Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00606
To ADVERTISERS . THE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being now at the rate of nearly Haifa-million ^ annum , it offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is welt known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ of the Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely be overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 2 , 3 , & 4 , LITTLE BRITAIN , LONDON , E . C .
Ar00607
NOTICE . o The Subscription to T HE FREEMASON is now iar . per annum , post-free , payable in advance . Vol . I ., bound in cloth 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . 6 d . United States of America . THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the Uitited States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00603
All communications for THE FREEMASON should be written legibly on one side of the paper only , and , if intended for insertion in the current number , must be received not later than 10 o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special cases . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00604
TheFreemason, SATURDAY , APRIL 22 , 1871 .
Ar00605
THE FREEMASON is published on Saturday Mornings in time for Wie early trains . The price of THE FREEMASON is Twopence per week ; annua subscription , ios . ( payable in advance ) . All communications , fetters , & c , to be addressed to the EDITOR , a , 3 , and 4 , Little Britain , E . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him Wut cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage stamps .
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
The ANCIENT and ACCEPTED RITE .
[ THIRD ARTICLE . ] AT the request of several readers , we resume our synopsis of the higher degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . Having left
off at the Rose Croix , or 18 , we have now to consider the " Historical and Philosophical " degrees—the first of which is called the " Grand Pontiff , " and ranks as 19 ° in
the series . By many these grades are considered the most important of the Rite , although , to our judgment , nothing can surpass the beauty and solemnity of the
Rose Croix , when properly rendered and with all the requisite surroundings complete . However , in the 19 the candidate still advances in the holy work of constructing
the Third Temple , " as taught in the preceding degree , and with the hope and endeavour to make the world a Temple fit for the dwelling-place of the G . A . O . T . U . " The
degree itself is founded upon certain apocalyptic mysteries appertaining to the New Jerusalem ; it rests upon the three characteristic virtues taught in the Eighteenth
degree , and proclaims theAlphaand Omega , There is more than a tinge of Rosicrucianism in the language of this degree , and
a mediaeval odour pervades its entire ceremonial . For instance , upon investing the candidate , the Thrice Potent or Presiding
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
Officer thus addresses him : " This robe of white linen with which I now invest you is emblematical of that equity and purity which should characterize one who is
consecrated to the service of Truth ; and reminds us also of the vesture of the one hundred forty and four thousand who refused to wear the mark of the beast on
their foreheads ; for it is so written , ' They shall walk with me in white , for they are worthy ; he that overcometb . the same shall
be clothed in white raiment , and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life , but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels . '"
From the Pontifical dignity we pass to the 20 , which is known by the high-sounding designation of " Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges , or Master ad vitam . "
The power confided to a member of this degree is , however , purely imaginary , as our readers may well suppose , it not being claimed or exercised even in countries
where the Rite prevails . In this degree there is a fine explanation of the figurative sense in which these lofty titles are to be understood , and we therefore place it before
our readers : " The Knight with us , is he who devotes his hand , his heart , his brain to the science of Masonry , and professes himself the sworn servant of Truth . The
Prince is he who aims to be chief ( princeps ) —first or leader—among his equals , in virtue and good deeds . The Sovereign is
he who , one of an order whose members are all sovereigns , is supreme only because the law and constitutions are so which
he administers , and by which he , like every brother , is governed . The titles , Puissant , Potent , Wise , and Venerable , indicate that power of virtue , intelligence ,
and wisdom , which those ought to strive to attain who are placed in high office by the suffrages of their brethren ; and all our
other titles and designations have an esoteric meaning , consistent with modesty and equality , and which those who receive them should fully understand . "
The next degree is called the " Noachite or Prussian Knight , " the legend of which is exceedingly curious and instructive . It narrates the history of Peleg , or Phaleg ,
the architect of the Tower of Babel , who , after the confusion of tongues which scattered the workmen , is said to have betaken himself to the vast solitudes of Northern
Germany , in what is now called the Kingdom of Prussia , where he built a temple in the form of a Delta , led a life of great austerity , and at last obtained pardon
for his sins of vain glory and pride . The tradition also gives us an account of the organization of the Prussian Knights after the Crusades , when they became known as
the Holy Vehme—that mysterious and terrible order before whose edicts even monarchs trembled . They assumed the
name of " Noachites , ' " because they strove to imitate the primeval justice and purity of the beloved Patriarch . " Meetings of this grade are held only on
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
the nights of the full moon—no other light being allowed at receptions , a custom said to be derived from the mysteries of Ceres , and the old worship of Isis .
