel the grip, whereby one Mason may +know another in the dark as well as in the light. + +Q. What does the seven steps allude to? A. The seven sabbatical years; +seven years of famine; seven years In building the temple; seven +golden candlesticks; seven wonders of the world; seven planets; but +more especially the seven liberal arts and sciences, which are +Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy; +for these, and many other reasons, the number seven has ever been held +in high estimation among Masons. + +Q. What did you next come to? A. The outer door of the middle chamber +of King Solomon's Temple, which I found partly open, but closely tyled +by the Junior Warden. + +Q. How did you gain admission? A. By a pass, and token of a pass. + +Q. What was the name of the pass? A. SHIBBOLETH. + +Q. What does it denote? A. Plenty. + +Q. Why so? A. From an ear of corn being placed at the water-ford. + +Q. Why was this pass instituted? A. In consequence of a quarrel which +had long existed between Jephthah, Judge of Israel, and the +Ephraimites, the latter of whom had long been a stubborn, rebellious +people, whom Jephthah had endeavored to subdue by lenient measures, +but to no effect. The Ephraimites being highly incensed against +Jephthah, for not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils +of the Ammonitish war, assembled a mighty army, and passed over the +river Jordan to give Jephthah battle; but he, being apprised of their +approach, called together the men of Israel, and gave them battle, and +put them to flight; and to make his victory more complete, he ordered +guards to be placed at the different passes on the banks of the river +Jordan, and commanded, if the Ephraimites passed that way, that they +should pronounce the word SHIBBOLETH; but they, being of a different +tribe, pronounced it SIBBOLETH, which trifling defect proved them +spies, and cost them their lives; and there fell that day, at the +different passes on the banks of the river Jordan, forty and two +thousand. This word was also used by our ancient brethren to +distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been adopted as a +proper pass-word, to be given before entering any well-regulated and +governed Lodge of Fellow Craft Masons. + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The inner door of the middle chamber +of King Solomon's Temple, which I found partly open, but closely tyled +by the Senior Warden. + +Q. How did you gain admission? A. By the grip and word. + +Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, who informed me that I +had been admitted into the middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple for +the sake of the letter G. + +Q. Does it denote anything? A. It does; DEITY--before whom we should +all bow with reverence, worship, and adoration. It also denotes +Geometry, the fifth science; it being that on which this degree was +principally founded. + +Thus ends the second degree of Masonry. + + * * * * * + + +THE THIRD, OR MASTER MASON'S DEGREE. + +The traditional account of the death, several burials, and +resurrection of Hiram Abiff, the widow's son (as hereafter narrated), +admitted as facts, this degree is certainly very interesting. The +Bible informs us that there was a person of that name employed at the +building of King Solomon's Temple; but neither the Bible, the writings +of Josephus, nor any other writings, however ancient, of which I have +any knowledge, furnish any information respecting his death. It is +very singular that a man so celebrated as Hiram Abiff was, and arbiter +between Solomon, King of Israel, and Hiram, King of Tyre, universally +acknowledged as the third most distinguished man then living, and in +many respects, the greatest man in the world, should pass off the +stage of action, in the presence of King Solomon, three thousand, +three hundred grand overseers, and one hundred and fifty thousand +workmen, with whom he had spent a number of years, and neither King +Solomon, his bosom friend, nor any other among his numerous friends, +even recorded his death, or anything about him. + +A person who has received the two preceding degrees, and wishes to be +raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, is (the Lodge being +opened as in the preceding degrees) conducted from the preparation +room to the door (the manner of preparing him is particularly +explained in the Lecture), where he gives three distinct knocks, when +the Senior Warden rises and says, "Worshipful, while we are peaceably +at work on the third degree of Masonry, under the influence of +humanity, brotherly love, and affection, the door of our Lodge appears +to be alarmed." The Master to the Junior Deacon, "Brother Junior, +inquire the cause of that alarm." The Junior Deacon then steps to the +door and answers the three knocks that have been given by three more +(the knocks are much louder than those given on any occasion, other +than that of the admission of candidates in the several degrees); one +knock is then given without, and answered by one from within, when the +door is partly opened, and the Junior Deacon asks, "Who comes there? +Who comes there? Who comes there?" The Senior Deacon answers, "A +worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered +Apprentice Mason, passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft, and now +wishes for further light in Masonry, by being raised to the sublime +degree of a Master Mason." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Is it of +his own free will and accord he makes this request?" A. "It is." +Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Is he worthy and well qualified?" A. +"He is." Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Has he made suitable +proficiency in the preceding degree?" A. "He has." Junior Deacon to +Senior Deacon, "By what further rights does he expect to obtain this +benefit?" A. "By the benefit of a pass-word." Junior Deacon to Senior +Deacon, "Has he a pass-word?" A. "He has not, but I have it for him." +Junior Deacon to Senior Deacon, "Will you give it to me?" The Senior +Deacon then whispers in the ear of the Junior Deacon, "TUBAL CAIN." +Junior Deacon says, "The pass is right; since this is the case, you +will wait till the Worshipful Master be made acquainted with his +request, and his answer returned." The Junior Deacon then repairs to +the Master, and gives three knocks, as at the door; after answering +which, the same questions are asked and answers returned, as at the +door; when the Master says, "Since he comes endued with all these +necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge in the +name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters." The Junior Deacon +returns to the door and says, "Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge in +the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters." In entering, +both points of the Compass are pressed against his naked right and +left breasts, when the Junior Deacon stops the candidate and says, +"Brother, when you first entered this Lodge, you was received on the +point of the Compass pressing your naked left breast, which was then +explained to you; when you entered it the second time, you were +received on the angle of the Square, which was also explained to you; +on entering it now, you are received on the two extreme points of the +Compass pressing your naked right and left breasts, which are thus +explained: As the most vital points of man are contained between the +two breasts, so are the most valuable tenets of Masonry contained +between the two extreme points of the Compass, which are 'Virtue, +Morality, and Brotherly Love.'" The Senior Deacon then conducts the +candidate three times regularly around the Lodge. [I wish the reader +to observe, that on this, as well as every other degree, the Junior +Warden is the first of the three principal officers that the candidate +passes, traveling with the Sun, when he starts around the Lodge, and +as he passes the Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Master, the first +time going around, they each give one rap; the second time, two raps; +and the third time, three raps. The number of raps given on those +occasions are the same as the number of the degree, except the first +degree, on which three are given, I always thought improperly.] During +the time the candidate is traveling around the room, the Master reads +the following passage of Scripture, the conductor and candidate +traveling, and the Master reading, so that the traveling and reading +terminates at the same time: + + "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil + days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I + have no pleasure in them: while the Sun, or the Moon, or the Stars + be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain; in the day + when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men + shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, + and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors + shall be shut in the streets; when the sound of the grinding is + low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the + daughters of music shall be brought low. Also, when they shall be + afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and + the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a + burden, and desire shall fail, because man goeth to his long home, + and the mourners go about the streets. Or ever the silver cord be + loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at + the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern. Then shall the dust + return to the earth, as it was; and the spirit return unto God who + gave it." + +The conductor and candidate halt at the Junior Warden in the South, +where the same questions are asked and answers returned, as at the +door; he is then conducted to the Senior Warden, where the same +questions are asked and answers returned as before; from thence he is +conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, who asks the same +questions and receives the same answers as before; and who likewise +asks the candidate from whence he came, and whither he is traveling? +ANS. "From the West, and traveling to the East." Q. "Why do you leave +the West and travel to the East?" A. "In search of more light." The +Master then says to the Senior Deacon, "You will please conduct the +candidate back to the West, from whence he came, and put him in the +care of the Senior Warden, and request him to teach the candidate how +to approach the East, by advancing upon three upright regular steps to +the third step, his feet forming a square, his body erect at the altar +before the Worshipful Master, and place him in a proper position to +take upon him the solemn oath or obligation of a Master Mason." The +Master then comes to the candidate and says, "Brother, you are now +placed in a proper position (the Lecture explains it) to take upon you +the solemn oath or obligation of a Master Mason, which I assure you, +as before, is neither to affect your religion nor politics. If you are +willing to take it, repeat your name, and say after me: + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of + Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons erected + to God, and dedicated to the Holy Order of St. John, do hereby and + hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition + to my former obligations, that I will not give the degree of a + Master Mason to any one of an inferior degree, nor to any other + being in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful + brother, or brethren Master Masons, or within the body of a just + and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him, nor unto + them, whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only whom + I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due examination, or + lawful information received. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, + that I will not give the Master's word, which I shall hereafter + receive, neither in the Lodge, nor out of it, except it be on the + five points of fellowship, and then not above my breath. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not give the + grand hailing sign of distress, except I am in real distress, or + for the benefit of the craft when at work; and should I ever see + that sign given, or the word accompanying it, and the person who + gave it appearing to be in distress, I will fly to his relief at + the risk of my life, should there be a greater probability of + saving his life than of losing my own. Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, nor a brother of this + degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it + to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating, + passing, and raising a candidate at one communication, without a + regular dispensation from the Grand Lodge for the same. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not be at the + initiating, passing, or raising a candidate in a clandestine + Lodge, I knowing it to be such. Furthermore, do I promise and + swear, that I will not be at the initiating of an old man in + dotage, a young man in nonage, an atheist, irreligious libertine, + idiot, madman, hermaphrodite, nor woman. Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will not speak evil of a brother Master Mason, + neither behind his back, nor before his face, but will apprise him + of all approaching danger, if in my power. Furthermore, do I + promise and swear, that I will not violate the chastity of a + Master Mason's wife, mother, sister, or daughter, I knowing them + to be such, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to + prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will + support the constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of ----, + under which this Lodge is held, and conform to all the by-laws, + rules, and regulations of this, or any other Lodge, of which I + may, at any time hereafter, become a member. Furthermore, do I + promise and swear, that I will obey all regular signs, summons, or + tokens given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a + brother Master Mason, or from the body of a just and lawfully + constituted Lodge of such: provided it be within the length of my + cable-tow. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that a Master + Mason's secrets, given to me in charge as such, and I knowing them + to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as + in his own, when communicated to me, murder and treason excepted; + and they left to my own election. Furthermore, do I promise and + swear, that I will go on a Master Mason's errand, whenever + required, even should I have to go barefoot and bareheaded, if + within the length of my cable-tow.[3] Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will always remember a brother Master Mason when + on my knees, offering up my devotions to Almighty God. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will be aiding and + assisting all poor indigent Master Masons, their wives and + orphans, wheresoever disposed 'round the globe, as far as in my + power, without injuring myself or family materially. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear, that if any part of this my solemn oath or + obligation be omitted at this time, that I will hold myself + amenable thereto, whenever informed. To all which I do most + solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and steady + purpose of mind in me, to keep and perform the same, binding + myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two + in the midst, and divided to the North and South, my bowels burnt + to ashes in the centre, and the ashes scattered before the four + winds of heaven, that there might not the least tract or trace of + remembrance remain among men or Masons of so vile and perjured a + wretch as I should be, were I ever to prove wilfully guilty of + violating any part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a + Master Mason; so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due + performance of the same." + +The Master then asks the candidate, "What do you most desire?" The +candidate answers after his prompter, "More light." The bandage which +was tied 'round his head in the preparation room is, by one of the +brethren who stands behind him for that purpose, loosened and put over +both eyes, and he is immediately brought to light in the same manner +as in the preceding degree, except three stamps on the floor, and +three claps of the hands are given in this degree. On being brought to +light, the Master says to the candidate, "You first discover, as +before, three great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three +lesser, with this difference, both points of the Compass are elevated +above the Square, which denotes to you that you are about to receive +all the light that can be conferred on you in a Mason's Lodge." The +Master steps back from the candidate and says, "Brother, you now +discover me as Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East, +under the sign and due-guard of a Master Mason." The sign is given by +raising both hands and arms to the elbows perpendicularly, one on +either side of the head, the elbows forming a square. The words +accompanying this sign in case of distress are, "O Lord, my God, is +there no help for the widow's son?" As the last words drop from your +lips, you let your hands fall in that manner best calculated to +indicate solemnity. King Solomon is said to have made this exclamation +on the receipt of the information of the death of Hiram Abiff. Masons +are all charged never to give the words except in the dark, when the +sign cannot be seen. Here Masons differ very much; some contend that +Solomon gave this sign, and made this exclamation when informed of +Hiram's death, and work accordingly in their Lodges. Others say the +sign was given, and the exclamation made at the grave when Solomon +went there to raise Hiram, and, of course, they work accordingly; that +is to say, the Master who governs a Lodge holding the latter opinion, +gives the sign, &c., at the grave, when he goes to raise the body, and +vice versa. The due-guard is given by putting the right hand to the +left side of the bowels, the hand open, with the thumb next to the +belly, and drawing it across the belly and let it fall; this is done +tolerably quick. After the Master has given the sign and due-guard, +which does not take more than a minute, he says, "Brother, I now +present you with my right hand in token of brotherly love and +affection, and with it the pass-grip and word." The pass-grip is given +by pressing the thumb between the joints of the second and third +fingers, where they join the hand, and the word or name is TUBAL CAIN. +It is the pass-word to the Master's degree. The Master, after having +given the candidate the pass-grip and word, bids him rise and salute +the Junior and Senior Wardens, and convince them that he is an +obligated Master Mason, and is in possession of the pass-grip and +word. While the Wardens are examining the candidate, the Master +returns to the East and gets an apron, and as he returns to the +candidate, one of the Wardens (sometimes both) says to the Master, +"Worshipful, we are satisfied that Brother ---- is an obligated Master +Mason." The Master then says to the candidate, "Brother, I now have +the honor to present you with a lamb-skin, or white apron, as before, +which, I hope, you will continue to wear with credit to yourself, and +satisfaction and advantage to the brethren; you will please carry it +to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach you how to wear it as +a Master Mason." + +The Senior Warden ties on his apron, and lets the flap fall down +before in its natural and common situation. + +The Master returns to his seat, and the candidate is conducted to him. +Master to candidate, "Brother, I perceive you are dressed; it is, of +course, necessary you should have tools to work with; I will now +present you with the working tools of a Master Mason, and explain +their uses to you. The working tools of a Master Mason are all the +implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the +Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to +spread the cement which unites a building into one common mass; but +we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the +more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly +love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band +or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should +ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can +best work, or best agree. I also present you with three precious +jewels; their names are Humanity, Friendship, and Brotherly Love. +Brother, you are not yet invested with all the secrets of this degree, +nor do I know whether you ever will, until I know how you withstand +the amazing trials and dangers that await you. You are now about to +travel to give us a specimen of your fortitude, perseverance, and +fidelity, in the preservation of what you have already received; fare +you well, and may the Lord be with you, and support you through your +trials and difficulties." [In some Lodges they make him pray before he +starts.] The candidate is then conducted out of the Lodge, clothed, +and returns; as he enters the door, his conductor says to him, +"Brother, we are now in a place representing the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or +HOLY OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple. It was the custom of our +Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day at high twelve, when the crafts +were from labor to refreshment, to enter into the sanctum sanctorum +and offer up his devotions to the ever living God. Let us, in +imitation of him, kneel and pray." They then kneel, and the conductor +says the following prayer: + + "Thou, O God, knowest our downsitting and uprising, and + understandest our thoughts afar off; shield and defend us from the + evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials + and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through + this vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and + full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down; he + fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are + determined, the number of his months are with Thee: Thou hast + appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him, that he + may rest till he shall accomplish his day. For there is hope of a + tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the + tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth + away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters + fail from the sea, and flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth + down and riseth not up till the heavens shall be no more. Yet, O + Lord! have compassion on the children of Thy creation; administer + unto them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an + everlasting salvation. Amen. So mote it be." + +They then rise, and the conductor says to the candidate, "Brother, in +further imitation of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, let us retire at +the South gate." They then advance to the Junior Warden (who +represents JUBELA, one of the ruffians), who exclaims, "Who comes +here?" [The room is dark, or the candidate hoodwinked.] The conductor +answers, "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff." "Our Grand Master, Hiram +Abiff!" exclaims the ruffian, "he is the very man I wanted to see +(seizing the candidate by the throat at the same time, and jerking him +about with violence); give me the Master Mason's word, or I'll take +your life." The conductor replies, "I cannot give it now, but if you +will wait till the Grand Lodge assembles at Jerusalem, if you are +worthy, you shall then receive it, otherwise you cannot." The ruffian +then gives the candidate a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge across +the throat, on which he fled to the West gate, where he was accosted +by the second ruffian, JUBELO, with more violence, and on his +refusing to comply with his request, he gave him a severe blow with +the Square across his breast; on which he attempted to make his escape +at the East gate, where he was accosted by the third ruffian, JUBELUM, +with still more violence, and refusing to comply with his request, the +ruffian gave him a violent blow with the common gavel on the forehead, +which brought him to the floor, on which one of them exclaimed, "What +shall we do, we have killed our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff?" Another +answers, "Let us carry him out at the East gate and bury him in the +rubbish till low twelve, and then meet and carry him a westerly course +and bury him." The candidate is then taken up in a blanket, on which +he fell, and carried to the West end of the Lodge, and covered up and +left; by this time the Master has resumed his seat (King Solomon is +supposed to arrive at the Temple at this juncture), and calls to +order, and asks the Senior Warden the cause of all that confusion; the +Senior Warden answers, "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, is missing, and +there are no plans or designs laid down on the Tressle-Board for the +crafts to pursue their labor." The Master, alias King Solomon, +replies, "Our Grand Master missing; our Grand Master has always been +very punctual in his attendance; I fear he is indisposed; assemble the +crafts, and search in and about the Temple, and see if he can be +found." They all shuffle about the floor a while, when the Master +calls them to order, and asks the Senior Warden, "What success?" He +answers, "We cannot find our Grand Master, my Lord." The Master then +orders the Secretary to call the roll of workmen, and see whether any +of them are missing. The Secretary calls the roll, and says, "I have +called the roll, my Lord, and find that there are three missing, viz.: +JUBELA, JUBELO and JUBELUM." His Lordship then observes, "This brings +to my mind a circumstance that took place this morning--twelve Fellow +Crafts, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their +innocence, came to me and confessed that they twelve, with three +others, had conspired to extort the Master Mason's word from their +Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and in case of refusal to take his life; +they twelve had recanted, but feared the other three had been base +enough to carry their atrocious designs into execution." Solomon then +ordered twelve Fellow Crafts to be drawn from the bands of the +workmen, clothed in white aprons, in token of their Innocence, and +sent three East, three West, three North, and three South, in search +of the ruffians, and, if found, to bring them forward. Here the +members all shuffle about the floor awhile, and fall in with a reputed +traveler, and inquire of him if he had seen any traveling men that +way; he tells them that he had seen three that morning near the coast +of Joppa, who from their dress and appearance were Jews, and were +workmen from the Temple, inquiring for a passage to Ethiopia, but were +unable to obtain one, in consequence of an embargo which had recently +been laid on all the shipping, and had turned back into the country. +The Master now calls them to order again, and asks the Senior Warden, +"What success?" He answers by relating what had taken place. Solomon +observes, "I had this embargo laid to prevent the ruffians from making +their escape;" and adds, "you will go and search again, and search +till you find them, if possible; and if they are not found, the twelve +who confessed shall be considered as the reputed murderers, and suffer +accordingly." The members all start again, and shuffle about awhile, +until one of them, as if by accident, finds the body of Hiram Abiff, +alias the candidate and hails his traveling companions, who join him, +and while they are humming out something over the candidate, the three +reputed ruffians, who are seated in a private corner near the +candidate, are heard to exclaim in the following manner--first, +JUBELA, "O that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out, and +my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low-water mark, where +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." + +The second, JUBELO, "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, and there to become a prey to +the wild beasts of the field, and vultures of the air, ere I had +conspired the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram +Abiff." + +The third, JUBELUM, "O that my body had been severed in two in the +midst, and divided to the North and South, my bowels burnt to ashes in +the centre, and the ashes scattered by the four winds of heaven, that +there might not the least track or trace of remembrance remain among +men or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I am. 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." + +The three Fellow Crafts who had stood by the candidate all this time +listening to the ruffians, whose voices they recognized, says one to +the other, "What shall we do, there are three of them, and only three +of us?" "It is," said one in reply, "our cause is good, let us seize +them;" on which they rush forward, and carry them to the Master, to +whom they relate what had passed. The Master then addresses them in +the following manner (they in many Lodges kneel, or lie down, in token +of their guilt and penitence): "Well, JUBELA, what have you got to say +for yourself--guilty or not guilty?" A. "Guilty, my Lord." "JUBELO, +guilty or not guilty?" A. "Guilty, my Lord." "JUBELUM, guilty or not +guilty?" A. "Guilty, my Lord." The Master to the three Fellow Crafts +who took them, "Take them without the West gate of the Temple, and +have them executed according to the several imprecations of their own +mouths." They are then hurried off to the West end of the room. Here +this part of the farce ends. The Master then orders fifteen Fellow +Crafts to be elected from the bands of the workmen, and sent three +East, three West, three North, three South; and three in and about the +Temple, in search of their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff [In some Lodges +they only send twelve, when their own Lectures say fifteen were sent], +and charges them if they find the body, to examine carefully on and +about it for the Master's word, or a key to it. The three that +traveled a Westerly course come to the candidate and finger about him +a little, and are called to order by the Master, when they report that +they have found the grave of their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and, on +moving the earth till they came to the body, they involuntarily found +their hands raised in this position [showing it at the same time; it +is the due-guard of this degree], to guard their nostrils against the +offensive affluvia which arose from the grave; and that they had +searched carefully on and about the body for the Master's word, but +had not discovered anything but a faint resemblance of the letter G on +the left breast. The Master, on the receipt of this information +(raising himself), raises his hand three several times above his head +(as herein before described), and exclaims twice, "Nothing but a faint +resemblance of the letter G! that is not the Master's word, nor a key +to it, I fear the Master's word is forever lost!" [The third +exclamation is different from the others--attend to it; it has been +described in pages 40 and 41.] "Nothing but a faint resemblance of the +letter G! that is not the Master's word, nor a key to it." "O Lord, my +God, is there no help for the widow's son?" The Master then orders the +Junior Warden to summon a Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons, and +repair to the grave to raise the body of their Grand Master, by the +Entered Apprentice's grip. They go to the candidate and take hold of +his forefinger and pull it, and return and tell the Master that they +could not raise him by the Entered Apprentice's grip; that the skin +cleaved from the bone. A Lodge of Fellow Crafts are then sent, who act +as before, except that they pull the candidate's second finger. The +Master then directs the Senior Warden [generally] to summon a Lodge of +Master Masons, and says, "I will go with them myself in person, and +try to raise the body by the Master's grip, or lion's paw." [Some say +by the strong grip, or the lion's paw.] They then all assemble around +the candidate, the Master having declared the first word spoken after +the body was raised, should be adopted as a substitute for the +Master's word, for the government of Master Mason's Lodges in all +future generations; he proceeds to raise the candidate, alias the +representative of the dead body of Hiram Abiff. He [the candidate] is +raised on what is called the five points of fellowship, which are foot +to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and mouth to +ear. This is done by putting the inside of your right foot to the +inside of the right foot of the person to whom you are going to give +the word, the inside of your knee to his, laying your right breast +against his, your left hands on the back of each other, and your +mouths to each other's right ear [in which position you are alone +permitted to give the word], and whisper the word MAH-HAH-BONE. The +Master's grip is given by taking hold of each other's right hand, as +though you were going to shake hands, and sticking the nails of each +of your fingers into the joint of the other's wrist, where it unites +with the hand. In this position the candidate is raised, he keeping +his whole body stiff, as though dead. The Master, in raising him, is +assisted by some of the brethren, who take hold of the candidate by +the arms and shoulders. As soon as he is raised to his feet they step +back, and the Master whispers the word MAH-HAH-BONE in his ear, and +causes the candidate to repeat it, telling him at the same time that +he must never give it in any manner other than that in which he +receives it. He is also told that MAH-HAH-BONE signifies marrow in +the bone. They then separate, and the Master makes the following +explanation respecting the five points of fellowship. Master to +candidate, "Brother, foot to foot teaches you that you should, +whenever asked, go on a brother's errand, if within the length of your +cable-tow, even if you should have to go barefoot and bareheaded. Knee +to knee, that you should always remember a Master Mason in your +devotion to Almighty God. Breast to breast, that you should keep the +Master Mason's secrets, when given to you in charge as such, as secure +and inviolable in your breast, as they were in his own, before +communicated to you. Hand to back, that you should support a Master +Mason behind his back, as well as before his face. Mouth to ear, that +you should support his good name as well behind his back as before his +face." + +After the candidate is through with what is called the work part, the +Master addresses him in the following manner: "Brother, you may +suppose from the manner you have been dealt with to-night, that we +have been fooling with you, or that we have treated you different from +others, but I assure you that is not the case. You have, this night, +represented one of the greatest men that ever lived, in the tragical +catastrophe of his death, burial, and resurrection; I mean Hiram +Abiff, the widow's son, who was slain by three ruffians at the +building of King Solomon's Temple, and who, in his inflexibility, +integrity, and fortitude, never was surpassed by man. The history of +that momentous event is thus related. Masonic tradition informs us +that at the building of King Solomon's Temple, fifteen Fellow Crafts +discovering that the Temple was almost finished, and not having the +Master Mason's word, became very impatient, and entered into a horrid +conspiracy to extort the Master Mason's word from their Grand Master, +Hiram Abiff, the first time they met him alone, or take his life, that +they might pass as Masters in other countries, and receive wages as +such; but before they could accomplish their designs, twelve of them +recanted, but the other three were base enough to carry their +atrocious designs into execution. Their names were JUBELA, JUBELO, and +JUBELUM. + +"It was the custom of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day at high +twelve, when the crafts were from labor to refreshment, to enter into +the sanctum sanctorum, and offer his devotions to the ever living God, +and draw out his plans and designs on the Tressle-Board for the crafts +to pursue their labor. On a certain day (not named in any of our +traditional accounts), JUBELA, JUBELO and JUBELUM placed themselves at +the South, West, and East gates of the Temple, and Hiram having +finished his devotions and labor, attempted (as was his usual custom) +to retire at the South gate, where he was met by JUBELA, who demanded +of him the Master Mason's word (some say the secrets of a Master +Mason), and on his refusal to give it, JUBELA gave him a violent blow +with a twenty-four-inch gauge across the throat; on which Hiram fled +to the West gate, where he was accosted in the same manner by JUBELO, +but with more violence. Hiram told him that he could not give the word +then, because Solomon, King of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and +himself had entered into a solemn league that the word never should be +given, unless they three were present; but if he would have patience +till the Grand Lodge assembled at Jerusalem, if he was then found +worthy he should then receive it, otherwise he could not; JUBELO +replied in a very peremptory manner, "If you do not give me the +Master's word, I'll take your life;" and on Hiram's refusing to give +it, JUBELO gave him a severe blow with the Square across the left +breast, on which he fled to the East gate, where he was accosted by +JUBELUM, in the same manner, but with still more violence. Here Hiram +reasoned as before; JUBELUM told him that he had heard his caviling +with JUBELA and JUBELO long enough, and that the Master's word had +been promised to him from time to time for a long time; that he was +still put off, and that the Temple was almost finished, and he was +determined to have the word or take his life. "I want it so that I may +be able to get wages as a Master Mason in any country to which I may +go for employ, after the Temple is finished, and that I may be able to +support my wife and children." Hiram persisting in his refusal, he +gave Hiram a violent blow with the gavel on the forehead, which felled +him to the floor and killed him; they took the body and carried it out +of the West gate, and buried it in the rubbish till low twelve at +night (which is twelve o'clock), when they three met agreeably to +appointment, and carried the body a westerly course, and buried it at +the brow of a hill, in a grave, dug due East and West, six feet +perpendicular, and made their escape. King Solomon coming up to the +Temple at low six in the morning (as was his usual custom), found the +crafts all in confusion, and on inquiring the cause, was informed that +their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was missing, and there was no plans +or designs laid down on the Tressle-Board, for the crafts to pursue +their labor. Solomon ordered search to be made inland about the Temple +for him; no discovery being made, he then ordered the Secretary to +call the roll of workmen to see if any were missing; it appearing that +there were three, viz.: JUBELA, JUBELO and JUBELUM, Solomon observed, +"This brings to my mind a circumstance that took place this morning. +Twelve Fellow Crafts came to me, dressed in white gloves and aprons, +in token of their innocence, and confessed that they twelve, with +three others, had conspired to extort the Master Mason's word from +their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and in case of his refusal to take +his life; they twelve had recanted, but feared the three others had +been base enough to carry their atrocious designs into execution." +Solomon immediately ordered twelve Fellow Crafts to be selected from +the bands of the workmen, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token +of their innocence, and sent three East, three West, three North, and +three South, in search of the ruffians, and, if found, to bring them +up before him. The three that traveled a westerly course, coming near +the coast of Joppa, fell in with a wayfaring man, who informed them +that he had seen three men pass that way that morning, who, from their +appearance and dress, were workmen from the Temple, inquiring for a +passage to Ethiopia, but were unable to obtain one, in consequence of +an embargo which had recently been laid on all the shipping, and had +turned back into the country. After making further and more diligent +search, and making no further discovery, they returned to the Temple +and reported to Solomon the result of their pursuit and inquiries. On +which Solomon directed them to go again, and search until they found +their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, if possible; and if he was not found, +the twelve who had confessed should be considered as the murderers, +and suffer accordingly. + +They returned again in pursuit of the ruffians, and one of the three +that traveled a westerly course, being more weary than the rest, sat +down at the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself; and, in +attempting to rise, caught hold of a sprig of cassia, which easily +gave, and excited his curiosity, and made him suspicious of a +deception; on which he hailed his companions, who immediately +assembled, and, on examination, found that the earth had been recently +moved; and on moving the rubbish, discovered the appearance of the +grave, and while they were confabulating about what measures to take, +they heard voices issuing from a cavern in the clefts of the rocks, on +which they immediately repaired to the place, where they heard the +voice of JUBELA exclaim: "O that my throat had been cut across, my +tongue torn out, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at +low-water mark, where 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 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 before King Solomon, who, +after hearing the testimony of the three Fellow Crafts, and the three +ruffians having pleaded guilty, order them to be taken out at the West +gate of the Temple, and executed agreeably to the several imprecations +of their own mouths. King Solomon then ordered fifteen Fellow Crafts +to be elected from the bands of the workmen, clothed with white gloves +and aprons, in token of their innocence, and sent three East, three +West, three North, three South; and three in and about the Temple, in +search of the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; and the three +that traveled a westerly course found it under a sprig of cassia, +where a worthy brother sat down to rest and refresh himself; and on +removing the earth till they came to the coffin, they involuntarily +found their hands raised, as hereinbefore described, to guard their +nostrils against the offensive effluvia that 'rose from the grave. It +is also said that the body had lain there fourteen days; some say +fifteen. + +The body was raised in the manner herein before described, carried up +to the Temple, and buried as explained in the closing clauses of the +Lecture. Not one-third part of the preceding history of this degree is +ever given to a candidate. A few general, desultory, unconnected +remarks are made to him, and he is generally referred to the manner of +raising, and to the Lecture, for information as to the particulars. +Here follows a charge which ought to be, and sometimes is, delivered +to the candidate after hearing the history of the degree. + + * * * * * + +AN ADDRESS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE CANDIDATE AFTER THE HISTORY HAS +BEEN GIVEN. + + "Brother, your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress + you have made in the mystery, and your conformity to our + regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor + and esteem. + + "You are bound by duty, honor, and gratitude to be faithful to + your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every + occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the + tenets of the Order. + + "In the character of a Master Mason you are authorized to correct + the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to + guard them against a breach of fidelity. + + "To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied, must be + your constant care, and for this purpose, it is your province to + recommend to your inferiors, obedience and submission; to your + equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and + condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate; + and, by the regularity of your own behavior, afford the best + example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient + landmarks of the Order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully + to preserve; and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance + a deviation from the established usages and customs of the + fraternity. + + "Your virtue, honor, and reputation are concerned in supporting, + with dignity, the character you now bear. Let no motive, + therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vow, or + betray your trust: but be true and faithful, and imitate the + example of that celebrated artist whom you this evening represent: + thus you will render yourself deserving the honor which we have + conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed." + +Here follows the Lecture on this degree, which is divided into three +sections. + + * * * * * + + +FIRST SECTION. + +Question--Are you a Master Mason? Answer--I am; try me; disprove me if +you can. + +Q. Where were you prepared to be made a Master Mason? A. In a room +adjacent to the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, +duly assembled in a room, representing the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY +OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How were you prepared? A. By being divested of all metals; neither +naked nor clothed; barefooted nor shod; with a cable-tow three times +about my naked body; in which posture I was conducted to the door of +the Lodge, where I gave three distinct knocks. + +Q. What did those three distinct knocks allude to? A. To the third +degree in Masonry; it being that on which I was about to enter. + +Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? Who comes +there? Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated +as an Entered Apprentice Mason, passed to the degree of a Fellow +Craft, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being raised to +the sublime degree of a Master Mason. + +Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was +of my own free will and accord I made this request; if I was duly and +truly prepared; worthy and well qualified; and had made suitable +proficiency in the preceding degree; all of which being answered in +the affirmative, I was asked by what further rights I expected to +obtain that benefit. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. What was that pass-word? A. TUBAL CAIN. + +Q. What was next said to you? A. I was bid to wait till the Worshipful +Master in the East was made acquainted with my request, and his answer +returned. + +Q. After his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to +enter the Lodge on the two extreme points of the Compass pressing my +right and left breasts, in the name of the Lord. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted three times +regularly around the Lodge and halted at the Junior Warden in the +South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned, as at +the door. + +Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions +were asked and answers returned as before. + +Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same +questions were asked, and answers returned as before; who likewise +demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. + +Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and traveling to the East. + +Q. Why do you leave the West and travel to the East? A. In search of +light. + +Q. How did the Worshipful Master dispose of you? A. He ordered me to +be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in care of +the Senior Warden, who taught me how to approach the East, by +advancing upon three upright regular steps to the third step, my feet +forming a square, and my body erect at the altar before the Worshipful +Master. + +Q. What did the Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made an obligated +Master Mason of me. + +Q. How? A. In due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. Both my knees bare bent, they forming a +square; both hands on the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass; in which +posture I took upon me the solemn oath or obligation of a true Master +Mason. + +Q. After your obligation, what was said to you? A. What do you most +desire. + +Q. Your answer? A. More light. [The bandage around the head is now +dropped over the eyes.] + +Q. Did you receive light? A. I did. + +Q. On being brought to light on this degree, what did you first +discover? A. Three great lights in Masonry, by the assistance of three +less, and both points of the Compass elevated above the Square, which +denoted to me that I had received, or was about to receive, all the +light that could be conferred on me in a Master's Lodge. + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me +from the East, under the sign and due-guard of a Master Mason, who +presented me with his right hand in token of brotherly love and +confidence, and proceeded to give me the pass-grip and word of a +Master Mason [the word is the name of the pass-grip], and bid me rise +and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens, and convince them that I was +an obligated Master Mason, and had the sign, pass-grip, and word +(TUBAL CAIN). + +Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master approaching me +a second time from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or +white apron, which, he said, he hoped I would continue to wear with +honor to myself, and satisfaction and advantage to the brethren. + +Q. What were you next presented with? A. The working tools of a Master +Mason. + +Q. What are they? A. All the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, +but more especially the Trowel. + +Q. How explained? A. The Trowel is an instrument made use of by +operative Masons to spread the cement which unites a building into one +common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make +use of it for the more noble and glorious purposes of spreading the +cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us +into one sacred band, or society of brothers, among whom no contention +should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best work, or +best agree. + +Q. What were you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels. + +Q. What are they? A. Humanity, Friendship, and Brotherly Love. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted out of the Lodge, +and invested of what I had been divested, and returned again in due +season. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--Did you ever return to the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF +HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple? Answer--I did. + +Q. Was there anything in particular took place on your return? A. +There was, viz., I was accosted by three ruffians, who demanded of me +the Master Mason's word. + +Q. Did you ever give it to them? A. I did not, but bid them wait, with +time and patience, till the Grand Lodge assembled at Jerusalem, and +then, if they were found worthy, they should receive it, otherwise +they could not. + +Q. In what manner was you accosted? A. In attempting to retire at the +South gate, I was accosted by one of them, who demanded of me the +Master Mason's word, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, +he gave me a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge across my breast, on +which I fled to the West gate, where I was accosted by the second with +more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave +me a severe blow with the Square across my breast; on which I +attempted to make my escape at the East gate, where I was accosted by +the third with still more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with +his request, he gave me a violent blow with the common gavel on the +forehead, and brought me to the floor. + +Q. Whom did you represent at that time? A. Our Grand Master, Hiram +Abiff, who was slain at the building of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. Was his death premeditated? A. It was--by fifteen Fellow Crafts, +who conspired to extort from him the Master Mason's word; twelve of +whom recanted, but the other three were base enough to carry their +atrocious designs into execution. + +Q. What did they do with the body? A. They carried it out at the West +gate of the Temple, and buried it till low twelve at night, when they +three met agreeably to appointment, and carried it a westerly course +from the Temple, and buried it under the brow of a hill, in a grave +six feet, due East and West, six feet perpendicular, and made their +escape. + +Q. What time was he slain? A. At high twelve at noon, when the crafts +were from labor to refreshment. + +Q. How came he to be alone at that time? A. Because it was the usual +custom of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day at high twelve, +when the crafts were from labor to refreshment, to enter into the +SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF HOLIES, and offer up his adorations to +the ever-living God, and draw out his plans and designs on his +Tressle-Board, for the crafts to pursue their labor. + +Q. At what time was he missing? A. At low six in the morning, when +King Solomon came up to the Temple, as usual, to view the work, and +found the crafts all in confusion; and, on inquiring the cause, he was +informed that their Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was missing, and no +plans or designs were laid down on the Tressle-Board for the crafts to +pursue their labor. + +Q. What observations did King Solomon make at that time? A. He +observed that our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had always been very +punctual in attending, and feared that he was indisposed, and ordered +search to be made in and about the Temple, to see if he could be +found. + +Q. Search being made, and he not found, what further remarks did King +Solomon make? A. He observed he feared some fatal accident had +befallen our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; that morning twelve Fellow +Crafts, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their +innocence, had confessed that they twelve with three others, had +conspired to extort the Master Mason's word from their Grand Master, +Hiram Abiff, or take his life; that they twelve had recanted, but +feared the other three had been base enough to carry their atrocious +designs into execution. + +Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered the roll of workmen to be +called, to see if there were any missing. + +Q. The roll being called, were there any missing? A. There were three, +viz., JUBELA, JUBELO, and JUBELUM. + +Q. Were the ruffians ever found? A. They were. + +Q. How? A. By the wisdom of King Solomon, who ordered twelve Fellow +Crafts to be selected from the bands of the workmen, clothed in white +gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, and sent three East, +three West, three North, and three South, in search of the ruffians, +and, if found, to bring them forward. + +Q. What success? A. The three that traveled a westerly course from the +Temple, coming near the coast of Joppa, were informed by a wayfaring +man, that three men had been seen that way that morning, who, from +their appearance and dress, were workmen from the Temple, inquiring +for a passage to Ethiopia, but were unable to obtain one, in +consequence of an embargo which had recently been laid on all the +shipping, and had turned back into the country. + +Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered them to go and search again, +and search till they were found, if possible; and if they were not +found, that the twelve who had confessed should be considered as the +reputed murderers, and suffer accordingly. + +Q. What success? A. One of the three that traveled a westerly course +from the Temple, being more weary than the rest, sat down under the +brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself; and, in attempting to +rise, caught hold of a sprig of cassia, which easily gave way, and +excited his curiosity, and made him suspicious of a deception; on +which he hailed his companions, who immediately assembled, and, on +examination, found that the earth had recently been moved; and on +moving the rubbish, discovered the appearance of a grave, and while +they were confabulating about what measures to take, they heard voices +issuing from a cavern in the clefts of the rocks, on which they +immediately repaired to the place, where they heard the voice of +JUBELA exclaim: "O that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn +out, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low-water +mark, where 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 inscription delineated thereon: A virgin weeping +over a broken column, with a book open before her; in her right hand a +sprig of cassia; in her left, an urn; Time standing behind her, with +his hands infolded in the ringlets of her hair. + +Q. What do they denote? A. The weeping virgin denotes the unfinished +state of the Temple; the broken column, that one of the principal +supporters of Masonry had fallen; the open book before her, that his +memory was on perpetual record; the sprig of cassia, the timely +discovery of his grave; the urn in her left hand, that his ashes were +safely deposited under the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF HOLIES, of +King Solomon's Temple; and Time standing behind her, with his hands +infolded in the ringlets of her hair, that time, patience, and +perseverance will accomplish all things. + + * * * * * + + +THIRD SECTION. + +Question--What does a Master's Lodge represent? Answer--The SANCTUM +SANCTORUM, or HOLY OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How long was the Temple building? A. Seven years; during which it +rained not in the daytime, that the workmen might not be obstructed in +their labor. + +Q. What supported the Temple? A. Fourteen hundred and fifty-three +columns, and two thousand, nine hundred and six pilasters, all hewn +from the finest Parian marble. + +Q. What further supported it? A. Three grand columns, or pillars. + +Q. What were they called? A. Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. + +Q. What did they represent? A. The pillar of Wisdom represented +Solomon, King of Israel, whose wisdom contrived the mighty fabric; the +pillar of Strength, Hiram, King of Tyre, who strengthened Solomon in +his glorious undertaking; the pillar of Beauty, Hiram Abiff, the +widow's son, whose cunning craft and curious workmanship beautified +and adorned the Temple. + +Q. How many were there employed in the building of King Solomon's +Temple? A. Three Grand Masters; three thousand, three hundred Masters, +or overseers of the work; eighty thousand Fellow Crafts, and seventy +thousand Entered Apprentices; all those were classed and arranged in +such a manner, by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, discord, +nor confusion were suffered to interrupt that universal peace and +tranquility that pervaded the work at that important period. + +Q. How many constitutes an Entered Apprentice's Lodge? A. Seven; one +Master and six Entered Apprentices. + +Q. Where did they usually meet? A. On the ground floor of King +Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How many constitutes a Fellow Craft's Lodge? A. Five; two Masters +and three Fellow Crafts. + +Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In the middle chamber of King +Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How many constitutes a Master's Lodge? A. Three Master Masons. + +Q. Where did they usually meet? A. In the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or HOLY +OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. Have you any emblems on this degree? A. We have several, which are +divided into two classes. + +Q. What are the first class? A. The pot of incense; the bee-hive; the +book of constitutions, guarded by the Tyler's sword; the sword, +pointing to a naked heart; the all-seeing eye; the anchor and ark; the +forty-seventh problem of Euclid; the hour-glass; the scythe; and the +three steps usually delineated on the Master's carpet, which are thus +explained: The pot of INCENSE is an emblem of a pure heart, which is +always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity; and as this glows with +fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to +the great and beneficent Author of our existence, for the manifold +blessings and comforts we enjoy. The BEE-HIVE is an emblem of +industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created +beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the +dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and +intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never +sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in +want, when it is in our power to relieve them, without inconvenience +to ourselves. When we take a survey of nature, we behold man, in his +infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies +languishing for days, weeks, months, and years, totally incapable of +providing sustenance for himself; of guarding against the attacks of +the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather. +It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have +made man independent of all other beings, but as independence is one +of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each +other for protection and security, as they thereby enjoy better +opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and +friendship. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the +noblest part of the work of God; and he, who will so demean himself as +not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and +understanding, may be deemed a DRONE in the HIVE of nature, a useless +member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons. The BOOK +OF CONSTITUTIONS, GUARDED BY THE TYLER'S SWORD, reminds us that we +should be ever watchful and guarded, in our thoughts, words, and +actions, and particularly when before the enemies of Masonry; ever +bearing in remembrance those truly masonic virtues, SILENCE and +CIRCUMSPECTION. The SWORD, POINTING TO A NAKED HEART, demonstrates +that justice will sooner or later overtake us; and, although our +thoughts, words, and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men, yet +that ALL-SEEING EYE, whom the SUN, MOON, and STARS obey, and under +whose watchful care even comets perform their stupendous revolutions, +pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart, and will reward us +according to our merits. The ANCHOR and ARK are emblems of a +well-grounded hope and well-spent life. They are emblematical of that +divine ARK which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of +troubles, and that ANCHOR which shall safely moor us in a peaceful +harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary shall +find rest. The FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM OF EUCLID--this was an invention +of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras, who, in his +travels through Asia, Africa, and Europe, was initiated into several +orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master +Mason. + +This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general +knowledge of things, and more especially in Geometry or Masonry; on +this subject he drew out many problems and theorems; and among the +most distinguished, he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart, +he called EUREKA, in the Grecian language signifying, I HAVE FOUND IT; +and upon the discovery of which he is said to have sacrificed a +hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and +sciences. The HOUR-GLASS is an emblem of human life. Behold! how +swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a +close. We cannot, without astonishment behold the little particles +which are contained in this machine; how they pass away almost +imperceptibly, and yet, to our surprise, in the short space of an hour +they are all exhausted. + +Thus wastes man to-day; he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; +to-morrow, blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; the +next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot, and when he thinks his +greatness is still ripening, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich +our mother earth. The SCYTHE is an emblem of time, which cuts the +brittle thread of life, and launches us into eternity. Behold! what +havoc the scythe of time makes among the human race; if, by chance, +we should escape the numerous evils incident to childhood and youth, +and, with health and vigor, arrive to the years of manhood, yet +withal, we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring scythe of time, +and be gathered into the land where our fathers had gone before us. +The THREE STEPS, usually delineated upon the Master's carpet, are +emblematical of the three principal stages of human life, viz.: Youth, +Manhood, and Age. In youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought +industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful +knowledge; in manhood, as Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge +to the discharge of our respective duties to God, our neighbors, and +ourselves; so that in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy +reflections consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a +glorious immortality. + +Q. What are the second class of emblems? A. The spade, coffin, +death-head, marrow bones, and sprig of cassia, which are thus +explained: The SPADE opens the vault to receive our bodies, where our +active limbs will soon moulder to dust. The COFFIN, DEATH-HEAD, and +MARROW BONES are emblematical of the death and burial of our Grand +Master, Hiram Abiff, and are worthy our serious attention. The SPRIG +OF CASSIA is emblematical of that immortal part of man which never +dies; and when the cold winter of death shall have passed, and the +bright summer's morn of the resurrection appears, the Son of +Righteousness shall descend, and send forth his angels to collect our +ransomed dust; then, if we are found worthy, by his pass-word we shall +enter into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of +the Universe presides, where we shall see the King in the beauty of +holiness, and with him enter into an endless fraternity. + +Here ends the first three degrees of Masonry, which constitutes a +Master Mason's Lodge. A Master Mason's Lodge and a Chapter of Royal +Arch Masons are two distinct bodies, wholly independent of each other. +The members of a Chapter are privileged to visit all Master Mason's +Lodges when they please; and may be, and often are, members of both at +the same time; and all the members of a Master Mason's Lodge who are +Royal Arch Masons, though not members of any Chapter, may visit any +Chapter. I wish the reader to understand that neither all Royal Arch +Masons nor Master Masons are members of either Lodge or Chapter; there +are tens of thousands who are not members, and scarcely ever attend, +although privileged to do so. + +A very small proportion of Masons, comparatively speaking, ever +advance any further than the third degree, and consequently never get +the great word which was lost by Hiram's untimely death. Solomon, King +of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, the widow's son, +having sworn that they, nor either of them, would ever give the word, +except they three were present (and it is generally believed that +there was not another person in the world, at that time, that had it), +consequently the word was lost, and supposed to be forever; but the +sequel will show it was found, after a lapse of four hundred and +seventy years; notwithstanding, the word MAH-HAH-BONE, which was +substituted by Solomon, still continues to be used by Master Masons, +and no doubt will, as long as Masonry attracts the attention of men; +and the word which was lost is used in the Royal Arch Degree. What was +the word of the Royal Arch Degree before they found the Master's word, +which was lost at the death of Hiram Abiff, and was not found for four +hundred and seventy years? Were there any Royal Arch Masons before the +Master's word was found? I wish some masonic gentleman would solve +these two questions. + +The ceremonies, histories, and the Lecture, in the preceding degree +are so similar that perhaps some one of the three might have been +dispensed with, and the subject well understood by most readers, +notwithstanding there is a small difference between the work and +history, and between the history and the Lecture. + +I shall now proceed with the Mark Master's degree, which is the first +degree in the Chapter. The Mark Master's degree, the Past Master's, +and the Most Excellent Master's, are Lodges of Mark Master Masons, +Past Master, and Most Excellent Master; yet, although called Lodges, +they are called component parts of the Chapter. Ask a Mark Master +Mason if he belongs to the Chapter; he will tell you he does, but that +he has only been marked. It is not an uncommon thing, by any means, +for a Chapter to confer all four of the degrees in one night, +viz:--the Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal +Arch degrees. + + * * * * * + + +TEST-OATH AND WORD. + +The following "test-oath and word" were invented and adopted by the +"Grand Lodge" of the State of New York, at their Session in June, +1827, for the purpose of guarding against BOOK Masons. They are given +in a Master's Lodge. They were obtained from a gentleman in high +standing in society, and among Masons, but a friend to Anti-Masonry. +He was a member of the "Grand Lodge," and present when they were +adopted. + +A person wishing to be admitted into the Lodge, presents himself at +the door; the Tyler (or some brother from within) demands or asks, "Do +you wish to visit this Lodge?" The candidate for admission says, "If +thought worthy." TYLER--"By what are you recommended?" ANS.