{ Methuselah, }
3 { Lamech, and } Juha (Yu-haw.)
{ Noah, }
{ Reu, } {
{ Serug, } {
{ Nahor, } {
7 { Terah, } Jova { 7 ages.
{ Abraham, } (Yo-waw). {
{ Isaac, } {
{ Judah, } {
{ Shem, } {
{ Arphaxed, } {
5 { Salah, } Jeva { 5 ages.
{ Eber, and } (Ye-waw). {
{ Peleg, } {
{ Hezron, } (Yay-wo) }
{ Ram, } Jevo. }
{ Aminadab, } Jevah }
{ Nasshou, } (Ye-way). }
9 { Salmon, } } 9 ages.
{ Boaz, } Johe }
{ Obed, } (Yo-hay). }
Jesse, } Jehovah }
David, } (Ye-ho-waw). }
The true pronunciation of the name was revealed to Enoch, Jacob, and
Moses, and on that account are not named in this enumeration. The
perfect number is thus formed:--The number of corrupted words is 9.
The ages of Masonry, 3, 5, 7, 9--24, multiplied by 3, the number
gotten who discovered Tunsune (noticed in the degree of the Knight of
the Ninth Arch), gives the product 72; to this add 9, the number of
corrupted words, the amount is 81. The mysterious words which you
received in the preceding degrees, are all so many corruptions of the
true name (of God) which was engraved on the triangle of Enoch. In
this engraving the vowel points are so arranged as to give the
pronunciation which you have just received (Yow-ho). This word, when
thus pronounced, is called the ineffable word, which cannot be altered
as other words are, and the degrees which you have received, are
called, on this account, INEFFABLE DEGREES. This word you will
recollect was not found until after the death of Hiram Abiff,
consequently the word engraved by him on the ark is not the true name
of God."
Q. What then followed? A. The Most Perfect gave me the secret
characters of this degree, and then invested me with the jewels,
apron, and girdle of this degree, and I was again addressed:--"I now
with the greatest pleasure salute you," etc.
CLOSING.--Most Perfect knocks three (Grand Marshal rises), "The last,"
etc., etc. Most Perfect knocks five, and Junior Warden rises. "Brother
Junior Warden, what is the hour?" Most Perfect knocks seven, and
Senior Warden rises. Most Perfect says, "Venerable Brother Senior
Warden, how should the Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason part?"
A. "They should part in peace, love, and unity." Most Perfect knocks
nine, all brethren rise. Signs. Most Perfect knocks three, five, seven
and nine, Junior Warden the same, Senior Warden the same, and brethren
the same, with their hands, etc.
* * * * *
THE PHILOSOPHICAL LODGE; OR, THE KEY OF MASONRY: BEING THE DEGREE OF
KNIGHTS ADEPTS OF THE EAGLE OR SUN.
This Council must be illuminated by one single light, and is
enlightened by one divine light: because there is one single light
that shines among men, who have the happiness of going from the
darkness of ignorance and of the vulgar prejudices, to follow the only
light that leads to the celestial truth. The light that is in our
Lodge, is composed of a glass globe filled with water, and a light
placed behind it, which renders the light more clear. The glass of
reflection, the globe, when it is lighted, is placed in the south.
ROBE AND SCEPTRE.--The Grand Master or Thrice Puissant, is named
"Father Adam," who is placed in the East, vested in a robe of pale
yellow, like the morning. He has his hat on, and in his right hand a
sceptre, on the top of which is a globe of gold. The handle or
extremity of the sceptre is gilt. The reason that Father Adam carries
the globe above the sceptre in this Council is, because he was
constituted Sovereign Master of the world, and created Sovereign
Father of all men. He carries a SUN suspended by a chain of gold
around his neck; and on the reverse of this jewel of gold is a globe.
When this degree is given, no jewel or apron is worn.
