The Web of Hiram |
Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite14. Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Master Mason 15. Knight of the East or Sword 17. Knights of the East and West 18. Knight of the Rose-Croix de Heredom 20. Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges 21. Noachite or Prussian Knight 25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent 29. Knight of St Andrew, or Patriarch of the Crusades |
GRAND, ELECT, PERFECT AND SUBLIME MASONThe Fourteenth Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and the Eleventh Degree of the Ineffable Series
ARGUMENTThe Lodge represents the Secret Vault under the Sanctum Sanctorum, in which is the Pillar of Beauty, and on this is placed the Holy four-letter Name. This degree reveals and explains the tetragrammaton, completes the construction of the Holy Temple, and narrates the destruction of both it and the city of Jerusalem, together with the death of Solomon. TETRAGRAMMATONThere is a word-no mortal tongue, May dare its mystic sounds combine, Nor saint bath breathed, nor prophet sung, That holiest of the names divine! Nor may the finger of the scribe, Presume that hallowed word to write, Accursed alike from Israel's tribe, Were he who dared that name indite! Yet though no lip nor pen may dare, That name unspeakable impart, 'Tis ever breathed in secret prayer, 'Tis ever written on the heart! With care preserved, the sacred word, Is erst indeed a blessed dower, We bow before thy name, 0 Lord, And own its great and marv'lous power!
FORM AND DECORATIONSThe Lodge should be cubical in form; the brethren (if convenient) sitting about the Lodge so as to form a triangle.
Lights-3, 5, 7, and 9. 3 lights North, in form of a Triangle. 5 lights South, in form of a Pentagon. 7 lights West, in form of a Heptagon. 9 lights East, forming three Equilateral Triangles, in a line. The Lodge should contain a Pillar of Beauty; the Ark of Alliance; the Seven-Branch Golden Candlestick; a representation of the Burning Bush; the Table of Shewbread; the Altar of Perfumes; the Altar of Sacrifices; the Brazen Salver; the Enochian Pillar, the Golden Urns and Vases; the Gold Delta of Enoch; the Book of the Testimony; the Square and Compasses; the Cubic Stone; the Tables of the Law the Bread and Wine; the Silver Hod and Golden Trowel; the Silver Plate and Cup. Pillar of Beauty - Twisted column, pure white marble, about three and a half feet high, on which should be the cube of agate, measuring about six inches on each face, on the upper side of which is the triangular Enochian plate of gold, set in with precious stones, and having on it the Ineffable name.
Pillar of Enoch - Marble pieces put together, found in ancient ruins, with Enochian characters upon it.
Brazen Salver - Large brazen basin, containing water on a pedestal three and a half feet high, with ten lavers at, its base. Altar of Sacrifices - Length and breadth equal to one half the height, with gilded horn on each corner, and covered with gold. Table of Shewbread - On it twelve loaves of Shewbread, in two piles of six loaves each, and cup with wine. Altar of Perfumes - On it an urn, with incense burning; size and shape of Altar of Sacrifices. All the altars should be covered with white cloths. The Secret, afterward Sacred Vault, is approached by a long narrow passage of nine arches, between which and the Sacred Vault should be a small anteroom; arches dimly lit by one lamp only, hung from the ceiling. Hangings - Crimson, with pillars at stated intervals. Burning Bush in the East, behind the Thrice Puissant; in its centre the Ineffable Triangle. Lightning, Boxes, Torches, Thunder-drums, Trumpets, Organ, Gong, etc. CLOTHING AND DECORATIONS.OFFICERS JEWELS.1. THRICE POTENT GRAND MASTER - Crowned Compasses, with blazing sun in the centre. 2. DEPUTY GRAND MASTER Crowned Compasses, with full moon in the centre. 3. SENIOR GRAND WARDEN Gold Trowel. 4. JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN Sword of Justice. 5. ORATOR Gold Scroll. 6. TREASURER Gold Key. 7. SECRETARY Gold Pen. 8. MASTER OF CEREMONIES . Staff. 9. HOSPITALLER Winged Staff. 10. CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD ... Spear. 11. TILER Flaming Sword. 12. ORGANIST Gold Lyre. The jewels of all the officers are set in gold triangles, and are suspended from collars of white watered silk, having a rosette of white and red at the bottom. The two Kings in royal robes, with crowns, sceptres, etc. King Solomon - Yellow robe or mantle, with a blue vestment and an Eastern crown and sceptre. King of Tyre - Purple robe, with yellow vestment, richly trimmed with fur and gold; Mural crown and sceptre.
