Enoch fell in the general destruction; but by divine permission, the* other withstood the water, by which means the ancient state of the liberal arts, particularly masonry, has been handed down to us.

*

dwell in a fixed temple at Jerusa lem, and promised that his name. would be there.

Accordingly, Solomon began to build in the fourth year of his reign, agreeably to a plan given him by David, his father, upon the ark of alliance. He chose a spot for this purpose the most beautiful and healthy in all Jerusalem.

You have been already informed that the temple of Solomon was constructed by the craft; but there are some particulars respecting it, with which you are not yet acquainted. Information respecting certain discoveries that were made

We learn from holy writ, the history of succeeding times, till the Israelites became slaves to the Egyptians; from which bondage they were freed under the conduct of Moses. The same sacred book informs us, that Moses was beloved of God, and that the Most High talked with him on Mount Sinai. Here God delivered to him the tables of stone, containing the decalogue; with many promises of a re-in digging for a foundation, the connewed alliance. He also revealed his name to Moses, and gave him a strict command not to pronounce it, so that, in process of time, the true pronunciation was lost. From the corruption of this sacred name, sprang the JUHA of the Moors, the JUPITER of the Romans, and others of a like nature.

The same divine history particularly informs us, of the different movements of the Israelites until they became possessed of the land of promise, and of the succeeding events, until the Divine Providence was pleased to give the sceptre to David, who though fully determined to build a temple to the Most High, could never begin it; that honour being reserved for his son.

Solomon, being the wisest of princes, had fully in remembrance the promise of God to Moses, that in fulness of time his holy name should be discovered. And his wisdom inspired him to believe, that this could not be accomplished until he had erected and consecrated a temple to the living God, in which he might deposit the precious treasures. The Almighty had of old declared, that it was his will to

* Josephus says, that one of these pillars was standing in his time. + Exod. iii, 14.

Lib. 1 ch. 2.

struction of the secret vault, and pillar of beauty, and several interesting particulars relative to nine arches of a temple, you, as "knight of the ninth arch," are entitled to receive. *************.

The secret vault was afterwards called the "sacred vault;" a place known only to the grand elect and sublime masters, which degree was in due time conferred on the knights of the ninth arch, as a reward for their zeal, constancy, and fidelity.

The number of the grand elect and sublime masters was at first three, and was afterwards increased to five, and so continued until the temple was completed and dedicated.

King Solomon then, as a reward for their faithful services, admitted to this degree the twelve grand masters, who had faithfully presided over the twelve tribes; also one other grand master architect. Nine ancient grand masters, eminent for their virtue, were chosen knights of the ninth arch (afterwards called royal arch) and shortly after were admitted to the sublime degree of perfection. In this manner the number of the grand elect was augmented to twenty-seven, which is the cube of three.

* Deut. xii, 11-1 Kings viii, 29.

The emblems of this degree are, on the reverse, a blazing star, ena representation of nine arches un-closing a triangle, hung to a broad der ground, and a golden delta on a triangular pedestal. Closed as opened.

"It is no secret, that the appropriate name of God, has been preserved in this masonic institution, in every country where masonry existed, while the rest of the world was literally sunk in heathenism."S. TOWN.

XI. PERFECTION, OR PERFECT

GRAND AND SUBLIME ELECT

(OR SELECT) MASONS.

The lodge of perfection, should represent a subterraneous vault, painted red, and adorned with many colours, and columns of a flame colour. Behind the master must be a light to shine through a triangular sun; and before him there must be a pedestal appearing to be broken. There ought to be several other lights, arranged numerically, according to the different stages of masonry.

The most perfect, grand elect and sublime master, in this degree, is to represent Solomon, seated in the east, dressed in royal robes, and having a crown and sceptre placed on a pedestal before him. The two grand wardens are seated in the west. On the right hand of the most perfect sits the grand treasurer, having a table before him, upon which must be placed some perfumes, with a small silver hod, and a trowel of gold. On his left hand sits the grand secretary, with a table also before him, on which must be seven loaves of shew bread, with a cup of red wine for libation, and also jewels for the candidates at their reception.

The jewels appertaining to this degree are a crowned compass, extended to ninety degrees; or, a quadrant, a sun in the centre; and

flame coloured ribbon, of a triangu lar form, round the neck; and also, a gold ring with this motto, " Virtue unites what death cannot part.”

The apron must be flamed with red, a dark blue ribbon round the edge, and the jewel painted on the flap. The brethren must be dressed in black, with swords in their hands.

Opened by four mystic numbers.

The following passages from the Psalms, may be read at opening:

"Sing unto the Lord, sing praises unto his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.”—Ps. Ixviii, 4.

"The Lord reigneth, let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims, let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion, and he is high above all people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name, for it is holy."-Ps. xcix, 1-3.

"I will sing of mercy and judg ment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O! when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; I hate the work of them that turn aside, it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked per son. Whoso privily slandereth his || neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land,

that I may cut off all wicked doers || beard, that went down to the skirts from the city of the Lord.”- of his garment."-Ps. cxxxiii, 1, 2. "Ointment and perfume rejoice

Psalm ci.

PRAYER to be used after the intro- the heart, so doth the sweetness of a duction of the candidate :

man's friend by hearty counsel." Prov. xxvii, 9.