There is only one Warden, who sits opposite Father Adam in the west,
and is called Brother Truth. He is entitled to the same ornaments as
Father Adam; and the order that belongs to this degree is a broad
white watered ribbon worn as a collar, with an eye of gold embroidered
thereon, above the gold chain and jewel of the sun. The number of
other officers is seven, and are called by the name of the cherubim,
as follows: Zaphriel, Zabriel, Camiel, Uriel, Michael, Zaphael, and
Gabriel. These ought to be decorated in the same manner as the Thrice
Puissant Father Adam. If there are more than that number of the
Knights of the Sun, they go by the name of Sylphs, and are the
preparers of the Council, and assistants in all the ceremonies or
operations of the Lodge. They are entitled to the same jewel, but have
a ribbon of a fiery color tied to the third button-hole of their coat.
TO OPEN THE GRAND COUNCIL.--Father Adam says:--"Brother Truth, what
time is it on earth?" Brother Truth: "Mighty Father, it is midnight
among the profane, or cowans, but the sun is in its meridian in this
Lodge." Father Adam: "My dear children, profit by the favor of this
austere luminary, at present showing its light to us, which will
conduct us in the path of virtue, and to follow that law which is
eternally to be engraved on our hearts, and the only law by which we
cannot fail to come to the knowledge of pure truth." He then makes a
sign, by putting his right hand on his left breast; on which all the
brethren put up the first finger of the right hand above their heads,
the other fingers clenched, showing by that, that there is but one
God, who is the beginning of all truth; then Father Adam says, "This
Lodge is opened."
FORM OF RECEPTION.--After the Council is opened, the candidate is
introduced into an ante-chamber, where there are a number of Sylphs,
each with a bellows, blowing a large pot of fire, which the candidate
sees, but they take no notice of him. After he is left in that
situation two or three minutes, the most ancient of the Sylphs goes to
the candidate and covers his face with black crape. He must be without
a sword, and is told that he must find the door of the Sanctuary, and
when found, to knock on it six times with an open hand. After he finds
the door and knocks, Brother Truth goes to the door, and having opened
it a little, asks the candidate the following questions, which he
answers by the help of the Sylphs. "Q. What do you desire? A. I desire
to go out of darkness to see the true light, and to know the true
light in all its purity. Q. What do you desire more? A. To divest
myself of original sin, and destroy the juvenile prejudices of error,
which all men are liable to, namely, the desire of all worldly
attachments and pride." On which Brother Truth comes to Father Adam,
and relates what the candidate has told him; when Father Adam gives
orders to introduce the candidate to the true happiness. Then Brother
Truth opens the door, and takes the candidate by the hand, and
conducts him to the middle of the Lodge or Sanctuary, which is also
covered by a black cloth, when Father Adam addresses him thus: "My
son, seeing by your labor in the royal art, you are now come to the
desire of knowledge of the pure and holy truth, we shall lay it open
to you without any disguise or covering. But, before we do this,
consult your heart, and see in this moment if you feel yourself
disposed to obey her (namely truth) in all things which she commands.
If you are disposed, I am sure she is ready in your heart, and you
must feel an emotion that was unknown to you before. This being the
case, you must hope that she will not be long to manifest herself to
you. But have a care not to defile the sanctuary by a spirit of
curiosity; and take care not to increase the number of the vulgar and
profane, that have for so long a time ill-treated her, until Truth was
obliged to depart the earth, and now can hardly trace any of her
footsteps. But she always appears in her greatest glory, without
disguise, to the true, good, and honest Free Masons; that is to say,
to the zealous extirpators of superstition and lies. I hope, my dear
brother, you will be one of her intimate favorites. The proofs that
you have given, assure me of everything I have to expect of your zeal;
for as nothing now can be more a secret among us, I shall order
brother Truth, that he will instruct you what you are to do in order
to come to true happiness." After this discourse of Father Adam, the
candidate is unveiled and shown the form of the Lodge or Council,
without explaining any part thereof. Brother Truth then proceeds thus:
"My dear brother, by my mouth, holy truth speaketh to you, but before
she can manifest herself to you, she requires of you proofs in which
she is satisfied in your entrance into the Masonic order. She has
appeared to you in many things which you could not have apprehended or
comprehended without her assistance; but now you have the happiness to
arrive at the brilliant day, nothing can be a secret to you. Learn,
then, the moral use that is made of the three first parts of the
furniture, which you knew after you was received an Entered Apprentice
Mason, viz.: Bible, Compass and Square. By the Bible you are to
understand that it is the only law you ought to follow. It is that
which Adam received at his creation, and which the Almighty engraved
in his heart. This law is called natural law, and shows positively
that there is but one God, and to adore him only without any
subdivision or interpolation. The Compass gives you the faculty of
judging for yourself, that whatever God has created, is well, and he
is the sovereign author of every thing. Existing in himself, nothing
is either good or evil; because we understand by this expression, an
action done which is excellent in itself, is relative, and submits to
the human understanding, or judgment, to know the value and price of
such action; and that God, with whom every thing is possible,
communicates nothing of his will, but such as his great goodness
pleases; and every thing in the universe is governed as he has decreed
it, with justice, being able to compare it with the attributes of the
Divinity. I equally say, that in himself there is no evil; because he
has made every thing with exactness, and that every thing exists
according to his will; consequently, as it ought to be. This distance
between good and evil with the Divinity, cannot be more justly and
clearly compared than by a circle formed with a compass. From the
points being reunited there is formed an entire circumference; and
when any point in particular equally approaches or equally separates
from its point, it is only a faint resemblance of the distance between
good and evil, which we compare by the points of a compass forming a
circle, which circle when completed is God.
