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

358 GRANfl ELECT. PERFECT AND SUBLIME MASON.Senior Grand Warden— I put it out.Thrice Puissant-Then you were in darkness?Senior Grand Warden—No, Thrice Puissant, I hadno aecasion for lamp or light, I was enlightened by iboeffulgence of the most brilliant and Divine Delts.OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.To be taken by e,ery broiher when adranced to the degree otGrand Elect. Perfect aud 5ubimme Masou.In presence of the Grand Architect of the Univerae,and of this respectable assembly of Freemasons, Isolemnly promise to obey the general regulations of theSupreme Grand Council for the jurisdiction of theWestern Hemisphere, and to acknowledge said SupremeGrand Council as the only authority of the Scotch Ritein said jurisdiction, and I further promise and swearthat I will have no intercourse as a mason of said Ritewith any masonic body of masons pretending to be subjectto any masonic authority of said Rite in this jurisdictionother than said Supreme Grand Council ofwhich the I1lu~trious brothcris now Sop.ereign Grand Commander. So help me God.CLOSINGCEREMONIESGRAND ELECT, PERFUCT AND SUBLIME MASON.Thrice Puissant—Brother Senior Grand Warden fromwhence came you?Senior Grand Warden—Thrice Puissant, from Judea.Thrice Puissant-What did you bring from thence?Senior Grand Warden—The precious treasure of theGrand Elect engraven upon my heart, which I will giveyou.Thrice Puissant-Approach my brother, (the SeniorWarden leaves his seat and approaches the Thrice Puissantwith the sign of admiration and whispers in his earthe ineffable word, letter by letter.)Thrice Puissant—(Strikes three and says,) brethrenwill please form the chain around the altar, (allkneel on left knee and rorm with hands above theirheads,) the Thrice Pirissant then whispers in the ear ofthe brother next to him the ineffable word, that brothergives it to the next and so on until it reaches the ThricePuissant again.Thrice Puissant—My dear brethren, the word whichwas lost is found, engraved in the deepest part of ourhearts, let us retire in the dark and purify our heartsfrom all uncleanliness. Let us pray.CLOSING PRAYER.Direct our steps, Oh Adonsi, Supreme Lord and Masterof the Universe, grant that we may shun the pathsof the wicked and not fall into the pit which our enemieshave made for us, that the effulgenoe of divine wis-