--"By +fidelity." TYLER says, "Prove that;" at the same time advances and +throws out his hand or arm to an angle of about forty-five degrees +obliquely forward, the hand open, and thumb upward. The candidate then +advances, and places the back of his LEFT HAND against the PALM of the +Tyler's RIGHT HAND--still extended puts his mouth to the Tyler's ear +and whispers, L-O-S, and pronounces LOS. + + TEST-OATH.--"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the + presence of Almighty God, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear + that I will not communicate the secret test-word, annexed to this + obligation, to any but a true and lawful Master Mason, and that in + the body of a lawful Lodge of such, in actual session, or at the + door of a Lodge, for the purpose of gaining admission; under the + penalty of being forever disgraced and dishonored as a man, and + despised, degraded, and expelled as a Mason." + + * * * * * + + +FOURTH, OR MARK MASTER'S DEGREE. + +CEREMONIES USED IN OPENING A LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS. + +One rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls up the Junior and Senior +Deacons; two raps call up the subordinate officers; and three, all the +members of the Lodge. The Right Worshipful Master having called the +Lodge to order, and all being seated, the Right Worshipful Master says +to the Junior Warden, "Brother Junior, are they all Mark Master Masons +in the South?" Junior Warden answers, "They are, Right Worshipful." R. +W. M.--"I thank you, brother." R. W. M.--"Brother Senior, are they all +Mark Master Masons in the West?" Senior Warden--"They are, Right +Worshipful." R. W. M.--"They are in the East." At the same time gives +a rap with the mallet which calls up both Deacons. R. W. M.--"Brother +Junior, the first care of a Mason?" "To see the Lodge tyled, Right +Worshipful." R. W. M.--"Attend to that part of the duty, and inform +the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and +direct him to tyle accordingly." Junior Deacon steps to the door and +gives four raps, which are answered by four without by the Tyler; the +Junior Deacon then gives one, which is answered by the Tyler with one; +the door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon then delivers +his message and resumes his station, gives the due-guard of a Mark +Master Mason, and says, "The door is tyled, Right Worshipful." R. W. +M.--"By whom?" J. D.--"By a Mark Master Mason without the door, armed +with the proper implements of his office." R. W. M.--"His duty there?" +J. D.--"To keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers, see that none pass +or repass without permission from the Right Worshipful Master." R. W. +M.--"Brother Junior, your place in the Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right +hand of the Senior Warden in the West." R. W. M.--"Your business +there, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"To wait on the Right Worshipful Master +and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and +take care of the door." R. W. M.--"The Senior Deacon's place in the +Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the +East." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother." He then gives two raps with +the mallet, and the subordinate officers rise. R. W. M.--"Your duty +there, Brother Senior?" S. D.--"To wait on the Right Worshipful Master +and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, +attend to the preparation and introduction of candidates, and welcome +and clothe all visiting brethren." R. W. M.--"The Secretary's place in +the Lodge, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the +Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your +duty there, Brother Secretary?" Sec.--"The better to observe the Right +Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; record the proceedings of the +Lodge; transmit the same to the Grand Lodge, if required; receive all +monies and money-bills from the hands of the brethren, pay them over +to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same." R. W. M.--"The +Treasurer's place in the Lodge?" Sec.--"At the right hand of the Right +Worshipful Master." R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, +Brother Treasurer?" Treasurer--"Duly to observe the Right Worshipful +Master's will and pleasure; receive all monies and money-bills from +the hands of the Secretary; give a receipt for the same; keep a just +and true account of the same; pay them out by order of the Right +Worshipful Master and consent of the brethren." R. W. M.--"The Junior +Overseer's place in the Lodge, Brother Treasurer?" Treas.--"At the +right hand of the Junior Warden in the South, Right Worshipful." R. W. +M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Junior +Overseer?" J. O.--"To inspect all material brought up for the building +of the Temple; approve or disapprove of the same; and, if approved, +pass it on to the Senior Overseer for further inspection." R. W. +M.--"The Senior Overseer's place in the Lodge?" J. O.--"At the right +hand of the Senior Warden in the West, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"I +thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Senior Overseer?" S. +O.--"To inspect all materials brought up for the building of the +Temple; and, if approved, pass it on to the Master Overseer at the +East gate for further inspection." R. W. M.--"The Master Overseer's +place in the Lodge, Brother Senior Overseer?" S. O.--"At the right +hand of the Right Worshipful Master in the East." R. W. M.--"I thank +you, brother. Your business there, Brother Master Overseer?" M. +O.--"To assist in the inspection of all materials brought up for the +building of the Temple; and if disapproved, to call a council of my +brother Overseers." R. W. M.--"The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge, +Brother Master Overseer?" M. O.--"In the South, Right Worshipful." R. +W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, Brother Junior?" J. +W.--"As the sun in the South, at high meridian, is the beauty and +glory of the day, so stands the Junior Warden in the South, the better +to observe the time, call the crafts from labor to refreshment, +superintend them during the hours thereof, see that none convert the +hours of refreshment into that of intemperance or excess, and call +them on again in due season, that the Right Worshipful Master may have +honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby." R. W. M.--"The Senior +Warden's place in the Lodge?" J. W.--"In the West, Right Worshipful." +R. W. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, Brother Senior?" S. +W.--"As the sun sets in the West to close the day, so stands the +Senior Warden in the West, to assist the Right Worshipful in opening +and closing the Lodge; take care of the jewels and implements; see +that none be lost; pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see +that none go away dissatisfied." R. W. M.--"The Master's place in the +Lodge?" S. W.--"In the East, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"His duty +there?" S. W.--"As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the +day, so presides the Right Worshipful Master in the East to open and +adorn his Lodge, set his crafts to work, and govern them with good and +wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." R. W. M.--"I thank you, +brother." Gives three raps with the mallet, which calls up all the +brethren, takes off his hat and says, "In like manner, so do I, +strictly prohibiting all profane language, private committees, or any +other disorderly conduct, whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge +may be interrupted, while engaged in its lawful pursuits; under no +less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren +present may see cause to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the +signs." The Right Worshipful Master (all the brethren imitating him) +extends his left arm from his body, so as to form an angle of about +forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand transversely across his +left, the palms thereof about an inch apart. This is called the first +sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in the first degree, and +alludes to the position a candidate's hands are placed when he takes +the obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason; he then draws his right +hand across his throat, the hand open, with his thumb next his throat, +drops it down by his side. This is called the due-guard of an Entered +Apprentice Mason, and alludes to the penal part of the obligation. +Next he places the palm of his open right hand upon his left breast, +and, at the same time, throws up his left hand, and so extends his +left arm as to form a right angle; from the shoulder to the elbow it +is horizontal, from the elbow to the tip of the finger it is +perpendicular. This is the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason, +and also alludes to the penal part of the obligation, which is +administered in this degree. After this, the Right Worshipful Master +draws his right hand across his bowels, with his hand open, and thumb +next his body, and drops it down by his side. This is the sign or +due-guard of a Master Mason, and, like the others, alludes to the +penalty of this degree. He then throws up the grand hailing sign of +distress; this is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbow, +perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a +square, his arms then drop by his side; he then clutches the third and +little fingers of his right hand; with his thumb extended at the same +time, his middle and forefingers, brings up his hand in such a manner +as to have the side of the middle finger touch the rim of the right +ear, then lets it drop, and, as it falls, brings the outward side of +the little finger of the left hand across the wrist of the right, then +lets them fall by his sides. This is the sign or due-guard of a Mark +Master Mason, and also alludes to the penal part of the obligation in +this degree. Here it is proper to remark that in the opening of any +Lodge of Masons, they commence giving the signs of an Entered +Apprentice, and go through all the signs of the different degrees, in +regular gradation, until they arrive to the one which they are +opening, and commence at the sign of the degree in which they are at +work, and descend to the last when closing. After going through all +the signs, as before described, the Right Worshipful Master declares +the Lodge opened in the following manner: "I now declare this Lodge of +Mark Master Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business." The +Senior Warden declares it to the Junior Warden, and he to the +brethren. The Right Worshipful Master then repeats a charge: +"Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice and guile," &c., &c. + +The Lodge being opened and ready for business, the Right Worshipful +Master directs the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting, +which generally brings to view the business of the present. If there +are any candidates to be brought forward, that is generally the first +business. A Master Mason, wishing for further light in Masonry, sends +a petition to the Chapter, and requests to be advanced to the honorary +degree of Mark Master Mason; if there is no serious objection to the +petition, it is entered on the minutes, and a committee of several +appointed to inquire into his character, and report to the next +regular communication: at that time, if the committee report in his +favor, and no serious objection is made against him otherwise, a +motion is made that the ballot pass; if carried, the Deacons pass the +ballot boxes; these boxes are the same as in the preceding degrees. +When the balls are received, the box is presented to the Right +Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. R. W. M.--"Clear in the +West, Brother Senior?" S. W.--"Clear, Right Worshipful." R. W. +M.--"Clear in the South, Brother Junior?" J. W.--"Clear, Right +Worshipful." Right Worshipful Master says, "Clear in the East." This +being the case, the candidate is accepted; but if there is one black +ball in that end of the box which has the white tube, and the Senior +Warden pronouncing "Not clear," all stop, and inquiry is made, and the +ballot passes again; and, if blacked a third time, the candidate is +rejected. It being otherwise, the Senior Deacon, who is the +candidate's conductor, passes out of the Lodge into the adjoining +room, where the candidate is in waiting, and there the conductor is +furnished with a small oblong square, six inches long; the candidate +is presented with a large white marble keystone, weighing, probably, +twenty pounds, and is ordered, by his conductor, to take it by the +little end, between his first and second fingers and thumb of his +right hand. The door is then opened without ceremony, and they pass +directly to the Junior Overseer's station at the South gate, which is +nothing more than the Junior Warden's seat, and the conductor gives +four raps, with his block of timber, on a pedestal in front of the +Junior Overseer's station. J. O.--"Who comes here?" Cond.--"Two +brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the Temple." J. O.--"Have +you a specimen of your labor?" Cond.--"I have." J. O.--"Present it." +The conductor then presents the piece of timber before described; the +Junior Overseer receives it, and applies a small trying square to its +different angles, and they agreeing with the angles of the square, he +says, "This is good work, square work, such work as we are authorized +to receive." Returns the block of timber, and turning his eye upon the +candidate, asks, "Who is this you have with you?" Cond.--"A brother +Fellow Craft." J. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I +have." J. O.--"Present it." The candidate then presents the keystone; +the Junior Overseer receives it, and applies his square to all its +angles, and they not agreeing with the angles of the square, he says, +"What have you here, brother? this is neither an oblong nor a square, +neither has it the regular mark of the craft upon it, but from its +singular form and beauty, I am unwilling to reject it; pass on to the +Senior Overseer at the West gate for further inspection." They then +pass on to the Senior Overseer's station at the West gate, which is +the Senior Warden's seat, and give four raps, as before, on the +pedestal which stands in front of the Senior Overseer. S. O.--"Who +comes here?" Cond.--"Two brother Fellow Crafts, with materials for the +Temple." S. O.--"Have you a specimen of your labor?" Cond.--"I have." +S. O.--"Present it." The conductor, as before, presents the block of +timber; the Senior Overseer applies his square to it, and finding it +agrees with the angles of his square, says, "This is good work, square +work, such work as we are authorized to receive; who is this you have +with you?" Cond.--"A brother Fellow Craft." S. O.--"Have you a +specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I have." S. O.--"Present it." The +candidate then presents the keystone, and he applies it, but not +fitting, he says, "This is neither an oblong nor a square, neither has +it the regular mark of the craft upon it; it is a curious wrought +stone, and on account of its singular form and beauty, I am unwilling +to reject it; pass on to the Master Overseer at the East gate for +further inspection." They pass to to his station at the East gate, and +give four raps. M. O.--"Who comes here?" Cond.--"Two brethren, Fellow +Crafts, with their materials for the Temple." M. O.--"Have you a +specimen of your labor?" Cond.--"I have." M. O.--"Present it." The +conductor presents his billet of wood to him, applies his square to +it, and, like the other Overseers, says, "This is good work, square +work, such work as we are authorized to receive; who is this you have +with you?" Cond.--"A brother Fellow Craft." M. O.--"Have you a +specimen of your labor?" Cand.--"I have." M. O.--"Present it." [It +ought here to be remarked that when the candidate is presented with +the keystone, and takes it between his thumb and two fingers, it hangs +suspended by his side, and he is requested to carry his work plumb, +and the conductor taking good care to see that he does it, by the time +he arrives at the Master Overseer's station at the East gate, and when +the Master Overseer says "Present it," the candidate is extremely +willing to hand over the keystone to him for inspection; for, by this +time, it becomes very painful to hold any longer the stone which he +has in charge.] The Master Overseer having received the keystone, he +applies his square to the different angles of it, and, being found not +to be square, he, like the other Overseers, says, "This is neither an +oblong nor a square, neither has it the regular mark of the craft upon +it." He then looks sternly upon the candidate and demands, "Is this +your work?" Cand.--"It is not." M. O.--"Is this your mark?" Cand.--"It +is not." M. O.--"Where did you get it?" Cond.--"I picked it up in the +quarry." M. O.--"Picked it up in the quarry? this explains the matter; +what! been loitering away your time this whole week, and now brought +up another man's work to impose upon the Grand Overseers! this +deserves the severest punishment. [Motions the candidate to stand.] +Brother Junior and Senior Overseers, here is work brought up for +inspection which demands a council." The Junior, Senior, and Master +Overseers then assemble in council. M. O., presenting the stone--"Did +a Fellow Craft present this to you for inspection, Brother Junior?" J. +O.--"A Fellow Craft came to my office and presented this stone for +inspection; I examined it, and found it was neither an oblong nor a +square, neither, had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but on +account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it, +and ordered it to the Senior Overseer at the West gate for further +inspection." M. O.--"Brother Senior, was this stone presented to you +for inspection?" S. O.--"It was; I know of no use for it in the +Temple; I tried it with the square, and observed it was neither an +oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon +it; but on account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to +reject it, and, therefore, directed it to the Master Overseer at the +East gate for further inspection." M. O.--"It was also presented to me +for inspection, but I do not know of any use which it can be in the +building." S. O.--"I know of no use for it." J. O.--"I know of no use +for it." M. O.--"Brother Senior, what shall we do with it?" S. +O.--"Heave it over among the rubbish." The Master and Senior Overseers +then take the stone between them, and after waving it backward and +forward four times, they heave it over in such a manner that the one +letting go while the stone is arriving at the highest point, it brings +the stone in a quarterly direction over the other's left shoulder; the +Junior Overseer, being stationed in a suitable position, at this +moment receives the stone, and carries it away into the preparation +room. R. W. M.--"Brother Senior Warden, assemble the crafts to receive +wages." At this command the brethren all arise, and form a procession +single file; the candidate is placed at the head of the procession, +and when stationed, is told that "the last shall be first, and the +first last." The procession being formed, they commence singing the +following song: "Mark Masters all appear," &c., and, at the same time, +commence a circular march (against the course of the sun) around the +room, giving all the signs during their march, beginning with that of +Entered Apprentice, and ending at that of Mark Master. They are given +in the following manner: The first revolution each brother, when +opposite the Right Worshipful Master, gives the first sign in Masonry. +The second revolution, when opposite the Master, the second; and so +on, until they give all the signs to that of Mark Master. While the +ceremony is going on in the Lodge, the Senior Grand Warden procures a +sufficient number of cents and passes into the preparation room, and +opens a lattice window in the door which communicates to the Lodge +room, and when the craftsmen arrive to the Mark Master Mason's sign, +each of them, in their last revolution, puts his hand through the +window in the door and gives a token (this is given by shutting the +third and little fingers, extending the fore and middle fingers, and +placing the thumb over them in a suitable manner to receive the penny +or cent), and receives a penny or cent from the Senior Grand Warden. +Matters are so timed in the march, that when they come to that part of +the song which says, "Caution them to beware of the right hand," it +comes the turn of the candidate to put his hand through the aperture +of the door and receive his penny, but not being able to give the +token, he is detected as an impostor, and the Senior Grand Warden, +instead of giving him his penny, seizes him by the hand and draws his +arm full length through the door and holds him securely, exclaiming at +the same time, "An impostor! an impostor!" Others, who are in the room +with the Senior Grand Warden, cry out, "Chop off his hand! chop off +his hand!" At this moment the conductor steps to the candidate and +intercedes warmly in his behalf. Cond.--"Spare him! spare him!" S. G. +W.--"He is an impostor. He has attempted to receive wages without +being able to give the token. The penalty must be inflicted." +Cond.--"He is a brother Fellow Craft, and on condition that you will +release him, I will be responsible that he shall be taken before the +Right Worshipful Master, where all the circumstances shall be made +known, and, if he condemns him, I will see that the penalty is +inflicted." S. G. W.--"On these conditions, I release him." The +candidate is released, and taken before the Right Worshipful Master. +Cond.--"This young Fellow Craft has brought up work for inspection, +which was not his own, and has attempted to receive wages for it; he +was detected at the Senior Grand Warden's apartment as an impostor, +and I became responsible, on condition of his release, that he should +appear before the Right Worshipful, and if, after a fair trial, you +should pronounce him guilty, that I should see the penalty of an +impostor inflicted upon him." R. W. M.--"Brother Junior Overseer, did +this man bring up work to your station for inspection?" J. O.--"He +did. I inspected it, and observed that it was neither an oblong nor a +square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but on +account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it; +therefore, I ordered it passed to the Senior Overseer's station at the +West gate for further inspection." R. W. M.--"Brother Senior Overseer, +did this young man bring up work to you for inspection?" S. O.--"He +did; and I, for similar reasons offered by Brother Junior Overseer, +was unwilling to reject it, and ordered it passed on to the Master +Overseer at the East gate for further inspection." R. W. M.--"Brother +Master Overseer, did this young man bring up work to you for +inspection?" M. O.--"He did. I inspected the work, and observed that +it was neither an oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark +of the craft upon it; I then asked him if it was his work. He admitted +that it was not. I asked him where he got it; he said he picked it up +in the quarry. I rebuked him severely for his attempt to impose upon +the Grand Overseers, and for loitering away his time, and then +bringing up another man's work for inspection. I then called a council +of my brother Overseers, and we, knowing no use for the work, hove it +over among the rubbish." R. W. M.--"Senior Grand Warden, did the young +man attempt to receive wages at your apartment?" S. G. W.--"He did, +and I detected him as an impostor, and was about to inflict the +penalty, but the conductor becoming responsible, that if I would +release him, he would see the impostor taken before the Right +Worshipful, and, if found guilty, that the penalty should be +inflicted, I released him." R. W. M.--"Young man, it appears that you +have been loitering away your time this whole week, and have now +brought up another man's work for inspection, to impose upon the Grand +Overseers, and what is more, you have attempted to receive wages for +labor which you never performed; conduct like this deserves prompt +punishment. The penalty of an impostor is that of having his right +hand chopped off. This young man appears as though he deserved a +better fate, and as though he might be serviceable in the building of +the Temple. Are you a Fellow Craft?" Cand.--"I am." R. W. M.--"Can you +give us any proof of it?" Candidate gives the sign of a Fellow Craft. +R. W. M.--"He is a Fellow Craft. Have you ever been taught how to +receive wages?" Cand.--"I have not." R. W. M.--"This serves, in a +measure, to mitigate his crime. If you are instructed how to receive +wages, will you do better in future, and never again attempt to impose +on the Grand Overseers, and, above all, never attempt to receive wages +for labor which you never performed." Cand.--"I will." R. W. M.--"The +penalty is remitted." The candidate is then taken into the preparation +room and divested of his outward apparel, and all money and valuables, +his breast bare, and a cable-tow four times around his body; in which +condition he is conducted to the door, when the conductor gives four +distinct knocks, upon the hearing of which the Senior Warden says to +the Right Worshipful, "While we are peaceably at work on the fourth +degree of Masonry, the door of our Lodge appears to be alarmed." R. W. +M.--"Brother Junior, see the cause of that alarm." The Junior Warden +then steps to the door and answers the alarm by four knocks, the +conductor and himself each giving another; the door is then partly +opened, and the Junior Warden then asks, "Who comes there?" Cond.--"A +worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered +Apprentice, served a proper time as such; passed to the degree of +Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; and now +wishes further light in Masonry, by being advanced to the more +honorable degree of a Mark Master Mason." J. W.--"Is it of his own +free will and accord he makes this request?" Cond.--"It is." J. +W.--"Is he duly and truly prepared?" Cond.--"He is." J. W.--"Has he +wrought in the quarry, and exhibited specimens of his skill in the +preceding degrees?" Cond.--"He has." J. W.--"By what further right or +benefit does he expect to obtain this favor?" Cond.--"By the benefit +of a pass-word." J. W.--"Has he a pass-word?" Cond.--"He has not, but +I have it for him." J. W.--"Give it to me." Conductor whispers in his +ear, "JOPPA." J. W.--"The pass-word is right. You will let him wait +until the Right Worshipful Master is made acquainted with his request +and his answer returned." The Junior Warden returns him to the Right +Worshipful Master, where the same questions are asked and answers +returned, as at the door. The Right Worshipful Master then says, +"Since he comes endowed with the necessary qualifications, let him +enter in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters. +[Previous to the candidate's entering, one of the brethren, who is +best qualified for the station, is selected and furnished with an +engraving chisel and mallet, and placed near the door, so that when +the candidate enters, it is on the edge of an engraving chisel, under +the pressure of the mallet. As this is the business of no particular +officer, we have, for convenience, styled him executioner.] Brother, +it becomes my duty to put a mark on you, and such a one, too, as you +will probably carry to your grave." Places the edge of the chisel near +his left breast and makes several motions with the mallet, as though +he was about to strike upon the head of the chisel. Executioner--"This +is a painful undertaking; I do not feel able to perform it, Right +Worshipful (turning to the Right Worshipful Master); this task is too +painful; I feel that I cannot perform it; I wish the Right Worshipful +would select some other brother to perform it in my stead." R. W. +M.--"I know the task is unpleasant, and a painful one; but as you have +undertaken to perform it, unless some other brother will volunteer his +service and take your place, you must proceed." Exec--"Brother +(calling the name), will you volunteer your service and take my +place?" Brother--"I cannot consent to do it (after several +solicitations and refusals)." Exec.--"Right Worshipful, no brother +feels willing to volunteer his services, and I declare I feel +unwilling and unable to perform it." R. W. M.--"As no brother feels +disposed to take your station, it becomes your duty to perform it +yourself." Exec. (taking his station) "Brethren, support the candidate +(several take hold of the candidate); brother (naming some physician +or surgeon), will you assist?" Doctor (stepping up)--"Brethren, it +becomes necessary that we should have a bowl, or some other vessel, to +receive the blood." A bowl is presented, having the appearance of +blood upon it, and is held in a suitable position to receive the +blood; the surgeon places his fingers on the left breast of the +candidate, and gives counsel where it would be advisable to inflict +the wound. The executioner then places the edge of the chisel near the +spot and draws back the mallet, and while making several false +motions, says, "Operative Masons make use of the engraving chisel and +mallet to cut, hew, carve, and indent their work; but we, as Free and +Accepted Masons, make use of them for a more noble and glorious +purpose; we use them to cut, hew, carve, and indent the mind;" giving, +at the instant the last word is pronounced, a severe blow with the +mallet upon the head of the chisel, without the least injury to the +candidate, which often terrifies him to an alarming degree. The +candidate is then conducted four times around the Lodge, and each +time, as he passes the station of the Master, Senior and Junior +Wardens, they each give one loud rap with their mallet; the Master, in +the meantime, reads the following passages of Scripture: Psalms +cxviii. 22. "The stone which the builders refused is become the +headstone of the corner." Matt. xxi. 42. "Did ye never read in the +Scriptures the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become +the head of the corner?" Luke xx. 17. "What is this, then, that is +written: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the +head of the corner?" Acts iv. 11. "This is the stone which was set at +nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner." The +reading of them is so timed as to be completed just as the candidate +arrives at the Junior Warden's post; here he stops, and the same +questions are asked and answers returned, as at the door; the same +passes at the Senior Warden and Master, who orders the candidate to be +conducted back to the Senior Warden in the West, by him to be taught +to approach the East by four upright regular steps, his feet forming a +square, and body erect at the altar; the candidate then kneels and +receives the obligation, as follows: + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty + God, and this Right Worshipful Lodge of Mark Master Masons, do + hereby and hereon, in addition to my former obligations, most + solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will not give the + degree of a Mark Master Mason to anyone of an inferior degree, nor + to any other person in the known world, except it be to a true and + lawful brother or brethren of this degree, and not unto him nor + unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only + whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due + examination, or lawful information given. Furthermore, do I + promise and swear, that I will support the constitution of the + General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America, + also the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of this State, under which this + Lodge is held, and conform to all the by-laws, rules and + regulations of this or any other Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of + which I may at any time hereafter become a member. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear that I will obey all regular signs and + summons given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a + brother Mark Master Mason, or from the body of a just and legally + constituted Lodge of such, provided it be within the length of my + cable tow. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will not + wrong this Lodge, or a brother of this degree, to the value of his + wages (or one penny), myself, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done + by others, if in my power to prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will not sell, swap, barter or exchange my mark, + which I shall hereafter choose, nor send it a second time to + pledge until it is lawfully redeemed from the first. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear, that I will receive a brother's mark when + offered to me requesting a favor, and grant him his request, if in + my power and if it is not in my power to grant his request, I will + return him his mark with the value thereof, which is half a shekel + of silver, or quarter of a dollar. To all of which I do most + solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and steady + purpose of mind in me, to keep and perform the same, binding + myself under no less penalty than to have my right ear smote off, + that I may forever be unable to hear the word, and my right hand + chopped off, as the penalty of an impostor, if I should ever prove + wilfully guilty of violating any part of this my solemn oath or + obligation of a Mark Master Mason. So help me God, and make me + steadfast to keep and perform the same." + +"Detach your hand and kiss the book" + +The Master then produces the same keystone, concerning which so much +has already been said, and says to the candidate, "We read in a +passage of Scripture--Rev. II 17 'To him that overcometh will I give +to each of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in +the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth save him that +receiveth it'" He then presents the stone to the candidate and says, +'I now present you with a white stone, on which is written a new name; +we give the words that form this circle (the letters are so engraved +on the stone as to form a circle), the initials are H T W S S T K +S--Hiram Tyran, Widow's Son, sent to King Solomon. These, placed in +this form were the mark of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. At present +they are used as the general MARK of this degree, and in the centre of +them each brother places his own individual MARK.' The stone is +removed, and the candidate still remains on his knees at the altar, +the Master then takes the jewel containing his mark from his neck and +presents it to the candidate--requests of him some favor, such as the +loan of five, ten, or twenty dollars. The candidate having left all +his money and valuables in the preparation room, answers, "I cannot do +it. I have no money about me," and offers to return the MARK to the +Master, but he refuses to take it, and says to the candidate, "Have +you not just sworn that you will receive a brother Mark Master's mark +when offered to you, requesting a favor, and if not in your power to +grant the favor, you would return him his mark with the value of it? +Is this the way you mind your obligations? Here I presented my mark +with a request for a small favor; you say you cannot grant it, and +offer to return my MARK alone? Where is the quarter of a dollar you +have sworn to return with it?" The candidate, much embarrassed, +answers, "I cannot do even that. I have no money about me. It was all +taken from me in the preparation room." The Master asks, "Are you +quite sure you have none?" Candidate answers, "I am, it is all in the +other room." Master--"You have not examined; perhaps some friend has, +in pity to your destitute situation, supplied you with that amount +unknown to yourself; feel in all your pockets, and if you find, after +a thorough search, that you have really none, we shall have less +reason to think that you meant wilfully to violate your obligation." +The candidate examines his pockets and finds a quarter of a dollar, +which some brother had slyly placed there; this adds not a little to +his embarrassment; he protests he had no intention of concealing it; +really supposed he had none about him, and hands it to the Master, +with his mark. The Master receives it and says to the candidate, +"Brother, let this scene be a striking lesson to you: should you ever +hereafter have a mark presented you by a worthy brother, asking a +favor, before you deny him make diligent search, and be quite sure of +your inability to serve him; perhaps you will then find, as in the +present instance, that some unknown person has befriended you, and you +are really in a better situation than you think yourself." The +candidate then rises and is made acquainted with the grips, words, and +signs of this degree. The pass-grip of this degree is made by +extending the right arms and clasping the fingers of the right hands, +as one would naturally do to assist another up a steep ascent; the +pass-word is "JOPPA;" the real grip is made by locking the little +fingers of the right hand, bringing the knuckles together, placing the +ends of the thumbs against each other; the word is "Mark well." The +signs have been described. After the grips, words, and signs are given +and explained (see Lectures), the Master says, "Brother, I now present +you with the tools of a Mark Master (here he points them out in the +carpet, or in the chart), which are the chisel and mallet; they are +thus explained: The chisel morally demonstrates the advantages of +discipline and education; the mind, like the diamond in its original +state, is rude and unpolished, but as the effect of the chisel on the +external coat soon presents to view the latent beauties of the +diamond, so education discovers the latent beauties of the mind, and +draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space, to +display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and man. The +mallet morally teaches to correct irregularities, and to reduce man to +a proper level; so that by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of +discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the workmen, +enlightened reason is to the passions; it curbs ambition, it depresses +envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions, whence +arises among good Masons that comely order, + + 'Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, + The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy.'" + +The Worshipful Master then delivers a charge to the candidate, which +completes the ceremony of advancement to this degree. + + * * * * * + + +CEREMONIES GENERALLY GONE THROUGH IN CLOSING A LODGE OF MARK MASONS. + +The Worshipful Master says, "Brother Junior Warden, assemble the +brethren, and form a procession for the purpose of closing the +Lodge." The brethren then assemble and commence a circular march, +singing the song, "Mark Masons all appear." After the song is +completed, the brethren compare the wages they have received, and +finding that all have received alike (one penny or cent), they begin +to murmur among themselves, some pretending to think they ought to +have more, as they have done all the labor. They finally throw down +their wages upon the altar, declaring if they cannot be dealt justly +with, they will have none. The Worshipful Master calls to order, and +demands the cause of the confusion. Some brother answers, "Worshipful, +we are not satisfied with the manner of paying the workmen, for we +find those who have done nothing, and even the candidate just +received, is paid just as much as we, who have borne the heat and +burden of the day." Master says, "It is perfectly right." Brother--"It +cannot be right--it is very unreasonable." Master--"Hear what the law +says on the subject." He then reads the following parable--Matt. XX. +1-16. "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a +householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into +his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a +day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third +hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto +them, 'Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will +give you.' And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth +and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went +out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, 'Why stand ye +here all the day idle?' They say unto him, 'Because no man hath hired +us.' He saith unto them, 'Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever +is right, that shall ye receive.' So when even was come, the lord of +the vineyard said unto his steward, 'Call the laborers, and give them +their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.' And when they +came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man +a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have +received more, and they likewise received every man a penny. And when +they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, +saying, 'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them +equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.' But +he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst +thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy +way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful +for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am +good? So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be +called, but few chosen.'" The brethren then declare themselves +satisfied; the signs are given from Mark Master down to the Entered +Apprentice, and the Master declares the Lodge closed. + + * * * * * + + +LECTURE ON THE FOURTH DEGREE OF MASONRY, OR MARK MASTER'S DEGREE. + + +FIRST SECTION. + +Question--Are you a Mark Master Mason? Answer--I am; try me. + +Q. By what will you be tried? A. By the engraving chisel and mallet. + +Q. Why by the engraving chisel and mallet? A. Because they are the +proper masonic implements of this degree. + +Q. On what was the degree founded? A. On a certain keystone which +belonged to the principal arch of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. Who formed this keystone? A. Our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What were the preparatory steps relative to your advancement to +this degree? A. I was caused to represent one of the Fellow Craft at +the building of King Solomon's Temple, whose custom it was, on the eve +of every sixth day, to carry up their work for inspection. + +Q. Why was you caused to represent these Fellow Crafts? A. Because our +worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had completed this keystone +agreeable to the original plan, and before he gave orders to have it +carried up to the Temple, was slain by three ruffians, as already +represented in the preceding degrees; and it so happened that on the +eve of a certain sixth day, as the craft were carrying up work for +inspection, a young Fellow Craft discovered this stone in the quarry, +and from its singular form and beauty, supposing it to belong to some +part of the Temple, carried it up for inspection. + +Q. Who inspected it? A. The Grand Overseers, placed at the East, West, +and South gates. + +Q. How did they inspect it? A. On its being presented to the Junior +Overseer at the South gate, he observed that it was neither an oblong +or a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but +from its singular form and beauty was unwilling to reject it, +therefore ordered it to be passed to the Senior Overseer at the West +gate for further inspection; who, for similar reasons, suffered it to +pass to the Master Overseer at the East gate, who held a consultation +with his brother Overseers, and they observed, as before, that it was +neither an oblong or square, neither had it the regular mark of the +craft upon it; and neither of them being Mark Master Masons, supposed +it of no use in the building, and hove it over among the rubbish. + +Q. How many Fellow Crafts were there engaged at the building of the +Temple? A. Eighty thousand. + +Q. Were not the Master Overseers liable to be imposed upon by +receiving bad work from the hands of such a vast number of workmen? A. +They were not. + +Q. How was this imposition prevented? A. By the wisdom of King +Solomon, who wisely ordered that the craftsman who worked should +choose him a particular mark and place it upon all his work; by which +it was known and distinguished when carried up to the building, and, +if approved, to receive wages. + +Q. What was the wages of a Fellow Craft? A. A penny a day. + +Q. Who paid the craftsmen? A. The Senior Grand Warden. + +Q. Was not the Senior Grand Warden liable to be imposed upon by +impostors in paying off such a vast number of workmen? A. He was not. + +Q. How was this imposition prevented? A. By the wisdom of King +Solomon, who also ordered that every craftsman applying to receive +wages, should present his right hand through a lattice window of the +door of the Junior Grand Warden's apartment, with a copy of his mark +in the palm thereof, at the same time giving a token. + +Q. What was that token? (This was before explained.) + +Q. What did it allude to? A. To the manner of receiving wages; it was +also to distinguish a true craftsman from an impostor. + +Q. What is the penalty of an impostor? A. To have his right hand +chopped off. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--Where was you prepared to be made a Mark Master Mason? A. In +the room adjoining the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge +of such, duly assembled in a room or place, representing a workshop +that was erected near the ruins of King Solomon's Temple. + +Q. How was you prepared? A. By being divested of all my outward +apparel and all money; my breast bare, with a cable-tow four times +about my body, in which situation I was conducted to the door of a +Lodge, where I gave four distinct knocks. + +Q. What do these four distinct knocks allude to? A. To the fourth +degree of Masonry; it being that on which I was about to enter. + +Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated +as an Entered Apprentice, served a proper time as such; passed to the +Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; and now +wishes further light in Masonry, by being advanced to the more +honorable degree of a Mark Master Mason. + +Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was asked if it was +of my own free will and accord I made this request; if I was duly and +truly prepared; worthy and well qualified; had wrought in the +quarries, and exhibited specimens of my skill and proficiency in the +preceding degrees; all of which being answered in the affirmative, I +was asked by what further right or benefit I expected to gain this +favor. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. What was that pass-word? A. JOPPA. + +Q. What did it allude to? A. The city of Joppa, the place where the +materials were landed for building king Solomon's Temple, after being +prepared in the forest of Lebanon, and carried there on floats (by +sea). [Masonic tradition informs us that the banks of this place are +so perpendicular that it was impossible to ascend them without +assistance from above, which was effected by brethren stationed there, +with this strong grip; this has been explained; which, together with +the word JOPPA, has since been adopted as a proper pass to be given +before entering any well-regulated Lodge of Mark Master Masons.] + +Q. What further was said to you from within? A. I was bid to wait till +the Right Worshipful Master in the East was made acquainted with my +request and his answer returned. + +Q. When his answer was returned, what followed? A. I was caused to +enter the Lodge. + +Q. On what did you enter? A. On the edge of the engraving chisel, +under the pressure of the mallet, which was to demonstrate the moral +precepts of this degree, and make a deep and lasting impression on my +mind and conscience. + +Q. How was you then disposed of? A. I was conducted four times +regularly around the Lodge and halted at the Junior Warden's in the +South, where the same questions were asked, and answers returned as at +the door. + +Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions +were asked, and the same answers returned as before. + +Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you? A. He ordered me to be +conducted to the Right Worshipful Master in the East, where the same +questions were asked, and answers returned as before; who likewise +demanded of me from whence I came, and whither I was traveling. + +Q. Your answer? A. From the West, and traveling to the East. + +Q. Why do you leave the West and travel to the East? A. In search of +light. + +Q. How did the Right Worshipful Master dispose of you? A. He ordered +me to be conducted back to the West, from whence I came, and put in +the care of the Senior Warden, who taught me how to approach the East, +the place of light, by advancing upon four upright regular steps to +the fourth step, my feet forming a square, and my body erect at the +altar before the Right Worshipful Master. + +Q. What did the Right Worshipful Master do with you? A. He made a Mark +Master Mason of me. + +Q. How? A. In due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. Both knees bent, they forming a square, +both my hands on the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, my body being +erect; in which posture I took upon me the solemn oath or obligation +of a Mark Master Mason. + +Q. Have you that oath or obligation? A. I have. + +Q. Will you give it me? A. I will, with your assistance. [Here, as in +the preceding degree, you repeat after the Right Worshipful Master, I, +A. B., etc. See pages 67 and 68.] + +Q. After your oath or obligation, what follows? A. Information was +brought that the Temple was almost completed, but the craft was all in +confusion for want of a certain keystone, which none of them had been +instrumental to make. + +Q. What followed? A. King Solomon believing in confidence, that our +worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, had completed this keystone +agreeable to the original plan, ordered inquiry to be made among the +Master Overseers, if a stone bearing a particular mark had been +presented to them for inspection; and on inquiry being made, it was +found that there had. + +Q. What followed? A. King Solomon ordered search to be made for the +stone, when it was found, and afterwards applied to its intended use. + +Q. What color was the stone? A. White. + +Q. What did it allude to? A. To a passage in Scripture, where it says, +"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I +will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, +which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth." + +Q. What was that new name? A. The letters on the stone and the +initials of the words for which they stand, viz.: H. T. W. S. S. T. K. +S. + +Q. Of what use is this new name to you in Masonry? A. It was the +original mark of our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and is the +general mark of this degree, and the letters form the circle, in the +centre of which every brother of this degree places his particular +mark, to which his obligation alludes. + +Q. What followed? A. I was more fully instructed with the secrets of +this degree. + +Q. Of what do they consist? A. Of signs and tokens. + +Q. Have you a sign? A. I have. + +Q. What is it called? A. Heave over. + +Q. What does it allude to? A. To the manner of heaving over work that +the Overseers said was unfit for the Temple; also the manner the +keystone was hove over. + +Q. Have you any other sign? A. I have (at the same time giving it). + +Q. What is that? A. The due-guard of a Mark Master Mason. + +Q. What does it allude to? A. To the penalty of my obligation; which +is, that my right ear should be smote off, that I might forever be +unable to hear the word, and my right hand be chopped off, as the +penalty of an impostor, if I should ever prove wilfully guilty of +revealing any part of my obligation. + +Q. Have you any further sign? A. I have. + +Q. What is that? A. The grand sign, or sign of distress. + +Q. What does it allude to? A. To the manner the Fellow Crafts carry +their work up to the Temple for inspection; also the manner I was +taught to carry my work, on my advancement to this degree. + +Q. Have you any other sign? A. I have not; but I have a token (gives +it to him). + +Q. What is this? A. The pass-grip of a Mark Master Mason. + +Q. What is the name of it? A. "JOPPA." + +Q. What does it allude to? A. The city of Joppa. + +Q. Have you any other token? A. I have. + +Q. What is this? A. The real grip of a Mark Master Mason. + +Q. What is the name of it? A. MARK WELL. + +Q. What does it allude to? A. To a passage of Scripture, where it +says, "Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward +sanctuary, which looketh towards the East, and it was shut; and the +Lord said unto me, son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, +and hear with thine ears, all that I say unto thee concerning all the +ordinances of the house of the Lord, and the laws thereof, and mark +well the entering in of the house, with the going forth of the +sanctuary." + +Q. Who founded this degree? A. Our three ancient Grand Masters, viz.: +Solomon, King of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. + +Q. Why was it founded? A. Not only as an honorary reward, to be +conferred on all who have proved themselves meritorious in the +preceding degrees, but to render it impossible for a brother to suffer +for the immediate necessities of life, when the price of his mark +will procure them. + +Q. A brother pledging his mark and asking a favor, who does he +represent? A. Our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was a poor +man, but on account of his great skill and mysterious conduct at the +building of King Solomon's Temple, was most eminently distinguished. + +Q. A brother receiving a pledge and granting a favor, whom does he +represent? A. King Solomon, who was a rich man, but renowned for his +benevolence. + + * * * * * + + +THE PAST MASTER'S DEGREE. + +This degree is very simple. It is necessary that a Master Mason should +take this degree before he can, constitutionally, preside over a Lodge +of Master Masons as Master of it; and when a Master Mason is elected +Master of a Lodge, who has not previously received the Past Master's +degree, it is then conferred upon him, often without any other +ceremony than that of administering the obligation. + +This Lodge is opened and closed in the same manner that the Lodges of +the first three degrees are; the candidate petitions and is balloted +for in the same manner, but he is received into the Lodge in a very +different manner. He is conducted into the Lodge without any previous +preparation, when the presiding officer rises and says, "Brethren, it +is inconvenient for me to serve you any longer as Master of this +Lodge. I wish you would select some other brother for that purpose." +The candidate is nominated, the usual forms of balloting for officers +are then dispensed with, and a vote of the Lodge is taken by yeas and +nays. The candidate is elected, and generally refuses to serve, but he +is eventually prevailed on to accept; whereupon the presiding officer +addresses the Master-elect in the words following, viz.: + + "Brother, previous to your investiture, it is necessary that you + assent to those ancient charges and regulations, which point out + the duty of a Master of a Lodge. + + 1. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the + moral law. + + 2. You agree to be a peaceable subject, and cheerfully to conform + to the laws of the country in which you reside. + + 3. You promise not to be concerned in any plots or conspiracies + against government; but patiently to submit to the decisions of + the supreme legislature. + + 4. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, to + work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all men. + + 5. You agree to hold in veneration the original rules and patrons + of Masonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, + according to their stations, and to submit to the awards and + resolutions of your brethren when convened, in every case + consistent with the constitution of the Order. + + 6. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard + against intemperance and excess. + + 7. You agree to be cautious in carriage and behavior, cautious to + your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge. + + 8. You promise to respect genuine brethren and discountenance + impostors, and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry. + + 9. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate + the social virtues, and to propagate a knowledge of the arts. + + 10. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time + being, and to his officer when duly installed, strictly to conform + to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons + that is not subversive of the principles and ground work of + Masonry. + + 11. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of + men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry. + + 12. You promise a regular attendance on the committees and + communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and + to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry on convenient + occasions. + + 13. You admit that no new Lodge can be formed without permission + of the Grand Lodge, and that no countenance be given to any + irregular Lodge, or to any person clandestinely initiated therein, + being contrary to the ancient charges of the Order. + + 14. You admit that no person can be regularly made a Mason in, or + admitted a member of any regular Lodge, without previous notice, + and due inquiry into his character. + + 15. You agree that no visitors shall be received into your Lodge + without due examination, and producing proper vouchers of their + having been initiated into a regular Lodge." + +The presiding officer then asks the Master-elect (candidate), the +following question, which he must answer in the affirmative: Q. "Do +you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations +as Masters have done, in all ages, before you?" A. "I do." The +presiding officer then addresses him: "Brother A. B., in consequence +of your cheerful conformity to the charges and regulations of the +Order, you are now to be installed Master of this degree, in full +confidence of your care, skill, and capacity, to govern the same. But +previous to your investiture, it is necessary you should take upon +yourself the solemn oath or obligation appertaining to this degree; if +you are willing to take it upon you, you will please to kneel before +the altar, when you shall receive the same." [Here Lodges differ very +materially, but this is the most prevalent mode of proceeding.] The +candidate then kneels on both knees, lays both hands on the Holy +Bible, Square and Compass, and takes the following oath or obligation: + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty + God, and this Right Worshipful Lodge of Past Master Masons, do + hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, + in addition to my former obligations, that I will not give the + degree of Past Master Mason, or any of the secrets pertaining + thereto, to anyone of an inferior degree, nor to any person in the + known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother or brethren + Past Master Masons, or within the body of a just and lawfully + constituted Lodge of such, and not unto him or unto them whom I + shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only whom I shall find + so to be, after strict trial and examination, or lawful + information. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will obey + all regular signs and summons sent, thrown, handed, or given from + the hand of a brother of this degree, or from the body of a just + and lawfully constituted Lodge of Past Masters, provided it be + within the length of my cable-tow. Furthermore, do I promise and + swear, that I will support the constitution of the General Grand + Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America, also that of + the Grand Chapter of the State of ----, under which this Lodge is + held, and conform to all the by-laws, rules and regulations of + this or any other Lodge, of which I may at any time hereafter + become a member, so far as in my power. Furthermore, do I promise + and swear, that I will not assist, or be present at the conferring + of this degree upon any person who has not, to the best of my + knowledge and belief, regularly received the degrees of Entered + Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and Mark Master, or been + elected Master of a regular Lodge of Master Masons. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear, that I will aid and assist all poor and + indigent Past Master Masons, their widows and orphans, wherever + dispersed around the globe, they applying to me as such, and I + finding them worthy, so far as in my power, without material + injury to myself or family. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, + that the secrets of a brother of this degree, delivered to me in + charge as such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast + as they were in his own, before communicated to me, murder and + treason excepted, and those left to my own election. Furthermore, + do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, or a + brother of this degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly, + myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to + prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not + govern this Lodge, nor any other over which I may be called to + preside, in a haughty, arbitrary, or impious manner; but will at + all times use my utmost endeavors to preserve peace and harmony + among the brethren. