Anon - Royal Arch

8/13/2019 Anon - Royal Arch

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At the destruct"on o# 9erusalem by :ebuchadne44ar& three Most E+cellent Masters werecarr"ed ca!t"ves to ;abylon& where they rema"ned seventy years& and were l"berated by/yrus&

) 'cr"be& or 9un"or ?rand Barden =Hagga" >

C /a!ta"n o# the Host =as Marshal& or Master o# /eremon"es> or 'en"or Deacon
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5 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner& who re!resents the 9un"or Deacon

Royal Arch /a!ta"n& who re!resents the Master ,verseer

7 ?rand Master o# the Th"rd e"l& or 'en"or ,verseer

( ?rand Master o# the 'econd e"l& or 9un"or ,verseer

?rand Master o# the $"rst e"l

*n add"t"on to these& three other o##"cers are usually !resent& v"4 & 'ecretary& a Treasurer&and a Tyler& or sent"nel

The o##"cers and com!an"ons o# the /ha!ter be"ng stat"oned as "n the engrav"ng =see $"g)1 >& the H"gh 3r"est !roceeds to bus"ness as #ollows

H"gh 3r"est%%/om!an"ons&1 * am about to o!en a /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons "n th"s !lace& #or the d"s!atch o# bus"ness& and w"ll thank you #or your attent"on and ass"stance *#there "s any !erson !resent who "s not a com!an"on Royal Arch Mason& he "s re8uested toret"re #rom the room

A#ter wa"t"ng #or any stranger or brother not o# th"s degree to ret"re& he g"ves one ra! w"ththe gavel& wh"ch br"ngs u! the /a!ta"n o# the Host

H"gh 3r"est%%/om!an"on /a!ta"n& the #"rst care o# congregated MasonsF

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/l"ck to enlarge$*? )1 R,GA AR/H /HA3TER

1 Treasurer 'ecretary )


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H"gh 3r"est%%Attend to that !art o# your duty& and "n#orm the ?uard that we are about too!en a /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons "n th"s !lace #or the d"s!atch o# bus"ness- d"recth"m to guard accord"ngly

The /a!ta"n o# the Host stat"ons the ?uard at the outs"de o# the door& g"ves h"m h"s

orders& closes the door& and makes an alarm o# three t"mes three = > on the"ns"de& to ascerta"n that the ?uard "s on h"s !ost- the ?uard answers by n"necorres!ond"ng ra!s The /a!ta"n o# the Host then g"ves one& and ?uard does the sameThe /a!ta"n then returns to h"s !ost

/a!ta"n =to H"gh 3r"est >%%The /ha!ter "s duly guarded& Most E+cellent

H"gh 3r"est%%How guardedF

/a!ta"n%%;y a com!an"on o# th"s Degree at the outer avenue& w"th a drawn sword "n h"shand

H"gh 3r"est%%H"s duty thereF

/a!ta"n%%To observe the a!!roach o# all cowans and eavesdro!!ers& and see that none !ass or re!ass but such as are duly 8ual"#"ed

H"gh 3r"est%%/om!an"ons& we w"ll be clothed

The com!an"ons !lace the #urn"ture o# the /ha!ter "n !ro!er order& clothe w"th the"rvar"ous .ewels& robes& and badges o# th"s Degree& and draw as"de the ve"ls& wh"ch br"ngsthe hall "nto one a!artment& and resume the"r seats The H"gh 3r"est then g"ves two ra!s

w"th the gavel& wh"ch br"ngs all the o##"cers on the"r #eet& wh"le the #ollow"ng lecture "sg"ven& or 8uest"ons asked& by the H"gh 3r"est& and answered by the /a!ta"n o# the Host

H"gh 3r"est%%/om!an"on /a!ta"n o# the Host& are you a Royal Arch MasonF

/a!ta"n%%* am& that * am

H"gh 3r"est%%How shall * know you to be a Royal Arch MasonF

/a!ta"n%%;y three t"mes three

H"gh 3r"est%%Bhere were you made a Royal Arch MasonF

/a!ta"n%%*n a .ust and legally const"tuted /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons& cons"st"ng o#Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est&


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H"gh 3r"est%%Bhere "s the H"gh 3r"est stat"oned& and what are h"s dut"esF

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/a!ta"n%%He "s stat"oned "n the sanctum sanctorum H"s duty& w"th the


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/a!ta"n%%That o# the th"rd& scarlet- wh"ch "s emblemat"cal o# #ervency and 4eal& and thea!!ro!r"ate color o# the Royal Arch Degree *t admon"shes us to be #ervent "n the e+erc"seo# our devot"ons to ?od& and 4ealous "n our endeavors to !romote the ha!!"ness o# men,# the second& !ur!le- wh"ch be"ng !roduced by a due m"+ture o# blue and scarlet& the#ormer o# wh"ch "s the character"st"c color o# the symbol"c& or three #"rst Degrees& "t

teaches us to cult"vate and "m!rove that s!"r"t o# harmony between the brethren o# thesymbol"c Degrees and the com!an"ons o# the subl"me Degrees& wh"ch should everd"st"ngu"sh the members

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o# a soc"ety #ounded u!on the !r"nc"!les o# everlast"ng truth and un"versal !h"lanthro!y,# the #"rst& blue- the !ecul"ar color o# the three anc"ent& or symbol"cal Degrees *t "s anemblem o# un"versal #r"endsh"! and benevolence& and "nstructs us that "n the m"nd o# aMason those v"rtues should be as e+!ans"ve as the blue arch o# heaven "tsel#

H"gh 3r"est%%The Treasurer6s stat"on and dutyF

/a!ta"n%%'tat"on& at the r"ght hand "n rear o# the /a!ta"n o# the Host- h"s duty& to kee! a .ust and regular account o# all the !ro!erty and #unds o# the /ha!ter !laced "n h"s hands&and e+h"b"t them to the /ha!ter when called u!on #or that !ur!ose

H"gh 3r"est%%The 'ecretary6s !lace "n the /ha!terF

/a!ta"n%%'tat"on& at the le#t "n rear o# the 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner- h"s duty& to "ssue the ordersand not"#"cat"ons o# h"s su!er"or o##"cers& record the !roceed"ngs o# the /ha!ter !ro!er to

be wr"tten& to rece"ve all moneys due the /ha!ter& and !ay them over to the Treasurer

H"gh 3r"est%%?uard6s !lace and dutyF

/a!ta"n%%H"s stat"on "s at the outer avenue o# the /ha!ter- h"s duty& to guard aga"nst thea!!roach o# cowans and eaves%dro!!ers& and su##er none to !ass or re!ass& but such as areduly 8ual"#"ed

H"gh 3r"est =address"ng the /ha!ter >%%/om!an"ons& you w"ll assemble round the altaror the !ur!ose o# ass"st"ng me "n o!en"ng a /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons

All the members !resent =e+ce!t the ?rand /ounc"l> a!!roach the altar& and& #orm"ng ac"rcle& kneel& each u!on h"s r"ght knee An o!en"ng "n the c"rcle "s le#t #or the H"gh 3r"est&the


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you- not because we have not !ower& but to make ourselves an e+am!le unto you to#ollow us& @c

A#ter the read"ng& the H"gh 3r"est& the


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lun& 9ehovah& ?%o%d&1 are g"ven at low breath& each com!an"on !ronounc"ng the syllablesor letters alternately& as #ollows

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$*? ) THREE T*ME' THREE

1st nd )d

9ah buh lun

9ah buh

lun

9ah

buh lun

9e ho vah

!
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9e ho

vah

9e

ho vah

? o d

? o

d

?

o d 1

A#ter the word "s thus g"ven& the H"gh 3r"est "n8u"res "# the word "s r"ght

Each s8uad re!l"es that "t "s r"ght

The o##"cers and com!an"ons resume the"r seats The H"gh 3r"est ra!s three t"mes w"th h"sgavel& the


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/a!ta"n%%The word "s r"ght- you w"ll wa"t a t"me& unt"l the Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est be"n#ormed o# the"r re8uest& and h"s answer returned

The /a!ta"n o# the Host closes the door& and returns to h"s 3lace "n the /ha!ter& g"ves thealarm& wh"ch "s answered by the H"gh 3r"est& who asks the same 8uest"ons& and rece"ves

the same answers #rom the /a!ta"n o# the Host& as were asked and g"ven at the door

H"gh 3r"est%%'"nce th"s "s the case& you w"ll let them enter th"s /ha!ter o# Royal ArchMasons& and be rece"ved under a g"v"ng Arch

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The /a!ta"n o# the Host goes to the door& o!ens "t& and says-

/a!ta"n%%*t "s our Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est6s order& that the cand"dates enter th"s/ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons& and be rece"ved under a "v"ng Arch

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =lead"ng the cand"dates by the ro!e >%%/om!an"ons& you w"ll #ollowme = eads them "n > * w"ll br"ng the bl"nd by a way they know not * w"ll lead them "n

!aths they have not known- * w"ll make darkness l"ght be#ore them& and crooked th"ngsstra"ght These th"ngs w"ll * do unto them& and w"ll 6not #orsake them 'too! low& brethrenhe that humbleth h"msel# shall be e+alted

