Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.
dence that be is qualified intellectually and morally to be admitted among the G . M . A ., and engage in building the great moral edifice . Tbe assembly is called a Chapter . It is decorated with Avbite hangings , sprinkled with red flames , emblematical of
the purity of heart , and zeal , -which should be the characteristics of every G . M . A . The five arches of architecture should be delineated in the Chapter , together with a representation of the north star in the north , and seven small stars surrounding
it . This signifies that as tbe north star is a sure guide to mariners , so should vfrtue be the guiding star of every G . M . A . The Master , seated in the E ., represents King Solomon ; he is styled Most Potent . The S . AV ., in the AV . is called Grand
In-, spector . The brethren in addition to black robes and capes , as in the preceding degree , wear a stone-coloured ribbon from the left shoulder to the ri ght hip , like the Royal Arch sash , and tbe jewel is suspended from it as in the Royal Order of
Scotland . Tbe jewel is a gold medal with tbe five orders of architecture , a star , and a case of mathematical instruments delineated on both sides . The apron is of stone
colour , Avith a pocket in tbe centre , and on tbe flap a star . " Mackey says the apron is white , lined and bordered with black , with a compass , square , and rule painted thereon . The French have the same colour , but do not mention the compass , square , and rule .
The following is the symbolic history , for the truth of which , Ave need hardly say we do not A'oueh . "Masonic tradition ( according to Bro . Carson ' s monitor of the Antient and Accejjted Rite ) informs us that King S . established this grade Avith a
view to forming a school of architecture , for tbe instruction of the craftsmen employed in the building of the Temple , and to animate them Avitb a desire of arriving at perfection in the royal art . He was a Prince equally renowned for bis justice
, wisdom and foresight ; he , therefore , desired to reward tbe faithful and meritorious craftsmen ; so that by perfection in the art , they might be better prepared to approach the Throne of God . He accordingly for this purpose cast his
eyes upon the Grand Masters of the workmen , the sublime knights elected , as persons properly qualified to assist him in preparing for the fulfilment of the promise
made to Enoch , to Moses , and to David , that in the fulness of time God would dwell in a fixed Temple , and that His name should be there . " Mackey , in his admirable Lexicon of Masonry , to which I have alluded before in the course of these notes , tells us of
another degree connected Avith architecture , and it must be admitted with the occult sciences , in the order of African architects . It appears that in the year 1767 , one Baucherren instituted in Prussia , with the concurrence of Frederick IT ., a
society Avhich he called by the above name . The object of the Institution Avas historical research ; but it contained a Ritual Avhich partook of masonry , Christianity , alchemy , and chivalry . It was divided into two temples , and was composed of eleven
degrees . In the first temple Avere the degrees of 1 , Apprentice ; 2 , Fellowcraft ; and 3 , Master . In the second temple were the degrees of 4 , Apprentice of Egyptian secrets ; 5 , Initiate of Egyptian secrets ; 6 , Cosmopolitan brother ; 7 , Christian philosopher ; 8 , Master of Egyptian secrets ; 9 , Esquire ; 10 , Soldier ; and 11 , Knight . The society constructed a vast building
intended as a Grand Chapter of the Order , and which contained an excellent library , a museum of natural history , and a chemical laboratory . For a long time tbe African architects decreed annuall y a gold medal , Avorth 50 ducats , tc the author of
the best memoir on tbe history of masonry . AVhy should not the Grand Lod ge , or the Supreme Council do the same ? Ragon , who seldom speaks well of any other rite than his own , has , however , in Ms Orthodoxie Magonnique , paid the
following tribute to the African architects : — " Their intercourse Avas modest and dignified . They did not esteem decorations , aprons , collars , jeAvels , & c , but Avere rather fond of luxury , and delighted in sententious apothegms , Avhose meaning Avas
sublime , but concealed . In their assemblies they read essays , and communicated the results of their researches . At their simple and decorous banquets instructive and scientific discourses Avere delivered . While their initiations were gratuitousthey gave
, liberal assistance to such zealous brethren as were iu needy circumstances . Tbey published in Germany many important documents on the subject of Freemasonry . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.
dence that be is qualified intellectually and morally to be admitted among the G . M . A ., and engage in building the great moral edifice . Tbe assembly is called a Chapter . It is decorated with Avbite hangings , sprinkled with red flames , emblematical of
the purity of heart , and zeal , -which should be the characteristics of every G . M . A . The five arches of architecture should be delineated in the Chapter , together with a representation of the north star in the north , and seven small stars surrounding
it . This signifies that as tbe north star is a sure guide to mariners , so should vfrtue be the guiding star of every G . M . A . The Master , seated in the E ., represents King Solomon ; he is styled Most Potent . The S . AV ., in the AV . is called Grand
In-, spector . The brethren in addition to black robes and capes , as in the preceding degree , wear a stone-coloured ribbon from the left shoulder to the ri ght hip , like the Royal Arch sash , and tbe jewel is suspended from it as in the Royal Order of
Scotland . Tbe jewel is a gold medal with tbe five orders of architecture , a star , and a case of mathematical instruments delineated on both sides . The apron is of stone
colour , Avith a pocket in tbe centre , and on tbe flap a star . " Mackey says the apron is white , lined and bordered with black , with a compass , square , and rule painted thereon . The French have the same colour , but do not mention the compass , square , and rule .
The following is the symbolic history , for the truth of which , Ave need hardly say we do not A'oueh . "Masonic tradition ( according to Bro . Carson ' s monitor of the Antient and Accejjted Rite ) informs us that King S . established this grade Avith a
view to forming a school of architecture , for tbe instruction of the craftsmen employed in the building of the Temple , and to animate them Avitb a desire of arriving at perfection in the royal art . He was a Prince equally renowned for bis justice
, wisdom and foresight ; he , therefore , desired to reward tbe faithful and meritorious craftsmen ; so that by perfection in the art , they might be better prepared to approach the Throne of God . He accordingly for this purpose cast his
eyes upon the Grand Masters of the workmen , the sublime knights elected , as persons properly qualified to assist him in preparing for the fulfilment of the promise
made to Enoch , to Moses , and to David , that in the fulness of time God would dwell in a fixed Temple , and that His name should be there . " Mackey , in his admirable Lexicon of Masonry , to which I have alluded before in the course of these notes , tells us of
another degree connected Avith architecture , and it must be admitted with the occult sciences , in the order of African architects . It appears that in the year 1767 , one Baucherren instituted in Prussia , with the concurrence of Frederick IT ., a
society Avhich he called by the above name . The object of the Institution Avas historical research ; but it contained a Ritual Avhich partook of masonry , Christianity , alchemy , and chivalry . It was divided into two temples , and was composed of eleven
degrees . In the first temple Avere the degrees of 1 , Apprentice ; 2 , Fellowcraft ; and 3 , Master . In the second temple were the degrees of 4 , Apprentice of Egyptian secrets ; 5 , Initiate of Egyptian secrets ; 6 , Cosmopolitan brother ; 7 , Christian philosopher ; 8 , Master of Egyptian secrets ; 9 , Esquire ; 10 , Soldier ; and 11 , Knight . The society constructed a vast building
intended as a Grand Chapter of the Order , and which contained an excellent library , a museum of natural history , and a chemical laboratory . For a long time tbe African architects decreed annuall y a gold medal , Avorth 50 ducats , tc the author of
the best memoir on tbe history of masonry . AVhy should not the Grand Lod ge , or the Supreme Council do the same ? Ragon , who seldom speaks well of any other rite than his own , has , however , in Ms Orthodoxie Magonnique , paid the
following tribute to the African architects : — " Their intercourse Avas modest and dignified . They did not esteem decorations , aprons , collars , jeAvels , & c , but Avere rather fond of luxury , and delighted in sententious apothegms , Avhose meaning Avas
sublime , but concealed . In their assemblies they read essays , and communicated the results of their researches . At their simple and decorous banquets instructive and scientific discourses Avere delivered . While their initiations were gratuitousthey gave
, liberal assistance to such zealous brethren as were iu needy circumstances . Tbey published in Germany many important documents on the subject of Freemasonry . "