PREROGATIVES OF THE PRINCES.--Princes of Jerusalem have a right to
inspect all Lodges or Councils of an inferior degree, and can revoke
and annul all the work done in such Councils or Lodges, if the same
shall be inconsistent with the regulations of Masonry.
In countries where there are no Grand Lodges, they have power to
confer the blue degrees. They are the supreme judges of all
transactions in the lower degrees; and no appeal can be made to the
Supreme Councils of the upper degrees, until an opinion has been given
by the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and the result of their
opinion has been made known.
A Prince of Jerusalem who visits an inferior Lodge or Council, ought
to present himself in the dress and ornaments of this degree. When his
approach is announced, the presiding officer must send a Prince of
Jerusalem to examine him, and if he reports in his favor, the arch of
steel is to be formed, and he is conducted beneath it to his seat on
the left of the presiding officer. An entry of his name and rank is
made on the records, that he may henceforward receive our honors
without any examination.
Five Princes are necessary to form a Grand Council.
DUTIES OF PRINCES.--They are carefully to observe the rules of justice
and good order, and to maintain irreproachable lives. If guilty of
unmasonic conduct, they are to be punished at the discretion of the
Grand Council. Expulsions are to be notified to the Grand Councils of
the upper degrees, and to all inferior Masonic bodies within the
district.
If a Prince solicits a vote at an election, he is to be punished with
perpetual exclusion.
The annual election is to take place on the twenty third day of the
Jewish month Adar. The meetings of the Councils are termed
Conventions.
APARTMENTS USED IN THIS DEGREE.--There are two apartments, connected
by a long, narrow passage. The western represents the court of
Zerubbabel, at Jerusalem. The hangings are yellow. Over the throne is
a yellow canopy. On a triangular pedestal, before the throne, are
placed a naked sword, an arrow of justice, a balance, and a shield on
which is an equilateral triangle, a sceptre, a chandelier of five
branches, which are all lighted in the latter part of the ceremony of
reception. The eastern apartment represents the cabinet of Darius. It
is hung with red; the canopy is red. Before the throne is a small
square pedestal, and in it a drawn sword, a sceptre, paper, pens, etc.
The chief Minister of State sits near Darius.
OFFICERS OF THE GRAND COUNCIL.--The first officer is styled "Most
Equitable Prince," and is on the throne. The Senior Warden and Junior
Warden are styled "Most Enlightened;" seated in the West. The other
officers and the members are styled "Valiant Princes."
DRESS.--The "Most Equitable" wears a yellow robe and turban. The apron
is red; on it are painted the temple, a square, a buckler, a
triangle, and a hand; the flap is yellow; on it a balance, and the
letters D. Z. [Darius and Zerubbabel.] Gloves are red. Sash is yellow,
edged with gold, embroidered by a balance, a hand, a poniard, five
stars, and two crowns, it is worn from right to left.
JEWEL.--A golden medal; on one side a hand holding a balance in
equilibris; on the other a two-edged sword, with five stars around the
point, and the letters D. Z.
ALARM.--The alarm is three and two (!!! !!).
OPENING.--The "Most Equitable" strikes one, and says, "Valiant Grand
Master of Ceremonies, what is the first business of a Grand Council of
the Princes of Jerusalem?" Grand Master of Ceremonies. "To see that
the guards are at their proper stations." M. E. "Attend to that duty,
and inform," etc. G. M. C.--"It is done, Most Equitable." Most
Equitable strikes two; the Junior Warden rises. M. E.--"Valiant Junior
Warden, what is our next business?" J. W.--"To see that all present
are Princes of Jerusalem." M. E.--"Attend to that duty." J. W.--"We
are all Princes of Jerusalem." Most Equitable (striking
thrice).--"Valiant Senior Warden, what is the hour?" Senior
Warden.--"The rising of the sun." M. E.--"What duty remains to be
done?" S. W.--"To arrange the Princes in two columns, for the proper
discharge of their duties." M. E.--"Attend to that duty." S. W.--"Most
Equitable, it is done." M. E.--"Valiant Junior and Senior Wardens,
inform your respective columns that I am about to open this Grand
Council of Princes of Jerusalem, by three and two." (That is done.) M.
E.--"Attention, Valiant Princes! (The signs are given; the Most
Equitable strikes three and two; this is repeated by the Wardens.) I
declare this Grand Council duly opened and in order for business."
RECEPTION.--The candidate, being hoodwinked, is led by the Master of
Ceremonies to the door--the alarm is given--the door is opened without
any ceremony, and the candidate is led to the east, and thus
addressed: Most Equitable.--"What is your desire?" Candidate.--"I come
to prefer the complaints of the people of Israel against the
Samaritans, who have refused to pay the tribute imposed on them for
defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the temple."