Meant"me the brethren& or com!an"ons o# the /ha!ter& #orm two l"nes #ac"ng each otherrom the door to the centre o# the room& and each one takes hold and locks h"s #"ngersw"th those o# h"s o!!os"te com!an"on As the cand"dates !ass under th"s "v"ng Arch&each cou!le !lace the"r knuckles u!on the necks and backs o# the cand"dates& knead"ngthem !retty hard somet"mes& and !rostrat"ng them on the #loor Thus they have a gooddeal o# d"##"culty "n #orc"ng the"r way through Bhen they do get through& they are #"rstconducted round the /ha!ter& and then to the altar& where they must kneel to rece"ve theobl"gat"on

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =to the cand"dates >%%;rethren& as you advance "n Masonry& yourobl"gat"on becomes more b"nd"ng Gou are now kneel"ng at the altar #or the seventh t"me-and about to take a solemn oath& or obl"gat"on& wh"ch& l"ke your #ormer obl"gat"ons& "s notto "nter#ere w"th the duty you owe to your country& or Maker *# you are w"ll"ng to

!roceed& you w"ll re!eat your /hr"st"an and surname& and say a#ter me

*& 3eter ?abe& o# my own #ree%w"ll and accord& "n !resence o# Alm"ghty ?od& and th"s/ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons& erected to ?od& and ded"cated to 2erubbabel& do herebyand hereon most solemnly and s"ncerely !rom"se and swear& "n add"t"on to my #ormerobl"gat"ons& that * w"ll not reveal the secrets o# th"s Degree to any o# an "n#er"or Degree&nor to any be"ng "n the known world& e+ce!t "t be to a true and law#ul /om!an"on RoyalArch Mason& or w"th"n the body o# a .ust and legally const"tuted /ha!ter o# such andnever unto h"m& or them& whom * shall hear so to be& but to h"m and them only whom *shall #"nd so to be& a#ter str"ct tr"al and due e+am"nat"on& or law#ul "n#ormat"on g"ven


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* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not wrong th"s /ha!ter o# Royal ArchMasons& or a com!an"on o# th"s Degree& out o# the value o# any th"ng& mysel#& nor su##er"t to be done by others& "# "n my !ower to !revent "t

!

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not reveal the key to the "ne##able characterso# th"s Degree& nor reta"n "t "n my !ossess"on& but w"ll destroy "t whenever "t comes to mys"ght

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not s!eak the ?rand ,mn"#"c Royal ArchBord& wh"ch * shall herea#ter rece"ve& "n any manner& e+ce!t "n that "n wh"ch * shallrece"ve "t& wh"ch w"ll be "n the !resence o# three /om!an"ons Royal Arch Masons& mysel#mak"ng one o# the number- and then by three t"mes three& under a "v"ng Arch& and at low

breath

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not be at the e+altat"on o# cand"dates "n aclandest"ne /ha!ter& nor converse u!on the secrets o# th"s Degree w"th a clandest"ne%made Mason& or w"th one who has been e+!elled or sus!ended& wh"le under that sentence

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not ass"st or be !resent at the e+altat"on o# acand"date to th"s Degree& who has not rece"ved the Degrees o# Entered A!!rent"ce&$ellow /ra#t& Master Mason& Mark Master& 3ast Master& and Most E+cellent Master

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not be at the e+altat"on o# more nor less thanthree cand"dates at one and the same t"me

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not be at the #orm"ng or o!en"ng o# a /ha!tero# Royal Arch Masons unless there be !resent n"ne Royal Arch Masons& mysel# mak"ngone o# that number

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not s!eak ev"l o# a /om!an"on Royal ArchMason& beh"nd h"s back nor be#ore h"s #ace& but w"ll a!!r"se h"m o# all a!!roach"ngdanger& "# "n my !ower

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll su!!ort the /onst"tut"on o# the ?eneral?rand Royal Arch /ha!ter o# the In"ted 'tates o# Amer"ca- together w"th that o# the?rand /ha!ter o# th"s 'tate& under wh"ch th"s /ha!ter "s holden- that * w"ll stand to andab"de by all the by%laws& rules& and regulat"ons o# th"s /ha!ter& or o# any other /ha!ter o#wh"ch * may herea#ter become a member

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll answer and obey all due s"gns andsummonses handed& sent& or thrown to me #rom a /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons& or #roma /om!an"on royal Arch Mason& "# w"th"n the length o# my cable%tow

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll not str"ke a /om!an"on Royal Arch Mason&so as to drew h"s blood& "n anger


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! )0

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll em!loy a /om!an"on Royal Arch Mason "n !re#erence to any other !erson o# e8ual 8ual"#"cat"ons&

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll ass"st a /om!an"on Royal Arch Mason when* see h"m engaged "n any d"##"culty& and w"ll es!ouse h"s cause so #ar as to e+tr"cate h"m#rom the same& whether he be r"ght or wrong

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll kee! all the secrets o# a /om!an"on RoyalArch Mason =when commun"cated so me as such& or * know"ng them to be such>& w"thoute+ce!t"ons

* #urthermore !rom"se and swear& that * w"ll be a"d"ng and ass"st"ng all !oor and "nd"gent/om!an"ons Royal Arch Masons& the"r w"dows and or!hans& wheresoever d"s!ersedaround the globe- they mak"ng a!!l"cat"on to me as such& and * #"nd"ng them worthy& andcan do "t w"thout any mater"al "n.ury to mysel# or #am"ly

To all wh"ch * do most solemnly and s"ncerely !rom"se and swear& w"th a #"rm andstead#ast resolut"on to kee! and !er#orm the same& w"thout any e8u"vocat"on& mentalreservat"on& or sel#%evas"on o# m"nd "n me whatever- b"nd"ng mysel# under no less

!enalty& than to have my skull smote o##& and my bra"ns e+!osed to the scorch"ng rays o#the mer"d"an sun& should * know"ngly or w"l#ully v"olate or transgress any !art o# th"s mysolemn oath or obl"gat"on o# a Royal Arch Mason 'o hel! me ?od& and kee! mestead#ast "n the due !er#ormance o# the same

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%


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"nnocence and h"s ha!!"ness& thou d"dst leave h"m the !owers o# reason"ng& and ca!ac"tyo# "m!rovement and !leasure Be thank thee& that& am"d the !a"ns and calam"t"es o# our

!resent state& so many means o# re#reshment and sat"s#act"on are reserved to us& wh"letravell"ng the rugged !ath o# l"#e- es!ec"ally would we& at th"s t"me& render thee ourthanksg"v"ng and !ra"se #or the "nst"tut"on& as members o# wh"ch we are at th"s t"me

assembled& and #or all the !leasures we have der"ved #rom "t Be thank thee& that the #ewhere assembled be#ore thee have been #avored w"th new "nducements& and been la"dunder new and stronger obl"gat"ons o# v"rtue and hol"ness May these obl"gat"ons& ,

blessed $atherL have the"r #ull e##ect u!on us Teach us& we !ray thee& the true reverenceo# thy great& m"ghty& and terr"ble :ame *ns!"re us w"th a #"rm and unshaken resolut"on "nour v"rtuous !ursu"ts ?"ve us grace d"l"gently to search thy word "n the book o# nature&where"n the dut"es o# our h"gh vocat"on are "nculcated w"th D"v"ne author"ty May thesolemn"ty o# the ceremon"es o# our "nst"tut"on be duly "m!ressed on our m"nds& and havea ha!!y and last"ng e##ect on our l"vesL , Thou& who d"dst a#oret"me a!!ear unto thyservant Moses "n a #lame o# #"re out o# the m"dst o# a bush& enk"ndle& we beseech thee& "neach o# our hearts& a #lame o# devot"on to thee& o# love to each other& and o# char"ty to all

mank"ndL May all thy m"racles and m"ghty works #"ll us w"th thy dread& and thy goodness"m!ress us w"th a love o# thy holy nameL May hol"ness to the ord be engraven u!on allour thoughts& words& and act"onsL May the "ncense o# !"ety ascend cont"nually unto thee#rom the altar o# our hearts& and burn day and n"ght& as a sacr"#"ce o# a sweet%smell"ngsavor& well%!leas"ng unto theeL And s"nce s"n has destroyed w"th"n us the #"rst tem!le o#

!ur"ty and "nnocence& may thy heavenly grace gu"de and ass"st us "n rebu"ld"ng a secondtem!le o# re#ormat"on& and may the glory o# th"s latter house be greater than the glory o#the #ormerL Amen& so mote "t be

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%/om!an"ons& ar"se and #ollow me

He now conducts them once around the /ha!ter& dur"ng wh"ch t"me he reads #rom thete+t%book the #"rst s"+ verses o# the th"rd cha!ter o# E+odus %%

:ow Moses ke!t the #lock o# 9ethro h"s #ather%"n%law& the !r"est o# M"d"an- and he ledthe #lock to the back s"de o# the desert& and came to the mounta"n o# ?od& even to HorebAnd the angel o# the ord a!!eared unto h"m "n a #lame o# #"re out o# the m"dst o# a bush-and he looked& and behold& the bush burned w"th #"re& and the bush was not consumed@c

