Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

284 KNIGHTS OP ST. ANDREw.
of Ramsay’s’” Rite which was introduced about the year
1728, and was called Eccossais, or Scotch Masonry. it
is founded on Chivalric Masonry or the Masonry of t~ic
Crusades, and gives a history of the events that led to
the union of 1 the Chivalric orders with Freemasonry.
The ceremony of reception [initiation ~ is brief; the
instruction full. This grade is preparatory to the
liadosh and was introduced into the Ancient and Accepted
rite by Frederick the Great in 1786.
In this degree my brother, you are admitted into the
true Eden or dominion of everlasting truth and fraternity.
There you learn what perseverance can do, and in
the repose of your heartand mind you find the ultimate
result of our Master’s doctrine, which for so many, is the
text cif a thousand vain and false theories. It is for that
very same result that Freemasonry has been assailed,
both by kingly and priestly usurpers, by Atheists and
narrow-minded sectarians. This degree my brother, is
usually conferred by communication.
Nets 8SS.—’Ramaay, Andrew, Michael. Commonly called the Chevalier
itamasy. He was burn at Ayr, in Scotland. Jnne 9. 1668. HIs
father was a baker, hut being a possessor of considerable property was
enabled to give his sun a ilbersi education. He was accordingly sent
to school in his native burgh, and afterwards to the University of
itdinhurg, where he was diatingulahed for his abilities and diligence.
In iWO he was intrusted with the education of the two sons of the Sari
of wenayss. Subsequently, becoming unsettled in his reilgions opinions.
he resigned that employment and went to Holland, residing for some
time at Leydon. There he became acquainted with Pierre Poiret. one
of the most celebratedtteachera of the mystic theology which then prevailed
on the continenL From him Ramasy learned the principal tenets
of that system, and It is not unreasonahis to suppose that ha was thus
indoctrinated wIth that love of mystical speculation which he auhsqquently
developed as the Inventor ol Nasonic degrees, and as the founder
of a Masonic aite. In 1710 he visited the celebrated Pension. Archhiahop
of Cambray, of whose mystical tendenciea he had heard, and met
with a cordIal receptIon. The archbishop invited Ranasay to become his
guest, and in six months he was converted to the Catholic faith. Pension
procured for hIm the preceptorship of the Duc de Chatean-Thierry and
the Prince do Turenne. As a reward for his services in that’ capacity he
was made a knight of the Order of St. lasarus. whence he receIved
the title of ‘chevalier,’ by which he was usually known. He was subsequently
selected by James Ill., the Pretender, as the lutor of his two
sons, Charles Edward and Henry tha former of whom beosme afterwarde
the Toung Pretender, and the latter the cardinal York. Fur this purpose
be repaired, in 1724, to Rome. Dut the political and religious
intrigue, of that court becams distasteful to him, and in a short tims
he obtained permission to return to France. In 1125 he visited England,
and became an inmate of the fami~~ of the Duke of Ar9j~.’—Maeksv’s
aa~siopadia ef Freemasonry, Arti 3amsa~, Andrew
KNIGHTS OF ST. ANDREW. 235
DECORATIONS :—In this degree, the lodge is Ilung with
red tapestry, supported by white columns. The seats of
the Master and of the two Wardens are of red cloth
with gold fringe; those of the Knights are blue. At
each angle of the hall is a Cross of St. Andrew. In front
of each cross are four lights in a linc, making sixteen
lights. The total number of lights in this lodge is
eighty-one, viz.: Two on the altar, seven groups of nine
and the first sixteen in front of the crosses.
TITLES :—This lodge is styled Grand Lodge. The
Mastcr is called Patriarch and the Knights, Respectable
Masters.
CLOTHING :—A red robe. Order a scarf of crimson.
At the bottom of the scarf is the jewel, fastened by a
rosette of dark green, edged with red. When a collar
is worn it must be of green, edged with red. The
Knights wear a sash of white silk with gold fringe.
JEWEL :—Ts a compass within three triangles, and
these within a single triangle. Beneath the grand
triangle is a reversed square, a poniard in the angle of
the square. When a collar is worn, the jewel is a cross
of St. Andrew, surmounled by a closed crown. In thc
centre and on the crosslet is a pin&apple or a J.:. within
a triangle in the middle of a ring. To this ring is supended
a key which hangs between the two inferior
hranches of the cross. At the extremity of the arms
of the cross are the initials B. .,T. .M. .N..