Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

332 GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER. INITIATION. 333
AT TIlE COLUMN OF MOSES—I was Moses,”~ the leader
and lawgiver of the Israelites. I was initiated into
the mysterics and wisdom of ancient Egypt, and that
wisdom dictated .thc statutes by which Israel was governed.
I said unto the people, “Thou shalt not wrest the
judgment of thy poor in his cause.
“Thou shalt lake no gift, for the gift blindeth the
wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment. Thou
shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the
person of the mighty.
“Ye shall hear the small as well as the great. Ye
shall not fear the face of man, for the judgment is
God’s.” (Candidate halts before the Councilors.)
Senior Councilor—Thou hast heard the words of the
great sages, lawgivers and philosophers of antiquity.
Remember now the sacred word of the 18th degree.
Hear the voice of one whom all Christendom regards
as the greatest lawgiver that has ever come among men;
and listen reverentially to his teachings.
“If ye forgive not men tl~eir trespasses, neither will
your Heavenly Fatheruforgive your trespasses. But if
ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father
will also forgive you. With what judgment ye judge,
ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you again.
“If thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear
Note 365.—”lloaes. Moses was leacoed In ail the wisdom of the
Egyptians; be was initiated in aii the knowiedge of the wise men of tflgt
nation, by whom the learning of antiunity bad been retained and held
sacred wrapped up from the eye of the wicked and ~uLgnr In syinbois
and tderogiypblce. and communicated to men of their own order qDiy,
with care. secrecy, and circumspection. This secrecy Is not in any wise
to be wondered at, when we consider the persecution which would ha,e
foflowed a faith unacceptable to the Ijnorance of the nations who were
enveloped in superstition and bigotry.~ —Nanny. Eneyeiop.dia sad Die.
Umar~ of Freemasonsy, Astlole Moaw.
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Judge not according
to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
“If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and
if he repent, forgive him, and if he trespass against
thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day
turn again to thee saying ‘I repent’ thou shalt forgive
him.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy.”
Go now my brother, to the East, the seat of that justice
which also is a ray of the great light separated from
the others by the prism of Masonry. (Candidate is conducted
to the East.)
Most Perfect President—Be seated my brother. You
have heard the lesson of immortal wisdom., once uttered
by mortal lips that have long since mouldered into dust.
Through those lips God spake unto men, for from him
alone cometh all wisdom. You desire to become a member
of this Tribunal and a Supreme judge in Masonry.
The Grand Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal
Secret, satisfied of your capacity and qualifications; of
your impartiality and justice has, in its wisdom, granted
your ‘request. When you shall have been reeeived
among us it will devolve on you to administer the high
justice of the order, and in that the purest equity must
be your guide. In every case submitted to your judgment,
and whether the matters and the parties be Masonic
or profane, you must hear affably, deliberate calmly
and yield to no other influence, than those of Justice
and Equity, of Lenity and Mercy; the four sacred
words that with their splendor light every Supreme
Tribunal of Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Commanders.
You will not suspect, we trust, that to your title of
Inquisitor will be attached that odious meaning which
baa made the name so fearful and detestable in all the