Apron - White watered silk, lined with white and bordered with gold, triangular in form, and the Ineffable Delta in the centre. Collar - White watered silk, bordered with gold, from which is suspended the: Jewel - Crowned Quadrant, having a golden sun with nine points in the centre; on the reverse is a blazing star; in the centre of the star, the Enochian or Solomonian characters; upon the segment of the circle are engraved, 3, 5, 7, 9. Ring - Flat band of gold; on the outside a delta, enclosing the symbol of Enoch; on the inside the following inscription: "Virtue unites, death cannot separate." Also the name of the owner, and date of receiving this degree. Girdle - Nine colors: blue, red, and yellow 3 ; green and purple, 5 ; white and black, 7 ; stone and flame color, 9; all interwoven with olive-green. Gloves-White. Robes-Black. Caps and swords. Battery -3, -5 -7, -9 Age - Square of 9 = 81 LESSON FOR OPENING AND CLOSING
T.: P.: The Lord is in his holy Temple; his eyes behold and his eyelids try the children of men. S.: W.: Lord, who shall stand in thy presence, and who shall abide in thy tabernacle? J.: W.: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil with his neighbour but honoureth them that fear the Lord. T.: P.: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? S.: W.: He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessings from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. J.: W.: Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors! and the King of glory shall come in. T.: P.: For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name might be there forever; and mine eyes and my heart shall be therein perpetually. S.: W.: Who is this King of glory? J.: W.: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord of hosts, our Adonai: he is the King of glory. T.: P.: I will wash my hands in innocency and so will I encompass thine altar, O Jehovah! S.: W.: As for me, I will walk in my integrity. My foot standeth in an even place, and here will I bless the Lord forever. J.: W.: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile: depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and ensue it. Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place forever. T.: P.: But whoso confesseth his sins, and forsaketh them, shall have mercy. S.: W.: Who can say I have made my heart clean - I am pure from sin? For there is not a just man on earth, that doeth good and sinneth not - no. not one. J.: W.: They shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. T.: P.: From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. S.: W.: Sing unto the Lord; sing praises unto his name. Extol him that rideth in the heavens, by His name Jah and rejoice before him. J.: W.: He discovereth deep things in the darkness, and bringeth to light from the shadow of death. T.: P.: Gather together unto him those that have made a covenant with him by sacrifice, and offer up to him a holy libation with a perfect heart. How excellent is thy loving-kindness and thy righteousness to the upright of heart! for with thee is the foundation of life, and in thy light shall we face the light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
PRAYERAlmighty and Sovereign Grand Architect of the Universe, who, by thy divine power, doth continually search and penetrate the most secret recesses of our hearts, draw near us, we beseech thee, by the sacred fire of thy love. Guide us, by thy unerring hand, in the path of virtue, and by thine adorable presence aid us to keep out all impiety and perverseness. May the mysterious inscription settle in our minds a true notion of thine unspeakable essence and power, as we preserve the memorials of thy fear. We beseech thee that our thoughts may be engaged, and our hearts set, on the grand work of Perfection which, when attained, will be an ample reward for all our labour Let peace and charity link us together in a pleasing union, and may this Lodge of Grand Elect Masons exhibit a faint resemblance of that happiness the elect will enjoy in thy Kingdom forever. Give us a spirit to refuse the evil and choose the good, that we may not be led astray by those who unworthily assume the title of Grand Elect: may our doings tend to thy glory and our advancement toward Perfection. May a sweet perfume ascend from the altar of our hearts and be acceptable to thee, O God, our Adonai ! Bless us, O God, and prosper the work of our hands. Keep us through life, and accept us in death. Amen. Amen. So mote it be. RECEPTIONAnd God spake all these words, saying: I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am. a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that, love me and keep my commandments. Thou, shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God. in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God bath given thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. T.: P.: Before the altar of a broken and a contrite heart, with the fire of holy zeal mortify your sins by the hatred thereof. May we all offer up to him on the altar of our hearts a sacrifice of humility and praise, with the fire of fervent charity. From our hearts, too, those altars of incense, may the perfume of our prayers arise for the bestowment of heavenly blessings. PRAYERAlmighty and Sovereign Grand Architect of the Universe, thou who ridest in the heavens by thy name Jah, let all the earth keep silence before thee. There is no God like unto thee in the heavens above or in the earth beneath, who keepeth covenant and showeth mercy unto thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts. When we draw nigh thy majesty, may we ever preserve the memorials of thy fear, and the indelible character of thine ineffable essence, in our hearts. Oh, purify our hearts, we beseech thee, by the fire. of thy holy love, and guide our feet in the way of peace, and in the perfect path which shineth more and more, with a shining light, unto the perfect day. May we all have an interest in that covenant which is well-ordered in all things and sure. May we dwell together in unity, and be all of one mind, having compassion one to another, and love as brethren. May all Elect Masons, like the Elect of God, put on charity, which is the bond of perfection. May our loins be girt about with the girdle of truth; and finally, having been faithful in all our course, may we be brought to behold the light ineffable, and admitted into that sacred place where the sun shall no more give light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light, but the Lord, our Adonai, shall be with us an everlasting light, and our God our glory. Bless us, and bless the work in which we are engaged; and may the alliance we are about to perfect be eternal. Amen! So mote it be!