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I + will never open a Lodge of Master Masons, unless there be present + three regular Master Masons, besides the Tyler, nor close the same + without giving a Lecture, or some section or part of a Lecture, + for the instruction of the Lodge. Furthermore, that I will not, + knowingly, set in any Lodge where anyone presides who has not + received the degree of Past Master. [This last point is, in many + Lodges, entirely omitted. In some, the two last.] All which I do + most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and + steady purpose of mind, to keep and perform the same, binding + myself under no less penalty than to have my tongue split from tip + to root, that I might forever thereafter be unable to pronounce + the word, if ever I should prove wilfully guilty of violating any + part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Past Master Mason. + So help me God, and make me steadfast to keep and perform the + same." + +The obligation being administered, the candidate rises,[4] and the +Master proceeds to give the sign, word, and grip of this degree, as +follows: The sign (sometimes called the due-guard) is given by laying +the edge of the thumb of the right hand in a vertical position on the +centre of the mouth, high enough to touch the upper lip. The word is +given by taking each other by the Master's grip, and pulling the +insides of their feet together, when the Master whispers the word, +"GIBLEM,"[5] in the ear of the candidate. Then they clap their left +hand on each other's right arm, between the wrist and elbow, +disengaging (at the same moment) their right hand from the Master's +grip; they each seize the left arm of the other with their right +hands, between the wrist and elbow, and (almost at the same instant) +yielding their left hand hold on each other's right arm, and moving +their left hands with a brisk motion, they clasp each other's right +arm with their left hands, above the elbow, pressing their finger +nails hard against the arms, as they shift their hands from place to +place; and the Master says (in union with these movements), "From +grips to spans, and from spans to grips: a twofold cord is strong, but +a threefold cord is not easily broken." The Master then conducts the +candidate to the chair, and, as he ascends the steps, the Master says, +"Brother, I now have the pleasure of conducting you into the oriental +chair of King Solomon;" places a large cocked hat on his head, and +comes down to the front of the newly-installed Master, and addresses +him as follows: "Worshipful brother, I now present you with the +furniture and various implements of our profession; they are +emblematical of our conduct in life, and will now be enumerated and +explained as presented. The HOLY WRITINGS, that great light in +Masonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your path to the +temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man. The +SQUARE teaches to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to +harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue. The +COMPASS teaches to limit our desires in every station; thus rising to +eminence by merit, we may live respected, and die regretted. The RULE +directs that we should punctually observe our duty; press forward in +the path of virtue, and neither inclining to the right or to the left, +in all our actions have ETERNITY in view. The LINE teaches the +criterion of moral rectitude; to avoid dissimulation in conversation +and action, and to direct our steps to the path that leads to +IMMORTALITY. The BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS you are to search at all times; +cause it to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of +the excellent precepts it enjoins. Lastly, you receive in charge the +by-laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually +executed. I will also present you with the mallet; it is an emblem of +power. One stroke of the mallet calls to order, and calls up the +Junior and Senior Deacons; two strokes call up all the subordinate +officers; and three, the whole Lodge." The following charge is then +delivered to the newly-installed Master (alias candidate) by the +former Master: + + "Worshipful Master, being appointed Master of this Lodge, you + cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as + their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge + of the important duties annexed to your appointment. The honor, + usefulness, and reputation of your Lodge will materially depend on + the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while + the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in + proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the + genuine principles of our institution. For a pattern of + information, consider the luminary of nature, which, rising in the + East, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its + circle. In like manner, it is your province to spread and + communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge. + Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of + Masonry, and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge + them to practice out of the Lodge those duties which they have + been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct, + to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution, so that, + when anyone is said to be a member of it, the world may know that + he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows--to + whom distress may prefer its suit--whose hand is guided by + justice, and his heart expanded by benevolence. In short, by a + diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitution + of Masonry, and, above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given + as a rule and guide of your faith, you will be enabled to acquit + yourself with honor and reputation, and lay up a crown of + rejoicing which shall continue when time shall be no more."[6] + +The Master then says to the newly-installed Master, "I now leave you +to the government of your Lodge." He then retires to a seat, and, +after a moment or two, rises and addresses the candidate (now in the +chair as Master), "Worshipful Master, in consequence of my +resignation, and the election of a new Master, the seats of the +Wardens have become vacant. It is necessary you should have Wardens to +assist you in the government of your Lodge. The constitution requires +us to elect our officers by ballot, but it is common, on occasions of +this kind, to dispense with those formalities, and elect by ayes and +noes; I move we do so on the present occasion." The question is tried +and carried in the affirmative. The Master has a right to nominate one +candidate for office, and the brethren one. Here a scene of confusion +takes place, which is not easily described. The newly-installed +WORSHIPFUL is made the butt for every WORTHY brother to exercise his +wit upon. Half a dozen are up at a time, soliciting the Master to +nominate them for Wardens, urging their several claims, and decrying +the merits of others with much zeal, others crying out, "Order, +Worshipful, keep order!" Others propose to dance, and request the +Master to sing for them; others whistle, or sing, or jump about the +room; or scuffle, and knock down chairs or benches. One proposes to +call from labor to refreshment; another compliments the Worshipful +Master on his dignified appearance, and knocks off his hat, or pulls +it down over his face; another informs him that a lady wishes to +enter. If the Master calls to order, every one obeys the signal with +the utmost promptness, and drops upon the nearest seat; the next +instant, before the Master can utter a word, all are on their feet +again and as noisy as ever. Finally, a nominal election is effected, +and some prudent member, tired of such a ridiculous confusion, moves +that the Lodge be closed; which, being done, the poor (and if a +stranger) much embarrassed candidate, has his big hat taken from him, +and is reduced to the ranks; but, for his consolation, the Worshipful +Master informs him that the preceding scene, notwithstanding its +apparent confusion, is designed to convey to him, in a striking +manner, the important lesson, never to solicit or accept any office or +station for which he does not know himself amply qualified. + +The Lecture on the fifth, or Past Master's degree, is divided into +five sections. The first section treats of the manner of constituting +a Lodge of Master Masons. The second treats of the ceremony of +installation, including the manner of receiving candidates to this +degree, as given above. The third treats of the ceremonies observed at +laying the foundation stones of public structures. The fourth section, +of the ceremony observed at the dedications of Masonic halls. The +fifth, of the ceremony observed at funerals, according to ancient +custom, with the service used on the occasion. + +The foregoing includes all the ceremonies ever used in conferring the +degree of Past Master; but the ceremonies are more frequently +shortened by the omission of some part of them; the presenting of the +"various implements of the profession," and their explanations, are +often dispensed with; and still more often, the charge. + + * * * * * + + +MOST EXCELLENT MASTER'S DEGREE. + +CEREMONIES USED IN OPENING A LODGE OF MOST EXCELLENT MASTERS. + +The Lodge being called to order, the Most Excellent Master says, +"Brother Junior, are they all Most Excellent Masters in the South?" +The Junior Warden replies, "They are, Most Excellent." Most Excellent +Master to Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, are they all Most Excellent +Masters in the West?" The Senior Warden replies, "They are, Most +Excellent." M. E. M.--"They are in the East (gives one rap, which +calls up both Deacons); Brother Junior Deacon, the first care of a +Mason?" J. D.--"To see the door tyled, Most Excellent." M. E. +M.--"Attend to that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we +are about to open this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters, and direct him +to tyle accordingly." Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives six +knocks, which the Tyler answers with six more; Junior Deacon gives one +more, which the Tyler answers with one; the door is then partly +opened, when the Junior Deacon informs the Tyler that a Lodge of Most +Excellent Masters is about to be opened, and tells him to tyle +accordingly; and then returns to his place in the Lodge and says, +"Most Excellent Master, the Lodge is tyled." M. E. M. "By whom?" J. +D.--"By a Most Excellent Master Mason without the door, armed with the +proper implements of his office." M. E. M.--"His duty there?" J. +D.--"To keep off all cowans and eavedroppers, and see that none pass +and repass without permission from the chair." M. E. M.--"Your place +in the Lodge, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Senior +Warden in the West, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"Your duty there, +Brother Junior?" J. D.--"To wait on the Most Excellent Master and +Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and +take charge of the door." M. E. M.--"The Senior Deacon's place in the +Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Most Excellent Master in the +East." M. E. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty in the East, Brother +Senior?" S. D.--"To wait on the Most Excellent Master and Wardens, act +as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge; attend to the +preparation and introduction of candidates; and receive and welcome +all visiting brethren." M. E. M.--"The Secretary's place in the Lodge, +Brother Senior?" S. D.--"At the left hand of the Most Excellent Master +in the East." M. E. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your business there, +Brother Secretary?" Sec.--"The better to observe the Most Excellent +Master's will and pleasure; record the proceedings of the Lodge, and +transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Chapter, if required; receive +all monies and money-bills from the hands of the brethren; pay them +over to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the same." M. E. +M.--"The Treasurer's place in the Lodge?" Sec.--"At your right hand, +Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty there, +Brother Treasurer?" Treas.--"The better to observe the Most Excellent +Master's will and pleasure; receive all monies and money-bills from +the hands of the Secretary; keep a just and true account of the same; +pay them out by order of the Most Excellent Master, and consent of the +brethren." M. E. M.--"The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge?" +Treas.--"In the South, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"I thank you, +brother. Your business in the South, Brother Junior?" J. W.--"As the +sun in the South, at high meridian, is the beauty and glory of the +day, so stands the Junior Warden in the South, the better to observe +the time of high twelve; call the craft from labor to refreshment; +superintend them during the hours thereof; see that none convert the +hours of refreshment into that of intemperance or excess; call them +again in due season; that the Most Excellent Master may have honor, +and they profit thereby." M. E. M.--"The Senior Warden's place in the +Lodge?" J. W.--"In the West, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"I thank you, +brother. Your duty in the West, Brother Senior?" S. W.--"As the sun +sets in the West to close the day, so stands the Senior Warden in the +West, to assist the Most Excellent Master in the opening of his Lodge; +take care of the jewels and implements; see that none be lost; pay the +craft their wages, if any be due, and see that none go away +dissatisfied." M. E. M.--"The Most Excellent Master's place in the +Lodge?" S. W.--"In the East, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"His duty in +the East, Brother Senior?" S. W.--"As the sun rises in the East to +open and adorn the day, so presides the Most Excellent Master in the +East to open and adorn his Lodge; to set his craft to work; govern +them with good and wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." [In +some Lodges the forgoing ceremonies are omitted.] M. E. M.--"Brother +Senior Warden, assemble the brethren around the altar for the purpose +of opening this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons." S. +W.--"Brethren, please to assemble around the altar for the purpose of +opening this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons." In pursuance of +this request, the brethren assemble around the altar and form a +circle, and stand in such a position as to touch each other, leaving a +space for the Most Excellent Master; they then all kneel on their left +knee and join hands, each giving his right hand brother his left hand, +and his left hand brother his right hand; their left arms uppermost, +and their heads inclining downward; all being thus situated, the Most +Excellent Master reads the following portion of Scripture: Psalm +xxiv.--"The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world and +they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and +established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the +Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands +and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor +sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and +righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of +them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your +heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the +King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, +strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O +ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of +glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts; he +is the King of glory. Selah." The reading being ended, the Most +Excellent Master then kneels, joins hands with the others, which +closes the circle; they all lift their hands, as joined together, up +and down six times, keeping time with the words as the Most Excellent +Master repeats them--one, two, three; one, two, three. This is +masonically called balancing. They then rise, disengage their hands, +and lift them up above their heads with a moderate and somewhat +graceful motion; cast up their eyes, turning, at the same time, to the +right, they extend their arms and then suffer them to fall loose and +nerveless against their sides. This sign is said by Masons to +represent the sign of astonishment, made by the Queen of Sheba, on +first viewing Solomon's Temple. The Most Excellent Master now resumes +his seat and says, "Brethren, attend to giving the signs." The Most +Excellent Master then gives all the signs from an Entered Apprentice +Mason up to the degree of Most Excellent Master; in which they all +join and imitate him. M. E. M.--"Brother Senior Warden, you will +please to inform Brother Junior, and request him to inform the +brethren that it is my will and pleasure that this Lodge of Most +Excellent Master Masons be now opened for dispatch of business, +strictly forbidding all private committees, or profane language, +whereby the harmony of the same may be interrupted, while engaged in +their lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, +or a majority of the brethren may see cause to inflict." S. +W.--"Brother Junior, it is the will and pleasure of the Most Excellent +Master, that this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons be now opened +for dispatch of business, strictly prohibiting all private committees, +or profane language, whereby the harmony of the same may be +interrupted, while engaged in their lawful pursuits, under no less +penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren may see +cause to inflict." J. W.--"Brethren, you have heard the Most Excellent +Master's will and pleasure, as communicated to me by Brother +Senior--so let it be done." + + * * * * * + + +CEREMONIES OF INITIATION. + +The Lodge being now opened and ready for the reception of candidates, +the Senior Deacon repairs to the preparation room, where the candidate +is in waiting, takes off his coat, puts a cable-tow six times around +his body, and in this situation conducts him to the door of the Lodge, +against which he gives six distinct knocks, which are answered by the +same number by the Junior Deacon from within; the Senior Deacon then +gives one knock, and the Junior Deacon answers by giving one more; the +door is then partly opened by the Junior Deacon, who says, "Who comes +there?" Senior Deacon--"A worthy brother, who has been regularly +initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason; passed to the degree of +Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason; advanced +to the honorary degree of a 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." 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 with the +gavel; when opposite the Senior Warden he does the same; and likewise +when opposite the Most Excellent Master. The second time around, each +gives two blows; the third, three; and so on, until they arrive to +six. During this time, the Most Excellent Master reads the following +passage of Scripture: + + Psalm cxxii. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into + the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O + Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact + together. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto + the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. + For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of + David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that + love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy + palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes I will now say, + Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I + will seek thy good." + +The reading of the foregoing is so timed as not to be fully ended +until the Senior Deacon and candidate have performed the sixth +revolution. Immediately after this, the Senior Deacon and candidate +arrive at the Junior Warden's station in the South, when the same +questions are asked and answers returned, as at the door (Who comes +here, etc.). The Junior Warden then directs the candidate to pass on +to the Senior Warden in the West for further examination; where the +same questions are asked and answers returned, as before. The Senior +Warden directs him to be conducted to the Right Worshipful Master in +the East for further examination. The Right Worshipful Master asks the +same questions, and receives the same answers as before. He then says, +"Please to conduct the candidate back to the West from whence he came, +and put him in the care of the Senior Warden, and request him to teach +the candidate how to approach the East, by advancing upon six upright +regular steps to the sixth step, and place him in a proper position to +take upon him the solemn oath or obligation of a Most Excellent Master +Mason." The candidate is conducted back to the West, and put in care +of the Senior Warden, who informs him how to approach the East, as +directed by the Most Excellent Master. The candidate kneels on both +knees, and places both hands on the leaves of an opened Bible, Square +and Compass. The Most Excellent Master now comes forward and says, +"Brother, you are now placed in a proper position to take upon you the +solemn oath or obligation of a Most Excellent Master Mason; which, I +assure you, as before, is neither to affect your religion or politics. +If you are willing to take it, repeat your name and say after me." The +following obligation is then administered: + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty + God, and this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons, do hereby and + hereon, in addition to my former obligations, most solemnly and + sincerely promise and swear, that I will not give the degree of a + Most Excellent Master to any of an inferior degree, nor to any + other person or persons in the known world, except it be to a true + and lawful brother or brethren of this degree, and within the body + of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him + nor them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them only + whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due + examination, or lawful information. Furthermore, do I promise and + swear, that I will obey all regular signs and summons given, + handed, sent, or thrown to me from a brother of this degree, or + from the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, + provided it be within the length of my cable-tow, if in my power. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will support the + constitution of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United + States of America, also the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State + of ----, under which this Lodge is held, and conform to all the + by-laws, rules and regulations of this or any other Lodge, of + which I may at any time hereafter become a member, Furthermore, do + I promise and swear, that I will aid and assist all poor and + indigent brethren of this degree, their widows and orphans, + wheresoever dispersed around the globe, as far as in my power, + without injuring myself or family. Furthermore, do I promise and + swear, that the secrets of a brother of this degree, given to me + in charge as such, and I knowing them to be such, shall remain as + secret and inviolable in my breast as in his own, murder and + treason excepted, and the same left to my own free will and + choice. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong + this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons, nor a brother of this + degree, to the value of anything, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it + to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it; but will give + due and timely notice of all approaches of danger, if in my power. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will dispense light + and knowledge to all ignorant and uninformed brethren at all + times, as far as in my power, without material injury to myself or + family. To all which I do most solemnly swear, with a fixed and + steady purpose of mind in me, to keep and perform the same binding + myself under no less penalty than to have my breast torn open, + and my heart and vitals taken from thence and exposed to rot on + the dunghill, if ever I violate any part of this my solemn oath or + obligation of a Most Excellent Master Mason. So help me God, and + keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same." + +"Detach your hands and kiss the book." + +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. + + To the power Almighty, who ever has guided + The tribes of old Israel, exalting their fame; + To Him who hath governed our hearts undivided, + Let's send forth our vows to praise His great name. + + Companions, assemble on this joyful day + (The occasion is glorious!) the keystone to lay; + Fulfilled is the promise, by the ANCIENT OF DAYS, + To bring forth the copestone with shouting and praise. + +The keystone is now produced and laid on the altar. + + There is no more occasion for level or plumb-line, + For trowel or gavel, for compass or square;[7] + Our works are completed, the ark safely seated,[8] + And we shall be greeted as workmen most rare. + + Names, those that are worthy our tribes, who have shared, + And proved themselves faithful, shall meet their reward; + Their virtue and knowledge, industry and skill, + Have our approbation--have gained our good will. + + We accept and receive them,[9] Most Excellent Masters, + Trusted with honor, and power to preside + Among worthy craftsmen where'er assembled, + The knowledge of Masons to spread far and wide. + + Almighty Jehovah,[10] descend now and fill + This Lodge with Thy glory, our hearts with good-will; + Preside at our meeting, assist us to find + True pleasure in teaching good-will to mankind. + + Thy wisdom inspired the great institution, + Thy strength shall support it till nature expire; + And when the creation shall fall into ruin, + Its beauty shall rise through the midst of the fire. + +[At the time the ark is placed on the altar, there is also placed on +it a pot of incense, to which fire is communicated by the Most +Excellent Master, just as the last line of the song is sung; this pot +to contain incense is sometimes an elegant silver urn; but if the +Lodge is too poor to afford that, a common teapot, with spout and +handle broken off, answers every purpose; for incense some pieces of +paper are dipped in spirits of turpentine.] + +The members now all join hands, as in opening; and, while in this +attitude, the Most Excellent reads the following passage of Scripture: + + 2 Chron. vii. 1-4. "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, + the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt-offering and + the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. And + the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because + the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. And when all + the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory + of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces + to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the + Lord, saying, FOR HE IS GOOD;[11] FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER." + +The members now balance six times as before; in opening, rise and +balance six times more, disengage themselves from each other and take +their seats; the Most Excellent Master then delivers the following +charge to the candidate: + + "Brother, your admittance to this degree of Masonry, is a proof of + the good opinion the brethren of this Lodge entertain of your + Masonic abilities. Let this consideration induce you to be + careful of forfeiting by misconduct and inattention to our rules, + that esteem which has raised you to the rank you now possess. + + "It is one of your great duties, as a Most Excellent Master, to + dispense light and truth to the uninformed Mason; and I need not + remind you of the impossibility of complying with this obligation + without possessing an accurate acquaintance with the Lectures of + each degree. + + "If you are not already completely conversant in all the degrees + heretofore conferred on you, remember, that an indulgence, + prompted by a belief that you will apply yourself with double + diligence to make yourself so, has induced the brethren to accept + you. + + "Let it, therefore, be your unremitting study to acquire such a + degree of knowledge and information as shall enable you to + discharge with propriety the various duties incumbent on you, and + to preserve unsullied the title now conferred upon you of a Most + Excellent Master." + +After this a motion is made by some of the members to close the Lodge. +This motion being accepted and received, the Most Excellent says, +"Brother Junior Warden, you will please assemble the brethren around +the altar for the purpose of closing this Lodge of Most Excellent +Masters." The brethren immediately assemble around the altar in a +circle, and kneel on the right knee, put their left arms over and join +hands, as before; while kneeling in this position, the Most Excellent +reads the following Psalm: Psalm cxxxiv. "Behold, bless ye the Lord, +all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the +Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The +Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." The Most +Excellent then closes the circle as in opening, when they balance six +times, rise and balance six times more, disengaging their hands, and +give all the signs downwards, and declares the Lodge closed. + + * * * * * + + +ROYAL ARCH DEGREE. + +All legally constituted bodies of Royal Arch Masons are called +Chapters, as regular bodies of Masons of the preceding degrees are +called Lodges. All the degrees from Mark Master to Royal Arch are +given under the sanction of Royal Arch Chapters. A person making +application to a Chapter for admission, is understood as applying for +all the degrees, unless he states in his application the particular +degree or degrees he wishes to receive. If you ask a Mark Master if he +belongs to a Chapter, he will answer yes, but has only been marked. If +a person make application for all the degrees, and wishes to receive +them all at one time, he is frequently balloted for only on the Mark +degree, it being understood that if accepted on that, he is to receive +the whole. The members of Chapters who have received all the degrees, +style each other companions; if they have not received the Royal Arch +degree, brothers. It is a point of the Royal Arch degree "not to +assist, or be present at the conferring of this degree upon more or +less than three candidates at one time." If there are not three +candidates present, one or two companions, as the case may be, +volunteer to represent candidates, so as to make the requisite number, +or a TEAM, as it is technically styled, and accompany the candidate or +candidates through all the stages of exaltation. Every Chapter must +consist of a High Priest, King, Scribe, Captain of the Host, +Principal Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, three Grand Masters of the +Veils, Treasurer, Secretary, and as many members as may be found +convenient for working to advantage. In the Lodges for conferring the +preparatory degrees, the High Priest presides as Master, the King as +Senior Warden, the Scribe as Junior Warden, the Captain of the Host as +Marshal, or Master of Ceremonies, the Principal Sojourner as Senior +Deacon, the Royal Arch Captain as Junior Deacon, the Master of the +First, Second, and Third Veils as Junior, Senior, and Master +Overseers; the Treasurer, Secretary and Tyler as officers of +corresponding rank. The Chapter is authorized to confer the degrees by +a charter, or warrant from some Grand Chapter. + +The members being assembled, the High Priest calls to order, and +demands of the Royal Arch Captain if all present are Royal Arch +Masons. The Royal Arch Captain ascertains and answers in the +affirmative. The High Priest then directs him to cause the Tyler to be +stationed, which, being done, the High Priest says, "Companions, Royal +Arch Masons, you will please to clothe, and arrange yourselves for the +purpose of opening the Chapter." The furniture of the Chapter is then +arranged, the companions clothed with scarlet sashes and aprons, and +the officers invested with the proper insignia of their respective +offices, and repair to their proper stations. The High Priest then +demands whether the Chapter is tyled, and is answered the same as in +the Lodge. The stations and duties of the officers are then recited +(see Lecture, First Section). After the duties of the officers are +recited, the High Priest directs the Captain of the Host to assemble +the companions of the altar. The companions form a circle about the +altar, all kneeling on the right knee, with their arms crossed, right +arm uppermost and hands joined, leaving a space for the High Priest, +who reads the following passage of Scripture: + + 2 Thess. iii. 6-18. "Now, we command you, brethren, that you + withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and + not after the tradition that ye have received of us, for + yourselves know how ye ought to follow us, for we behaved not + ourselves disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread + for nought, but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that + we might not be chargeable to any of you; not because we have not + power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. + For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any + man would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there + are some, which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but + are busybodies. Now them that are such, we command and exhort, + that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. But ye, + brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our + word, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be + ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a + brother. Now the Lord of peace Himself, give you peace always. The + salutation of Paul, with mine own hand, which is the token, so I + write." + +[The reader is requested to compare this with Scripture--he will +observe that the name of the Savior is intentionally left out.] The +High Priest then takes his place in the circle. The whole circle then +balance with their arms three times three, that is, they raise their +arms and let them fall upon their knees three times in concert, after +a short pause three times more, and after another pause three times +more. Then all break into squads of three and raise the living arch. +This is done by each companion taking his left wrist in his right +hand, and with their left hands the three grasp each other's right +wrists, and raise them above their heads. This constitutes the living +arch, under which the Grand Omnific Royal Arch word must be given, but +it must also be given by three times three. In opening the Chapter, +this is done in the following manner: After the three have joined +hands they repeat these lines in concert, and at the close of each +line raise them above their heads and say, "As we three did agree, the +sacred word to keep, and as we three did agree, the sacred word to +search, so we three do agree to raise this Royal Arch." At the close +of the last line they keep their hands raised, while they incline +their heads under them, and the first whispers in the ear of the +second the syllable, J A H; the second to the third, B U H, and the +third to the first, L U N. The second then commences, and it goes +around again in the same manner, then the third, so that each +companion pronounces each syllable of the word.[12] They then +separate, each repairing to his station, and the High Priest declares +the Chapter opened. + +The Lecture of the Royal Arch degree is divided into two sections. The +first section designates the appellation, number and station of the +several officers, and points out the purpose and duties of their +respective stations. + +Question--Are you a Royal Arch Mason? Answer--I AM THAT, I AM. + +Q. How shall I know you to be a Royal Arch Mason? A. By three times +three. + +Q. Where was you made a Royal Arch Mason? A. In a just and lawfully +constituted Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, consisting of Most +Excellent, High Priest, King and Scribe, Captain of the Host, +Principal Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, and the three Grand Masters +of the Veils, assembled in a room or place representing the tabernacle +erected by our ancient brethren near the ruins of King Solomon's +Temple. + +Q. Where is the High Priest stationed, and what are his duties? A. He +is stationed in the sanctum sanctorum. His duty, with the King and +Scribe, to sit in the Grand Council, to form plans and give directions +to the workmen. + +Q. The King's station and duty? A. At the right hand of the High +Priest, to aid him by his advice and council, and in his absence to +preside. + +Q. The Scribe's station and duty? A. At the left hand of the High +Priest, to assist him and the King in the discharge of their duties, +and to preside in their absence. + +Q. The Captain of the Host's station and duty? A. At the right hand of +the Grand Council, and to receive their orders and see them duly +executed. + +Q. The Principal Sojourner's station and duty? A. At the left hand of +the Grand Council, to bring the blind by a way that they know not, to +lead them in paths they have not known, to make darkness light before +them, and crooked things straight. + +Q. The Royal Arch Captain's station and duty? A. At the inner veil, or +entrance of the sanctum sanctorium, to guard the same, and see that +none pass but such as are duly qualified, and have the proper +pass-words and signets of truth. + +Q. What is the color of his banner? A. White, and is emblematical of +that purity of heart and rectitude of conduct, which is essential to +obtain admission into the divine sanctum sanctorum above. + +Q. The stations and duties of the three Grand Masters of the Veils? A. +At the entrance of their respective Veils: to guard the same, and see +that none pass but such as are duly qualified and in possession of the +proper pass-words and tokens. + +Q. What are the colors of their banners? A. That of the third, +scarlet, which is emblematical of fervency and zeal, and the +appropriate color of the Royal Arch degree. It admonishes us to be +fervent in the exercise of our devotions to God, and zealous in our +endeavors to promote the happiness of men. Of the second, purple, +which being produced by a due mixture of blue and scarlet, the former +of which is the characteristic color of the symbolic, or three first +degrees, and the latter, that of the Royal Arch degree, is an emblem +of union, and is the characteristic color of the intermediate degrees. +It teaches us to cultivate and improve that spirit of harmony between +the brethren of the symbolic degrees and the companions of the sublime +degrees, which should ever distinguish the members of a society +founded upon the principles of everlasting truth and universal +philanthropy. Of the first, blue, the peculiar color of the three +ancient or symbolical degrees. It is an emblem of universal friendship +and benevolence, and instructs us that in the mind of a Mason those +virtues should be as expansive as the blue arch of heaven itself. + +Q. The Treasurer's station and duty? A. At the right hand of the +Captain of the Host; his duty to keep a just and regular account of +all the property and funds of the Chapter placed in his hands, and +exhibit them to the Chapter when called upon for that purpose. + +Q. The Secretary's place in the Chapter? A. At the left of the +Principal Sojourner; his duty to issue the orders and notifications of +his superior officers, record the proceedings of the Chapter proper to +be written, to receive all moneys due to the Chapter, and pay them +over to the Treasurer. + +Q. Tyler's place and duty? A. His station is at the outer avenue of +the Chapter, his duty to guard against the approach of cowans and +eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or repass but such as are duly +qualified. + +The second section describes the method of exaltation to this sublime +degree as follows: "Companion, you informed me, at the commencement of +this Lecture, that you was made a Royal Arch Mason in a just and +legally constituted Chapter of Royal Arch Masons." + +Q. Where was you prepared to be a Royal Arch Mason? A. In a room +adjacent to the Chapter. + +Q. How was you prepared? A. In a company of three I was hoodwinked, +with a cable-tow seven times around our bodies; in which condition we +were conducted to the door of the Chapter and caused to give seven +distinct knocks, which were answered by a like number from within, and +we were asked "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. Three brethren, who have been regularly initiated +as Entered Apprentices; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; raised +to the sublime degree of Master Mason; advanced to the more honorable +degree of Mark Master; presided as Masters in the chair; accepted and +received as Most Excellent Masters, and now wish for further light in +Masonry by being exalted to the more sublime degree of Royal Arch +Masons. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. We were asked if we were duly and +truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; had made suitable +proficiency in the preceding degrees, and were properly avouched for. +All of which being answered in the affirmative, we were asked by what +further right or benefit we expected to obtain this favor. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. Had you that pass-word? A. We had not, but our conductor gave it to +us. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. We were directed to wait with +patience till the Grand Council could be informed of our request and +their pleasure known. + +Q. What answer was returned? A. Let them enter under a living arch, +and remember to stoop low, for he that humbleth himself shall be +exalted. + +Q. Did you pass under a living arch? A. We did. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. We were conducted to the altar, +caused to kneel, and take upon ourselves the solemn oath or obligation +of a Royal Arch Mason. + +Q. Have you that obligation? A. I have. + +Q. Will you give it me? + + A. "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of + Almighty God, and this Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, erected to + God, and dedicated to the Holy Order of St. John, do hereby and + hereon, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition + to my former obligations, that I will not give the degree of Royal + Arch Mason to to anyone of an inferior degree, nor to any other + being in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful + companion Royal Arch Mason, or within the body of a just and + legally constituted Chapter of such; and not unto him or unto them + whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him or them only whom I shall + find so to be, after strict trial, due examination, or legal + information received. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I + will not give the Grand Omnific Royal Arch word, which I shall + hereafter receive, neither in the Chapter nor out of it, except + there be present two companions, Royal Arch Masons, who, with + myself, make three, and then by three times three, under a living + arch, not above my breath. Furthermore, that I will not reveal the + ineffable characters belonging to this degree, or retain the key + to them in my possession, but destroy it whenever it comes to my + sight. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong + this Chapter, nor a companion of this degree, to the value of + anything, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, + if in my power to prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, + that I will not be at the exaltation of a candidate to this + degree, at a clandestine Chapter, I knowing it to be such. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not assist, or be + present at the exaltation of a candidate to this degree, who has + not regularly received the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow + Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent + Master, to the best of my knowledge and belief. Furthermore, that + I will not assist or see more or less than three candidates + exalted at one and the same time. Furthermore, that I will not + assist, or be present at the forming or opening of a Royal Arch + Chapter, unless there be present nine regular Royal Arch Masons. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not speak evil of + a companion Royal Arch Mason, neither behind his back nor before + his face, but will apprise him of approaching danger, if in my + power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not strike + a companion Royal Arch Mason in anger, so as to draw his blood. + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will support the + constitution of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United + States of America, also the constitution of the Grand Royal Arch + Chapter of the State under which this Chapter is held, and conform + to all the by-laws, rules and regulations of this or any other + Chapter of which I may hereafter become a member. Furthermore, do + I promise and swear, that I will obey all regular signs, summons, + or tokens given, handed, sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a + companion Royal Arch Mason, or from the body of a just and + lawfully constituted Chapter of such, provided it be within the + length of my cable-tow. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that + I will aid and assist a companion Royal Arch Mason when engaged in + any difficulty; and espouse his cause, so far as to extricate him + from the same, if in my power, whether he be right or wrong. Also + that I will promote a companion Royal Arch Mason's political + preferment in preference to another of equal qualifications.[13] + Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that a companion Royal Arch + Mason's secrets, given to me in charge as such, and I knowing them + to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as + in his own, MURDER AND TREASON NOT EXCEPTED.[14] Furthermore, do I + promise and swear, that I will be aiding and assisting all poor + and indigent Royal Arch Masons, their widows and orphans, wherever + dispersed around the globe, so far as in my power, without + material injury to myself or family. All which, I do most solemnly + and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast + resolution to perform the same, without any equivocation, mental + reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever; binding + myself under no less penalty than that of having my skull smote + off, and my brains exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, + should I ever knowingly or wilfully violate or transgress any part + of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Royal Arch Mason. So + help me God, and keep me steadfast in the performance of the + same." + +Q. After receiving the obligation, what was said to you? A. We were +told that we were now obligated and received as Royal Arch Masons, but +as this degree was infinitely more important than any of the +preceding, it was necessary for us to pass through many trials, and to +travel in rough and rugged ways to prove our fidelity, before we could +be entrusted with the more important secrets of this degree. We were +further told that, though we could not discover the path we were to +travel, we were under the direction of a faithful guide, who would +"bring the blind by a way they knew not, and lead them in paths they +had not known; who would make darkness light before them, and crooked +things straight; who would do these things, and not forsake them." +(See Isa. xlii. 16.) + +Q. What followed? A. We were caused to travel three times around the +room, when we were again conducted to the altar, caused to kneel, and +attend to the following prayer: + + Supreme Architect of universal nature, who, by Thine Almighty + Word, didst speak into being the stupendous arch of heaven! And + for the instruction and pleasure of Thy rational creatures, didst + adorn us with greater and lesser lights, thereby magnifying Thy + power, and endearing Thy goodness unto the sons of men. We humbly + adore and worship Thine unspeakable perfection! We bless Thee, + that when man had fallen from his innocence and happiness, Thou + didst leave him the powers of reasoning, and capacity of + improvement and of pleasure. We thank Thee, that amidst the pains + and calamities of our present state, so many means of refreshment + and satisfaction are reserved to us while traveling the RUGGED + PATH of life: especially would we, at this time, render Thee our + thanksgiving and praise for the institution, as members of which + we are, at this time, assembled, and for all the pleasures we have + derived from it. We thank Thee, that the few here assembled before + Thee, have been favored with new inducements, and been laid under + new and stronger obligations of virtue and holiness. May these + obligations, O Blessed Father! have their full effect upon us. + Teach us, we pray Thee, the true reverence of Thy great, mighty, + and terrible name. Inspire us with a firm and unshaken resolution + in our virtuous pursuits. Give us grace diligently to search Thy + word in the book of nature, wherein the duties of our high + vocation are inculcated with divine authority. May the solemnity + of the ceremonies of our institution be duly impressed on our + minds, and have a happy and lasting effect on our lives! O Thou, + who didst aforetime appear unto Thy servant Moses IN A FLAME OF + FIRE OUT OF THE MIDST OF A BUSH, enkindle, we beseech Thee, in + each of our hearts, a flame of devotion to Thee, of love to each + other, and of charity to all mankind. May all Thy miracles and + mighty works fill us with Thy dread, and Thy goodness impress us + with the love of Thy holy name. May HOLINESS TO THE LORD be + engraven upon all our thoughts, words, and actions. May the + incense of piety ascend continually unto Thee from the altar of + our hearts, and burn day and night, as a sacrifice of + sweet-smelling savor, well pleasing unto Thee. And since sin has + destroyed within us the first temple of purity and innocence, may + Thy heavenly grace guide and assist us in rebuilding a SECOND + TEMPLE of reformation, and may the glory of this latter house be + greater than the glory of the former! Amen. So mote it be. + +Q. After the prayer what followed? A. We were again caused to travel +three times around the room, during which the following passage of +Scripture was read, and we were shown a representation of the bush +that burned and was not consumed: + + Exodus iii. 1-6. "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro, his + father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the + back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to + Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of + fire out of the midst of a bush, and he looked, and behold, the + bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses + said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush + is not burned. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, + God called unto him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, + Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said Draw not nigh hither; + put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou + standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy + father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of + Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon + God." + +Q. What followed? A. We again traveled, while the following passage +was read: + + 2 Chron xxxvi. 11-20. "Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when + he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he + did THAT WHICH WAS evil in the sight of the Lord, his God, AND + humbled not himself before Jeremiah, the prophet, SPEAKING from + the mouth of the Lord. And he also rebelled against King + Nebuchadnezzar, and he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart + from turning unto the Lord God of Israel. Moreover, all the chiefs + of the priests and the people transgressed very much after all the + abominations of the heathen: and polluted the house of the Lord + which He had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their + fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes and + sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His + dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, and + despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of + the Lord arose against His people, till THERE WAS no remedy. + Therefore he brought upon him the King of the Chaldees, who slew + their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, + and had no compassion on young men or maidens, old men, or him + that stooped for age; he gave them all unto his hand. And all the + vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of + the house of the Lord, and treasures of the king, and of his + princes; all THESE he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the house + of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the + palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels + thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away + to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons, until + the reign of the kingdom of Persia." + +At the close of this there was a representation of the destruction of +Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and the carrying captive of the children +of Israel to Babylon. We were seized, bound in chains, and confined in +a dungeon. + +Q. What followed? A. We heard rejoicing, as of good news; the +proclamation of Cyrus, King of Persia, was read in our hearing. + + Ezra i. 1-3. "Now in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, the + Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, that he made + a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in + writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus, King of Persia, the Lord God of + heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He hath + charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. + Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and + let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house + of the Lord God of Israel, which is in Jerusalem." + +Q. What was then said to you? A. We were unbound and requested to go +up to Jerusalem to assist in rebuilding the Temple, but objected, as +we had no pass by which to make ourselves known to our brethren. + +Q. What followed? A. The third chapter of Exodus, 13th and 14th +verses, were read to us: + + "And Moses said unto God, Behold! when I come unto the children of + Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent + me unto you, and they shall say to me, what is his name? What + shall I say to them? And God said unto Moses, I AM, THAT I AM. And + thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me + unto you." + +We were directed to use the words, "I AM, THAT I AM" as a pass-word. + +Q. What followed? A. We arose to go up to Jerusalem, and traveled over +hills and valleys, rough and rugged ways, for many days; during which +time, as we stopped occasionally, to rest and refresh ourselves, the +following passages from the Psalms were read in our hearing for our +consolation and encouragement [Psalms cxli, cxlii, cxliii]: + + Psalm cxli. "Lord, I cry unto Thee; Make haste unto me; give ear + unto my voice. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense, + and the lifting up of hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, + O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my + heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that + work iniquity. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness: + and let Him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil. Mine eyes + are unto Thee, O God the Lord; in Thee is my trust; leave not my + soul destitute. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for + me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall + into their own nets, while that I withal escape. + + Psalm cxlii. I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice + unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my + complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble. When my + spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In + the way wherein I walked, have they privily laid a snare for me. I + looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that + would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried + unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in + the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very + low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. + Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name. + + Psalm cxliii. Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my + supplications; in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy + righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for + in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath + persecuted my soul; he hath made me to dwell in darkness. + Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me + is desolate. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth; hide not + Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the + pit. Cause me to hear Thy loving kindness in the morning; for in + Thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, + for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Bring my soul out of trouble, and + of Thy mercy cut off mine enemies; for I am Thy servant." + +At length we arrived at Jerusalem, and presented ourselves at the +first Veil of the Tabernacle. + +Q. What was there said to you? A. The Master of the first Veil +demanded of us, "Who comes there? Who dares approach this outer Veil +of our sacred Tabernacle? Who comes here?" + +Q. Your answer? A. Three weary travelers from Babylon. They then +demanded of us who we were, and what were our intentions. + +Q. Your answer? A. We are your own brethren and kindred of the tribe +of Benjamin; we are the descendants of those noble families of +Giblemites, who wrought so hard at the building of the first temple, +were present at its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, by him carried away +captive to Babylon, where we remained servants to him and his sons +till the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, by whose order we were +liberated, and are now returned to assist in rebuilding the house of +the Lord, without expectation of fee or reward. + +Q. What further was demanded, of you? A. The pass-word, "I am, that I +am." After giving which, the Master of the Veil, assured of his full +confidence in us as worthy brethren, commended us for our zeal and +gave us the token and words to enable us to pass the second Veil. + +Q. What are they? A. The token is an imitation of that which Moses was +commanded to exhibit to the children of Israel, casting his rod upon +the ground it became a serpent, and putting forth his hand and taking +it again by the tail, it became a rod in his hand. The words are +these, "SHEM, HAM, and JAPHETH." + +Q. What followed? A. We were conducted to the second Veil, where the +same questions were asked, and answers returned as before, with the +addition of the pass-words and token given at the first Veil. + +Q. What followed? A. The Master of the second Veil told us that we +must be true and lawful brethren to pass thus far, but further we +could not go without his pass and token, which he accordingly gave to +us. + +Q. What are they? A. The words are SHEM, JAPHETH, and ADONIRAM; the +token is putting the hand in the bosom, plucking it out again, in +imitation of the second sign which Moses was directed to make to the +Israelites, when putting his hand into his bosom and taking it out +again, it became leprous as snow. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. We were conducted onwards to the +third Veil, when the same questions were asked, and answers returned +as before, with the addition of the token and words last received. + +Q. What followed? A. The Master of the third Veil then gave us the +sign, words, and signet, to enable us to pass the fourth Veil, to the +presence of the Grand Council. + +Q. What are the words, sign, and signet? A. The words are JAPHETH, +SHEM, NOAH; the sign, pouring water upon the ground, in imitation of +Moses, who poured water upon the ground and it became blood; the +signet is called the signet of truth, and is Zerrubbabel. It alludes +to this passage, "In that day I will take thee, O Zerrubbabel, my +servant, the son of Shealtiel, and will make thee as a signet; for I +have chosen thee." [See Haggai, chap. ii. ver. 23.] + +Q. What followed? A. We then passed to the fourth Veil, where, after +answering the same questions, and giving the sign, words, and signet +last received, we were admitted to the presence of the Grand Council, +where the High Priest made the same demands as were made at the Veils, +and received the same answers. + +Q. What did the High Priest further demand of you? A. The signs from +Entered Apprentice to Most Excellent Master in succession. + +Q. What did he then say to you? A. He said we were truly three worthy +Most Excellent Masters, commended us for our zeal and disinterestedness, +and asked what part of the work we were willing to undertake. + +Q. Your answer? A. That we were willing to undertake any service, +however servile or dangerous, for the sake of forwarding so great and +noble an undertaking. + +Q. What followed? A. We were then furnished with a pick-axe, spade and +crow, and were directed to repair to the northwest corner of the ruins +of the old temple and commence removing the rubbish, to lay the +foundation of the new, and to observe and preserve everything of +importance and report to the Grand Council. We accordingly repaired to +the place, and after laboring several days, we discovered what seemed +a rock, but on striking it with the crow, it gave a hollow sound, and +upon closer examination, we discovered in it an iron ring, by help of +which we succeeded in removing it from its place, when we found it to +be the keystone of an arch, and through the aperture there appeared to +be an immense vault curiously arched. We then took the stone and +repaired to the Grand Council, and presented it for their inspection. + +Q. What did the Grand Council then say to you? A. They told us that +the stone contained the mark of our ancient Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; +that it was truly a fortunate discovery, and that without doubt the +vault contained things of the utmost consequence to the craft. They +then directed us to repair again to the place and continue our +researches. + +Q. What followed? A. We returned again to the place and agreed that +one of our number should descend by means of a rope, the middle of +which was fixed firmly around his body, and if he wished to descend, +he was to pull the rope in his right hand, if to ascend, that in his +left. He accordingly descended, and in groping about, he found what +appeared to be some ancient jewels, but the air becoming offensive, he +pulled the rope in his left hand, and was immediately drawn out. We +then repaired to the Grand Council, made our report, and presented the +articles found, which they pronounced the jewels of our three ancient +Grand Masters, Solomon, Hiram, and Hiram Abiff. They commended us +highly for our zeal and fidelity, assured us that it was a fortunate +discovery, that it would probably lead to still more important ones, +and that our disinterested perseverance should not go unrewarded. They +directed us to repair again to the place, and make what further +discoveries lay in our power. + +Q. What followed? A. We again returned to the place, and let down one +of our companions as before. The sun having now reached its meridian +height, darted its rays to the inmost recesses of the vault, and +enabled him to discover a small chest or box, curiously wrought; but +the air becoming exceedingly offensive, he gave the sign, and was +immediately drawn out. We immediately repaired to the Grand Council +and presented our discovery. On examination, the Grand Council +pronounced it to be the ARK OF THE COVENANT, which was deposited in +the vault by our ancient Grand Master for safe keeping. On inspecting +it more closely, they found a key with which they opened it. The High +Priest then took from it a book, which he opened, and read as follows: + + Gen. i. 1-3. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the + earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was + upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the + face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there + was light." + + Deut. xxxi. 24-26. "And it came to pass when Moses had made an end + of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were + finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of + the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law and + put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your + God, that it may be there for a witness against thee." + + Ex. xxv. 21. "And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above, upon the + ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give + thee." + +He then declared it to be the book of the law upon which the Grand +Council, in an ecstasy of joy, exclaimed three times, "Long lost, now +found, holiness to the Lord;" at the same time drawing their hands +across their foreheads. + +Q. What further was found in the ark? A. A small vessel containing a +substance, which, after the Council had examined, and the High Priest +again read from the book of the law, Ex. xvi. 32-34, he pronounced to +be manna: + + "And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded; fill + an omer of the manna to be kept for your generations, that they + may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when + I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto + Aaron, Take a pot and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay + it up before the Lord to be kept for your generations. As the Lord + commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the testimony, to be + kept for a token." + +The High Priest then took a rod from the ark, which, after he had read +the following passage, + + Numb. xvii. 10. