The Mysteries of Free Masonry

KNIGHTS OF THE EAST AND WEST

Form of the Grand Council.—The Grand Council of Knights of the East and West, must be hung with red and sprinkled with gold stars. In the east of the Council Chamber must be a canopy, elevated by seven steps, supported by four lions and four eagles, and between them an angel, or seraphim, with six wings. On one side of the throne there must be a transparent painting of the sun, and, on the other side, one of the moon; below them is stretched a rainbow. In the east there must be a basin with perfume, and a basin of water, and a human skull. On the south side there must be six small canopies, and on the north side five, elevated by three steps, for the Venerable Ancients, and opposite the throne, in the west, are two canopies, elevated by five steps, for the two Venerable Wardens, who act in this Council as Grand Officers, or Wardens. A full Grand Council must be composed of twenty-four Knights. On the pedestal there must be a large Bible, with seven seals suspended therefrom.

The Venerable Master is called "Most Puissant;" the Wardens, and the twenty-one other brethren, are called "Respectable Ancients." If there are more brethren present, they are styled "Respectable Knights," and are placed north and south, behind the small canopies.

The first canopy, at the right side of the Puissant, is always vacant for the candidate. All the brethren are clothed in white, with a zone of gold 'round the waist, long white beards and golden crowns on their heads. The Knights, in their ordinary habits, wear a broad, white ribbon from the right shoulder to the left hip, with the jewel suspended thereto. They also wear a cross of the order, suspended by a black ribbon, 'round their necks. The Most Puissant has his right hand on the large Bible on the pedestal with seven seals. The draft (or carpet) of the Council, is an heptagon in a circle—over the angles are these letters, B. D. S. P. H. F. In the centre, a man clothed in a white robe, with a girdle of gold 'round his waist—his right hand extended and surrounded with seven stars—he has a long white beard, his head surrounded with a glory, and a two-edged sword in his mouth—with seven candlesticks 'round him, and over them the following letters: H. D. P. I. P. R. C.

The jewel is an heptagon of silver—at each angle, a star of gold and one of these letters B. D. S. P. H. G. S. in the centre. A lamb on a book with seven seals—on the reverse, the same letters in the angles, and in the centre, a two-edged sword between a balance.

The apron is white, lined with red, bordered with yellow, or gold; on the flap is painted a two-edged sword, surrounded with the seven holy letters—or the apron may have the plan of the draft painted on it.

To Open the Council.—The Most Puissant, with his right hand on the Bible sealed with seven seals, demands, "Venerable Knights Princes, what is your duty?" A. "To know if we are secure." Most Puissant. "See that we are so." A. "Most Puissant, we are in perfect security." The Most Puissant strikes seven times, and says, "Respectable Knights Princes, the Grand Council of Knights of the East and West is open; I claim your attention to the business thereof." A. "We promise obedience to the Most Puissant's commands." They rise and salute him, when he returns the compliment, and requests them to be seated.

Reception.—The candidate must be in an antechamber, which must be hung with red, and lighted with seven lights, where he is clothed with a white robe, as an emblem of the purity of his life and manners. The Master of Ceremonies brings him barefooted to the Council Chamber door, on which he knocks seven times, which is answered by the Most Puissant, who desires the youngest Knight to go to the door, and demand who knocks. The master of Ceremonies answers, "It is a valiant brother and Most Excellent Prince of Jerusalem, who requests to be admitted to the Venerable and Most Puissant." The Knight reports the same answer to the Most Puissant, who desires the candidate to be introduced. The Most Ancient Respectable Senior Grand Warden then goes to the door, and takes the candidate by the hand, and says, "Come, my dear brother, I will show you mysteries worthy the contemplation of a sensible man. Give me the sign, token, and word of a prince of Jerusalem;" after which the candidate kneels on both knees, about six feet from the throne, when the Most Ancient Respectable Senior Grand Warden says to him, "Brother, you, no doubt, have always borne in memory the obligations of your former degrees, and that you have, as far as in the power of human nature, lived agreeably to them?" Candidate. "I have ever made it my study, and, I trust, my actions and life will prove it." Q. "Have you particularly regarded your obligations as a 'Sublime Knight of Perfection,' 'Knight of the East and Prince of Jerusalem?' Do you recollect having injured a brother in any respect whatsoever? or have you seen or known of his being injured by others, without giving him timely notice, as far as was in your power? I pray you answer me with candor." Candidate. "I have in all respects done my duty, and acted with integrity to the best of my abilities." The Most Puissant says, "You will be pleased to recollect, my brother, that the questions which have now been put to you, are absolutely necessary for us to demand, in order that the purity of our Most Respectable Council may not be sullied; and it behooves you to be particular in your recollection, as the indispensable ties which we are going to lay you under, will, in case of your default, only increase your sins, and serve to hurl you sooner to destruction, should you have deviated from your duty: answer me, my dear brother." Candidate. "I never have." The Most Puissant says, "We are happy, my brother, that your declaration coincides with our opinion, and are rejoiced to have it into our power to introduce you into our society. Increase our joy by complying with our rules, and declare if you are willing to be united to us by taking a most solemn obligation." Candidate. "I ardently wish to receive it, and to have the honor of being united to so respectable and virtuous a society." The Most Puissant orders one of the Knights to bring an ewer containing some perfume, a basin of water, and a clean white napkin to the candidate, who washes his hands. The Most Puissant repeats the six first verses of the 24th Psalm. Then the candidate is brought close to the foot of the throne, where he kneels on both knees, and placing his right hand on the Bible, his left hand between the hands of the Most Puissant, in which position he takes the following