SQUARE.--By the Square we discover that God, who has made every thing
equal, in the same manner that you are not able to dig a body in a
quarry complete, or perfect; thus, the wish of the Eternal in creating
the world by a liberal act of his own, well foresaw every matter that
could possibly happen in consequence thereof; that is to say, that
every thing therein contained at the same time of the creation was
good.
LEVEL.--You have also seen a level, a plumb, and a rough stone. By the
level you are to learn to be upright and sincere, and not to suffer
yourself to be drawn away by the multitude of the blind and ignorant
people; to be always firm and steady to sustain the right of the
natural law, and the pure and real knowledge of that truth which it
teacheth.
PERPENDICULAR AND ROUGH STONE.--By these you ought to understand that
the perpendicular man is polished by reason, and put censure away by
the excellence of our Master.
TRESSLE-BOARD.--You have seen the tressle-board, to draw plans on.
This represents the man whose whole occupation is the art of thinking,
and who employs his reason in that which is just and reasonable.
CUBIC STONE.--You have seen the cubic stone, the moral of which, and
the sense you ought to draw from it, is, to rule your actions, that
they might be equally brought to the sovereign good.
PILLARS.--The two pillars teacheth you that all Masons ought to attach
themselves firmly to become an ornament to the order, as well as to
its support; as the pillars of Hercules formerly determined the end of
the ancient world.
BLAZING STAR.--You have seen the blazing star, the moral sense of
which is, "a true Mason perfecting himself in the way of truth," that
he may become like a blazing star which shineth equally during the
thickest darkness; and it is useful to those that it shineth upon, and
who are ready and desirous of profiting by its light.
The first instructions have conducted you to the knowledge of Hiram
Abiff, and the inquiries that were made in finding him out. You have
been informed of the words, signs and tokens which were substituted
for those we feared would have been surprised, but of which they
afterwards learnt that the treacherous villains had not been able to
receive any knowledge of; and this ought to be an example and salutary
advice to you, to be always on your guard, and well persuaded that it
is difficult to escape the snares that ignorance, joined to conceited
opinion, lay every day against us, and thereby to overcome us; and the
most virtuous men are liable to fall, because their candor renders
them unsuspecting. But, in this case, you ought to be firm as our
Respectable Father Hiram, who chose rather to be massacred than to
give up what he had obtained.
This will teach you that as soon as truth shall be fixed in your
heart, you ought never to consider the resolution you should take; you
must live and die to sustain the light, by which we acquire the
sovereign good. We must never expose ourselves to the conversation of
cowans, and must be circumspect even with those with whom we are the
most intimate; and not deliver up ourselves to any, excepting those
whose character and behavior have proved them brothers, who are worthy
to come and appear in the sacred sanctuary where holy Truth delivers
her oracles.
