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Article THE HISTORICAL DEGREES; ← Page 9 of 15 →
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The Historical Degrees;
is shocked by such preposterous combinations as continually appear in what is presented to us as the Book of Enoch ; so th ^ t in
comparison , even the metamorpboses of the pagan mythology appear to be rational . This explanation we consider necessary , as although the thirteenth degree is represented as most interesting and impressive , yet if its ritual be based upon the authority of the work described , we , as English Masons , cannot admit it to be of any great value . The Officers of this degree ( which in France is called Arche Moyale ) are—a Most Potent Grand Master who represents King Solomon ,
a Grand Warden representing King Hiram , a Grand Inspector , Grrand Treasurer , and Grrand Secretary . The badge is white and yellow , having on it a triangle . The jewel , a gold medal , has a representation of two people letting down a third through a square opening into an arch ;
CfrandScotch Ekighi is the nam e given in England to the fourteen th degree , but it appears to have been first called in the Scotch rite , " Grand Elect , Perfect , and Sublime Mason ; " in the United States it is designated " Perfection , " while in France it is called "Grand Scotch Mason of the Sacred Vault of James VI . " The degree is considered to be the ultimate rite of ancient Masonry , as it is the
last of the Ineffable degrees that refer to the first Temple ; its officers are a Most Perfect Master , who represents King Solomon , two Grrand Wardens , a Grand Treasurer , and Grand Secretary . The apron is white , with red flames , bordered with blue , and bearing the jewel on the flap . The jewel is a pair of compasses extended on an arc of ninety degrees , surmounted by a crown , with a sun in the centre . Mackay gives the following history of this degree : —
"By the completion of the Temple , the Masons who had been employed in constructing it acquired immortal honour . Their order became more uniformly established and regulated than it had previously been . Their caution and reserve in admitting new members
produced respect , and merit alone was required of the candidate . With these principles instilled into their minds , many of the Grand Elect left the Temple after its dedication , and dispersing themselves among the neighbouring nations , instructed all who applied and were found worthy in the sublime degrees of ancient Craft Masonry .
" The Temple was completed in the year ot the world , 3000 . Thus far the wise King of Israel had proved worthy of his great office , 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 strangely irregular in his conduct . The Lord , who had appeared to Solomon in a dream after the
dedication of the Temple , assured him he had accepted the building to be his house of sacrifice . He promised to bless him and his posterity , if they were constant in his worship ; if they did not remain faithful , he would certainly punish them , and destroy the sacred edifice . The reign of Solomon was most prosperous , peace and plenty blessed the land ; he extended the commerce of the country , and fitted out a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
is shocked by such preposterous combinations as continually appear in what is presented to us as the Book of Enoch ; so th ^ t in
comparison , even the metamorpboses of the pagan mythology appear to be rational . This explanation we consider necessary , as although the thirteenth degree is represented as most interesting and impressive , yet if its ritual be based upon the authority of the work described , we , as English Masons , cannot admit it to be of any great value . The Officers of this degree ( which in France is called Arche Moyale ) are—a Most Potent Grand Master who represents King Solomon ,
a Grand Warden representing King Hiram , a Grand Inspector , Grrand Treasurer , and Grrand Secretary . The badge is white and yellow , having on it a triangle . The jewel , a gold medal , has a representation of two people letting down a third through a square opening into an arch ;
CfrandScotch Ekighi is the nam e given in England to the fourteen th degree , but it appears to have been first called in the Scotch rite , " Grand Elect , Perfect , and Sublime Mason ; " in the United States it is designated " Perfection , " while in France it is called "Grand Scotch Mason of the Sacred Vault of James VI . " The degree is considered to be the ultimate rite of ancient Masonry , as it is the
last of the Ineffable degrees that refer to the first Temple ; its officers are a Most Perfect Master , who represents King Solomon , two Grrand Wardens , a Grand Treasurer , and Grand Secretary . The apron is white , with red flames , bordered with blue , and bearing the jewel on the flap . The jewel is a pair of compasses extended on an arc of ninety degrees , surmounted by a crown , with a sun in the centre . Mackay gives the following history of this degree : —
"By the completion of the Temple , the Masons who had been employed in constructing it acquired immortal honour . Their order became more uniformly established and regulated than it had previously been . Their caution and reserve in admitting new members
produced respect , and merit alone was required of the candidate . With these principles instilled into their minds , many of the Grand Elect left the Temple after its dedication , and dispersing themselves among the neighbouring nations , instructed all who applied and were found worthy in the sublime degrees of ancient Craft Masonry .
" The Temple was completed in the year ot the world , 3000 . Thus far the wise King of Israel had proved worthy of his great office , 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 strangely irregular in his conduct . The Lord , who had appeared to Solomon in a dream after the
dedication of the Temple , assured him he had accepted the building to be his house of sacrifice . He promised to bless him and his posterity , if they were constant in his worship ; if they did not remain faithful , he would certainly punish them , and destroy the sacred edifice . The reign of Solomon was most prosperous , peace and plenty blessed the land ; he extended the commerce of the country , and fitted out a