The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 459
Constantine, the Illustrious and Royal Founder, and gives four knocks * ***,
which are repeated by the Eminent Viceroy, the Herald and the Sentinel.
The High Prelate opens the Bible on the Eastern altar at Matt. xvi, 24, and the
Marshal likewise opens the Bible on the central altar, and places the two swords
in their position. Then, all resume their stations. The Marshal asks the Knights to
salute the Most Puissant Sovereign "with 3 times 1 and 3, taking your time from
me" (p. 20).
The Closing of a Conclave begins with the fixing of the time; now "the day is
at an end," (p. 21) and it is time to cease the labors. The Most Puissant Sovereign
asks the Senior General what his duty is before the Conclave can be closed. He
replies, "To see that the Conclave is properly guarded" (p. 21). The Most
Puissant Sovereign demands of the Eminent Viceroy what the last duties are
which have to be performed. They consist in depositing the Standard of the
Illustrious and Royal Founder upon the Altar, and to crave a blessing upon their
work, which is done by the High Prelate. This time, he addresses God as
"Mysterious and Eternal Trinity" (p. 22): "Enable us to take up the cross and
follow in the footsteps of the Lamb, teach us to carry out in our daily life the
Divine principles of Charity and Truth, and finally admit us to that Immortal
Temple, not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens" (p. 22/23). Thus, the Blue
Lodge Masonic "Grand Lodge above" in the phraseology of the Red Cross of
Constantine is the "Immortal Temple."
At the beginning of the Ceremony of Installation, the Most Puissant
Sovereign asks the Worthy Marshal to prepare the candidate, after he has
satisfied himself that the latter is a Royal Arch Mason and believes in the
Christian Trinity-in-Unity. The Worthy Marshal gives the password to the
candidate which will enable him to enter the Conclave. Then, he has to perform
the Rite of Lustration by dipping his fingers in a bowl of water. This is not done
in Blue Lodge Masonry. The Worthy Herald announces the candidate as a
Companion "who has regularly passed from the Square to the Compasses and in
due time has been exalted to the Supreme Degree of the Holy Royal Arch" (p.
25), who has been entrusted with the password and craves permission to "explore
the Ineffable Mysteries" of the Order (p. 25). The latter formula corresponds to
the Blue Lodge expression "seeking light," and the allusion to having passed
from square to compass means that the candidate is a Master Mason.
The Herald duly admits the candidate. Then the Marshal, who has drawn his
sword, receives him and places him between the Eminent Viceroy and the
Western Pillar, facing East. The candidate gives the password to the Most
Puissant Sovereign, and has to promise "Fidelity, Zeal and Constancy" (p. 26) if
he is installed as a Knight-Companion. Further, he has to affirm that he is willing
to obey the "New Law," that he will take up his cross and follow in the footsteps
of the lamb, "by which means alone we can hope to rebuild in our hearts the
Temple of God" (p. 26). Upon the candidate's affirmation, the Worthy Prefect
places the Cross in the Brother's right hand, and makes him travel to the four
points of the compass.