You have passed the Secret and Perfect Master; you have been decorated
with an ivory key, a symbol of your distinction; you have received the
pronunciation of the ineffable name of the Great Architect of the
universe, and have been placed at the first balustrade of the
sanctuary; you have had rank among the Levites, after which you knew
the word "Zizon," which signifies "a balustrade of the Levites;" where
all those are placed, as well as yourself, to expect the knowledge of
the most sublime mysteries.
COFFIN AND ROPE.--In the degree of Perfect Master they have shown you
a grave, a coffin, and a "withe rope," to raise and deposit the body
in a sepulchre, made in the form of a pyramid, in the top of which was
a triangle, within which was the sacred name of the Eternal, and on
the pavement were the two columns of Jachin and Boaz laid across.
IVORY KEY.--By the "ivory key" you are to understand that you cannot
open your heart with safety, but at proper times. By the corpse and
grave is represented the state of man, before he had known the
happiness of our order.
ROPE.--The rope to which the coffin is tied, in order to raise it, is
the symbol of raising one, as you have been raised from the grave of
ignorance to the celestial place where truth resides.
PYRAMID.--The pyramid represents the true Mason who raises himself by
degrees, till he reaches heaven, to adore the sacred and unalterable
name of the Eternal Supreme.
INTIMATE SECRETARY.--This new degree leads you near to Solomon and
honor; and after you redoubled your zeal, you gained new honors and
favors, having nearly lost your life by curiosity; which attachment to
Masonry gave you the good qualities of your heart, and which obtained
your pardon and let you to the "Intendant of the Buildings," where you
saw a "blazing star," a large candlestick with seven branches, with
altars, vases, and purification, and a great brazen sea.
BLAZING STAR.--By the expression of PURIFICATION you are to understand
that you are to be cleansed from impiety and prejudice before you can
acquire more of the sublime knowledge in passing the other degrees, to
be able to support the brilliant light of reason, enlightened by
truth, of which the blazing star is the figure.
CANDLESTICK WITH SEVEN BRANCHES.--By the candlestick with seven
branches you are to remember the mysterious number of the seven
Masters who were named to succeed one; and from that time it was
resolved that seven Knights of Masonry, united together, were able to
initiate into Masonry, and show them the seven gifts of the Eternal,
which we shall give you a perfect knowledge of, when you have been
purified in the Brazen Sea.
BRAZEN SEA.--You have passed from the Secret and Perfect Master to the
Intimate Secretary, Provost and Judge, and Intendant of the Buildings.
In these degrees they have shown you an ebony box, a key suspended, a
balance, and an inflamed urn.
EBONY BOX.--The ebony box shows you with what scrupulous attention you
are to keep the secrets that have been confided to you, and which you
are to reserve in the closet of your heart, of which the box is an
emblem. And were you to reflect on the black color of said box, it
would teach you to cover your secrets with a thick veil, in such a
manner that the profane cowans cannot possibly have any knowledge
thereof.
KEY.--The key demonstrates that you have already obtained a key to our
knowledge, and part of our mysteries; and if you behave with equity,
fervor, and zeal to your brothers, you will arrive shortly to the
knowledge and meaning of our society, and this indicates the reason of
the balance.
INFLAMED URN.--By the inflamed urn you are to understand, that as far
as you come to the knowledge of the Royal and Sublime Art, you must,
by your behavior, leave behind you, in the minds of your brethren and
the vulgar, a high idea of your virtue, equal to the perfume of the
burning urn.
TWO KINGS.--In the degree of Intimate Secretary, you have seen and
heard two kings who were entering into their new alliance and
reciprocal promise, and of the perfection of their grand enterprise.
They spoke of the death of Hiram Abiff, our Excellent Master. You saw
guards, as a man who was overseen, very near of being put to death for
his curiosity of peeping. You also heard of the prospect of a place
called the vault, to deposit the precious treasure of Masonry, when
the time should be fulfilled, and you afterwards became a brother. The
conversation of the two kings is the figure of the coincidence of our
laws and the natural law, which forms a perfect agreement with what
is expedient, and promises to those who shall have the happiness to be
connected to you in the same manner and perfect alliance that they
will afterwards come to the centre of true knowledge.
TEARS.--The tears and regret of the two kings are the emblem of the
regret you ought to have when you perceive a brother depart from the
road of virtue.
