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

f86 ROYAL ~cu DEGREE.Inspector—’Tis evening.Solomon—Since it is evening, acquaint the brethrmthat I am going to close this respectable lodge by themost perfect and mysterious numbers.Inspector—Bicthren, you will please take notice thatour Thrice Puissant Grand Master is going to close thisrespectable lodge by the most perfect and mysteriournumbers.Solomon—(Strikes five; 00 000.~Grand Trea.surer—(Strikes five; 00 000.)Grand Secretary—(Strikes five; 00 000.)Grand Inspector—(Strikes five; 00 000.) To order,brethren.All form a circle atthe altar, kneel and make the signof admiration; also another sign by placing the righthand on the back, after which they help one another torisc, the Kings first and then the other bt’ethren. Allthen make an obeisance to the Kings.Solomon—This Royal Lodge is closed with ail itshonors.HISTORICALTHIRTEENTH ORANALYSISROYAL ARCH DEGREE.Fa~* History and False Rellgion—Aclwowiedged FabrIcation yetSublime—”Infamoua Scheme for Lucre and Ambition”—Wriz.ing Latin Before it Existed.This singular medley of false history and false rehgionseems to have originated with Remeay in Franceas part of his “system of Masonry culled Scottial&,”which, says Rebold, p. 8~, “had a political object; no lessthan to make Masonry subservient to the Stuart partyand an aid to the Catholic church, by restoring the pretenderto the throne of England ;“ which, continues Rebold“served as a basis for all the Masonic systems inFrance and those exported to different countries on theglobe.”Mackey. a better authority, also speaks of “Ramsay’edegree, (Royal Arch), from which all the continentalsystems originated.” And these writers tell us thatDermoit, who split the London Grand Lodge by secession,twenty-two years after it was formed at the Appletreetavern, and Dunicerly, the bastard son of GeorgeII, both “fabricated” Royal Arch degrees, for the leadingideas of which they were indebted to Ramsay.The only interest we have in the origin of this depee,which Dermott called the “root, heart and marrowof Masonry,” and of which Oliver said: “It is indeicribablymore august, sublime and important than anywhich preceded it,” is to show that it is a patchwork~roduction of apostates and adventurers, distinguishedor neither virtue, piety or patriotism. All the Masonicwriters agree that it was “invented,” “falMcated” and