The read"ng o# these verses "s so t"med& that .ust when they

! )

are #"n"shed the cand"dates have arr"ved "n #ront o# a re!resentat"on o# the burn"ng bush& !laced "n a corner o# the /ha!ter- when the 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner d"rects them to halt& andsl"!s u! the bandages #rom the"r eyes

,ne o# the members now !ersonates the De"ty& beh"nd the bush& and calls out& MosesLMosesL


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3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =answer"ng #or cand"dates >%%Here * am

/om!an"on beh"nd the bush%%Draw not n"gh h"ther !ut o## thy shoes #rom o## thy #eetor the !lace whereon thou standest "s holy ground * am the ?od o# thy #athers& the ?odo# Abraham& the ?od o# *saac& and the ?od o# 9acob

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner d"rects the cand"dates to kneel& and he covers the"r #aces aga"n& andthen says%%And Moses h"d h"s #ace& #or he was a#ra"d to look u!on ?od

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =to cand"dates >%%Ar"se& and #ollow me

He then leads them three t"mes around the /ha!ter& dur"ng wh"ch t"me he reads #rom thete+t%book /hron"cles& ch +++v" & vs 11 to 0

62edek"ah was one%and%twenty years old when he began to re"gn& and he re"gned elevenyears "n 9erusalem And he d"d that wh"ch was ev"l "n the s"ght o# the ord h"s ?od& and

humbled not h"msel# be#ore 9erem"ah the !ro!het& s!eak"ng #rom the mouth o# the ordAnd he also rebelled aga"nst


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/a!ta"n o# the Host goes and o!ens the door& and says%%/ome #orthL you are at l"berty toreturnL #or /yrus has "ssued h"s !roclamat"on to bu"ld a second Tem!le at 9erusalem

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =who "s w"th the cand"dates >%%B"ll you read the !roclamat"onF

/a!ta"n o# the Host reads the #"rst three verses o# the #"rst cha!ter o# E4ra& as #ollows

:ow "n the #"rst year o# /yrus&


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,n one s"de o# the hall or /ha!ter& the "v"ng Arch "s #ormed& as be#ore descr"bed- on theother s"de "s what "s called the rugged road Th"s "s generally made o# blocks and logs o#wood& old cha"rs& benches& @c

The com!an"ons who #orm the "v"ng Arch !ress harder on the cand"dates each t"me they

go through& and they now go through three t"mes Bh"le !ass"ng through& the 3r"nc"!al'o.ourner says

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Th"s "s the way many great and good men have travelled be#ore you&never deem"ng "t derogatory to the"r d"gn"ty to level themselves w"th the #ratern"ty * haveo#ten travelled th"s road #rom ;abylon to 9erusalem& and generally #"nd "t rough andrugged However& * th"nk * never saw "t much smoother than "t "s at the !resent t"me

The cand"dates& a#ter !ass"ng the "v"ng Arch& stumble over the rugged road& and arr"veaga"n at the entrance o# the arch

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%/om!an"ons& here "s a very d"##"cult and dangerous !lace ahead&wh"ch l"es d"rectly "n our way ;e#ore we attem!t to !ass "t& we must kneel down and !ray =Reads 3salm c+"" >

ord& * cry unto thee- make haste unto me- g"ve ear unto my vo"ce

et my !rayer be set #orth be#ore thee as "ncense& and the l"#t"ng u! o# my hands as theeven"ng sacr"#"ce

'et a watch& , ord& be#ore my mouth- kee! the door o# my l"!s

6*ncl"ne not my heart to any ev"l th"ng& to !ract"ce w"cked works w"th men that work"n"8u"ty

et the r"ghteous sm"te me- "t shall be a k"ndness and let h"m re!rove me- "t shall be ane+cellent o"l

M"ne eyes are unto thee& , ?od the ord "n thee "s my trust- leave not my souldest"tute


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* cr"ed unto the ord w"th my vo"ce- w"th my vo"ce unto the ord d"d * make mysu!!l"cat"on& @c

They then !ass round the th"rd t"me as be#ore& when the cand"dates aga"n kneel

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner reads 3salm c+l""" #rom the te+t%book

Hear my !rayer& , ord& g"ve ear to my su!!l"cat"ons- "n thy #a"th#ulness answer me&and "n thy r"ghteousness& @c

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Be have now arr"ved "n s"ght o# the ru"ns o# the old Tem!le& nearthe outer ve"l o# the Tabernacle

The ve"ls are now !ushed a!art to adm"t the cand"dates& but as soon as they enter& theve"ls are closed aga"n& and the o##"cers =e+ce!t the 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner> take the"r seats

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner makes an alarm by stam!"ng n"ne t"mes on the #loor& wh"ch br"ngsout the Master #rom the $"rst e"l ='ee :ote , & A!!end"+ >

Master o# $"rst e"l%%Bho comes thereF Bho dares a!!roach th"s outer e"l o# our sacredTabernacleF Bho are youF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Three weary travellers #rom ;abylon

Master o# $"rst e"l%%Bhat are your "ntent"onsF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Be have come to ass"st "n the noble and glor"ous work o# rebu"ld"ng

the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward ='ee :ote M& A!!end"+ >

Master o# $"rst e"l%%How do you e+!ect to enter hereF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%;y a !ass%word that we rece"ved "n ;abylon

Master o# $"rst e"l%%?"ve "t to me

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%* AM THAT * AM

Master o# $"rst e"l%%The !ass "s r"ght Gou have my !er m"ss"on to enter

The cand"dates now enter the $"rst e"l& when the bandages are removed #rom the"r eyes

Master o# $"rst e"l%%Gou surely could not have come thus #ar unless you were threeMost E+cellent Masters- but #arther Gou cannot go w"thout my words& s"gn& and word o#e+hortat"on My words are 'hem& Ham& and 9a!het- my s"gn "s th"s =hold"ng out a cane>&"n "m"tat"on o# one g"ven by ?od to Moses& when he commanded h"m to cast h"s rod u!onthe ground thus =cast"ng down the cane>& and "t became a ser!ent- but !utt"ng #orth
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! )

h"s hand and tak"ng "t u! by the ta"l& "t became a rod "n h"s hand as be#ore My word o#e+hortat"on "s e+!lanatory o# th"s s"gn& and "s to be #ound "n the wr"t"ngs o# Moses& v"4the #"rst verses o# the #ourth cha!ter o# E+odus ='ee :ote : & A!!end"+ >

And the ord sa"d unto Moses& Bhat "s that "n thy handF And he sa"d& A rod And theord sa"d& /ast "t on the ground- and he cast "t& and "t became a ser!ent& and Moses #led

#rom be#ore "t& @c

$*? )) '*?: ,$ THE MA'TER ,$ THE $*R'T E*

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%/om!an"ons& we have !assed the #"rst guard& and w"ll make an alarmat the 'econd e"l ='tam!s on the #loor& as be#ore >

Master o# 'econd e"l%%Bho comes thereF Bho dares a!!roach th"s 'econd e"l o# oursacred TabernacleF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Three weary so.ourners #rom ;abylon& who have come to ass"st "nrebu"ld"ng the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward

Master o# 'econd e"l%%How do you e+!ect to enter the second e"lF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%;y the words& s"gn& and word o# e+hortat"on o# the Master o# the$"rst e"l

! )7
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Master o# 'econd e"l%%?"ve them

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%'hem& Ham& and 9a!het =?"ves the s"gn o# cast"ng down a cane andtak"ng "t u! by the end& as be#ore e+!la"ned >

Master o# 'econd e"l%%They are r"ght Gou have my !erm"ss"on to enter the 'econde"l

The cand"dates& led by the 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner& !ass "n

$*? )C '*?: ,$ THE MA'TER ,$ THE 'E/,:D E*$*? )5 '*?: ,$ THE MA'TER ,$ THE TH*RD E*

Master o# 'econd e"l%%Three Most E+cellent Masters you Must have been& or thus #aryou could not have come- but #arther you cannot go w"thout my words& s"gn& and word o#e+hortat"on My words are 'hem& 9a!het& and Adon"ram- my s"gn "s th"s =thrust"ng h"s

hand "n h"s bosom>- "t "s "n "m"tat"on o# one g"ven by ?od to Moses& when Hecommanded h"m to thrust h"s hand "nto h"s bosom& and& tak"ng "t out& "t became as le!rousas snow My word o# e+hortat"on "s e+!lanatory o# th"s s"gn& and "s #ound "n the wr"t"ngso# Moses& v"4 & #ourth cha!ter o# E+odus

And the ord sa"d unto Moses& 3ut now th"ne hand "nto thy

! )(


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bosom And he !ut h"s hand "nto h"s bosom- and when he took "t out& behold& h"s handwas le!rous as snow& @c

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%/om!an"ons& we w"ll !ass on& and make an alarm at the Th"rd e"l='tam!s n"ne t"mes >