The next step presents to our view the " Knight of the Royal Axe , or Prince of Libanus , " the twenty-second degree , and the principal doctrine or axiom laid down
appears to be that " labour is honourable . ' The 23 ° , or " Chief of the Tabernacle , " is a kind of introduction to the 24 ° , which is styled "Prince of the Tabernacle . " It
represents the lodge in the wilderness , and is extremely interesting . Moses , Aaron , and his sons—Aholiab , Bezaleel , Caleb , and Joshua—are conspicuous figures in the
ceremonies of these two degrees , which "illustrate the rite of the priests in the ancient Temple , and explain the esoteric meaning of their many avocations in
equiping the Temple , and sustaining their various sacerdotal employments . " The especial duties of a Prince of the
Tabernacle are to labour incessantly for the glory of God , the honour of his country , and the happiness of his brethren .
Our attention is next attracted by the degree called " Knight of the Brazen Serpent , " the 25 . It teaches the importance and absolute necessity of faith , of which
the brazen cross and serpent are the symbols and signs . The philosophic teaching of this degree is of a very high order , as maybe judged from the followingextract : —¦
" The Great First Cause has ever revealed itself by the Cross—the cross , that one composed of two , each of the two divided so that they constitute four ; the cross , that
key of the mysteries of India and Egypt , the tau of the patriarchs , the divine symbol of Osiris , the stauros of the Gnostic , the keystone of the Temple , the symbol of
occult Masonry ; the Cross , that central point of junction of the right angles of four infinite triangles ; the four in one of the Divine tetragram . "
When Domitian was Emperor of Rome , in the night of persecution when danger and death hung on their footsteps , the Christian Masons met in the
catacombsan assemblage of whom is represented in the next degree , the " Princes of Mercy , " or " Scottish Trinitarians . " In this grade we find by quotations from ancient
religious theories , that the ternary or threefold character of the Deity is alluded to in all . Thus the Hindoo speaks of the " three forms and aspects of the first , the supreme
single , invisible God , cause of all phenomena , and soul of the world . " The Persians refer to the coming in the fourth age of Sosiosch , the Saviour , who shall prepare the human
race for the general resurrection . The Sabcan mysteries taught that Mithras was three in one ; the ancient Egyptians worshipped Amun-Re as the Supreme
Triadfather , mother , and son . The Hebrew Kabbalists say that the Supreme has "three heads contained in one head "—
Chochmah , wisdom ; Binah , the mother of understanding ; and Daeth , intellectual cognition . Maimonides , the great Rabbi ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00606
To ADVERTISERS . THE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being now at the rate of nearly Haifa-million ^ annum , it offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is welt known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ of the Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely be overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 2 , 3 , & 4 , LITTLE BRITAIN , LONDON , E . C .
Ar00607
NOTICE . o The Subscription to T HE FREEMASON is now iar . per annum , post-free , payable in advance . Vol . I ., bound in cloth 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . 6 d . United States of America . THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the Uitited States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00603
All communications for THE FREEMASON should be written legibly on one side of the paper only , and , if intended for insertion in the current number , must be received not later than 10 o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special cases . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00604
TheFreemason, SATURDAY , APRIL 22 , 1871 .
Ar00605
THE FREEMASON is published on Saturday Mornings in time for Wie early trains . The price of THE FREEMASON is Twopence per week ; annua subscription , ios . ( payable in advance ) . All communications , fetters , & c , to be addressed to the EDITOR , a , 3 , and 4 , Little Britain , E . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him Wut cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage stamps .
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
The ANCIENT and ACCEPTED RITE .
