of the covenant, the pot of manna, the rod of Aaron, the book of the law, &c; and that they might be known and duly appreciated, if ever found, by future generations, they agreed to place their names on three of the sides of the ark, and on the fourth side, they placed the date of, by whom, and for what purpose they were thus deposited; which was for the good of the craft in general, and the Jewish nation in particular; and that, should the temple be destroyed, and the people carried away. into captivity, yet on their release, and rebuilding the house of their God, they might possibly discover these valuable treasures. After this deposit was made, and prior to the completion of the temple, our grand master Hiram Abiff was assassinated, in a manner related in a preceding degree; and by his death, the master's word was lost. The two kings were willing to do all in their power to preserve the sacred word, and as they could not communicate it to any, by reason of the death of their friend Hiram Abiff, they agreed to place it in the secret vault, that if the other treasures were ever brought to light, the word might be found also; they therefore placed it on the top of the ark of the covenant, in the Hebrew, Syriac, and Chaldaic languages; and that it might be known as the true word, when discovered, they placed the three grand master's jewels, one on each language, well knowing that a description of those jewels would be handed down to the latest posterity, and by these means, the royal arch, or rather the ancient master's word, was finally discovered; being the same which was communicated by God himself to Enoch, and in use 3000 years, when it was lost by the death of Hiram Abiff, and afterwards brought to light at rebuilding the second temple, and has been in use ever since, and will continue to be the same till time shall be no more. The ceremony of receiving the candidate being through, the officers and companions all resume their seats, as before described, and the thrice illustrious reads the following passage from Cross's Chart, p. 120. Deut. xxxi. 24-26. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites which oore the ark of the covenant of the Lord saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.' When the reading of this chapter is finished, four companions bearing the ark, advance to the centre of the council, and place it upon the altar, open it, and put the book of the law into it, and return to their seats. Thrice illustrious reads, Exodus xvi. 33, 34. 'And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to keep for your generations. As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the testimony to be kept.' A companion brings the pot of manna, and puts it into the ark. Thrice illustrious reads, 6 Numbers xvii. 10. And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token.' In like manner, Aaron's rod is deposited. Thrice illustrious reads, Numbers vii. 89. And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat, that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubims; and he spake unto him.' The three grand masters, viz: Solomon, king of Israel, Hiram, king of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, then place the name of Deity upon the ark, in three languages, in the Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac, and place their three jewels (or squares,) in a triangular form upon it. They place on the sides of the ark the time of its deposit, who by, and for what purpose, &c. They also put into the ark a key to the ineffable characters upon its sides and tops. [See plate 13, fig. 7 and 8.] The ark is then put down through the scuttle, or hole through the floor, made for that purpose, and placed in the position in which they are found, in the royal arch degree. The business being through, the companions take their stations, as in opening, and then proceed to close the council, as follows: K. S. Companion captain of the guards, are you a select master? C. G. I am acknowledged as such, and have wrought my regular hours in the secret vault. K. S. What are the regular hours? K. S. How gained you admission there? C. G. Through fervency and zeal, which was mistaken for curiosity and disobedience, and had well-nigh cost me my life, but justice and mercy prevailed, and I was admitted, K. S. How so? C. G. My fervency and zeal led me into a place, through a misconstruction of king Solomon's promise; by which I forfeited my life; but mercy triumphed over justice, and I was admitted a member among them. K. S. What is meant by a select master? C. G. Those who were selected to build the royal vault. Men whose skill, integrity and secrecy, were well known to our grand master. K. S. How many were there? C. G. Twenty-two, from Gebal, together with Ahishar, Adoniram, and our three grand masters; making in all, twentyseven, and no more. K. S. Why but twenty-seven? C. G. Because there were but nine arches, and three only could be employed in each. K. S. Where did this royal vault begin? C. G. K. S. At king Solomon's most retired room. C. G. Under the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of king Solomon's temple. K. S. When were you to be admitted into the ninth arch? C. G. When the temple should be completed; but owing to the death of Hiram Abiff, it was then closed from our eyes. What countryman are you? K. S. C. G. A Phoenician. C. G. Low twelve; the usual time to call from labor to re freshment. K. S. C. G. silence. What remains now to be done? To retire in peace, practise virtue, and meditate in K. S. Companion captain of the guards, you will give notice to the companions by the mysterious No. 9, that this council is about to be closed. The captain of the guards knocks eight quick and one slow, which is repeated by Hiram, king of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. King Solomon knocks one, and calls to order, and gives the sign of silence, with his left hand on his mouth, and his right hand on his breast; which is repeated by all the select, and Ish Soudy is repeated by all. K. S. Companions, this council is closed. "CHARGE. Companion, having attained to this degree, you have passed the circle of perfection in ancient Masonry. In the capacity of select master, you must be sensible that your obligations are increased in proportion to your privileges. Let it be your constant care to prove yourself worthy of the confi dence reposed in you, and the high honor conferred on you, in admitting you to this select degree. Let uprightness and integrity attend your steps; let justice and mercy mark your conduct. Let fervency and zeal stimulate you in the discharge of the various duties incumbent on you: but suffer not an idle, or impertinent curiosity to lead you astray, or betray you into danger. Be deaf to every insinuation which would have a tendency to weaken your resolution, or tempt you to an act of disobedience. Be voluntarily dumb and blind, when the exercise of those faculties would endanger the peace of your mind, or the probity of your conduct: and let silence and secrecy, those cardinal virtues of a select master, on all necessary occasions, be scrupulously observed. By a steady adherence to the important instructions contained in this degree, you will merit the approbation of the select number with whom you are associated, and will enjoy the high satisfaction of having acted well your part in the important enterprise in which you are engaged; and after having wrought your regular hours, may you be admitted to participate in all the privileges of a select master.' [Cross's Chart, p. 121.] SUPER-EXCELLENT MASTER. This degree is said to be founded on circumstances which took place at the destruction of the Temple, by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The first we heard of it was in 1825; at which time it was annexed to several of the councils of select masters, in Massachusetts. The officers are stationed differently from those of the select master's degree. The first officer represents Zedekiah, the last king of Israel. He is seated in the east, and styled most excellent king. The second officer represents Gedaliah, is styled companion, and is seated in the west. The third officer is called the 1st keeper of the Temple, and is seated on the right of the companion Gedaliah. The fourth is called 2d keeper of the Temple, and is seated on the left of the companion Gedaliah. The fifth is called the 3d keeper of the Temple, and is seated at the door, within the hall, to guard the sanctuary. There are three officers, called heralds, whose stations are without the hall; with bugles in their hands, and whose duty it is to bring intelligence. There are three other officers, called royal guards, whose duty it is to attend upon the king. FORM OF INITIATION. The candidate is hoodwinked, taken into the hall, and seated, before opening the council. The king is absent, the business consequently devolves on the second officer, companion Gedaliah, who calls the council to order with one rap of the gavel, and addresses the first keeper of the Temple as follows: Com. Ged. Companion 1st keeper of the Temple, are all present, super-excellent masters? 1st K. T. They are. C. G. As a super-excellent master keeper of the Temple, let it be your first duty and last care, to see the sanctuary duly guarded. 1st K. T. Companion 3d keeper of the Temple, are we duly guarded? 3d K. T. Companion 1st keeper of the Temple, we are duly guarded; the sanctuary is secure. 1st K. T. Companion Gedaliah, the sanctuary is duly guarded. C. G. Where is the king? 1st K. T. In one of the apartments of the Temple. |