Master o# the Th"rd e"l%%Bho comes thereF Bho dares a!!roach th"s Th"rd e"l o# oursacred TabernacleF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Three weary so.ourners #rom ;abylon& who have come to ass"st "nthe rebu"ld"ng o# the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward

Master o# Th"rd e"l%%How do you e+!ect to enterF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%;y the words& s"gn& and word o# e+hortat"on o# the Master o# the'econd e"l

Master o# Th"rd e"l%%?"ve them

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%'hem& 9a!het& and Adon"ram =Thrusts h"s hand "nto h"s bosom asMaster o# 'econd e"l had done >

Master o# Th"rd e"l%%They are r"ght Gou can enter the Th"rd e"l

The cand"dates enter

Master o# Th"rd e"l =to cand"dates >%%Three Most E+cellent Masters you must have been&

or thus #ar you could not have come ;ut you cannot go #arther w"thout my words& s"gns&and word o# e+hortat"on My words are& Hagga"& 9oshua& and 2erubbabel My s"gn "s th"s=holds out a tumbler o# water& and !ours out a l"ttle on the #loor > *t "s "n "m"tat"on o# oneg"ven by ?od to Moses& when he commanded h"m to !our water u!on the dry land& and "t

became blood My word o# e+hortat"on "s e+!lanatory o# th"s s"gn& and "s #ound "n thewr"t"ngs o# Moses& v"4 & the #ourth cha!ter o# E+odus

And "t shall come to !ass& "# they w"ll not bel"eve "n the two #ormer s"gns& thou shalt takeo# the water o# the r"ver and !our "t u!on the dry land- and the water shall become bloodu!on the dry land

Master o# Th"rd e"l%%* also !resent you w"th the '"gnet o# Truth& wh"ch "s that o#2erubbabel =3resents a tr"angular !"ece o# metal& w"th 2ER%I;;A%;E engraved on "t >

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner =to cand"dates >%%/om!an"ons& we have now !assed the Th"rd e"llet us make an alarm at the $ourth ='tam!s as be#ore >


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Royal Arch /a!ta"n%%Bho comes thereF Bho dares a!!roach the $ourth e"l o# oursacred Tabernacle& where "ncense burns& day and n"ght& u!on the holy altarF Bho are you&and what are your "ntent"onsF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Three weary so.ourners #rom ;abylon& who have come u! thus #ar

to a"d and ass"st "n the noble and ! )

glor"ous work o# rebu"ld"ng the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward

Royal Arch /a!ta"n%%How do you e+!ect to enter th"s $ourth e"l o# our sacredTabernacleF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%;y the words& s"gn& and word o# e+hortat"on o# the Master o# theTh"rd e"l

Royal Arch /a!ta"n%%?"ve them

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Hagga"& 9oshua& and 2erubbabel =3ours a l"ttle water #rom a tumbler&or cu!& u!on the #loor& #oe the s"gn >

Royal Arch /a!ta"n%%They are r"ght Gou have my !erm"ss"on to enter the $ourth e"l

The e"ls are now drawn as"de& and the cand"dates enter am"d a da44l"ng l"ght& and behold the H"gh 3r"est&

H"gh 3r"est%%Bho comes hereF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Three weary so.ourners #rom ;abylon& who have come u! thus #arto a"d and ass"st "n rebu"ld"ng the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward

H"gh 3r"est%%Have you the s"gnet o# 2erubbabelF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Be have =3resents the s"gnet g"ven h"m by Master o# Th"rd e"l >

H"gh 3r"est takes "t& and reads #rom the second cha!ter o# Hagga"

*n that day w"ll * take thee& , 2erubbabel& my servant& the son o# 'healt"el& sa"th theord& and w"ll make thee a s"gnet #or * have chosen thee


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H"gh 3r"est =to %%/om!an"on& are you sat"s#"ed that th"s "sthe s"gnet o# 2erubbabelF

%%/om!an"on 'cr"be& th"nk you th"s "s the trues"gnet o# 2erubbabelF

'cr"be =look"ng shrewdly at "t >%%* am sat"s#"ed that "t "s Most E+cellent

H"gh 3r"est =draw"ng s"gnet across h"s #orehead& "n "m"tat"on o# the !enalty& see $"g ) >%%'"gnet o# Truth& and Hol"ness to the ordL

The %%*t "s the o!"n"on o# the ?rand ! C0

J!aragra!h cont"nuesK /ounc"l& that you have !resented the true s"gnet o# 2erubbabel ;ut& ow"ngto d"##"cult"es hav"ng ar"sen #rom the "ntroduct"on o# strangers among the workmen& noneare allowed to undertake "n the noble and glor"ous work& but the true descendants o# thetwelve tr"bes *t "s necessary you should be very !art"cular "n trac"ng your genealogyBho are you& and what are your "ntent"onsF

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Be are your own k"ndred& the descendants o# those noble #am"l"es o#?"blem"tes& who wrought so hard at the bu"ld"ng o# the #"rst Tem!le Be have beenregularly "n"t"ated as Entered A!!rent"ce Masons& !assed to the Degree o# $ellow /ra#t&ra"sed to the subl"me Degree o# Master Mason& advanced to the honorary Degree o# MarkMaster& !res"ded as Master "n the cha"r& and at the com!let"on and ded"cat"on o# theTem!le were acknowledged as Most E+cellent Masters Be were !resent at "tsdestruct"on by :ebuchadne44ar& and by h"m were carr"ed away ca!t"ves to ;abylon-where we rema"ned servants to h"m and h"s successors unt"l the re"gn o# /yrus&


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'cr"be%%*# they can sat"s#y us they are $ree Masons& * shall be "n #avor o# em!loy"ng them"mmed"ately

H"gh 3r"est%%Gou say you are entered A!!rent"ce Masons 'at"s#y the ?rand /ounc"l

The three cand"dates g"ve the s"gns o# Entered A!!rent"ce ='ee $"gs 1 and & !! 17& 1( >

H"gh 3r"est =to %%/om!an"ons& are you sat"s#"edF

The


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B,R%%Have you any th"ng& worthy com!an"onF

'cr"be%%* know o# noth"ng& Most E+cellent

H"gh 3r"est%%* know o# noth"ng& unless the workmen #rom the ru"ns have art"cles #or"ns!ect"on The workmen w"ll !lease come #orward and g"ve an account o# the"r labors

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner%%Most E+cellent& "n !ursuance o# orders o# th"s ?rand /ounc"l& were!a"red to the ru"ns and commenced our labors A#ter labor"ng several days& wed"scovered what seemed a rock& but on str"k"ng "t w"th a crow "t gave a hollow sound& andu!on closer e+am"nat"on we d"scovered "n "t an "ron r"ng& by hel! o# wh"ch we succeeded"n remov"ng "t #rom "ts !lace& when we #ound "t to be the keystone o# an arch& and throughthe a!erture there a!!eared to be an "mmense vault& cur"ously arched Be have broughtth"s keystone u!& that "t may be e+am"ned by the ?rand /ounc"l

H"gh 3r"est%%Gou w"ll !resent "t

3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner !resents the keystone& or tra!

H"gh 3r"est =look"ng closely at "t >%%/om!an"on


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%%/om!an"on& "t "s necessaryyou should take a l"ttle !recaut"on 'hould you w"sh to descend st"ll lower& !ull the ro!e"n your le#t hand "# you w"sh to ascend& !ull that "n your r"ght hand

Two com!an"ons take hold o# each end o# the ro!e& lett"ng the cand"date down e"ght orten #eet& to another tra!%door& where he #"nds three small try"ng s8uares- and& g"v"ng thes"gnal o# ascend"ng& "s drawn u! 1

Each cand"date tak"ng a s8uare& they re!a"r to the ?rand /ounc"l As they !resentthemselves& the H"gh 3r"est reads the #ollow"ng !assage #rom the #ourth cha!ter o#2echar"ah

Th"s "s the word o# the ord unto 2erubbabel& say"ng& :ot by m"ght& nor by !ower& but by my s!"r"t Bho art thou& , great mounta"nF ;e#ore 2erubbabel thou shalt become a !la"n& and he shall br"ng #orth the headstone thereo# w"th shout"ngs& cry"ng& ?race& graceunto "t Moreover& the word o# the ord came unto me& say"ng& The hands o# 2erubbabelhave la"d the #oundat"on o# th"s house- h"s hands shall also #"n"sh "t- and thou shalt knowthat the ord o# hosts hath sent me unto you $or who hath des!"sed the day o# smallth"ngsF $or they shall re.o"ce& and shall see the !lummet "n the hand o# 2erubbabel w"ththose seven
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H"gh 3r"est =to the


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gave the s"gnal #or ascend"ng& and was "mmed"ately drawn out Be have brought th"schest u! #or the e+am"nat"on o# the ?rand /ounc"l

H"gh 3r"est =look"ng w"th sur!r"se at the Ark>%%/om!an"on %%*t "s undoubtedly the true Ark o# the /ovenant& Most E+cellent

'cr"be =look"ng at the Ark>%%That "s also my o!"n"on

H"gh 3r"est =tak"ng the Ark>%% et us o!en "t& and see what valuable treasure "t mayconta"n =,!ens the Ark& and takes out a book >