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod + again before the testimony to be kept for a token." + +He pronounced to be Aaron's rod, which budded and blossomed as the +rose. + +Q. Was there anything further found in the ark? A. There was a key to +the ineffable characters belonging to this degree, as follows + + --|--|--| + --|--|--|X + +beginning at top of this diagram at the left hand angle. The upper +left angle without a dot is A, the same with a dot is B, etc. + +[Illustration] + +Q. What further was said to you? A. The High Priest read the following +passage: + + Exodus vi. 2, 3. "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I + am the Lord, and I appealed unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto + Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I + not known to them." + +He then informed us that the name of Deity, the divine Logos, or word, +to which reference is made in John i. 1-5. + + "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the + word was God, the same was in the beginning with God, all things + were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was + made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the + light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." + +That this Logos or word was anciently written only in these sacred +characters, and thus preserved from one generation to another. That +this was the true Masonic word, which was lost in the death of Hiram +Abiff, and was restored at the rebuilding of the temple, in the manner +we had at that time assisted to represent. + +Q. What followed? A. We were reminded of the manner in which we were +sworn to give the Royal Arch word, were instructed in the manner, and +finally invested with the all important word in due form. + +Q. What is the Grand Royal Arch word? A. JAH BUH LUN. + +Q. How is it to be given? A. Under a living arch by three times three, +in low breath (see description of opening a Chapter). + +Q. What followed? A. We were presented with the signs belonging to +this degree. + +Q. Will you give me those signs? Answered by giving the signs thus: +Raise the right hand to the forehead, the hand and arm horizontal; +thumb towards the forehead, draw it briskly across the forehead, and +drop it perpendicularly by the side. This constitutes the due-guard of +this degree, and refers to the penalty of the obligation. The grand +sign is made by locking the fingers of both hands together, and +carrying them to the top of the head, the palms upward, alluding to +the manner in which the brother who descended into the vault and found +the ark, found his hands involuntarily placed to protect his head from +the potent rays of the meridian sun. + +Q. What followed. A. The High Priest then placed crowns upon our +heads, and told us that we were now invested with all the important +secrets of this degree, and crowned and received as worthy companions, +Royal Arch Masons. He then gives the charge. + +The second section of the Lecture on this degree states minutely the +ceremonies and forms of exaltation (as the conferring of this degree +is styled), but there seems to be some parts which require +explanation. The Principal Sojourner conducts the candidate, and is +considered as representing Moses conducting the children of Israel +through the wilderness. He is usually dressed to represent an old man, +bowed with age, with a mask on his face, and long beard hanging down +upon his breast; is introduced to the candidate in the preparation +room by the name of Moses. On entering the Chapter, the candidates are +received under a "living arch;" that is, the companions arrange +themselves in a line on each side of the door, and each joins hands +with the one opposite to himself. The candidates entering, the +conductor says, "Stoop low, brothers! we are about to enter the +arches; remember that he that humbleth himself shall be exalted; stoop +low, brothers, stoop low!" The candidates seldom pass the first pair +of hands, or, in other words, the first arch, without being so far +humbled as to be very glad to support themselves on all fours. Their +progress may be imagined to be very slow; for, in addition to their +humble posture, they are obliged to support on their backs the whole +weight of the living arches above. The conductor, to encourage them, +calls out occasionally, "Stoop low, brothers, stoop low!" If they go +too slow to suit the companions, it is not unusual for some one to +apply a sharp point to their bodies to urge them on; the points of the +pasteboard crown answer quite well for this purpose. After they have +endured this humiliating exercise as long as suits the convenience of +the companions, they pass from under the living arches. The candidates +next receive the obligation, travel the room, attend the prayer, +travel again, and are shown a representation of the Lord appearing to +Moses from the burning bush. This last is done in various ways. +Sometimes an earthen pot is filled with earth, and green bushes set +around the edge of it, and a candle in the centre; and sometimes a +stool is provided with holes about the edge, in which bushes are +placed, and a bundle of rags or tow, saturated with oil of turpentine, +placed in the centre, to which fire is communicated. Sometimes a +large bush is suspended from the ceiling, around the stem of which tow +is wound wet with oil of turpentine. In whatever way the bush is +prepared, when the words are read, "He looked, and behold, the bush +burned with fire," etc., the bandage is removed from the eyes of the +candidates, and they see the fire in the bush,[15] and, at the words, +"Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes," etc., the shoes of the +candidates are taken off, and they remain in the same situation while +the rest of the passage is read to the words, "And Moses hid his face; +for he was afraid to look upon God." The bandage is then replaced, and +the candidates again travel about the room, while the next passage of +Scripture is read. [See Lecture.] At the words, "And break down the +walls of Jerusalem," the companions make a tremendous crashing and +noise, by firing pistols, overturning chairs, benches, and whatever is +at hand; rolling cannon balls across the floor, stamping, etc., etc., +and in the midst of the uproar the candidates are seized, a chain +thrown about them, and they are hurried away to the preparation room. +This is the representation of the destruction of Jerusalem, and +carrying captive the children of Israel to Babylon. After a short time +the proclamation of Cyrus is read, the candidates are unbound, and +start to go to Jerusalem, to assist in rebuilding the temple. The +candidates, still hoodwinked, are brought into the Chapter, and +commence their journey over the rugged and rough paths. They are +literally rough paths, sticks of timber framed across the path the +candidate must travel, some inches from the floor, make no comfortable +traveling for a person blindfolded. But this is not always the way it +is prepared; billets of wood singly, or in heaps, ladders, nets of +cord, etc., etc., are all put in requisition to form the rough and +rugged paths, which are intended as a trial of the FIDELITY of the +candidates. If they escape with nothing more than bruised shins they +do well. They have been known to faint away under the severity of the +discipline, and occasion the WORTHY companions much alarm. After +traveling the rugged paths till all are satisfied, they arrive at the +first Veil of the Tabernacle, give the pass-word, and pass on to the +second, give the pass-words, and present the sign. This, it will be +recollected, is in imitation of the sign which Moses was directed to +make to the children of Israel. He threw his rod upon the ground and +it became a serpent; he put forth his hand and took it by the tail, +and it became a rod in his hand. The conductor is provided with a rod, +made in the form of a snake, and painted to resemble one. This he +drops upon the floor, and takes it up again. They then pass on to the +next Veil, give the pass-word and make the sign (put the right hand in +the bosom and pluck it out again); pass on to the next, give the +pass-words and make the sign (pour water upon the ground), and are +ushered into the presence of the GRAND COUNCIL. The Veils are four in +number, and of the same color as the banners of the three Grand +Masters of the Veils, and that of the Royal Arch Captain, blue, +purple, scarlet and white, and have the same references and +explanations. [See Lecture.] The Grand Council consists of the Most +Excellent High Priest, King and Scribe. The High Priest is dressed in +a white robe, with a breastplate of cut-glass, consisting of twelve +pieces, to represent the twelve tribes of Israel; an apron, and a +mitre. The King wears a scarlet robe, apron, and crown. The mitre and +crown are generally made of pasteboard: sometimes they have them of +the most splendid materials, gold and silk velvet; but these are kept +for public occasions. The mitre has the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" +in gold letters across the forehead. The Scribe wears a purple robe, +apron, and turban. After having satisfied the Grand Council that they +are true brethren, and stated their object in coming to Jerusalem, the +candidates are directed to commence the labor of removing the rubbish +of the old temple preparatory to laying the foundation of the new. For +the purpose of performing this part of the ceremony, there is in or +near the Chapter a narrow kind of closet, the only entrance to which +is through a scuttle at the top; there is placed over this scuttle +whatever rubbish is at hand, bits of board, brick bats, etc., and +among them the keystone. After the candidates are furnished with the +tools (pick-axe, spade, and crow), they are directed to this place, +and remove the rubbish till they discover the keystone. This they +convey to the Grand Council, as stated in the Lecture. After the Grand +Council have examined it, they pronounce it to be the work of the +Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and direct them to return and prosecute +their researches, not doubting that they will make many important +discoveries. The candidates return and let down one of their number by +a rope; he finds three squares, is drawn out, and all proceed with +them to the Grand Council. The Grand Council inspect them, and +pronounce them to be the three ancient jewels that belonged to the +three ancient Grand Masters, Solomon, Hiram and Hiram Abiff. The +candidates then return to the vault and let down another of their +number. Here, let it be remarked, some Chapters, for the purpose of +lightening the labor of the candidates, call in the aid of machinery. +A pulley is suspended over the vault, and the candidate is EXALTED +from the bottom at the tail of a snatch block; the one last let down +find at the bottom a small chest or box, upon which he gives the +signal to be drawn out; he no sooner discovers the box than the air in +the vault, in the language of the Lecture, "becomes exceedingly +offensive." This is strictly true; for at the moment he takes up the +box and is preparing to ascend, fire is communicated to a quantity of +gunpowder at his feet, so that by the time he arrives at the top, he +is so completely suffocated with the fumes of the powder, that he is +almost deprived of the power of respiration or motion. The box is +carried to the Grand Council and pronounced to be the ark of the +covenant. It is opened, and a Bible taken out, and some passages read +from it. [See Lecture.] One word respecting the representation of the +ark. It ought to be a splendid box covered with gold, and some of them +are really elegant; but the Chapter must have such as it can afford; +if it is too poor to procure splendid furniture, cheap articles are +made to answer; for an ark, if the funds are low, a plain cherry or +pine box will answer, and sometimes a cigar box is made the humble +representation of the splendid ark, made by divine command, of shittim +wood, and overlaid with pure gold. The High Priest takes then from the +ark a vessel containing something to represent manna. This vessel is +of various forms and materials, from an elegant silver urn to a broken +earthen mug; and the substance contained is as various as the vessels +in which it is deposited; such as a bit of sugar, a piece of cracker, +or a few kernels of wheat. Whichever is used, the High Priest takes it +out and gravely asks the King and Scribe their opinion of it; they say +they think it is manna. The High Priest then looks at it intently and +says, "It looks like manna;" smells it and says, "It smells like +manna;" and then tastes it and says, "It is manna." The High Priest +then takes from the ark a bit of an apple tree sprout, a few inches +long, with some withered buds upon it, or a stick of a similar length, +with some artificial buds upon it, which, after consulting with the +King and Scribe, he pronounces Aaron's rod. He then takes out the key +to the ineffable characters and explains it. This key is kept in the +ark on four distinct pieces of paper. The key is marked on a square +piece of paper, and the paper is then divided into four equal parts, +thus: + +[Illustration: (the key, as described in the text)] + + | | + - | - | - + | | + ------------------- + | | + - | - | - + | | + ------------------- + | | + - | - | - + | | + + +The outside lines represent the dimensions of the paper; the inside +ones are the key, and the dotted ones, the section that is made of the +whole for the purpose of keeping it secret, should any GRACELESS COWAN +ever get possession of the sacred ark, and attempt to rummage its +contents. The other part of the key x is made on the back of the same +piece of paper, so that on putting them together, it shows equally +plain. It is said that these characters were used by Aaron Burr, in +carrying on his treasonable practices, and by that means made public; +since which time they have been written and read from left to right. +After the ceremonies are ended, the High Priest informs the +candidates, in many or few words, according to his ability, that this +degree owes its origin to Zerrubbabel and his associates, who rebuilt +the temple by order of Cyrus, King of Persia. He informs them that the +discovery of the secret vault and the inestimable treasures, with the +long lost WORD, actually took place in the manner represented in +conferring this degree, and that it is the circumstance upon which the +degree is principally founded. The ceremony of closing a Chapter is +precisely the same as at opening, to the raising of the living arch. +The companions join hands by threes, in the same manner, and say in +concert, "As we three did agree the sacred word to keep, as we three +did agree the sacred word to search, so we three do agree to close +this royal arch." They then break without giving the word, as the High +Priest reads the following prayer: + + "By the wisdom of the Supreme High Priest may we be directed, by + His strength may we be enabled, and by the beauty of virtue may we + be incited to perform the obligations here enjoined upon us; to + keep inviolable the mysteries here unfolded to us, and invariably + to practice all those duties out of the Chapter, which are + inculcated in it. (Response.) So mote it be. Amen." + +The High Priest then declares the Chapter closed in due form. + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS. + +At the sound of the trumpet the line is formed. Master of Calvary to +the Sir Knight Warden, "When a Council of Knights of the Red Cross is +about to be formed and opened, what is the first care?" Warden--"To +see the Council chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Please to attend to +that part of your duty, see that the sentinels are at their respective +posts, and inform the Captain of the Guards that we are about to open +a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business." +W.--"The sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council +chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Are all present Knights of the Red +Cross?" W.--"They are." M. C.--"Attention, Sir Knights, count +yourselves from right to left--right files handle sword--draw +sword--carry sword--right files to the left double--second division +forward, march, halt--right about face!" Sir Knight Master of +Infantry, accompanied by the sword-bearer and Warden--"Please inform +the Sovereign Master that the lines are formed waiting his pleasure." +At the approach of the Council the trumpet sounds. M. C.--"Form avenue +(the Council pass); the Sovereign Master passes uncovered; recover +arms, poise arms!" Sovereign Master--"Attention, Sir Knights; give +your attention to the several signs of Masonry; as I do, so do you." +[The Sir Knights give the signs from the first to the seventh degree.] +S. M.--"Draw swords, and take care to advance and give the Jewish +countersign--recover arms; take care to advance and give the Persian +countersign--recover arms." S.M. to Sir Knight Master of the +Palace--"Advance and give me the word of a Knight of the Red Cross; +the word is right--receive it on your left." The word is then passed +around; when it arrives at the Chancellor he says, "Sovereign Master +of the Red Cross, word has arrived." S. M.--"Pass it on to me [he +gives it to the Sovereign Master]. Sir Knight, the word is right." S. +M. to Sir Knight Chancellor--"Advance and give me the grand sign, +grip, and word of a Knight of the Red Cross; it is right--receive it +on your left." The word passes around as before, as will hereafter be +explained, and when arrived at the Master of the Palace, he says, +"Sovereign Master, the grand sign, grip and word have arrived." S. +M.--"Pass them on to me; Sir Knight, they are right. Left +face--deposit helmets--centre face--reverse arms--to your devotions +[the Sir Knights all kneel and repeat the Lord's prayer]--recover +arms--left face--recover helmets--centre face--right about face--to +your posts--march!" + + * * * * * + + +FIRST SECTION. + +Question--Are you a Knight of the Red Cross? Answer--That is my +profession. + +Q. By what test will you be tried? A. By the test of truth. + +Q. Why by the test of truth? A. Because none but the good and true are +entitled to the honors and privileges of this illustrious order. + +Q. Where did you receive the honors of this illustrious order? A. In a +just and regular Council of Knights of the Red Cross. + +Q. What number compose a Council? A. There is an indispensable number +and a constitutional number. + +Q. What is the indispensable number? A. Three. + +Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open a +Council of Knights of the Red Cross? A. Three Knights of the Red +Cross, being also Knight Templars, and hailing from three different +commanderies, may, under the sanction of a legal warrant from some +regular Grand Encampment, form and open a Council of Knights of the +Red Cross for the dispatch of business. + +Q. What is a constitutional number? A. Five, seven, nine, eleven, or +more. + +Q. When composed of five, seven, nine, eleven, of whom does it +consist? A. Sovereign Master, Chancellor, Master of the Palace, +Prelate, Master of Cavalry, Master of Infantry, Master of Finance, +Master of Dispatches, Standard-Bearer, Sword-Bearer, and Warder. + +Q. Warder's station in the Council? A. On the left of the +Standard-Bearer in the West. + +Q. His duty? A. To announce the approach of the Sovereign Master; to +see that the sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council +chambers duly guarded. + +Q. Sword-Bearer's station in the Council? A. On the right of the +Standard-Bearer in the West. + +Q. His duty? A. To assist in the protection of the banner of our +Order; to watch all signals from the Sovereign Master, and see his +orders duly executed. + +Q. Standard-Bearer's station? A. In the West. + +Q. His duty? A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our +Order. + +Q. Why is the Standard-Bearer's station in the West? A. That the +brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their lustre upon the +banners of our Order, may encourage and animate all true and courteous +Knights, and dismay and confound their enemies. + +Q. Station of Master of Dispatches? A. In front of the Master of the +Palace. + +Q. His duty? A. To observe with attention the transactions of the +Council; to keep a just and regular record thereof, collect the +revenue, and pay the same over to the Master of Finance. + +Q. Station of the Master of Finance? A. In front of the Chancellor. + +Q. His duty? A. To receive in charge the funds and property of the +Council, pay all orders drawn upon the Treasurer, and render a just +and regular account when called for. + +Q. Station of the Master of Infantry? A. On the right of the second +division when separately formed: on the left of the whole when formed +in line. + +Q. His duty? A. To command the second division or line of infantry, +teach them their duty and exercise; also to prepare all candidates, +attend them on their journey, answer all questions for them, and +finally introduce them into the Council chamber. + +Q. Station of the Master of Cavalry? A. On the right of the first +division when separately formed, and on the right of the whole when +formed in line. + +Q. His duty? A. To command the first division or line of cavalry, +teach them their duty and exercise; to form the avenue at the approach +of the Sovereign Master, and prepare the lines for inspection and +review. + +Q. Prelate's station? A. On the right of the Chancellor. + +Q. His duty? A. To preside in the Royal Arch Council; administer at +the altar; to offer up prayers and adoration to Deity. + +Q. Station of Master of the Palace? A. On the left of the Sovereign +Master in the East. + +Q. His duty? A. To see that the proper officers make all due +preparations for the several meetings of the Council; to take special +care that the Council chamber is in suitable array for the reception +of candidates and the dispatch of business; to receive and communicate +all orders issued by the Sovereign Master through the officers of the +line. + +Q. Chancellor's station? A. On the right of the Sovereign Master. + +Q. His duty? A. To receive and communicate all orders and petitions; +to assist the Sovereign Master in the discharge of his various duties, +and in his absence to preside in the Council. + +Q. Sovereign Master's station? A. In the East. + +Q. His duty? A. To preside in the Council; confer this order of +knighthood upon those whom his Council may approve; to preserve +inviolable the laws and constitution of our Order; to dispense +justice, reward merit, encourage truth, and diffuse the sublime +principles of universal benevolence. + +S. M.--"Sir Knight Chancellor, it is my will and pleasure that a +Council of Knights of the Red Cross be now opened, and to stand open +for the dispatch of such business as may regularly come before it at +this time, requiring all Sir Knights now assembled, or who may come at +this time, to govern themselves according to the sublime principles of +our Order. You will communicate this to the Sir Knight Master of the +Palace, that the Sir Knights present may have due notice thereof, and +govern themselves accordingly." [The Sir Knight Chancellor communicates +it to the Sir Knight Master of the Palace, and he to the Knights.] S. +M.--"Return arms--right about face--to your posts--march--center +face--Sir Knights, this Council is now open for the dispatch of +business." + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--What were the preparatory circumstances attending your +reception to this illustrious Order? Answer--A Council of Royal Arch +Masons being assembled in a room adjacent to the Council chamber, I +was conducted to the door, where a regular demand was made by two, +three, and two. + +Q. What was said to you from within? A. Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. Companion A. B., who has regularly received the +several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, +Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch, and +now solicits the honor of being regularly constituted a Knight of the +Red Cross. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was asked if it was of my own free +will and accord that I made this request; if I was worthy and well +qualified; if I had made suitable proficiency in the foregoing +degrees, and was properly vouched for; all of which being answered in +the affirmative, I was asked by what further right or benefit I +expected to gain admittance. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. Did you give that pass-word? A. I did, with the assistance of my +companions. [Here the Royal Arch word is given as described in the +Royal Arch degree.] + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was then directed to wait with +patience till the Most Excellent Prelate should be informed of my +request, and his answer returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Let him be admitted. + +Q. What was you then informed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate observed +that the Council there assembled represented the Grand Council +convened at Jerusalem, in the second year of the reign of Darius, King +of Persia, to deliberate on the unhappy state of the fraternity during +the reigns of Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus, and to devise some means to +obtain favor of the new Sovereign, and to gain his consent to proceed +in rebuilding their new city and temple. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then informed me if I +was desirous of attending the deliberations of the Council at this +time, it was necessary that I should assume the name and character of +Zerrubbabel, a prince of the house of Judah, whose hands laid the +foundation of the second temple, and whose hands the Lord has promised +should complete it. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then read a lesson +from the records of the Fathers, stating the impediments with which +they were troubled by their adversaries on the other side of the +river, and the grievous accusations which were brought against them +before the King. + +Q. What followed? A. My conductor then addressed the Most Excellent +Prelate thus: Most Excellent Prelate, our Sovereign Lord, Darius the +King, having now ascended the throne of Persia, new hopes are inspired +of protection and support in the noble and glorious undertaking which +has been so long and so often interrupted by our adversaries on the +other side of the river; for while yet a private man, he made a vow to +God that should he ever ascend the throne of Persia, he would send all +the holy vessels remaining at Babylon back to Jerusalem. Our Most +Excellent and faithful companion, Zerrubbabel, who was formerly +honored with the favorable notice and friendship of the Sovereign, now +offers his services to encounter the hazardous enterprise of +traversing the Persian dominions, and seeking admission to the +presence of the Sovereign, where the first favorable moment will be +seized to remind the King of his vow, and impress on his mind the +almighty force and importance of truth; and from his known piety no +doubt can be entertained of gaining his consent, that our enemies be +removed far hence, and that we be no longer hindered or impeded in our +noble and glorious undertaking. + +Q. What was the Most Excellent Prelate's reply? A. Excellent +Zerrubbabel, the Council accept with gratification and joy your noble +and generous offer, and will invest you with the necessary passports, +by means of which you will be enabled to make yourself known to the +favor of one Council wherever you may meet them; but in an undertaking +of so much importance, it is necessary that you enter into a solemn +obligation to be faithful to the trust reposed in you. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then invested me with +a sword, to enable me to defend myself against my enemies, and said he +was ready to administer the obligation. + +Q. Did you consent to that obligation? A. I did, in due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. Kneeling on my left knee, my right foot +forming a square, my body erect, my right hand grasping the hilt of my +sword, my left hand covering the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, with +two cross-swords thereon, in which due form I took upon me the solemn +oath and obligation of Knight of the Red Cross. + +Q. Repeat the obligation. + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of the + Supreme Architect of the Universe, and these witnesses, do hereby + and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I + will always hail, forever conceal, and never reveal, any of the + secret arts, parts, or points of the mysteries appertaining to + this Order of Knight of the Red Cross, unless it be to a true and + lawful companion Sir Knight of the Order, or within the body of a + just and lawful Council of such; and not unto him or them, until + by due trial, strict examination, or lawful information, I find + him or them lawfully entitled to receive the same. I furthermore + promise and swear, that I will answer and obey all due signs and + regular summons, which shall be sent to me from a regular Council + of Knights of the Red Cross, or given to me from the hands of a + companion Sir Knight of the Red Cross, if within the distance of + forty miles; natural infirmities and unavoidable accidents only + excusing me. I furthermore promise and swear, that I will not be + present at the conferring of this Order of Knighthood upon any + person, unless he shall have previously regularly received the + several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, + Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch + degree, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I furthermore + promise and swear, that I will not assist or be present at the + forming and opening of a Council of Knights of the Red Cross, + unless there be present at least five regular Knights of the + Order, or the representatives of three different Encampments, + acting under the sanction of a legal warrant. I furthermore + promise and swear, that I will vindicate the character of a + courteous Sir Knight of the Red Cross when wrongfully traduced; + that I will help him on a lawful occasion in preference to any + brother of an inferior degree, and so far as truth, honor, and + justice may warrant. I furthermore promise and swear, that I will + support and maintain the by-laws of the Council, of which I may + hereafter become a member, the laws and regulations of the Grand + Encampment, under which the same may be holden, together with the + constitution and ordinances of the General Grand Encampment of the + United States of America, so far as the same shall come to my + knowledge. To all which I do most solemnly promise and swear, + binding myself under no less penalty than of having my house torn + down, the timbers thereof set up, and I hanged thereon; and when + the last trump shall blow, that I be forever excluded from the + society of all true and courteous Knights, should I ever wilfully + or knowingly violate any part of this solemn obligation of Knight + of the Red Cross; so help me God, and keep me steadfast to keep + and perform the same."[16] + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then directed me to +rise and be invested with a countersign, which he informed me would +enable me to make myself known to the friends of our cause wherever I +should meet them, and would insure me from them succor, aid, and +protection. [Here the Master of Infantry, who is the conductor, gives +the candidate the Jewish countersign; it is given under the arch of +steel; that is, their swords elevated above their heads, forming a +cross, each placing his left hand upon the other's right shoulder, and +whispering alternately in each other's ear the names of Judah and +Benjamin.] + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then invested me with +a green sash, as a mark of our particular friendship and esteem; you +will wear it as a constant memorial to stimulate you to the faithful +performance of every duty, being assured that the memory of him, who +falls in a just and virtuous cause, shall forever flourish like the +green bay tree. + +Q. What followed? A. I then commenced my journey, and was frequently +accosted by guards, all of which, by means of the countersign I had +received, I was enabled to pass in friendship, until I arrived at the +bridge, which was represented to be in the Persian dominions; on +attempting to pass this bridge, which I found strongly guarded, the +Persian countersign was demanded, and being unable to give it, I was +attacked, overpowered, and made prisoner. + +Q. What followed? A. After remonstrating in vain against their +violations, I told them I was a prince of the house of Judah, and +demanded an audience with their sovereign. + +Q. What was the answer? A. You are a prisoner, and can obtain an +audience with the sovereign only in the garb of a captive and slave. + +Q. Did you consent to this? A. I did; being firmly persuaded that +could I by any means gain access to the presence of the sovereign, I +should be able to accomplish the object of my mission. + +Q. What followed? A. They then deprived me of my outward apparel, sash +and sword, and having confined my hands and feet in chains, the links +thereof were of a triangular form, they put sackcloth and ashes on my +head. + +Q. Why were the links of the captive's chain of a triangular form? A. +The Assyrians having learned that among the Jews the triangle was an +emblem of the Eternal, caused the links of their chain to be made of a +triangular form, thinking thereby to add to the miseries of their +captives. + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted to the door of the Council +chamber, where the alarm being given by 4 × 2, the Warder appeared and +demanded, "Who comes there?" + +Q. What answer was returned? A. A detachment of his majesty's guards, +having made prisoner of one, who reports himself to be prince of the +house of Judah. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was asked from whence I came. + +Q. Your answer? A. From Jerusalem. + +Q. What was then demanded of you? A. Who are you? + +Q. Your answer? A. The first among my equals, a Mason, and free by +rank, but a captive and slave by misfortune. + +Q. What was you then asked? A. My name. + +Q. Your answer? A. Zerrubbabel. + +Q. What were you then asked? A. What are your demands? + +Q. Your answer? A. To see the sovereign, if possible. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was then directed to wait with +patience until the Sovereign Master should be informed of my request, +and his answer returned. + +Q. What was that answer? A. That the necessary caution should be taken +that I was not armed with any hostile weapons, and that I should then +be admitted. + +Q. How were you then received? A. The guard being drawn up on the +right and left of the throne, swords drawn, two of them placed at the +door with swords crossed, under which I was permitted to enter, my +face covered with my hands. + +Q. How were you then disposed of? A. I was conducted in front of the +Sovereign Master, who received me with kindness and attention, and +listened with patience to my request. + +Q. What did the Sovereign Master then observe to the Council? A. That +this Zerrubbabel was the friend of his youth, that he could neither be +an enemy nor a spy. + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master thus addressed me: +"Zerrubbabel, having now gained admittance into our presence, we +demand that you immediately declare the particular motives which +induced you, without our permission, and with force and arms, to pass +the lines of our dominions?" + +Q. Your answer? A. Sovereign Master, the tears and complaints of my +companions at Jerusalem, who have been so long and so often impeded in +the noble and glorious undertaking in which they were permitted to +engage by our late sovereign, Lord Cyrus, the King; but our enemies +having made that great work to cease by force and power, I have now +come up to implore your majesty's clemency, that you would be pleased +to restore me to favor, and grant me employment among the servants of +your household. + +Q. What was the Sovereign's reply? A. Zerrubbabel, I have often +reflected with much pleasure upon our early intimacy and friendship, +and I have frequently heard, with great satisfaction, of your fame as +a wise and accomplished Mason, and having myself a profound veneration +for that ancient and honorable institution, and having a sincere +desire to become a member of the same, I will this moment grant your +request, on condition that you will reveal to me the secrets of +Freemasonry. + +Q. Did you consent to that? A. I did not. + +Q. What was your reply? A. Sovereign Master, when our Grand Master +Solomon, King of Israel, first instituted the fraternity of Free and +Accepted Masons, he taught us that truth was a divine attribute, and +the foundation of every virtue; to be good and true is the first +lesson we are taught in Masonry. My engagements are sacred and +inviolable: I cannot reveal our secrets. If I can obtain your +majesty's favor only at the expense of my integrity, I humbly beg +leave to decline your royal protection, and will cheerfully submit to +any honorable exile. + +Q. What was the Sovereign's reply? A. Zerrubbabel, your virtue and +integrity are truly commendable, and your fidelity to your engagements +is worthy of imitation; from this moment you are free--my guards will +divest you of those chains and that garb of slavery, and clothe you in +suitable habiliments to attend me at the banquet hall. Zerrubbabel, +you are free; guards, strike off those chains; and may those emblems +of slavery never again disgrace the hands of a Mason, more +particularly a prince of the house of Judah; Zerrubbabel, we assign +you a seat of rank and honor among the princes and rulers of our +assembly. + +Q. What followed? A. The guards being drawn up in the court yard, the +Warder informed the Sovereign Master that the guards were in +readiness, waiting his pleasure. + +Q. What followed? A. He then ordered the guards to attend him to the +banquet hall. + +Q. What occurred there? A. After having participated in a liberal +entertainment, the Sovereign Master not being inclined to sleep, and +many of the guard having retired, he amused himself by entering into +conversation with some of his principal officers and friends, +proposing certain questions to them, and offering a princely reward to +such as should give the most reasonable and satisfactory answer. + +Q. What questions were proposed? A. Among others, "Which was the +strongest, wine, the King, or woman?"[17] + +Q. What answers were returned? A. The Chancellor said wine was the +strongest; the Master of the Palace said the King was the strongest; +but I, being firmly persuaded that the time had arrived in which I +could remind the King of his vow, and request the fulfilment of it, +replied that women were stronger than either of the former, but, above +all things, truth beareth the victory. + +Q. What followed? A. The King being deeply struck with the addition I +made to the question, ordered us to be prepared with proper arguments +in support of our respective propositions on the day following. + +Q. What followed? A. On the day following, the Council being convened +at the sound of the trumpet, the Chancellor was called upon for his +answer, and thus replied: (See Templar's Chart of Freemasonry.) + +Q. What followed? A. The Master of the Palace thus replied: (See +Templar's Chart of Freemasonry.) + +Q. What followed? A. I then being called upon for my defence, answered +as follows: (See Templar's Chart of Freemasonry.) + +Q. What followed? A. The King being deeply struck with the force of +the arguments I had used, involuntarily exclaimed, "Great is truth, +and mighty above all things; ask what thou wilt, Zerrubbabel, and it +shall be granted thee, for thou art found wisest among thy +companions." + +Q. Your answer? (See Templar's Chart of Freemasonry.) + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then addressed me: +"Zerrubbabel, I will punctually fulfil my vow; letters and passports +shall be immediately issued to my officers throughout the realm, and +they shall give you, and those who accompany you, safe conveyance to +Jerusalem, and you shall be no longer hindered or impeded in +rebuilding your city and temple, until they shall be completed." + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then invested me with a +green sash, and thus addressed me, "This green sash, of which you were +deprived by my guards, I now with pleasure restore to you, and will +make it one of the insignia of a new Order, calculated to perpetuate +the remembrance of the event which caused the renewal of our +friendship; its color will remind you that truth is a divine attribute +and shall prevail, and shall forever flourish in immortal green. I +will now confer on you the highest honor in our power at this time to +bestow, and will create you the first Knight of an Order, instituted +for the express purpose of inculcating the almighty force and +importance of truth. + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then directed me to kneel, +and said, By virtue of the high power in me vested, as the successor +and representative of Darius, King of Persia, I now constitute you a +Knight of the illustrious Order of the Red Cross (at the same time +laying the blade of his sword first upon the right shoulder, then upon +the head, and then upon the left shoulder of the candidate). + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then directed me to arise, +and presenting me with a sword, thus addressed me: "This sword, of +which you were deprived by my guards, I now restore in your hands, as +a true and courteous Knight; it will be endowed with three most +excellent properties--its hilt be faith, its blade be hope, its point +be charity; it should teach us this important lesson, that when we +draw our swords in a just and virtuous cause, having faith in God, we +may reasonably hope for victory, ever remembering to extend the hand +of charity to the fallen foe; sheathe it, and sooner may it rust in +its scabbard than be drawn in the cause of injustice or oppression." + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then invested me with the +Persian countersign. + +Q. Give it? A. This countersign is given like the Jewish, excepting +this variation, it is given over instead of under the arch of steel. +The words are Tatnai Shethar-boznai, Enavdai. + +Q. Who were they? A. They were governors of Persian provinces, and +enemies of the Jews. + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then invested me with the +Red Cross word. + +Q. Give it? A. (Each placing his left hand upon the other's right +shoulder, at the same time bringing the point of the swords to each +other's left side, in which position the word Libertas is given.) + +Q. What followed? A. The Sovereign Master then invested me with the +grand sign, grip, and word of Knight of the Red Cross. + +Q. Give them. A. The grand sign is given by bringing the thumb and +finger of the left hand to the mouth, and carrying it off in an +oblique direction; the grip is given by interlacing the fingers of the +left hand; the word is Veritas. The sign, grip, and word are given +under the arch of steel. + +Q. How do you translate the word? A. Truth. + +Q. To what does the sign allude? A. To the blowing of the trumpet upon +the walls and watch towers of the Council, but more particularly to +the obligation, "that when the last trump shall sound, I shall be +forever excluded from the society of all true and faithful Sir +Knights." + +Q. What is the motto of our Order? A. "Magna est veritas et +prevalebit." [Great is truth, and will prevail.] + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHT TEMPLAR, AND KNIGHT OF MALTA. + +FIRST SECTION. + +Question--Are you a Knight Templar? Answer--That is my title. + +Q. Where were you created a Knight Templar? A. In a just and lawful +Encampment of Knight Templars. + +Q. What number composes a just and lawful Encampment of Knight +Templars? A. There is an indispensable number and a constitutional +number. + +Q. What is an indispensable number? A. Three. + +Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open an +Encampment of Knight Templars? A. Three Knight Templars, hailing from +three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a charter or +warrant from some regular Grand Encampment, form and open an +Encampment for the dispatch of business. + +Q. What is a constitutional number? A. Seven, nine, eleven, or more. + +Q. When composed of eleven, of whom does it consist? A. Warden, +Sword-Bearer, Standard-Bearer, Recorder, Treasurer, Junior Warden, +Senior Warden, Prelate, Captain-General, Generalissimo, and Grand +Commander. + +Q. Warden's station? A. On the left of the Standard-Bearer in the +West, and on the left of the third division. + +Q. His duty? A. To observe the orders and directions of the Grand +Commander; to see that the sentinels are at their respective posts, +and that the Encampment is duly guarded. + +Q. Sword-Bearer's station? A. On the right of the Standard-Bearer in +the West, and on the right of the third division. + +Q. His duty? A. To assist in the protection of the banners of our +Order; to watch all signals from the Grand Commander, and see his +orders duly executed. + +Q. Standard-Bearer's station in the Encampment? A. In the West, and in +the centre of the third division. + +Q. His duty? A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our +Order. + +Q. Why is the Standard-Bearer's station in the West? A. That the +brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their lustre upon the +banners of our Order, may encourage and animate all true and courteous +Knights, and dismay and confound their enemies. + +Q. Recorder's station in the Encampment? A. In front of the +Captain-General. + +Q. His duty? A. To observe with attention the order of the Encampment; +keep a just and regular record of the same; collect the revenue, and +pay the same over to the Treasurer. + +Q. Treasurer's station in the Encampment? A. In front of the +Generalissimo. + +Q. His duty? A. To receive in charge all funds and property of the +Encampment; pay all orders drawn upon him, and render a just and +faithful account when required. + +Q. Station of the Junior Warden in the Encampment? A. At the southwest +angle of the triangle, and on the left of the first division. + +Q. His duty? A. To attend to all poor and weary pilgrims traveling +from afar; to accompany them on the journey; answer all questions for +them, and finally introduce them into the asylum. + +Q. Senior Warden's station in the Encampment? A. At the northwest +angle of the triangle, and on the right of the second division. + +Q. His duty there? A. To attend on pilgrim warriors traveling from +afar; to comfort and support pilgrims penitent, and after due trial, +to recommend them to the hospitality of the Generalissimo. + +Q. Prelate's station in the Encampment? A. On the right of the +Generalissimo. + +Q. His duty there? A. To administer at the altar, and offer up prayers +and adorations to the Deity. + +Q. Captain-General's station? A. On the left of the Grand Commander. + +Q. His duty? A. To see that the proper officers make all suitable +preparations for the several meetings of the Encampment, and take +special care that the asylum is in a suitable array for the +introduction of candidates and dispatch of business; also to receive +and communicate all orders from the Grand Commander to officers of the +line. + +Q. Generalissimo's station? A. On the right of the Grand Commander. + +Q. His duty? A. To receive and communicate all orders, signals, and +petitions, and assist the Grand Commander in the discharge of his +various duties, and in his absence to govern the Encampment. + +Q. Grand Commander's station? A. In the East. + +Q. His duty? A. To distribute alms, and protect weary pilgrims +traveling from afar; to encourage pilgrim warriors; to sustain +pilgrims penitent; feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bind up the +wounds of the afflicted; to inculcate hospitality, and govern his +Encampment with justice and moderation. + + * * * * * + +SECOND SECTION. + +Question--What were the preparatory circumstances attending your +reception into this illustrious Order? Answer--I was conducted to the +chamber of reflection, where I was left in silence and solitude, to +reflect upon three questions, which were left with me in writing. + +Q. What were your answers? A. They were satisfactory to the Grand +Commander; but as a trial of my patience and perseverance, he enjoined +upon me the performance of seven years' pilgrimage, clothed in +pilgrim's weeds. + +Q. What followed? A. I was then invested with sandals, staff, and +scrip, and commenced my tour of pilgrimage, but was soon accosted by +the guard, who demanded of me, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A poor and weary pilgrim, traveling from afar, to +join with those who oft have gone before, and offer his devotions at +the holy shrine. + +Q. What said the guard? A. Pilgrim, I greet thee; gold and silver have +I none, but such as I have give I unto thee. + +Q. What followed? A. After having participated in the refreshments +(which is a glass of water and a cracker), the guard took me by the +hand and thus addressed me, "Pilgrim, harken to a lesson to cheer thee +on thy way, and insure thee of success." + +Q. What followed? Lesson read. (See Templar's chart.) The guard then +took me by the hand and said, "Fare thee well! God speed thee on thy +way." + +Q. What followed? A. I still pursued my pilgrimage, but was often +accosted by guards, from whom I received the same friendly treatment +as from the first. + +Q. Where did your term of pilgrimage end? A. At the door of the +asylum, where after giving the alarm by 3 × 3, the Warder appeared and +demanded, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A poor and weary pilgrim, traveling from afar, who, +having passed full three long years of pilgrimage, now craves +permission, if it shall please the Grand Commander, forthwith to +dedicate the remaining four years to deeds of more exalted usefulness, +and if found worthy, his strong desire is now to be admitted to those +valiant Knights, whose well-earned fame has spread both far and near +for deeds of charity and pure beneficence. + +Q. What were you then asked? A. What surety can you offer that you are +no impostor? + +Q. Your answer? A. The commendations of a true and courteous Knight, +the Junior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission +of four remaining years of pilgrimage. + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then addressed the Most +Excellent Prelate: "This being true, Sir Knight, our Prelate, you will +conduct this weary pilgrim to the altar, where having taken an +obligation always to be faithful to his vow, cause him forthwith to be +invested with a sword and buckler, that as a pilgrim warrior he may +perform seven years' warfare as a trial of his courage and +constancy." + +Q. What followed? A. The Senior Warden then detached a party of +Knights to escort me to the altar, where, in due form, I took upon me +the obligation of a Knight Templar. + +Q. What was that due form? A. Kneeling on both knees upon two cross +swords, my body erect, my naked hands covering the Holy Bible, Square, +and Compass, with two cross swords lying thereon, in which due form I +received the solemn obligation of Knight Templar. + +Q. Repeat the obligation. + + "I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of + Almighty God and this Encampment of Knight Templars, do hereby and + hereon most solemnly promise and swear, that I will always hail, + forever conceal, and never reveal, any of the secret arts, parts, + or points appertaining to the mysteries of this Order of Knight + Templars, unless it be to a true and lawful companion Knight + Templar, or within the body of a just and lawful Encampment of + such; and not unto him or them, until by due trial, strict + examination, or lawful information, I find him or them lawfully + entitled to receive the same. Furthermore do I promise and swear, + that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons, + which shall be given or sent to me from regular Encampments of + Knight Templars, if within the distance of forty miles, natural + infirmities and unavoidable accidents only excusing me. + Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will help, aid, and + assist with my council, my purse, and my sword, all poor and + indigent Knight Templars, their widows and orphans, they making + application to me as such, and I finding them worthy, so far as I + can do it without material injury to myself, and so far as truth, + honor, and justice may warrant. Furthermore do I promise and + swear, that I will not assist or be present at the forming and + opening of an Encampment of Knight Templars, unless there be + present seven Knights of the Order, or the representatives of + three different Encampments, acting under the sanction of a legal + warrant. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will go the + distance of forty miles, even barefoot and on frosty ground, to + save the life and relieve the distresses of a worthy Knight, + should I know that his distresses required it, and my abilities + permit. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will wield my + sword in defence of innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless + orphans, and the Christian religion. Furthermore do I promise and + swear, that I will support and maintain the by-laws of the + Encampment, of which I may hereafter become a member, the edicts + and regulations of the Grand Encampment, under which the same may + be holden, together with the laws and constitution of the General + Grand Encampment of the United States of America, so far as the + same shall come to my knowledge. To all this I most solemnly and + sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to + perform and keep the same, without any hesitation, equivocation, + mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever, + binding myself under no less penalty than to have my head struck + off and placed on the highest spire in Christendom, should I + knowingly or wilfully violate any part of this my solemn + obligation of a Knight Templar; so help me God, and keep me + steadfast to perform and keep the same." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate directed me to arise, +and thus addressed me: "Pilgrim, thou hast craved permission to pass +through our solemn ceremonies, and enter the asylum of our Encampment; +by thy sandals, scrip, and staff, I judge thee to be a child of +humility; charity and hospitality are the grand characteristics of +this magnanimous Order; in the characters of Knight Templars, you are +bound to give alms to poor and weary pilgrims, traveling from afar; to +succor the needy, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bind up the +wounds of the afflicted. We here wage war against the enemies of +innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the +Christian religion. If thou art desirous of enlisting in this noble +and glorious warfare, lay aside thy staff and take up the sword, +fighting manfully thy way, and with valor running thy course; and may +the Almighty, who is a strong tower and defence to all those who put +their trust and confidence in him, be now and ever thy defence and thy +salvation." + +Q. What followed? A. Having laid aside my staff and taken up the +sword, the Most Excellent Prelate continued: "Having now taken up the +sword, we expect you will make a public declaration of the cause in +which you will wield it." + +Q. Your answer? A. I wield my sword in defence of innocent virgins, +destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion. + +Q. What was the Prelate's reply? A. With confidence in this +profession, our Senior Warden will invest you with the warrior's pass, +and under his direction, as a trial of your courage and constancy, we +must now assign you seven years of warfare--success and victory attend +you. (The pass-word is Mahershalal-hashbaz, and is given under the +arch of steel, as has been described.) + +Q. What followed? A. I then commenced my tour of warfare, and made +professions of the cause in which I would wield my sword. + +Q. Where did your tour of warfare end? A. At the door of the asylum, +where, on giving the alarm by 3 × 4, the Warder appeared and demanded, +"Who comes there?" + +Q. Your reply? A. A pilgrim warrior, traveling from afar, who, having +passed full three long years of warfare, is most desirous now, if it +should please the Grand Commander, to be admitted to the honors and +rewards that await a valiant Templar. + +Q. What was then demanded of you? A. What surety can you give that you +are no impostor? + +Q. Your answer? A. The commendation of a true and courteous Knight, +the Senior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission +of the four remaining years of warfare. + +Q. What was then demanded? A. By what further right or benefit do you +expect to gain admittance to the asylum? + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. Give it. (Here the warrior's pass is given, as before described.) + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was directed to wait with courage +and constancy, and soon an answer would be returned to my request. + +Q. What answer was returned? A. Let him be admitted. + +Q. What did the Grand Commander then observe? A. Pilgrim, having +gained admittance to our asylum, what profession have you now to make +in testimony of your fitness to be received a Knight among our number. + +Q. Your answer? A. Most Eminent, I now declare, in truth and +soberness, that I hold no enmity or hatred against a being on earth, +that I would not freely reconcile, should I find him in a +corresponding disposition. + +Q. What was the Grand Commander's reply? A. Pilgrim, the sentiments +you utter are worthy of the cause in which you are engaged; but still +we must require some stronger proofs of your faithfulness; the proofs +we demand are, that you participate with us in five libations; this +being accomplished, we will receive you a Knight among our number. + +Q. What were the ingredients of the libations? A. Four of them were +taken in wine and water, and the fifth in pure wine. + +Q. What was the first libation? A. To the memory of Solomon, King of +Israel. + +Q. What was the second libation? A. To the memory of Hiram, King of +Tyre. + +Q. What was the third? A. To the memory of Hiram, the widow's son, who +lost his life in defence of his integrity. + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then addressed me: "Pilgrim, +the Order to which you seek to unite yourself is founded on the +Christian religion; let us, then, attend to a lesson from the holy +evangelist." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then read a lesson +relative to the apostasy of Judas Iscariot. (See Templar's Chart.) + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then addressed me: "Pilgrim, +the twelve tapers you see around the triangle, correspond in number +with the disciples of our Saviour while on earth, one of whom fell by +transgression, and betrayed his Lord and Master; and as a constant +admonition to you always to persevere in the paths of honor, +integrity, and truth, and as a perpetual memorial of the apostasy of +Judas Iscariot, you are required by the rules of our Order to +extinguish one of those tapers; and let it ever remind you that he who +can basely violate his vow and betray his secret, is worthy of no +better fate than Judas Iscariot." (The candidate extinguishes one of +the tapers; the triangle is placed in the centre of the room, on which +are twelve burning candles; between each candle stick a glass of wine; +in the centre of the triangle is placed a coffin, on which are the +Bible, skull and cross-bones.) + +Q. What followed? A. The relics were then uncovered, and the Grand +Commander thus addressed me: "Pilgrim, you here behold an emblem of +mortality resting on divinity--a human skull resting on the Holy +Scriptures; it is to teach us that among all the trials and +vicissitudes which we are destined to endure while passing through the +pilgrimage of this life, a firm reliance on divine protection can +alone afford us the consolation and satisfaction which the world can +neither give nor take away." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then read a lesson to +me with respect to the bitter cup. + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander took the skull in his hand, +and pronounced the following soliloquy: "How striking is this emblem +of mortality, once animated, like us, but now it ceases to act or +think; its vital energies are extinct, and all the powers of life have +ceased their operations; and such, my brethren, is the state to which +we are all hastening; let us, therefore, gratefully improve the +remaining space of life, that when our weak and frail bodies, like +this memento, shall become cold and inanimate and mouldering in +sepulchral dust and ruins, our disembodied spirits may soar aloft to +the blessed regions, where dwell light and life eternal." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then read a lesson +relative to the crucifixion. (See Templar's Chart.) + +Q. What was the fourth libation? A. To the memory of Simon of Cyrene, +the early friend and disciple of our Saviour, who was compelled to +bear his cross, and fell a martyr to his fate. + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then addressed me: "Pilgrim, +before you can be permitted to participate in the fifth libation, we +must enjoin on you one year's penance as a trial of your faith and +humility, which you will perform under the direction of the Junior and +Senior Wardens, with the skull in one hand, and a lighted taper in the +other; which is to teach you that with faith and humility you should +cause your light so to shine before men, that they, seeing your good +works, may glorify our Father, which is in heaven." + +Q. What followed? A. I then commenced my tour of penance, and passed +in an humble posture through the sepulchre, where the fifth lesson was +read by the Senior Warden relative to the resurrection. (Here the +ascension of the Saviour is represented on canvas, which the candidate +is directed to look at: at the same time the Sir Knights sing a hymn.) +After the hymn, the Prelate speaks as follows: + + "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that + believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he be made alive; + and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Pilgrim, + the scene before you represents the splendid conclusion of the + hallowed sacrifice offered by the Redeemer of the world, to + propitiate the anger of an offended Deity. This sacred volume + informs us that our Saviour, after having suffered the pains of + death, descended into the place of departed spirits, and that on + the third day he burst the bands of death, triumphed over the + grave, and, in due time, ascended with transcendent majesty to + heaven, where he now sits on the right hand of our Heavenly + Father, a mediator and intercessor for all those who have faith in + Him. I now invest you with an emblem of that faith (at the same + time suspends from his neck a black cross): it is also an emblem + of our Order, which you will wear as a constant memorial, for you + to imitate the virtues of the immaculate Jesus, who died that you + might live. Pilgrim, the ceremonies in which you are now engaged + are calculated deeply to impress your mind, and I trust will have + a happy and lasting effect upon your character. You were first, as + a trial of your faith and humility, enjoined to perform seven + years of pilgrimage; it represents the great pilgrimage of life, + through which we are all passing; we are all weary pilgrims, + anxiously looking forward to that asylum, where we shall rest from + our labors, and be at rest forever. You were then directed, as a + trial of your courage and constancy, to perform seven years' + warfare; it represents to you the constant warfare with the lying + vanities and deceits of this world, in which it is necessary for + us always to be engaged. You are now performing a penance as a + trial of your humility. Of this our Lord and Saviour has left us a + bright example. For though he was the Eternal Son of God, he + humbled himself to be born of a woman, to endure the pains and + afflictions incident to human nature, and finally to suffer a + cruel and ignominious death upon the cross; it is also a trial of + that faith which will conduct you safely over the dark gulf of + everlasting death, and land your enfranchised spirit in the + peaceful abodes of the blessed. Pilgrim, keep ever in your memory + this awful truth; you know not how soon you may be called upon to + render an account to that Supreme Judge, from whom not even the + most minute action of your life is hidden; for although you now + stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride of beauty, + in a few short moments you may become a pale and lifeless corpse. + This moment, even while I yet speak, the angel of death may + receive the fatal mandate to strike you from the role of + existence; and the friends who now surround you may be called upon + to perform the last sad duty of laying you in the earth, a banquet + for worms, and this fair body become as the relic you now hold in + your hand. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of + sorrow; he cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as a + shadow and continueth not; in the midst of life we are in death; + of whom may we seek for succor but of Thee, O Lord, who for our + sins are justly displeased. Yet, O God most holy, thou God most + mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us from the + pains of eternal death. I heard a voice from heaven saying unto + me, write from henceforth, blessed are the dead that die in the + Lord; even so, saith the spirit, for they rest from their labors; + be ye also ready, and rest assured that a firm faith in the truths + here revealed will afford you consolation in the gloomy hour of + dissolution, and insure you ineffable and eternal happiness in the + world to come. Amen and amen." + +Q. Where did your tour of penance end? A. It has not yet ended; +neither can it end until this mortal shall put on immortality; for all +men err, and all error need repentance. + +Q. Were you then permitted to participate in the fifth libation? A. I +was. + +Q. Where? A. Within the asylum. + +Q. How gained you admittance there? A. After having passed my year of +penance, I returned to the door of the asylum, where, on giving the +alarm, the Warden appeared and demanded, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. Pilgrim penitent, traveling from afar, who begs +your permission here to rest, and at the shrine of our departed Lord +to offer up his prayers and meditations. + +Q. What was then demanded of you? A. What surety can he offer that he +is no impostor? + +Q. Your answer? A. The commendation of two true and courteous Knights, +the Junior and Senior Wardens. + +Q. What was then demanded of you? A. By what further right or benefit +I expected to gain admittance. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word. + +Q. Did you give that pass-word? A. I did not; my conductor gave it for +me. + +Q. Give it? A. Golgotha. (It is given as before described.) + +Q. What was then said to you? A. Wait with faith and humility, and +soon an answer shall be returned to your request. + +Q. What was the answer of the Grand Commander? A. That I should be +admitted. + +Q. What did the Grand Commander then demand? A. Who have you there in +charge, Sir Knight? + +Q. What answer was returned? A. A pilgrim penitent, traveling from +afar, who, having passed his term of penance, seeks now to participate +in the fifth libation, thereby to seal his fate. + +Q. What did the Grand Commander then observe? A. Pilgrim, in granting +your request and receiving you a Knight among our number, I can only +offer you a rough habit, coarse diet, and severe duties; if, on these +conditions, you are still desirous of enlisting under our banners, you +will advance and kneel at the base of the triangle. + +Q. What did the Grand Commander then observe? A. Pilgrim, the fifth +libation is taken in the most solemn and impressive manner; we cannot +be too often reminded that we are born to die; and the fifth libation +is an emblem of that bitter cup of death, of which we must all sooner +or later partake, and from which even the Saviour of the world, +notwithstanding his ardent prayers and solicitations, was not exempt. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. The Grand Commander asked me if I had +any repugnance to participate in the fifth libation. + +Q. Your answer? A. I am willing to conform to the requirements of the +Order. + +Q. What followed? A. I then took the cup (the upper part of the human +skull) in my hand, and repeated after the Grand Commander the +following obligation: + + "This pure wine I now take in testimony of my belief in the + mortality of the body and the immortality of the soul, and may + this libation appear as a witness against me, both here and + hereafter, and as the sins of the world were laid upon the head of + the Saviour, so may all the sins committed by the person whose + scull this was be heaped upon my head, in addition to my own, + should I ever knowingly or wilfully violate or transgress any + obligation that I have heretofore taken, take at this time, or + shall at any future period take, in relation to any degree of + Masonry, or Order of Knighthood. So help me God." + +Q. What was this obligation called? A. The sealed obligation. + +Q. Why so? A. Because any obligation entered into, or promise made in +reference to this obligation, is considered by Knight Templars as more +binding and serious than any other special obligation could be. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then read the sixth +lesson, relative to the election of Matthias. (See Chart.) + +Q. What followed? A. The Generalissimo thus addressed the Grand +Commander: "Most Eminent, by the extinguished taper on the triangle, I +perceive there is a vacancy in our Encampment, which I propose should +be filled by a choice from among those valiant Knights who have +sustained the trials and performed the ceremonies required by our +Order."[18] + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then ordered the lots to be +given forth, which being done, I was elected, and the Grand Commander +thus addressed me: "In testimony of your election as a companion among +us, and of your acceptance of that honor, you will relight that +extinguished taper; and may the Almighty lift upon you the light of +His countenance, and preserve you from falling." + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then directed me to kneel, +and said by virtue of the high power in me vested, as the successor +and representative of Hugh De Paganis, and Geoffrey, of St. Omers, I +now dub and create you Knight Templar, Knight of Malta, of the Holy +Order of St. John of Jerusalem. [This is repeated three times, at the +same time laying the blade of the sword first upon the right +shoulder, then upon the head, and then upon the left shoulder of the +candidate.] + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then presented me a sword, +and thus addressed me: "This sword in your hand, as a true and +courteous Knight, will be endowed with three most excellent qualities; +its hilt be justice impartial, its blade be fortitude undaunted, and +its point be mercy; and let it teach us this important lesson, that we +should ever be assured of the justice of the cause in which we draw +our swords, and being thus assured, we should persevere with the most +undaunted fortitude, and finally, having subdued our enemies, we +should consider them no longer such, but extend to them the most +glorious attribute of God's mercy." + +Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then communicated to me the +due-guard, the penitent's pass, and the grand sign, grip and word of +Knight Templars. + +Q. Give the due-guard? [The sign is given by placing the end of the +right thumb under the chin.] + +Q. To what does it allude? A. To the penalty of my obligation; to have +my head struck off and placed upon the highest spire in Christendom. + +Q. Give the penitent's pass? A. It is given as before described; the +word is Golgotha. + +Q. Give the grand sign. [This sign is given by placing yourself in a +situation representing the crucifixion of Christ.] + +Q. To what does this sign allude? A. To the manner in which the +Saviour expired upon the cross, and expiated the sins of the world. + +Q. Give the grip and word. [This grip is given by interlacing the +fingers of the right and left hands of the candidate, which forms a +cross.] + +Q. What is the word? A. Immanuel. [The word is given at the time of +giving the grip, and is the name of the grip.] + +Q. What does the grip teach us? A. That as our fingers are thus +strongly interlaced, so should the hearts of Knight Templars be firmly +interlaced in friendship and brotherly love. + +Q. What is the motto of our Order? A. Rex regum, et Dominus dominorum. + +Q. How do you translate it? A. King of kings, and Lord of Lords. + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARK, AND GUARDS OF THE CONCLAVE. + +This Conclave is governed by an Invincible Knight of the Order of St. +John of Jerusalem, a Senior and Junior Knight, six Grand Ministers, +Recorder, Treasurer, Conductor, and Guard. + +OPENING.--"Sir Junior Knight, are all convened in a secret place, and +secured from the prying eye of the profane?" + +"We are, Invincible." + +"Sir Senior Knight, instruct the Sir Knights to assemble in form for +the purpose of opening this Invincible Order." + +The members kneel on both knees in a circle, each with his right hand +on his heart, his left on his forehead. + + PRAYER.--"Eternal source of life, of light, and perfection, + Supreme God and Governor of all things, liberal dispenser of every + blessing! We adore and magnify Thy holy name for the many + blessings we have received from Thy hands, and acknowledge our + unworthiness to appear before Thee; but for the sake, and in the + name of Thy atoning Son, we approach Thee as lost and undone + children of wrath; but through the blood of sprinkling, and the + sanctification of the Holy Ghost, we come imploring a continuation + of Thy favors, for thou hast said, that he who cometh to Thee + through faith in the Son of Thy love, Thou wilt in no wise cast + out; therefore, at the foot of the cross we come, supplicating + pardon for our past offences, that they may be blotted out from + the book of Thy remembrance and be seen no more, and that the + remainder of our days may be spent as becometh the followers of + the Holy One of Israel; and graciously grant that love, harmony, + peace, and unity may reign in this Council; that one spirit may + animate us--one God reign over us--and one heaven receive us, + there to dwell in Thine adorable presence forever and ever. Amen." + +The Invincible Knight takes the Bible and waves it four times over his +head, saying, "Rex regnantium, et Dominus dominantium;" [that is, King +of kings, and Lord of Lords;] kisses it and passes it on his right; it +goes around until it comes again to the Invincible Knight, who opens +and reads, Matthew v. 3-12, 16. + +Always interlace the fingers of the left hand, draw your sword and +present it to the heart, and say, "Tammuz Touliumeth, I pronounce this +Convention opened in ample form. Let us repair to our several +stations, and strictly observe silence." + +PREPARATION.--The candidate is shown into the anti-chamber by the +conductor, who clothes him in a gown of brown stuff, and leads him to +the door of the Council chamber, where he knocks twice, six, and +two--2, 6, and 2. + +Junior Knight--"Some one knocks for admission, Invincible Knight." +Invincible--"See who it is and make report." J. K. (goes to the door +and reports)--"One that is faithful in good works wishes admission +here." Inv.--"What good works hath he performed?" J. K.--"He hath +given food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, and clothed the naked +with a garment." Inv.--"Thus far he hath done well; but there is still +much for him to do. To be faithful in my house, saith the Lord, he +should be filled with love for my people. If so, let him enter under +the penalties of his symbolic obligation." He enters, makes signs +until he arrives at the altar, there kneels. + + VOW.--"I, A. B., do promise and vow, with this same volume clasped + in my hands, that I will keep secret the words, signs, tokens, and + grips of this Order of Knighthood from all but those Knights of + St. John of Jerusalem, who have shown a Christian disposition to + their fellow-men, are professors of the Christian faith, and have + passed through the degrees of symbolic Masonry; and that I will + protect and support, as far as in me lies, the followers of the + Lord Jesus Christ; feed them, if hungry; give them drink, if + thirsty; if naked, clothe them with garments; teach them, if + ignorant; and advise them for their good and their advantage. All + this I promise in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the + Holy Ghost; and if I perform it not, LET ME BE ANATHEMA MARANATHA! + ANATHEMA MARANATHA!" [i.e., accursed at the coming of the Lord.] + +The Invincible Knight interlaces the fingers of his left hand with +those of the candidate, who lays his right hand on his heart. The +Invincible Knight draws his sword; the Senior Knight does the same; +they cross them on the back of the candidate's neck, and the +Invincible Knight says, "By virtue of the high power in me vested, by +a bull of HIS HOLINESS, POPE SYLVESTER, I dub you a Knight of the +Christian Mark, member of the Grand Council, and Guard of the Grand +Conclave." The Invincible Knight then whispers in his ear, "Tammuz +Touliumeth." The Knights come to order; the Senior Knight takes his +seat; the candidate continues standing; the conductor brings a white +robe; the Senior Knight says: + + "Thus saith the Lord, he that believeth and endureth to the end + shall overcome, and I will cause his iniquities to pass from him, + and he shall dwell in my presence forever and ever. Take away his + filthy garments from him, and clothe him with a change of raiment. + For he that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment, + and his name shall be written in the Book of Life, and I will + confess his name before my Father and his holy angels. He that + hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the + true believer. Set ye a fair mitre upon his head, place a palm in + his hand, for he shall go in and out and minister before me, saith + the Lord of hosts; and he shall be a disciple of that rod taken + from a branch of the stem of Jesse. For a branch has grown out of + his root, and the spirit of the Lord hath rested upon it; the + spirit of his wisdom, and might, and righteousness is the girdle + of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his vine, and he + stands as an insignia to the people, and him shall the Gentiles + seek, and his rest shall be glorious. Cause them that have charge + over the city to draw near, every one with the destroying weapon + in his hand." + +The six Grand Ministers came forward from the north with swords and +shields. The first is clothed in white, and has an ink-horn by his +side, and stands before the Invincible Knight, who says: + + "Go through the city: run in the midst thereof and smite: let not + thine eye spare, neither have pity; for they have not executed my + judgments with clean hands, saith the Lord or Hosts." + +The candidate is instructed to exclaim: + + "Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips, and my dwelling has + been In the tents of Kedar, and among the children of Meshec." + +Then he that has the ink-horn by his side, takes a live branch with +the tongs from the altar, and touches the lips of the candidate, and +says: + + "If ye believe, thine iniquities shall be taken away, thy sins + shall be purged. I will that these be clean with the branch that + shall be given up before me. All thy sins are removed, and thine + iniquities blotted out. For I have trodden the wine-press alone, + and with me was none of my people. For behold, I come with dyed + garments from Bozrah, mighty to save. Refuse not, therefore, to + hearken; draw not away thy shoulders; shut not thine ear, that + thou shouldest not hear." + +The six Ministers now proceed as if they were about to commence the +slaughter, when the Senior Knight says to him with the ink-horn: + + "Stay thine hand; proceed no further until thou hast set a mark on + those that are faithful in the house of the Lord, and trust in the + power of his might. Take ye the signet, and set a mark on the + forehead of my people that have passed through great tribulation, + and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood + of the Lamb, which was slain from the foundation of the world." + +The Minister takes the signet and presses it on the candidate's +forehead. He leaves the mark in red letters, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD +OF LORDS." The Minister opens the scroll and says, "Sir Invincible +Knight, the number of the sealed are one hundred and forty and four +thousand." The Invincible Knight strikes four, and all the Knights +stand before him. He says, "Salvation belongeth to our God, which +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." All the members fall on +their faces, and say "Amen. Blessing, honor, glory, wisdom, +thanksgiving, and power, might, majesty, and dominion, be unto our God +forever and ever. Amen." They all cast down crowns and palm branches, +and rise up and say, "Great and numberless are thy works, thou King of +saints. Behold the star which I laid before Joshua, on which is +engraved seven eyes, as the engraving of a signet, shall be set as a +seal on thine arm--as a seal on thine heart; for love is stronger than +death: many waters cannot quench it. If a man would give all the +treasures of his house for love, he cannot obtain it; it is the gift +of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord." + + CHARGE.--"Invincible Knight, I congratulate you on your having + been found worthy to be promoted to this honorable Order of + Knighthood. It is highly honorable to all those worthy Knights, + who with good faith and diligence, perform its many important + duties. The honorable situation to which you are now advanced, and + the illustrious office which you now fill is one that was much + desired by the first noblemen of Italy, but ambition and jealousy + caused his highness, Pope Alexander, to call on his ancient + friend, the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, + to guard his person and the Holy See, as those Knights were known + to be well grounded in the faith, and zealous followers of the + Lord. The members of the guard were chosen BY THEIR COUNTENANCES, + for it is believed that a plain countenance is an indication of + the heart; and that no stranger should gain admission and discover + the secrets of this august assembly, this Order of the Christian + Mark was conferred on those who went about doing good, and + following the example of their illustrious Master, Jesus Christ. + Go thou and do likewise. + +MOTTO.--"Christus regnat, vincit, triumphat;" [i.e., Christ rules, +conquers, triumphs.] Rex regnantium, et Dominus dominantium. + +Israel on the left breast, a triangular plate of gold, seven eyes +engraved on one side, on the other the letter G in the five points. + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHTS OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. + + HISTORY.--St. Helena, daughter of Caylus, King of Britain, consort + of Constantine, and mother of Constantine the Great, in the year + 296, made a journey to the Holy Land in search of the cross of + Jesus Christ. After leveling the hillocks and destroying the + temple of Venus, three crosses were discovered. It was now + difficult to discover which of the three was the one sought for by + her. By order of his Holiness, Pope Marcellinus, they were borne + to the bed of a woman who had long been visited by sickness, and + lay at the point of death; she placed her hands upon the second + cross first, which rendered her no service; but when she laid her + hand upon the third, she was restored to her former health. She + instantly arose, giving glory to God, saying, He was wounded for + our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the + chastisement of sin was upon him, and with his stripes we are + healed. On the spot where the crosses were found, St. Helena + erected a stately church, one hundred paces long and sixty wide; + the east end takes in the place where the crosses stood, and the + west of the sepulchre. By leveling the hills, the sepulchre is + above the floor of the church, like a grotto, which is twenty feet + from the floor to the top of the rock. There is a superb cupola + over the sepulchre, and in the aisles are the tombs of Godfrey and + Baldwin, kings of Jerusalem. In 302, St. Helena instituted the + Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord and Saviour, + Jesus Christ. This Order was confirmed in 304 by his Holiness, + Pope Marcellinus; they were bound by a sacred vow to guard the + Holy Sepulchre, protect pilgrims, and fight infidels and enemies + of the cross of Christ. The city of Jerusalem was rebuilt and + ornamented by Ælius Adrian, Emperor of Rome, and given to the + Christians in 120. The Persians took it from them in 637, and in + 1008 it fell into the hands of the Turks, under whose oppressions + it long groaned, until Peter the Holy steered the western princes + to release the distressed church, and in 1096 Godfrey and Baldwin + unfurled the banner of the cross and expelled the Turks. He was + invested with a crown of laurel, and suffered himself to be called + the King of Palestine. + +DESCRIPTION, ETC.--The Council must represent a Cathedral Church, the +altar covered with black, upon which must be placed three large +candles, a cross, and in the centre a skull and cross-bones. The +Principal stands on the right side of the altar, with a Bible in one +hand, and a staff in the other; soft music plays, and the veil is +drawn up, and discovers the altar; the choir say: + + Hush, hush, the heavenly choir, + They cleave the air in bright attire; + See, see, the lute each angel brings, + And hark divinely thus they sing. + + To the power divine, + All glory be given, + By man upon earth, + And angels in heaven. + +The priest steps before the altar and says, "Kyrie Elieson; Christe +Elieson; Kyrie Elieson; [that is, O Lord, have mercy; O Christ, have +mercy; O Lord, have mercy.] Amen. Gloria Sibi Domino! [i.e., Glory to +the Lord himself.] I declare this Grand Council opened and ready to +proceed to business." The Priests and Ministers take their several +stations and observe order. The candidates being prepared, he alarms +at the door by seven raps, and the Prelate says to Verger, "See the +cause of that alarm and report." Verger goes to the door and reports, +"Right Reverend Prelate, there are seven brethren who solicit +admission to this Grand Council." Prelate says, "On what is their +desire founded?" Verger--"On a true Christian principle, to serve the +church and its members by performing the seven corporeal works of +mercy, and to protect and guard the Holy Sepulchre from the destroying +hands of our enemies." Prelate--"Admit them, that we may know them, if +you please." They are then admitted. Prelate says to them, "Are you +followers of the Captain of our salvation?" Verger says, "We are, +Right Reverend Prelate." P.--"Attend, then, to the sayings of our +Master, Jesus Christ." Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy +heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and with all thy might. +This is the first great commandment, and the second is like unto it; +thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; on these two commandments +hang all the law and the prophets. The Verger and Beadle hold the +Bible, on which the candidates place their right hands. + + VOW.--"I, A. B., in the name of the high and undivided Trinity, do + promise and vow to keep and conceal the high mysteries of this + noble and Invincible Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, from + all but such as are ready and willing to serve the church of + Christ by acts of valor and charity, and its members by performing + all the corporeal works of mercy, and that, as far as in me lies, + I will defend the church of the Holy Sepulchre from pillage and + violence, and guard and protect pilgrims on their way to and from + the Holy Land; and if I perform not this, my vow, to the best of + my abilities, let me become INANIMATUS [dead]. + +Interlace your fingers with the candidate, cross your arms, and say, +"De mortuis, nil nisi bonum; [i.e., concerning the dead, say nothing +but good.] Prelate says, "Take the sword and travel onward--guard the +Holy Sepulchre--defeat our enemies--unfurl the banner of our +cross--protect the Roman Eagle--return to us with victory and safety." +The candidates depart, go to the south, where they meet a band of +Turks--a desperate conflict ensues--the Knights are victorious; they +seize the crescent, and return to the cathedral in triumph, and place +the banner, eagle, and crescent before the altar, and take their +seats. (22d chapter St. John read by Prelate.) Then the choir sing: + + "Creator of the radiant light, + Dividing day from sable night; + Who with the light bright origin, + The world's creation didst begin." + +Prelate then says, "Let our prayer come before Thee, and let our +exercise be acceptable in thy sight." The seven candidates kneel at +the foot of the altar. The Prelate takes the bread, and says, +"Brethren, eat ye all of this bread in love, that ye may learn to +support each other." He then takes the cup, and says, "Drink ye all of +this cup to ratify the vow that ye have made, and learn to sustain one +another." The Prelate then raises them up by the grip (interlace the +fingers), and says, "1st, Sir, I greet thee a Knight of the Holy +Sepulchre; go feed the hungry; 2d, Give drink to the thirsty; 3d, +Clothe the naked with a garment; 4th, Visit and ransom the captives; +5th, Harbor the harborless, give the orphan and widow where to lay +their heads; 6th, Visit and relieve the sick; 7th, Go and bury the +dead." All make crosses and say, "In nomini patria filio et spiritus +sancto. Amen." Prelate says, "Brethren, let us recommend to each other +the practice of the four cardinal virtues--prudence, justice, +temperance, fortitude." + +CLOSING.--The Knights all rise, stand in circle, interlace their +fingers, and say, "Sepulchrum." Prelate then says, "Gloria patri, et +filio, et spiritus sancto;" [i.e., Glory to the Father, Son, and Holy +Spirit.] Brethren answer, "Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper +et in secula seculorum; [i.e., As it was in the beginning, is now, and +shall be, world without end.] Amen." + + BENEDICTION.--"Blessed be thou, O Lord, our God! Great first cause + and Governor of all things; thou createst the world with thy + bountiful hand, and sustained it by thy wisdom, by thy goodness, + and by thy mercy! It cometh to pass that seed time and harvest + never fall! It is Thou that givest every good and perfect gift! + Blessed be thy name forever and ever!" + +To examine a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre; he holds up the first +finger of the right hand, Knight holds up the second; you then hold up +the third, and he shuts up his first; this signifies three persons in +one God. + + * * * * * + + +THE HOLY AND THRICE ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF THE CROSS, CALLED A COUNCIL. + + C F + M C + S C + A O P + +St. Albert, to every Knight Companion of the Holy and Thrice +Illustrious Order of the Cross: Be it known unto you, that with +regard to unquestionable vouchers, we have confirmed the Induction of +the Knight Templar Mason into the Councils of the said Order of +Knighthood, and herein do warrant him as a worthy and Illustrious +Companion, thereof; and hoping and confiding that he will ever so +demean himself as to conduct to the glory of I. H. S., the Most Holy +and Almighty God, and to the honor of his Mark, we do recommend and +submit him to the confidence of all those throughout the world, who +can truly and deservedly say, "I am a Christian;" and that no +unwarrantable benefits shall arise from this Diploma, and we charge +all concerned cautiously and prudently to mark the bearer on the +mystic letters therein contained, and to regard only the result, in +its application and privileges. + +Done out of Council, at ----, in the county of ----, and State of +----, on this ---- day of ----. + + Sir -------- + Sovereign Prefect. + + Sir -------- + Acting Pref. + + Commendations, + Sir Knights Comp'ns. + +The officers and council all in their places. The Most Illustrious +Prefect addresses the Most Worthy Provost thus: "Most Worshipful +Provost, what is the o'clock?" Most Worshipful Provost says, rising +and facing the east, at the same time raising his mark in his right +hand, "Most Illustrious Prefect, it is now the first hour of the day, +the time when our Lord suffered and the veil of the temple was rent +asunder, when darkness and consternation was spread over the earth, +when the confusion of the old covenant was made light in the new in +the temple of the cross. It is, Most Illustrious Prefect, the third +watch, when the implements of Masonry were broken--when the flame, +which led the wise men of the east, reappeared--when the cubic stone +was broken, and the word was given." Most Illustrious Prefect says to +Worthy Herald, "It is my will that this house of God be closed, and +the remembrance of those solemn and sacred events, be here +commemorated: make this; Worthy Herald, known to the Most Worshipful +Provost, in due and ancient form." The Worthy Herald bows and +approaches the Most Worshipful Provost, where he bows thrice, faces +about and gives a blast with his horn, and after the Knights have +filed out by threes without the door, except the worthy Senior +Inductor, he does his errand, viz.:--"Most Worshipful Provost, it is +the sovereign will of Count Albertus, of Pergamus, that this house of +God be closed, and that those solemn and sacred events in the new +covenant be here commemorated: you will observe this." The Worthy +Herald bows, and the Most Worshipful Provost rises and addresses the +Worthy Senior Inductor thus: "It is the will of the Most Illustrious +Prefect that here now be opened a Council of Knights of the Cross: +what therein becomes your duty?" Worthy Senior Inductor says, "To +receive the commands of my superiors in the order, and pay obedience +thereto--to conduct and instruct my ignorant pass-brethren; and to +revere, and inculcate reverence in others, for the Most Holy and +Almighty God." The Most Worshipful Provost rises fiercely and says, +"By what right do you claim this duty?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "By +the right of a sign, and the mark of a sign." Most Worshipful Provost +says, "Will you give me a sign?" Worthy Sen. "I could if I should." +The Most Worshipful Provost then partly extends both arms, pointing +downwards to an angle of 39°, with the palms open, and upwards, to +show they are not sullied with iniquity and oppression, and says, +"Worthy Sen. Inductor, you may give it." The Worthy Sen. Inductor then +looks him full in the face, and with his forefinger touches his right +temple, and lets fall his hand, and says, "This is a sign." Most +Worshipful Provost says, "A sign of what?" Worthy Senior Inductor +says, "Aye, a sign of what?" Most Worshipful Provost says, "A penal +sign." Worthy Senior Inductor says, "Your sign is ----." Most +Worshipf. Pro. says, "The last sign of my induction. But you have the +mark of a sign." Worthy S. Inductor says, "The sign whereof my mark is +a mark, I hope is in the Council above." Most Worshipf. Pro. says, +"But the mark ----." Worthy S. Inductor says, "Is in my bosom." +Thereupon he produces his mark in his left hand, and with the +forefinger of his right on the letter S, on the cross, asks, "What's +that?" Most Wor. Pro. says, "Lisha." Wor. Pro. puts his finger on the +letter H, and asks, "What is this?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "Sha." +Worthy S. Inductor then puts his finger on the letter I, and asks, +"What is this?" Most Worshipf. Pro. says, "Baal." "What, then, is your +mark?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "Baal, Sha-Lisha; ['Lord of the +three'] I am the Lord." The Most Worshipful Provost then says, "You +are my brother, and the duty is yours of ancient right; please +announce the Council open." The Worthy Senior Inductor steps to the +door and gives three raps, and is answered by some Knight from +without, who is then admitted, and the Worthy S. Inductor gives the +CONDITIONAL sign (which is by partly extending both arms, as before +described), the Knight answering by putting his finger to his right +temple, as before. The Worthy S. Inductor then addresses the chair, +thus:--"Most Illustrious Prefect, a professing brother is within the +Council by virtue of a sign." Most Illustrious Prefect says to Worthy +Herald, "Go to this professing brother, and see him marked before the +chair of the Most Worshipful Provost; conduct him thither, Worthy +Herald." The Worthy Herald says to the Knight, "Worthy Sir, know you +the sacred cross of our Council?" Knight says, "I am a Christian." The +Worthy Herald then says, "Follow me." When arrived before the Most +Wor. Pro. the Worthy Herald says, "Most Worthy Provost, by order of +the Most Illustrious Prefect, I here bring you to be marked a +professing brother of the cross." The Most Worthy Provost says, +"Worthy Sir, know you the cross of our Council; and can you, without +fear or favor, support and bear that cross?" Knight says, "I am a +Christian." The Most Worthy Provost says. "Worthy Sir, know you the +cross of our Council; and can you, without fear or favor, support and +bear that cross?" Knight says, "I am a Christian." The Most Worthy +Provost says, "No more." + + * * * * * + + +THE OBLIGATIONS OF THRICE ILLUSTRIOUS KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS. + + FIRST OBLIGATION.--You, Mr. ----, do now, by your honor, and in + view of the power and union of the Thrice Illustrious Order of the + Cross, now first made known to you, and in the dread presence of + the Most Holy and Almighty God, solemnly and sincerely swear and + declare, that, to the end of your life, you will not, either in + consideration of gain, interest, or honor, nor with good or bad + design, ever take any, the least, step or measure, or be + instrumental in any such object, to betray or communicate to any + person, or being, or number of the same, in the known world, not + thereto of cross and craft entitled, any secret or secrets, or + ceremony or ceremonies, or any part thereof appertaining to the + order and degree known among Masons as the Thrice Illustrious + Order of the Cross. That you will not, at any time or times + whatever, either now or hereafter, directly or indirectly, by + letter, figure, or character, however or by whoever made, ever + communicate any of the information and secret mysteries heretofore + alluded to. That you will never speak on or upon, or breathe high + or low, any ceremony or secret appertaining thereto, out of + Council, where there shall not be two or more Knights companions + of the order present, besides yourself, and that in a safe and + sure place, whereby any opinion, even of the nature and general + principles of the institution, can be formed by any other person, + be he Mason or otherwise, than a true Knight companion of the + cross; nothing herein going to interfere with the prudent practice + of the duties enjoined by the order, or arrangement for their + enforcement. + + 2.--You further swear, that, should you know another to violate + any essential part of this obligation, you will use your most + decided endeavors, by the blessing of God, to bring such person to + the strictest and most condign punishment, agreeably to the rules + and usages of our ancient fraternity; and this by pointing him out + to the world as an unworthy vagabond; by opposing his interest, by + deranging his business, by transferring his character after him + wherever he may go, and by exposing him to the contempt of the + whole fraternity and the world, but of our illustrious order more + especially, during his whole natural life: nothing herein going to + prevent yourself, or any other, when elected to the dignity of + Thrice Illustrious, from retaining the ritual of the order, if + prudence and caution appear to be the governing principle in so + retaining it, such dignity authorizing the elected to be governed + by no rule but the dictates of his own judgment, in regard to what + will best conduce to the interest of the order; but that he be + responsible for the character of those whom he may induct, and for + the concealment of the said ritual. + + 3.--Should any Thrice Illustrious Knight or acting officer of any + council which may have them in hand, ever require your aid in any + emergency in defence of the recovery of his said charge, you swear + cheerfully to exercise all assistance in his favor, which the + nature of the time and place will admit, even to the sacrifice of + life, liberty, and property. To all, and every part thereof, we + then bind you, and by ancient usage you bind yourself, under the + no less infamous penalty than dying the death of a traitor, by + having a spear, or other sharp instrument, like as our divine + Master, thrust in your left side, bearing testimony, even in + death, of the power and justice of the mark of the holy cross. + + + SECOND OBLIGATION.--Mr. ----, before you can be admitted to the + light and benefit of this Thrice Illustrious order, it becomes my + duty, by ancient usage, to propose to you certain questions, not a + thing vainly ceremonial; but the companions will expect true + answers: they will concern your past life, and resolutions for the + future. Have you given me without evasion or addition, your + baptismal and family names, and those of your parents, your true + age as far as within your knowledge; where you were educated; + where you were born, and also where was your last place of + residence? or have you not? "I have." It is well. + + 2d.--Were your parents free and not slaves? had they right and + title in the soil of the earth? were they devoted to the religion + of the cross, and did they so educate their family? have you + searched the spiritual claims of that religion on your gratitude + and your affections? and have you continued steadfast in that + faith from choice and a conviction of your duty to heaven, or from + education? "From duty and choice." This also is right. + + 3d.--Have you ever up to this time lived according to the + principles of that religion, by acting upon the square of virtue + with all men, nor defrauding any, nor defamed the good name of + any, nor indulged sensual appetites unreasonably, but more + especially to the dishonor of the matrimonial tie, nor extorted + on, or oppressed the poor. "I have not been guilty of these + things." You have then entitled yourself to our highest + confidence, by obeying the injunctions of our Thrice Illustrious + Prefect in Heaven, "of doing to all men even as you would that + they should do unto you." Mr. ----, can you so continue to act, + that yearly on the anniversary of St. Albert, you can solemnly + swear for the past season you have not been guilty of the crimes + enumerated in these questions? "By the help of God I can." Be it + so, then, that annually, on the anniversary of St. Albert you + swear to these great questions; and the confidence of the Knights + Companions of the order in you, rests on your being able so to do. + + 4th.--For the future, then, you promise to be a good man, and to + be governed by the moral laws of God and the rules of the order, + in always dealing openly, honorably, and above deceit, especially + with the Knights companions of the order? "I do." + + 5th.--You promise so to act with all mankind, but especially with + the fraternity, as that you shall never be justly called a bad + paymaster, ungrateful, a liar, a rake, or a libertine, a man + careless in the business of your vocation, a drunkard, or a + tyrant? "I do." + + 6th.--You promise to lead a life so upright and just in relation + to all mankind as you are capable of, but in matters of difference + to preserve the interest of a companion of the order; of a + companion's friend for whom he pleads, to any mere man of the + word? "I do." + + 7th.--You promise never to engage in mean party strife, nor + conspiracies against the government or religion of your country, + whereby your reputation may suffer, nor ever to associate with + dishonorable men even for a moment, except it be to secure the + interest of such person, his family or friends, to a companion, + whose necessities require this degradation at your hands? "I do." + + 8th.--You promise to act honorably in all matters of office or + vocation, even to the value of the one-third part of a Roman + penny, and never to take any advantage therein unworthy the best + countenance of your companions, and this, that they shall not, by + your unworthiness, be brought into disrepute? "I do." + + + THIRD OBLIGATION.--I do now, by the hopes and power of the mark of + the Holy and Illustrious Order of the Cross, which I do now hold + to Heaven in my right hand as the earnest of my faith, and in the + dread presence of the most holy and Almighty God, solemnly swear + and declare that I do hereby accept of, and forever will consider + the cross and mark of this order as my only hope: that I will make + it the test of faith and fellowship; and that I will effect its + objects and defend its mysteries to the end of my days, with my + life and with my property--and first, that in the state of + collision and misunderstanding impiously existing among the + princes and pilgrims, defenders and champions of the Holy Cross of + Jesus our Lord, now assembled in the land and city of their peace, + and considering that the glory of the Most High requires the + greatest and strictest unanimity of measures and arms, the most + sacred union of sentiment and brotherly love in the soldiers who + there thus devote themselves to his cause and banner, I swear + strictly to dedicate myself, my life, and my property forever + hereafter to his holy name and the purposes of our mark, and to + the best interest of all those who thus with me become Knights of + the Cross: I swear forever to give myself to this holy and + illustrious order, confiding fully and unreservedly in the purity + of their morals and the ardor of their pious enthusiasm, for the + recovery of the land of their fathers, and the blessed clime of + our Lord's sufferings, and never to renounce the mark of the order + nor the claims and welfare of my brethren. + + 2d.--And that the holy and pious enthusiasm of my brethren may not + have slander or disgrace at my hands, or the order be injured by + my unworthiness, I swear forever to renounce tyranny and + oppression in my own person and place, whatever it may be, and to + stand forth against it in others, whether public or private; to + become the champion of the cross, to observe the common good; be + the protector of the poor and unfortunate; and ever to observe the + common rights of human nature without encroachment, or permitting + encroachment thereon, if in my power to prevent or lessen it. I + will, moreover, act in subordination to the laws of my country, + and never countenance any change in the government under which I + live, without good and answerable reasons for so doing, that + ancient usages and immemorial customs be not overturned. + + 3d.--I swear to venerate the mark as the wisdom and decree of + Heaven, to unite our hands and hearts in the work of the holy + crusade, and as an encouragement to act with zeal and efficacy; + and I swear to consider its testimonies as the true and only + proper test of an illustrious brother of the cross. + + 4th.--I swear to wear the mark of this order, without any the + least addition, except what I shall be legally entitled to by + INDUCTION, forever, if not without the physical means of doing so, + or it being contrary to propriety; and even then, if possible, to + wear the holy cross; and I swear to put a chief dependence for the + said worthy and pious objects therein. + + 5th.--I swear to put confidence unlimited in every illustrious + brother of the cross, as a true and worthy follower of the blessed + Jesus, who has sought this land, not for private good, but pity, + and the glory of the religion of the Most High and Holy God. + + 6th.--I swear never to permit my political principles nor personal + interest to come counter to his, if forbearance and brotherly + kindness can operate to prevent it; and never to meet him if I + know it, in war or in peace, under such circumstances that I may + not, in justice to myself, my cross, and my country wish him + unqualified success; and if perchance it should happen without my + knowledge, on being informed thereof, that I will use my best + endeavors to satisfy him, even to the relinquishing my arms and + purpose. I will never shed a brother's blood nor thwart his good + fortune, knowing him to be such, nor see it done by others if in + my power to prevent it. + + 7th.--I swear to advance my brother's best interest, by always + supporting his military fame and political preferment in + opposition to another; and by employing his arms or his aid in his + vocation, under all circumstances where I shall not suffer more by + so doing, than he, by my neglecting to do so, but this never to + the sacrifice of any vital interest in our holy religion, or in + the welfare of my country. + + 8th.--I swear to look on his enemies as my enemies, his friends as + my friends, and stand forth to mete out tender kindness or + vengeance accordingly; but never to intrude on his social or + domestic relations to his hurt or dishonor, by claiming his + privileges, or by debauching or defaming his female relations or + friends. + + 9th.--I swear never to see calmly nor without earnest desires and + decided measures to prevent the ill-treatment, slander, or + defamation, of any brother knight, nor ever to view danger or the + least shadow of injury about to fall on his head, without well and + truly informing him thereof; and, if in my power to prevent it, + never to fail, by my sword or counsel, to defend his welfare and + good name. + + 10th.--I do swear never to prosecute a brother before those who + know not our order, till the remonstrance of a council shall be + inadequate to do me justice. + + 11th.--I swear to keep sacred my brother's secrets, both when + delivered to me as such, and when the nature of the information is + such as to require secrecy for his welfare. + + 12th.--I swear to hold myself bound to him, especially in + affliction and adversity, to contribute to his necessities my + prayers, my influence, and my purse. + + 13th.--I swear to be under the control of my council, or, if + belonging to none, to that which is nearest to me, and never to + demur to, or complain at, any decree concerning me, which my + brethren, as a council, shall conceive me to deserve, and enforce + on my head, to my hurt and dishonor. + + 14th.--I swear to obey all summons sent from any council to me, or + from any Most Illustrious Knight, whether Illustrious Counsellor + for the time being, or by INDUCTION, and to be governed by the + constitution, usages, and customs of the order without variation + or change. + + 15th.--I swear never to see nor permit more than two candidates, + who, with the Senior Inductor, will make three, to be advanced, at + the same time, in any council where I shall be; nor shall any + candidate, by suffrage, be inducted without a unanimous vote of + the illustrious brethren in council; nor shall any council advance + any member, there not being three illustrious Knights, or one Most + Illustrious and four Illustrious Knights of the Cross present, + which latter may be substituted by Most Illustrious Induction; nor + yet where there shall not be a full and proper mark of the order, + such as usage has adopted to our altar, of metal, or other durable + and worthy material, contained within the apartment of council, as + also the Holy Bible; nor will I ever see a council opened for + business, without the ceremony of testing the mark, exercised on + the character of every brother, prayers, and the reading of the + 35th Psalm of David; nor will I ever see, consent to, or + countenance, more than two persons of the same business or calling + in life, to belong to, or be inducted and advanced in any one + council of which I am a member, at the same time; nothing therein + going to exclude members from other parts of the country, or from + foreign parts, from joining us, if they consent formally and truly + to stand in deference and defence, first, of their special + BAR-BRETHREN in the council, nor to prevent advancements to fill + vacancies, occasioned by death or removal. To all this, and every + part thereof, I do now, as before, by the honor and power of the + mark, as by an honorable and awful oath, which confirmeth all + things in the dread presence of the Most Holy and Almighty God, + solemnly and in truth, bind and obligate my soul; and in the + earthly penalties, to wit, that, for the violation of the least + matter or particle of any of the here taken obligations, I become + the silent and mute subject of the displeasure of the Illustrious + Order, and have their power and wrath turned on my head, to my + destruction and dishonor, which, like the NAIL OF JAEL, may be the + sure end of an unworthy wretch, by piercing my temples with a true + sense of my ingratitude--and for a breach of silence in case of + such an unhappy event, that I shall die the infamous death of a + traitor, by having a spear, or other sharp weapon, like as my + Lord, thrust in my left side--bearing testimony, even in death, of + the power of the mark of the Holy and Illustrious Cross, before I. + H. S., our thrice Illustrious Counsellor in Heaven, the Grand + Council of the good. To this I swear. + + * * * * * + + +THE LODGE OF PERFECTION: COMPRISING THE ELEVEN INEFFABLE DEGREES OF +MASONRY. + + In these several degrees some name of God is used, as the + distinguishing word. Each name, however, is only a mode of + pronouncing the Hebrew word Jehovah. The later Jews have a + superstitious fear of pronouncing that name. Whenever it occurs in + the Hebrew Text, they substitute the word Adonai in its place. To + those who read the original language of the Old Testament, it is + known, that while the consonants of the Hebrew word remain, the + vowel points may be so changed as to afford several different + pronunciations. In the different degrees of Ineffable Masonry, the + four consonants (Jod, He, Vau, He) of the name Jehovah are + differently pointed, so as to furnish a word for each degree. In + the degree of Perfection, the candidate is sworn not to pronounce + the word but once during his life, hence it is termed INEFFABLE, + or unutterable. The ordinary mode of giving it in that degree + consists in simply repeating the names of its letters, "Jod, He, + Vau, He." On receiving that degree, the candidate is told that he + is to become acquainted with the true pronunciation of the + ineffable name of God, as it was revealed to Enoch. He is then + taught to pronounce the word "Ya-ho"--sounding the _a_ like _a_ in + wall. When written in Masonic manuscripts, this word is spelled + "Ja-hoh." + + * * * * * + + +SECRET MASTER. + +OPENING.--The Master strikes five. At this signal the Grand Marshal +rises, and the Master addresses him: Master. Your place in the Lodge? +Answer: In the North, Most Powerful. + +M. Your business there? A. To see that the Sanctum Sanctorum is duly +guarded. + +M. Please to attend to your duty, and inform the guards that we are +about to open a Lodge of Secret Masters by the MYSTERIOUS NUMBER. A. +It is done. + +M. How are we guarded? A. By seven Secret Masters stationed before the +veil of the Sanctum Sanctorum. + +The Master strikes six. The Inspector rises. Master. Brother Adoniram, +are you a Secret Master? Inspector. I have passed from the square to +the compass. + +M. What is the hour? I. The dawn of day has driven away darkness, and +the great light begins to shine in this Lodge. + +The Master strikes seven. The brethren rise. Master. If the great +light is the token of the dawn of day, and we are all Secret Masters, +it is time to begin our labors; give notice that I am about to open a +Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number. The Inspector obeys. +The signs of the degrees from Entered Apprentice to Royal Arch, +inclusive, are given with that of silence, which belongs to this +degree. The Master places the two forefingers of his right hand on his +lips. This is answered by the brethren with the two forefingers of the +left. All clap hands seven times. + +M. I declare this Lodge of Secret Masters open, and in order for +business. Brother Grand Marshal, please to inform the guards. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--What did you see in the Sanctum Sanctorum +when the thick veil was removed? Answer--I saw the great circle, in +which was enclosed the blazing star, which filled me with awe and +reverence. + +Q. What do the Hebrew characters in the triangle signify? A. Something +above my knowledge, which I cannot pronounce. + +Q. What word did those Hebrew characters compose? A. The ineffable +name of the Great Architect of the Universe. + +Q. To whom was that name revealed? A. To Moses; he received the +pronunciation thereof from the Almighty on the mount, when he appeared +to him, and by a law of Moses it was forbidden ever to be pronounced +unless in a certain manner, so that in process of time the true +pronunciation was lost. + +Q. What more did you perceive? A. Nine other words. + +Q. Where were they placed? A. In the nine beams of the blazing +luminary. + +Q. What did they signify? A. The nine names which God gave himself +when speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the promise that his +posterity should one day discover his real name. + +Q. Give them to me, with their significations? A. "Eloah," The Strong. +"Hayah," He is. "Shaddai," The Almighty. "Elyon," The Most High. +"Adonai," The Lord. "Ahad Kodesh," The Holy One. "Riba," The Mighty. +"Mahar," Merciful. "Eloham," Merciful God. + +Q. What doth the circle which surrounds the delta signify? A. The +eternity of the power of God, which hath neither beginning nor end. + +Q. What doth the blazing star denote? A. That light which should guide +us to the Divine Providence. + +Q. What is signified by the letter G in the centre of the blazing +star? A. Glory, Grandeur and Gomez, or Gibber Hodihu. + +Q. What is meant by these? A. By Glory is meant God, by Grandeur, man +who may be great by perfection; and Gibber Hodihu, is a Hebrew word +signifying thanks to God. It is said to have been the first word +spoken by the first man. + +Q. What else did you see in the Sanctum Sanctorum? A. The ark of +alliance or covenant. + +Q. Where was the ark of alliance placed? A. In the west end of the +Sanctum Sanctorum, under the blazing star. + +Q. What did the ark with the blazing star represent? A. As the ark was +the emblem of the alliance which God had made with his people, so is +the circle which surrounds the delta in the blazing star, the emblem +of the alliance of Brother Masons. + +Q. Of what form was the ark? A. A solid oblong square. + +Q. Of what was it made? A. Of shittim wood covered within and without +with pure gold, surmounted with a golden crown and two cherubims of +gold. + +Q. What was the covering of the ark called? A. Propitiatory. + +Q. Why so? A. Because God's anger was there appeased. + +Q. What did the ark contain? A. The tables of the law which God gave +to Moses. + +Q. Of what were they made? A. Of white marble. + +Q. Who constructed the ark? A. Bezeleel of the Tribe of Judah, and +Aholiab of the Tribe of Dan, who were filled with the spirit of God in +wisdom and understanding, and in knowledge and in all manner of +workmanship. + +Q. What was the name of the Sanctum Sanctorum in Hebrew? A. "Dabir." + +Q. What does the word signify? A. Speech. + +Q. Why was it so called? A. Because the Divinity resided there in a +peculiar manner, and delivered his oracles. + +Q. How many doors were there in the Sanctum Sanctorum? A. Only one on +the east side called "Zizon," or Balustrade. It was covered with +hangings of purple, scarlet, blue, and fine twined linen of cunning +work, embroidered with cherubims, and suspended from four columns. + +Q. What did these columns represent? A. The four cardinal points. + +Q. Your duty as a Secret Mason? A. To guard the Sanctum Sanctorum, and +sacred furniture of the holy place. + +Q. What was that furniture? A. The altar of incense, the two tables of +shew-bread, and the golden candlesticks. + +Q. How were they placed? A. The altar of incense stood nearest the +Sanctum Sanctorum, and the tables and candlesticks were placed five on +the north and five on the south side of the holy place. + +Q. What is meant by the EYE in our Lodge? A. That Secret Masters +should keep a careful watch over the conduct of the craft in general. + +Q. What is your age? A. Three times 27, and accomplished 81. + + * * * * * + + +CLOSING A LODGE OF SECRET MASTERS.--The Master strikes five.--The +Grand Marshal rises. + +Master. Brother Grand Marshal, what is the last as well as the first +care of a Lodge of Secret Masters? Answer. To see that the Sanctum +Sanctorum is duly guarded. + +Master. Please attend to your duty, and inform the guards that we are +about to close this Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number. +The Grand Marshal obeys, and repeats, "It is done, Most Powerful." +Master strikes six.--Adoniram rises. + +Master. Brother Adoniram, what is the hour? Answer. The end of day. + +Master. What remains to do? Adoniram--To practice virtue, fly from +vice, and remain in silence. + +Master. Since there remains nothing to do but to practice virtue and +fly vice, let us enter again into silence, that the will of God may be +accomplished. The signs are given, and seven blows struck as at +opening. + +Master. I declare this Lodge duly closed. + + * * * * * + + +DEGREE OF PERFECT MASTER. + +OPENING.--Right Worshipful and Respectable Master strikes two, upon +which Grand Marshal rises, and Master says, "Brother Grand Marshal, +are we all Perfect Masters?" Answer--We are, Right Worshipful and +Respectable. + +Q. Your place in the Lodge? A. In the North, Right Worshipful and +Respectable. + +Q. Your business there? A. To see that the Lodge is duly tyled. + +Q. Please to attend to your duty and inform the Tyler that we are +about to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters. (Grand Marshal reports.) +Right Worshipful and Respectable Master knocks three, upon which the +Warden and the Master of Ceremonies in the South rise. Master says, +"Brother Stokin, are you a Perfect Master?" Answer--I have seen the +tomb of our respectable Master, Hiram Abiff, and have in company with +my brethren shed tears at the same. + +Q. What is the hour? A. It is four. + +Master then knocks four, upon which all the brethren rise. Master +says, "If it is four, it is time to set the workmen to labor. Give +notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters by four +times four." (Senior Warden reports to brethren.) Signs given of +former degrees, together with those of this degree. Master knocks +four, Stokin four, Master of Ceremonies four, and Grand Marshal +four--then all the brethren strike four times four with their hands. +Then Master declares the Lodge open, and orders the Marshal to inform +the Tyler. + +RECEPTION.--The candidate has a green cord put 'round his neck and is +led by the Master of Ceremonies to the door, who knocks four, which is +repeated by the Warden and answered by the Master. The Senior Warden +says, "While the craft are engaged in lamenting the death of our Grand +Master, Hiram Abiff," an alarm is heard at the inner door of the +Lodge. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Perfect Master? Answer--I have seen the +tomb of Hiram Abiff, and have in company with my brethren, shed tears +at the same. + +Q. How were you prepared to be a Perfect Master? Answer--A sprig of +cassia was placed in my left hand, and a green cord about my neck. + +Q. Why was the sprig of cassia placed in the left hand? A. That I +might deposit it in the grave of Hiram Abiff. + +Q. Why was a rope of green color put 'round your neck? A. Because the +body of Hiram Abiff was lowered into the grave by the brethren, at his +second interment, by a rope of that color. There is another reason, to +signify thereby that a Perfect Master by flourishing in virtue, might +hope for immortality. + +Q. How did you gain admission? A. By four distinct knocks. + +Q. What did they denote? A. Life, virtue, death, and immortality. + +Q. How were they answered? A. By four from within. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A Secret Master who is well qualified, etc. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was then asked by what further +right, etc. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the right, etc. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. Wait until the Right Worshipful and +Respectable Master has been informed of your request and his answer +returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Introduce him in due and ancient form. + +Q. What was that form? A. I was conducted to the West by the Master of +Ceremonies and interrogated by the Master, "What is your request?" + +Q. Your answer? A. To receive the degree of Perfect Master. + +Q. What was then said to you by the Master? A. Before you can be +admitted to this privilege, it will be necessary for you to join the +funeral procession of Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What followed? A. I joined in the procession, which moved four +times 'round the Lodge, the brethren singing a funeral ode; when we +arrived at the grave, the procession moved in an inverted order--the +coffin was lowered with a green rope, and the sprigs of cassia thrown +into the grave. + +Q. What followed? A. The Master resumed his station, and the +procession moved to the east. + +Q. What followed? A. When he directed the Grand Marshal to inform King +Solomon that the tomb of Hiram Abiff was completed, and request him to +examine the same. + +Q. What followed? A. Solomon entered and proceeded with the procession +to the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and having examined the same and read the +inscription J. M. B., he made a sign of admiration, and said in the +joy of his heart, "It is accomplished and complete;" the brethren all +making the same sign. + +Q. What followed? A. The brethren resumed their places, and the Master +directed the Master of Ceremonies to cause me to approach the east by +four times four steps from the compass extended from an angle of +seven to that of sixty degrees, and take the obligation of a Perfect +Master. + +Q. Repeat that obligation. A. OBLIGATION.--"1st point, Secrecy. 2d. +Obey orders and decrees of Council of Princes of Jerusalem, under +penalty of all the former degrees; also, under penalty of being +smitten on the right temple with a common gavel or setting maul. So +help," etc. + +Q. What did the Master then communicate to you? A. He said, "It is my +desire to draw you," etc., and then gave me the signs, words, tokens +and history of this degree. + +Q. Give me the signs. A. 1st sign--Place the palm of the right hand on +the right temple, at the same time stepping back with the right foot, +then bring up the right foot to its first position and let the right +arm fall perpendicularly on the right side (alluding to the penalty). +Second sign is that of admiration.--Raise the hands and eyes to +heaven, let the arms fall crossed upon the belly, looking downwards. + +Q. Give me the pass-word. A. (Accassia.) + +Q. To what does the word allude, etc. Give me the token and mysterious +word. A. Token is that of the Mark Master, given on the five points of +fellowship; the mysterious word Jeva (pronounced Je-vau). + +Q. What was then done? A. The Master invested me with the jewel and +apron of this degree, and informed me that my jewel was designed to +remind me, that, as a perfect Master, I should measure my conduct by +the exact rule of equity. + +Q. Give me the history of this degree. A. After the body of Hiram +Abiff had been found, Solomon, pleased with having an opportunity of +paying a tribute of respect to the memory of so great and good a man, +ordered the noble Adoniram, his Grand Inspector, to make the suitable +arrangements for his interment; the brethren were ordered to attend +with white aprons and gloves, and he forbade that the marks of blood +which had been spilled in the temple, should be effaced until the +assassins had been punished. In the meantime, Adoniram furnished a +plan for a superb tomb and obelisk of white and black marble, which +were finished in nine days. The tomb was entered by passing between +two pillars, supporting a square stone surrounded by three circles; on +the stone was engraved the letter J. On the tomb, was a device +representing a virgin, etc. (as in third degree). The heart of Hiram +Abiff was enclosed in a golden urn, which was pierced with a sword to +denote the desire of the brethren to punish the assassins. A +triangular stone was affixed to the side of the urn, and on it were +the letters J. M. B., surrounded by a wreath of cassia. This urn was +placed on the top of the obelisk which was erected on the tomb. Three +days after the interment, Solomon repaired with his court to the +temple, and all the brethren being arranged as at the funeral, he +directed his prayer to heaven, examined the tomb and the inscription +on the urn: struck with admiration, he raised his hands and eyes to +heaven, and said in the joy of his heart, "It is accomplished and +complete." + +Q. Where was this monument situated? A. Near the west end of the +temple. + +Q. What is meant by the letter J. on the square stone? A. Jeva. The +ineffable name as known by us. + +Q. What is meant by the letters J. M. B. on the triangular stone? A. +They are the initials of the three Hebrew words, Joshagn, Mawkoms, +Bawheer--signifying "the elect sleeps in his place." + +Q. What is signified by the pyramids in the Lodge? A. Pyramids were +used by our Egyptian brethren, for Masonic purposes. Being built on +rocks, they shadow forth the durability of Masonry. Their bases were +four-cornered, their external surfaces equilateral triangles, pointing +to the four cardinal points. The pyramidical form is also intended to +remind us of our mortality. Its broad base represents the +commencement, and its termination in a point, the end of human life. + +CLOSING.--Master strikes two.--Marshal rises. Master says, "The last +as well as the first care," etc., as in opening. + + * * * * * + + +INTIMATE SECRETARY. + +OPENING.--Most Illustrious Master knocks nine.--Marshal rises. + +Master says, "Are we all Intimate Secretaries?" Answer--We are, Most +Illustrious. + +Q. Your place? A. In the anti-chamber at the head of the guards. + +Q. Your business there? A. To see that the hall of audience is duly +guarded. + +Q. How are we guarded? A. By Perfect Masters. + +The Most Illustrious says, "I appoint Brother ----, Lieutenant of the +Guards, to aid you in the execution of your duty. Repair to your +station and see that none approach without permission." The guards +then fall on their right knees, cross their hands in such a manner +that their thumbs touch their temples, and repeat in a low voice, Jeva +(pron. Je-vau), thrice, and then retire. Solomon then strikes twice +nine, upon which Hiram rises; they make signs of former degrees with +twenty signs of this degree. Most Illustrious strikes three times nine +and declares Lodge open. A triple triangle is placed on a Bible. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you an intimate Secretary? Answer--I am. + +Q. How were you received? A. By curiosity. + +Q. Explain that. A. Being placed among the guards in the anti-chamber, +a brother, representing the King of Tyre, hastily made his way through +the guards, with a countenance expressive of anger, and entered the +hall of audience, leaving the door partly open; curiosity led me to +the door to observe what passed within. + +Q. Was you perceived by them? A. I was. Hiram, King of Tyre, hearing +the noise I made, suddenly turned his head and discovered me. He +exclaimed to Solomon, "My brother, there is a listener." Solomon +replied, "It is impossible, since the guards are without." + +Q. What followed? A. Hiram, without replying, rushed to the door, and +dragging me into the Lodge, exclaimed, "Here he is." Solomon inquired, +"What shall we do with him?" Hiram laid his hand on his sword, and +answered, "Let him be delivered into the custody of the guards, that +we may determine what punishment we shall inflict upon him, for this +offence." Solomon then struck on the table which stood before him, +whereupon the guards entered, and saluting the Lodge, received this +order from him: "Take this prisoner, secure him, and let him be +forthcoming when called for." + +Q. Were those Guards Intimate Secretaries or Perfect Masters? A. Of +that I was then ignorant, but I am now convinced that I was the first +that was made an Intimate Secretary. + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted out of the hall of audience, and +detained in the custody of the guards, until a second alarm from +within caused them to return with me into the hall; when, the guards +taking their seats around me, I was thus addressed by Solomon: "I +have, by my entreaties, prevailed upon my worthy ally, Hiram, King of +Tyre, whom your vain curiosity had offended, to pardon you, and +receive you into favor, etc.; are you willing to take an obligation to +that effect?" which question I answered in the affirmative, and then +received at the altar the obligation of this degree. + +Q. Repeat the obligation (same as Perfect Master). A. Under penalty of +having my body quartered. So help me, etc. + +Q. What did the Master then communicate to you? A. He addressed me +thus: "My brother, I receive you an Intimate Secretary, on your having +promised to be faithful," etc., and then gave me the signs, words, and +tokens of this degree. + +Q. Give me the signs? A. The first alludes to the penalty made by +clenching the right hand, and drawing it from the left shoulder to the +right hip. The second is the one made at opening by guards. + +Q. Give me the token? A. Made by joining right hands, and turning them +downwards thrice, saying, the first time, Berith--the second time, +Nedir--and the third time, Shelemoth. + +Q. Give me the pass-words? A. Joabert, response Terbel. The first is +the name of the listener; the second, of the captain of the guards. + +Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jeva (pronounced Je-vau). + +Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the jewel and +apron of this degree, and was thus addressed by the Master: "The color +of your ribbon is intended to remind you of the blood of Hiram Abiff, +the last drop of which he chose to spill, rather than betray his +trust; may you be equally faithful. The triple triangle is +emblematical of the three theological virtues, faith, hope and +charity; it is also emblematical of the three masons who were present +at the opening of the first lodge of Intimate Secretaries, to wit: +Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre, and Joabert, a favorite +of King Solomon." + +Q. What then followed? A. I was ordered to salute the King of Tyre as +an Intimate Secretary, and attend to the instruction of this degree. + +Q. To what does the three times nine allude in this degree? A. To the +twenty-seven lamps with which the hall of audience was enlightened. + +Q. What is signified by the letter J which you perceive in the clouds? +A. It is the initial of the ineffable name as known by us. + +Q. What is represented by the door? A. The door by which they entered +from the palace. + +Q. Why was the hall of audience furnished with black hangings strewed +with tears? A. To represent the grief of Solomon, for the unhappy fate +of Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What is meant by the A and the two P's in the triangle? A. +Alliance, promise and perfection. + +Q. Give me the history of this degree. A. Hiram gave Solomon cedar +trees, and fir trees, etc. + +CLOSING.--Master knocks nine (Marshal rises) and says, "Brother Grand +Marshal, the last as well as the first care of an Intimate Secretary? +To see that the hall of audience is duly guarded. Your place, etc. How +are we guarded, etc. Brother Captain of the guards, we are about to +close this Lodge of Intimate Secretaries, repair to your station," +etc. (Upon this, guards all make sign as at opening, and leave the +room.) Then Solomon strikes twice nine, and Hiram rises--signs +reversed. Solomon knocks three times nine, and declares Lodge closed. + + * * * * * + + +PROVOST AND JUDGE. + +OPENING.