C F
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S C
A O P
St. Albert, to every Knight Companion of the Holy and Thrice
Illustrious Order of the Cross: Be it known unto you, that with
regard to unquestionable vouchers, we have confirmed the Induction of
the Knight Templar Mason into the Councils of the said Order of
Knighthood, and herein do warrant him as a worthy and Illustrious
Companion, thereof; and hoping and confiding that he will ever so
demean himself as to conduct to the glory of I. H. S., the Most Holy
and Almighty God, and to the honor of his Mark, we do recommend and
submit him to the confidence of all those throughout the world, who
can truly and deservedly say, "I am a Christian;" and that no
unwarrantable benefits shall arise from this Diploma, and we charge
all concerned cautiously and prudently to mark the bearer on the
mystic letters therein contained, and to regard only the result, in
its application and privileges.
Done out of Council, at ----, in the county of ----, and State of
----, on this ---- day of ----.
Sir --------
Sovereign Prefect.
Sir --------
Acting Pref.
Commendations,
Sir Knights Comp'ns.
The officers and council all in their places. The Most Illustrious
Prefect addresses the Most Worthy Provost thus: "Most Worshipful
Provost, what is the o'clock?" Most Worshipful Provost says, rising
and facing the east, at the same time raising his mark in his right
hand, "Most Illustrious Prefect, it is now the first hour of the day,
the time when our Lord suffered and the veil of the temple was rent
asunder, when darkness and consternation was spread over the earth,
when the confusion of the old covenant was made light in the new in
the temple of the cross. It is, Most Illustrious Prefect, the third
watch, when the implements of Masonry were broken--when the flame,
which led the wise men of the east, reappeared--when the cubic stone
was broken, and the word was given." Most Illustrious Prefect says to
Worthy Herald, "It is my will that this house of God be closed, and
the remembrance of those solemn and sacred events, be here
commemorated: make this; Worthy Herald, known to the Most Worshipful
Provost, in due and ancient form." The Worthy Herald bows and
approaches the Most Worshipful Provost, where he bows thrice, faces
about and gives a blast with his horn, and after the Knights have
filed out by threes without the door, except the worthy Senior
Inductor, he does his errand, viz.:--"Most Worshipful Provost, it is
the sovereign will of Count Albertus, of Pergamus, that this house of
God be closed, and that those solemn and sacred events in the new
covenant be here commemorated: you will observe this." The Worthy
Herald bows, and the Most Worshipful Provost rises and addresses the
Worthy Senior Inductor thus: "It is the will of the Most Illustrious
Prefect that here now be opened a Council of Knights of the Cross:
what therein becomes your duty?" Worthy Senior Inductor says, "To
receive the commands of my superiors in the order, and pay obedience
thereto--to conduct and instruct my ignorant pass-brethren; and to
revere, and inculcate reverence in others, for the Most Holy and
Almighty God." The Most Worshipful Provost rises fiercely and says,
"By what right do you claim this duty?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "By
the right of a sign, and the mark of a sign." Most Worshipful Provost
says, "Will you give me a sign?" Worthy Sen. "I could if I should."
The Most Worshipful Provost then partly extends both arms, pointing
downwards to an angle of 39°, with the palms open, and upwards, to
show they are not sullied with iniquity and oppression, and says,
"Worthy Sen. Inductor, you may give it." The Worthy Sen. Inductor then
looks him full in the face, and with his forefinger touches his right
temple, and lets fall his hand, and says, "This is a sign." Most
Worshipful Provost says, "A sign of what?" Worthy Senior Inductor
says, "Aye, a sign of what?" Most Worshipful Provost says, "A penal
sign." Worthy Senior Inductor says, "Your sign is ----." Most
Worshipf. Pro. says, "The last sign of my induction. But you have the
mark of a sign." Worthy S. Inductor says, "The sign whereof my mark is
a mark, I hope is in the Council above." Most Worshipf. Pro. says,
"But the mark ----." Worthy S. Inductor says, "Is in my bosom."
Thereupon he produces his mark in his left hand, and with the
forefinger of his right on the letter S, on the cross, asks, "What's
that?" Most Wor. Pro. says, "Lisha." Wor. Pro. puts his finger on the
letter H, and asks, "What is this?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "Sha."
Worthy S. Inductor then puts his finger on the letter I, and asks,
"What is this?" Most Worshipf. Pro. says, "Baal." "What, then, is your
mark?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "Baal, Sha-Lisha; ['Lord of the
three'] I am the Lord." The Most Worshipful Provost then says, "You
are my brother, and the duty is yours of ancient right; please
announce the Council open." The Worthy Senior Inductor steps to the
door and gives three raps, and is answered by some Knight from
without, who is then admitted, and the Worthy S. Inductor gives the
CONDITIONAL sign (which is by partly extending both arms, as before
described), the Knight answering by putting his finger to his right
temple, as before. The Worthy S. Inductor then addresses the chair,
thus:--"Most Illustrious Prefect, a professing brother is within the
Council by virtue of a sign." Most Illustrious Prefect says to Worthy
Herald, "Go to this professing brother, and see him marked before the
chair of the Most Worshipful Provost; conduct him thither, Worthy
Herald." The Worthy Herald says to the Knight, "Worthy Sir, know you
the sacred cross of our Council?" Knight says, "I am a Christian." The
Worthy Herald then says, "Follow me." When arrived before the Most
Wor. Pro. the Worthy Herald says, "Most Worthy Provost, by order of
the Most Illustrious Prefect, I here bring you to be marked a
professing brother of the cross." The Most Worthy Provost says,
"Worthy Sir, know you the cross of our Council; and can you, without
fear or favor, support and bear that cross?" Knight says, "I am a
Christian." The Most Worthy Provost says. "Worthy Sir, know you the
cross of our Council; and can you, without fear or favor, support and
bear that cross?" Knight says, "I am a Christian." The Most Worthy
Provost says, "No more."
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