Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

315 GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER.
Master of Ceremonies—(Rising.) Most Perfect President~
to carry your orders within and without the
Supreme Tribunal; in case of trial to introduce the accused
and witnesses, and in case of reception to accompany
the candidate during the ceremony of recept,ion.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Defender, what is your duty in the Supreme Tribunal?
Defender—(Rising.) To defend all persons charged
with offences and tried before this Tribunal, to see that
no incompetent evidence is admitted against them, nor
any that is competent in their favor rejected. To present
the truth in their defence and to urge all circumstances
of extenuation or of justification in their behalf.
Mast Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Advocate, what is your duty here?
Advocate—(Rising.) To prefer charges against those
who, under the jurisdiction of this Tribunal, have been
guilty of offences against Masonic law and duty; to
draft the acts of accusation, prepare the testimony,
elicit the truth and present the whole case fairly, without
misrepresentation or exaggeration to the Supreme
Tribunal.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Chancellor, what is your duty?
Chance flor—(Rising.) To record the proceedings and
judgments of the Supreme Tribunal.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Treasurer, what is your duty here?
Treasurer—(Rising.) To receive all moneys belonging
to the Supreme Tribunal, to keep the same faithfully,
and to pay out all warrants duly signed by the
proper officers.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Junior Councilor, what is your duty?
Junior Coun.cilor—(Rising.) To guard against all
OPENING CEREMONIES. 319
violations of Masonic law, to give my advice on all
‘)roper occasions, to the Most Perfect President and to
pronounce just and righteous judgments.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Senior Councilor, what is your duty?
Senior Councilor—(Rising.) That of my Junior,
tempering justice with equity and ever remembering
the dictates of mercy.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Senior Councilor, what is your duty of the Most Perfect
President?
Senior C’ouncilor—To preside in judgment and decide
the law, to judge justly and to punish sternly, but
ever remembering the frailty and imperfection of human
nature, to pardon and forgive while there yet remains
hope of reformation.
Most Perfect President—Most Enlightened Brother
Senior Councilor, what is the duty of all the members
of this Supreme Tribunal when sitting in judgment?
Senior Coun~cilor—Careful investigation of all material
facts, natural and charitable construction of acts
and motives, calm and deliberate consideration, just
judgment and utter disregard of persons, influence,
rank and power.
Most Perfect President—I recognize my duty. My
brethren see that you neither forget nor neglect those
that devolve on you. You are now in the Holy Sanctuary
of eternal Masonic justice and equity. Le~ us
promise and most solemnly pledge ourselves to perform,
so far as human frailty will permit the high
duties that we have agreed to devolve upon us; to be
ever faithful to the constitution, statutes and regulations
of the order, and to be always and everywhere
guided by justice and equity.