Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

OP1~NING CEREMONI1~S
KNIGHTS OF THE BRAZEN SERPENT,”’
Most Powerful Grand Master—Brother Princes of
the Tabernacle and Knights of the Brazen Serpent, if
the day and the hour have arrived, I propose to open
here a Court of Sinai.”’ Be elothed and await, each
in his station, the customary order. (The brethren are
clothed and the officers take their stations.)
Most Powerful Grand Master—Brother Junior Deacon,
it is our first duty to see that we are secure from
Ncta 291.—Knight of the Brazen Serpent, (Ohenlier flu Serpent C
Airain.) he twenty-fifth degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite The history of this degree is founded upon the circumstances related
in Numbers eb. xii . ver. 6-9: And the Lord sent fiery serpents
smug the people and they hit the people, and much people of Israel
dIed ~lii, ictoec the peopie mine to H uses, and said we have sinned;
for v,e hove spoken against the Lord, and against thee prey unto iii..
Lo,rd that he take a~ay the serpents from us And Moeca prayed for the
pei,ple. And the Lord said unto Moses, blake thee a fiery serpent. ciii
act it upon a pole and it shall come to pass that evety one that iv
bitten. iv heal he looketh upon it~ shall live. And Moses made a serpent of
brase. aed put It upon a polk. and It came to pass, that if s serpent
had hitten ally man, when he beheld the serpent of brass. he lived • to
the old rituvii~ tbc Lodge~wns called the Court of Sinai. the presiding omcer
OJS styled Most Puissant Grand Master, and represented Moses;
~hili. ihe two Wardens, or Miniaters. represented Airon and Joshua.
The Ogator ~as called Pontiff, the Secretary. Grand Graver, and the
candIdate a Traveler, in the miidcrn ritual, adopted in this country.
the Ci,ancil represents the camp of tbe Israelites The firat three olScen
ripren-at Moses. Joshua, and Caleb. and are respectively styled Mist
l’uiea.iet IA’ndcr. valiant Captain of the Host. md illuatrious Chief of
the Ti-i Tribes The Orator represents Eleavar; tbe Secretary. itbamar,
the Ti’ aslirir. Phinebis, and ihe candIdate an interceasor for the peopli-
‘rue J.-wel is a crux ansata. with a serpent entwined around it
Mackeys Encyclopadia of rreeniasontr, Article Knight of the Brazen
Seprent-
Note 292.—”Sinal. A mountain of Arahis between the horns of the
lt~ ii ~.,i it is the plaic as hi-re )iosi-a rei elved the Low from Jebovub.
aid si-re he was diret tid to eonstriu t the tabernacle. Hence, sites
Linniuc the Scottish Mac.me miike Mt Sisal a symbol of truth. ~f
thi laitli degrees the twenty-third enil tv,isty.f.iiirth of the AncIent sod
A’ -ri--i liii, if the Chief and ihe Princi- of the Tabernacli-. refer in
thi ir rum lv to thIs mnuiitain and the Tahernacle there ronstructed.”—
Macka~a Fucyclopadia af reesmasonry. Article Sinai.
OPENING CEREMONIES. 149
intrusion. See that the Guards are set, and inform
them that we are about t,o open this Court, and allow
none who are not entitled to approach. (Junior Deacon
retires, enters again, gives the alarm, which is
answered from without, and says:)
Junior Deacon—Most Powerful Grand Master, the
Guards are posted and duly instructed; we are secure
against intrusion.
Grand Master—Brother Lieutenant Commander, are
all present Knights of the Brazen Serpent?
Lieutenant Comm4nder—All present are Knights of
the Brazen Serpent, Most Powerful.
Grand Master—Brother Commander of the Host,
‘what is the hour?
Commander of Host—Most Powerful Grand Ilaster,
it is the break of day.
Grand Master—If that be the hour it is time to open
this Court. You will please inform the Lieutenant
Commander and he the Knights, that all may have due
notice thereof.
Comsnander of Host—Lieutenant Commander, it is
the pleasure of the Most Powerful Grand Master that
this Court of Sinai be now opened. You will please
inform the Knights, that, having due notice thereof,
they may assist in opening the same.
Lieutenant Commawder—(Three knoekL) Knights
and Masons, you will please take notice that the Most
Powerful Grand Master is about to open this Court of
Sinai. You will please take due notice thereof and aid
him in so doing.
Grand Master—Let the seven mystic lights dispel the
darkness of this Court.
Lieutenant Commander—(Lighting the first light
nearest him.) The Moon shines in our Court and over