THE MAN PEEPING.--By the man you saw peeping, and who was discovered
and seized, and conducted to death, is an emblem of those who come to
be initiated into our sacred mysteries through a motive of curiosity;
and, if so indiscreet as to divulge their obligations, we are bound to
take vengeance on the treason by the destruction of the traitor. Let
us pray the Eternal to preserve our order from such an evil you have
hereof seen an example, in that degree to which you came, by your
zeal, fervor and constancy. In that degree you have remarked, that
from all the favorites that were at that time in the apartment of
Solomon, only nine were elected to avenge the death of Hiram Abiff;
this makes good, that a great many are often called, but few chosen.
To explain this enigma, a great many of the profane have the happiness
to divest themselves of that name, to see and obtain the entrance in
our sanctuary; but very few are constant, zealous and fervent, to
merit the happiness of coming to the height and knowledge of the
sublime truth.
REQUISITIONS TO MAKE A GOOD MASON.--If you ask me what are the
requisite qualities that a Mason must be possessed of, to come to the
centre of truth, I answer you, that you must crush the head of the
serpent of ignorance. You must shake off the yoke of infant prejudice
concerning the mysteries of the reigning religion, which worship has
been imaginary, and only founded on the spirit of pride, which envies
to command and be distinguished, and to be at the head of the vulgar;
in affecting an exterior purity, which characterizes a false piety,
joined to a desire of acquiring that which is not its own, and is
always the subject of this exterior pride, and unalterable source of
many disorders, which being joined to gluttonness, is the daughter of
hypocrisy, and employs every matter to satisfy carnal desires, and
raises to these predominant passions, altars, upon which she
maintains, without ceasing, the light of iniquity, and sacrifices
continually offerings to luxury, voluptuousness, hatred, envy, and
perjury. Behold, my dear brother, what you must fight against and
destroy before you can come to the knowledge of the true good and
sovereign happiness! Behold this monster which you must conquer--a
serpent which we detest as an idol, that is adored by the idiot and
vulgar under the name of religion.
SOLOMON, KING HIRAM, AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.--In the degrees of
Elected of Fifteen, Illustrious Knights, Grand Master Architects, and
Knights of the Ninth Arch, you have seen many things which are only a
repetition of what you have already examined. You will always find in
those degrees initial letters enclosed in different triangles, or
Deltas. You have also seen the planet Mercury, the chamber called
"Gabaon," or the "Third Heaven;" the "winding staircase," the "Ark of
Alliance," the "tomb of Hiram Abiff," facing the ark and the urn--the
precious treasure found by the assiduous travels--the three zealous
brethren Masons--the punishment of the haughty Master Mason, in being
buried under the ancient ruins of Enoch's temple--and finally, you
have seen the figures of Solomon, and Hiram, King of Tyre, and St.
John the Baptist.
3. I. I. I.--By the 3. I. I. I. you know the three sacred names of the
Eternal and "Mount Gabaon" (Third Heaven) which you came to by seven
degrees that compose the winding staircase.
The seven stars represent the seven principal and different degrees to
which you must come to attain the height of glory represented by the
mount, where they formerly sacrificed to the Most High! When you
arrive to that, you are to subdue your passions, in not doing anything
that is not prescribed in our laws.
By the planet Mercury, you are taught continually to mistrust, shun,
and run away from those who, by a false practice, maintain commerce
with people of a vicious life, who seem to despise the most sacred
mysteries--that is, to depart from those who by the vulgar fear, or a
bad understanding, are ready to deny the solemn obligations that they
have contracted among us.--When you come to the foot of our arch you
are to apprehend that you come to the "Sanctum Sanctorum." You are not
to return; but rather to persist in sustaining the glory of our order,
and the truth of our laws, principles, and mysteries, in like manner
as our Respectable Father Hiram Abiff, who deserved to have been
buried there for his constancy and fidelity. We have also another
example in the firmness of "Galaad," the son of "Sophonia," chief of
the Levites, under Surnam, the High Priest, as mentioned in the
history of perfection. Learn in this moment, my dear brother, what you
are to understand by the figures of Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, and
St. John the Baptist. The two first exert you, by their zeal in the
royal art, to follow the sublime road of which Solomon was the
institutor, and Hiram of Tyre, the "supporter;" a title legitimately
due to that king, who not only protected the order, but contributed
with all his might to the construction of the temple (furnishing stone
from Tyre, and the cedars of Lebanus) which Solomon built to the honor
of the Almighty.
