Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

CHAPThR XLIV
T~ ~NTY-FOURTH DEGREE; OR PRINCE OF THE TABER-
NACLE.”’
INITIATION.
liThe candidate is prepared by the Senior Deacon in
a white tunic without ornaments or insignia, and conducted
into the vestibule and up to ~~healtar, without
ceremony.]
Senior Deacon—Brother Eleazar, thou hast been
chosen to be anointed, consecrated and sanctified to
minister unto the Lord in the Priest’s office. But before
thou canst enter upon the mysteries of consecration,
thou must in the most solemn manner give assurances
that no unworthy motive prompts thee to seek
to know those ancient mysteries which were instituted
among the Patriarchs and the knowledge of which is
indispensable to 1dm who would become a Priest in
Israel. Kneel therefore and place thy hand on the book
of the law, and make true answers to such questions a*
shall be asked thee. (Candidate obeys.)
Note 373.—”Prlncs of the Tahoroacla. (Scctch Xaacnyy.J—ane sIxth
degree conferred in the Consistory of Princes of the Royal Secret. Scotch
Masonry, and the twenty-fourth npon the catalogue of that system. The
historical instructions refer to the b~ildlng of the tabernacle. The
assembly is termed a hierarchy. The office’s are, a Most Powerful Chief
Prince, representing Moses. and three wardens, entitled Powerful. repre.
seating Aaron. Abolish and Bezaleel. The apron is white, lined with
crimson—the mo~ahle part sky-blue It displays. In red, a vIew of the
tabernacle The jewel is the letter A. of gold. anapended from a crimson
ribbon. Roars of work, from the first hour of the organhsstion of the
hIerarchy to the last hour of Ufe. ‘—Msrsia’s Mascots Dieticnsq, Artisle
?rince of the Tabernacle.
INtTIATIoW. 127
Pirat—Dost thou now, representing Eheazar, the son
of Aaron, solemnly declare that in seeking to know the
hidden ancient mysteries, thou art not actuated by any
spirit of idle curiosity or the pride of knowledge, but
by a sincere desire thereby to be the better able to serve
God, your country and your brethren, and more effectually
to labor for the reformation of mankind?
Candidate—I do.
Second—In the character of a Chief of the Tabernacle,
hast thou earnestly striven to discharge all the
duties required of thee, and to live worthily, act justly
and fear God?
(Jandida.te—I have.
Third—Hast thou, while a Chief of the Tabernacle,
done wrong to any one without making reparation as
far as in thy power?
Candidate—I have not.
Fourth—Dost thou solemnly swear, upon the holy
book of the law,”
8 and with thy heart open before God,
and all its thoughts legible to him, that these answers
are true and sincere, without equivocation or mental
reservation? If thou dost; say, I swear and kiss the
book of the law.
Candidate—(Kissing the book.) I swear. (Senior
Deacon raises him and orders him to wash himself in
the brazen sea, after which he gives him an explanation
of the furniture of the lodge.)
Senior Deacon—I am charged my brother, to explain
to you the meaning of the several symbols with which
you are now surrounded.
Mote 373.—”hiasonieslly. the Book of the Law Is that sacred hook
which is believed by the Mason of siiv purtlenlar religion to contain thi.
revealed will of God; although, technically, among the Jews the Torah.
or Book of the l.ns. means only the Pentateuch, or lye hooks of Moses.
Thus, to the (briattan Mason. the Book of the Law ii the Old and New
Testaments; to the Jew. the Old Testament; to the Muaselman. the
Korsn- to the Itrabman. the vedas; and to the Parsee. the Zendaveata.
—iack.ya E~cyelcpadla of ~cniy, A,ticla Bock .1 the Law,