OFFICERS.--The first officer represents Frederick II., King of
Prussia; he is styled "Sovereign of Sovereigns," "Grand Prince,"
"Illustrious 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 aprons, wearing the jewel
of the order, suspended on the breast by a black ribbon.
COLLAR OF THE ORDER.--The collar is black, and edged with silver. On
its point is embroidered in red a Teutonic cross. On the middle of the
cross is a double headed eagle in silver. The collar is lined with
scarlet, on which is embroidered a black Teutonic cross. Around the
waist is girded a black sash, embroidered with silver. The cross is
embroidered on that part of the girdle which is in front.
JEWEL.--The jewel is a golden Teutonic cross.
QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATE.--The candidate who receives this degree
must be faithfully examined in the previous degree prior to admission.
The Master of Ceremonies will acquaint him with the pass-word, which
he is to give to the Lieutenant Commander. The Master of Ceremonies
will then lead him to the Sovereign of Sovereigns.
OPENING AND CLOSING.--The Sovereign of Sovereigns says, "Sal ix." The
Lieutenants reply, "Noni." They then together say, "Tengu." All give
the sign. The Sovereign of Sovereigns says: Let us imitate our Grand
Master Jacques De Molay, Hiram Abiff, who to the last placed all his
hopes in the Great Architect of the Universe; and pronounced the
following words just as he passed from this transient life into
eternal bliss:--"Spes mea in Deo est" (My hope is in God).
DESCRIPTION OF THE CARPET REPRESENTING THE CAMP.--On the carpet is
drawn an "enneagen," in which is inscribed a pentagon; within this is
an equilateral triangle, and in the triangle a circle. Between the
heptagon and pentagon, upon the sides of the latter, are placed the
standards of the five Standard Bearers, and the pavilions inscribed by
the letters T. E. N. G. U. The emblems on the standard T. are the "ark
of the covenant," an "olive tree," and a "lighted candlestick," on
each side. The ground color of this standard is purple. On the ark is
written the motto "Laus Deo." The standard E. bears a golden lion,
holding in his mouth a "golden key;" wearing around his neck a golden
collar, on which is engraved "515." The ground is azure; the motto
"Admajorem Dei glorium." On the standard N. is an "inflamed heart," in
red, with two wings, surrounded by a laurel crown. The ground is
white. The flag G. bears a double-headed eagle, crowned, holding a
sword in his right claw, and in his left a bloody heart. Ground is sea
green. The flag U. has an ox, sable (black), on a golden ground. On
the sides of the enneagen are nine tents, and on its angles nine
pendants, each belonging to its appropriate tent. The pendants are
distinguished by numerals, and the tents by the letters I. N. O. N. X.
I. L. A. S. disposed from right to left. These tents signify the
different grades of Masonry. Thus:
TENT S. is Malachi--pendant, white, spotted with red; represents
Knights of the East and West, and Princes of Jerusalem. TENT A. is
Zerubbabel--pendant, light green; represents Knights of the East. TENT
L. is Neamiah--pendant, red; represents Grand Elect, Perfect, and
Sublime Masons. TENT I. is Hobben or Johaben--pendant, black and red;
represents Sublime Elect, and Elect of Fifteen. TENT X. is
Peleg--pendant, black; represents Elect of Nine, or Grand Master
Architect. TENT N. is Joiada--pendant, red and black in lozenges;
represents Provost and Judges. TENT O. is Aholiab--pendant, red and
green; represents Intendant of the Buildings and Intimate Secretary.
TENT N. is Joshua--pendant, green; represents Perfect Master. TENT I.
is Ezra--pendant, blue; represents Master, Fellow Craft, and Entered
Apprentice.
The equilateral triangle in the middle represents the centre of the
army, and shows where the Knights of Malta are to be placed who have
been admitted to our mysteries, and have proved themselves faithful
guardians. They are to be joined with the Knights of Kadosh. The
corps in the centre is to be commanded by five princes, who command
jointly, or in rotation, according to their degrees, and receive their
orders immediately from the Sovereign of Sovereigns. These five
Princes must place their standards in the five angles of the pentagon,
as above described. These Princes, who are Standard Bearers, have the
following name, viz.:--
{ T. ... Bezaleel }
{ E. ... Aholiab }
STANDARD. { N. ... Mahuzen } NAMES.
{ G. ... Garimont }
{ U. ... Amariah }
The heptagon points out the Encampment destined for the Princes of
Libanus, Jerusalem, etc.; and these are to receive their orders from
the five Princes. The enneagen shows the general order of Masons of
all degrees.
Instructions for the reunion of the brethren, Knights, Princes, and
Commanders of the Royal Secret or Kadosh, which really signifies HOLY
BRETHREN OF ALL DEGREES SEPARATED.
Frederick III., King of Prussia, Grand Master and Commander in Chief,
Sovereign of Sovereigns, with an army composed of the Knights, Princes
of the White and Black Eagle, including Prussian, English, and French;
likewise joined by the Knights Adepts of the Sun, Princes of Libanus
or the Royal Axe, the Knights of the Rose Croix or St. Andrew, Knights
of the East and West, the Princes of Jerusalem, Knights of the East or
Sword, the Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Masons, the Knights of the
Royal Arch (ninth Arch), Sublime Knights Elected, etc.
The hour for the departure or march of the army is the fifth after the
setting of the sun; and is to be made known by the firing of five
great guns in the following order (0)--(0 0 0 0)--that is, with an
interval between the first and second. The first rendezvous is to be
the port of Naples--from Naples to the port of Rhodes--from Rhodes to
Cyprus and Malta, whence the whole naval force of all nations is to
assemble. The second rendezvous is to be at Cyprus, etc. The third
rendezvous is to be at Jerusalem, where they will be joined by our
faithful guardians. The watchwords of every day of the week are as
follows and they are not to be changed but by express order from the
King of Prussia: