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

AUTHENTIC
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in operation in Austria, as it is in most non-
Masonic countries, but not in any public form
as in other countries . The Catholics do not
so persistently persecute it as they once did
through royal sanction .
Authentic. Formerly, in the science of
Diplomatics, ancient manuscripts were
termed authentic when they were originals,
and in opposition to copies . But in modern
times the acceptation of the word has been
enlarged, and it is now applied to instruments
which, although they may be copies, bear the
evidence of having been executed by proper
authority . So of the old records of Masonry,
the originals of many have been lost, or at
least have not yet been found . Yet the copies,
if they can be traced to unsuspected
sources within the body of the Craft and show
the internal marks of historical accuracy, are
to be reckoned as authentic . But if their
origin is altogether unknown, and their statements
or style conflict with the known character
of the Order at their assumed date, their
authenticity is to be doubted or denied .
Authenticity of the Scriptures. A belief
in the authenticity of the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament as a religious qualification
of initiation does not constitute one
of the laws of Masonry, for such a regulation
would destroy the universality of the Institution,
and under its action none but Christians
could become eligible for admission. But in
1856 the Grand Lodge of Ohio declared "that
a distinct avowal of a belief in the Divine authorit
of the Holy Scriptures should be req
of every one who is admitted to the
privileges of Masonry, and that a denial of
the same is an offence against the Institution,
calling for exemplary discipline ." It is hardly
necessary to say that the enunciation of this
principle met with the almost universal condemnation
of the Grand Lodges and Masonic
jurists of this country . The Grand Lodge of
Ohio subsequently re aled the r ulation .
In 1857, the Grand Loge of Texas opted a
similar resolution; but the general sense of
the Fraternity has rejected sII religious tests
except a belief in God .
Autopsy. (Greek, a"fa, a seeing with,
one's own eyes .) The complete communication
of the secrets in the Ancient Mysteries,
when the aspirant was admitted into the sacellum,
or most sacred place, and was invested
by the hierophant with all the aporrheta, or
sacred things which constituted the perfect
knowledge of the initiate . A similar ceremony
in Freemasonry is called the Rite of
Intrusting . (See Mysteries .)
Auxiliary Degrees . According to Oliver
(Landm .t ii., 345), the Supreme Council of
France, m addition to the thirty-three regular
degrees of the Rite, confers six others, which
he calls "Auxiliary Degrees ." They are, 1 .
Btu de Perignan . 2 . Petit Architg.cte . 3 .
Grand Architectee or Compagnon Ecossais .
4. Maitre Ecossais. 5. Knight of the East .
6. Knight Rose Croix .
Avenue. Forming avenue is a ceremony
sometimes practised in the lower degrees,
but more generally in the higher ones, on certain
occasions of paying honors to superior
officers. The brethren form in two ranks
facing each other . If the degree is one in
which swords are used, these are drawn and
elevated, being crossed each with the opposite
sword. The swords thus crossed constitute
what is called "the arch of steel ." The
person to whom honor is to be paid passes
between the opposite ranks and under the arch
of steel.
Avignon, Illuminati of. (Illumines
d'Avignon .) A rite instituted by Pernetti at
Avignon, in France, in 1770, and transferred
in the year 1778 to Montpellier, under the
name of the Academy of True Masons . The
Academy of Avignon consisted of only four
degrees, the three of syrpbolic or St. John's
Masonry, and a fourth called the True Mason,
which was made up of instructions, Hermetical
and Swedenborgian. (See Pernetti .)
Avouehment . See Vouching .
Award . In law, the judgment pronounced
by one or more arbitrators, at the request of
two parties who are at variance. "If any
complaint be brought," say the Charges published
by Anderson, "the brother found guilty
shall stand to the award and determination
of the Lodge." (Constitutions, ed. 1723, p .
54.)
Ayes and Noes. It is not according to
Masonic usage to call for the ayes and noes on
any question pending before a Lodge. By a
show of hands is the old and usual custom.
Aynon. Aynon, Agnon, Ajuon, and Dyon
are all used in the old manuscript Constitutions
for one whom they call the son of the
King of Tyre, but it is evidently meant for
Hiram Abif . Each of these words is most
probably a corruption of the Hebrew Adon or
Lord so that the reference would clearly be
to Adon Hiram or Adoniram, with whom
Hiram was often confounded ; a confusion to
be found in later times in the Adonbiramite
Rite.
Azarlah . The old French rituals have
Azarias. A name in the high degrees signifying
Helped of God .
Azazel. "Scapegoat," the "demon of dry
places ." Translated by others to be the fallen
angel mentioned in the Book of Enoch, and
identical with Sammael, the Angel of Death .
Symmachus says, " the goat that departs " ;
Josephus, "the averter of ills," "caper emissarius."
Two he-goats, in all respects alike and equal,
were brought forward for the day of atonement.
The urn was shaken and two lots
cast ; one was "For the Name," and the
other "For Azazel ." A scarlet tongue-shaped
piece of wood was twisted on the head of the
goat to be sent away, and he was placed before
the gate and delivered to his conductor .
The high priest, placing his two hands on the
goat, made confession for the people, and pronounced
THE NAME clearly, which the people
hearing, they knelt and worshiped, and fell
on their faces and said, "Blessed be the Name .
The Honor of His kingdom forever and ever ."