H"gh 3r"est =to


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And thou shalt !ut the mercy%seat above u!on the Ark- and "n the Ark thou shalt !ut thetest"mony that * shall g"ve thee

H"gh 3r"est%%Th"s "s a book o# the law%%long lost& but now #ound Hol"ness to the ord=He re!eats th"s aga"n& tw"ce >

;ut how "t came de!os"ted here& we cannot now

!art"cularly s!eak Gou must go h"gher "n Masonry be#ore you can know

The H"gh 3r"est looks aga"n "nto the Ark& and #"nds a st"ck w"th some buds u!on "t& wh"chhe shows to the


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And the ord sa"d unto Moses& ;r"ng Aaron6s rod aga"n be#ore the test"mony& to be ke!t#or a token

And also& Hebrews "+ %5

$or there was a tabernacle made the #"rst& where"n was the candlest"cks& and the table&and the shew%bread& wh"ch "s called the sanctuary and a#ter the second ve"l& thetabernacle& wh"ch "s called the Hol"est o# all- wh"ch had the golden censer& and the ark o#the covenant& overla"d round about w"th gold- where"n was the golden !ot that hadmanna- and Aaron6s rod& that budded& and the tables o# the covenant- and over "t thecherub"m o# glory& shadow"ng the mercy seat- o# wh"ch we cannot now s!eak

!art"cularly

ook"ng aga"n "nto the Ark& the H"gh 3r"est takes out #our !"eces o# !a!er& wh"ch hee+am"nes closely& consults w"th the

! C(

J!aragra!h cont"nuesK


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The u!!er le#t angle w"thout a dot "s a- the same w"th a dot "s b& @c

H"gh 3r"est then reads E+odus v" & )

And ?od s!ake unto Moses& and sa"d unto h"m& * am the ord and * a!!eared untoAbraham& unto *saac& and unto 9acob& by the name o# ?od Alm"ghty- but by my name9ehovah was * not known to them

! C

A#ter e+am"n"ng the %%De!os"ted "n the year three thousand 'econd s"de%%;y'olomon&


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The cand"dates& "nstructed by the 3r"nc"!al 'o.ourner& now learn the ?rand ,mn"#"cRoyal Arch Bord& as #ollows

Each one takes hold w"th h"s r"ght hand o# the r"ght wr"st o# h"s com!an"on on the le#t&and w"th h"s le#t hand takes hold o# the le#t wr"st o# h"s com!an"on on the r"ght Each one

then ! 50

!laces h"s r"ght #oot #orward w"th the hollow "n #ront& so that the toe touches the heel o#h"s com!an"on on the r"ght Th"s "s called three t"mes three- that "s& three r"ght #eet#orm"ng a tr"angle& three le#t hands #orm"ng a tr"angle& and three r"ght hands #orm"ng atr"angle They balance "n the same manner& and then& w"th hands ra"sed& re!eat the words9ah%buh%lun& 9ehovah& ?%o%d& at low breath& as descr"bed be#ore ='ee !! C% 5&$"g) >1

! 51

The s"gns o# th"s Degree are now g"ven to the cand"dates& as #ollows

$"rst& ra"se the r"ght hand to the #orehead& the hand and arm hor"4ontal& the thumb towardthe #orehead- draw "t br"skly across the #orehead& and dro! "t !er!end"cularly by the s"deTh"s const"tutes the duegard and s"gn o# th"s Degree& and re#ers not only to the !enalty o#the obl"gat"on& but alludes also to the manner "n wh"ch the brother who descended "nto thevault& and #ound the Ark& #ound h"s hands "nvoluntar"ly !laced& to !rotect
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$*? ) R,GA AR/H DIE?ARD A:D '*?:$*? )7 R,GA AR/H ?RA:D HA* *:? '*?:

1

h"s head #rom the rays o# the mer"d"an sun ='ee $"g ) > Th"s s"gn must be g"ven to theH"gh 3r"est& u!on enter"ng and ret"r"ng #rom a /ha!ter

H"gh 3r"est =!lac"ng crowns u!on the heads o# cand"dates >%%/om!an"ons& you are now"nvested w"th all the "m!ortant secrets

! 5

o# th"s Degree& and crowned and rece"ved as worthy /om!an"ons Royal Arch Masons

The H"gh 3r"est then reads to them #rom a book the charge "n th"s Degree& "n#orm"ngthem that the Degree owes "ts or"g"n to 2erubbabel and h"s assoc"ates& who rebu"lt theTem!le by order o# /yrus&


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H"gh 3r"est =to /a!ta"n o# the Host >%%Are you a Royal Arch MasonF

/a!ta"n%%* am that * am

H"gh 3r"est%%How shall * know you to be a Royal Arch MasonF /a!ta"n o# Host%%;y three

t"mes three

H"gh 3r"est%%Bhere were you made a Royal Arch MasonF

/a!ta"n o# the Host%%*n a .ust and legally const"tuted /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons&cons"st"ng o# Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est&


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*t "s generally conceded by Mason"c wr"ters& that anc"ent Masonry closes w"th the RoyalArch *n an ed"t"on o# The *llustrat"ons o# Masonry& by Mr 3reston& !ubl"shed "n

ondon& 1( & the ed"tor& Mr ,l"ver& observes

All Degrees beyond the Royal Arch ought to be care#ully se!arated #rom genu"ne

Masonry& as they are mostly #ounded on vague and uncerta"n trad"t"ons& wh"ch !ossessnot the shadow o# author"ty to recommend them to our not"ce

! 5C

The add"t"onal Degrees& "nclud"ng those cons"dered leg"t"mate& amount to u!ward o# #"#tyThese are #ounded !artly u!on astronom"cal !r"nc"!les& agree"ng w"th the anc"ent worsh"!o# the Egy!t"ans& and !artly u!on the Hebrew and /hr"st"an doctr"nes

*t may be remarked "n general& that many o# the degrees o# kn"ghts are #ounded on the/hr"st"an kn"ghthoods got u! "n the t"me o# the /rusades& "n the twel#th century- and thatthe ceremon"es thereo# are an "m"tat"on o# those su!erst"t"ous establ"shments A #ormer?rand H"gh 3r"est o# the /ha!ters "n the 'tate o# :ew Gork "n#orms me& that he "n"t"ateda $rench gentleman "nto the Degree o#


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Bhat does wh"te denoteF

A That !ur"ty o# l"#e and rect"tude o# conduct wh"ch should govern all those who seek toga"n adm"ss"on "nto that 'anctum 'anctorum& or Holy o# Hol"es

To whom do the #our ve"ls alludeF

A To the #our tr"bes o# the ch"ldren o# *srael& who bore the banners through thew"lderness& v"4 9udah& Reuben& E!hra"m and Dan& emblemat"cally re!resented by thestrength o# the "on& the "ntell"gence o# the Man& the !at"ence o# the ,+ and the sw"#tnesso# the Eagle

Bhere were the ve"ls !lacedF

A At the outer courts o# the tabernacle

! 5

Bhy thereF

A To serve as a cover"ng #or the tabernacle and stat"ons #or the guards

Bhy were guards stat"oned thereF

A To take s!ec"al !a"ns that none !ass or re!ass& e+ce!t such as were duly 8ual"#"ed& asnone were !erm"tted to enter the !resence o# the Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est& E+cellent tr"bes o# the ch"ldren o#*srael

How d"d the ch"ldren o# *srael make themselves known to the several guardsF

A ;y the same words and s"gns g"ven by ?od to Moses He was commanded to conductthe ch"ldren o# *srael out o# the land o# Egy!t #rom the bands o# bondage

SECOND SECTION.

Bhere were you !re!ared to be e+alted to the Most 'ubl"me degree o# a Royal ArchMasonF

A *n a room ad.o"n"ng a regular and duly const"tuted /ha!ter o# Royal Arch Masons

How were you !re!ared

A * was d"vested o# my outward a!!arel& "n a work"ng !osture& hoodw"nked& and a cabletow seven t"mes around my body& accom!an"ed by two = > brethren !ossessed o# l"ke


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8ual"#"cat"ons& "n wh"ch cond"t"on we were conducted to the door o# the /ha!ter& where aregular demand was made by seven =7> d"st"nct knocks

To what do the seven =7> d"st"nct knocks alludeF

A To the seventh Degree o# Masonry& "t be"ng that u!on wh"ch * was about to enter

Bhat was sa"d to you #rom w"th"nF

A Bho comes hereF

Gour answerF

A Three worthy brothers =or brethren> who have been duly "n"t"ated& !assed to theDegree o# $ellow /ra#t& ra"sed to the 'ubl"me Degree o# Master Mason& advanced to theDegree o# Mark Master Mason& regularly !assed the /ha"r%%have been rece"ved and

acknowledged as Most E+cellent Masters& and now w"sh #urther !romot"on "n Masonry& by be"ng e+alted to the Most 'ubl"me Degree o# a Royal Arch Mason

Bhat were you then askedF

A *# "t was an act o# my own #ree w"ll and accord& "# * was worthy and well 8ual"#"ed&duly and truly !re!ared& "# * had made su"table !ro#"c"enc"es "n the !reced"ng Degree& andwas !ro!erly vouched #or%%all o# wh"ch be"ng answered "n the a##"rmat"ve&

