Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

408 SUBLIME 1’IINCE OF TIlE ROYAL SECRET.
TI[E TWENTY-FIRST DEGREE :—Teachcs you to strive
carne~tly to learn the means necessary to vindicate the
power of truth, in bringing together all God’s children,
whatever their religious and political opinions. That
means to raise ~nan to the consciousness of what he is,
and will soon become; what he ought to be.
TIlE TWENTY-SECOND DEGREE :—Teaches you that even
after succeeding in that object, you would still need to
be ever watchful and always on the alert, to bar the way
of entrance against sectarianism.
Commander in Chief—Sublime Prince Grand Master
of Ceremonies, conduct the candidate to the third standard.
(Order is obeyed.)
Master of Ceremonies—Mah Shim, be pleased to communicate
to the candidate the esoteric meaning of the
third standard.
Mak-Shim—My brother, the standard which you have
now reached is the third, its letter is N.~. Its armorial
bearings: Argent. A flaming heart, gules, winged,
sable, crowned with laurel, vert. Motto at the base:
Ardens Gloria Surgit. Inflamed with glory, it ascends.
Here are supposed to be encamped the Chiefs of the
Tabernacle, the Princes of the Tabernacle, and the
Knights of the Brazen Serpent, or the Masons of the
23rd, 24th and 25th degrees. The commanding officer
represents Mah-Shim.
THE TWENTY-THIRD DEGREE :—Teaches that after firmly
establishing the institution of the Ancient and Accepted
Rite, we should profoundly study the doctrine of
the master from Nazareth, and expound to our brethren
of the old law its practical and sublime lessons. The
old law has not effected the happiness of mankind, nor
have the old philosophies.
INITIATION.
409
THE TWENTY-FOURTH DEGREE :—Teaches how arduous
is the task of a true Mason, who endeavors to oppose
sectarianism, for the sectarian will always obstinately
maintain his own, narrow and exclusive creed, as the
absolute apd only truth, and such creeds will long continue
to hold a large portion of mankind in bondage.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH DEGREE :—Teaches us to maintain
the doctrine of liberty, equality and fraternity, as the
only means of gathering around us the intelligent and
good men of every lineage, creed and opinion, to repel
and defeat the encroachments of idle theorists and
kingly and priestly usurpers.
Commander in Chief—Sublime Prince Grand Master
of Ceremonies, conduct the candidate to the second
standard. (Order is obeyed.)
Master of Ceremonies—Aholiab, be pleased to communicate
to the candidate the esoteric meaning of the
second standard.
Aholiab—My brother, the standard which you have
now reached is the second. Its letter is E.~. Its armorial
bearings: Azure. A lion couchant, or holding in his
mouth a key, or and collared, or with the figure 525 on
the collar. Motto at the base, Custos Arcani. Keeper
of the secret. Here are supposed to be encamped the
Princes of Mercy, or Scottish Trinitarians, the Grand
Commanders of the Temple and the Princes Adept, or
Knights of the Sun, or the Masons of the 26th, 27th and
28th degrees. The commanding officer represents
Alloliab.
THE TWENTY-SIXTH DEGREE :—Teaches us how a sincere
and lasting alliance may be effected between the
three intelleclual classes of men: The disciples of the
natural law and of philosophy; those of the law of Moses,
and the other ancient faiths, and those who follow the
doctrine of the Ancient and Accepted Rite, or the law