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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
Now begin the travels of the candidate. The 1 st Aide-de-Camp takes his post
in the North, the Orator in the East, the 2 nd Aid-de-Camp in the South, and the
Almoner in the West. Upon instruction by the Prefect, the candidate advances to
the North Pillar. Asked by the 1 st Aide-de-Camp whom he seeks, he answers
(d) 1407 and is directed to "Pass, in the (e)" (p. 27). He advances to the East, where
the Orator asks him the same question and allows him to "Pass, in the (g)" (p.
27). Then, the candidate advances to the South, where the 2 nd Aide-de-Camp
asks him where he "hopes to rest" (cf. p. 28), to which he replies (h), and is told
to pass in the (i). Finally, he arrives in the West and is asked by the Almoner
from whom he is descended, to which he replies (j). He is permitted to "pass in
the (k)" (p. 28).
Then, the Most Puissant Sovereign asks him to state the initials of the names
of the four Pillars, the last one in its ancient form, and to explain what these
letters signify. The Most Puissant Sovereign gives the solution himself by stating
"let that be imprinted on your mind for ever, for it is the inscription of the Cross"
(p. 28). This inscription we know to be I.H.S.V., i.e. in hoc signo vinces ("In this
Sign thou shalt conquer," cf. p. 32). When the candidate has affirmed that he
pledges his honor as a Master Mason not to reveal the secrets of the order, and
his willingness to bind himself by an obligation, the Marshall removes the Cross,
and the candidate is made to kneel on both knees. He has to cross his hands upon
the Holy Testament (in other orders, the candidate puts his right hand on the
Bible, whereas here his hands form a cross), and to repeat the obligation after the
Most Worshipful Sovereign. If the candidate fails to keep the secrets inviolate,
he falls "[...] under the penalty of being for ever condemned to a place of
perpetual darkness and silence, where the Light of Masonry exists not, and the
Voice of the True Word is not heard." (p. 29).
As a pledge of fidelity, the candidate now has to seal the obligation on the
Holy Testament with a salute, and hereafter with three more salutes (p. 30).
Then, he is told to rise and advance to the East, where the Prefect conducts him
and asks him to kneel. The High Prelate delivers a prayer to the "Most Glorious
Trinity-in-Unity," (p. 30) which contains the symbolism, tenets, and purpose of
the order:
[...] grant we beseech Thee that this our Brother, who has taken up the
Cross and is about to be admitted into our Order, may dwell ever in the
Light of Masonry and hearken unto the Voice of the True Word. Endue
him with Wisdom and Understanding that, in Faith, Unity and Zeal, he
may be enabled to rebuild in his heart Thy Mystic Temple and be found
worthy of a place in Thy Kingdom now and evermore. (p. 30)
After this prayer, the High Prelate resumes his station, while the Most
Puissant Sovereign leaves his throne, stands in front of the altar, and faces East.
The Marshal presents a sword to him, with which he touches the candidate 1. on
the left shoulder, 2. on the right shoulder, and 3. on the head, thus 1. admitting,
1407 Solution only in the secret work; not given here.