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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
the Headsman in an appropriate costume and armed with an axe enters and also
takes his position. The Senators, clothed in costumes, enter, marching in rows of
twos, escorted by spearmen or a detachment of knights in uniform. In their left
hands, the Senators hold a parchment scroll which are identical externally, but
that of the first Senator must be blue on the inside, that of the second yellow, and
all the others red. The Senators take their seats, while the escort retires and
comes back with the King, who is announced by the Herald.
The King greets the Senators with knightly courtesy and calls them "chosen
guardians of the portals" (p. 68) through which all candidates must pass. The
Master at Arms presents the Esquire who "seeks the right to wear the golden
spur" (p. 69). The Senators are now each to name a test whereby the candidate's
valor may be put to proof. The First Senator suggests a test by an oath which he
thinks far better than any mere physical test. The Second Senator is of the
opinion that such a test will not suffice and proposes to put on him the armor of a
knight, give him a sword, and let him prove his skill. The Third Senator proposes
a secret test which he names in cryptic language: "And so, let him be made to
____ upon a ____of ____ of ____, set firmly in a solid slab of oak; and as he
does, let each one look and listen, to see if in his face he show the pallid flag of
fear, or by a groan give token of a coward soul." (p. 72). The Fourth Senator
suggests to admit the candidate upon their faith in his integrity, and the Fifth
Senator opposes this by stating that one must not give anybody one's perfect
confidence until he is proven worthy. The Sixth Senator is different from the
others: "I am, as all of you do know, a plain, blunt soldier. Trope and metaphor
flow not readily from my tongue [...]" (p. 74). He tells the story of how the
candidate once has saved his life when he lay wounded on a battlefield, and out
of gratitude, he wants to meet any test imposed on the candidate. The Seventh
and Eight Senators insist that this knightly offer be courteously refused, and the
King does so. The Ninth Senator also wants to submit the candidate to a test, in
order to teach him the crowning virtue of the order. Finally, the king lets the
Senators vote: as they display their scrolls, so he will decide. Those who want a
test have to display the blue, those who prefer that the candidate fight with his
sword, have to show the yellow, and those who demand the test of steel, the red
scroll.
The test of steel is chosen. The Sixth Senator has declined to vote. Now, a
trick test is applied, as we have seen so many in the Modern Woodmen of
America. At first, the real construction is placed in front of the King, and the
Master of the Work causes the floor-cloth and steps to be placed in position. It is
thus described to the candidate: "You see that it is a solid slab of oak, in which
are firmly set sharp ____ of ____" (p. 79). The candidate examines this
instrument. Then, without him noticing it, it is exchanged for the fictitious test.
He is required to remove his shoes and stand on the top step. The King insists
that "[t]hat decision is supreme; from that edict, thus formally pronounced, there
is no appeal. Therefore, I bid you instantly to ____, ____ ____ ____ ____, ____
____ ____!" (p. 80/81). In case the candidate refuses to obey, the attendants
firmly seize him and place both his feet on the test. By this time, we have