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

392KNIGHTS OP THE EAST OR SwoRD.Lord God of Israel which is in Jerusalem.TArice Excellent—Brethren let us offer up our prayer,for the success of the noble prince Zerubbabel.PRAYER, KNIGHTS OP THE EAST OR SWORD.Thou, 0 Lord, wilt save the afflicted people and wiltlevel the high towers of pride. By thine aid have I runthrough a troop of enemies, and by my God I lesped insafety over a wall.As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the Lordis tried, he is a bucklerto all those who trust in him, forwho is God save the I,~ord? Or who is a rock save ourGod? He teacheth me to war, so that a bow of steel isbroken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me theshield of thy salvation, and thy right hand hath holdenins up, sud thy strength hath given me power. I havepursued mine enemies and overtaken them, neither didI turn sgain until they were consumed. I have woundedthem and they were not able to rise, they are fallenunder my feet for thou hast girded me with strength untothe battle. Thou hast subdued under me those that roseup against me. Therefore will I praise the Lord forevermore.Amen.Master of Ceremonies—(For candidate) Thrice ExcellentGrand Master, I will now retire, and after I havevisited the ruins of the temple I shall return to Babylon,and if possible obtain an audience with Cyrus”’ theKing and remind him of his proclamation, and endeavorto obtain the liberty of our brethren in captivity,to enable us to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the houseof the Lord.lots 1YS.—TbIs dIstInguIshed character. the found.’, of the Peg’.I. Introduced In Scotch Masonry In the degrees of KUIEbSand Grand Master Ad.vitam; in Chivalri. Masonry, in thedegree of lCulgbt of the Bed Cross, and In Chapter Masonry, in thedagree of Royal Arch.“Re defeated the Median King. shoot B. C 1159. and began acareer of cooqoest. which made him the hero of the Rast. Thirteenhe defeated Crwsus and conquered Lydia. He captureS~‘bylon,3. c. M5. He fell In battle. B. C. 823. HIs monument isSill shown at Paseryad,. In pnod preservatIon. “—Noiris’s K~Ie~onary. ArtIcle Oysm AstasmINITIATION. 393Thrice Excellent—(To candidate) Again we thankyou Zerubbabel foryour kind offer. We will also furnishyou with an escort to the Persian frontier while we offerup our prayers for your success.Thrice Excellent—Excellent Senior Grand Warden,you will take a sufficient number of guards; let Zerubbabel”’view the ruins of the temple and the holy city,and conduct him to the Persian frontier, for he bearsthe tears and distresses of his brethren.Thrice Excellent—Brethren, I declare this lodge ad-Journed.Master of Ceremonies and Senior Warden conductthe candidate to the ante-room, divest him of his ornaments,bare his head and neck and bind his waist withchains, throw a black veil over his head, etc., meanwhilethe brethren retire to the first apartment, representingthe court of Cyrus, when the officers take their stations.Master of Ceremoniea—( With candidate knocks 5 and3 on the door.)Master of Infantry—Sir Knight, Master of Cavalry,some one knocks as a Knight of the East or Sword.Master of Cavalry—Sovereign Master, some oneknocks as a Knight of the East or Sword.Sovereign Master—Sir Knight, Captain of the Guardsee who knocks. (Captain of the Guard goes to thedoor, knocks 5 and 2, then opens it.)lots 171.—”Zercijhhabel. in writIng the life of Zerubbabel In aMasonic point of view. It is Incumbent that reference should be madeto the legends as well as to the more strictly historical details of hiseventful career, ~W’~ ihe traditIons of the Royal Arch, and someother of the high degrees. Zerobbabel Is not less Intimately connectedthan Ia Solomon with those of Pyinbollr or Ancient Craft Masonry. ~‘ounderstand those traditioss properly, they moat be placed in theirappropriate place In the life of him who plays so Important a partin them. Some of these legends have the concurrent auppoet ofScripture, some are related by Josephus. and some appear to haveno historical foundation, without, therefore, vouching for theIr authentIcity,they must be recounted 1 to make the Masonic life of the builderof th complete. ‘—Knoheg’s aoyeiopaadls of Freemasonry.