The Lectures of the Holy Royal Arch
As once used in the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter
of Scotland
Lecture I
Lecture II
Lecture III
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LECTURE II
Our Jewel is deserving of your attention.
On the bottom scroll is inscribed the motto "Nil nisi clavis deest,
nothing but the key is wanting", which may be taken in its literal sense.
Then the Circle is an emblem of eternity with the motto "Talia si jungere
possis sit tibi scire satis,if thou comprehendest these things thou knowest
enough."
Within we have a chequered pavement to represent the uncertainty of life,
and the instability of things terrestrial; and on it the representation of
a pedestal of pure white marble, in the form of the altar of incense, being
the true double cube, and, therefore, both in figure and colour the perfect
emblem of innocence and purity.
The whole delineates the secret vault with the rays of the meridian sun
illuminating the Altar, the Book of the Holy Law being placed thereon. Instead
of the representation of the vault, we sometimes find on Royal Arch jewels,
within the circle, two intersecting triangles said to denote the elements
of fire and water, and with the motto "Deo regi fratribus honor fidelitas
benevoLentia," thus declaring that the wearer is desirous of doing his
duty, and of filling up with justice that link in the chain of creation wherein
his Great Creator bath thought proper to place him. Within this is another
triangle with the sun in its centre, its rays issuing forth at every point-
an emblem of the Deity - represented by a circle whose centre is everywhere
and circumference nowhere, denoting His omnipresence and perfection ; it
in also an emblem of Geometry ; and here also we find the perfect emblem
of the science of Agriculture pointed out by a pair of compasses issuing
from the centre of the sun, and suspending a globe, denoting the earth, and
thereby indicating the influence of that glorious luminary over both animal
and vegetable creation; admonishing us to be careful to perform every operation
in its proper season, that we lose not the fruits of our labour.
Underneath these is the compound character known as the Triple Tau one of
the Royal Arch mason's emblems. This mystical character signifies in its
figurative appearance Hiram of Tyre, or Hiram Abif the letters bearing the
same Phaenician import as they do with us. It signifies also T. H., Templum.
Hierosolym the Temple of Jerusalem, and is used as the Royal Arch symbol,
whereby the wearer acknowledges himself a servant of the true God; who had
there established His worship, and to whose service that glorious Temple
was erected. The Royal Arch symbol therefore may aptly recall to our minds
our constant duty to offer worship to The Great Elohim; The Most High: The
Everlasting: The Almighty God.
The equilateral triangle was much revered by ancient nations as containing
the greatest and most abstruse mysteries, and as a symbol of God, denoting
a Triad of Intelligence, a Triad of Deity, a Triune God. Moreover, the
Tetragrammaton, or incommunicable name was written by the Jews in a triangular
form: the initial letter denoting the thought, the idea of God, a ray of
light too transcendent to be contemplated by mortal eye; this name of God,
the Tetragrammaton, could not be more aptly placed than in the symbol, or
triangle, itself and hence the true meaning of the Royal Arch double triangle,
but originally represented thus So that while this sacred emblem was deservedly
revered by the Jews, both it and the double triangle itself are adopted as
Royal Arch symbols.
In a Royal Arch Chapter we have seven lights placed in the angles and centre
of our double triangle. Some interpret the three greater and the three lesser
as if identical with those explained. to you in the Entered Apprentice degree,
while others consider them symbolical of wisdom, strength, and beauty; and
truth, concord, and peace, well known expressions illustrative of our Order,
but the more learned Jews consider the three greater lights to represent
Wisdom, Truth, and Justice, while Christians consider them as emblematical
of the Trinity. The three lesser will then exhibit the three Principals,
and also the moral and religious light which is derived from the Patriarchal,
Mosaical, and Prophetical dispensations. The whole taken together being
emblematical of the beauty and harmony which is visible in all the works
of Nature, where nothing is wanting nor anything superfluous. By all the
central beam from the Altar is held to be that which irradiates the whole.
The seven lights may also be held to represent externally the ordinary three
great lights of masonry, while the inner four shew forth the Tetragrammaton
itself.
In approaching the Altar you were commanded to halt seven times and make
obeisance at the third, fifth,and seventh step. The same practice is said
to have been observed by the Most Excellent Grand Master, King Solomon, on
passing each of the seven pillars which supported the arch of the private
gallery through which he passed daily to offer up his praises to the Almighty.
It ought to remind you of the works of Creation, to keep the seventh day
holy also of the seven months required, for the erection of the Tabernacle
as likewise of the seven complete years for the building of the Temple, and
the seven additional months, six being added to finish the work, and the
seventh in sacrifices and thanksgiving at the dedication.
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