-
Articles/Ads
Article THE HISTORICAL DEGREES; ← Page 14 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
¦ . .. I an armed force opposed to their passage . A conflict ensued , and the enemy was cut to pieces or drowned at the passage of the bridge . The emblematic colour of the degree is in allusion to this circumstance . The journey occupied four months , and in seven days from their arrival the work of restoring the Temple was commenced . The
workmen were divided into classes , over each of which a chief , with two assistants , was placed . Every degree of each class was paid according to its rank , and each class had its distinctive modes of recognition . The works had scarcely commenced before the workmen were disturbed by the neighbouring Samaritans , who were
determined to oppose the reconstruction of the edifice . Zerabbahel therefore ordered , as a measure of precaution , that the Masons should work with a sword in one hand . and a trowel in the other , that they might be able at any moment to defend themselves from the attacks of their enemies . . The second Temple occupied forty-six years in its construction , and was consecrated in a like manner to that of the Temple of Soh > inon . Those Masons - who constructed it were created by Cyrus Knights of the East , and hence the title of this degree . In the "French rite the sixth degree , called " Chevalier del'Orient , '' resembles it very closely . 6 frcmd Prince of Jerusalem , which is the sixteenth degree , is founded on certain incidents which took place during the rebuilding of the second Temple , at which time the Jews were much annoyed
by the attacks of the neighbouring nations , as mentioned in the legend of the fifteenth degree . We find the following passage in Ezra iv . — " The people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah , and troubled them
in building . " It goes on to say that these enemies obtained a letter from king Artaxerxes , saying , " Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease , and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be given from me . " And " so it ceased until the second year of the reign of king Darius , " when the Israelites sent an embassy to that potentate to implore his protection and permission to resume the work , and succeeded in gaining the object of their petition .
The meetings of this degree are also called " councils . " The officers are—a Most Equitable , who represents Zerubbabel ; a Senior and Junior Most Enlightened , a Grrand Treasurer , and Grand Secretary . The emblematic colour of the degree is yellow , the apron , which is white , being bordered and lined with that colour , the flap is yellow , having on it a balance on which are the letters D and 7 u The jewel is a gold medal with a like emblem , and on the reverse a two-edged sword and five stars . The first Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem of which we find any record was formed at Charleston , in the United States , in 1788 , and took the control of all subordinate degrees up to the fifteenth . This council is not adopted in the rite as practised in England . Mhit / ht of the JjJast and West , which is the seventeenth degree , w
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
¦ . .. I an armed force opposed to their passage . A conflict ensued , and the enemy was cut to pieces or drowned at the passage of the bridge . The emblematic colour of the degree is in allusion to this circumstance . The journey occupied four months , and in seven days from their arrival the work of restoring the Temple was commenced . The
workmen were divided into classes , over each of which a chief , with two assistants , was placed . Every degree of each class was paid according to its rank , and each class had its distinctive modes of recognition . The works had scarcely commenced before the workmen were disturbed by the neighbouring Samaritans , who were
determined to oppose the reconstruction of the edifice . Zerabbahel therefore ordered , as a measure of precaution , that the Masons should work with a sword in one hand . and a trowel in the other , that they might be able at any moment to defend themselves from the attacks of their enemies . . The second Temple occupied forty-six years in its construction , and was consecrated in a like manner to that of the Temple of Soh > inon . Those Masons - who constructed it were created by Cyrus Knights of the East , and hence the title of this degree . In the "French rite the sixth degree , called " Chevalier del'Orient , '' resembles it very closely . 6 frcmd Prince of Jerusalem , which is the sixteenth degree , is founded on certain incidents which took place during the rebuilding of the second Temple , at which time the Jews were much annoyed
by the attacks of the neighbouring nations , as mentioned in the legend of the fifteenth degree . We find the following passage in Ezra iv . — " The people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah , and troubled them
in building . " It goes on to say that these enemies obtained a letter from king Artaxerxes , saying , " Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease , and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be given from me . " And " so it ceased until the second year of the reign of king Darius , " when the Israelites sent an embassy to that potentate to implore his protection and permission to resume the work , and succeeded in gaining the object of their petition .
The meetings of this degree are also called " councils . " The officers are—a Most Equitable , who represents Zerubbabel ; a Senior and Junior Most Enlightened , a Grrand Treasurer , and Grand Secretary . The emblematic colour of the degree is yellow , the apron , which is white , being bordered and lined with that colour , the flap is yellow , having on it a balance on which are the letters D and 7 u The jewel is a gold medal with a like emblem , and on the reverse a two-edged sword and five stars . The first Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem of which we find any record was formed at Charleston , in the United States , in 1788 , and took the control of all subordinate degrees up to the fifteenth . This council is not adopted in the rite as practised in England . Mhit / ht of the JjJast and West , which is the seventeenth degree , w