Part 37 (1/2)
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. t.i.to, 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 a.s.sist 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 a.s.sist 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 princ.i.p.al 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 n.o.bleman 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 a.s.sisted 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 a.s.sembly of Princes is termed a ”Consistory.”
OFFICERS.--The first officer represents Frederick II., King of Prussia; he is styled ”Sovereign of Sovereigns,” ”Grand Prince,”
”Ill.u.s.trious 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 ap.r.o.ns, wearing the jewel of the order, suspended on the breast by a black ribbon.