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

INITIATION. 389CHAPTER XXVIFIFTEENTH DEGRER OR KNIGHTS OF THE EAST 03~iiwORD.INITIATION.The first part of the initiation is in the Grand lodgeof Perfection. The Master of Ceremonies prepares thecandidate as a Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason,conducts him to the door and knocks 3, 5, 7 and 9.Captain of Guard—Tbrice Puissant Grand Master,there is an alarm at the door.Thrice Puissant—See the cause of that alarm, venerableCaptain of the Guard. [Captain of the Guard goesto the door, knocks 3, 5, 7 and 9, opens it and says:]What is the cause of this alarm?Note 165.—Knight of the East. (Oheuliar 5’ OrIent.) This isa degree which has been extensively diffused through the most lm~portant Rites, and it ewes its popularity te the f.ic’t that it commemo.rstecs in its legend and its ceremonIes the labors ef the Macions in theconstruction of the second Temple“1, it is the fifteenth degree of the Ancient sad Accepted ScottishRIte, the description of which will apply with slight modtficstions tothe same degree in all the other Rites, It is founded upon the historyof the assistance rendered by Cyrus to the Jews who permitted the,to relorn to Jerusalem, and to commence the rebuilding of the house ofthe Lord, Zerubbobel, therefore, as the Prince of the Jews, and Cyruathe tdng of Persia, sa his patroci, sre Important personages in thedramo of reception; which Is conducted wIth grest impressi,enesae,en in the old and somewhat Imperfect rItual of [be Inst century,hut which has been greatly Improved, I thInk. is the modern ritualsado~d by the Supreme Ceciccells of the United Stales.n of a Knight of Ihe Rail Is as hroad green wateredribbon, worn as a baidric from left to right. The sash or girdle isof white watered silk, edged above, and fringed below with gold. Osit is ecnbrcildered a bridge, with the letters L. D. P. on the arch, andalso on of her parts of [he girdle human heads, and mutilated limbs.and crowns, acid swords, The apron Is crimson, edged with green.a bleeding head and two swords crossed on the flap, sad on the apronthree trlanglea Interlaced formed of trIangular links of chains. The~ triangles interlaced enclouiaf two naked swords,’~—Enayplopasdia of Freemasonry, hat ole Knight of the bat.Master of Ceremonies—A Grand Elect, Perfect andSublime Mason, who solicits the honor of being createda Knight of the East or Sword.Captain of Guard—Is this an act of his own free willand accord?Master of Ceremonies—It is.Captain of Quard—By what further right or benefitdoes he expect to obtain this privilege?Master of Ceremonies—By the benefit of the SacredWord, and with your assistance we will give it. (TheCaptain of the Guard retires and the word is given as inthe lodge of Perfection, when all rise.)Captain of Guard—Who is this brother, venerableGrand Master of Ceremonies, and whence comes lie?Master of Ceremonies—His name is Zerubbabel’” aPrince of the house of Judah who comes from Babylonto view the ruins of the temple’ and the holy city.Captain of Guard—What does he desire?Master of Ceremony—To offer his sei~vices to hisbrethren who have returned from captivity.Captain of Guard—Let him wait a time with patienceand I will inform the Thrice Excellent Grand Master oflot. 1U.—”Thls eminent Prince who in wisdom. Influence and sealfor God’s honor, was only second to Solomon himself, Is Introducedinto the degrees of Royal Arch and Red Cross Knight, also into varloosdegrees of Sc~otcb Masonry, occupyIng the seine relation to the secondtempleAfiolomon did to Ihe first. So prominent. Indeed, was hispositlo., that the Second Temple I. most frequently called after hisname, The name Z.rubhahel signifies ~begottenIn Babylon,’ referringhe his nativity. He I. called ‘the son of Shealtiel. He was theace, or head, of the Iribe of Judah. at the time of the return fromf~ flahylonish ca1’ tivity. himself, B, and C. pisied 536. Of himself the at decree the head of Cyrus of those heImmediately of his countrymen avaiL, ‘whose spirit GeS had raised to go up to buIldthe House of the Lord which Is in Jerusalem.’ It was probable thathe was In the service of the King of Babylon. for he hsd a Chaidaicmane. 5heebbsssar. and was appointed hy Cyrus governor of Jades.BeIng armed with s grant from thai King. of timbe, and stone forthe building, and of money for the expenses of the buildere. he collectedthe materials, including cedar trees fro~ Lebanon, and gottogether masons and csrpentera to do the work by the openin ofsecond year of their return. But ml~~~ntatlens at the Court ofPersia esat a blight upon the prospect, and for many years Cue workof building ceased. In the second year of Darina, however. B C, 520.a favorable decree was secured, gained, according to masonic tradition.by a personal appeal from Zenibbahel, who had spent some of the~re of Ils youth with Darius. while the latter was a private~n.”—Merriaa Masonic Dictionary5 Astisle Zasubbehel.