T.: P.: Let me impress you with an ardent zeal for the honour and glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe, to the end that you may always live in his adorable presence, with a head disposed to contrive, a heart to feel, and a hand to execute all those things toward him and your fellow-creatures which are so well pleasing in his sight. Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments. Ointment and perfume rejoiceth the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel Let him reprove me: it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head. If thy brother be waxen poor and old, and fallen to decay, thou shalt relieve him. Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy wine to cheer the bout of the sorrowful; and forget not to pour the oil of consolation into the wounds that sorrow, sickness, or affliction hath rent. into the heart of thy fellow-traveller. By kindness and commiseration, fail not to pour the balm of oil and of wine into the bleeding heart. Our labour of duty and love will soon be ended. As the lightning writes its fiery path on the dark cloud and expires, so the race of man, walking amid the surrounding shades of mortality, glitter for a moment through the dark gloom, and vanish from our sight forever. The holy angels are called Elect, and with great propriety allusion is made in this degree to the Shem Hamphorosh, by which we arrive at the great name of God, which, placed in the shape of a triangle, exhibits this figure
Seventy-two triangles, seventy-two names of Deity, seventy-two attributes, seventy-two angels, and, as the book Zohar asserts, seventy-two steps composing the ladder that Jacob saw in his dream, which the cherubim, seraphim, ophanim, and other holy angels, ascended and descended. We are further reminded by this book that-" The holy and blessed One raised Enoch from the world to serve him, as it is written, 'for God took him God showed him all the repositories of the superior and inferior kingdoms, and he showed him the tree (alphabet) of life, respecting which Adam had received his command, its leaves and its branches we see all in his Book." ODELo, nature guards our vestal fire, Which never can expire. With hearts that never change or falter, We here surround one common altar Religion builds it, and a beam From Heaven's own throne - no fitful gleam. Wraps it in flames, while hand in hand, We round this blazing altar stand. Let us, as Elect Masons true, Virtue's eternal league renew; While celebrating friendships feast, Love be our ever welcome guest. And now in adoration bow To Him who hears and seals each vow: Glory to God, who reigns above, And to our fellow-creatures, love! INVESTMENT
I now invest you with the apron, girdle, collar, and jewel of a Grand Elect Mason ; and with the greatest pleasure salute you with the title, and grace you with the symbols thereof. The collar is emblematical of ardent zeal, affection, and charity. The crown upon your jewel is a symbol of the royal origin. of the degree. The compass, extended to ninety degrees, denotes the extensive knowledge of the Grand Elect: the sun, in the centre, that our actions should be as open as the full blaze of the noon-day sun, and our charity as diffusive as its beams. This jewel, suspended upon your breast, should make you attentive to your duties, and cause you to walk so as to adorn your station. The apron, my brother, which you wear, is white, lined with white, and bordered with gold. The white is to remind us of innocence, and of that purity which was required for an entrance to this place; the gold, of wisdom, which should characterize all Grand Elect Masons. Its form is supposed to be the true form used by the Perfect Master Mason at the building of the Temple, and alludes to the golden triangle or delta of Enoch which adorns the centre. The girdle, which I also invest you with, is the ancient girdle of a Grand Elect Mason. It was used of old to bind up and strengthen the body, and enable man to persist in his labours it is, therefore, an emblem of activity, promptness, and perseverance. The girdle was also used to bind up the garments, and prevent them from flying open and discovering nakedness in it, therefore, it is an emblem of charity, the observance of which has laid you under renewed obligations. It was also used for beauty and ornament. Let it be your endeavour to be adorned and rich in the many virtues and qualities which are represented by its various colours. The colours are arranged according to the mystic numbers of this degree-3, 5, 7, 9. The three are blue, red, and yellow, by the due mixture of which the primitive colours are all formed. The five consist of the first three, and green and purple. The seven consist of