Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

CHAPTER XXXIII
NINETEHNTiI DEGREE OR GilAND PONTIFF.
MERCURY •~
DECORATiONS :—The hangings are blue sprinkled with
slais of gold; tite whole Chapter is lighted by one large
‘.4plierical Transparency behind the Master’s seat in the
East.
In the East is a throne, and o’ier it ts a blue canopy.
Around the room are t’i~-l”e columns as folloits: One
on each side of the Master, onc on each stde of the War.
den in the ~Vest, four in tile North and four tn th~
South of the Chapter; on the Capitals of these Columns
are thc initials of the names of the twcl”c trtbes, ins in
the following order, beginning on the column on the
right hand of the Master, and going round by the North,
West and South, viz:
Epliraini,
Naphtnhi,
Manassab,
Benjamin,
Asher,
Zebulon,
Titu~achar,
Dan,
Reuben,
Simeon, and Gad
Under thesc in the s~,ame order, are the zodiacal signs.
Note 197.—Grand Pontiff. The 19th degree of the Aitelent sad Accu’t’.t”’.t
mile The diii .~‘ In fiunmuded cmi the moysicrit” itt the Apocalypse.
relating to the sew Jerusalem, as set forth in the Recitatittit of St lohit
azi. aimmi xxii.. ‘.‘.‘Iiii ti ii ilio’itrstea and endetivors In e’.ploin The assembly
is ats led a chapter. too spartmeats are ret
1uireil The presiding
otlitir Is
FaIthful
ets led Thrim’,’ l’olssttnt Grauid Poitliff The neember’. ore called
Itrithers “—Macny’s Encyclopaedia and Dictionary of rreemascary..
Article Grand Pontiff.
Note 198.—’.’Tribes of Israel, All the twelve tribes of Israel were en’
gaged in the coimotructiOn of the first Temple But lummig before its
deatro’. thin tin of Ihem revolted, and formed the nalitun of iai.tel. whIle
the remaIning two, the tribes of Judab and Benjamin retained possession
of the Tenipli’ mind of .ter’.msolcm nuder the numnie of the kingduum of Jmmdsh
To these too tribes alone otter the mettirui from the captivity was intrusted
the bumlimling of the secomiui Temple Iii’nu’e In tit’.’ high degrees
which, of course, are connected for the moat part soith the Temple mit
Zerubbahel or a Ith events (bit otemurred amibseulOetit to the destriii’tIOV of
that of Solomoti. the tribe if .t’.’.’.lm’Iu anti Itetijutmln only are referred to
But In the primary degrees 1 points whith arc tire explained haseil tin by thea first reference Temimle. to the
MasonIc twelve tribes references ‘‘—Mackay’s ati’.um3s Encyclopaedia inure to the t’.’.elve. of ~reemaaonCy, trlbi’s lieu, Article e ii’. the TribeS old
lecturm’s of Israel. the twelve origins
GRAND PONTIFF.
13
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On the base of each column is the initial in the same
order of the name of one of the Apostles of Christ, viz:
John, Peter, Andrew, James,
Philip, Bartholomew,Thomas, Matthew,
James, Lebbeus, Simon, and Matthias,
DRA7I :—The tracing board has a mountain in the
foreground. A four-square city appears descending from
the sky; below is a representation of Jerusalem,’” overturned
and in ruins, There are twelve gates of pearl,
three on each side; a great glory in the center gives it
light. Beneath the ruins of the city lies a serpent with
three heads bound in chains; on one Side of the draft is
a high mountain.
TITLES :—The Master is Styled Thrice Puissant and
is seated on a throne in the East, and holds a sceptre in
his hand, on his breast is the High Priest’s Breast Plate,
There is but one Warden seated in the West witha
golden staff in his hand.
There is also an Orator, two Deacons and a Master of
Ceremonies, and Tyler. The brethren are styled Faithful
and True Brethren,
DRESS:—The brethren are clothed in white linen robes,
each with a blue fillet of satin round his head with
twelve gold stars on it,
ORDER :—A broad crimson ribbon, with twelve gold
stars in front, worn fsom right to left.
JEWEL :——A gold medal or square plate, on one side
of which is engraved the word Alpha, and on the other
Omega.
BATTERY :—Ts twelve equal strokes.
Note iBS.—”The eastern portion of Jerusalem. known as Mt. Morish.
setth which as masons, we are particularly concerned, is fully described
tinder that head; as are the clefts of rocks. ihe hilt west of
Mt Moriab the valley of Jehoshaphat. the value of Shaveb end other
neighboring places under their respective titles. The history of this
memorable city partakes In its mIsfortunes of the exaggerations of
romaOce. Levelled again and again to the ~round; pillaged. burned;
spoil of every natIon of antiquity. t has yet resisted every
attempt to blot it from existence and stands, at the present day, with
a population of 125.000. insIgnificant in comparison with its former
grandeur, yet representing Ihe grandest and most important scenes
recorded In the pages of history, human and divine. in ISIIS a lodge
was established here antler the title of the Royal Solomon Motbee
Lodge. “—MolTis’s Masonic DictIonary, Article lerumlem.