Obligation.—I, –, do promise and solemnly swear, and declare, in the awful presence of the only One Most Holy Puissant Almighty and Most Merciful Grand Architect of heaven and earth, who created the universe and myself through his infinite goodness, and conducts it with wisdom and justice—and in the presence of the Most Excellent and upright Princes and Knights of the East and West, here present in convocation and Grand Council, on my sacred word of honor and under every tie, both moral and religious, that I never will reveal to any person whomsoever below me, or to whom the same may not belong, by being legally and lawfully initiated, the secrets of this degree which is now about to be communicated to me, under the penalty of not only being dishonored, but to consider my life as the immediate forfeiture, and that to be taken from me with all the tortures and pains to be inflicted in manner as I have consented to in my preceding degrees. I further promise and solemnly swear, that I never will fight or combat with my brother Knights, but will, at all times, when he has justice on his side, be ready to draw my sword in his defence, or against such of his enemies who seek the destruction of his person, his honor, peace, or prosperity; that I never will revile a brother, or suffer others to reflect on his character in his absence, without informing him thereof, or noticing it myself, at my option; that I will remember, on all occasions, to observe my former obligations, and be just, upright, and benevolent to all my fellow creatures, as far as in my power. I further solemnly promise and swear, that I will pay due obedience and submission to all the degrees of Masonry; and that I will do all in my power to support them in all justifiable measures for the good of the craft, and advantage thereof, agreeably to the Grand Constitutions.—All this I solemnly swear and sincerely promise, upon my sacred word of honor, under the penalty of the severe wrath of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and may He have mercy on my soul, on the great and awful day of judgment, agreeably to my conformity thereto. Amen. Amen. Amen.