! 57

* was asked by what #urther r"ght or bene#"t * e+!ected to obta"n th"s "m!ortant !r"v"lege

Gour answerF

A ;y the bene#"t o# the !ass

?"ve the !assF

A Rabbon"

Bhat does "t s"gn"#yF

A ?ood Master& or Most E+cellent Master

Bhat was then sa"d to youF

A Be were d"rected to wa"t unt"l the /a!ta"n o# the Host could be "n#ormed o# ourre8uest& and h"s answer returned

Bhat was h"s answer when returnedF


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A et the cand"dates enter and be rece"ved "n due and anc"ent #orm

How were you rece"ved "n a /ha!ter o# Royal Arch MasonsF

A Inder a l"v"ng arch

Bhy under a l"v"ng archF

A To "m!r"nt u!on my m"nd "n the most solemn manner that the !r"nc"!al secrets o# th"sDegree should be commun"cated only under a l"v"ng arch

How were you then d"s!osed o#F

A Be were conducted once around the outer courts o# the tabernacle& there caused tokneel at the altar and "nvoke a bless"ng #rom De"ty

A#ter "nvok"ng a bless"ng #rom De"ty& how were you then d"s!osed o#F

A Be were aga"n conducted around the outer courts o# the tabernacle& where we weremet by the /a!ta"n o# the Host& who demanded o# us who comes here& and what were our"ntent"ons

Gour answerF

A As at the door

,# what d"d the /a!ta"n o# the Host "n#orm youF

A Treat "n !ursu"ng our "ntent"ons& we should be under the d"sagreeable necess"ty o#travell"ng those rough and rugged !aths& wh"ch all Royal Arch Masons have done be#oreus& but be#ore !ursu"ng #urther "t would be necessary #or us to kneel at the altar "n due#orm& and take u!on ourselves the solemn oath or obl"gat"on o# a Royal Arch Mason

Bhat was that due #ormF

A


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A * w"ll w"th your ass"stance

3roceed =*& A ; & etc & etc >

A#ter the oath how were you then d"s!osed o#F

A Be were aga"n conducted around the outer courts o# the tabernacle& where wase+h"b"ted the symbol o# the burn"ng bush

Bhy was the symbol o# the burn"ng bush e+h"b"ted to you at th"s !o"nt o# youre+altat"onF

A To "m!ress u!on my m"nd "n the most solemn manner& that the words and s"gns#ollow"ng were o# d"v"ne or"g"n& and as such were regarded sacred by the ch"ldren o#*srael%%by them transm"tted to the"r !oster"ty& as words and s"gns by wh"ch they shouldmake themselves known and be d"st"ngu"shed by each other #or ever a#ter

How were you then d"s!osed o#F

A Be were aga"n conducted around the outer courts o# the tabernacle& where are!resentat"on o# the destruct"on o# the tem!le took !lace

;y whom was "t destroyedF

A ;y :ebuchadne44ar&


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Bhat answer d"d you rece"ve #rom the /a!ta"n o# the HostF

A * am that * am& * am hath sent me unto you

D"d you !ursue your .ourneyF

A Be d"d& the rough and rugged !aths

Bhat do the rough and rugged !aths denoteF

! 5

A The so.ourn"ng o# the ch"ldren o# *srael through the w"lderness

D"d you meet w"th any obstruct"onsF

A Be d"d& several

Bhere d"d you meet w"th the #"rst obstruct"onF

A At the #"rst ve"l& where on mak"ng the regular demand& we heard the Master o# that ve"le+cla"m& Bho dares a!!roach th"s #"rst ve"l o# our sacred tabernacleF and he& su!!os"ngan enemy to be a!!roach"ng& ha"led h"s com!an"ons& who on be"ng assembled demanded&

Bho comes hereF

Gour answerF

A Be are o# your own brethren and k"n%%ch"ldren o# the ca!t"v"ty%%descendants o# thosenoble ?"blem"tes& we were rece"ved and acknowledged Most E+cellent Masters at thecom!let"on and ded"cat"on o# the #"rst tem!le%%were !resent at the destruct"on o# thattem!le by :ebuchadne44ar& by whom we were carr"ed ca!t"ves to ;abylon& where werema"ned servants to h"m and h"s successors& unt"l the re"gn o# /yrus&

D"d th"s g"ve you adm"ss"onF


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A *t d"d w"th"n the #"rst ve"l


A ?ood men and true you must have been& to have come thus #ar to !romote so noble

and good an undertak"ng- but #urther you cannot go w"thout my word& s"gn& and word o#e+!lanat"on

Bhat was the word o# the Master o# the #"rst ve"lF

A * am that * am& * am hath sent you unto us& 'hem& Ham& and 9a!heth

Bhat "s h"s s"gnF

A *t "s "n "m"tat"on o# that g"ven by ?od to Moses when he was commanded to cast h"srod u!on the ground& and "t be%came a ser!ent

Bhat was h"s word o# e+!lanat"onF

A *t was e+!lanatory o# the s"gn as recorded by Moses& and "s as #ollows And Mosesanswered and sa"d& ;ut behold they w"ll not bel"eve me& nor hearken unto my vo"ce& #orthey w"ll say&

! 0

J!aragra!h cont"nuesK The ord hath not a!!eared unto thee- and the ord sa"d unto h"m& Bhat "sthat "n th"ne hand& and he sa"d& A rod- and He sa"d& /ast "t on the ground And he cast "ton the ground and "t became a ser!ent& and Moses #led #rom be#ore "t- and the ord sa"d&3ut #orth th"ne hand and take "t by the ta"l- and he !ut #orth h"s hand and caught "t& and "t

become a rod "n h"s hand& that they may bel"eve that the ?od o# the"r #athers& the ?od o#Abraham& the ?od o# *saac& and the ?od o# 9acob hath a!!eared unto thee

Bhere d"d you meet w"th the ne+t obstruct"onF

A At the second ve"l& where& on mak"ng the regular demand& we heard the master o# thate+cla"m as be#ore

Gour answerF

A As be#ore


A ;y what #urther r"ght or bene#"t we e+!ected to obta"n that "m!ortant !r"v"lege

Gour answerF


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A ;y the word and s"gn g"ven us by the master o# the #"rst ve"l

D"d th"s ga"n you adm"ss"onF

A *t d"d w"th"n the second ve"l


A ?ood men and true you must have been& to have come thus #ar to engage "n so nobleand glor"ous an undertak"ng& but #urther you cannot go w"thout my word and s"gn& andword o# e+!lanat"on

Bhat was the word o# the master o# the second ve"lF

A * am that * am& * am hath sent me unto you& 'hem& Ham& and 9a!heth

Bhat "s h"s s"gnF

A *t "s "n "m"tat"on o# that g"ven by ?od to Moses& when he commanded h"m to !ut h"shand "nto h"s bosom& and when he took "t out& behold "t was as le!rous as snow

Bhat "s h"s word o# e+!lanat"onF

A *t "s e+!lanatory o# that s"gn& "s recorded by Moses& and "s as #ollows And the ordsa"d unto Moses& 3ut now th"ne hand "nto thy bosom& and he !ut h"s hand "nto h"s bosom&and when he took "t out& behold& h"s hand was le!rous as snow And He sa"d& 3ut th"nehand "nto thy bosom aga"n& and he !ut h"s hand "nto h"s bosom aga"n& and !lucked "t out

o# h"s bosom& and behold "t was turned aga"n as h"s other #lesh And "t shall come to !ass"# they w"ll not bel"eve thee& ne"ther hearken to the vo"ce o# the #"rst s"gn& that they w"ll bel"eve the vo"ce o# the latter s"gn

! 1


A At the th"rd ve"l& where& on mak"ng the regular demand& we heard the master o# thatve"l e+cla"m as be#ore

Gour answerF

A As be#ore


A ;y what #urther r"ght or bene#"t we e+!ected to obta"n th"s "m!ortant !r"v"lege

Gour answerF


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A ;y the bene#"t o# the word and s"gn g"ven us by the masters o# the #"rst and secondve"ls

D"d they ga"n you adm"ss"onF

A They d"d w"th"n the th"rd ve"l


A ?ood men and true you must have been& to have come thus #ar to !romote so nobleand good an undertak"ng& but #urther you cannot go w"thout my s"gn and word o#e+!lanat"on and s"gnet

Bhat was h"s s"gnF

A *t "s "n "m"tat"on o# that g"ven by ?od to Moses& when he commanded h"m to take o#

the water o# the r"ver and !our "t u!on the dry land

Bhat "s h"s word o# e+!lanat"onF

A *t "s e+!lanatory o# that s"gn& "s recorded by Moses& and "s as #ollows And "t shallcome to !ass "# they w"ll not bel"eve also these two s"gns& ne"ther hearken unto thy vo"ce&that thou shalt take o# the water o# the r"ver and !our "t u!on the dry land& and the waterwh"ch thou takest out o# the r"ver shall become blood u!on the dry land