the first five, and of white and black. The nine consist of the first seven, and of stone and flame colour They are thus explained: The blue is an emblem of friendship; the red of zeal; the yellow of wisdom, on account of its resemblance to gold. Wisdom, saith the wisest of kings, is far better than fine gold. The green is a beautiful emblem of hope, and of that immortal part of man which never, never dies; the purple, being a royal colour of dignity and majesty; the white, of purity and innocence ; the black, of seriousness and modestness of demeanor. The next colour is that of stone, which denotes firmness and durability, and is an emblem of constancy, fidelity, and decision of character - qualities which should be possessed by those who take the degree of Grand Master Architect, and attempt to walk in the footsteps of our Grand Master H.: A.:; and the flame colour of ardent affection and charity, the peculiar traits of a Grand Elect Mason. The various colours united in this one girdle are expressive of that unity, and the olive interwoven of that peace, which should link us together as brethren. As these various colours shine in your girdle so let the various virtues they represent. shine in your heart and life. CHARGEThus, my brother, by your meritorious and unblamable conduct, assiduity, constancy, and integrity, you have at last attained the title of Grand Elect Mason, which is the summit of Ancient Craft Masonry, and upon your arrival to which I most sincerely congratulate you. I most earnestly recommend to you the strictest care and circumspection in all your conduct, that the sublime mysteries of this degree be not profaned or disgraced. As to what remains of completing your knowledge of Ancient Graft Masonry, you will find, by attending to the following history of the degree, and a careful study of its mysteries. You will now proceed to the Grand Orator, in the South, who will instruct you in the HISTORYG.: Or.: My brother, you were informed in the degree of Royal Arch that King Solomon builded a secret vault, the approach to which was through eight other vaults, all under ground, and to which a long and narrow passage led from the palace. The ninth arch or vault was immediately under the Holy of Holies of the Temple. In that apartment King Solomon held his private conferences with King Hiram and Hiram Abif. After the death of Hiram Abif the two kings ceased to visit it, resolving not to do so until they should select one to fill his place; and that, until that time, they would make known the sacred name to no one. After Adoniram, Joabert, and Stolkin had discovered the cube of agate and the mysterious name, and had delivered it to King Solomon, the two kings determined to deposit it in the secret vault, permit the three Masters - who discovered it to be present, make known to them the true pronunciation of the ineffable word, constitute the last degree of Ancient Craft Masonry, and term it Grand Elect Mason. The cube of agate was so deposited. Afterward the twelve Princes of Ameth, the nine Elect, and the Chief Architect were admitted to this degree. The secret vault was thereafter called Sacred Vault, and was originally built by Hiram Abif and none but Grand Elect Masons knew of its existence, or knew other than the substituted word. The Temple was completed in the year 3000 - six years, six months, and ten days after King Solomon had laid the first cornerstone ; and its completion was celebrated with great pomp and splendid magnificence. Subsequently, while the Temple was being dedicated, King Solomon conferred this sublime degree on the twenty-five brethren we have mentioned, and in the form you have but now witnessed. And when the singers and trumpeters were to make one sound in praise and thanks to the Lord, saying, " Praise the Lord, for he is good: his mercy endureth forever." that the Temple was filled with a cloud, and the name was fully pronounced. On the second day, an audience was given to all Masons, from the degree of Master to the Royal Arch, and all vacancies were filled. On the third day, King Solomon devoted his time to advancing and raising Fellow Crafts and Entered Apprentices. Thus far the wise King of Israel behaved worthy of himself, and gained universal admiration; but in process of time, when he had advanced in years, his understanding became impaired; he grew deaf to the voice of the Lord, and was strangely irregular in his conduct. Proud of having erected an edifice to his Maker, and much intoxicated with his great power, he plunged into all manner of licentiousness and debauchery, and profaned the Temple by offering incense to the idol Moloch, which, only should have been offered to the living God. The Grand Elect Masons saw this, and were