The Most Puissant then takes the ewer filled with perfumed ointment, and anoints his head, eyes, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear, hand, and foot, and says, "You are now, my dear brother, received a member of our society; you will recollect to live up to the precepts of it, and also remember that those parts of your body which have the greatest power of assisting you in good or evil, have this day been made holy!" The Master of Ceremonies then places the candidate between the two Wardens, with the craft before him. The Senior Warden says to him, "Examine with deliberation and attention everything which the Most Puissant is going to show you." After a short pause, he, the Senior Warden, says—"Is there mortal here worthy to open the book with the seven seals?" All the brethren cast their eyes down and sigh. The Senior Warden, hearing their sighs, says to them, "Venerable and respectable brethren, be not afflicted; here is a victim (pointing to the candidate), whose courage will give you content." Senior Warden to the candidate, "Do you know the reason why the ancients have a long white beard?" Candidate. "I do not, but I presume you do." S. W. "They are those who came here, after passing through great tribulation, and having washed their robes in their own blood; will you purchase such robes at so great a price?" Candidate. "Yes; I am willing." The Wardens then conduct him to the basin, and bare both his arms—they place a ligature on each, the same as in performing the operation of blood-letting. Each Warden being armed with a lancet, makes an incision in each of his arms, just deep enough to draw a drop of blood, which is wiped on a napkin, and shown to the brethren. The Senior Warden then says, "See, my brethren, a man who has spilled his blood to acquire a knowledge of our mysteries, and shrunk not from the trial!" Then the Most Puissant opens the first Seal of the great book, and takes from thence a bone quiver, filled with arrows, and a crown, and gives them to one of the Ancients, and says to him, "Depart and continue the conquest." He opens the second Seal, and takes out a sword, and gives it to the next aged, and says, "Go, and destroy peace among the profane and wicked brethren, that they may never appear in our Council." He opens the third Seal, and takes a balance, and gives it to the next aged, and says, "Dispense rigid justice to the profane and wicked brethren." He opens the fourth Seal, and takes out a scull, and gives it to the next aged, and says, "Go, and endeavor to convince the wicked that death is the reward of their guilt." He opens the fifth Seal, and takes out a cloth, stained with blood, and gives it to the next aged, and says, "When is the time (or, the time will arrive,) that we shall revenge and punish the profane and wicked, who have destroyed so many of their brethren by false accusations." He opens the sixth Seal, and that moment the sun is darkened and the moon stained with blood! He opens the seventh Seal, and takes out incense, which he gives to a brother; and also a vase, with seven trumpets, and gives one to each of the seven aged brethren. After this, the four old men, in the four corners, show their inflated bladders (beeves' bladders, filled with wind under their arms), representing the four winds: when the Most Puissant says "Here is seen the fulfilment of a prophecy;" (Rev. vii. 3). Strike not, nor punish the profane and wicked of our order, until I have selected the true and worthy Masons! Then the four winds raise their bladders, and one of the trumpets sound, when the two Wardens cover the candidate's arms, and take from him his apron and jewel of the last degree. The second trumpet sounds, when the Junior Warden gives the candidate the apron and jewel of this degree. The third trumpet sounds, when the Senior Warden gives him a long white beard. The fourth trumpet sounds, and the Junior Warden gives him a crown of gold. The fifth trumpet sounds, and the Senior Warden gives him a girdle of gold. The sixth trumpet sounds, and the Junior Warden gives him the sign, token and words, as follows:—Sign.—Look at your right shoulder, it will be answered by looking at the left shoulder. One says, "Abaddon," the other "Jubulum." First Token.—Place your left hand in the right hand of your brother, who will cover it with his left; both at the same time look over their right shoulder. Second Token.—Touch your brother's left shoulder with your left hand; he replies by touching your right shoulder with his right hand. Sign for entering the Lodge.—Place your right hand on the brother's forehead (i.e., the Tyler's), he will do the same. Pass-word.—"Jubulum," or, according to some, "Perignan" and "Gadaon." Sacred Word.—"Abaddon." This name will be found in Rev. ix. 11. The seventh trumpet sounds, on which they all sound together, when the Senior Warden conducts the candidate to the vacant canopy.

Origin of this Degree.—When the Knights and Princes were embodied to conquer the Holy Land, they took a cross to distinguish them, as a mark of being under its banners; they also took an oath to spend the last drop of their blood to establish the true religion of the Most High God. Peace being made, they could not fulfil their vows, and, therefore, returning home to their respective countries, they resolved to do in theory what they could not do by practice, and determined never to admit, or initiate, any into their mystic ceremonies, but those who had given proofs of friendship, zeal, and discretion. They took the name of Knights of the East and West, in memory of their homes and the place where the order began; and they have ever since strictly adhered to their ancient customs and forms. In the year 1118, the first Knights, to the number of eleven, took their vows between the hands of Garimont, Patriarch and Prince of Jerusalem, from whence the custom is derived of taking the obligation in the same position.

Lecture.—Question—Are you a Knight of the East and West? A. I am.

Q. What did you see when you were received? A. Things that were marvellous.

Q. How were you received? A. By water and the effusion of blood.

Q. Explain this to me? A. A Mason should not hesitate to spill his blood for the support of Masonry.

Q. What are the ornaments of the Grand Council? A. Superb thrones, sun, more perfumed ointment, and a basin of water.

Q. What is the figure of the draft? A. An heptagon within a circle.

Q. What is the representation of it? A. A man vested in a white robe, with a golden girdle 'round his waist—'round his right hand seven stars—his head surrounded with a glory, a long, white beard—a two-edged sword across his mouth, surrounded by seven candlesticks, with these letters: H. D. P. I. P. R.

Q. What signifies the circle? A. As the circle is finished by a point, so should a Lodge be united by brotherly love and affection.

Q. What signifies the heptagon? A. Our mystic number which is enclosed in seven letters.

Q. What are the seven letters? A. B. D. W. P. H. G. S.; which signifies Beauty, Divinity, Wisdom, Power, Honor, Glory, and Strength.