"Let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head."-Ps. cxli, 5.

After certain solemn forms, the master of ceremonies says,

"I impress you, my brother, with an ardent zeal for the honour of the Grand Architect of the Universe; to the end that you may live always in his adorable presence, with a heart disposed to every thing that is pleasing to him."

"Almighty and sovereign architect of heaven and earth, who, by thy divine power, dost ultimately search the most secret recesses of thought, purify our hearts by the sacred fire of thy love; guide us by thine unerring hand in the path of virtue, and cast out of thine adorable sanctuary all impiety and perverseness. May the "mysterious inscription" settle in our minds a true notion of thine unspeakable essence and power; and as we preserve the memorials of the revelation of thy holy name, The most perfect then presents so may we preserve the memorials the candidate with the bread and wine, of thy fear, and the indelible charac-saying, "Eat of this bread with me, ters of thine unutterable essence and drink of the same cup, that we upon our hearts. We beseech thee, that our thoughts may be engaged in the grand work of our perfection, which, when attained, will be an ample reward for our labour; let peace and charity link us together in a pleasing union, and may this lodge exhibit a faint resemblance of that happiness which the elect will enjoy in thy kingdom. Give us a spirit of holy discrimination, by which we may be able to refuse the evil and choose the good; and also that we may not be led astray by those who unworthily assume the character of the grand elect. Finally, be pleased to grant, that all our proceedings may tend to The most perfect then decorates thy glory, and our advancement in the candidate according to the orna righteousness. Bless us and prosperments of the order, saying, "I now our works, O Lord! Amen."

may learn thereby to succour each other in time of need by a mutual love, and participation of what we possess." He then presents to him a gold ring, saying, "Receive this ring, and let it be remembered by you as a symbol of the alliance you have now contracted with virtue, and the virtuous. You are never, my dear brother, to part with it whilst you live; nor to bequeath it at your death, except to your wife, your eldest son, or your nearest friend."

When this part of the ceremony is ended, the brethren make a libation, according to ancient usage..

with the greatest pleasure salute you, my brother, as a grand elect, perfect, and sublime mason, which title I now confer on you, and grace you with the symbols thereof. Receive this ribbon, the triangular figure of which is emblematical of the divine triangle. The crown upon your jewel is a symbol of the royal origin of this degree, The compass, extended to ninety degrees, denotes the extensive

knowledge of the grand elect. These jewels, suspended on your breast, should make you attentive to your duty and station."

Charge.

Thus, my venerable brother, by your unblamable conduct, assiduity, constancy, and integrity, you have at last attained the title of grand elect, perfect, and sublime mason, which is the summit of ancient masonry, and upon your arrival to which, I most sincerely congratulate you.

strangely irregular in his conduct. Proud of having erected an edifice to his Maker, and much intoxicated with his great power, he plunged into all manner of licentiousness and debauchery, and profaned the temple, by offering that incense to the idol Moloch, which only should have been offered to the living || God. The grand elect and perfect masons saw this, and were sorely grieved; being fearful that his apostacy would end in some dreadful consequences, and perhaps bring upon them their enemies, whom Solomon had vainly and wantonly de

I must earnestly recommend to you the strictest care and circumspection in all your conduct, that the sublime mysteries of this degree be not pro-fied. The people, copying the fol faned or disgraced.

As to what remains of completing your knowledge in the ancient state of masonry, you will find it by attending to the following

History.

lies and vices of their king, became proud and idolatrous, neglecting the true worship of God, for that of idols.

As an adequate punishment for this defection, God inspired the heart of Nebuchadnezzar, king of When the temple of Jerusalem was Babylon, to take vengeance on the finished, the masons who were em-kingdom of Israel. This prince ployed in constructing that stately edifice, acquired immortal honour. Their order became more uniformly established and regulated than it had been before. Their delicacy in admitting new members of their order, brought it to a degree of respect; as the merit of the candidate was the only thing they then paid attention

to.

With these principles instilled into their minds, many of the grand elect left the temple after its dedication, and dispersed themselves among the neighbouring kingdoms, instructing all who applied, and were found worthy, in the sublime degrees of ancient craft masonry.

The temple was finished in the year of the world 3000.

Thus far the wise king of Israel behaved worthy of himself, and gained universal admiration; but, in process of time, when he had advanced in years, his understanding became impaired; he grew deaf to the voice of the Lord, and was

sent an army, with Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, who entered Judah with fire and sword, took and sacked the city of Jerusalem, razed its walls, and destroyed that superb model of excellence, the temple. The people were carried captive to Babylon, and the conquerors carried with them all the vessels of gold and silver, &c. This happened 470 years, 6 months and 10 days after its dedication.

When the time arrived that the Christian princes entered into a league to free the holy land from the oppression of the infidels, the good and virtuous masons, anxious for so pious an undertaking, voluntarily offered their services to the confederates, on condition that they should have a chief of their own election, which was granted; ac cordingly they accepted their standard, and departed.

The valour and fortitude of those elected knights was such, that they

MASONIC.

Honours like those, we all shall prove
Who join'd in peace and social love,

Perfection's work pursue:
May the sublime Grand Architect,
By his unerring hand, direct

The honour'd chosen few.

May all who friendship's feast partake,
The good pursue, the bad forsake;
And may each rite and sign,
Knight of the Ninth-Arch.