Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

410 SUBLIME PR[NCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. INITIATION. 411
taught by the Grand Master from Nazareth. However
crude, defective and erroneous men’s opinions may be,
they will always listen to the voice of mercy, benevolence
and affection.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DEGREE :—Teaches that. the
noblest reward, of him who has proved hiin~elf the
apostle and champion of universal peace and toleratc’n;
who has aided fraternity to overcome and annihilatc all
formulas that stood in his way, will be to enjoy the
fruits of his toil, among those who were once divided,
but by his exertions have been brought to remember
that they are brethren. Knowing this, the Mason’s
thirst for knowledge increases, and he learns that only
by profound study, can he solve the great problem of the
ultimate destiny in store for humanity.
The twenty-eighth degree solves that problem and
shows the ultimate result of the doctrine of our Master;
of that doctrine which is the way, the truth and the life.
It is, that mankind are at last to become one single
peaceful family, whose faiher and head is the eternal
God, infinite in love.
Commander in Chief—Sublime Prince Grand Master
of Ceremonies, conduct the candidate to the first standard.
(Order is obeyed.)
Master of Ceremonies—Bezaleel, be pleased to coinmunicate
to the candidate the esoteric meaning of the
first standard.
Bezaleel—My brother, you have now reached the first
standard. Its letter is T.:. Its armorial bearings; purple,
the ark of the covenant, or between two palm trees,
vert, and two lighted candlesticks. Motto at the base,
Laus Deo; praise be to God. Here are supposed to be
encamped the Grand Scottish Knights of St. Andrew, or
Patriarchs of the Crusades and the Knights Kadosh, or
the Masons of the 29th and 30th degrees. The commanding
officer represents Bezaleel.
THE TWENTY-NINTH DEGREE :—Teaches you how much
can be effected in a righteous cause by perseverance.
When the,Ancient and Accepted Rite of Masonry shall
have accomplished its mission, men will rest in the true
Edeno in a realm where peace and fraternity will reign.
THE THIRTIETH DEGREE —Teaches us to organize that
army of tried and veteran Masons, that is to defend the
rights of mankind against unlimited regal despotism,
sacerdotal usurpation and intolerance, and the monopolies
of rank, caste and privilege, and cause these usurpers
to tremble, like the Babylonian king, when (according
to the legend) an awful hand wrote the word of judgment
on the wall of his banquet chamber.
Master of Ceremonies—My brother, you have now
passed around the pentagon, and a full explanation has
been given you of each Standard Bearer.
Enclosed in this pentagon you observe an equilateral
triangle. At its angles, it is said, are encamped the
Princes of the Royal Secret, the Grand Tnspectors Inquisitors
Commanders and such Knights of Malta, as
having proved themselves true and faithful, have been
accepted and received among us. Within the triangle
is a circle, in which are said to be the quarters of the
Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, of the 33rd degree,
who serve as Lieutenant Commanders, under the Most
Puissant Sovereign, Grand Commander. It is said in
some rituals, and appears in most of the engraved tracing
boards, that within the circle is a cross, sometimes
with five arms of equal length, on which were to be the
quarters of the five Princes, who, as Lieutenant Commanders,
were in turn to be second in command, and
whose standards fioat at the five angles of the pentagon.