Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

416 SUBLIME PMINCE 01’ THE ROYAL SECRET.
Master of Ceremonies my brother. A sword is a common
weapon, worn alike by oppressors and their victims.
Before we return yours, it and yourself must be purified,
for a Prince and Commander in Masonry must have
none but pure ihotives, nor ever use his weapon, except
to protect the weak and the oppressed, and to keep within
the bounds of law, if not of justice and equity, those
who still retain usurped powers. Do you swear and
swear so only to use it?
Candidate—I do. (In the meantime a laversee is set
on a table in front of the nonagon, and filled with pure
water, and a napkin of white linen is laid near the layer.
The Illustrious Commander in Chief takes the right
hand of the candidate and dips it in the water and then
wipes it with the napkin, after which he also dips the
hilt of the sword in the water, wipes it, and returns it
to the eandidate.)
Comm4nder in Chief—(To candidate.) My brother,
you are now purified, by your oath and by this water,
which, with all our Ancient and Oriental Masters, was
an emblem of purity, both of I’ody and soul. Your sword
is also without spot or stain, because the arm that wields
it will heneeforward be guided by justice and true honor
alone. Remember that ~f you, at any time hereafter,
act unworthily, as a Mason and a Knight, by striking a
blow in an unjust cause, or failing when it is your duty
to strike a blow in a just one, you will be guilty of
violating your solemn oath.
And we now warn you, that many eyes will hereafter
be upon you, and will watch jealously, to see how you
keep and perform that and your other obligations. (The
Note 8~5.—”In the ancient mystertee the la,er with Its pore watag
wia usia to cleanse the neophyle of the impurities of the outer world.
and to free him from the imperfections of his past or ituful Ufe. At
is a jecesasry article in many of the higher degrees, for the ablotica
of the candidate in his progress to a h~L~ purer system of
kfowledg~’—NaoeVa Raoyoiqe.edl& sad of lreemaaem7.
F
INITIATION. 417
Illustrious Commander in Chief resumes his seat, and at
this moment a gun is fired.)
Commander in Chidf—Order, Sublime Princes! (All
rise.) Draw swords! Carry swords I Present swords!
Salute I Proceed on your journey my brother with the
kind brother whose experience will guide you. During
your journey we will pray for yuu. (Candidate commences
his journey.)
PRAYER.
Kind and indulgent Father of the great family of
man. Supreme Intelligence; author of light and life,
aid us in our efforts to make this world more wortby of
Thee, and bless with thy favor our brother who mitrehes
to restore to light those who have forgotten Thee, and
thy truth. For thy infinite love Thou bearest to thy
suffering ehildren, aid him and us in our warfare against
ignorance; against those who mislead, impose upon and
deceive thy people, and make the light of knowledge
shine in all the corners of the earth. Amen! Amen I
Amen! Amen!
Comm4znder in Chief—Attention, Sublime Princes I
Recover swords! Return swords! Be seated I
~1faster of Ceremonies—Illustrious Commander in
Chief, the candidate has returned in safety from his first
campaign.
Commander i~n Chief—My brother, we have already
informed you that these journeys are the symbols of the
several struggles to be made by Masonry, in the accomplishment
of its holy mission, and by you as one of her
soldiery. The first enemy that we have to contend
against is ignorance. It is the child of despotism and
the eapital of the demagogue.
It has, in most countries, degraded the masses ot
mankind to a level with the beasts of burden; has made