Part 30 (1/2)
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 Ill.u.s.trious 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 G.o.d 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 p.r.o.nounce 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 pa.s.s-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 att.i.tude 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 p.r.o.nunciation of his name should be revealed to their posterity, and the perfection attained when this promise was fulfilled.
Q. Give me the second token? [Pa.s.s 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 pa.s.s-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. G.o.d be praised, we have finished it.