[ THIRD ARTICLE . ] AT the request of several readers , we resume our synopsis of the higher degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . Having left
off at the Rose Croix , or 18 , we have now to consider the " Historical and Philosophical " degrees—the first of which is called the " Grand Pontiff , " and ranks as 19 ° in
the series . By many these grades are considered the most important of the Rite , although , to our judgment , nothing can surpass the beauty and solemnity of the
Rose Croix , when properly rendered and with all the requisite surroundings complete . However , in the 19 the candidate still advances in the holy work of constructing
the Third Temple , " as taught in the preceding degree , and with the hope and endeavour to make the world a Temple fit for the dwelling-place of the G . A . O . T . U . " The
degree itself is founded upon certain apocalyptic mysteries appertaining to the New Jerusalem ; it rests upon the three characteristic virtues taught in the Eighteenth
degree , and proclaims theAlphaand Omega , There is more than a tinge of Rosicrucianism in the language of this degree , and
a mediaeval odour pervades its entire ceremonial . For instance , upon investing the candidate , the Thrice Potent or Presiding
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
Officer thus addresses him : " This robe of white linen with which I now invest you is emblematical of that equity and purity which should characterize one who is
consecrated to the service of Truth ; and reminds us also of the vesture of the one hundred forty and four thousand who refused to wear the mark of the beast on
their foreheads ; for it is so written , ' They shall walk with me in white , for they are worthy ; he that overcometb . the same shall
be clothed in white raiment , and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life , but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels . '"
From the Pontifical dignity we pass to the 20 , which is known by the high-sounding designation of " Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges , or Master ad vitam . "
The power confided to a member of this degree is , however , purely imaginary , as our readers may well suppose , it not being claimed or exercised even in countries
where the Rite prevails . In this degree there is a fine explanation of the figurative sense in which these lofty titles are to be understood , and we therefore place it before
our readers : " The Knight with us , is he who devotes his hand , his heart , his brain to the science of Masonry , and professes himself the sworn servant of Truth . The
Prince is he who aims to be chief ( princeps ) —first or leader—among his equals , in virtue and good deeds . The Sovereign is
he who , one of an order whose members are all sovereigns , is supreme only because the law and constitutions are so which
he administers , and by which he , like every brother , is governed . The titles , Puissant , Potent , Wise , and Venerable , indicate that power of virtue , intelligence ,
and wisdom , which those ought to strive to attain who are placed in high office by the suffrages of their brethren ; and all our
other titles and designations have an esoteric meaning , consistent with modesty and equality , and which those who receive them should fully understand . "
The next degree is called the " Noachite or Prussian Knight , " the legend of which is exceedingly curious and instructive . It narrates the history of Peleg , or Phaleg ,
the architect of the Tower of Babel , who , after the confusion of tongues which scattered the workmen , is said to have betaken himself to the vast solitudes of Northern
Germany , in what is now called the Kingdom of Prussia , where he built a temple in the form of a Delta , led a life of great austerity , and at last obtained pardon
for his sins of vain glory and pride . The tradition also gives us an account of the organization of the Prussian Knights after the Crusades , when they became known as
the Holy Vehme—that mysterious and terrible order before whose edicts even monarchs trembled . They assumed the
name of " Noachites , ' " because they strove to imitate the primeval justice and purity of the beloved Patriarch . " Meetings of this grade are held only on
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
the nights of the full moon—no other light being allowed at receptions , a custom said to be derived from the mysteries of Ceres , and the old worship of Isis .
The next step presents to our view the " Knight of the Royal Axe , or Prince of Libanus , " the twenty-second degree , and the principal doctrine or axiom laid down
appears to be that " labour is honourable . ' The 23 ° , or " Chief of the Tabernacle , " is a kind of introduction to the 24 ° , which is styled "Prince of the Tabernacle . " It
represents the lodge in the wilderness , and is extremely interesting . Moses , Aaron , and his sons—Aholiab , Bezaleel , Caleb , and Joshua—are conspicuous figures in the
ceremonies of these two degrees , which "illustrate the rite of the priests in the ancient Temple , and explain the esoteric meaning of their many avocations in
equiping the Temple , and sustaining their various sacerdotal employments . " The especial duties of a Prince of the
Tabernacle are to labour incessantly for the glory of God , the honour of his country , and the happiness of his brethren .
Our attention is next attracted by the degree called " Knight of the Brazen Serpent , " the 25 . It teaches the importance and absolute necessity of faith , of which
the brazen cross and serpent are the symbols and signs . The philosophic teaching of this degree is of a very high order , as maybe judged from the followingextract : —¦
" The Great First Cause has ever revealed itself by the Cross—the cross , that one composed of two , each of the two divided so that they constitute four ; the cross , that
key of the mysteries of India and Egypt , the tau of the patriarchs , the divine symbol of Osiris , the stauros of the Gnostic , the keystone of the Temple , the symbol of
occult Masonry ; the Cross , that central point of junction of the right angles of four infinite triangles ; the four in one of the Divine tetragram . "
When Domitian was Emperor of Rome , in the night of persecution when danger and death hung on their footsteps , the Christian Masons met in the
catacombsan assemblage of whom is represented in the next degree , the " Princes of Mercy , " or " Scottish Trinitarians . " In this grade we find by quotations from ancient
religious theories , that the ternary or threefold character of the Deity is alluded to in all . Thus the Hindoo speaks of the " three forms and aspects of the first , the supreme
single , invisible God , cause of all phenomena , and soul of the world . " The Persians refer to the coming in the fourth age of Sosiosch , the Saviour , who shall prepare the human
race for the general resurrection . The Sabcan mysteries taught that Mithras was three in one ; the ancient Egyptians worshipped Amun-Re as the Supreme
Triadfather , mother , and son . The Hebrew Kabbalists say that the Supreme has "three heads contained in one head "—
Chochmah , wisdom ; Binah , the mother of understanding ; and Daeth , intellectual cognition . Maimonides , the great Rabbi ,