The third, or St. John the Baptist, teaches you to preach marvellous
to this order, which is as much as to say, you are to make secret
missions among men, which you believe to be in a state of entering the
road of truth, that they may be able one day to see her virtues and
visage uncovered.
HIRAM ABIFF was the symbol of truth on earth. Jubelum Akirop was
accused by the serpent of ignorance, which to this day raises altars
in the hearts of the profane and fearful. This profaneness, backened
by a fanatic zeal, becomes an instrument to the religious power, which
struck the first stroke in the heart of our dear Father, Hiram Abiff;
which is as much as to say, undermined the foundation of the celestial
temple, which the Eternal himself had ordered to be raised to the
sublime truth and his glory.
The first age of the world has been witness to what I have advanced.
The simple, natural law rendered to our first fathers the most
uninterrupted happiness. They were in those times more virtuous; but
as soon as the "monster of pride" started up in the air and disclosed
herself to those unhappy mortals, she promised to them every seat of
happiness, and seduced them by her soft and bewitching speeches, viz.:
That "they must render to the Eternal Creator of all things an
adoration with more testimony, and more extensive, than they had
hitherto done," etc. This Hydra with a hundred heads, at that time
misled, and continues to this day to mislead men who are so weak as to
submit to her empire; and it will subsist, until the moment that the
true elected shall appear and destroy her entirely.
The degree of Sublime Elected, that you have passed, gives you the
knowledge of those things which conducts you to the true and solid
good. The grand circle represents the immensity of the Eternal
Supreme, who has neither beginning nor end.
[Illustration: (4 concentric circles or 'bulls-eye')]
The triangle, or Delta, is the mysterious figure of the Eternal. The
three letters which you see, signify as follows:--G, at the top of the
triangle, "the grand cause of the Masons": the S, at the left hand,
the "submission to the same order": and the U, at the right hand, the
"union that ought to reign among the brethren: which, altogether make
but one body, or equal figure in all its parts." This is the triangle
called "equilateral." The great letter G, placed in the centre of the
triangle, signifies "Great Architect of the Universe," who is God; and
in this ineffable name is found all the divine attributes. This letter
being placed in the centre of the triangle, is for us to understand
that every true Mason must have it profoundly in his heart.
[Illustration: (Triangle with G at the top corner, S at the left
corner, U at the right corner, and a larger G in the middle)]
There is another triangle, on which is engraved S. B. and N., of which
you have had an explanation in a preceding degree. This triangle
designs the connection of the brethren in virtue. The solemn promise
they have made to love each other; to help, succor, and keep
inviolably secret, their mysteries of the perfection proposed, in all
their enterprises. It is said in that degree, that "You have entered
the Third Heaven, that means you have entered the place where pure
truth resides, since she abandoned the earth to monsters who
persecuted her."
[Illustration: (Triangle with 'B' at top, 'S' & 'N' below.)]
The end of the degree of Perfection is a preparation to come more
clearly to the knowledge of true happiness, in becoming a true Mason,
enlightened by the celestial luminary of truth, in renouncing,
voluntarily, all adorations but those that are made to one God, the
Creator of heaven and earth, great, good, and merciful. End of Brother
Truth's harangue.