A At the #ourth ve"l or sanctuary& where on mak"ng the regular demand& we heard theRoyal Arch /a!ta"n e+cla"m& Bho dares a!!roach the #ourth ve"l or sanctuary& where"ncense burns u!on our holy altar both day and n"ghtF Bho comes hereF

Gour answerF

A Three worthy so.ourners& who have come u! to hel!& a"d& and ass"st "n the rebu"ld"ngo# the house o# the ord& w"thout the ho!e o# #ee or reward


A Bhence came youF

Gour answerF

A $rom ;abylon

,# what were you then "n#ormed


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A That by a decree o# the Grand Council & then "n sess"on&

!

made "n conse8uence o# d"##"cult"es hav"ng ar"sen by the "ntroduct"on o# strangers amongthe workmen& none are !erm"tted to enter the !resence o# the Most E+cellent H"gh 3r"est&E+cellent


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A That #rom the s!ec"mens o# sk"ll wh"ch we had e+h"b"ted& the ?rand /ounc"l hadcon#"dence and bel"e# that we were able to undertake any !art& even the most d"##"cult& butthat "t was necessary that some more o# the rubb"sh he removed #rom the northeast !art o#the ru"ns& and they "nstructed us to observe and !reserve everyth"ng that we m"ghtd"scover o# value& #or they had no doubt that there were many valuable monuments o# art

there wh"ch would be essent"al to the cra#t

Bhat #ollowedF

A The /a!ta"n o# the Host #urn"shed us w"th the necessary work"ng tools& and were!a"red to the !lace as d"rected& where

! )

we wrought d"l"gently #our days w"thout d"scover"ng anyth"ng o# "nterest& e+ce!t"ng !ass"ng the ru"ns o# several columns o# the order o# arch"tecture- on the #"#th& st"ll !ursu"ng our labors& we e+!er"enced that wh"ch we at #"rst su!!osed to be an"m!enetrable rock& but on my com!an"on str"k"ng "t w"th h"s crow& "t reverberated ahollow sound& u!on wh"ch we redoubled our ass"du"ty& and remov"ng some more o# therubb"sh& we #ound "t to resemble the to! o# an arch& "n the a!e+ o# wh"ch was a stonehav"ng on "t certa"n characters wh"ch by length o# t"me were nearly e##aced :"ght nowdraw"ng on& we re!a"red w"th "t to the ?rand /ounc"l

Bhat was the"r o!"n"on o# the stoneF

A That "t was the keystone to the !r"nc"!al arch o#


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A That they were masters6 .ewels& most !robably worn by our anc"ent ?rand Masters&'olomon&


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Bhat does "t conta"nF

A A key to the myster"ous characters u!on "ts to! and s"des& by wh"ch they #ound thoseu!on "ts s"des to be the "n"t"als o# our three anc"ent ?rand Masters& ' < o# * & H < o# T &and H Ab"## Those u!on "ts to!& the ?rand ,mn"#"c or Royal Arch word& wh"ch we as

Royal Arch Masons should never g"ve e+ce!t "n the !resence o# three Royal ArchMasons& we #"rst agree"ng by three t"mes three& and under a l"v"ng arch

How were your mer"ts rewardedF

A The ?rand /ounc"l descended and "nvested us w"th the secrets o# the Degree

How were they commun"catedF

A The ?rand ,mn"#"c Royal Arch word "n the !resence o# three regular Arch Masons&we #"rst agree"ng by three t"mes three& and under a l"v"ng arch

Have you a s"gn "n th"s DegreeF

A * have several

'how me a s"gnF =Hand to #orehead 'ee s"gn >

Bhat "s that calledF

A The duegard

! 5

To what does "t alludeF

A To the way and manner "n wh"ch my hands were "nvoluntar"ly !laced on arr"v"ng atthe arch& to guard my eyes #rom the "ntense l"ght and heat that arose there#rom above

'how me another s"gnF =?"ve s"gn >


A The s"gn


A To the !enalty o# my obl"gat"on& that * would sooner have my skull struck o## thand"vulge any o# the secrets o# th"s Degree unlaw#ully&

?"ve me another s"gnF =?"ve s"gn >


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A The grand ha"l"ng s"gn& or s"gn o# d"stress o# a Royal Arch Mason


A To the add"t"onal !ort"on o# the !enalty o# my obl"gat"on& that * would sooner have myskull clove o##& and have my bra"n e+!osed to the scorch"ngs rays o# a noonday sun& thand"vulge any o# the secrets o# th"s Degree unlaw#ully

Bhat are the work"ng tools o# a Royal Arch MasonF

A The !"ck& s!ade& and crow

Bhat does the s!ade teach us as Royal Arch MasonsF =Mon"tor"al >

Bhat "s the use o# the crowF

A *t "s used by o!erat"ve masons to descr"be c"rcles%%every !art o# the c"rcum#erence o#wh"ch "s e8ually near and e8ually d"stant #rom "ts centre- so "s every creature whom ?odhath made e8ually near and e8ually dear

Bhat "s the e8u"lateral or !er#ect tr"angle u!on wh"ch the word "s #ormedemblemat"cal o#F

A The three certa"n attr"butes o# De"ty%%namely& ,mn"sc"ence& ,mn"!otence& and,mn"!resence& #or as the three e8ual legs or angles #orm but one tr"angle& so the three

attr"butes const"tute but one ?od

Footnotes

1( 1 *n Amer"ca& we #"nd an essent"al var"at"on #rom any other system o# the RoyalArch The names o# the o##"cers vary mater"ally& as also do the ceremon"es As "n *reland&"t const"tutes the 'eventh Degree& although the "ntermed"ate ste!s are d"##erent *n *relandthey are 1 E A 3 - $ / - ) M M - C 3 M - 5 E+cellent- 'u!er%E+cellent 7Royal Arch wh"le "n Amer"ca the $ourth "s Mark Master- 5 3 M - Most E+cellentMaster- 7 Royal Arch %%,r"g"n o# theEngl"sh Royal Arch& ! 5(

1 1 The members o# th"s Degree are denom"nated companions & and are ent"tled to a#ull e+!lanat"on o# the mysteries o# the ,rder - whereas "n the #ormer Degrees they arerecogn"4ed by the common& #am"l"ar a!!ellat"on o# brothers& and ke!t "n a state o#

!ro#ound "gnorance o# the sublime secret wh"ch "s d"sclosed "n th"s /ha!ter Th"s accordsw"th the custom o# 3ythagoras& who thus d"st"ngu"shed h"s !u!"ls A#ter a !robat"on o##"ve years& as be#ore stated& they were adm"tted "nto the !resence o# the !rece!tor& calledh"s companions & and !erm"tted #reely to converse w"th h"m 3rev"ously to the e+!"rat"on
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o# that term he del"vered h"s "nstruct"ons to them #rom beh"nd a screen %% Fellows's Inquiry into the ri!in" #istory" and $urport o% Freemasonry & ! ) 1

C 1 /ole ado!ts the #ollow"ng sent"ment o# a brother Mason *n the R A =RoyalArch> Mason6s Degree * beheld mysel# e+alted to the to! o# $is!ah & an e+tens"ve scene

o!ened to my v"ew o# the glory and goodness o# the M E H 3 =Most E+cellent H"gh3r"est> o# our salvat"on * dug dee! #or h"dden treasures& #ound them& and re!ained theomni%ic word

*# we !ass on to the Royal Arch& says the Rev ? ,l"ver& "n h"s ! 5 ectures on$reemasonry& we rece"ve a wonder#ul access"on o# knowledge& and #"nd every th"ngmade per%ect - #or th"s "s the ne plus ultra o# Masonry& and can never be e+ceeded by anyhuman "nst"tut"on %% Fellows's Inquiry into the ri!in" #istory" and $urport o%

Freemasonry & ! )

A Degree "ndescr"bably more august& subl"me& and "m!ortant than any wh"ch !recede "t&

and "s& "n #act& the summ"t and !er#ect"on o# anc"ent Masonry *t "m!resses on our m"nds a bel"e# "n the be"ng o# a ?od& w"thout beg"nn"ng o# days or end o# years& the great and"ncom!rehens"ble Al!ha and ,mega& and rem"nds us o# the reverence wh"ch "s due to H"sHoly :AME %% #istorical &andmar s & vol " ! (

1 Th"s "ne##able name ="n *:D*A> was Aum& wh"ch& "n "ts tr"l"teral #orm& wass"gn"#"cant o# the creat"ve& !reservat"ve& and destroy"ng !ower& that "s& o# ;rahma&

"shnu& and '"va %% &exicon& ! 1C

9EH, AH ,# the var"et"es o# th"s sacred name "n use among the d"##erent nat"ons o# theearth& three !art"cularly mer"t the attent"on o# Royal Arch Masons

1 9AH Th"s name o# ?od "s #ound "n the (th 3salm& v C

;AA ,R ;E Th"s word s"gn"#"es a lord &master & or possessor & and hence "t wasa!!l"ed by many o# the nat"ons o# the East to denote the ord o# all th"ngs& and the Mastero# the world

