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Article THE RITES OP FREEMASONRY. ← Page 4 of 14 →
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The Rites Op Freemasonry.
Paris , and possibly is still in existence . It will be seen that the names of some of the degrees which differ from the first formation of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , are the same as adopted by the Supreme Council in England . In the historical part of the lecture in this degree , we are told that the Masons who were employed in constructing the first temple acquired immortal honour ; and the world-wide fame of that stately
edifice caused the Order to become more uniformly established and regulated than before . Their scrupulousness in admitting new members into the Order brought it to a high degree of respect—merit alone being regarded in the admission of candidates . With these principles instilled into their minds , many of the Grand Elect left the temple after its dedication , and dispersed themselves among the neighbouring kingdoms , instructing all Avho applied and were found Avorthy , in the sublime degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry .
The Primitive Scotch Rite Avas founded on the Rite of Perfection by Marchot , an advocate at Namur , and is said still to be practised in that city , but we cannot learn that it was adopted in any other place . There are thirty-three degrees in this rite , and they are similar to the Scotch Rite ; but in this the Rose Croix is the 22 nd and the Kadosh the 28 th degree .
Tlie French or Modem Rite was established by the Grand Orient of France , about the year 1786 , to preserve the high degrees ; and for the purpose of simplifying the system , the number was reduced to seven , viz . : Entered Apprentice ; FelloAV Craft ; Master Mason ; Elect , or first Order of Rose Croix ; Scotch Order , or second Order of Rose Croix ; Knight of the East , or third Order of Rose Croix
and the Rose Croix , or nc plus ultra . The peculiar signs and secrets of the tAvo first symbolical degrees , under this rite , are in reverse of those adopted by the Grand Lodge of France , in which the practice is the same as in our oavu Grand Lodge . In the third degree , the Lodge has a very solemn appearance , being hung with black drapery ,
and displaying many sombre and aAve-mspiring emblems . The master is designated Tres Respectable ( Very Worshipful ) , and the members Venerable Masters ; all the Brethren appear covered . In the fourth
degree there are three chambers : the Room of Preparation , the Council Chamber , and the Cavern . The lesson inculcated in this degree is intended forcibly to imprint on the mind of its recipient the certainty with which punishment will folioav crime . The fifth degree requires also three chambers , the second of Avhich is most elaborately furnished and decorated with various Masonic attributes ; in the
east is a triangular pedestal , on Avhich is placed the cubical stone ; in the centre of the chamber is a column , and by it a table , having upon it the corn , wine , and oil ; and in the north is a sacrificial altar . The Lodge is illuminated by twenty-seven lights in three groups oi nine each ; it represents the Temple completed , and its whole appearance is most gorgeous . The Lodge is denominated Sublime ; the presiding officer is Tres Grand ( Very Great ) , and the Brethren are Sub-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Rites Op Freemasonry.
Paris , and possibly is still in existence . It will be seen that the names of some of the degrees which differ from the first formation of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , are the same as adopted by the Supreme Council in England . In the historical part of the lecture in this degree , we are told that the Masons who were employed in constructing the first temple acquired immortal honour ; and the world-wide fame of that stately
edifice caused the Order to become more uniformly established and regulated than before . Their scrupulousness in admitting new members into the Order brought it to a high degree of respect—merit alone being regarded in the admission of candidates . With these principles instilled into their minds , many of the Grand Elect left the temple after its dedication , and dispersed themselves among the neighbouring kingdoms , instructing all Avho applied and were found Avorthy , in the sublime degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry .
The Primitive Scotch Rite Avas founded on the Rite of Perfection by Marchot , an advocate at Namur , and is said still to be practised in that city , but we cannot learn that it was adopted in any other place . There are thirty-three degrees in this rite , and they are similar to the Scotch Rite ; but in this the Rose Croix is the 22 nd and the Kadosh the 28 th degree .
Tlie French or Modem Rite was established by the Grand Orient of France , about the year 1786 , to preserve the high degrees ; and for the purpose of simplifying the system , the number was reduced to seven , viz . : Entered Apprentice ; FelloAV Craft ; Master Mason ; Elect , or first Order of Rose Croix ; Scotch Order , or second Order of Rose Croix ; Knight of the East , or third Order of Rose Croix
and the Rose Croix , or nc plus ultra . The peculiar signs and secrets of the tAvo first symbolical degrees , under this rite , are in reverse of those adopted by the Grand Lodge of France , in which the practice is the same as in our oavu Grand Lodge . In the third degree , the Lodge has a very solemn appearance , being hung with black drapery ,
and displaying many sombre and aAve-mspiring emblems . The master is designated Tres Respectable ( Very Worshipful ) , and the members Venerable Masters ; all the Brethren appear covered . In the fourth
degree there are three chambers : the Room of Preparation , the Council Chamber , and the Cavern . The lesson inculcated in this degree is intended forcibly to imprint on the mind of its recipient the certainty with which punishment will folioav crime . The fifth degree requires also three chambers , the second of Avhich is most elaborately furnished and decorated with various Masonic attributes ; in the
east is a triangular pedestal , on Avhich is placed the cubical stone ; in the centre of the chamber is a column , and by it a table , having upon it the corn , wine , and oil ; and in the north is a sacrificial altar . The Lodge is illuminated by twenty-seven lights in three groups oi nine each ; it represents the Temple completed , and its whole appearance is most gorgeous . The Lodge is denominated Sublime ; the presiding officer is Tres Grand ( Very Great ) , and the Brethren are Sub-