Q. Give me the explanation of these words? A. Beauty to adorn; Divinity, that Masonry is of divine origin; Wisdom, a quality to invent; Power, to destroy the profane and unworthy brethren; Honor, is an indispensable quality in a Mason, that he may support himself in his engagements with respectability; Glory, that a good Mason is on an equality with the greatest prince; and Strength, is necessary to sustain us.

Q. What signifies the seven stars? A. The seven qualities which Masons should be possessed of: Friendship, Union, Submission, Discretion, Fidelity, Prudence and Temperance.

Q. Why should a Mason be possessed of these qualities? A. Friendship, is a virtue that should reign among brothers; Union, is the foundation of society; Submission, to the laws, regulations, and decrees of the Lodge, without murmuring; Discretion, that a Mason should always be on his guard, and never suffer himself to be surprised; Fidelity, in observing strictly our obligations; Prudence, to conduct ourselves in such a manner that the profane, though jealous, may never be able to censure our conduct; and Temperance, to avoid all excesses that may injure either body or soul.

Q. What signifies the seven candlesticks, with their seven letters? A. seven crimes, which Masons should always avoid, viz.: Hatred, Discord, Pride, Indiscretion, Perfidy, Rashness, and Calumny.

Q. What are the reasons that Masons should particularly avoid these crimes? A. Because they are incompatible with the principles and qualities of a good Mason, who should avoid doing an injury to a brother, even should he be ill-treated by him, and to unite in himself all the qualities of a good and upright man. Discord, is contrary to the very principles of society; Pride, prevents the exercise of humanity; Indiscretion, is fatal to Masonry; Perfidy, should be execrated by every honest man; Rashness, may lead us into unpleasant and disagreeable dilemmas; and Calumny, the worst of all, should be shunned as a vice which saps the very foundation of friendship and society.

Q. What signifies the two-edged sword? A. It expresses the superiority of this degree over all others that precede it.

Q. Are there any higher degrees than this? A. Yes; there are several.

Q. What signifies the book with seven seals, which none but one can open? A. A Lodge, or Council, of Masons, which the Most Puissant alone has a right to convene and open.

Q. What is enclosed in the first seal? A. One bow, one arrow, and one crown.

Q. What in the second? A. A two-edged sword.

Q. What in the third? A. A balance.

Q. What in the fourth? A. Death's head.

Q. What in the fifth? A. A cloth stained with blood.

Q. What in the sixth? A. The power to darken the sun, and tinge the moon with blood.

Q. What in the seventh? A. Seven trumpets and perfumes.

Q. Explain these things to me? A. The bow, arrow, and crown, signifies that the orders of this respectable council should be executed with as much quickness as the arrow flies from the bow, and be received with as much submission as if it came from a crowned head, or the chief of a nation. The sword, that the Council is always armed to punish the guilty. The balance is a symbol of justice. The skull is the image of a brother who is excluded from a Lodge or Council. This idea must make all tremble when they recollect the penalties they have imposed on themselves under the most solemn obligations! The cloth stained with blood, that we should not hesitate to spill ours for the good of Masonry. The power of obscuring the sun and tinging the moon with blood, is the representation of the power of the Superior Councils—in interdicting their works, if they are irregular, until they have acknowledged their error, and submitted to the rules and regulations of the craft established by the Grand Constitutions. The seven trumpets, signify that Masonry is extended over the surface of the earth, on the wings of fame, and supports itself with honor. The perfumes denote that the life of a good Mason should be, and is free from all reproach, and is perfumed by means of good report.

Q. What age are you? A. Very ancient.

Q. Who are you? A. I am a Patmian: (i.e., of Patmos.)

Q. Whence came you? A. From Patmos. End of the lecture.

To Close.—Q. What is the o'clock? Ans. There is no more time. The Most Puissant strikes seven, and says, "Venerable Knights Princes, the Council is closed." The two Wardens repeat the same, and the Council is closed.

SOVEREIGN PRINCES, MASTERS ADVITIAM, OR VENERABLE GRAND MASTERS OF ALL SYMBOLIC LODGES

Decorations, etc.—This Lodge must be decorated with blue and yellow. The Grand Master sits on a throne elevated by nine steps, under a canopy before it is an altar, on which is a sword, bible, compass, square, mallet, etc., as in the Symbolic Lodges. Between the altar and the south is a candlestick with nine branches, which is always lighted in this Lodge. There are two Wardens in the west. The Grand Master represents Cyrus Artaxerxes (the Masonic name of Cambyses), wearing his royal ornaments, and a large blue and yellow ribbon crossing each other.