M. E. (who represents Zerubbabel).--"I have no power over the
Samaritans; they are subject to King Darius, who is at Babylon; it is
to him that such complaints must be preferred; but as we are all
interested in this thing, I will arm you, and cause you to be
accompanied by four Knights, that you may more easily surmount any
difficulty which may present itself in your journey to the court of
the King of Persia." The bandage is now removed from the eyes of the
candidate; he is armed with a sword and buckler, and decorated as a
Knight of the East. The four Knights who accompany him are armed in a
similar manner. They commence their journey, and are attacked by some
armed ruffians, whom they repulse. They arrive at the door of the
cabinet of Darius. The candidate enters with one of the Knights, and
thus addresses the King:--"Mighty King! the Samaritans refuse to pay
the tribute imposed on them by Cyrus, King of Persia, for defraying
the expenses of the sacrifices which are offered in the temple which
we have rebuilt; the people of Israel entreat that you will compel
the Samaritans to perform their duty." Darius.--"Your request is just
and equitable; I order that the Samaritans shall immediately pay the
tribute imposed on them. My Chief Minister shall deliver to you my
decree for this purpose. Go in Peace!" The candidate retires; the
Chief Minister follows, and delivers the decree to him. After
surmounting various obstacles, candidate is met on his return by the
Knights with lighted torches, and is thus conducted with triumph into
the presence of Zerubbabel, and says:--"I deliver to you the decree of
Darius, King of Persia, which we have obtained after defeating our
enemies, and encountering many dangers in our journey." Most Equitable
reads the decree as follows:--"We, Darius, 'King of Kings!' willing to
favor and protect our people at Jerusalem, after the example of our
illustrious predecessor, King Cyrus, do will and ordain that the
Samaritans, against whom complaints have been made, shall punctually
pay the tribute money which they owe for the sacrifices of the
temple--otherwise they shall receive the punishment due to their
disobedience. Given at Shushan, the palace, this fourth day of the
second month, in the year 3534, and of our reign the third, under the
seal of our faithful Darius. [L. S.]" M. E.--"The people of Jerusalem
are under the greatest obligations to you for the zeal and courage
displayed by you in surmounting the obstacles which you encountered in
your journey; as a reward we shall confer on you the mysteries of the
degree of Prince of Jerusalem. Are you willing to take an obligation,
binding you to an exact observance of our laws, and a careful
concealment of our mysteries?" Candidate.--"I am." M. E.--"Kneel
before the altar for that purpose."
OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., do solemnly promise and swear, in the presence
of Almighty God, the Great Architect of heaven and earth, and of these
Valiant Princes of Jerusalem, that I will never reveal the mysteries
of the degree of Prince of Jerusalem to any one of an inferior degree,
or to any other person whatever. I promise and swear, as a Prince of
Jerusalem, to do justice to my brethren, and not to rule them
tyranically, but in love. I promise and swear that I will never, by
word or deed, attack the honor of any Prince of Jerusalem; and that I
will not assist in conferring this degree except in a lawful Grand
Council of Princes of Jerusalem. All this I promise and swear, under
the penalty of being stripped naked, and having my heart pierced with
a poniard. So help me God. Amen! Amen! Amen!
The Most Equitable raises the candidate, and gives him the following
signs, tokens, and words:--FIRST SIGN--Extend the right arm
horizontally at the height of the shoulder. This is termed the sign of
command. FIRST TOKEN.--Each places his left hand on his left hip, and
the right hand on his brother's left shoulder. SECOND TOKEN.--Join
left hands, placing the thumb on the second joint of the little
finger; with the thumb strike five times on that joint.
PASS-WORD.--"Tebeth." The name of the Jewish month in which the
Ambassadors entered Jerusalem. SACRED WORD.--"Adar." The name of the
month in which thanks were given to God for the completion of the
temple. In some Councils the following sign is given, viz.:--Present
yourself before your brother with your sword advanced, and your left
hand resting on your hip, as if to commence a combat. He will answer
the sign by extending his arm at the height of the shoulder, the right
foot forming a square with the toe of the left. THE MARCH.--Five steps
on the diagonal of the square towards the throne. AGE.--The age of a
Prince of Jerusalem, is 5 times 15.
Most Equitable.--"I now appoint and constitute you, with your four
companions, Princes and Governors of Jerusalem, that you may render
justice to all the people. I decorate you with a yellow sash, to which
is attached a gold medal. The 'balance' on it is to admonish you to
make equity and justice your guides. The 'hand of justice' is a mark
of your authority over the people. The 'emblems' of the 'apron' with
which I now invest you, have reference to the works and virtues of
Masons, and to your duty in the high office with which you are
invested. As Princes of Jerusalem, you will assemble in two chambers
of the temple. Be just, merciful, and wise."
LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Prince of Jerusalem? Answer--I know the
road to Babylon.
Q. What were you formerly? A. A Knight of the East.
Q. How did you arrive at the dignity of a Prince of Jerusalem? A. By
the favor of Zerubbabel, and the courage which I manifested in many
conflicts.
Q. Where did the Prince of Jerusalem travel? A. From Jerusalem to
Babylon.
Q. Why? A. The Samaritans having refused to pay the tribute imposed on
them for defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the
temple, an embassy was dispatched to Babylon, to obtain justice of
King Darius.
Q. How many Knights constituted this embassy? A. Five.
Q. Did they encounter any difficulty in their journey? A. They did.
The Samaritans, against whom they were to prefer a complaint, armed
themselves and attacked the ambassadors, but were defeated.
Q. What did they obtain from Darius? A. A decree ordering the
Samaritans to pay the tribute, or suffer punishment.
Q. How were the ambassadors received on their return to Jerusalem? A.
At some distance from the city they were met by the people, who
accompanied them to the temple singing songs of joy. On reaching the
temple and making their report, and presenting the decree of Darius,
they were constituted Princes of Jerusalem.
Q. How were they habited as Princes of Jerusalem? A. In cloth of gold.
Q. What were their decorations? A. A yellow sash trimmed with gold
from right to left; to which was attached a golden medal, on which was
engraved a balance, a sword, five stars, and the letters D. Z.
Q. What is signified by the five stars on the sash? A. They are
emblematic of the five Knights who journeyed from Jerusalem to
Babylon.
Q. What is the age of a Prince of Jerusalem? A. Five times fifteen.
CLOSE.--Most Equitable. "Most Enlightened Junior and Senior Wardens,
announce to your respective columns that I am about to close this
Grand Council by five times fifteen." Each Warden strikes five; all
rise and the notice is given. M. E. "Attention, Princes of Jerusalem?
(The signs are given. The Most Equitable strikes five times fifteen,
which is repeated by the Wardens.) Be just, merciful and wise! I
declare this Grand Council duly closed."
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