--Thrice Illustrious knocks three. Marshal rises. Thrice +Illustrious says, "Brother Grand Marshal, are we all Provosts and +Judges?" Marshal. We are. + +Thrice Illustrious. Your place? M. In the North. + +T. I. Your business there? M. To see that the middle chamber is duly +tyled. + +Thrice Illustrious says, "Attend to your duty, and inform the Tyler +that we are about to open this Lodge of Provost and Judge." (Grand +Marshal obeys.) Thrice Illustrious strikes four. Wardens rise. "Brother +Junior Warden, where is the Master placed?" Answer.--Everywhere. + +Q. Why so? A. To superintend the workmen, direct the work, and render +justice to every man. + +Q. What is the hour? A. Break of day, eight, two and seven. Thrice +Illustrious strikes five.--Brethren rise. Thrice Illustrious says, "It +is then time to begin our labors; give notice that I am going to open +a Lodge of Provost and Judge, by four and one." (Signs given, Master +strikes four and one--Senior Warden, four and one--Junior Warden, four +and one, and Marshal, four and one; the brethren all strike four and +one, with their hands, and the Master declares the Lodge open.) + +RECEPTION.--Master of Ceremonies conducts candidate to the door, and +knocks four and one, which is answered from within by Senior Warden, +and Thrice Illustrious and Senior Warden says, "While the Provosts and +Judges are engaged in right, an alarm is heard at the inner door of +the Lodge," etc. A golden key is placed on the Bible. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Provost and Judge? A. I am, and render +justice to all men without distinction. + +Q. Where were you received? A. In the middle chamber. + +Q. How did you gain admission there? A. By four and one distinct +knocks. + +Q. To what do they allude? A. To the qualifications of a Provost and +Judge, to wit: impartiality, justice, prudence, discretion and mercy; +of which the five lights in the middle chamber are also emblematical. + +Q. How were these knocks answered? A. By four and one from within. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was asked by what further right, +etc. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the right of a pass. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. Wait until the Thrice Illustrious is +informed of your request, and his answer returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Introduce him in due and ancient form. + +Q. What was that form? A. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies +to the south-west corner of the middle chamber, between the Wardens, +and caused to kneel on my right knee and say Beroke. + +Q. What answer was given to that? A. The Thrice Illustrious said Kumi. + +Q. What do these words signify? A. The first signifies to kneel, the +last, to rise. + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted three times 'round the Lodge, +giving the signs of the ineffable degrees, and led to the altar, and +caused to kneel and take the obligation of this degree. + +Q. Repeat that obligation. A. Same as Perfect Master, with the +addition, that I will justly and impartially decide all matters of +difference between brethren of this degree, if in my power so to do, +under penalty of being punished as an unjust Judge, by having my nose +severed from my face. So help me, etc. + +Q. What followed? A. The Thrice Illustrious gave me the signs, tokens +and words of this degree. + +Q. Give me the signs? A. (Put the two first fingers of your right hand +to the right side of your nose, the thumb under the chin, forming a +square.) + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Clench the three first fingers of the right +hand over the thumb, and join hands by interlacing the little +fingers.) + +Q. Give me the pass-word? A. Jev (pronounced Jo). + +Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the jewel, apron +and gloves of this degree, and was thus addressed:--"Respectable +Brother, it gives me joy that I am now about to recompense, etc. This +key opens a small ebony box, in which are contained the plans for the +building of the temple, and this key opens a small ivory box +containing all the keys of the temple. I clothe you with a white +apron, lined with red, having a pocket in its centre, and in which you +are intended to carry the plans for the building of the temple, that +they may be laid out on the tressel board for the use of the workmen +when wanted. I also give you a balance in equilibrio, as a badge of +your office. Let it remind you of that equity of judgment which should +characterize your decisions." + +Q. What was next done? A. He made me a Provost and Judge. + +Q. In what manner? A. He gave me a blow on each shoulder, and said, +"By the power with which I am invested, I constitute you Provost and +Judge over all the works and workmen of the temple. Be impartial, +just, prudent, discreet and merciful. Go salute the Junior and Senior +Wardens as a Provost and Judge, and return to the Lodge for further +instruction. + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--What did you perceive in the middle +chamber? Answer--A curtain, behind which was suspended a small ebony +box containing the plans for the construction of the temple. + +Q. What else did you see? A. A triangle enclosing the letters G. A. + +Q. What is their meaning and use? A. Grand Architect, and are designed +to make us remember him in all our decisions and actions. + +Q. Did you perceive anything more? A. I saw the letters I. H. S. with +the sprig of cassia. + +Q. What is meant thereby? A. Imitate Hiram's Silence, and Justice, +Humanity and Secrecy, which are designed to teach Provost and Judge, +that while their decisions are just, they should be tempered with +humanity, or mercy, and that all differences which may arise among the +craft, should be kept secret from the world. + +Q. What was the intention of Solomon in instituting this degree? A. To +strengthen the means of preserving order among such a vast number of +workmen; the duty of Provosts and Judges being, to decide all +differences that might arise among the brethren. + +Q. Who was the first that was made Provost and Judge? A. Joabert being +honored with the intimate confidence of King Solomon, received this +new mark of distinction. Solomon first created Tito, Adoniram, and +Abda, his father, Provosts and Judges, and gave them orders to +initiate Joabert into the mysteries of this degree, and to give him +all the keys of the temple, which were inclosed in a small ivory box +suspended in the Sanctum Sanctorum, under a rich canopy. When Joabert +was first admitted into this sacred place, he was struck with awe, and +involuntarily found himself in a kneeling posture, and said, Beroke; +Solomon observing him, said Kumi, which signifies to rise. + +Q. Whence came you as a Provost and Judge? A. I came and am going +everywhere. + +CLOSING.--Thrice Illustrious Master knocks three (Marshal rises) and +says, "Brother Grand Marshal, the last as well as the first care of +Provost and Judge?" Answer--To see that the middle chamber is duly +tyled.--"Attend to your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about +to close this Lodge of Provosts and Judges by four and one." Marshal +reports. Thrice Illustrious strikes four. Wardens rise, and Master +says, "Brother Senior Warden, what is the hour?" Ans.--Break of day, +8, 2 and 7. + +Q. Brother Junior Warden, how so? A. Because Provosts and Judges +should be ready at all times to render Justice. Thrice Illustrious +knocks four and one, and brethren all rise. Signs reversed given. +Thrice Illustrious strikes four and one, Marshal four and one, Junior +Warden four and one, and Senior Warden four and one, and then all the +brethren strike four & one with their hands, and Thrice Illustrious +declares Lodge duly closed. + + * * * * * + + +INTENDANT OF THE BUILDINGS (OR I. B.). + +OPENING.--Most Puissant knocks three (Marshal rises) and says, +"Brother Grand Marshal, are we all I. B.?" Answer--We are, Most +Puissant. + +Q. Your place? A. In the north. + +Q. Your business there? A. To see that the Lodge is duly +tyled.--"Attend to your duty, and inform the Lodge that we are about +to open a Lodge of I. B. by the number five." Marshal obeys. Most +Puissant knocks four, and Wardens rise.--Q. Brother Senior Warden, +what is the hour? A. Break of day.--Most Puissant knocks five, and +brethren all rise. Most Puissant says, "If it is break of day, it is +time to begin our labors; give notice that I am going to open a Lodge +of I. B." Senior Warden obeys. All make signs. Most Puissant knocks +five, Senior Warden five, Junior Warden five, and brethren five, with +their hands; and Most Puissant declares the Lodge open. + +RECEPTION.--Most Puissant knocks seven, and Senior Warden rises. Most +Puissant says, "My excellent brother, how shall we repair the loss of +our worthy Hiram Abiff, he is now removed from us, and we are thereby +deprived of his counsel and services; can you give me any advice in +this important matter?" Senior Warden answers, "The method I would +propose, would be to select a chief from the five orders of +architecture upon whom we may confer the degree of I. B., and by his +assistance fill the secret chamber of the third story." Most Puissant +says, "I approve of your advice, and to convince you of my readiness +to follow it, I appoint you and brothers Adoniram and Abda to carry +the same into execution. Excellent Brothers, let Adoniram go into the +middle chamber and see if he can find a chief of the five orders of +architecture." Junior Warden goes out of the Lodge into the +ante-chamber, and finding the candidate, addresses him as in the +Lecture. + +NOTE.--When the alarm of five is given Senior Warden rises and says, +"Most Puissant, we are disturbed in our deliberations by an alarm at +the inner door of the secret chamber." Most Puissant says, "Brother +Senior Warden, see the cause of that alarm." + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you an Intendant of the Buildings? A. I have +made the five steps of exactness; I have penetrated the inmost parts +of the temple, and have seen the great light, in which were three +mysterious characters, J. J. J. + +Q. How were you received? A. Being in the middle chamber, in company +with the Master of Ceremonies, Adoniram entered and inquired, "Is +there here a chief of the five orders of architecture?" + +Q. Your answer? A. I am one. + +Q. What followed? A. I was then asked, "My dear brother, have you zeal +to apply yourself with attention to that which the Most Puissant shall +request of you?" + +Q. Your answer? A. I have, and will comply with the request of the +Most Puissant, and raise this edifice to his honor and glory. + +Q. What followed? Ans. Adoniram demanded of me the signs, words, and +tokens of my former degrees, which being given, the Master of +Ceremonies conducted me to the door of the Lodge, where he gave me +five distinct knocks. + +Q. To what did they allude? A. To the five orders of architecture. + +Q. How were they answered? A. By five from within. + +Q. What was then said to you. A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A chief of the five orders of architecture, who is +to be employed in the works of the secret chamber. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was then asked by what further +right, etc. + +Q. Your answer? A. By the right of a pass-word. + +Q. Give me that pass-word? A. Bonahim (pronounced Bo-nau-heem). + +Q. What was then said to you? A. Wait until the Most Puissant is +informed, etc. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Let him be introduced in due form. + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted to the altar and caused to recede +five steps, and then to advance to the altar by five steps of regular +exactness. + +Q. What is meant thereby? A. That I should recede from vice, and +advance to virtue, before I was qualified to supply the place of so +good a man as the lamented Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What followed? A. I was laid prostrate before the altar, with a +sprig of cassia in my right hand, and my left upon the first great +light of Masonry, in which posture I took the obligation of this +degree. + +Q. Repeat that obligation. A. (Same as Perfect Master) under penalty +of being deprived of my sight. So help, etc. + +Q. What followed? A. I was thus addressed by the Most Puissant: "Your +present posture is that of a dead man, and is designed to remind you +of the fate of our worthy Hiram Abiff. I shall now raise you in the +same manner he was raised, under the sprig of cassia." I was then +raised by the Master's grip, and further addressed, "By your being +raised, our hope is signified, that in some measure you will repair +his loss, by imitating his bright example." + +Q. What followed? A. I received the signs, tokens and words of this +degree. + +Q. Give me the signs. A. (Interlace the fingers, and place the hands +over the eyes, alluding to penalty; second sign is that of grief, made +like Fellow Craft's, with left hand on the left hip.) + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Take hold of each other by the right wrists +with the right hand.) + +Q. Give me the pass-word. A. Bonahim. + +Q. What does that word signify? A. Builders. + +Q. Give me the words. A. Achard, jenok (pronounced yo-kayn). + +Q. Give me the mysterious word. A. Jah (pronounced yaw). + +Q. What was next done? A. I was invested with the apron, gloves and +jewels of this degree, and was thus addressed: "I decorate you with a +red ribbon, to be worn crossing the breast from the right shoulder to +the left hip, to which is suspended a triangle fastened with a green +ribbon. I also present you with a white apron, lined with red, and +bordered with green. The red is emblematical of that zeal which should +characterize you as an I. of B., and the green, of the hope we +entertain that you will supply the place of our lamented Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What is meant by the letters B. A. J. in the triangle which you +wear? A. They are the initials of the pass-word and words of this +degree. + +Q. What followed? A. I was directed to salute the Senior Warden as an +Intendant of the Buildings, and return to the east for further +instruction. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--What did you see in the Lodge? Answer--A +triangle enclosing a circle, having on its circumference the letters +J. A. I. N., and in its centre the letters J. J. J. + +Q. What is signified by the circle in the triangle? A. The eternity of +the powers of God, which hath neither beginning nor end. + +Q. What is signified by the letters J. A. I. N.? A. They are the +initials of the four Hebrew words, Jad, Ail, Jotsare, and Nogah, which +are expressive of four attributes of the Deity; power, omnipresence, +creation and splendor. + +Q. What is signified by the letters J. J. J? A. Jah, Jokayn and Jireh, +signifying "The Lord, the Creator seeth." + +Q. What else did you see? A. A blazing star with five beams, in the +centre of which appeared the letter J. + +Q. What is signified by the five beams? A. The five equal lights of +Masonry, the Bible, the square, the compass, the key, and the +triangle. + +Q. What is signified by the letter J.? A. It is the initial of the +ineffable name, as known by us. + +Q. Are you in darkness? A. No, the blazing star is my guide. + +Q. What is your age? A. 27, or 5, 7 and 15. + +Q. To what do those three numbers allude? A. To the five chiefs of the +five orders of architecture, to seven cubits, which was the breadth of +the golden candlestick with seven branches, and the fifteen Fellow +Crafts, who conspired against the life of our Grand Master, Hiram +Abiff. + +CLOSING.--Most Puissant knocks three (Grand Marshal rises) and says, +"Brother Grand Marshal, the last as well as the first care of I. of +B.?" Answer. To see that the Lodge is duly tyled. "Attend to your +duty," etc. Most Puissant knocks four, and Warden rises; "Brother +Senior Warden, what is the hour?" A. Seven at night. Most Puissant +strikes five--all brethren rise. Most Puissant says, "As it is seven +at night, it is time to retire: Brother Junior Warden, give notice +that I am going to close this Lodge of Intendants of the Building." +Signs reversed, Most Puissant knocks five, Junior Warden seven, and +Senior Warden fifteen, then the brethren five, seven and fifteen, with +their hands, and the Most Puissant declares the Lodge closed. + + * * * * * + + +ELECTED KNIGHTS OF NINE. + +OPENING.--The brethren sit cross-legged, and lean their heads on their +right hands. Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rises), "Brother +Grand Marshal, are we all Elected Knights of Nine?" Ans. We are. + +Q. Your place? A. In the north, Most Potent. + +Q. Your business there? A. To see that the Chapter is duly +guarded.--"Please attend to your duty, and inform the Sentinel that we +are about to open this Chapter of E. K. and charge him," etc. Marshal +obeys. Most Potent knocks eight, and Warden rises, and Master says, +"Brother Stokin, are you an E. K.?" A. One cavern received me, one +lamp gave me light, and one fountain refreshed me. Q. What is the +hour? A. Break of day. Most Potent knocks eight quick and one slow +strokes, and companies all arise. Most Potent says, "If it is break of +day, it is time to open a Chapter of E. K's. Inform the companies," +etc. Warden obeys. Signs given. Most Potent knocks eight and one, and +Warden eight and one, and companies eight and one, with their hands; +and Most Potent declares the Chapter open. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you an E. K.? A. One cavern received me, one +lamp gave me light, and one fountain refreshed me. + +Q. Where were you received? A. In the audience chamber of Solomon. + +Q. How were you received? A. I was hoodwinked and conducted by the +Master of Ceremonies to the door of the Chapter, where he gave eight +and one distinct knocks. + +Q. To what do those knocks allude? A. To the number of the nine elect. + +Q. How were those knocks answered? A. By eight and one from within. + +Q. What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A companion, to whose lot it has fallen to +accompany the stranger in search of the assassins of Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted by the hand to the west, and +asked by the Most Potent, what I wanted. + +Q. Your answer? A. To be made an Elected Knight. + +Q. What then followed? A. I was asked if I had courage to go in +pursuit of the assassins of Hiram Abiff, which question I answered in +the affirmative, and was addressed by the Most Potent in the following +manner:--"If you have, you shall be shown the place where one of his +murderers lies concealed; a stranger has discovered it to me, and if +you have resolution, follow this stranger." + +Q. What was then done to you? A. The Master of Ceremonies led me out +of the Chapter, by intricate roads, and at last seated me on a stone, +and thus addressed me:--"I am going to leave you, but be of good +cheer, I shall not be long absent; when I am gone, you must take the +bandage off your eyes, and drink some water from the fountain beside +you, that you may be refreshed after so fatiguing a journey." + +Q. What followed? A. I removed the bandage and found myself alone in a +cavern, in which was a lamp, a fountain, and a head just severed from +the body. In a short time the Master of Ceremonies returned, and +directed me to take a poniard in my right hand, and the head in my +left, and then conducted me to the door of the Chapter, where I +knocked eight and one with my foot, which was answered from within, +and I was asked, "What do you want?" + +Q. Your answer? A. To enter this Chapter of Elected Knights. + +Q. What followed? A. I was asked by what right I claimed this +privilege. + +Q. Your answer? A. I Have performed a feat for the honor of the craft, +which I hope will entitle me to this degree. + +Q. What followed? A. I was admitted, and directed to approach the +altar by eight quick and one slow steps, still holding the head in my +left hand, and the poniard in my right, as if in the act of striking; +the ninth step brought me to the altar, where the Most Potent +addressed me in an angry tone: "Wretch, what have you done, do you +not know that by this rash act you have deprived me of an opportunity +of inflicting condign punishment on the assassin?" + +Q. What followed? A. The companies made earnest intercession for me, +observing that my offence had doubtless arisen from the wrath of my +zeal, and not from any bad intention. Upon this the Most Potent was +reconciled, and he administered to me the obligation of this degree, +the companies all standing 'round me with their poniards as if going +to stab me. + +Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as in Perfect Master.) Under +penalty of being stabbed in my head and in my heart. So help, etc. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the sign, token and words +of this degree. + +Q. Give me the sign? A. (Clap your right hand first to your head and +then to your heart.) + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Grasp the thumb of your brother's right +hand, both clenching the fingers and extending the thumb of the hand +that is uppermost.) + +Q. To what does that token allude? A. The eight fingers and extended +thumb allude to the eight and one elect; the one to Joabert, who left +his eight companions, and went alone in search of, etc. + +Q. Give me the pass-words? A. Rawkam and Akirop. + +Q. What is the word? A. Bugelkal, who was chief of the tabernacle. + +Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jeva (pronounced Je-vau). + +Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the apron, gloves +and jewels of this degree, and ordered to salute the Warden, and to +return to the east for further instructions. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history of this degree? Ans. +After the death of Hiram Abiff, the three ruffians who had been +apprehended having made their escape, a great assembly of Masters had +sat, etc., he had only time to pronounce Naukam, which signifies, +"vengeance is taken," and expired. Joabert being extremely fatigued, +refreshed himself at the spring which he found in the cavern, and then +slept until he was awakened by the other eight, who arrived shortly +after. On beholding what Joabert had done, they all exclaimed Naukam. +Joabert then severed the head from the body, divided the body into 4 +quarters, which were burnt to ashes, and the ashes scattered to the +four winds of heaven. Joabert then taking the head, etc., again +reconciled. Solomon then ordered the head to be placed on the east +pinnacle of the temple. + +Q. What was the name of the assassin? A. Jubelum Akirop. + +Q. From what number were the nine elect chosen? A. Ninety-nine. + +Q. Where was the assassin found? A. In a cavern, near the coast of +Joppa. + +Q. How did the nine elect travel? A. By dark and intricate roads, +which often obliged them to cross their legs, and this is the reason +why the nine elect sit in this manner in the Chapter. + +Q. What is meant by the dog you saw on the carpet, in the Lodge? A. +The dog of the stranger, through whose sagacity Akirop was discovered. + +Q. What does the color, black, denote in this degree? A. Grief. + +Q. What is your age? A. Eight and one, accomplished. + +CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rises) and says, +"The last as well as the first care of a Chapter of E. K.?" Ans. To +see that the Chapter is duly guarded.--Please attend to your duty and +inform the Sentinel, etc. Most Potent knocks eight, and Warden rises. +Q. What is the hour? A. Evening. Most Potent knocks eight and one. +Companies all rise. Companion Stokin gives notice, etc. Most Potent +knocks eight and one, Warden eight and one, Companions eight and one, +and the Chapter is declared duly closed. + + * * * * * + + +MASTERS ELECTED OF FIFTEEN. + +OPENING.--Most Potent knocks five (Grand Marshal rises) and says, +"Brother Grand Marshal, are we all Masters Elected of Fifteen?" A. We +are, Most Potent. Q. Your place, etc.? Your business, etc.? Please +inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Masters Elected +of Fifteen. Most Potent knocks twice five--Senior Warden rises. Most +Potent knocks three times five. Brethren rise. Most Potent says, +"Brother Inspector, give notice that I am going to open a Lodge of +Masters Elected of Fifteen, by three times five." Inspector obeys. +Most Potent knocks three times five, Senior Warden three times five, +Junior Warden three times five, and the brethren the same, and the +lodge is declared open. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Master Elected of Fifteen? Answer--My +zeal and works have prepared me that honor. + +Q. How were you prepared? A. A head was placed in my hand, and I was +conducted to the door of the Lodge by the Master of Ceremonies who +knocked three times five. + +Q. How were those knocks answered? A. By three times five from within. + +Q. To what do they allude? A. The fifteen elected Masters. + +Q. What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. An Elected Knight who is desirous of joining the +other Knights, for the purpose of discovering the other assassins. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was told to wait until the Most +Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Let him be introduced in due form. + +Q. What was that due form? A. I was conducted to the altar, and caused +to make fifteen steps in a triangular form, which brought me again to +the altar, when the Most Potent ordered me to kneel, and thus +addressed me: "My brother, the Elected Masters here present, wish me +to admit you to this degree; will you take the obligation appertaining +to the same?" which being answered in the affirmative, I took the +obligation. + +Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) Under penalty +of having my body cut open perpendicularly, and my head cut off and +placed on the highest pinnacle in the world. So help me, etc. + +Q. What did the Most Potent then communicate to you? A. He gave me the +signs, words, and token of this degree. + +Q. Give me the signs? A. (Hold the thumb of the right hand at the +bottom of the belly, and move it perpendicularly upwards.) The second +sign (that of the Entered Apprentice, with the fingers clenched.) + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Join left hands.) + +Q. Give me the pass-word? A. Eleham. + +Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jevah (pronounced Je-vau). + +Q. What then followed? A. I was invested with the apron, gloves and +jewels of this degree, and directed to salute the Senior Warden as a +Master Elected of Fifteen, and return to the east for further +instruction. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history of this degree? A. Not +long after the execution, they were discovered cutting stone, in a +quarry. They were immediately seized and carried to Jerusalem, and +imprisoned in the tower of Achizer, and at ten o'clock on the ensuing +morning, they were brought forth for execution. They were bound neck +and middle, to posts, with their arms extended, and their bellies were +cut open by the executioner, lengthways and across, and thus they +remained until six in the evening, their entrails exposed to flies and +other insects; their tongues and entrails were afterwards taken out +for the beasts of the field and the birds of the air to prey upon, and +their heads were cut off and placed upon spikes, like that of Akirop, +on the west and south pinnacles of the temple. Thus we see that +although corruption, perjury and treason assisted our ancient Knights, +their quarters were discovered by the unerring eye of justice, and +they were doomed to suffer penalty tantamount to their crimes. + +Q. What were the names of the two assassins? A. Jubela Kurmavel, and +Jubelo Gravolet. + +Q. At what hour did the assassins expire? A. At six in the evening. + +CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks five. Grand Marshal rises. Most Potent +says, "Brother Grand Marshal, the last as well as the first care of a +Lodge of Masters Elected of Fifteen?" A. To see that the Lodge is duly +tyled.--"Please attend," etc. Most Potent knocks twice five.--Senior +Warden rises. Signs reversed. Most Potent knocks three times five, +which is repeated by Wardens, and then by brothers with their hands, +etc. + + * * * * * + + +ILLUSTRIOUS KNIGHTS ELECTED. + +OPENING.--Most Potent knocks ten. Grand Marshal rises. Most Potent +says, "Are we all Illustrious Knights Elected?" A. We are, Most +Potent. "Your place? etc. Your duty?" A. To see that the Chapter is +duly guarded. "Please attend," etc. Most Potent knocks eleven. Grand +Inspector rises. "Companion Inspector, what is the hour?" A. It is +twelve. Most Potent knocks twelve. Companions rise. "If it is twelve, +it is time to labor by the greatest of lights." Signs given. Most +Potent knocks twelve, Inspector twelve, and Companion twelve, with +their hands, etc. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you an Illustrious Knight Elected? Answer. My +name will inform you. + +Q. What is that name? A. Payrawsh Bawheer, or Illustrious Knight +elected. + +Q. How were you admitted? A. I was hoodwinked and conducted by the +Master of Ceremonies to the door of the Chapter, where he gave twelve +distinct knocks. + +Q. To what did they allude? A. To the twelve tribes of Israel. + +Q. How were they answered? A. By twelve from within. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A Master Elected of Fifteen wishes to receive the +degree of Illustrious Knight. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was asked by what further right, +etc., and I was told to wait until the Most Potent was informed of my +request, and his answer returned. + +Q. What was that answer? A. Let him be introduced in due form. + +Q. What then followed? A. I was conducted to the west, and the Most +Potent inquired what I wanted. + +Q. Your answer? A. To receive the degree of Illustrious Knight, as a +reward for my zeal and labor. + +Q. What did the Most Potent say to you then? A. My brother, you cannot +receive this degree until you have given us satisfactory proof that +you have not been an accomplice in the death of our Grand Master, +Hiram Abiff; to assure us of this, we require you to participate in a +symbolic offering, of a portion of the heart of our Respectable +Master, Hiram Abiff, which we have preserved since his assassination. +You are to swallow the portion we present to you. Every faithful Mason +may receive it without injury, but it cannot remain in the body of one +who is perjured. Are you disposed to submit to this trial? + +Q. What was your answer? A. I am. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies +to cause me to advance to the altar, by twelve upright regular steps, +where the Most Potent, with the trowel, presented to me the symbolic +offering which I swallowed, and was thus addressed by the Most Potent: +"This mystic oblation, which, like you, we have received forms a tie +so strong that nothing can oppress it; woe to him who attempts to +disunite us. I then received the obligation of this degree. + +Q. Repeat that obligation. A. (Same as Perfect Master.) Under penalty +of having my hands nailed to my breast. So help, etc. + +Q. What was then communicated to you? A. The Most Potent removed the +bandage, and gave me the sign. (Cross hands on breast) it alludes to +penalty. + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Token of Intimate Secretary, with left hand +on brother's heart.) + +Q. Give me the pass-word? A. Emun. + +Q. What does that word signify? A. Truth. + +Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Joha (pronounced Yo-hay). + +Q. What followed? A. I was invested with the apron, gloves and jewels +of this degree, and was told the device on my sash and apron, and +also the color of the latter, was an emblem of a heart inflamed with +gratitude for the honors and rewards conferred on me, and the sword of +that justice which overtook and punished the assassins, and was +designed to admonish me that perjury and treason will never escape the +sword of justice, and I was directed to go and salute the Inspector, +and return to the east for further instruction. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Of what was the symbolic offering presented to you at +your initiation composed? A. Of flour, milk, wine and oil. + +Q. What did they represent? A. Flour represents goodness, the milk, +gentleness, the wine, strength or fortitude, and the oil, light and +wisdom, qualities which distinguished Hiram Abiff, and should +distinguish every illustrious Knight. + +Q. How were the Illustrious Knights employed at the erection of the +temple? A. They had command over the twelve tribes, and by their +strict attention, promoted peace and harmony, and animated the +laborers with cheerfulness. + +Q. What was the intention of Solomon in instituting this degree? A. To +reward the zeal, etc., and also by their preferment to make more. + +CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks ten (Grand Marshal rises). "The last as +well as the first care of a Chapter of Illustrious Knights?" A. To see +that the Chapter is duly guarded. "Attend to your duty, and inform the +Sentinel," etc. Most Potent knocks eleven (Senior Warden rises). +"Brother Inspector, what is the hour?" A. Low six. Most Potent knocks +twelve (brethren rise). "Brother Inspector, give notice," etc. Signs. +Most Potent knocks twelve, Inspector twelve, brethren twelve, with +their hands, and Most Potent declares the Chapter duly closed. + + * * * * * + + +GRAND MASTER ARCHITECTS. + +OPENING.--Most Potent knocks one (Grand Marshal rises). "Are we all," +etc. Your place? etc. Your duty? A. To see that the Chapter is duly +guarded. "Attend," etc. Most Potent knocks two.--Warden rises. Most +Potent says, "What is the hour?" A. A star indicates the first +instant, the first hour, and the first day, in which the Grand +Architect commenced the creation of the universe. Most Potent knocks +one and two.--Companions rise. Most Potent says, "Companions, it is +the first instant, the first hour, the first day, the first year, when +Solomon commenced the temple; the first day, the first hour, the first +instant for opening this Chapter. It is time to commence our labors. +Give notice," etc. Signs. Most Potent knocks one and two, Senior +Warden one and two, Companions one and two, and Most Potent declares +Chapter open, etc. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Grand Master Architect? Answer--I know +the use of every mathematical instrument. + +Q. What are they? A. A square, a single compass, a compass with four +points, a rule, a line, a compass of perfection, a quadrant, a level +and plumb. + +Q. Where were you received? A. In a white place, painted with flames. + +Q. What does that signify? A. That purity of heart and that zeal which +should characterize every Grand Master Architect. + +Q. How were you admitted? A. I was conducted by the Master of +Ceremonies to the door of the Chapter, where he gave one and two +distinct knocks. + +Q. How were those knocks answered? A. One and two from within. + +Q. What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. An Illustrious Knight who wishes to receive the +degree of Grand Architect. + +Q. What then followed? A. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies +to the west, and thus addressed: "It has become necessary to form a +school of Architecture for the instruction of the brethren employed in +the temple, as none but skilful Architects can bring the same to +perfection. In order to prevent some brethren from receiving the +honors and rewards due only to brethren of talents, we have deemed it +expedient to prove and test all those who present themselves as +candidates for this degree. We, therefore, require you to make the +tour of the temple, for the purpose of examining the work, and to +produce a plan drawn with exactness which you must present for +inspection, that we may judge whether you are entitled to this +degree." + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted through the anti-chamber and +'round the Lodge, when the Master of Ceremonies again stationed me in +the west, and where I drew a plan according to my direction. When the +same was finished, the Master of Ceremonies informed the Most Potent +that I had obeyed his directions. Most Potent inquired, "My brother, +what are the fruits of your travels?" + +Q. Your answer? A. "Most Potent, I have brought a plan of the works of +the temple, which I am ready to present for inspection." + +Q. What followed? A. I was directed to approach the east, and present +the plan to the Most Potent, which I accordingly did, and the Most +Potent examined the same, and then passed it on to the other +companions, who, after examining, returned it with expressions of +approbation, and then the Most Potent addressed me thus: "It is with +pleasure we witness the skill you have manifested in fulfilling the +conditions prescribed to you, but we require further proof before you +can be admitted among us. We again require you to travel." + +Q. What followed? A. I was conducted once 'round the Lodge, to the +north, where I stopped to view the north star, and was told, that as +the north star was a guide to mariners, so ought virtue to be a guide +to every Grand Master Architect, and was again conducted to the west, +and directed to approach the east by one and two steps, which brought +me to the altar, when the Most Potent inquired, "What have you learned +in your travels?" + +Q. Your answer? A. That virtue as well as talents should be possessed +by every one who is admitted to this degree. + +Q. What followed? A. I received the obligation of a Grand Master +Architect. + +Q. Repeat the obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) Under the +penalty of having my left hand cut in twain. So help, etc. + +Q. What then followed? A. I was then addressed by the Most Potent. + +Q. What then followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, words, +and tokens of this degree. + +Q. Give me the sign? A. (Make the motion of writing in the left hand), +also alluding to penalty. + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Interlace the last finger of the right hand, +so as to form a square, and place the left hand on each other's right +shoulder.) + +Q. Give me the pass-word? A. Rab-kuam. + +Q. What does it signify? A. Grand Master Architect. + +Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jehovah (pronounced Ye-ho-wah). + +Q. What was then done to you? A. The Most Potent invested me with the +jewel, apron and gloves of this degree, and thus addressed me: "I have +elevated," etc. + +Q. What then followed? A. I was directed to salute the Senior Warden, +as a Grand Architect, and return to the east for further instruction. + +Q. Give me the history? A. Solomon established this degree for the +purpose, etc. + +Q. What do the seven small rays 'round the north star signify? A. +Seven liberal arts and sciences. + +CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks one. (Grand Marshal rises.) Most Potent +says, "The last as well as the first care," etc. Most Potent knocks +two. Senior Warden rises. Most Potent says, "What is the hour?" Ans. +The last instant, the last hour, the last day, in which the Grand +Architect completed the creation of the universe. Most Potent knocks +one and two.--Companions rise. Most Potent says, "It is the last +instant, etc.; it is the last hour, the last day, the last year, in +which Solomon completed the temple, the last instant for closing this +Chapter. Give notice," etc. Signs. Most Potent knocks one and two, +Senior Warden one and two, and Companions one and two, with their +hands. + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHTS OF THE NINTH ARCH. + +OPENING.--Most Potent knocks seven. (Grand Marshal rises.) Most Potent +says, "Are we all Knights of the Ninth Arch?" Ans. We are, Most +Potent.--Q. Your place? etc., etc. Most Potent Knocks eight. Junior +Warden rises. Q. What is the hour? A. The rising of the sun. Most +Potent knocks three times three.--Companions rise. Most Potent says, +"If it is the rising of the sun, it is time to commence our labors. +Give notice," etc. Signs of former degrees. Then two kings kneel at +the pedestal, as in the first sign, and raise each other by the token. +Companions do the same. Most Potent knocks three times three, Senior +Warden same, Junior Warden same, and Companions same, and Most Potent +says, "I declare this Chapter open." + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Knight of the Ninth Arch? Answer--I have +penetrated the bowels of the earth, through nine arches, and have seen +the brilliant triangle. + +Q. In what place were you admitted? A. In the audience chamber of King +Solomon. + +Q. How did you gain admittance there? A. In company with some +Intendants of the Building, Illustrious Knights, and Grand Master +Architects. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies to the door of +the audience chamber, where he gave three times three distinct knocks. + +Q. To what did they allude? A. To the nine arches which led from the +palace of Solomon to the secret vault, and the nine arches of the +temple of Enoch. + +Q.--How were they answered? A. By three times three from within. + +Q.--What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q.--Your answer? A. Several I. of B.'s, I. K.'s, and Grand Master +Architects solicit the honor of being admitted into the secret vault +under the Sanctum Sanctorum. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was told to wait until the Most +Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. My brethren, your request cannot now be +granted. + +Q. What followed? A. We were conducted back to the anti-chamber, when +the nine masters entered and thus addressed us: "My brethren, our Most +Potent Master requests Grand Master Architects, Joabert, Stokin, and +Gibulum to attend in the audience chamber," whereupon we were +introduced into the presence of Solomon, who thus addressed us: "My +brethren, you know that in digging for a foundation for the temple, we +found the ruins of an ancient edifice. Among the ruins, we have +already discovered much treasure which has been deposited in the +secret vault. Are you willing to make further researches among the +ancient ruins, and report to us your discoveries?" + +Q. What was your answer. A. We are. + +Q. What followed? A. We were conducted to the ruins, and commenced our +labors. Among the rubbish we discovered a large iron ring, fixed in a +cubic stone, which we raised with much difficulty. Upon examining the +same, we discovered an inscription, of the meaning of which we were +ignorant. Beneath the stone, a deep and dismal cavern appeared. + +Q. Did you enter that cavern? A. I did. + +Q. In what manner? A. A rope was fastened 'round my body, and +descending, I found myself in an arched vault, in the floor of which +was a secret opening, through which I also descended, and in like +manner through a third; being in third vault, I found there was an +opening for descending still further, but being afraid of pursuing my +search, I gave a signal and was hoisted by my two companions. I then +recounted to them what I had seen, and proposed to them to descend by +turns, which they refused; upon this I determined to descend again, +and told them that through every arch I passed, I would gently shake +the rope. In this manner I descended from arch to arch, until I was +lowered into the sixth arch, when, finding there was still another +opening, my heart failed me, and giving the signal, I was again pulled +up. I acquainted my two companions with the particulars of my second +descent, and now earnestly urged that one of them should go down, as I +was very much fatigued; but, terrified at my relation, they both +refused. I then received fresh courage, went down a third time, +taking a lighted flambeau in my hand. When I had descended into the +ninth arch, a parcel of stone and mortar suddenly fell in and +extinguished my light, and I immediately saw a triangular plate of +gold, richly adorned with precious stones, the brilliancy of which +struck me with admiration and astonishment. Again I gave the signal, +and was assisted in reascending. Having related to my two companions +the scene which I had witnessed, they expressed a desire to witness +the same; they also concluded to go down together, by means of a +ladder of ropes, which they did, and shortly after returned with the +golden plate, upon which we saw certain characters, of the meaning of +which we were then ignorant. + +Q. What followed? A. We repaired to the apartment of King Solomon, the +King of Tyre, with him, and said, "Most Potent, we obeyed your +commands and present you with the fruits of our labors, and solicit +the honor of being made acquainted with the inscription on this cubic +stone and this golden triangle." Upon beholding it, the two Kings +raised their hands, and exclaimed "Gibulum ishtov." The Kings then +examined the sacred characters with attention, and Solomon thus +addressed us: "My brethren, your request cannot now be granted. God +has bestowed upon you a particular favor, in permitting you to +discover the most precious jewel of masonry. The promise which God +made to some of the ancient patriarchs, that in fulness of time his +name should be discovered, is now accomplished. As a reward for your +zeal, constancy, and fidelity, I should now constitute you Knights of +the Ninth Arch, and I promise you an explanation of the mysterious +characters on the golden plate, when it is fixed in the place designed +for it, and I will then confer on you the most sublime and mysterious +degree of Perfection." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies +to conduct us to the south-west, and from thence to approach the +altar, by three times three steps, and there to take upon ourselves +the obligation of this degree. + +Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further +promise never to be concerned in the initiation of any brother in this +degree, unless he manifests a charitable disposition for Masonry, and +a zeal for the brethren, and also obtains permission, under the hands +and seal of the first regular officers of a Lodge of Perfection. I +further promise that I will not debauch any female related to a +companion of this degree, either by blood or marriage, knowing her to +be such, under penalty of being crushed under the ruins of a +subterraneous temple. So help, etc. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, token and +words of this degree. + +Q. Give me the sign? A. (Made by kneeling on the left knee, the right +hand on the back, the left raised above the head, the palm upward, the +body leaning forward, alluding to the penalty.) + +Q. Give me the token? A. (Being in the last mentioned position token +is made by raising each other from the same, by interlacing the +fingers of the left hand.) + +Q. How many pass-words are there? A. One for each arch. + +Q. Give them to me? A. 1st, Jov; 2d, Jeho; 3d, Juha; 4th, Havah; 5th, +Elgibbor; 6th, Adonai; 7th, Joken; 8th, Eloah; 9th, Elzeboath. + +Q. Give me the grand word? A. Gibulum ishtov. + +Q. What does that signify? A. Gibulum is a good man. + +Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the jewel, apron +and gloves of this degree, and directed to salute the Senior Warden as +a Knight of the Ninth Arch, and return to the east for further +instruction. + + * * * * * + + +SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history and charge of this +degree? Ans. My worthy brother, it is my intention, at this time, to +give you a clearer account of certain historical traditions, etc. (to +the words "favored with a mystical vision"), when the Almighty thus +designed to speak to him, as thou art desirous to know my name, +attend, and it shall be revealed unto thee. Upon this, a mountain +seemed to rise to the heavens, and Enoch was transferred to the top +thereof, where he beheld a triangular plate of gold most brilliantly +enlightened, and upon which were some characters which he received a +strict injunction never to pronounce. Presently he seemed to be +lowered perpendicularly into the bowels of the earth through nine +arches, in the ninth or deepest of which he saw the same brilliant +plate which was shown to him in the mountain. In digging for a +foundation they discovered an ancient edifice, among which they found +a considerable quantity of treasure, such as vases of gold and silver, +urns, marble, jasper, and agate columns, and precious stones. All +these treasures were collected and carried to Solomon, who upon +deliberation concluded that they were the ruins of some ancient +temple, erected before the flood, and possibly to the service of +Idolatry. He, therefore, determined to build the temple in another +place, lest it should be polluted. Solomon caused a cavern to be +constructed under the temple, to which he gave the name of secret +vault. He erected in this vault a large pillar of white marble, to +support the Sanctum Sanctorum, and which, by inspiration, he called +the pillar of beauty, from the beauty of the ark which it sustained. +There was a long, narrow descent through nine arches from the palace +of Solomon to this vault. To this place he was accustomed to retire +with Hiram of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, when he had occasion to enter +upon important business. There were none else, then living, qualified +to enter this vault. One of their number being removed, disordered +their business for a time. As the two kings were on one occasion +consulting on business of the craft, application was made to them by +several I's of B., I. K.'s and Grand Master Architects, soliciting the +honor of being admitted to the secret vault, to whom Solomon replied, +"My brethren, your request cannot now be granted." Some days +afterwards Solomon sent for the three Grand Master Architects, +Gibulum, Joabert and Stokin, and directed them to go and search among +the ancient ruins, in hopes of discovering more treasure. They +departed, and one of them, viz., Gibulum, in working with a pickaxe +among the rubbish, discovered a large iron ring fixed in a cubic +stone. On removing this stone, a cavern was discovered. Gibulum +offered to descend. A rope being fastened 'round his body, and in +this manner he descended thrice, and discovered the golden triangle of +Enoch, as was represented in the ceremony of your initiation. They +then carried the stone and triangle to King Solomon, when the same +circumstances occurred, which took place when you presented the same +to us. The two Kings then informed the three Knights that they were +ignorant of the true pronunciation of the mysterious word until that +time, and that this word being handed down through a succession of +ages, had been much corrupted. The two Kings, accompanied by the three +Knights, descended with the sacred treasure into the secret vault. +They encrusted the golden plate upon the pedestal of the pillar of +beauty, and the brilliancy of the plate was sufficient to enlighten +the place. The secret vault was afterwards called the sacred vault. +Whenever the Lodge of Perfection was holden, nine Knights of the Ninth +Arch tiled the nine arches which led to the sacred vault; the most +ancient stood in the arch next to the anti-chamber of the vault, and +so on in regular progression, the youngest taking his station in the +first arch, which was near the apartment of Solomon. We were suffered +to pass without giving the pass-words of the different arches. There +were living at that time several ancient masters, who, excited by +jealousy at the honors conferred upon the twenty-five brethren, +deputed some of their number to wait upon Solomon, and request that +they might participate in those honors. The King answered that the +twenty-five masters were justly entitled to the honors conferred on +them, for their zeal and fidelity. Go, said he, in peace, you may one +day be rewarded according to your merits. Upon this, one of the +deputies with an unbecoming warmth, observed to his companions, "What +occasion have we for a higher degree? We know the word has been +changed, we can travel as masters, and receive pay as such." Solomon +mildly replied, "Those whom I have advanced to the degree of +perfection, have wrought in the ancient ruins, and though the +undertaking was difficult and dangerous, they penetrated the bowels of +the earth, and brought thence treasures to enrich and adorn the Temple +of God. Go in peace, wait with patience, and aspire to perfection by +good works." The deputies returned and reported their reception to the +masters. These masters, vexed at the refusal, unanimously determined +to go to the ancient ruins, and search under ground, with a view of +arrogating the merit necessary for the accomplishment of their +desires. They departed the next morning, and raising the cubic stone +descended into the cavern with a ladder of ropes, by the light of +torches, where no sooner had the last descended, than the nine arches +fell in upon them. Solomon hearing of this accident, sent Gibulum, +Joabert and Stokin to inform themselves more particularly of the +matter. They departed at break of day, and upon their arrival at the +place, could discover no remains of the arches, nor could they learn +that one single one of all those who had descended escaped the +destruction. They examined the place with diligence, but found nothing +except a few pieces of marble, on which were inscribed certain +hieroglyphics; these they carried to Solomon, and related what they +had seen. King Solomon examining these hieroglyphics, discovered that +these pieces of marble were part of one of the pillars of Enoch. +Solomon ordered these pieces of marble to be carefully put together +and deposited in the sacred vault. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the mysterious characters +of this degree, which were engraved on the triangle of Enoch. + +CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rising), "the last +as well as the first care," etc. Most Potent knocks eight, and Junior +Warden rises. "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?" A. "The +setting of the sun." Most Potent knocks three times three, and +companions all rise. "Brother Junior Warden, give notice," etc. Signs. + +Most Potent knocks three times three, Junior Warden three times three, +and Companions three times three, with their hands, and Most Potent +declares Chapter closed. + + * * * * * + + +GRAND ELECT, PERFECT, AND SUBLIME MASON. + +OPENING.--Most Perfect knocks three (Grand Marshal rises), "Are we +all," etc. Most Perfect knocks five, and Junior Warden rises. Most +Perfect says, "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?" Ans. "High +twelve." + +Q. What do you understand by high twelve? A. That the sun has gained +its meridian height, and darts its rays with greatest force on this +Lodge. Most Perfect says, "It is then time that we should profit by +its light." Most Perfect knocks seven, and Senior Warden rises, and +Most Perfect says, "Venerable Brother Senior Warden, what brings you +here?" A. My love of Masonry, my obligation, and a desire for +perfection. + +Q. What are the proper qualities for acquiring it? A. Frequent +innocence and benevolence. + +Q. How are you to conduct in this place? A. With the most profound +respect. + +Q. Why is it that men of all conditions assembled in this place are +called brethren, and are all equal? A. Because the ineffable name puts +us in mind that there is one being superior to us all. + +Q. Why is respect paid to the triangle? A. Because it contains the +name of the Grand Architect of the universe. Most Perfect knocks nine, +and brethren all rise. Most Perfect says, "Brother Senior Warden, give +notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Perfect Grand Elect and +Sublime Masons, by the mysterious number 3, 5, 7 and 9. Senior Warden +obeys. Signs of former degrees given, then the Most Perfect knocks +three, and all the brethren give the first sign of this degree. Most +Perfect knocks three, and then third sign. Most Perfect knocks three, +five, seven and nine, Senior Warden the same, Junior Warden the same, +and then all the brethren with their hands, & Most Perfect declares +Lodge open. + +NOTE.--Behind the Master is the burning bush, in which is a +transparent triangle, with five Hebrew letters signifying "God" placed +therein. In the west is the pillar of beauty. The pedestal appearing +to be broken is a part of the pillar of Enoch, the pieces of which +were found among the ruins, and carefully put together. The Lodge is +adorned with vases of gold and silver, urns, etc., which were found +among the ruins. The lights are thus arranged: three in the west, +behind the Junior Warden; five in the East, behind the Senior Warden; +seven in the south, and nine behind the Master. The brethren are +seated in a triangular form around the altar. + +LECTURE.--Question--What are you? Ans. I am three times three, the +Perfect's number of eighty-one, according to our mysterious numbers. + +Q. Explain that? A. I am a Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason; my +trials are finished, and it is now time I should reap the fruits of my +labor. + +Q. Where were you made a Grand Elect Mason? A. In a place not +enlightened by the sun nor moon. + +Q. Where was that place situated? A. Under the Sanctum Sanctorum. + +Q. How did you gain admission? A. By the nine pass-words of Knights of +the Ninth Arch, which brought me to the door of the ante-chamber +leading to the sacred vaults, where I gave three distinct knocks. + +Q. How were they answered? A. By three from within. + +Q. What was said to you? A. Who comes there? + +Q. Your answer? A. A Knight of the Ninth Arch, who wishes to be +admitted into the sacred vault. + +Q. What was then said to you? A. I was directed to give the pass; when +I did I was permitted to pass to the second door of the ante-chamber, +where I gave three and five knocks, which were answered by three and +five and seven from within, and the pass-word demanded as before, +which I gave, and was permitted to pass to the door of the sacred +vault, where I gave three, five and seven and nine distinct knocks. +(NOTE.--These knocks are answered from within by the Junior and Senior +Wardens, and Most Perfect; and Most Perfect says, "Brother Junior +Warden, see who knocks there in the manner of a Perfect Grand Elect +and Sublime Mason.") + +Q. To what do these knocks allude? A. The three knocks signify the age +of the Entered Apprentice, and the number of the Grand Marshal +Architects who penetrated the bowels of the earth. The five allude to +the age of the Fellow Craft and the number of the Grand Elect Perfect +and Sublime Masters who placed the sacred treasure upon the pedestal +of beauty. + +Q. What are their names? A. Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, Gibulum, +Joabert, and Stokin. The seven allude to the age of the Master Mason, +and to Enoch who was the seventh from Adam. The nine represent the age +of the Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason, and the nine guards of +the arches. + +Q. How were these knocks answered? A. By three, five, seven and nine +from within. + +Q. What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?" + +Q. Your answer? A. A Knight of the Ninth Arch, who is desirous of +being admitted into the sacred vault and arriving at perfection. + +Q. What followed? A. The pass was demanded, which I gave and was +ordered to wait until the Most Perfect in the East had been informed +of my request and his answer returned. + +Q. What was his answer? A. Let him be introduced in ancient form. + +Q. What was that form? A. I was conducted to the west and placed +between the Wardens, and having made the sign of admiration, was thus +interrogated by the Most Perfect: "My Brother, what is your desire? A. +To be made a Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason." + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect said, "Before I can initiate +you, you must satisfy us that you are well skilled in Masonry, +otherwise you must be sent back until you are better qualified," +whereupon I was thus examined: + +Q. Are you a Mason? A. My brethren all know me as such. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and word? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Fellow Craft? A. I have seen the letter G and know the +pass. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and word? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Master Mason? A. I have seen the sprig of cassia, and +know what it means. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Secret Master? A. I have passed from the square to the +compass opened to seven degrees. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Perfect Master? A. I have seen the tomb of our +respectable Master, Hiram Abiff, and have, in company with my +brethren, shed tears at the same. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you an Intimate Secretary? A. My curiosity is satisfied, but it +nearly cost me my life. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Provost and Judge? A. I am, and render justice to all +men, without distinction. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you an Intendant of the Buildings? A. I have made the five +steps of exactness, I penetrated the inmost part of the temple, and +have seen the great light in which were three mysterious characters, +J. J. J. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you an Elected Knight? A. One cavern received me, one lamp gave +me light, and one fountain refreshed me. + +Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.) + +Q. Are you a Master Elected of Fifteen? A. My zeal and works have +procured me that honor. + +Q. Give me, etc.? Are you an Illustrious Knight? A. My name will +inform you. + +Q. Give me, etc. Are you a Grand Master Architect? A. I know the use +of the mathematical instruments. + +Q. Give me, etc. Are you a Knight of the Ninth Arch? A. I have +penetrated through the bowels of the earth, through nine arches, and +have seen the brilliant triangle. + +Q. Give me, etc. What then followed? A. The Most Perfect inquired of +the brethren whether they consented that I should be exalted to the +sublime and mysterious degree of Perfection, whereupon one of the +brethren rose and said, "I have objections to this candidate." The +Most Perfect inquired what these objections were, to which this +brother answered, "I will communicate them if the candidate retires." +I was then ordered to retire, which I did. + +Q. What then followed? A. Shortly after, the Master of Ceremonies +conducted me again into the Lodge, and placing me in the west, I was +asked the following questions, viz.:--1st, Have you never wilfully +revealed any of the secrets of Masonry? 2d, Have you always been +charitable towards your brethren? 3d, Have you never defrauded a +brother? 4th, Are you in the habit of using the name of God profanely? +5th, Does your conscience accuse you of having committed any offence +against your brethren, which ought to debar you from receiving this +degree? Be sincere, and answer me. Which questions being answered, the +Most Perfect said, "Brethren, do you consent that this candidate be +admitted among us? If you do, raise your right hands." Which being +done, I was directed to approach the altar, by three, five, seven and +nine steps, which I did, and took upon me the obligation of a Perfect +Grand Elect and Sublime Mason. + +Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further +promise that I will aid all my worthy brethren in distress and +sickness, as far, etc., with my counsel as well as my purse. I further +promise, etc. that I will not be concerned in conferring this degree +upon any Mason whose character and knowledge I disapprove, nor unless +he has been elected and installed as an officer in some regular Lodge, +Chapter, Encampment, or Council. I further promise that I will never +fully pronounce more than once in my life the mysterious word of this +degree, under penalty of having my body cut in twain. So help, etc. +Amen, Amen, Amen. + +Q. What followed? A. While I was still in a kneeling posture, the Most +Most Perfect said, "Let us pray," which was done, and the Master of +Ceremonies then presented the hod and trowel to the Most Perfect, who +said, "My brother, I shall now proceed to anoint you with the holy oil +wherewith Aaron, David, and the wise Solomon were anointed." And then +anointing my head, lips and heart, at the same time said, "Behold how +good and pleasant," etc., and then placing his hand upon me, said, "I +impress you," etc. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect presented me with the bread and +wine, and rising, said, "Eat of this bread," etc. When this part of +the ceremony was ended the brethren made a libation according to +ancient usage. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect raised me and said, "That which +I shall now communicate to you, will make you accomplished in +Masonry." He then gave me three signs, three tokens, the three +pass-words, and the three grand words of this degree. + +Q. Give me the signs? [First sign made like Master Mason's, with hands +clenched.] + +Q. To what does this sign allude? A. To the penalty of the obligation. +[Second sign: bring your right hand upright, the palm outwards to +guard your left cheek, your left hand supporting your elbow, then +guard your right cheek with left hand, etc.] + +Q. To what does that sign allude? A. To the manner in which Moses +guarded his eyes from the light of the burning bush, from which the +Almighty revealed to him his true name. [Third sign is that of +surprise: raise both hands as high as the shoulders, and step back +with the right foot.] + +Q. To what does this sign allude? A. To the attitude of Solomon and +Hiram, when the sacred treasure was first produced. + +Q. Give me the first token? [First token same as Intimate Secretary, +giving the words Berith, Neder, Shelemoth] + +Q. What do those signify? A. Alliance, Promise and Protection. + +Q. To what do they allude? A. To the alliance of Moses and Aaron, of +Solomon and Hiram, King of Tyre. The promise made by the Almighty to +the ancient patriarchs that the true pronunciation of his name should +be revealed to their posterity, and the perfection attained when this +promise was fulfilled. + +Q. Give me the second token? [Pass from Master's grip, and seize his +right arm above the elbow, and place your left hand on his right +shoulder.] + +Q. Give me the third token? [With your left hand seize your brother's +right elbow, and with your right hand, his right shoulder.] + +Q. Give me the three pass-words? A. First, Master Mason's; second, +Elhanon; third, Fellow Craft's, repeated thrice. + +Q. Give me the three grand words? A. First, Gibulum; second, +Eh-yeh-asher-eh-yeh. + +Q. What does that word signify? A. I am what I am. Third, El-hod-dihu +kaw-lu. + +Q. What does that word signify? A. God be praised, we have finished +it. + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect caused me to pronounce the +mysterious word of this degree. + +Q. Pronounce it? A. I cannot but once in my life. + +Q. How will you then give it? A. * * * * [A Hebrew pronunciation of +God.] + +Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect thus addressed me: "You are +already acquainted with the fact, that the true pronunciation of the +name of God was revealed to Enoch, and that he engraved the letters +composing that name on a triangular plate of gold. The name was +represented by the four Hebrew consonants, Jod, He, Vau, and He. The +vowel sounds of this language being represented by points placed above +the consonants, and being frequently omitted in writing, the +consonants composing the mysterious word, at different ages, received +different pronunciations. Hence, though the method of writing this +word remained uniform, its pronunciation underwent many changes. These +changes constitute what are termed the different ages of Masonry. +These are 3, 5, 7 and 9. These are the three ages of Masonry, and are +thus estimated: + +After the death of Enoch, the ineffable name was pronounced by + + { Methuselah, } + 3 { Lamech, and } Juha (Yu-haw.) + { Noah, } + + { Reu, } { + { Serug, } { + { Nahor, } { + 7 { Terah, } Jova { 7 ages. + { Abraham, } (Yo-waw). { + { Isaac, } { + { Judah, } { + + { Shem, } { + { Arphaxed, } { + 5 { Salah, } Jeva { 5 ages. + { Eber, and } (Ye-waw). { + { Peleg, } { + + { Hezron, } (Yay-wo) } + { Ram, } Jevo. } + { Aminadab, } Jevah } + { Nasshou, } (Ye-way). } + 9 { Salmon, } } 9 ages. + { Boaz, } Johe } + { Obed, } (Yo-hay). } + + Jesse, } Jehovah } + David, } (Ye-ho-waw). } + +The true pronunciation of the name was revealed to Enoch, Jacob, and +Moses, and on that account are not named in this enumeration. The +perfect number is thus formed:--The number of corrupted words is 9. +The ages of Masonry, 3, 5, 7, 9--24, multiplied by 3, the number +gotten who discovered Tunsune (noticed in the degree of the Knight of +the Ninth Arch), gives the product 72; to this add 9, the number of +corrupted words, the amount is 81. The mysterious words which you +received in the preceding degrees, are all so many corruptions of the +true name (of God) which was engraved on the triangle of Enoch. In +this engraving the vowel points are so arranged as to give the +pronunciation which you have just received (Yow-ho). This word, when +thus pronounced, is called the ineffable word, which cannot be altered +as other words are, and the degrees which you have received, are +called, on this account, INEFFABLE DEGREES. This word you will +recollect was not found until after the death of Hiram Abiff, +consequently the word engraved by him on the ark is not the true name +of God." + +Q. What then followed? A. The Most Perfect gave me the secret +characters of this degree, and then invested me with the jewels, +apron, and girdle of this degree, and I was again addressed:--"I now +with the greatest pleasure salute you," etc. + +CLOSING.--Most Perfect knocks three (Grand Marshal rises), "The last," +etc., etc. Most Perfect knocks five, and Junior Warden rises. "Brother +Junior Warden, what is the hour?" Most Perfect knocks seven, and +Senior Warden rises. Most Perfect says, "Venerable Brother Senior +Warden, how should the Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason part?" +A. "They should part in peace, love, and unity." Most Perfect knocks +nine, all brethren rise. Signs. Most Perfect knocks three, five, seven +and nine, Junior Warden the same, Senior Warden the same, and brethren +the same, with their hands, etc. + + * * * * * + + +THE PHILOSOPHICAL LODGE; OR, THE KEY OF MASONRY: BEING THE DEGREE OF +KNIGHTS ADEPTS OF THE EAGLE OR SUN. + +This Council must be illuminated by one single light, and is +enlightened by one divine light: because there is one single light +that shines among men, who have the happiness of going from the +darkness of ignorance and of the vulgar prejudices, to follow the only +light that leads to the celestial truth. The light that is in our +Lodge, is composed of a glass globe filled with water, and a light +placed behind it, which renders the light more clear. The glass of +reflection, the globe, when it is lighted, is placed in the south. + +ROBE AND SCEPTRE.--The Grand Master or Thrice Puissant, is named +"Father Adam," who is placed in the East, vested in a robe of pale +yellow, like the morning. He has his hat on, and in his right hand a +sceptre, on the top of which is a globe of gold. The handle or +extremity of the sceptre is gilt. The reason that Father Adam carries +the globe above the sceptre in this Council is, because he was +constituted Sovereign Master of the world, and created Sovereign +Father of all men. He carries a SUN suspended by a chain of gold +around his neck; and on the reverse of this jewel of gold is a globe. +When this degree is given, no jewel or apron is worn. + +There is only one Warden, who sits opposite Father Adam in the west, +and is called Brother Truth. He is entitled to the same ornaments as +Father Adam; and the order that belongs to this degree is a broad +white watered ribbon worn as a collar, with an eye of gold embroidered +thereon, above the gold chain and jewel of the sun. The number of +other officers is seven, and are called by the name of the cherubim, +as follows: Zaphriel, Zabriel, Camiel, Uriel, Michael, Zaphael, and +Gabriel. These ought to be decorated in the same manner as the Thrice +Puissant Father Adam. If there are more than that number of the +Knights of the Sun, they go by the name of Sylphs, and are the +preparers of the Council, and assistants in all the ceremonies or +operations of the Lodge. They are entitled to the same jewel, but have +a ribbon of a fiery color tied to the third button-hole of their coat. + +TO OPEN THE GRAND COUNCIL.--Father Adam says:--"Brother Truth, what +time is it on earth?" Brother Truth: "Mighty Father, it is midnight +among the profane, or cowans, but the sun is in its meridian in this +Lodge." Father Adam: "My dear children, profit by the favor of this +austere luminary, at present showing its light to us, which will +conduct us in the path of virtue, and to follow that law which is +eternally to be engraved on our hearts, and the only law by which we +cannot fail to come to the knowledge of pure truth." He then makes a +sign, by putting his right hand on his left breast; on which all the +brethren put up the first finger of the right hand above their heads, +the other fingers clenched, showing by that, that there is but one +God, who is the beginning of all truth; then Father Adam says, "This +Lodge is opened." + +FORM OF RECEPTION.--After the Council is opened, the candidate is +introduced into an ante-chamber, where there are a number of Sylphs, +each with a bellows, blowing a large pot of fire, which the candidate +sees, but they take no notice of him. After he is left in that +situation two or three minutes, the most ancient of the Sylphs goes to +the candidate and covers his face with black crape. He must be without +a sword, and is told that he must find the door of the Sanctuary, and +when found, to knock on it six times with an open hand. After he finds +the door and knocks, Brother Truth goes to the door, and having opened +it a little, asks the candidate the following questions, which he +answers by the help of the Sylphs. "Q. What do you desire? A. I desire +to go out of darkness to see the true light, and to know the true +light in all its purity. Q. What do you desire more? A. To divest +myself of original sin, and destroy the juvenile prejudices of error, +which all men are liable to, namely, the desire of all worldly +attachments and pride." On which Brother Truth comes to Father Adam, +and relates what the candidate has told him; when Father Adam gives +orders to introduce the candidate to the true happiness. Then Brother +Truth opens the door, and takes the candidate by the hand, and +conducts him to the middle of the Lodge or Sanctuary, which is also +covered by a black cloth, when Father Adam addresses him thus: "My +son, seeing by your labor in the royal art, you are now come to the +desire of knowledge of the pure and holy truth, we shall lay it open +to you without any disguise or covering. But, before we do this, +consult your heart, and see in this moment if you feel yourself +disposed to obey her (namely truth) in all things which she commands. +If you are disposed, I am sure she is ready in your heart, and you +must feel an emotion that was unknown to you before. This being the +case, you must hope that she will not be long to manifest herself to +you. But have a care not to defile the sanctuary by a spirit of +curiosity; and take care not to increase the number of the vulgar and +profane, that have for so long a time ill-treated her, until Truth was +obliged to depart the earth, and now can hardly trace any of her +footsteps. But she always appears in her greatest glory, without +disguise, to the true, good, and honest Free Masons; that is to say, +to the zealous extirpators of superstition and lies. I hope, my dear +brother, you will be one of her intimate favorites. The proofs that +you have given, assure me of everything I have to expect of your zeal; +for as nothing now can be more a secret among us, I shall order +brother Truth, that he will instruct you what you are to do in order +to come to true happiness." After this discourse of Father Adam, the +candidate is unveiled and shown the form of the Lodge or Council, +without explaining any part thereof. Brother Truth then proceeds thus: +"My dear brother, by my mouth, holy truth speaketh to you, but before +she can manifest herself to you, she requires of you proofs in which +she is satisfied in your entrance into the Masonic order. She has +appeared to you in many things which you could not have apprehended or +comprehended without her assistance; but now you have the happiness to +arrive at the brilliant day, nothing can be a secret to you. Learn, +then, the moral use that is made of the three first parts of the +furniture, which you knew after you was received an Entered Apprentice +Mason, viz.: Bible, Compass and Square. By the Bible you are to +understand that it is the only law you ought to follow. It is that +which Adam received at his creation, and which the Almighty engraved +in his heart. This law is called natural law, and shows positively +that there is but one God, and to adore him only without any +subdivision or interpolation. The Compass gives you the faculty of +judging for yourself, that whatever God has created, is well, and he +is the sovereign author of every thing. Existing in himself, nothing +is either good or evil; because we understand by this expression, an +action done which is excellent in itself, is relative, and submits to +the human understanding, or judgment, to know the value and price of +such action; and that God, with whom every thing is possible, +communicates nothing of his will, but such as his great goodness +pleases; and every thing in the universe is governed as he has decreed +it, with justice, being able to compare it with the attributes of the +Divinity. I equally say, that in himself there is no evil; because he +has made every thing with exactness, and that every thing exists +according to his will; consequently, as it ought to be. This distance +between good and evil with the Divinity, cannot be more justly and +clearly compared than by a circle formed with a compass. From the +points being reunited there is formed an entire circumference; and +when any point in particular equally approaches or equally separates +from its point, it is only a faint resemblance of the distance between +good and evil, which we compare by the points of a compass forming a +circle, which circle when completed is God. + +SQUARE.--By the Square we discover that God, who has made every thing +equal, in the same manner that you are not able to dig a body in a +quarry complete, or perfect; thus, the wish of the Eternal in creating +the world by a liberal act of his own, well foresaw every matter that +could possibly happen in consequence thereof; that is to say, that +every thing therein contained at the same time of the creation was +good. + +LEVEL.--You have also seen a level, a plumb, and a rough stone. By the +level you are to learn to be upright and sincere, and not to suffer +yourself to be drawn away by the multitude of the blind and ignorant +people; to be always firm and steady to sustain the right of the +natural law, and the pure and real knowledge of that truth which it +teacheth. + +PERPENDICULAR AND ROUGH STONE.--By these you ought to understand that +the perpendicular man is polished by reason, and put censure away by +the excellence of our Master. + +TRESSLE-BOARD.--You have seen the tressle-board, to draw plans on. +This represents the man whose whole occupation is the art of thinking, +and who employs his reason in that which is just and reasonable. + +CUBIC STONE.--You have seen the cubic stone, the moral of which, and +the sense you ought to draw from it, is, to rule your actions, that +they might be equally brought to the sovereign good. + +PILLARS.--The two pillars teacheth you that all Masons ought to attach +themselves firmly to become an ornament to the order, as well as to +its support; as the pillars of Hercules formerly determined the end of +the ancient world. + +BLAZING STAR.--You have seen the blazing star, the moral sense of +which is, "a true Mason perfecting himself in the way of truth," that +he may become like a blazing star which shineth equally during the +thickest darkness; and it is useful to those that it shineth upon, and +who are ready and desirous of profiting by its light. + +The first instructions have conducted you to the knowledge of Hiram +Abiff, and the inquiries that were made in finding him out. You have +been informed of the words, signs and tokens which were substituted +for those we feared would have been surprised, but of which they +afterwards learnt that the treacherous villains had not been able to +receive any knowledge of; and this ought to be an example and salutary +advice to you, to be always on your guard, and well persuaded that it +is difficult to escape the snares that ignorance, joined to conceited +opinion, lay every day against us, and thereby to overcome us; and the +most virtuous men are liable to fall, because their candor renders +them unsuspecting. But, in this case, you ought to be firm as our +Respectable Father Hiram, who chose rather to be massacred than to +give up what he had obtained. + +This will teach you that as soon as truth shall be fixed in your +heart, you ought never to consider the resolution you should take; you +must live and die to sustain the light, by which we acquire the +sovereign good. We must never expose ourselves to the conversation of +cowans, and must be circumspect even with those with whom we are the +most intimate; and not deliver up ourselves to any, excepting those +whose character and behavior have proved them brothers, who are worthy +to come and appear in the sacred sanctuary where holy Truth delivers +her oracles. + +You have passed the Secret and Perfect Master; you have been decorated +with an ivory key, a symbol of your distinction; you have received the +pronunciation of the ineffable name of the Great Architect of the +universe, and have been placed at the first balustrade of the +sanctuary; you have had rank among the Levites, after which you knew +the word "Zizon," which signifies "a balustrade of the Levites;" where +all those are placed, as well as yourself, to expect the knowledge of +the most sublime mysteries. + +COFFIN AND ROPE.--In the degree of Perfect Master they have shown you +a grave, a coffin, and a "withe rope," to raise and deposit the body +in a sepulchre, made in the form of a pyramid, in the top of which was +a triangle, within which was the sacred name of the Eternal, and on +the pavement were the two columns of Jachin and Boaz laid across. + +IVORY KEY.--By the "ivory key" you are to understand that you cannot +open your heart with safety, but at proper times. By the corpse and +grave is represented the state of man, before he had known the +happiness of our order. + +ROPE.--The rope to which the coffin is tied, in order to raise it, is +the symbol of raising one, as you have been raised from the grave of +ignorance to the celestial place where truth resides. + +PYRAMID.--The pyramid represents the true Mason who raises himself by +degrees, till he reaches heaven, to adore the sacred and unalterable +name of the Eternal Supreme. + +INTIMATE SECRETARY.--This new degree leads you near to Solomon and +honor; and after you redoubled your zeal, you gained new honors and +favors, having nearly lost your life by curiosity; which attachment to +Masonry gave you the good qualities of your heart, and which obtained +your pardon and let you to the "Intendant of the Buildings," where you +saw a "blazing star," a large candlestick with seven branches, with +altars, vases, and purification, and a great brazen sea. + +BLAZING STAR.--By the expression of PURIFICATION you are to understand +that you are to be cleansed from impiety and prejudice before you can +acquire more of the sublime knowledge in passing the other degrees, to +be able to support the brilliant light of reason, enlightened by +truth, of which the blazing star is the figure. + +CANDLESTICK WITH SEVEN BRANCHES.--By the candlestick with seven +branches you are to remember the mysterious number of the seven +Masters who were named to succeed one; and from that time it was +resolved that seven Knights of Masonry, united together, were able to +initiate into Masonry, and show them the seven gifts of the Eternal, +which we shall give you a perfect knowledge of, when you have been +purified in the Brazen Sea. + +BRAZEN SEA.--You have passed from the Secret and Perfect Master to the +Intimate Secretary, Provost and Judge, and Intendant of the Buildings. +In these degrees they have shown you an ebony box, a key suspended, a +balance, and an inflamed urn. + +EBONY BOX.--The ebony box shows you with what scrupulous attention you +are to keep the secrets that have been confided to you, and which you +are to reserve in the closet of your heart, of which the box is an +emblem. And were you to reflect on the black color of said box, it +would teach you to cover your secrets with a thick veil, in such a +manner that the profane cowans cannot possibly have any knowledge +thereof. + +KEY.--The key demonstrates that you have already obtained a key to our +knowledge, and part of our mysteries; and if you behave with equity, +fervor, and zeal to your brothers, you will arrive shortly to the +knowledge and meaning of our society, and this indicates the reason of +the balance. + +INFLAMED URN.--By the inflamed urn you are to understand, that as far +as you come to the knowledge of the Royal and Sublime Art, you must, +by your behavior, leave behind you, in the minds of your brethren and +the vulgar, a high idea of your virtue, equal to the perfume of the +burning urn. + +TWO KINGS.--In the degree of Intimate Secretary, you have seen and +heard two kings who were entering into their new alliance and +reciprocal promise, and of the perfection of their grand enterprise. +They spoke of the death of Hiram Abiff, our Excellent Master. You saw +guards, as a man who was overseen, very near of being put to death for +his curiosity of peeping. You also heard of the prospect of a place +called the vault, to deposit the precious treasure of Masonry, when +the time should be fulfilled, and you afterwards became a brother. The +conversation of the two kings is the figure of the coincidence of our +laws and the natural law, which forms a perfect agreement with what +is expedient, and promises to those who shall have the happiness to be +connected to you in the same manner and perfect alliance that they +will afterwards come to the centre of true knowledge. + +TEARS.--The tears and regret of the two kings are the emblem of the +regret you ought to have when you perceive a brother depart from the +road of virtue. + +THE MAN PEEPING.--By the man you saw peeping, and who was discovered +and seized, and conducted to death, is an emblem of those who come to +be initiated into our sacred mysteries through a motive of curiosity; +and, if so indiscreet as to divulge their obligations, we are bound to +take vengeance on the treason by the destruction of the traitor. Let +us pray the Eternal to preserve our order from such an evil you have +hereof seen an example, in that degree to which you came, by your +zeal, fervor and constancy. In that degree you have remarked, that +from all the favorites that were at that time in the apartment of +Solomon, only nine were elected to avenge the death of Hiram Abiff; +this makes good, that a great many are often called, but few chosen. +To explain this enigma, a great many of the profane have the happiness +to divest themselves of that name, to see and obtain the entrance in +our sanctuary; but very few are constant, zealous and fervent, to +merit the happiness of coming to the height and knowledge of the +sublime truth. + +REQUISITIONS TO MAKE A GOOD MASON.--If you ask me what are the +requisite qualities that a Mason must be possessed of, to come to the +centre of truth, I answer you, that you must crush the head of the +serpent of ignorance. You must shake off the yoke of infant prejudice +concerning the mysteries of the reigning religion, which worship has +been imaginary, and only founded on the spirit of pride, which envies +to command and be distinguished, and to be at the head of the vulgar; +in affecting an exterior purity, which characterizes a false piety, +joined to a desire of acquiring that which is not its own, and is +always the subject of this exterior pride, and unalterable source of +many disorders, which being joined to gluttonness, is the daughter of +hypocrisy, and employs every matter to satisfy carnal desires, and +raises to these predominant passions, altars, upon which she +maintains, without ceasing, the light of iniquity, and sacrifices +continually offerings to luxury, voluptuousness, hatred, envy, and +perjury. Behold, my dear brother, what you must fight against and +destroy before you can come to the knowledge of the true good and +sovereign happiness! Behold this monster which you must conquer--a +serpent which we detest as an idol, that is adored by the idiot and +vulgar under the name of religion. + +SOLOMON, KING HIRAM, AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.--In the degrees of +Elected of Fifteen, Illustrious Knights, Grand Master Architects, and +Knights of the Ninth Arch, you have seen many things which are only a +repetition of what you have already examined. You will always find in +those degrees initial letters enclosed in different triangles, or +Deltas. You have also seen the planet Mercury, the chamber called +"Gabaon," or the "Third Heaven;" the "winding staircase," the "Ark of +Alliance," the "tomb of Hiram Abiff," facing the ark and the urn--the +precious treasure found by the assiduous travels--the three zealous +brethren Masons--the punishment of the haughty Master Mason, in being +buried under the ancient ruins of Enoch's temple--and finally, you +have seen the figures of Solomon, and Hiram, King of Tyre, and St. +John the Baptist. + +3. I. I. I.--By the 3. I. I. I. you know the three sacred names of the +Eternal and "Mount Gabaon" (Third Heaven) which you came to by seven +degrees that compose the winding staircase. + +The seven stars represent the seven principal and different degrees to +which you must come to attain the height of glory represented by the +mount, where they formerly sacrificed to the Most High! When you +arrive to that, you are to subdue your passions, in not doing anything +that is not prescribed in our laws. + +By the planet Mercury, you are taught continually to mistrust, shun, +and run away from those who, by a false practice, maintain commerce +with people of a vicious life, who seem to despise the most sacred +mysteries--that is, to depart from those who by the vulgar fear, or a +bad understanding, are ready to deny the solemn obligations that they +have contracted among us.--When you come to the foot of our arch you +are to apprehend that you come to the "Sanctum Sanctorum." You are not +to return; but rather to persist in sustaining the glory of our order, +and the truth of our laws, principles, and mysteries, in like manner +as our Respectable Father Hiram Abiff, who deserved to have been +buried there for his constancy and fidelity. We have also another +example in the firmness of "Galaad," the son of "Sophonia," chief of +the Levites, under Surnam, the High Priest, as mentioned in the +history of perfection. Learn in this moment, my dear brother, what you +are to understand by the figures of Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, and +St. John the Baptist. The two first exert you, by their zeal in the +royal art, to follow the sublime road of which Solomon was the +institutor, and Hiram of Tyre, the "supporter;" a title legitimately +due to that king, who not only protected the order, but contributed +with all his might to the construction of the temple (furnishing stone +from Tyre, and the cedars of Lebanus) which Solomon built to the honor +of the Almighty. + +The third, or St. John the Baptist, teaches you to preach marvellous +to this order, which is as much as to say, you are to make secret +missions among men, which you believe to be in a state of entering the +road of truth, that they may be able one day to see her virtues and +visage uncovered. + +HIRAM ABIFF was the symbol of truth on earth. Jubelum Akirop was +accused by the serpent of ignorance, which to this day raises altars +in the hearts of the profane and fearful. This profaneness, backened +by a fanatic zeal, becomes an instrument to the religious power, which +struck the first stroke in the heart of our dear Father, Hiram Abiff; +which is as much as to say, undermined the foundation of the celestial +temple, which the Eternal himself had ordered to be raised to the +sublime truth and his glory. + +The first age of the world has been witness to what I have advanced. +The simple, natural law rendered to our first fathers the most +uninterrupted happiness. They were in those times more virtuous; but +as soon as the "monster of pride" started up in the air and disclosed +herself to those unhappy mortals, she promised to them every seat of +happiness, and seduced them by her soft and bewitching speeches, viz.: +That "they must render to the Eternal Creator of all things an +adoration with more testimony, and more extensive, than they had +hitherto done," etc. This Hydra with a hundred heads, at that time +misled, and continues to this day to mislead men who are so weak as to +submit to her empire; and it will subsist, until the moment that the +true elected shall appear and destroy her entirely. + +The degree of Sublime Elected, that you have passed, gives you the +knowledge of those things which conducts you to the true and solid +good. The grand circle represents the immensity of the Eternal +Supreme, who has neither beginning nor end. + +[Illustration: (4 concentric circles or 'bulls-eye')] + +The triangle, or Delta, is the mysterious figure of the Eternal. The +three letters which you see, signify as follows:--G, at the top of the +triangle, "the grand cause of the Masons": the S, at the left hand, +the "submission to the same order": and the U, at the right hand, the +"union that ought to reign among the brethren: which, altogether make +but one body, or equal figure in all its parts." This is the triangle +called "equilateral." The great letter G, placed in the centre of the +triangle, signifies "Great Architect of the Universe," who is God; and +in this ineffable name is found all the divine attributes. This letter +being placed in the centre of the triangle, is for us to understand +that every true Mason must have it profoundly in his heart. + +[Illustration: (Triangle with G at the top corner, S at the left +corner, U at the right corner, and a larger G in the middle)] + +There is another triangle, on which is engraved S. B. and N., of which +you have had an explanation in a preceding degree. This triangle +designs the connection of the brethren in virtue. The solemn promise +they have made to love each other; to help, succor, and keep +inviolably secret, their mysteries of the perfection proposed, in all +their enterprises. It is said in that degree, that "You have entered +the Third Heaven, that means you have entered the place where pure +truth resides, since she abandoned the earth to monsters who +persecuted her." + +[Illustration: (Triangle with 'B' at top, 'S' & 'N' below.)] + +The end of the degree of Perfection is a preparation to come more +clearly to the knowledge of true happiness, in becoming a true Mason, +enlightened by the celestial luminary of truth, in renouncing, +voluntarily, all adorations but those that are made to one God, the +Creator of heaven and earth, great, good, and merciful. End of Brother +Truth's harangue. + +Father Adam then says to the candidate, "My dear son, what you have +heard from the mouth of Truth is an abridgment of all the consequences +of all the degrees you have gone through, in order to come to the +knowledge of the holy truth, contracted in your last engagements. Do +you persist in your demand of coming to the holy brother, and is that +what you desire, with a clear heart?--answer me." The candidate +answers, "I persist." Then Father Adam says, "Brother Truth, as the +candidate persists, approach with him to the sanctuary, in order that +he may take a solemn obligation to follow our laws, principles, and +morals, and to attach himself to us forever." Then the candidate falls +on his knees, and Father Adam takes his hands between his own, and the +candidate repeats the following obligation three times: + + OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., promise, in the face of God, and between + the hands of my Sovereign, and in presence of all the brethren now + present, never to take arms against my country, directly or + indirectly, in any conspiracy against the Government thereof. I + promise never to reveal any of the degrees of the Knight of the + Sun, which is now on the point of being intrusted to me, to any + person or persons whatsoever, without being duly qualified to + receive the same; and never to give my consent to any one to be + admitted into our mysteries, only after the most scrupulous + circumspection, and full knowledge of his life and conversation; + and who has given at all times full proof of his zeal and fervent + attachment for the order, and a submission at all times to the + tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. I promise + never to confer the degree of the Knights of the Sun without + having a permission in writing from the Grand Council of Princes + of the Royal Secret, or from the Grand Inspector or his deputy, + known by their titles and authority. I promise also and swear, + that I will not assist any, through my means, to form or raise a + Lodge of the Sublime Orders, in this country, "without proper + authority." I promise and swear to redouble my zeal for all my + brethren, Knights, and Princes, that are present or absent; and if + I fail in this my obligation, I consent for all my brethren, when + they are convinced of my infidelity, to seize me, and thrust my + tongue through with a red-hot iron; to pluck out both my eyes, and + to deprive me of smelling and hearing; to cut off both my hands, + and to expose me in that condition in the field, to be devoured by + the voracious animals; and if none can be found, I wish the + lightning of heaven might execute on me the same vengeance. O God, + maintain me in right and equity. Amen. Amen. Amen. + +After the obligation is three times repeated, Father Adam raises the +candidate, and gives him one kiss on his forehead, being the seat of +the soul. He then decorates him with the collar and jewel of the +order, and gives him the following sign, token and word:--SIGN: Place +the right hand flat upon the heart, the thumb forming a square. The +answer, raise the hand, and with the index point to heaven. This is to +show that there is but one God, the source of all truth. TOKEN: Take +in your hands those of your brother, and press them gently. Some +Knights, in addition to this, kiss the forehead of the brother, saying +"Alpha," to which he answers, "Omega." SACRED WORD: "Adonai." This +word is answered by "Albra," or "Abbraak," which is rendered "a king +without reproach." Some contend that this word should be written +"Abrah." PASS-WORD:--"Stibium" (antimony). By this is intended as +among the Hermetic Philosophers, "the primitive matter whence all +things are formed." To this pass-word some add the following: +"Helios," "Mene," "Tetragrammaton." + +After these are given, the candidate goes 'round and gives them to +every one, which brings him back to Father Adam. He then sits down +with the rest of the brethren, and then Brother Truth gives the +following explanation of the Philosophical Lodge: + +SUN.--The sun represents the unity of the Eternal Supreme, the only +grand work of philosophy. + +3. S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. signify the "Stiletto, Sidech, Solo," or +the residence of the Sovereign Master of all things. + +THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks show us the three degrees +of fire. + +FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles represent the four elements. + +SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets design the seven colors that appear +in their original state, from whence we have so many different +artificial ones. + +SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims represent the seven metals, +viz., gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin and quicksilver. + +CONCEPTION IN THE MOON.--The conception, or woman, rising in the moon, +demonstrates the purity that matter subsists of, in order to remain in +its pure state unmixed with any other body, from which must come a new +king, and a revolution or fulness of time filled with glory whose name +is Albra. + +HOLY SPIRIT.--The Holy Spirit, under the symbol of a dove, is the +image of the Universal Spirit, that gives light to all in the three +states of nature; and on the animal, vegetable and mineral. + +ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE.--The entrance of the temple is represented to +you by a body, because the grand work of nature is complete as gold, +potable and fixed. + +GLOBE.--The globe represents the matter in the primeval state; that is +to say, complete. + +CADUCEUS.--The caduceus represents the double mercury that you must +extract from the matter; that is to say, the mercury fixed, and from +thence is extracted gold and silver. + +STIBIUM.--The word stibium signifies the antimony, from whence, by the +philosophical fire, is taken an alkali which we empty in our grand +work. End of the philosophical explanation. Then Father Adam explains +the + + +MORAL LODGE. + +SUN.--The sun represents the divinity of the Eternal; for as there is +but one Sun to light and invigorate the earth, so there is but one +God, to whom we ought to pay our greatest adoration. + +3 S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. are initials of the words Scienta, +Sapientia, Sanctitas, and teach you that science, adorned with wisdom, +creates a holy man. + +THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks are the image of the life +of man, considered in youth, manhood, and old age, and happy are those +that have been enlightened in these ages, by the light of truth. + +FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles show us the four principal duties +that create our tranquil life, viz.: Fraternal love among men in +general, and particularly among brethren, and in the same degree with +us. Secondly. In not having anything but for the use and advantage of +a brother. Thirdly. Doubting of every matter that cannot be +demonstrated to you clearly, by which an attempt might be made to +insinuate mysteries in matters of religion, and hereby lead you away +from the holy truth. Fourthly. Never do anything to another that you +would not have done unto you. The last precept, well understood and +followed on all occasions, is the true happiness of philosophy. + +SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets represent the seven principal +passions of man. + +SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims are the images of the delights +of life: namely, by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, +tranquility, and health. + +CONCEPTION.--The conception in the moon shows the purity of matter, +and that nothing can be impure to the eyes of the Supreme. + +HOLY SPIRIT.--The Spirit is the figure of our soul, which is only the +breath of the Eternal, and which cannot be soiled by the works of the +body. + +TEMPLE.--The temple represents our body, which we are obliged to +preserve by our natural feelings. + +FIGURE OF A MAN.--The figure is in the entrance of the temple, which +bears a lamb in his arms, and teaches us to be attentive to our wants, +as a shepherd takes care of his sheep; to be charitable, and never let +slip the present opportunity of doing good, to labor honestly, and to +live in this day as if it were our last. + +COLUMNS OF JACHIN AND BOAZ.--The columns of J. and B. are the symbols +of the strength of our souls in bearing equally misfortunes, as well +as success in life. + +SEVEN STEPS OF THE TEMPLE.--The seven steps of the temple are the +figures of the seven degrees which we must pass before we arrive to +the knowledge of the true God. + +GLOBE.--The globe represents the world which we inhabit. + +LUX EX TENEBRIS.--The device of "Lux ex tenebris" teacheth, that when +man is enlightened by reason, he is able to penetrate the darkness and +obscurity which ignorance and superstition spread abroad. + +RIVER.--The river across the globe represents the utility of the +passions that are necessary to man in the course of his life, as water +is requisite to the earth in order to replenish the plants thereof. + +CROSS SURROUNDED.--The cross surrounded by two serpents signifies that +we must watch the vulgar prejudices, to be very prudent in giving any +of our knowledge and secrets in matters, especially in religion. End +of the moral explanation. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Knight of the Sun? Answer--I have +mounted the seven principal steps of Masonry; I have penetrated into +the bowels of the earth, and among the ancient ruins of Enoch found +the most grand and precious treasures of the Masons. I have seen, +contemplated, and admired the great, mysterious, and formidable name +engraved on the triangle; I have broken the pillar of beauty, and +thrown down the two columns that supported it. + +Q. Pray tell me what is that mysterious and formidable name? A. I +cannot unfold the sacred characters in this manner, but substitute in +its place the grand word of [represented by the Hebrew consonants Jod, +He, Vau, He.] + +Q. What do you understand by throwing down the columns that sustained +the pillar of beauty. A. Two reasons.--First. When the temple was +destroyed by Nebuzaradan, general of the army of Nebuchadnezzar, I was +one that helped to defend the Delta on which was engraved the +ineffable name; and I broke down the columns of beauty, in order that +it should not be profaned by the infidels. Second. As I have deserved, +by my travel and labor, the beauty of the great "Adonai" (Lord), the +mysteries of Masonry, in passing the seven principal degrees. + +Q. What signifies the seven planets? A. The lights of the celestial +globe and also their influence, by which every matter exists on the +surface of the earth or globe. + +Q. From what is the terrestrial globe formed? A. From the matter which +is formed by the concord of the four elements, designed by the four +triangles, that are in regard to them as the four greater planets. + +Q. What are the names of the seven planets? A. Sun, Moon, Mars, +Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn. + +Q. Which are the four elements? A. Air, fire, earth, and water. + +Q. What influence have the seven planets on the four elements? A. +Three general matters of which all bodies are composed--life, spirit, +and body; otherwise, salt, sulphur and mercury. + +Q. What is life or salt? A. The life given by the Eternal Supreme, or +the planets, the agents of nature. + +Q. What is the spirit or sulphur? A. A fixed matter, subject to +several productions. + +Q. What is the body or mercury? A. Matter conducted or refined to its +form by the union of salt and sulphur, or the agreement of the three +governors of nature. + +Q. What are those three governors of nature? A. Animal, vegetable and +mineral. + +Q. What is animal? A. We understand in this, life--all that is divine +and amiable. + +Q. Which of the elements serve for his productions? A. All the four +are necessary, among which, nevertheless, air and fire are +predominant; and it is those that render the animal the perfection of +the three governments, which man is elevated to by one-fourth of the +breath of the Divine Spirit, when he receives his soul. + +Q. What is the vegetable? A. All that seems attached to the earth +reigns on the surface. + +Q. Of what is it composed? A. Of a generative fire, formed into a body +whilst it remains in the earth, and is purified by its moisture and +becomes vegetable, and receives life by air and water; whereby the +four elements, though different, co-operate jointly and separately. + +Q. What is the mineral? A. All that is generated and secreted in the +earth. + +Q. What do we understand by this name? A. That which we call metals +and demi-metals and minerals. + +Q. What is it that composes the minerals? A. The air penetrating by +the celestial influence into the earth, meets with a body, which, by +its softness, fixes, congeals, and renders the mineral matter more or +less perfect. + +Q. Which are the perfect metals? A. Gold and silver. + +Q. Which are the imperfect metals? A. Brass, lead, tin, iron and +quicksilver. + +Q. How come we by the knowledge of these things? A. By frequent +observations and the experiments made in natural philosophy, which +have decided to a certainty that nature gives a perfection to all +things, if she has time to complete her operations. + +Q. Can art bring metal to perfection so fully as nature? A. Yes; but +in order to do this, you must have an exact knowledge of nature. + +Q. What will assist you to bring forth this knowledge? A. A matter +brought to perfection, this has been sought for under the name of the +philosopher's stone. + +Q. What does the globe represent? A. An information of philosophers, +for the benefit of the art in this work. + +Q. What signify the words, "Lux ex tenebris?" A. That is the depth of +darkness you ought to retire from, in order to gain the true light. + +Q. What signifies the cross on the globe? A. The cross is the emblem +of the true elected. + +Q. What represent the three candlesticks? A. The three degrees of +fire, which the artist must have knowledge to give, in order to +procure the matters from which it proceeds. + +Q. What signifies the word Stibium? A. It signifies antimony, or the +first matter of all things. + +Q. What signify the seven degrees? A. The different effectual degrees +of Masonry which you must pass to come to the Sublime Degree of +Knights of the Sun. + +Q. What signify the divers attributes in those degrees? A. First. The +Bible, or God's law, which we ought to follow. Second. The compass +teaches us to do nothing unjust. Third. The square conducts us equal +to the same end. 4th. The level demonstrates to us, all that is just +and equitable. Fifth. The perpendicular, to be upright and subdue the +veil of prejudice. Sixth. The tressle-board is the image of our +reason, where the functions are combined to effect, compare and think. +Seventh. The rough-stone is the resemblance of our vices, which we +ought to reform. Eighth. The cubic stone is our passions, which we +ought to surmount. Ninth. The columns signify strength in all things. +Tenth. The blazing star teaches that our hearts ought to be as a clear +sun, among those that are troubled with the things of this life. +Eleventh. The key teaches to have a watchful eye over those who are +contrary to reason. Twelfth. The box teaches to keep our secrets +inviolably. Thirteenth. The urn learns us that we ought to be as +delicious perfumes. Fourteenth. The brazen sea, that we ought to +purify ourselves, and destroy vice. Fifteenth. The circles on the +triangles demonstrate the immensity of the divinity under the symbol +of truth. Sixteenth. The poniard teacheth the step of the elected, +many are called, but few are chosen to the sublime knowledge of pure +truth. Seventeenth. The word albra signifies a king full of glory and +without blot. Eighteenth. The word Adonai signifies Sovereign Creator +of all things. Nineteenth. The seven cherubims are the symbols of the +delights of life, known by seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, +smelling, tranquility, and thought. + +Q. What represents the sun? A. It is an emblem of Divinity, which we +ought to regard as the image of God. This immense body represents the +infinity of God's wonderful will, as the only source of light and +good. The heat of the sun produces the rule of the seasons, recruits +nature, takes darkness from the winter, in order that the +deliciousness of spring might succeed. End of the physical lecture. + + * * * * * + + +GENERAL LECTURE IN THIS DEGREE. + +Question--From whence came you? Answer--From the centre of the earth. + +Q. How have you come from thence? A. By reflection, and the study of +nature. + +Q. Who has taught you this? A. Men in general who are blind, and lead +others in their blindness. + +Q. What do you understand by this blindness? A. I do not understand it +to be privy to their mysteries; but I understand under the name of +blindness, those who cease to be ardent, after they have been privy to +the light of the spirit of reason. + +Q. Who are those? A. Those who, through the prejudices of superstition +and fanaticism, render their services to ignorance. + +Q. What do you understand by fanaticism? A. The zeal of all particular +sects which are spread over the earth, who commit crimes by making +offerings to fraud and falsehood. + +Q. And do you desire to rise from this darkness? A. My desire is to +come to the celestial truth, and to travel by the light of the sun. + +Q. What represents that body? A. It is the figure of an only God, to +whom we ought to pay our adoration. The sun being the emblem of God, +we ought to regard it as the image of the Divinity; for that immense +body represents wonderfully the infinity of God. He invigorates and +produces the seasons, and replenishes nature, by taking the horrors +from winter, and produces the delights of spring. + +Q. What does the triangle, with the sun in the centre, represent? A. +It represents the immensity of the Supreme. + +Q. What signifies the three S. S. S.? A. Sanctitas, Scientia, and +Syrentia, which signify the science accompanied with wisdom, and make +men holy. + +Q. What signifies the three candlesticks? A. It represents the course +of life, considered in youth, manhood, and old age. + +Q. Has it any other meaning? A. Yes, the triple light that shines +among us, in order to take men out of darkness and ignorance into +which they are plunged, and to bring them to virtue, truth, and +happiness, a symbol of our perfection. + +Q. What signifies the four triangles that are in the great circles? A. +They are the emblems of the four principal views of the life of +tranquility, etc. First. Fraternal love to all mankind in general, +more particularly for our brethren, who are more attached to us, and +who with honor have seen the wretchedness of the vulgar. Second. To be +cautious among us of things, and not to demonstrate them clearly to +any who are not proper to receive them; and to be likewise cautious +in giving credit to any matter, however artfully it may be disguised, +without a self-conviction in the heart. Third. To cast from us every +matter which we perceive we may ever repent of doing, taking care of +this moral precept, "To do to every one of your fellow creatures no +more than you would choose to be done to." Fourth. We ought always to +confide in our Creator's bounty, and to pray without ceasing, that all +our necessities might be relieved as it seems best to him for our +advantage; to wait for his blessings patiently in this life; to be +persuaded of his sublime decrees, that whatever might fall, contrary +to our wishes, will be attended with good consequences; to take his +chastisements patiently, and be assured that the end of everything has +been done by him for the best, and will certainly lead us to eternal +happiness hereafter. + +Q. Explain the signification of the seven planets which are enclosed +in a triangle, that forms the rays of the exterior circles, and are +enclosed in the grand triangle. A. The seven planets, according to +philosophy, represent the seven principal passions of the life of man; +those passions are very useful when they are used in moderation, for +which the Almighty gave them to us, but grow fatal and destroy the +body when let loose: and, therefore, it is our particular duty to +subdue them. + +Q. Explain the seven passions to us. A. 1st. The propagation of +species. 2d. Ambition of acquiring riches. 3d. Ambition to acquire +glory in the arts and sciences among men in general. 4th. Superiority +in civil life. 5th. Joys and pleasures of society. 6th. Amusements and +gaieties of life. 7th. Religion. + +Q. Which is the greatest sin of all that man can commit, and render +him odious to God and man? A. Suicide and homicide. + +Q. What signifies the seven cherubims whose names are written in the +circle called the "First Heaven?" A. They represent the corporeal +delights of this life, which the Eternal gave to man when he created +him, and are, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, +tranquility, and thought. + +Q. What signifies the figure in the moon, which we regard as the +figure or image of conception? A. The purity of nature, which procures +the holiness of the body; and that there is nothing imperfect in the +eyes of the Supreme. + +Q. What signifies the figure of the columns? A. They are the emblems +of our souls, which is the breath of life proceeding from the All +Puissant, and ought not to be soiled by the works of the body, but to +be firm as columns. + +Q. What does the figure in the porch, which carries a lamb in his arms +represent? Ans.--The porch ornamented with the columns of Jachin and +Boaz, and surmounted with the grand I, represents our body, over which +we ought to have a particular care, in watching our conversation, and +also to watch our needs, as the shepherd his flock. + +Q. What signify the two letters, I and B, at the porch? A. They +signify our entrance in the order of Masonry; also the firmness of the +soul, which we ought to possess from hour of our initiation; these we +ought to merit, before we can come to the sublime degrees of knowing +holy truth, and we ought to preserve them, and be firm in whatever +situation we may be in, not knowing whether it may return to our good +or evil in the passage of this life. + +Q. What signifies the large I in the triangle on the crown of the +portico? A. That large I, being the initial of the mysterious name of +the Great Architect of the Universe, whose greatness we should always +have in our minds, and that our labors ought to be employed to please +Him; which we should always have in our view as the sure and only +source of our actions. + +Q. What signify the seven steps that lead to the entry of the porch? +A. They mark the seven degrees in Masonry, which are the principal +which we ought to arrive to, in order to come to the knowledge of holy +truth. + +Q. What does the terrestrial globe represent? A. The world which we +inhabit, and wherein Masonry is its principal ornament. + +Q. What is the explanation of the great word, Adonai? A. It is the +word which God gave to Adam, for him to pray by; a word which our +common father never pronounced without trembling. + +Q. What signifies "Lux ex tenebris?" A. A man made clear by the light +of reason, penetrating this obscurity of ignorance and superstition. + +Q. What signifies the river across the globe? A. It represents the +utility of our passions, which are necessary to man in the course of +his life, as water is necessary to render the earth fertile; as the +sun draws up the water, which being purified, falls on the earth and +gives verdure. + +Q. What signifies the cross, surrounded by two serpents, on the top of +the globe? A. It represents to us not to repeat the vulgar prejudices; +to be prudent, and to know the bottom of the heart. In matters of +religion to be always prepared; not to be of the sentiments with sots, +idiots, and the lovers of the mysteries of religion; to avoid such, +and not in the least to hold any conversation with them. + +Q. What signifies the book, with the word Bible written in it? A. As +the Bible is differently interpreted by the different sects who divide +the different parts of the earth: Thus the true sons of light, or +children of truth, ought to doubt of everything at present, as +mysterious or metaphysics: Thus all the decisions of theology and +philosophy, teach not to admit that which is not demonstrated as +clearly as that 2 and 2 are equal to 4; and on the whole to adore God, +and him only; to love him better than yourself; and always to have a +confidence on the bounties and promises of our Creator. Amen. Amen. +Amen. + +TO CLOSE THE COUNCIL.--Question (by Father Adam): Brother Truth, what +progress have men made on earth to come to true happiness? Answer (by +Brother Truth): Men have always fallen on the vulgar prejudices, which +are nothing but falsehood; very few have struggled, and less have +knocked at the door of this holy place, to attain the full light of +real truth, which we all ought to acquire. + +Then says Father Adam, "My dear children, depart and go among men, +endeavor to inspire them with the desire of knowing holy truth, the +pure source of all perfection." Father Adam then puts his right hand +on his left breast; when all the brethren raise the first finger of +the right hand, and then the Council of the Knights of the Sun is +closed by seven knocks. + + * * * * * + + +PRINCES OF JERUSALEM. + +PREROGATIVES OF THE PRINCES.--Princes of Jerusalem have a right to +inspect all Lodges or Councils of an inferior degree, and can revoke +and annul all the work done in such Councils or Lodges, if the same +shall be inconsistent with the regulations of Masonry. + +In countries where there are no Grand Lodges, they have power to +confer the blue degrees. They are the supreme judges of all +transactions in the lower degrees; and no appeal can be made to the +Supreme Councils of the upper degrees, until an opinion has been given +by the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and the result of their +opinion has been made known. + +A Prince of Jerusalem who visits an inferior Lodge or Council, ought +to present himself in the dress and ornaments of this degree. When his +approach is announced, the presiding officer must send a Prince of +Jerusalem to examine him, and if he reports in his favor, the arch of +steel is to be formed, and he is conducted beneath it to his seat on +the left of the presiding officer. An entry of his name and rank is +made on the records, that he may henceforward receive our honors +without any examination. + +Five Princes are necessary to form a Grand Council. + +DUTIES OF PRINCES.--They are carefully to observe the rules of justice +and good order, and to maintain irreproachable lives. If guilty of +unmasonic conduct, they are to be punished at the discretion of the +Grand Council. Expulsions are to be notified to the Grand Councils of +the upper degrees, and to all inferior Masonic bodies within the +district. + +If a Prince solicits a vote at an election, he is to be punished with +perpetual exclusion. + +The annual election is to take place on the twenty third day of the +Jewish month Adar. The meetings of the Councils are termed +Conventions. + +APARTMENTS USED IN THIS DEGREE.--There are two apartments, connected +by a long, narrow passage. The western represents the court of +Zerubbabel, at Jerusalem. The hangings are yellow. Over the throne is +a yellow canopy. On a triangular pedestal, before the throne, are +placed a naked sword, an arrow of justice, a balance, and a shield on +which is an equilateral triangle, a sceptre, a chandelier of five +branches, which are all lighted in the latter part of the ceremony of +reception. The eastern apartment represents the cabinet of Darius. It +is hung with red; the canopy is red. Before the throne is a small +square pedestal, and in it a drawn sword, a sceptre, paper, pens, etc. +The chief Minister of State sits near Darius. + +OFFICERS OF THE GRAND COUNCIL.--The first officer is styled "Most +Equitable Prince," and is on the throne. The Senior Warden and Junior +Warden are styled "Most Enlightened;" seated in the West. The other +officers and the members are styled "Valiant Princes." + +DRESS.--The "Most Equitable" wears a yellow robe and turban. The apron +is red; on it are painted the temple, a square, a buckler, a +triangle, and a hand; the flap is yellow; on it a balance, and the +letters D. Z. [Darius and Zerubbabel.] Gloves are red. Sash is yellow, +edged with gold, embroidered by a balance, a hand, a poniard, five +stars, and two crowns, it is worn from right to left. + +JEWEL.--A golden medal; on one side a hand holding a balance in +equilibris; on the other a two-edged sword, with five stars around the +point, and the letters D. Z. + +ALARM.--The alarm is three and two (!!! !!). + +OPENING.--The "Most Equitable" strikes one, and says, "Valiant Grand +Master of Ceremonies, what is the first business of a Grand Council of +the Princes of Jerusalem?" Grand Master of Ceremonies. "To see that +the guards are at their proper stations." M. E. "Attend to that duty, +and inform," etc. G. M. C.--"It is done, Most Equitable." Most +Equitable strikes two; the Junior Warden rises. M. E.--"Valiant Junior +Warden, what is our next business?" J. W.--"To see that all present +are Princes of Jerusalem." M. E.--"Attend to that duty." J. W.--"We +are all Princes of Jerusalem." Most Equitable (striking +thrice).--"Valiant Senior Warden, what is the hour?" Senior +Warden.--"The rising of the sun." M. E.--"What duty remains to be +done?" S. W.--"To arrange the Princes in two columns, for the proper +discharge of their duties." M. E.--"Attend to that duty." S. W.--"Most +Equitable, it is done." M. E.--"Valiant Junior and Senior Wardens, +inform your respective columns that I am about to open this Grand +Council of Princes of Jerusalem, by three and two." (That is done.) M. +E.--"Attention, Valiant Princes! (The signs are given; the Most +Equitable strikes three and two; this is repeated by the Wardens.) I +declare this Grand Council duly opened and in order for business." + +RECEPTION.--The candidate, being hoodwinked, is led by the Master of +Ceremonies to the door--the alarm is given--the door is opened without +any ceremony, and the candidate is led to the east, and thus +addressed: Most Equitable.--"What is your desire?" Candidate.--"I come +to prefer the complaints of the people of Israel against the +Samaritans, who have refused to pay the tribute imposed on them for +defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the temple." +M. E. (who represents Zerubbabel).--"I have no power over the +Samaritans; they are subject to King Darius, who is at Babylon; it is +to him that such complaints must be preferred; but as we are all +interested in this thing, I will arm you, and cause you to be +accompanied by four Knights, that you may more easily surmount any +difficulty which may present itself in your journey to the court of +the King of Persia." The bandage is now removed from the eyes of the +candidate; he is armed with a sword and buckler, and decorated as a +Knight of the East. The four Knights who accompany him are armed in a +similar manner. They commence their journey, and are attacked by some +armed ruffians, whom they repulse. They arrive at the door of the +cabinet of Darius. The candidate enters with one of the Knights, and +thus addresses the King:--"Mighty King! the Samaritans refuse to pay +the tribute imposed on them by Cyrus, King of Persia, for defraying +the expenses of the sacrifices which are offered in the temple which +we have rebuilt; the people of Israel entreat that you will compel +the Samaritans to perform their duty." Darius.--"Your request is just +and equitable; I order that the Samaritans shall immediately pay the +tribute imposed on them. My Chief Minister shall deliver to you my +decree for this purpose. Go in Peace!" The candidate retires; the +Chief Minister follows, and delivers the decree to him. After +surmounting various obstacles, candidate is met on his return by the +Knights with lighted torches, and is thus conducted with triumph into +the presence of Zerubbabel, and says:--"I deliver to you the decree of +Darius, King of Persia, which we have obtained after defeating our +enemies, and encountering many dangers in our journey." Most Equitable +reads the decree as follows:--"We, Darius, 'King of Kings!' willing to +favor and protect our people at Jerusalem, after the example of our +illustrious predecessor, King Cyrus, do will and ordain that the +Samaritans, against whom complaints have been made, shall punctually +pay the tribute money which they owe for the sacrifices of the +temple--otherwise they shall receive the punishment due to their +disobedience. Given at Shushan, the palace, this fourth day of the +second month, in the year 3534, and of our reign the third, under the +seal of our faithful Darius. [L. S.]" M. E.--"The people of Jerusalem +are under the greatest obligations to you for the zeal and courage +displayed by you in surmounting the obstacles which you encountered in +your journey; as a reward we shall confer on you the mysteries of the +degree of Prince of Jerusalem. Are you willing to take an obligation, +binding you to an exact observance of our laws, and a careful +concealment of our mysteries?" Candidate.--"I am." M. E.--"Kneel +before the altar for that purpose." + +OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., do solemnly promise and swear, in the presence +of Almighty God, the Great Architect of heaven and earth, and of these +Valiant Princes of Jerusalem, that I will never reveal the mysteries +of the degree of Prince of Jerusalem to any one of an inferior degree, +or to any other person whatever. I promise and swear, as a Prince of +Jerusalem, to do justice to my brethren, and not to rule them +tyranically, but in love. I promise and swear that I will never, by +word or deed, attack the honor of any Prince of Jerusalem; and that I +will not assist in conferring this degree except in a lawful Grand +Council of Princes of Jerusalem. All this I promise and swear, under +the penalty of being stripped naked, and having my heart pierced with +a poniard. So help me God. Amen! Amen! Amen! + +The Most Equitable raises the candidate, and gives him the following +signs, tokens, and words:--FIRST SIGN--Extend the right arm +horizontally at the height of the shoulder. This is termed the sign of +command. FIRST TOKEN.--Each places his left hand on his left hip, and +the right hand on his brother's left shoulder. SECOND TOKEN.--Join +left hands, placing the thumb on the second joint of the little +finger; with the thumb strike five times on that joint. +PASS-WORD.--"Tebeth." The name of the Jewish month in which the +Ambassadors entered Jerusalem. SACRED WORD.--"Adar." The name of the +month in which thanks were given to God for the completion of the +temple. In some Councils the following sign is given, viz.:--Present +yourself before your brother with your sword advanced, and your left +hand resting on your hip, as if to commence a combat. He will answer +the sign by extending his arm at the height of the shoulder, the right +foot forming a square with the toe of the left. THE MARCH.--Five steps +on the diagonal of the square towards the throne. AGE.--The age of a +Prince of Jerusalem, is 5 times 15. + +Most Equitable.--"I now appoint and constitute you, with your four +companions, Princes and Governors of Jerusalem, that you may render +justice to all the people. I decorate you with a yellow sash, to which +is attached a gold medal. The 'balance' on it is to admonish you to +make equity and justice your guides. The 'hand of justice' is a mark +of your authority over the people. The 'emblems' of the 'apron' with +which I now invest you, have reference to the works and virtues of +Masons, and to your duty in the high office with which you are +invested. As Princes of Jerusalem, you will assemble in two chambers +of the temple. Be just, merciful, and wise." + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Prince of Jerusalem? Answer--I know the +road to Babylon. + +Q. What were you formerly? A. A Knight of the East. + +Q. How did you arrive at the dignity of a Prince of Jerusalem? A. By +the favor of Zerubbabel, and the courage which I manifested in many +conflicts. + +Q. Where did the Prince of Jerusalem travel? A. From Jerusalem to +Babylon. + +Q. Why? A. The Samaritans having refused to pay the tribute imposed on +them for defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the +temple, an embassy was dispatched to Babylon, to obtain justice of +King Darius. + +Q. How many Knights constituted this embassy? A. Five. + +Q. Did they encounter any difficulty in their journey? A. They did. +The Samaritans, against whom they were to prefer a complaint, armed +themselves and attacked the ambassadors, but were defeated. + +Q. What did they obtain from Darius? A. A decree ordering the +Samaritans to pay the tribute, or suffer punishment. + +Q. How were the ambassadors received on their return to Jerusalem? A. +At some distance from the city they were met by the people, who +accompanied them to the temple singing songs of joy. On reaching the +temple and making their report, and presenting the decree of Darius, +they were constituted Princes of Jerusalem. + +Q. How were they habited as Princes of Jerusalem? A. In cloth of gold. + +Q. What were their decorations? A. A yellow sash trimmed with gold +from right to left; to which was attached a golden medal, on which was +engraved a balance, a sword, five stars, and the letters D. Z. + +Q. What is signified by the five stars on the sash? A. They are +emblematic of the five Knights who journeyed from Jerusalem to +Babylon. + +Q. What is the age of a Prince of Jerusalem? A. Five times fifteen. + +CLOSE.--Most Equitable. "Most Enlightened Junior and Senior Wardens, +announce to your respective columns that I am about to close this +Grand Council by five times fifteen." Each Warden strikes five; all +rise and the notice is given. M. E. "Attention, Princes of Jerusalem? +(The signs are given. The Most Equitable strikes five times fifteen, +which is repeated by the Wardens.) Be just, merciful and wise! I +declare this Grand Council duly closed." + + * * * * * + + +KNIGHTS OF THE EAST AND WEST. + +FORM OF THE GRAND COUNCIL.