sorely grieved, being fearful that his apostasy would end in some dreadful consequences, and perhaps bring upon them those enemies whom Solomon had vainly and wantonly defied. The people, copying the follies and vices of their king, became proud and idolatrous, neglecting the true worship of God for that of idols. As an adequate punishment for this defection, God inspired the heart of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, to take vengeance on the kingdom of Israel. This prince sent an army, with Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, who entered Judah with fire and sword, took and sacked the city of Jerusalem, razed its walls, and destroyed that superb model of excellence, the Temple. The people were carried away captive to Babylon, and the conquerors carried away with them all the vessels of gold and silver. This happened four hundred and seventy years, six months, and ten days after the dedication. After the city was taken, and. the king's palace and the Temple demolished, some of the Grand Elect Masons bethought themselves of the Sacred 'Vault and the inestimable treasure it contained. Repairing to the ruins of the Temple at night, they found that, the way which led down to the vault had not been discovered, nor the slab of marble which covered it disturbed but upon it they found the dead body of Galaad, an eminent brother, and Chief of the Levites. He had been intrusted with the custody of the Sacred Vault and the care of the lamps that burned continually. Finally, when the time arrived that the Christian Princes entered into a league to free the Holy Land from the oppression of the infidels, the good and virtuous Masons, anxious for so pious an undertaking, offered their services to the confederates, upon condition that they should have a chief of their own election, and whose name was only made known in the hour of battle; which being granted, they accepted their standard and departed. The valour and fortitude of these Elected Knights were such, that they were admired by, and took the lead of, all the Princes of Jerusalem, who, believing that their mysteries inspired them with courage and fidelity to the cause of virtue and religion, became desirous of being initiated. Upon being found worthy, their desires were complied with, and thus the Royal Art, meeting the approbation of great and good men, became popular and honourable, and was diffused to the worthy throughout these dominions, and thus continued to spread, far and wide, through a succession of ages to the present day. You will now, my brother, be seated among the Grand Elect. CLOSINGPRAYERO Most Holy and Glorious God, thou who dwellest between the Cherubim, and art known in heaven and on earth by thy name Jah we approach thee with awe and reverence, and implore thy blessing upon us, who know thy great and ineffable name, ere we depart from this sacred place to our several places of abode, and mingle again in the busy scenes and strifes of life. Oh, fill our hearts, we beseech thee, with thy love and fear, that our tongues may speak of thy goodness, and our actions correspond with the lessons taught in this holy place. Make us steadfast in our obligations to our brethren and in our duty to our fellow-man. Bless us and prosper us in life, and in death receive us, 0 Lord, our Adonai! Amen. Omnes. So mote it be! ODENo solar beam nor lunar ray, illumed the dark, the narrow way, That led me to the door; I proved myself a Knight, and then The Sacred Vault I entered in, By mystic numbers, four. 'Twas there, impressed with holy awe, A gold engraven plate I saw, With dazzling splendour shine. To us, the " Grand Elect" alone, Its secret characters are known, Ineffable - divine. This precious treasure, long concealed, Was by three worthy Knights revealed Where erst a Temple stood. Its ancient ruins they explored, And found the grand, mysterious word, Made known before the Flood. Fulfilled was then the promise made, And Beauty's Pillar soon displayed The TREASURE they had found: Their ardent zeal and piety - Their dangerous toil and constancy, Were with due honours crowned Hours like those we all shall prove, Who, joined in pure and social love, Perfection's work pursue. May the Sublime Grand Architect, By his unerring laws, direct The honoured, chosen few. May all who friendship's feast partake The good pursue, the bad forsake,' And may each rite and sign A happy, lasting influence shed: The quadrant crowned, the oil, the bread, The golden ring, the wine! Long as I live this ring I'll wear, Symbol of an alliance dear To every brother's heart; And bless the sacred tie that binds, In virtue's chain; for virtue joins, What death can never part." |
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