Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

202 VILE ENOUGH FOR THE SCOTTISH RITE.
But we shall be told, and it is true, that both Mackey
and Macoy, leading Masonic authorities, dislike and
scout this 27th degree, ati un-Masonic. Well, what is
the reason of their dislike? They themselves tell us, in
Notes 309 and 3 12; because it lacks “symbols,” “allegones,”
and “p~Ai1osophy.” Now the next, or 28th degree,
both these authorities hail as the “most important,
interesting,” and “by far the most philosophical.”
(Note 314.) Turn forward and read the Analysis of the
28th degree, and you will see what they mean by allegory,
symbol, and philosophy: they mean the symbols
and allegories of Masonry, which alone give the true
“knowledge of God! !“ (Note 319.) Philosophy which
worships God not in His church on earth, but “in deep
solitudes and sequestered forests,” (page 210) along
with Goths and Druids. (Note 325.) And that
Masonry is “the purest philosophy,” and “the basis of
all religions,” Christianity of course included!
And because this 27th degree does not put Christ on
a level with Joseph Smith, and Christianity with Marinonism;
because, in short, it does not, as the 28th degree
does, throughout, put the rabble of pagan gods
above the God of heavefi, and the worship of devils
above the worship of Christ, Mackey and Macoy deem
it unworthy to belong to Masonry.
But surely, surely, this Teutonic degree, with its
secret signs, tokens, and impudent traffic in the name
Jehovah on its jewels (page 184) and its prayers, from
lips used to blasphemy; surely this grand swindle of the
young men of America, dubbing them Knights for
money is vile enough to belong to the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite; which was manufactured by
Jesuits, remodeled and sold by Jews.
CHAPTER LI
TWENTY-EIGHTH DEGREE, OR KNIGHTS OF THE SUN.’ 5’
EAST OR AUTUMN.
DECOR.&TIONS :‘“—No particular hangings are prescribed.
There may be painted on the walls of the
lodge, landscapes of mountains and forests, designated
to represent nature both in the rude and natural, and
the refined and cultivated state. The lodge is illuminated
by a Sun placed above the head of the Master, in
Note 818..—”Of all the high degrees it is, perhaps, the most important
and the moet interesting to the scholar who desires to investigate the
true secret of the Order, its old catechiams, now unfortunately too
much neglected, are full of suggestive thoughts, and in its modern
ritual, for which we are indebted to the inventive genius of Brother
Albert Pike. it is by far the most learned and philosophical of the
Scotlish degrees. “—Mackey’s Encycippada of rreemamonq. Article
E~lght of the Sun.
Note 814.—”The wails should be painted to represent the open coon.
try, mountains, plains, forests and fields. The chamber is lighted by a
single light, a great globe of ground glass, in the Sooth, this represents
the Sun. The only additional light is from the transparencies. In the
Kast is sospended a transparency, displaying the sign of the ~iacrocosm.
or of the seal of King Solomon—the interlaced triangles; one white and
the other black. In the West is suspended a transparency displaying the
sign of microcosm, or the pentagram traced on a pure white ground with
lines of vermilion and w.th a single point upward. ~isny other trans.
parencies, symh~llsing objects of ~rest importance, are appropriately
arranged around the chamber. partico arlr the accompanying figures, which
sre placed in the North. On the right hand of the prearding officer, in
the zast, on a gilt pedestal, Is a Caduosus, gilded, the upper part of
it a cross, surmounted by a globe, and with two serpents twining around
it. their heads rising above the cross. The ceiling should represent the
heavens, with the creaccot moon In the west, the principal planets, and
the stars, In the constellations Taurus and Orion and those near the
polar star. The presiding officer Is styled Father Adam. The warden
sits in the west. and Is called Brother Truth; there are seven other
officers, who are styled Brothers Gabriel. Auriel, Idichaei. Camallel.
Raphael, zaphiel and zarabbiel The collar is a broad white watered
ribbon: on the right side is painted or embroidered an eye. In gold. The
apron is of pore white lambskin, with no edging or ornament, except the
~ otagram, which is traced on the middle of it with vormilion. The
wel is a medal of gold, on one side a full sun. om the other a globe.
hen the degree is conferred no jewel or apron Is worn. —Meocy’s Knogelopadia
end Dictionary of Fzsemaaonry, Aztlols Knight of the Sum.