Part 29 (1/2)
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 pa.s.s without giving the pa.s.s-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 partic.i.p.ate in those honors. The King answered that the twenty-five masters were justly ent.i.tled 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 G.o.d. 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 a.s.sembled 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 ”G.o.d” 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 pa.s.s-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 pa.s.s; when I did I was permitted to pa.s.s 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 pa.s.s-word demanded as before, which I gave, and was permitted to pa.s.s 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.