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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 527
last hundred years and taught by grand lecturers, these, the oldest, have out-lived
them." (p. 5). Allegedly, these degrees were brought to America by the early
settlers, who also introduced Craft Masonry into the new world:
They have come down to us through centuries unaltered. Though
sometimes almost buried in the crash and fall of nations for a few years,
still they reappeared full of vigor and life. Historians have tried to find
the time when these Degrees were introduced into this country, and
failed to fix the period; but we are assured that, with the introduction of
Masonry into the provinces of America came these Degrees. (p. 5)
The ritual further boasts that "[t]he Heroine's or Third Degree is the highest
of all Adopted Lady Degrees among Masons and is the most sublime of all Lady
Degrees adopted and conferred upon the female relatives of Masons throughout
the world." (p. 34).
According to the landmarks of the order, a perfect Court consists of at least
five women and four Master Masons. It is interesting how the men are treated:
The receiving of the degrees does not make Master Masons "members" of the
Court. They thus obtain the right to visit Courts, but they cannot have a voice or
vote in the Court unless they pay relief dues, except upon special request by the
Most Ancient Matron (cf. p. 6).
Only four Master Masons can
be regarded as "members," the
Worshipful Joshua and the
three Grand Directors. "Life
members" of the Court are the
present Grand Matron, all Past
Grand Matrons, and the present
and Past Grand Joshuas. The
other three men, the Grand
Directors, are only members
during their terms of office (cf.
p. 6). However, a Past Master
who has received the Heroine
degrees, may be authorized to
organize a Court (cf. p. 6).
The officers of a Court,
their jewels given in brackets,
are: the Most Ancient Matron
(sceptre or gavel of silver
within a hoop of gold metal),
the Senior Matron (silver sun
within gold hoop), the Junior
Matron (silver bugle within
gold hoop), the Worshipful