Masonry Of Adoption.

MASONRY OF ADOPTION .

Sketch of the Ritual of a Lodge , Chapter , and Council Translated from the French , by John Yarker 33-96 ° 2 ° COMPANION .

THE arrangement is similar to that of the 1 ° , but the portion of the room to the right is named the Garden of Eden , and is full of flowers and fruit ; in the centre is a tub holding an apple tree bearing fruit , with an artificial serpent , having an apple in its mouth , coiled round the trunk of the tree . On the altar is a lighted taper , and a gilded tray upon which is apple

jelly , honey , and a trowel . Near the door of the Climate of Europe is a burning lamp fed with spirits of wine , on which a little salt has been thrown ; and near the door of entrance is a table covered with black , above which is a transparency

representing the murder of Abel . The five parts of the world are represented by a painting showing , —1 , Apple round which is coiled a serpent . 2 , Adam . 3 , Eve . 4 , a river . 5 ,. Sun . 6 , Moon and seven Stars . 7 , Star in the East ,

The clothing is as described , save the Sisters all wear a gauze veil , the Officers wear black gloves , and the rest of the Brothers and Sisters white gloves . EECEPTION .

The Mistress of Ceremonies leads the Aspirant into the Chamber of Eeflection ; she takes away her jewels , telling her that a Lady Mason should despise the vain ornaments of the world ; she exhorts her to submit with fortitude to the usual trials ; bandages her eyes with a black band ; and leads her to

the door of the Lodge . The Conductress reports her to the Sister J . W ., who reports her to the W . Mistress in the same words , — "A Sister Apprentice , who has served her time and desires to be received a Companion ; in proof of her submission to all that we require , she has surrendered her Jewels , for transmission to the W . Mistress . "

The W . Mistress orders her admission , questions her upon her Knowledge of the Secrets , and orders five journeys " intended to remind you of those five experienced and faithful Companions , which guide you in the voyage of life . " During these five circumambulations she is tested in Seeing , Hearing , Smelling , Tasting , and the Sister S . W . presents her as in full possession of the five external senses .

The W . Mistress then addresses the Aspirant , and requires that her firmness and faith be tested , upon which her hand is passed over the Spirit Lamp ; which done she is led by five steps to the Altar of Discrection , and both her hands are placed upon the tree which was in the midst of the Garden of

Eden . In this position the W . Mistress recalls her mind to the subject of the Knowledge of good and evil , the beginning of all crime , when weak man was seduced by her who was of his own flesh , led away by the flattery of the spirit of evil ' ; and to assure the Lodge more thoroughly of her discretion , the Aspirant is required to take the usual O . B .

After this the W . Mistress , in the name of the G . Mistress constitutes her an Adoptive Companion ; gives her an Apple , making a little mystery of the germ or pippin , and applies the Seal of Discretion , five times , to her lips , in the form of a trowel holding apple jelly . After this the Secrets are explained , her

ornaments are returned , and she is ordered to be presented to the two Sister Wardens for examination , after which she is formally proclaimed , in the mode detailed in the 1 ° . The Lecture and an Address on the five senses , by the Brother Orator , conclude the Ceremony . 3 ° MISTEESS .

The arrangement is similar to the other degrees , with some additions . There is a Ladder of five steps bearing the names of the Senses , and covered with flowers . Over the altar is a rainbow transparency . In the African quarter is a small spiral tower about sixty centimetres high , and solid enough to bear a

man ' s weight ; upon it appears in large characters : — ' •The Tower of Babel , a monument of the Folly and Pride of Man . " Near to the S . W . is a small joiner ' s bench , lighted by two lamps , and on the bench lies a mallet and chisel , and a small box , painted stone colour , and made to open at the first

blow of the chisel , when it discloses a heart in flames , in the centre of which is an apple . The temple is lighted by thirteen lights , of which seven are placed to the right , and six to the left ; also by a candelabra of three branches upon the altar , and one each upon the tables of the S . and J . W . The

Painting has upon it : 1 , The Ladder . 2 , Tower . 3 , Joseph ' s pit . 4 , Jacob ' s dream . 5 , Lot ' s wife . 6 , Burning of Sodom . 7 , Sacrifice of Noah . 8 , Two Burning Lamps . 9 , Noah ' s Ark , on Ararat . 10 , Eleven Stars . 11 , Sun . 12 , Moon . 13 , Eainbow . 14 , Dove . 15 , Eaven . Clothing as in the 1 ° . EECEPTION . The Mistress of Ceremonies on leading the Aspirant into the

Masonry Of Adoption.

Chamber of Eeflection , addresses her upon the importance of the grade which she solicits ; places a white handkerchief round her neck as a symbol of modesty , bandages her eyes ; reports her at the door to the Sister J . W ., who reports to the W . Mistress that a " Sister Companion who has served her time , desires to be raised to the degree of Mistress . "

The W . Mistress then orders her admission , which , done , she questions her upon her Knowledge of the Secrets of 2 ° , and orders her upon a journey to commence in the Climate of Africa , and at the Tower of Babel . A plank about three yards long is placed on the edge of the tower , over which the Aspirant is led to the top of the tower , and the plank withdrawn .

Being questioned as to the object she most desires , she replies to be raised to the rank of Mistress , upon which she is informed that this dignity is reserved for those who deserve it , by the constant practise of virtue , good works , and humility ; and that her present position is in contravention of such rules , to enable her to see which she is restored to light . She is then

assisted to descend by aid of the Ladder of Mistress , upon which the legend on the tower is pointed out to her , in a short address by the W . Mistress , who asks her if she is henceforth content to practice that humility which all those should possess who desire to enter the Sanctuary of Virtue . When the Aspirant has replied in the affirmative , she is conducted to the foot of the throne , where she takes the usual O . B .

After this she is addressed upon the dignity of labour , and ordered to the Workshop of Mistress to learn the use of the Mallet and Chisel . The Aspirant is led to the Bench and ordered to strike _ five blows on the box , wben it opens , and the heart is seen ; the M . of C . then reports that the Sister Companion has laboured worthily . The W . Mistress enquires ,

—" What has the labour produced ? " and is answered , "A flaming heart which is permeated with Silence and Virtue , " showing at the same time the heart . Upon this the W . Mistress addresses the Neophyte upon the sublime aims of the Masonry of Adoption , causes her to mount the Ladder of Mistress , at each step pronouncing one of the following words , —" Candour , Sweetness , Temperance , Truth , Charity . "

She is invested with the Sash , Jewel , Garter on the right arm , and entrusted with the Secrets , after which the New Mistress is conducted to the two Sister Wardens , examined , and finally proclaimed . The degree concludes with the usual Lecture , and an Address by the Brother Orator , as in the previous degrees .

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