Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

314 GRAND INSPECTOR iNQUISITOR COMMANDRL
.i triangle emitting rays, embroidered in gold in the
centre of which is the number 31 in Arabic figures.
In the inferior bodies, instead of a collar, a Grana
Inspector Inquisitor Commander may wear around his
neck a golden chain from which hangs the cross ~ofthe
order. The links of the chain are formed of the interlaced
attributes of the eight fundamental degrees of
.~1asonry, viz: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 14th, 15th, 18th aM
30th.
rphe jewel of the degree is a Teutonic Cross of silver.
The members are all clothed in black and wear
swords. During a reception [initiation] they wear black
masks or veils. “This degree shall be conferred in the
presence of three Sovereign Grand Inspectors General
335•~~
Constitutions of 1786, A it. XI.
PREROGATI~E5 :—When a Grand Inspector Inquisitor
Commander, wearing the proper insignia, visits a lodge
of an inferior degree, he announces himself as a Grand
Inspector inquisitor Commander. He is proved in the
ordinary manner and the report is made in the ear of the
Master who causes all the members to be placed arouna
the altar. He then sends the two Wardens to receive
said Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander who is conducted
by them to the altar. The Master then leaves
his seat and placing the three gavels upon the altar, he
presents them to the visiting Grand Inspector Inquisitor
Commander, who accepts and returns them to the Master
and to each of the Wardens, after which he is conducted
by the Master to the seat of honor.
The Supreme Council, or Grand Consistory, as the,
case may be, have alone the right to establish Supre~aie
Tribunals in their jurisdiction. Each Supreme Tribunal
is a distinct body, as a Chapter of RoQe Croix or a
Council of Kadosh, and it should have the exclusive
privilege of conferring the 3j0~ But the custom has
GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER. 315
generally prevailed in this country that the Supreme
Council or Grand Consistory, according to circumstances,
should be opened as a Supreme Tribunal to confer
the 31. When the Supreme Council is to confer said
degree, it is open in its Consistorial Chamber.
Illu.strous Commander in Chief—( Still in the Consistory,
business having been disposed of.) Sublime
Princes, let us proceed to the Supreme Tribunal for the
purpose of disposing of the business of the day. Illustrious
Brother First Lieutenant Commander, give orders
that the procession be formed.
First Lieutenant—Illustrious Brother Second Lieutenant
Commander, it is the order of the [Ilustrioub
Commander in Chief that we repair to the Supreme
Tribunal of Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Commanders.
Cause the procession to be formed.
Second Lieutenant—Sublime Prince Grand Master of
Ceremonies, it is the order of the Illustrious Commander
in Chief, that we repair to the Supreme Tribunal of
Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Commanders. Cause the
procession to be formed.
Master of Ceremonies—Illustrious Brethren, Sublime
Princes, by order of the Illustrious Commander in
Chief, we are now to repair to the Supreme Tribunal
of Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Commanders. Arrange
yourselves in procession. (The procession is accordingly
formed. The Grand Master of Ceremonies goes in front.
Then the Grand Standard Bearer who is followed by the
illustrious Coinniander in Chief, with the Deputy Illustrious
Commander in Chief on his left. Then the Grand
Chancellor and Minister of State, carrying the coffer
containing the records of the Supreme Tribunal. Next
the two Lieutenant Commanders, and then the other
officers and members. On entering the Supreme Tribu-