--The Grand Council of Knights of the East +and West, must be hung with red and sprinkled with gold stars. In the +east of the Council Chamber must be a canopy, elevated by seven steps, +supported by four lions and four eagles, and between them an angel, or +seraphim, with six wings. On one side of the throne there must be a +transparent painting of the sun, and, on the other side, one of the +moon; below them is stretched a rainbow. In the east there must be a +basin with perfume, and a basin of water, and a human skull. On the +south side there must be six small canopies, and on the north side +five, elevated by three steps, for the Venerable Ancients, and +opposite the throne, in the west, are two canopies, elevated by five +steps, for the two Venerable Wardens, who act in this Council as Grand +Officers, or Wardens. A full Grand Council must be composed of +twenty-four Knights. On the pedestal there must be a large Bible, with +seven seals suspended therefrom. + +The Venerable Master is called "Most Puissant;" the Wardens, and the +twenty-one other brethren, are called "Respectable Ancients." If there +are more brethren present, they are styled "Respectable Knights," and +are placed north and south, behind the small canopies. + +The first canopy, at the right side of the Puissant, is always vacant +for the candidate. All the brethren are clothed in white, with a zone +of gold 'round the waist, long white beards and golden crowns on their +heads. The Knights, in their ordinary habits, wear a broad, white +ribbon from the right shoulder to the left hip, with the jewel +suspended thereto. They also wear a cross of the order, suspended by a +black ribbon, 'round their necks. The Most Puissant has his right hand +on the large Bible on the pedestal with seven seals. The draft (or +carpet) of the Council, is an heptagon in a circle--over the angles +are these letters, B. D. S. P. H. F. In the centre, a man clothed in a +white robe, with a girdle of gold 'round his waist--his right hand +extended and surrounded with seven stars--he has a long white beard, +his head surrounded with a glory, and a two-edged sword in his +mouth--with seven candlesticks 'round him, and over them the following +letters: H. D. P. I. P. R. C. + +The jewel is an heptagon of silver--at each angle, a star of gold and +one of these letters B. D. S. P. H. G. S. in the centre. A lamb on a +book with seven seals--on the reverse, the same letters in the angles, +and in the centre, a two-edged sword between a balance. + +The apron is white, lined with red, bordered with yellow, or gold; on +the flap is painted a two-edged sword, surrounded with the seven holy +letters--or the apron may have the plan of the draft painted on it. + +TO OPEN THE COUNCIL.--The Most Puissant, with his right hand on the +Bible sealed with seven seals, demands, "Venerable Knights Princes, +what is your duty?" A. "To know if we are secure." Most Puissant. "See +that we are so." A. "Most Puissant, we are in perfect security." The +Most Puissant strikes seven times, and says, "Respectable Knights +Princes, the Grand Council of Knights of the East and West is open; I +claim your attention to the business thereof." A. "We promise +obedience to the Most Puissant's commands." They rise and salute him, +when he returns the compliment, and requests them to be seated. + +RECEPTION.--The candidate must be in an antechamber, which must be +hung with red, and lighted with seven lights, where he is clothed with +a white robe, as an emblem of the purity of his life and manners. The +Master of Ceremonies brings him barefooted to the Council Chamber +door, on which he knocks seven times, which is answered by the Most +Puissant, who desires the youngest Knight to go to the door, and +demand who knocks. The master of Ceremonies answers, "It is a valiant +brother and Most Excellent Prince of Jerusalem, who requests to be +admitted to the Venerable and Most Puissant." The Knight reports the +same answer to the Most Puissant, who desires the candidate to be +introduced. The Most Ancient Respectable Senior Grand Warden then goes +to the door, and takes the candidate by the hand, and says, "Come, my +dear brother, I will show you mysteries worthy the contemplation of a +sensible man. Give me the sign, token, and word of a prince of +Jerusalem;" after which the candidate kneels on both knees, about six +feet from the throne, when the Most Ancient Respectable Senior Grand +Warden says to him, "Brother, you, no doubt, have always borne in +memory the obligations of your former degrees, and that you have, as +far as in the power of human nature, lived agreeably to them?" +Candidate. "I have ever made it my study, and, I trust, my actions and +life will prove it." Q. "Have you particularly regarded your +obligations as a 'Sublime Knight of Perfection,' 'Knight of the East +and Prince of Jerusalem?' Do you recollect having injured a brother in +any respect whatsoever? or have you seen or known of his being injured +by others, without giving him timely notice, as far as was in your +power? I pray you answer me with candor." Candidate. "I have in all +respects done my duty, and acted with integrity to the best of my +abilities." The Most Puissant says, "You will be pleased to recollect, +my brother, that the questions which have now been put to you, are +absolutely necessary for us to demand, in order that the purity of our +Most Respectable Council may not be sullied; and it behooves you to be +particular in your recollection, as the indispensable ties which we +are going to lay you under, will, in case of your default, only +increase your sins, and serve to hurl you sooner to destruction, +should you have deviated from your duty: answer me, my dear brother." +Candidate. "I never have." The Most Puissant says, "We are happy, my +brother, that your declaration coincides with our opinion, and are +rejoiced to have it into our power to introduce you into our society. +Increase our joy by complying with our rules, and declare if you are +willing to be united to us by taking a most solemn obligation." +Candidate. "I ardently wish to receive it, and to have the honor of +being united to so respectable and virtuous a society." The Most +Puissant orders one of the Knights to bring an ewer containing some +perfume, a basin of water, and a clean white napkin to the candidate, +who washes his hands. The Most Puissant repeats the six first verses +of the 24th Psalm. Then the candidate is brought close to the foot of +the throne, where he kneels on both knees, and placing his right hand +on the Bible, his left hand between the hands of the Most Puissant, in +which position he takes the following + + OBLIGATION.--I, ----, do promise and solemnly swear, and declare, + in the awful presence of the only One Most Holy Puissant Almighty + and Most Merciful Grand Architect of heaven and earth, who created + the universe and myself through his infinite goodness, and + conducts it with wisdom and justice--and in the presence of the + Most Excellent and upright Princes and Knights of the East and + West, here present in convocation and Grand Council, on my sacred + word of honor and under every tie, both moral and religious, that + I never will reveal to any person whomsoever below me, or to whom + the same may not belong, by being legally and lawfully initiated, + the secrets of this degree which is now about to be communicated + to me, under the penalty of not only being dishonored, but to + consider my life as the immediate forfeiture, and that to be taken + from me with all the tortures and pains to be inflicted in manner + as I have consented to in my preceding degrees. I further promise + and solemnly swear, that I never will fight or combat with my + brother Knights, but will, at all times, when he has justice on + his side, be ready to draw my sword in his defence, or against + such of his enemies who seek the destruction of his person, his + honor, peace, or prosperity; that I never will revile a brother, + or suffer others to reflect on his character in his absence, + without informing him thereof, or noticing it myself, at my + option; that I will remember, on all occasions, to observe my + former obligations, and be just, upright, and benevolent to all my + fellow creatures, as far as in my power. I further solemnly + promise and swear, that I will pay due obedience and submission to + all the degrees of Masonry; and that I will do all in my power to + support them in all justifiable measures for the good of the + craft, and advantage thereof, agreeably to the Grand + Constitutions.--All this I solemnly swear and sincerely promise, + upon my sacred word of honor, under the penalty of the severe + wrath of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and may He have + mercy on my soul, on the great and awful day of judgment, + agreeably to my conformity thereto. Amen. Amen. Amen. + +The Most Puissant then takes the ewer filled with perfumed ointment, +and anoints his head, eyes, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear, +hand, and foot, and says, "You are now, my dear brother, received a +member of our society; you will recollect to live up to the precepts of +it, and also remember that those parts of your body which have the +greatest power of assisting you in good or evil, have this day been +made holy!" The Master of Ceremonies then places the candidate between +the two Wardens, with the craft before him. The Senior Warden says to +him, "Examine with deliberation and attention everything which the Most +Puissant is going to show you." After a short pause, he, the Senior +Warden, says--"Is there mortal here worthy to open the book with the +seven seals?" All the brethren cast their eyes down and sigh. The +Senior Warden, hearing their sighs, says to them, "Venerable and +respectable brethren, be not afflicted; here is a victim (pointing to +the candidate), whose courage will give you content." Senior Warden to +the candidate, "Do you know the reason why the ancients have a long +white beard?" Candidate. "I do not, but I presume you do." S. W. "They +are those who came here, after passing through great tribulation, and +having washed their robes in their own blood; will you purchase such +robes at so great a price?" Candidate. "Yes; I am willing." The Wardens +then conduct him to the basin, and bare both his arms--they place a +ligature on each, the same as in performing the operation of +blood-letting. Each Warden being armed with a lancet, makes an incision +in each of his arms, just deep enough to draw a drop of blood, which is +wiped on a napkin, and shown to the brethren. The Senior Warden then +says, "See, my brethren, a man who has spilled his blood to acquire a +knowledge of our mysteries, and shrunk not from the trial!" Then the +Most Puissant opens the first Seal of the great book, and takes from +thence a bone quiver, filled with arrows, and a crown, and gives them +to one of the Ancients, and says to him, "Depart and continue the +conquest." He opens the second Seal, and takes out a sword, and gives +it to the next aged, and says, "Go, and destroy peace among the profane +and wicked brethren, that they may never appear in our Council." He +opens the third Seal, and takes a balance, and gives it to the next +aged, and says, "Dispense rigid justice to the profane and wicked +brethren." He opens the fourth Seal, and takes out a scull, and gives +it to the next aged, and says, "Go, and endeavor to convince the wicked +that death is the reward of their guilt." He opens the fifth Seal, and +takes out a cloth, stained with blood, and gives it to the next aged, +and says, "When is the time (or, the time will arrive,) that we shall +revenge and punish the profane and wicked, who have destroyed so many +of their brethren by false accusations." He opens the sixth Seal, and +that moment the sun is darkened and the moon stained with blood! He +opens the seventh Seal, and takes out incense, which he gives to a +brother; and also a vase, with seven trumpets, and gives one to each of +the seven aged brethren. After this, the four old men, in the four +corners, show their inflated bladders (beeves' bladders, filled with +wind under their arms), representing the four winds: when the Most +Puissant says "Here is seen the fulfilment of a prophecy;" (Rev. vii. +3). Strike not, nor punish the profane and wicked of our order, until I +have selected the true and worthy Masons! Then the four winds raise +their bladders, and one of the trumpets sound, when the two Wardens +cover the candidate's arms, and take from him his apron and jewel of +the last degree. The second trumpet sounds, when the Junior Warden +gives the candidate the apron and jewel of this degree. The third +trumpet sounds, when the Senior Warden gives him a long white beard. +The fourth trumpet sounds, and the Junior Warden gives him a crown of +gold. The fifth trumpet sounds, and the Senior Warden gives him a +girdle of gold. The sixth trumpet sounds, and the Junior Warden gives +him the sign, token and words, as follows:--SIGN.--Look at your right +shoulder, it will be answered by looking at the left shoulder. One +says, "Abaddon," the other "Jubulum." FIRST TOKEN.--Place your left +hand in the right hand of your brother, who will cover it with his +left; both at the same time look over their right shoulder. SECOND +TOKEN.--Touch your brother's left shoulder with your left hand; he +replies by touching your right shoulder with his right hand. SIGN FOR +ENTERING THE LODGE.--Place your right hand on the brother's forehead +(i.e., the Tyler's), he will do the same. PASS-WORD.--"Jubulum," or, +according to some, "Perignan" and "Gadaon." SACRED WORD.--"Abaddon." +This name will be found in Rev. ix. 11. The seventh trumpet sounds, on +which they all sound together, when the Senior Warden conducts the +candidate to the vacant canopy. + +ORIGIN OF THIS DEGREE.--When the Knights and Princes were embodied to +conquer the Holy Land, they took a cross to distinguish them, as a +mark of being under its banners; they also took an oath to spend the +last drop of their blood to establish the true religion of the Most +High God. Peace being made, they could not fulfil their vows, and, +therefore, returning home to their respective countries, they resolved +to do in theory what they could not do by practice, and determined +never to admit, or initiate, any into their mystic ceremonies, but +those who had given proofs of friendship, zeal, and discretion. They +took the name of Knights of the East and West, in memory of their +homes and the place where the order began; and they have ever since +strictly adhered to their ancient customs and forms. In the year 1118, +the first Knights, to the number of eleven, took their vows between +the hands of Garimont, Patriarch and Prince of Jerusalem, from whence +the custom is derived of taking the obligation in the same position. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Knight of the East and West? A. I am. + +Q. What did you see when you were received? A. Things that were +marvellous. + +Q. How were you received? A. By water and the effusion of blood. + +Q. Explain this to me? A. A Mason should not hesitate to spill his +blood for the support of Masonry. + +Q. What are the ornaments of the Grand Council? A. Superb thrones, +sun, more perfumed ointment, and a basin of water. + +Q. What is the figure of the draft? A. An heptagon within a circle. + +Q. What is the representation of it? A. A man vested in a white robe, +with a golden girdle 'round his waist--'round his right hand seven +stars--his head surrounded with a glory, a long, white beard--a +two-edged sword across his mouth, surrounded by seven candlesticks, +with these letters: H. D. P. I. P. R. + +Q. What signifies the circle? A. As the circle is finished by a point, +so should a Lodge be united by brotherly love and affection. + +Q. What signifies the heptagon? A. Our mystic number which is enclosed +in seven letters. + +Q. What are the seven letters? A. B. D. W. P. H. G. S.; which +signifies Beauty, Divinity, Wisdom, Power, Honor, Glory, and Strength. + +Q. Give me the explanation of these words? A. Beauty to adorn; +Divinity, that Masonry is of divine origin; Wisdom, a quality to +invent; Power, to destroy the profane and unworthy brethren; Honor, is +an indispensable quality in a Mason, that he may support himself in +his engagements with respectability; Glory, that a good Mason is on an +equality with the greatest prince; and Strength, is necessary to +sustain us. + +Q. What signifies the seven stars? A. The seven qualities which Masons +should be possessed of: Friendship, Union, Submission, Discretion, +Fidelity, Prudence and Temperance. + +Q. Why should a Mason be possessed of these qualities? A. Friendship, +is a virtue that should reign among brothers; Union, is the foundation +of society; Submission, to the laws, regulations, and decrees of the +Lodge, without murmuring; Discretion, that a Mason should always be on +his guard, and never suffer himself to be surprised; Fidelity, in +observing strictly our obligations; Prudence, to conduct ourselves in +such a manner that the profane, though jealous, may never be able to +censure our conduct; and Temperance, to avoid all excesses that may +injure either body or soul. + +Q. What signifies the seven candlesticks, with their seven letters? A. +seven crimes, which Masons should always avoid, viz.: Hatred, Discord, +Pride, Indiscretion, Perfidy, Rashness, and Calumny. + +Q. What are the reasons that Masons should particularly avoid these +crimes? A. Because they are incompatible with the principles and +qualities of a good Mason, who should avoid doing an injury to a +brother, even should he be ill-treated by him, and to unite in himself +all the qualities of a good and upright man. Discord, is contrary to +the very principles of society; Pride, prevents the exercise of +humanity; Indiscretion, is fatal to Masonry; Perfidy, should be +execrated by every honest man; Rashness, may lead us into unpleasant +and disagreeable dilemmas; and Calumny, the worst of all, should be +shunned as a vice which saps the very foundation of friendship and +society. + +Q. What signifies the two-edged sword? A. It expresses the superiority +of this degree over all others that precede it. + +Q. Are there any higher degrees than this? A. Yes; there are several. + +Q. What signifies the book with seven seals, which none but one can +open? A. A Lodge, or Council, of Masons, which the Most Puissant alone +has a right to convene and open. + +Q. What is enclosed in the first seal? A. One bow, one arrow, and one +crown. + +Q. What in the second? A. A two-edged sword. + +Q. What in the third? A. A balance. + +Q. What in the fourth? A. Death's head. + +Q. What in the fifth? A. A cloth stained with blood. + +Q. What in the sixth? A. The power to darken the sun, and tinge the +moon with blood. + +Q. What in the seventh? A. Seven trumpets and perfumes. + +Q. Explain these things to me? A. The bow, arrow, and crown, signifies +that the orders of this respectable council should be executed with as +much quickness as the arrow flies from the bow, and be received with +as much submission as if it came from a crowned head, or the chief of +a nation. The sword, that the Council is always armed to punish the +guilty. The balance is a symbol of justice. The skull is the image of +a brother who is excluded from a Lodge or Council. This idea must make +all tremble when they recollect the penalties they have imposed on +themselves under the most solemn obligations! The cloth stained with +blood, that we should not hesitate to spill ours for the good of +Masonry. The power of obscuring the sun and tinging the moon with +blood, is the representation of the power of the Superior Councils--in +interdicting their works, if they are irregular, until they have +acknowledged their error, and submitted to the rules and regulations +of the craft established by the Grand Constitutions. The seven +trumpets, signify that Masonry is extended over the surface of the +earth, on the wings of fame, and supports itself with honor. The +perfumes denote that the life of a good Mason should be, and is free +from all reproach, and is perfumed by means of good report. + +Q. What age are you? A. Very ancient. + +Q. Who are you? A. I am a Patmian: (i.e., of Patmos.) + +Q. Whence came you? A. From Patmos. End of the lecture. + +TO CLOSE.--Q. What is the o'clock? Ans. There is no more time. The +Most Puissant strikes seven, and says, "Venerable Knights Princes, the +Council is closed." The two Wardens repeat the same, and the Council +is closed. + + * * * * * + + +SOVEREIGN PRINCES, MASTERS ADVITIAM, OR VENERABLE GRAND MASTERS OF ALL +SYMBOLIC LODGES. + +DECORATIONS, ETC.--This Lodge must be decorated with blue and yellow. +The Grand Master sits on a throne elevated by nine steps, under a +canopy before it is an altar, on which is a sword, bible, compass, +square, mallet, etc., as in the Symbolic Lodges. Between the altar and +the south is a candlestick with nine branches, which is always lighted +in this Lodge. There are two Wardens in the west. The Grand Master +represents Cyrus Artaxerxes (the Masonic name of Cambyses), wearing +his royal ornaments, and a large blue and yellow ribbon crossing each +other. + +TO OPEN.--Grand Master: "I desire to open the Lodge." He then descends +to the lowest step of the throne, and when he is assured that the +Lodge is tyled, he knocks one and two with his mallet. Each Warden +repeats the same, which makes nine. G. M.--"Where is your Master +placed?" Warden: "In the East." G. M.--"Why in the East?" W. "Because +the glorious sun rises in the East to illumine the world." G. M. "As I +sit in the East, I open this Lodge," which is repeated by the Wardens. +Then all the brethren clap their hands one and two. + +RECEPTION.--The candidate represents Zerubbabel, who enters the Lodge +by himself, without being introduced, decorated with the jewels and +badges of the highest degrees he has taken. The Wardens take him by +the hand, and place him in a blue elbow chair, opposite to the Grand +Master, who demands from him all the words, from an Entered Apprentice +upwards; and after he has satisfied the Grand Master, and is found +worthy to hold a sceptre, they make him travel nine times 'round the +Lodge, beginning in the South, and then by nine square steps he +advances to the throne, and walks over two drawn swords, laid across. +There must be a pot with burning charcoal close by the throne, that +the candidate may feel the heat of the fire while taking the +obligation; in doing which, he lays his right hand on the Bible, which +is covered by the Grand Master's right hand, and then takes the +following obligation: + +OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., do solemnly and sincerely swear and promise, +under the penalties of all my former obligations, to protect the craft +and my brethren with all my might, and not to acknowledge any one for +a true Mason who was not made in a regularly constituted and lawful +Lodge. I furthermore do swear, that I will strictly observe and obey +all the statutes and regulations of the Lodge; and that I never will +disclose or discover the secrets of this degree, either directly or +indirectly, except by virtue of a full power in writing, given me for +that purpose by the Grand Inspector or his deputy, and then to such +only as have been Masters of a regular Lodge. All this I swear under +the penalties of being forever despised and dishonored by the Craft in +general. He then kisses the Bible. + +Here follow the signs, token, and word, viz.:--FIRST SIGN.--Form four +squares, thus: with the fingers joined, and the thumb elevated, place +your right hand on your heart (this forms two squares). Place the left +hand on the lips, the thumb elevated so as to form a third square; +place the heels so as to form a square with the feet. SECOND +SIGN.--Place yourself on your knees, elbows on the ground, the head +inclined towards the left. THIRD SIGN.--Cross the hands on the breast, +the right over the left, fingers extended, thumbs elevated, and the +feet forming a square. TOKEN.--Take reciprocally the right elbow with +the right hand, the thumb on the outside, the fingers joined, and on +the inside; press the elbow thus four times, slip the hands down to +the wrists, raising the three last fingers, and press the index on the +wrist. SACRED WORD.--"Razabassi," or "Razahaz Betzi-Yah." +PASS-WORDS.--"Jechson," "Jubellum," "Zanabosan." Some, however, give +Jehovah as the sacred word, and "Belshazzar" as the pass-word. + +LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges? +Answer.--They know me at Jerusalem to be such. + +Q. How shall I know that you are a Grand Master of all Symbolic +Lodges? A. By observing my zeal in rebuilding the temple. + +Q. Which way did you travel? A. From the South to the East. + +Q. How often? A. Nine. + +Q. Why so many? A. In memory of the Grand Masters who traveled to +Jerusalem. + +Q. Can you give me their names? A. Their names are Esdras, Zerubbabel, +Phachi, Joshua, Elial, Toyada, Homen, Nehemias, and Malchias. + +Q. What are the pass-words? A. "Jechson," "Jubellum," and "Zanabosan." + +Q. What object engaged your attention most, when you first entered the +Lodge of Grand Masters? A. The candlestick with nine branches. + +Q. Why are the nine candles therein always kept burning in this Lodge? +A. To remind us that there cannot be less than nine Masters to form a +Grand Master's Lodge. + +Q. What were your reasons for wishing to be admitted and received in +this Lodge of Grand Masters? A. That I might receive the benefit of +the two lights I was unacquainted with. + +Q. Have you received those lights, and in what manner? A. In receiving +first the small light. + +Q. Explain this? A. When I was received by steel and fire. + +Q. What signifies the steel? A. To remind us of the steel by which our +Most Respectable Chief, Hiram Abiff, lost his life, and which I am +sworn to make use of whenever I can revenge that horrible murder of +the traitors of Masonry. + +Q. What means the fire? A. To put us in mind that our forefathers were +purified by fire. + +Q. By whom were you received? A. By Cyrus. + +Q. Why by Cyrus? A. Because it was he who ordered Zerubbabel to +rebuild the temple. + +Q. What did you promise and swear to perform when you received this +degree? A. I swore that I would see the laws, statutes, and +regulations strictly observed in our Lodge. + +Q. What was your name before you received this degree? A. Zerubbabel. + +Q. What is your name now? A. Cyrus. + +Q. What means the word Animani? A. "I am that, I am;" and it is also +the name of him who found the lion's den. + +Q. Why is the Lodge decorated with blue and yellow? A. To remind us +that the Eternal appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, in clouds of gold +and azure, when he gave to his people the laws of infinite wisdom. + +Q. Where do you find the records of our order? A. In the archives of +Kilwinning, in the north of Scotland. + +Q. Why did you travel from the South 'round to the East? A. In +allusion to the power of the Grand Architect of the universe, which +extends throughout all the world. + +Q. Why did you wash your hands in the taking of one or the previous +degrees? A. To show my innocence. + +Q. Why is the history of Hiram Abiff so much spoken of? A. To put us +always in mind that he chose rather to sacrifice his life than reveal +the secrets of Masonry. + +Q. Why is the triangle, with the word secret on it, considered as the +most precious jewel in Masonry? A. Because by its justness, equality, +and proportion, it represents our redemption. + +Q. By what mark was the place discovered where Hiram Abiff was buried +by his assassins? A. By a sprig of cassia (say granate). + +Q. For what reason do the Master Masons in the Symbolic Lodges speak +of a sprig of cassia? A. Because the Sublime Grand Elected descendants +of the ancient Patriarchs did not think proper to give the real name +or truth of Masonry; therefore, they agreed to say that it was a sprig +of cassia, because it had a strong smell. + +Q. What are the reasons for the different knocks at the door to gain +admittance? A. To know and be assured that they have passed the +different degrees, which number we must understand. + +Q. For what reasons do we keep our mysteries with such circumspection +and secrecy? A. For fear there might be found amongst us some +traitorous villains similar to the three Fellow Crafts who murdered +our chief, Hiram Abiff. + +Q. What is the reason that the Grand Masters of all Lodges are +received with so much honor in the Symbolic Lodges? A. Those homages +are due to their virtues as Princes of Masons, whose firmness has been +shown on so many occasions, by spilling their blood in support of +Masonry and the fraternity. + +Q. Why do we applaud with our hands? A. In that manner we express our +happiness and satisfaction at having done a good action, and rendered +justice. + +Q. What reflections occur, when contemplating the conduct of Solomon? +A. That a wise man may err, and when he is sensible of his fault, +correct himself by acknowledging that fault, whereby he claims the +indulgence of his brethren. + +Q. Why do the Symbolic Lodges take the name of St. John of Jerusalem? +A. Because in the time of the Crusades, the Perfect Masons, Knights, +and Princes, communicated their mysteries to the Knights of that +order; whereupon it was determined to celebrate their festival +annually, on St. John's day, being under the same law. + +Q. Who was the first architect that conducted the works of Solomon's +temple? A. Hiram Abiff; which signifies the inspired man. + +Q. Who laid the first stone? A. Solomon cut and laid the first stone, +which afterwards supported the temple. + +Q. Was there anything enclosed in that stone? A. Yes; some characters, +which were, like the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe, only +known to Solomon. + +Q. What stone was it? A. An agate of a foot square. + +Q. What was the form of it? A. Cubical. + +Q. At what time of the day was the stone laid? A. Before sunrise. + +Q. For what reason? A. To show that we must begin early and work with +vigilance and assiduity. + +Q. What cement did he make use of? A. A cement which was composed of +the finest and purest flour, milk, oil, and wine. + +Q. Is there any meaning in this composition? A. Yes; when the Grand +Architect of the Universe determined to create the world, he employed +his sweetness, bounty, wisdom and power. + +Q. What is the reason why the number eighty-one is held in such esteem +among Princes of Masons? A. Because that number explains the triple +alliance which the Eternal operates by the triple triangle, which was +seen at the time Solomon consecrated the temple to God; and also that +Hiram Abiff was eighty-one years of age when he was murdered. + +Q. Was anything else perceived at the consecration? A. A perfume which +not only filled the temple, but all Jerusalem. + +Q. Who destroyed the temple? A. Nebuchadnezzar. + +Q. How many years after it was built? A. Four hundred and seventy +years, six months, and ten days, after its foundation. + +Q. Who built the second temple? A. Zerubbabel, by the grant and aid of +Cyrus, King of Persia. It was finished in the reign of Darius, when he +was known to be a Prince of Jerusalem. Cyrus not only gave Zerubbabel +and the captive Masons their liberty, but ordered all the treasures of +the old temple to be restored to them, that they might embellish the +second temple, which he had ordered Zerubbabel to build. + +Q. What signifies the jewel of the Right Worshipful Grand Master of +all Lodges being a triangle? A. He wears it in remembrance of the +presents given by monarchs and the protectors of the order, in +recompense for their zeal, fervor, and constancy. + +Q. What way have you traveled to become a Right Worshipful Grand +Master of all Lodges, and Grand Patriarch? A. By the four elements. + +Q. Why by the four elements? A. To put us in mind of this world, and +the troubles in which we live; to cleanse ourselves from all +impurities, and thereby render ourselves worthy of perfect virtue. + +Q. Where was the Lodge of Grand Masters first held? A. In the sacred +vault, east of the temple. + +Q. Where is that lodge held at present? A. All over the world, +agreeably to the orders of Solomon, when he told us to travel and to +spread over the universe, to teach Masonry to those whom we should +find worthy of it, but especially to those who should receive us +kindly, and who were virtuous men. + +Q. What did Solomon give you to remember him at your departure? A. He +rewarded the merits of all the workmen, and showed to the Chief Master +the cubic stone of agate, on which was engraved, on a gold plate, the +sacred name of God. + +Q. How was the agate stone supported? A. On a pedestal of a triangular +form, surrounded with three cross pillars, which were also surrounded +by a circle of brass. + +Q. What signifies the three pillars? A. Strength, wisdom and beauty. + +Q. What was in the middle of the circle? A. The point of exactness, +which teaches us the point of perfection. + +Q. What else did Solomon give you? A. The great sign of admiration and +consternation, by which I am known by a brother. He also put a ring on +my finger, in remembrance of my alliance with virtue, and loaded us +with kindness. + +Q. Why have you a sun on the jewel of perfection? A. To show that we +have received the full light, and know Masonry in its perfection. + +Q. Who destroyed the second temple which was finished by the Princes +of Jerusalem? A. Pompey began its destruction, and King Herodes the +Great finished it. + +Q. Who rebuilt it again? A. King Herodes repenting the action he had +unjustly done, recalled all the Masons to Jerusalem who had fled, and +directed them to rebuild the temple. + +Q. Who destroyed the third temple? A. Tito, the son of the Emperor +Vespasian. The Masons, who with sorrow saw the temple again destroyed, +departed from Rome, after having embraced the Catholic religion, and +determined never to assist in constructing another. + +Q. What became of those Masons afterwards? A. They divided themselves +into several companies, and went into different parts of Europe, but +the greatest part of them went to Scotland, and built a town which +they called Kilwinning; at this time there is a Lodge there, bearing +the same name. + +Q. What happened to them afterwards? A. Twenty-seven thousand of the +Masons in Scotland determined to assist the Christian Princes and +Knights, who were at that time at Jerusalem, in a crusade for the +purpose of taking the Holy Land and city from the infidels, who were +then in possession of it; and they accordingly obtained leave of the +Scottish monarch. + +Q. What happened most remarkable to them? A. Their bravery and good +conduct gained them the esteem and respect of all the Knights of St. +John of Jerusalem. The general of that order, and the principal +officers, took the resolution of being admitted into the secrets of +Masonry, which they accordingly received; and in return they admitted +them into their order. + +Q. What became of those Masons afterwards? A. After the crusade they +returned and spread Masonry throughout all Europe, which flourished +for a long time in France and England; but the Scotch, to their great +praise be it spoken, were the only people who kept up the practice of +it. + +Q. How came it again in vogue in France? A. A Scotch nobleman went to +France and became a resident at Bordeaux, where he establishes a Lodge +of Perfection, from the members of the Lodge in 1744; in which he was +assisted by a French gentleman, who took great pleasure in all the +Masonic degrees. This still exists in a most splendid manner. + +Q. What means the fire in our Lodge? A. Submission, purification of +morals, and equality among brethren. + +Q. What signifies the air? A. The purity, virtue, and truth of this +degree. + +Q. What does the sign of the sun mean? A. It signifies that some of us +are more enlightened than others in the Mysteries of Masonry; and for +that reason we are often called Knights of the Sun. + +Q. How many signs have you in this degree of Grand Pontiff, which is +Grand Master of all Lodges? A. 1st, The sign of the earth, or +Apprentice; 2d, of water--Fellow Craft; 3d, of terror--the Master; +4th, of fire; 5th, of air; 6th, of the point in view; 7th, of the sun; +8th, of astonishment; 9th, of honor; 10th, of stench, or strong smell; +11th, of admiration; 12th, of consternation. End of the Lecture. + +TO CLOSE.--The Grand Master says, "My brother, enter into the cave of +Silol--work with Grand Rofadam--measure your steps to the sun, and +then the great black eagle will cover you with his wings, to the end +of what you desire, by the help of the Most Sublime Princes Grand +Commanders." He then strikes four and two, makes the sign of four +squares, which is repeated by the Wardens, and the Lodge is closed. + +The examination of a brother in the foregoing degree is as follows: + +Q. From whence came you? A. From the sacred vault at Jerusalem. + +Q. What are you come to do here? A. I am come to see and visit your +works and show you mine, that we may work together and rectify our +morals, and, if possible, sanctify the profane--but only by permission +of a Prince Adept, or Prince of the Royal Secret (if one is present). + +Q. What have you brought? A. Glory, grandeur and beauty. + +Q. Why do you give the name of St. John to our Lodge? A. Formerly all +the Lodges were under the name of Solomon's Lodge, as the founder of +Masonry; but since the crusades we have agreed with the Knights +Templars, or Hospitallers, to dedicate them to St. John, as he was the +support of the Christians and the new laws. + +Q. What do you ask more? A. Your will and pleasure as you may find me +worthy, obedient, and virtuous. + + * * * * * + + +PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. + +The Assembly of Princes is termed a "Consistory." + +OFFICERS.--The first officer represents Frederick II., King of +Prussia; he is styled "Sovereign of Sovereigns," "Grand Prince," +"Illustrious Commander in Chief." The two next officers are styled +"Lieutenant Commanders." The fourth officer is the "Minister of +State," who acts as the orator. The fifth officer is the "Grand +Chancellor." Then the "Grand Secretary;" the "Grand Treasurer;" the +"Grand Captain of the Guards;" a "Standard Bearer;" a "Grand Master +Architect;" and two "Tylers." + +PLACE OF MEETING.--This is to be a building at least two stories in +height, situated on elevated ground, in the open country. Three +apartments on the second floor are necessary in this degree. In the +first of these the guards are stationed. The second is used as a +preparation room. The third is occupied by the members of the +Consistory. This last apartment is hung with black, sprinkled with +tears, "death's heads," "cross bones," and "skeletons." The throne is +in the East, elevated by seven steps. On the throne is the chair of +state, lined with black satin, flamed with red. Before the chair is a +table covered with black satin, strewed with tears. On this cloth, in +front, is a "death's head" and "cross bones;" over the "death's head" +is the letter I; and under the "cross bones" is the letter M. On the +table is placed a naked sword, a buckler, a sceptre, a balance, and a +book containing the statutes of the order. In the West is placed +another table covered with crimson, bordered with black, and strewed +with tears; on the front of this cloth are the letters N. K. M. K. in +gold. + +DRESS AND STATIONS OF OFFICERS.--The "Sovereign of Sovereigns" is +dressed in royal robes, and seated in the chair of state. The +Lieutenant Commanders dressed like the modern princes of Europe, and +seated at the table in the West; their swords are crossed on the +table. The Minister of State is placed at the Sovereign's right hand. +The Grand Chancellor stands on the left hand of the Sovereign. Next to +the Minister of State is placed the Grand Secretary. Next to the Grand +Chancellor is placed the Grand Treasurer. Below the last named +officers are placed on one side the Standard Bearer, the Grand Master +Architect, and the Captain of the Guards. Below these officers are +placed six members dressed in red, without aprons, wearing the jewel +of the order, suspended on the breast by a black ribbon. + +COLLAR OF THE ORDER.--The collar is black, and edged with silver. On +its point is embroidered in red a Teutonic cross. On the middle of the +cross is a double headed eagle in silver. The collar is lined with +scarlet, on which is embroidered a black Teutonic cross. Around the +waist is girded a black sash, embroidered with silver. The cross is +embroidered on that part of the girdle which is in front. + +JEWEL.--The jewel is a golden Teutonic cross. + +QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATE.--The candidate who receives this degree +must be faithfully examined in the previous degree prior to admission. +The Master of Ceremonies will acquaint him with the pass-word, which +he is to give to the Lieutenant Commander. The Master of Ceremonies +will then lead him to the Sovereign of Sovereigns. + +OPENING AND CLOSING.--The Sovereign of Sovereigns says, "Sal ix." The +Lieutenants reply, "Noni." They then together say, "Tengu." All give +the sign. The Sovereign of Sovereigns says: Let us imitate our Grand +Master Jacques De Molay, Hiram Abiff, who to the last placed all his +hopes in the Great Architect of the Universe; and pronounced the +following words just as he passed from this transient life into +eternal bliss:--"Spes mea in Deo est" (My hope is in God). + +DESCRIPTION OF THE CARPET REPRESENTING THE CAMP.--On the carpet is +drawn an "enneagen," in which is inscribed a pentagon; within this is +an equilateral triangle, and in the triangle a circle. Between the +heptagon and pentagon, upon the sides of the latter, are placed the +standards of the five Standard Bearers, and the pavilions inscribed by +the letters T. E. N. G. U. The emblems on the standard T. are the "ark +of the covenant," an "olive tree," and a "lighted candlestick," on +each side. The ground color of this standard is purple. On the ark is +written the motto "Laus Deo." The standard E. bears a golden lion, +holding in his mouth a "golden key;" wearing around his neck a golden +collar, on which is engraved "515." The ground is azure; the motto +"Admajorem Dei glorium." On the standard N. is an "inflamed heart," in +red, with two wings, surrounded by a laurel crown. The ground is +white. The flag G. bears a double-headed eagle, crowned, holding a +sword in his right claw, and in his left a bloody heart. Ground is sea +green. The flag U. has an ox, sable (black), on a golden ground. On +the sides of the enneagen are nine tents, and on its angles nine +pendants, each belonging to its appropriate tent. The pendants are +distinguished by numerals, and the tents by the letters I. N. O. N. X. +I. L. A. S. disposed from right to left. These tents signify the +different grades of Masonry. Thus: + +TENT S. is Malachi--pendant, white, spotted with red; represents +Knights of the East and West, and Princes of Jerusalem. TENT A. is +Zerubbabel--pendant, light green; represents Knights of the East. TENT +L. is Neamiah--pendant, red; represents Grand Elect, Perfect, and +Sublime Masons. TENT I. is Hobben or Johaben--pendant, black and red; +represents Sublime Elect, and Elect of Fifteen. TENT X. is +Peleg--pendant, black; represents Elect of Nine, or Grand Master +Architect. TENT N. is Joiada--pendant, red and black in lozenges; +represents Provost and Judges. TENT O. is Aholiab--pendant, red and +green; represents Intendant of the Buildings and Intimate Secretary. +TENT N. is Joshua--pendant, green; represents Perfect Master. TENT I. +is Ezra--pendant, blue; represents Master, Fellow Craft, and Entered +Apprentice. + +The equilateral triangle in the middle represents the centre of the +army, and shows where the Knights of Malta are to be placed who have +been admitted to our mysteries, and have proved themselves faithful +guardians. They are to be joined with the Knights of Kadosh. The +corps in the centre is to be commanded by five princes, who command +jointly, or in rotation, according to their degrees, and receive their +orders immediately from the Sovereign of Sovereigns. These five +Princes must place their standards in the five angles of the pentagon, +as above described. These Princes, who are Standard Bearers, have the +following name, viz.:-- + + { T. ... Bezaleel } + { E. ... Aholiab } + STANDARD. { N. ... Mahuzen } NAMES. + { G. ... Garimont } + { U. ... Amariah } + +The heptagon points out the Encampment destined for the Princes of +Libanus, Jerusalem, etc.; and these are to receive their orders from +the five Princes. The enneagen shows the general order of Masons of +all degrees. + +Instructions for the reunion of the brethren, Knights, Princes, and +Commanders of the Royal Secret or Kadosh, which really signifies HOLY +BRETHREN OF ALL DEGREES SEPARATED. + +Frederick III., King of Prussia, Grand Master and Commander in Chief, +Sovereign of Sovereigns, with an army composed of the Knights, Princes +of the White and Black Eagle, including Prussian, English, and French; +likewise joined by the Knights Adepts of the Sun, Princes of Libanus +or the Royal Axe, the Knights of the Rose Croix or St. Andrew, Knights +of the East and West, the Princes of Jerusalem, Knights of the East or +Sword, the Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Masons, the Knights of the +Royal Arch (ninth Arch), Sublime Knights Elected, etc. + +The hour for the departure or march of the army is the fifth after the +setting of the sun; and is to be made known by the firing of five +great guns in the following order (0)--(0 0 0 0)--that is, with an +interval between the first and second. The first rendezvous is to be +the port of Naples--from Naples to the port of Rhodes--from Rhodes to +Cyprus and Malta, whence the whole naval force of all nations is to +assemble. The second rendezvous is to be at Cyprus, etc. The third +rendezvous is to be at Jerusalem, where they will be joined by our +faithful guardians. The watchwords of every day of the week are as +follows and they are not to be changed but by express order from the +King of Prussia: + + PROTECTORS OF MASONRY. PROPHETS. + + Sunday, Cyrus, } { Ezekiel, + Monday, Darius, } { Daniel, + Tuesday, Xerxes, } { Habakkuk, + Wednes., Alexander, } Answer. { Zephaniah, + Thurs., Philadelphus, } { Haggai, + Friday, Herod, } { Zechariah, + Saturday, Hezekiah, } { Malachi. + +SIGN.--Place the right hand on the heart; extend it forward, the palm +downward; let it fall by the right side. SACRED WORDS.--Those of the +Carpet, which are to be read backward 'round the circle from right to +left, thus:--One says "Salix," to which the other replies "Noni;" both +then repeat (by letters) the word "Tengu." PASS WORDS.--"Phual Kol," +which signifies "separated;" "Pharas Kol," which signifies +"reunited;" "Nekam Makah," which signifies "to avenge;" each then +letters the word "Shaddai," which signifies "Omnipotent." + + * * * * * + +CHARGE ADDRESSED TO THE CANDIDATE.--My dear brother:--The Saracens +having taken possession of the Holy Land, those who were engaged in +the Crusades not being able to expel them, agreed with Godfrey de +Bouillon, the conductor and chief of the Crusaders, to veil the +mysteries of religion under emblems, by which they would be able to +maintain the devotion of the soldier, and protect themselves from the +incursion of those who were their enemies, after the example of the +Scriptures, the style of which is figurative. Those zealous brethren +chose Solomon's temple for their model. This building has strong +allusions to the Christian church. Since that period they (Masons) +have been known by the name of Master Architect; and they have +employed themselves in improving the law of that admirable Master. +From hence it appears that the mysteries of the craft are the +mysteries of religion. Those brethren were careful not to entrust this +important secret to any whose discretion they had not proved. For this +reason they invented different degrees to try those who entered among +them; and only gave them symbolical secrets, without explanation, to +prevent treachery, and to make themselves known only to each other. +For this purpose it was resolved to use different signs, words, and +tokens, in every degree, by which they would be secured against cowans +and Saracens. The different degrees were fixed first to the number of +seven by the example of the Grand Architect of the Universe, who built +all things in six days and rested on the seventh. This is +distinguished by seven points of reception in the Master's degrees. +Enoch employed six days to construct the arches, and on the seventh, +having deposited the secret treasure in the lowest arch, was +translated to the abodes of the blessed. Solomon employed six years in +constructing his temple; and celebrated its dedication on the seventh, +with all the solemnity worthy of the divinity himself. This sacred +edifice we choose to make the basis of figurative Masonry. In the +first degree are three symbols to be applied. First, the first of the +creation, which was only chaos, is figured by the candidate's coming +out of the black chamber, neither naked nor clothed, deprived, etc.; +and his suffering the painful trial at his reception, etc. The +candidate sees nothing before he is brought to light; and his powers +of imagination relative to what he has to go through are suspended, +which alludes to the figure of the creation of that vast luminous body +confused among the other parts of creation before it was extracted +from darkness and fixed by the Almighty fiat. Secondly, the candidate +approaches the footstool of the Master, and there renounces all +cowans; he promises to subdue his passions, by which means he is +united to virtue, and by his regularity of life, demonstrates what he +proposes. This is figured to him by the steps that he takes in +approaching the altar; the symbolic meaning of which is the separation +of the firmament from the earth and water on the second day of +creation. (The charge proceeds by giving a figurative interpretation +of the ceremonies, etc., of the first and second part of the third +degree, which I pass over as uninteresting to my readers, and +commence with an interpretation which will be as novel to the Craft of +the lower grades as to the cowans, or non-initiated.) + +In the Master's degree is represented the assassination of Hiram by +false brethren. This ought to put us in mind of the fate of Adam, +occasioned by perverseness in his disobeying his great and awful +Creator. The symbolic mystery of the death of Hiram Abiff represents +to us that of the Messiah; for the three blows which were given to +Hiram Abiff, at the three gates of the temple, allude to the three +points of condemnation against Christ, at the High Priest's Caiphas, +Herod, and Pilate. It was from the last that he was led to that most +violent and excruciating death. The said three blows with the square, +gauge, and gavel are symbols of the blow on the cheek, the +flagellation, and the crown of thorns. The brethren assembled around +the tomb of Hiram, is a representation of the disciples lamenting the +death of Christ on the cross. The Master's word, which is said to be +lost, since the death of Hiram Abiff, is the same that Christ +pronounced on the cross, and which the Jews did not comprehend, "Eli, +Eli, lama sabacthani," "my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! +have pity on and forgive my enemies."--Instead of which words were +substituted, M. B. N. (Mac-be-nac), which, in Arabian, signifies, "The +son of the widow is dead." The false brethren represent Judas +Iscariot, who sold Christ. The red collar worn by the Grand Elect +Perfect and Sublime Masons, calls to remembrance the blood of Christ. +The sprig of cassia is the figure of the cross, because of this wood +was the cross made. The captivity of the Grand Elect and Sublime +Masons (i.e., by the Chaldeans), shows us the persecution of the +Christian religion under the Roman emperors, and its liberty under +Constantine the Great. It also calls to our remembrance the +persecution of the Templars, and the situation of Jacques De Molay, +who, lying in irons nearly seven years, at the end of which our worthy +Grand Master was burnt alive with his four companions, on the eleventh +of March, 1314, creating pity and tears in the people, who saw him die +with firmness and heroic constancy, sealing his innocence with his +blood. My dear brother, in passing to the degree of Perfect Master, in +which you shed tears at the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and in some other +degrees, has not your heart been led to revenge? Has not the crime of +Jubelum Akirop been represented in the most hideous light?--Would it +be unjust to compare the conduct of Philip the Fair to his, and the +infamous accusers of the Templars, to the two ruffians who were +accomplices with Akirop? Do they not kindle in your heart an equal +aversion? The different stages you have traveled, and the time you +have taken in learning these historical events, no doubt, will lead +you to make the proper applications; and by the degree of Master Elect +and Kadosh, you are properly disposed to fulfil all your engagements, +and to bear an implacable hatred to the Knights of Malta, and to +avenge the death of Jacques De Molay. Your extensive acquaintance with +symbolic Masonry, which you have attained by your discretion, leaves +you nothing more to desire here. You see, my dear brother, how, and by +whom, Masonry has come to us. You are to endeavor by every just means +to regain our rights, and to remember that we are joined by a society +of men, whose courage, merit, and good conduct, hold out to us that +rank that birth alone gave to our ancestors. You are now on the same +level with them. Avoid every evil by keeping your obligations, and +carefully conceal from the vulgar what you are, and wait that happy +moment when we all shall be reunited under the same Sovereign in the +mansions of eternal bliss. Let us imitate the example of our Grand +Master, Jaques De Molay, who to the end put his hope in God, and at +his last dying moments ended his life saying, "Spes mea in Deo est!" + +OBLIGATION.--I do, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of +the Grand Architect of the Universe, and this consistory of Sovereign +Princes of the Royal Secret, or Knights of St. Andrew, faithful +guardians of the faithful treasure; most solemnly vow and swear, under +all the different penalties of my former obligations, that I will +never directly or indirectly reveal or make known to any person or +persons whatsoever, any or the least part of this Royal degree, unless +to one duly qualified in the body of a regularly constituted +Consistory of the same, or to him or them whom I shall find such after +strict and due trial. I furthermore vow and swear, under the above +penalties, to always abide and regulate myself agreeably to the +statutes and regulations now before me; and when in a Consistory to +behave and demean myself as one worthy of being honored with so high a +degree, that no part of my conduct may in the least reflect discredit +on the Royal Consistory, or disgrace myself. So may God maintain me in +equity and justice! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! + + * * * * * + + +SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL. + +The number of Inspectors of a Kingdom or Republic is not to exceed +nine. They claim jurisdiction over all the ineffable and sublime +degrees, and in reality form an aristocratic body, with power to +appoint their own successors, and act as "Sovereigns of Masonry." + +DECORATIONS OF THE PLACE OF MEETING.--The hangings are purple, +embroidered with skeletons, death's-heads, and cross-bones. Before the +canopy is a transparent delta (equilateral triangle). In the middle of +the room is a grand triangular pedestal, near which is seen a skeleton +holding in his left hand the standard of the order, and in his right +hand a poniard in the attitude of striking. Above the door, or place +of entrance, is the motto of the order, "Deus meumque jus." In the +East is a chandelier of five branches; in the South is one of two +branches; in the West is one of three; and in the North a single one. + +OFFICERS AND TITLES.--The assembly is termed "Supreme Council." The +first officer, "Thrice Puissant Sovereign Grand Master." He represents +Frederick II. The second officer is termed "Sovereign Lieutenant +Commander." Besides these there is a "Treasurer of the Holy Empire;" +an "Illustrious Grand Secretary of the Holy Empire;" an "Illustrious +Master of Ceremonies;" and an "Illustrious Captain of the Guards"--in +all, seven officers. + +DRESS.--The Thrice Puissant Sovereign wears a crimson robe, bordered +with white--a crown on his head, and a sword in his hand. The +Lieutenant Commander wears a ducal crown. + +SASH.--The sash is black, edged with gold, from left to right; at the +bottom a rose of red, white and green. On the part crossing the breast +is a delta, with rays traversed by a poniard, and in the midst the +figure "33." + +JEWEL.--A black double-headed eagle holding a sword. His beak, claws, +and sword are of gold. [Pass-words, signs, etc., as may from time to +time be agreed upon.] + + +[THE END.] + + * * * * * + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] A person wishing to become a Mason must get some one who is a Mason +to present his petition to a Lodge, when, if there are no serious +objections, it will be entered on the minutes, and a committee of two +or three appointed to inquire into his character, and report to the +next regular communication. The following is the form of a petition +used by a candidate; but a worthy candidate will not be rejected for +the want of formality in his petition. + + _To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Lodge No. ----, of + Free and Accepted Masons._ + + The subscriber, residing in ----, of lawful age, and by occupation a + ----, begs leave to state that, unbiassed by friends, and uninfluenced + by mercenary motives, he freely and voluntarily offers himself a + candidate for the mysteries of Masonry, and that he is prompt to + solicit this privilege by a favorable opinion conceived of the + institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being + serviceable to his fellow-creatures. Should his petition be granted, he + will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and + customs of the Fraternity. + + (Signed) A. B. + +[2] In many Lodges this is put in the form of a question, thus: "Are +you willing to take an obligation upon you that does not affect your +politics or religion?" The promise "to conform," made before entering +the Lodge, the "assurance that the oath is not to interfere with their +political or religious principles" and the manner the obligation is +administered, only two or three words being repeated at a time, +consequently not fully understood, are among the reasons which have led +many great and good men to take oaths incompatible with the laws of God +and our country. + +[3] Literally a rope several yards in length, but mystically three +miles; so that a Master Mason must go on a brother Master Mason's +errand whenever required, the distance of three miles, should he have +to go barefoot and bareheaded. In the degrees of knighthood the +distance is forty miles. + +[4] In some Lodges the Master takes the candidate by the Master's grip +and says, "Brother, you will please rise," assisting him. + +[5] There is much diversity of opinion among Masons respecting this +word; some insist that GIBLEM is the right word; others, that GIBELUM +is the right word; the latter word was rejected, because it was used by +"Jachin and Boaz." + +[6] This charge is frequently omitted when conferring the degree on a +candidate, but never when really installing a Master of a Lodge. + +[7] Here the brethren divest themselves of their jewels, sashes, +aprons, etc. + +[8] The ark, which had been carried by two brethren in the procession, +is here placed on the altar. + +[9] At these words the candidate is received into the procession. + +[10] Here all kneel in a circle around the altar. + +[11] At the words, "For He is good," the Most Excellent Master, who is +High Priest of the Chapter, kneels and joins hands with the rest; they +all then repeat in concert the words, "For He is good, for His mercy +endureth forever" six times, each time bowing their heads low towards +the floor. + +[12] There is a great difference in the manner of giving the Royal Arch +word in the different Chapters. Sometimes it is given at the opening, +as above stated; sometimes they commence with the word GOD, each one +pronouncing a letter of it in succession, until they have each +pronounced every letter of the word, then the word JEHOVAH, a syllable +at a time, and then the word JAHBUHLUN as described. There are also +Chapters in which the latter word is not known, and there are others in +which the word is not given at all at opening. + +[13] This clause is sometimes made a distinct point in the obligation +in the following form, viz.: Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that +I will vote for a companion Royal Arch Mason before any other of equal +qualifications; and in some Chapters both are left out of the +obligation. + +[14] In some Chapters this is administered: All the secrets of a +companion without exception. + +[15] This is frequently represented in this manner: When the person +reading comes to that part where it says, "God called to him out of the +midst of the bush and said," etc., he stops reading, and a person +behind the bushes calls out, "Moses, Moses." The conductor answers, +"Here am I." The person behind the bush then says, "Draw not nigh +hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou +standeth is holy ground (his shoes are then slipped off). Moreover, I +am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The +person first reading then says, "And Moses hid his face; for he was +afraid to look upon God." At these words the bandage is placed over the +candidate's eyes. + +[16] By this tremendous imprecation, the candidate, of his "own free +will and accord," volunteers (in case of a violation) to come forth to +the resurrection of damnation and receive the sentence, "Depart thou +accursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." + +[17] See the Apocryphal books, 1 Esdras, chapters iii. and iv. + +[18] Diplomas of this degree, "In the name of the HOLY and UNDIVIDED +TRINITY," recommend the bearer as a true and faithful soldier of Jesus +Christ. + + * * * * * + + + + +HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE KIDNAPPING OF WILLIAM MORGAN. + + +Captain Morgan was born in Virginia, and was a mason by trade. He +commenced the business of a brewer at York, Upper Canada, in 1821, but +having lost all his property by fire, he removed to New York State, +and worked at his trade both in Rochester and Batavia. In the year +1826 rumors were heard that Morgan, in connection with other persons, +was preparing and intended to publish a book which would reveal the +secrets of Freemasonry, and an excitement of some kind existed in +relation to the publication of the book. In the month of September he +was seized under feigned process of the law, in the day time, in the +village of Batavia, and forcibly carried to Canandaigua. Captain +Morgan was at this time getting ready his book, which purported to +reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. This contemplated publication +excited the alarm of the fraternity, and numbers of its members were +heard to say that it should be suppressed at all events. Meetings of +delegates from the different Lodges in the Western counties has been +held to devise means for most effectually preventing the publication. +The zealous members of the fraternity were angry, excited, and +alarmed, and occasionally individuals threw out dark and desperate +threats. About this time an incendiary attempt was made to fire the +office of Col. Miller, the publisher of the book. The gang who seized +Morgan at Batavia were Masons. They took him to Canandaigua; after a +mock trial he was discharged, but was immediately arrested and +committed to prison on a debt. The next night, in the absence of the +jailer, he was released from prison by the pretended friendship of a +false and hollow-hearted brother Mason. Upon leaving the prison door +he was seized in the streets of Canandaigua, and notwithstanding his +cries of murder, he was thrust with ruffian violence into a carriage +prepared for that purpose. At Batavia he had been torn from his +home--from his wife and infant children. At Canandaigua he was falsely +beguiled from the safe custody of the law, and was forcibly carried, +by relays of horses, through a thickly populated country, in the space +of little more than twenty-four hours, to the distance of one hundred +and fifteen miles, and secured as a prisoner in the magazine of Fort +Niagara. This was clearly proved on the trial of persons concerned in +the outrage, and who were found guilty and sentenced to various terms +of imprisonment. The fate of Captain Morgan was never known, but it is +supposed he was taken out into the lake, where his throat was cut, and +his body sunken fifty fathoms in water. About the same time, Col. +David C. Miller, the publisher of the book, was also seized, in +Batavia, under the color of legal process, and taken to Le Roy. The +avowed intention of Col. Miller's seizure was to take him where Morgan +was--and where that was may be best gathered from the impious +declaration of one of the conspirators, James Ganson, for several +years a member of our Legislature--that "he was put where he would +stay put until God should call for him." Miller was, however, set at +liberty, as the inhabitants of Le Roy interfered with the schemes of +his kidnappers. He soon after put to press the first part of the +volume which is here presented to the public. Additions have been made +to Captain Morgan's revelations, from time to time, until we are now +able to make public all the Masonic degrees of any note or interest, +entered into by modern Freemasons. + + + + * * * * * + + + + +------------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 8: Futhermore replaced with Furthermore | + | Page 23: appetities replaced with appetites | + | Page 23: tessel replaced with tressel | + | Page 32: synonomous replaced with synonymous | + | Page 57: emblematicol replaced with emblematical | + | Page 58: "a gentlemen" replaced with "a gentleman" | + | Page 61: decend replaced with descend | + | Page 65: "never against attempt" replaced with | + | "never again attempt" | + | Page 78: repution replaced with reputation | + | Page 85: Th replaced with To | + | Page 90: sanctum sanctortum replaced with sanctum sanctorium | + | Page 90: wood replaced with word | + | Page 104: Corrected one of the questions which was | + | incorrectly ended with an exclamation mark | + | Page 113: Inserted the missing "A." on three of the Questions | + | Page 128: Mot replaced with Most | + | Page 128: replaced "support and bear that that cross?" with | + "support and bear that cross?" | + | Page 135: "repeated by then Warden" replaced with | + | "repeated by the Warden" | + | Page 150: Inserted the missing "A." in one of the Questions | + | Page 158: Removed duplicate "the" from "among the the ruins" | + | Page 177: Replaced "A." with "Q." at beginning of paragraph | + | Page 183: Inserted the missing "A." in one of the Questions | + | Page 188-9: oberving replaced with observing | + | | + +------------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIES OF FREE MASONRY*** + + +******* This file should be named 18136-8.txt or 18136-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/1/3/18136 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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