Blanchard J (anti-masonic) - Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated Part I

228 SUBLIME KNiGHTS ELECTED. LEOTUEN. 229that of Hiram our respectable Master; and the S.:. thatof Stolkin who discovered the body of Hiram Abiff.Thrice Puissant—Give me a description of the urnwhich is on the top.Inspector—In the urn is the heart of our dear MasterHiram Abiff embalmed.Thrice Puissant—What means the letters N.:. andC.:. on the urn?Inspector—Xinxe, a Hebrew ~vordsignifying the seatof the soul.Thrice Puissant—And what means the key?Inspector—The symbol tilat we only have the secretand depository of the mason’s secret, and ought to ruleour conduct so, to show by example that we are worthyof the trust and charge rcposed in us.Thrice Puissant—And the balance?inspector—Calls to the rcmembrance the obligationslaid on us, to be just to our brothers and neighbors,since we are thosc in whom King Solomon has put allhis confidence by giving us power to exercise justice andterminate disputes which may arise among masonsfrom the apprentice to the degree of Sublime KnightsElected, ~vhichis above them all.Thrice Puissant—And the sword?inspector—To make use of it as we ought to thosewho do not walk in the paths of virtue, and are so vileas to reveal the secrets they are entrusted with.Thrice Puissaitt—How long did you take to completethe temple?inspector—Seven years to complete the whole; six forits constructi6n and one for the ornaments and itsdedication.Thrice Puissant—How long was the building?lnspector—T~venty cubits.Thrice Puissant—How many precious things haveyou in the Chapter of Sublime Knights Elected?Inspector—Five.Thrice Puissant-What do you call them?Inspector—The a 1k of alliance, the golden bor, thetwo palm trees, the candlestick’’ with seven branchesand the veil which is drawn up.- Thrice Puissant —What signiftes the Ark~fljoiAlliance.Inspector—It waaArk of Alliance, the figure of Solomon’stemple consecrated to God and contained the two tablesof the law which God gave to Moses on the holy mountainwhen he contracted an alliance with the people of!srael.Thrice Puissant — Thecandlestick with a e v e nbranches?Inspector—Represents theseven planets and the sevengifts of the Holy Spirit.Thrice Puissant — A n dwhat the veilisa of the tern-~le?~ ..~ Inspectos’—Tlie figure cfNuts 153.—’Golden Candleattek. The golden candleetick which wasmade by Moses for the service of the tabernacle snd was afterwards depositedin the holy pisce of the temple to throw light upon the sitar ofincense and the table of 5howbread,was made wholly of pure gold., andhad seven branches: that is. three on each side and one in the center.These branches were at equal dlslances. and each one was adorned withlowers like lilies, gold knobs afier the form of an apple. and similarones resembling an almond. Upon the extremities of the branches wereseven golden lamps, which were fed wIth pure olive oil, and lightedev,ry eyening by the priests on duty. Its seven branches are explaInedin the Ineffable degrees as symbolizing the seven planets. It is also usedas a decoratIon in Chapters of the Royal Arch. hut apparently withontany positive symbolic signification. “—Mackey’s Encyclopaedia ~ lassmsscma7,Article Goldea Oandlssttok.lots 104.—”The Symbolism of the veils, however viewed, whethe?collectively or separately, represent the laborious. hut at last successfnl.search for divine truth —Mackeys Znoyolopaedia of Treemasmay, ArtIsleVehis, Symbolism of the,