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

616
Chapter 7 - Rituals
them down by stating that they are just friends who want to see the Chief
Patriarch in order to be instructed and to become herdsmen, and at the proper
time Patriarchs. Thus, we see that the candidate acts as a wayfaring stranger who
desires to become a herdsman, that is he assumes a certain role and has a certain
destination.
The First Sentinel informs the travelers that they cannot pass except as
captives, and they are bound in chains, while the candidate is again blindfolded.
They are allowed to approach the Chief Patriarch with a Guide. This Guide now
takes over the candidate and the Junior Warden and crosses with them the
"wilderness of Paran," leading from "Mt. Horeb" to the residence of the Chief
Patriarch. They pass the Third and Fourth Sentinels, who direct them towards the
tent to get some rest. The First Guard of the tent reports to the Chief Patriarch
that he has visitors, and he allows them to enter and take a seat. The bandage and
blindfold of the candidate are now removed, and he is given bread, salt, and
water as a sign of hospitality. Then, he is examined whether he knows the
password and grip of the three degrees of a Subordinate Lodge. Hereafter, the
candidate is obligated, in order to become a novitiate Patriarch.
After his obligation, the candidate is qualified to be a shepherd, and he has
three days to prepare himself, before he has to report to the Chief Patriarch for
employment. Now, the Junior Warden reveals the candidate's true character: he
is Isaac, the son of Abraham at Beersheba, and he wants to return to his father in
order to receive his blessing. The Senior Warden provides him with a pass,
which is "Chosen Friends," so that he may cross the wilderness safely. Then, the
candidate is led back to the anteroom, where he is blindfolded again.
Meanwhile, the High Priest assumes the role of Abraham and is seated at the
entrance of the tent. The Junior Warden announces the candidate at the door as a
novitiate Patriarch on his way to Beersheba. On their travels, they meet one after
the other the First, Second, and Third Sentinel to whom they give the pass. The
last sentinel gives them the "words of exhortation," which are "A wise son
maketh a glad father" (p. 169). Then, they meet the Fourth Sentinel, who admits
them to the tent. There, Abraham welcomes his son and offers him bread, salt,
and water as before. Then, the father takes his son on a "three days' journey to
the land of Moriah," where he intends to make a sacrifice to the Lord. The
blindfolded candidate is made to carry a bundle of sticks, a procession is formed,
and then follows the situation described in the Bible, God asking for Isaac as
sacrifice on the altar. The whole ceremony is frightening, torches are lighted, a
muffled gong is struck three times, and there is imitation thunder. Of course,
Isaac is not sacrificed, but restored to light and accepted a member of the
"Patriarchal family." Afterwards, the candidate receives the secret work of the
degree.