Father Adam then says to the candidate, "My dear son, what you have
heard from the mouth of Truth is an abridgment of all the consequences
of all the degrees you have gone through, in order to come to the
knowledge of the holy truth, contracted in your last engagements. Do
you persist in your demand of coming to the holy brother, and is that
what you desire, with a clear heart?--answer me." The candidate
answers, "I persist." Then Father Adam says, "Brother Truth, as the
candidate persists, approach with him to the sanctuary, in order that
he may take a solemn obligation to follow our laws, principles, and
morals, and to attach himself to us forever." Then the candidate falls
on his knees, and Father Adam takes his hands between his own, and the
candidate repeats the following obligation three times:
OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., promise, in the face of God, and between
the hands of my Sovereign, and in presence of all the brethren now
present, never to take arms against my country, directly or
indirectly, in any conspiracy against the Government thereof. I
promise never to reveal any of the degrees of the Knight of the
Sun, which is now on the point of being intrusted to me, to any
person or persons whatsoever, without being duly qualified to
receive the same; and never to give my consent to any one to be
admitted into our mysteries, only after the most scrupulous
circumspection, and full knowledge of his life and conversation;
and who has given at all times full proof of his zeal and fervent
attachment for the order, and a submission at all times to the
tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. I promise
never to confer the degree of the Knights of the Sun without
having a permission in writing from the Grand Council of Princes
of the Royal Secret, or from the Grand Inspector or his deputy,
known by their titles and authority. I promise also and swear,
that I will not assist any, through my means, to form or raise a
Lodge of the Sublime Orders, in this country, "without proper
authority." I promise and swear to redouble my zeal for all my
brethren, Knights, and Princes, that are present or absent; and if
I fail in this my obligation, I consent for all my brethren, when
they are convinced of my infidelity, to seize me, and thrust my
tongue through with a red-hot iron; to pluck out both my eyes, and
to deprive me of smelling and hearing; to cut off both my hands,
and to expose me in that condition in the field, to be devoured by
the voracious animals; and if none can be found, I wish the
lightning of heaven might execute on me the same vengeance. O God,
maintain me in right and equity. Amen. Amen. Amen.
After the obligation is three times repeated, Father Adam raises the
candidate, and gives him one kiss on his forehead, being the seat of
the soul. He then decorates him with the collar and jewel of the
order, and gives him the following sign, token and word:--SIGN: Place
the right hand flat upon the heart, the thumb forming a square. The
answer, raise the hand, and with the index point to heaven. This is to
show that there is but one God, the source of all truth. TOKEN: Take
in your hands those of your brother, and press them gently. Some
Knights, in addition to this, kiss the forehead of the brother, saying
"Alpha," to which he answers, "Omega." SACRED WORD: "Adonai." This
word is answered by "Albra," or "Abbraak," which is rendered "a king
without reproach." Some contend that this word should be written
"Abrah." PASS-WORD:--"Stibium" (antimony). By this is intended as
among the Hermetic Philosophers, "the primitive matter whence all
things are formed." To this pass-word some add the following:
"Helios," "Mene," "Tetragrammaton."
After these are given, the candidate goes 'round and gives them to
every one, which brings him back to Father Adam. He then sits down
with the rest of the brethren, and then Brother Truth gives the
following explanation of the Philosophical Lodge:
SUN.--The sun represents the unity of the Eternal Supreme, the only
grand work of philosophy.
3. S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. signify the "Stiletto, Sidech, Solo," or
the residence of the Sovereign Master of all things.
THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks show us the three degrees
of fire.
FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles represent the four elements.
SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets design the seven colors that appear
in their original state, from whence we have so many different
artificial ones.
SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims represent the seven metals,
viz., gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin and quicksilver.
CONCEPTION IN THE MOON.--The conception, or woman, rising in the moon,
demonstrates the purity that matter subsists of, in order to remain in
its pure state unmixed with any other body, from which must come a new
king, and a revolution or fulness of time filled with glory whose name
is Albra.
HOLY SPIRIT.--The Holy Spirit, under the symbol of a dove, is the
image of the Universal Spirit, that gives light to all in the three
states of nature; and on the animal, vegetable and mineral.
ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE.--The entrance of the temple is represented to
you by a body, because the grand work of nature is complete as gold,
potable and fixed.
GLOBE.--The globe represents the matter in the primeval state; that is
to say, complete.
CADUCEUS.--The caduceus represents the double mercury that you must
extract from the matter; that is to say, the mercury fixed, and from
thence is extracted gold and silver.
STIBIUM.--The word stibium signifies the antimony, from whence, by the
philosophical fire, is taken an alkali which we empty in our grand
work. End of the philosophical explanation. Then Father Adam explains
the