Mackey A G - Encylopedia of Freemasonry - The Grand Masonic ...

CHESED
CHINA 147
'to seize,' the word is more properly of Semitic
origin, from the root kdrab, signifying `bull,'
or a creature strong and powerful
Referring to the prophet Ezekiel i. 10 and x .
14, the two parallel passages use the word
kerzlb interchangeably with shor, 'bull,' the
'face of a bull' and 'face of a cherub,' which
are synonymous expressions . Since we have
come to know those colossal images of winged
bulls with human faces, crowned with the
lofty cidaris, decorated with several pairs of
horns, which flanked the gateways of the Assyrian
palaces, a number of scholars, intimately
acquainted with antique sculpture,
have been zealous in associating them with the
Kerubim of the Bible . . . . The winged bull
with a human head figures in a bas-relief in the
palace of Khorsabad as a favoring and protecting
genius, which watches over the safe
navigation of the transports that carry the
wood of Lebanon by sea . The bulls whose
images are placed at the gateways of the palaces
and temples, as described in the above
ideographic group, are the guardian genii, who
are looked upon as living beings . As the result
of a veritable magical operation, the supernatural
creature is supposed to reside within
these bodies of stone .'
In a bilingual document, Akkadian with an
Assyrian version, we read invocations to the
two bulls who flanked the gate of the infernal
abode, which were no longer simulacra of
stone, but living beings, like the bulls at the
gates of the celestial palaces of the gods . The
following is one of the unique expressions
made in the ears of the bull which stands to
the right of the bronze enclosure :
"Great Bull, most great Bull, stamping before
the holy gates, he opens the interior ; director
of Abundance, who supports the god
Nirba, he who gives their glory to the cultivated
fields, my pure hands sacrifice toward
thee."
Similar expressions were then made in the
bull's left ear .
These genii, in the form of winged bulls
with human countenances, were stationed as
guardians at the portals of the edifices of
Babylonia and Assyria, and were given the
name of Kirubi ; thus, Kirubu damqu lippaqid,
"May the propitious Kirub guard ." Numerous
authorities may be given to show that
the Chaldeo-Assyrians' Kirub, from the tenth
to the fifth century before our era, whose
name is identical with the Hebrew Kerub,
was the winged bull with a human head . The
Israelites, during the times of the Kings and
the Prophets, pictured to themselves the Kerubim
under this form .*
Chesed. A word which is most generally
corrupted into Hesed . It is the Hebrew `IDi1,
and signifies mercy . Hence, it very appropriately
refers to that act of kindness and compassion
which is commemorated in the degree
of Select Master of the American system. It
* "The figures of the Cherubim are said to
have defeated Dante's power of constructive
imagination."
is the fourth of the Kabbalistic Sephiroth, and
is combined in a triad with Beauty and Justice.
Chevalier. Employed by the French
Masons as the equivalent of Knight in the
name of any degree in which the latter word is
used by English Masons, as Chevalier du Soleil
for 'Knight of the Sun, or Chevalier de l'Orient
for Knight of the East . The German word is
Ritter .
Chlbbelum . A significant word used in
the rituals of the last century, which define
it to mean "a worthy Mason .' It is a corruption
of Giblim .
Chicago, Congress of. A convention of
distinguished Masons of the United States,
held at the city of Chicago in September,
1859, during the session of the Grand Encampment
and General Grand Chapter, for the purpose
of establishing a General Grand Lodge,
or a Permanent Masonic Congress . Its results
were not of a successful character ; and
the death of its moving spirit, Cyril Pearl,
which occurred soon after, put an end to all
future attempts to carry into effect any of its
preliminary proceedings .
Chief of the Tabernacle . The Twentythird
Degree in the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite . It commemorates the institution
of the order of the priesthood in Aaron
and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar. Its principal
officers are three, a Sovereign Sacrificer
and two High Priests, now called by the Supreme
Councils of America the Most Excellent
High Priest and Excellent Priests and the
members of the "Hierarchy " or "court," as
the Lodge is now styled, are called Mites .
The apron is white, lined with deep scarlet and
bordered with red, blue, and purple ribbon . A
golden chandelier of seven branches is painted
or embroidered on the center of the apron.
The jewel, which is a thurible, is worn from a
broad yellow, purple, blue, and scarlet sash
from the left shoulder to the right hip .
Chief of the Twelve Tribes . (Chef des
douze Tribes.) The Eleventh Degree of the
Chapter of Emperors of the East and West .
It is also called Illustrious Elect .
Chiefs of Masonry. A title formerly
given in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite to Princes of Jerusalem . It seems now
to be more appropriate to Inspectors-General
of the Thirty-third Degree .
Chill . Freemasonry was introduced into
Chili, in 1841, by the Grand Orient of France .
Lodges were subsequently organized in 1850
and 1851 by the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts
and California . On the 24th of May,
1862, a Grand Lodge was formed .
China. Masonry was introduced into China
by the Grand Lodge of England in the Eighteenth
century . There are two District Grand
Lodges under the Grand Lodge of England :
1 . That of Hong Kong and South China with
7 Lodges . 2 . That of Northern China with
11 Lodges. There are also Chapters and an
Encampment of Knights Templars, under the
English authority .
A secret society, akin to Masonry and in-