) ,: Th"s was the name by wh"ch 9EH, AH was worsh"!!ed among the Egy!t"ans

* have made these remarks on the three names o# God "n /halda"c& 'yr"ac and Egy!t"an& (aal & )ah & and n & "n the e+!ectat"on that my Royal Arch /om!an"ons w"ll read"ly

recogn"4e them "n a corru!ted #orm %% &exiconC 1 /and"dates at the !resent day usually descend the vault by means o# a ladder

C) 1 A cand"date "s sa"d to be EOA TED when he rece"ves the Degree o# Holy RoyalArch& the 'eventh "n Gork Masonry E+alted means ele*ated or li%ted up& and "sa!!l"cable both to a !ecul"ar ceremony o# the Degree& and to the #act that th"s Degree& "nthe r"te "n wh"ch "t "s !ract"sed& const"tutes the summ"t o# anc"ent Masonry %% &exicon
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C 1 The #oundat"ons o# the Tem!le were o!ened and cleared #rom the accumulat"on o#rubb"sh& that a level s"te m"ght be !rocured #or the commencement o# the bu"ld"ng Bh"leengaged "n e+cavat"ons #or th"s !ur!ose& three %ortunate so+ourners are sa"d to haved"scovered our anc"ent stone o# #oundat"on& wh"ch had been de!os"ted "n the secret cry!t

by B"sdom& 'trength& and ;eauty& to !revent the commun"cat"on o# "ne##able secrets to

!ro#ane or unworthy !ersons The d"scovery hav"ng been commun"cated to the !r"nce& !r"est& and !ro!het o# the 9ews& the stone was ado!ted as the ch"e# corner%stone o# the re%ed"#"ed bu"ld"ng- and thus became& "n a new and e+!ress"ve sense& the ty!e o# a moree+cellent d"s!ensat"on An avenue was also acc"dentally d"scovered& su!!orted by seven

!a"rs o# !"llars& !er#ect and ent"re& wh"ch& #rom the"r s"tuat"on& had esca!ed the #ury o# the#lames that had consumed the Tem!le& and the desolat"on o# war wh"ch had destroyed thec"ty Th"s secret vault& wh"ch had been bu"lt by 'olomon as a secure de!os"tory #orcerta"n valuable secrets& that would "nev"tably have been lost w"thout some suche+!ed"ent #or the"r !reservat"on& commun"cated by a subterranean avenue w"th the


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c"rcles Th"s Mason"c system o# c"!her%wr"t"ng "s now well understood %% ri!in o% the En!lish Royal Arch & ! C

50 1 The B,RD o# the Royal Arch Degree& as worked "n England& "s 9ao%;ul%,n

Macrob"us& "n h"s 'aturnal"a =l"b " 1(>& says that "t was an adm"tted a+"om among theheathen& that the tr"l"teral 9AH& or rather PQ & was the sacred name o# the 'u!reme ?odAnd the /lar"an oracle& wh"ch was o# unknown ant"8u"ty& be"ng asked wh"ch o# thede"t"es was named PQ & answered "n these memorable words

6The "n"t"ated are bound to conceal the myster"ous secrets earn thou& that PQ & "s the?reat ?od 'u!reme& who ruleth over all 6

:ow "t so ha!!ens& that "n the gems o# the early /hr"st"ans we #"nd these very letters&PQ & wh"ch are an abbrev"at"on o# the name o# 9EH, AH& used as a monogram toe+!ress the name o# the 'av"our o# mank"nd& who was thus re!resented as e+"st"ng be#ore

t"me was& and shall e+"st when t"me shall he no more *t was #"rst ado!ted by the Eastern/hurch& and s"gn"#"ed PS UVW& QXYZ [\]^Z& 9esus& Al!ha ,mega& or "n other words9esus& the $"rst and the ast %%The Insi!nia o% the Royal Arch & ! )

The Royal Arch Bord to have been !er#ectly "n kee!"ng w"th the Degree& and w"th thegeneral construct"on o# Masonry& should have been a tr"ad& not only o# syllables& but alsoo# letters ,ur transatlant"c brethren have seen "t "n "ts true l"ght- but they have correctedthe error unlearnedly *t ought to have been& "# the !r"nc"!le o# "ts construct"on beallowed& to be orthodo+

.yriac Chaldee #indoo

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

The Insi!nia o% the Royal Arch & ! )C That "s to say& "nstead o# 9A,%;I %,:& or 9AH%;IH% I:& Dr ,l"ver suggests

.yriac Chaldee #indoo

9A,& ;E & AI:&

or or or

9AH ;I AIM

$or at !age 15 o# The Insi!nia & he wr"tes thus
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;ut the Royal Arch Degree "s #ounded on the number three& and there#ore each membero# the word ought to have been tr"l"teral Among the 'yr"ans& the /haldeans& the3h`n"c"ans and others& the "ne##able name o# the De"ty was ;el& ;al& ;ul& ;aal& or;el"n Aga"n& the Egy!t"ans and H"ndoos reverenced ,n or ,m& i-e-& Aun& or Aum& asthe name o# the"r ch"e# De"ty

And v"de #istorical &andmar s & vol "" ! 5C

,ne says "t was 9au& another th"nks "t was 9aoth& a th"rd& 9ava- others& 9uba& 9ao& 9ah&9ehovah& and 9ove *n a word& the letters o# the name are !er"shable& and the

!ronunc"at"on o# l"ttle moment but the ;e"ng h"msel# "s "ne##able& "ncom!rehens"ble& andworthy o# our utmost venerat"on He was called by the Romans 9ove& or 9ah- by the/haldeans& the 3h`n"c"ans& and the /elt & ;el or ;ul- and by the *nd"ans& Egy!t"ans& and?reeks& ,m or ,n

51 1 The grand ha"l"ng s"gn "s made by lock"ng the #"ngers o# both hands together& and

carry"ng them to the to! o# the head& the !alms u!ward Then let them dro! to the s"des

5) 1 At my #"rst e+altat"on& * was taught to bel"eve "t an anc"ent degree- but * con#ess&that even at that !er"od * enterta"ned cons"derable doubts on the !o"nt The Degree "s too"ncongruous to be o# any great ant"8u"ty *t e+h"b"ts too many ev"dences o# modernconstruct"on to be rece"ved w"th "m!l"c"t credence as a ceremony !ract"sed by the anc"entD"onys"acs& or even the more modern colleges o# $reemasons& or con#ratern"t"es o# theM"ddle Ages The earl"est ment"on o# "t "n England wh"ch * can #"nd& "s "n the year 17C0&

.ust one year a#ter the tr"#l"ng alterat"on& sanct"oned by the modern ?rand odge& alreadyment"oned %%ri!in o% the En!lish Royal Arch & !! 1 & 0

5) The #act "s& the grand omn"#"c =all/creatin! >lost word & "t w"ll be seen "n the se8uel&was eventually #ound "n a vault under the ru"ns o# 'olomon6s Tem!le- and the d"##"cultywas&rationally to account #or the manner "n wh"ch "t got there Th"s& there#ore& "s thegrand ob.ect o# the .elect 0aster's 1e!ree - and& at the same t"me& so to locate the word assymbol"cally to re!resent "ts archety!e& the sun lost "n the "n#er"or hem"s!here $or th"s

!ur!ose a h"story o# the order was manu#actured by "ts #ounders& o# wh"ch the #ollow"ng"s a sketch

The three ?rand Masters& at the bu"ld"ng o# the Tem!le& entered "nto a solemnagreement not to con#er the Master6s Degree unt"l the Tem!le should be com!leted- thatall three must be !resent when "t should be con#erred& and "# e"ther should be taken away

by death !r"or to the #"n"sh"ng o# the Tem!le& the Master6s Degree should be lostA#ter th"s wise arrangement& lest the knowledge o# the arts and sc"ences& together w"th

the !atterns and valuable models wh"ch were conta"ned "n the Tem!le& should be lost&they agreed to bu"ld a secret *ault under ground& lead"ng #rom 'olomon6s most ret"reda!artment& a due west course & and end"ng under the sanctum sanctorum o# the Tem!le& to

be d"v"ded "nto nine separate arches The n"nth arch was to be the !lace #or hold"ng the
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grand counc"l& and also #or a de!os"t o# a true co!y o# all those th"ngs wh"ch werecontained in the sanctum sanctorum abo*e

A#ter the n"nth arch was com!leted& the three ?rand Masters de!os"ted there"n thoseth"ngs wh"ch were "m!ortant to the cra#t& such as the Ark o# the /ovenant& a !ot o#

manna& the rod o# Aaron& the book o# the law& etc ! 5C

3r"or to the com!let"on o# the Tem!le& ?rand Master H"ram Ab"## was assass"nated& and by h"s death the Master6s Bord was lost The two k"ngs were w"ll"ng to do all "n the"r !ower to !reserve the .acred 2ord & and as they could not commun"cate "t to any& byreason o# the death o# H"ram& they agreed to !lace "t "n the secret *ault & that "# the othertreasures were ever brought to l"ght& the Bord m"ght be #ound also %% Fellows's Inquiryinto the ri!in" #istory" and $urport o% Freemasonry & !! )0(& )0

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Anon - Royal Arch