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ARGUMENT.
The Seventeenth degree of the Rite Ancient and Accepted, is
the first of the series of Modem or Accepted degrees, as used in
contradistinction to the term Ancient. It may also be designated,
the first of the Philosophic degrees.
The Word is again lost, and, figuratively, the thud Temple—in
the heart of man—is to be built and dedicated to the God of
Truth. The revelations made in the ceremony of initiation can-
not be fully understood in this degree, as they are introductory to
the succeeding degree of Rose-Croix, in which mysierium consummatum
est.
When the Knights and Princes united to conquer the Holy
Land, they took an oath to spend, if necessary, the last drop of
their blood to establish the true religion of the Most High God.
Peace having been made, they could not practically fulfil their
vows, and therefore, on returning to their respective countries,
they resolved to do in theory what they could not do in practice.
They took the name of Princes of Jerusalem and Knights of the
East and West, in memory of the place where this Order was
first instituted, and because their doctrines came from East and
West. They have, ever since their first establishment, adhered
to their customs and fonns of reception. In the year 1118, the
first Knights of the Order, to the number of eleven, took their
vows between the hands of Armelfo Guavi Mundos, Prince and
Patriarch of Jeiusalem, who hailed from the province of Amiens,
in France.