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

410 KNIGHTS OF TEE EAST OR SWORD.The construction of the new temple lasted forty-six(48) years, beginning in the reign of Cyrus and endingin that of Artaxerxes, and constructed in the same manneras the first one by Solomon.This second ~temple having been destroyed ~bytheRomans, the Knights Masons of the present age descendantsof those who constructed it are obliged underthe guidance of a new Zerubbabel to raise a third templeto the glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe.LECTURE KNIGHT OF THE EAST OR SWORD.Grand Orator—Venerable Master of Ceremonies, areyou a Knight df the East?Master of Ceremonies—I have received that character,my name, my robes, my sword and niv firmness,well assures you thereof.Grand Orator—By what means did you arrive at thishigh degree?Master of Ceremonie8—By my humility, my patience,and frequent solicitations.Grand Orator—To whom did you apply?Master of Ceremonies—To a King.Grand Orator—What is your first name?Master of Ceremotiies—Zerubbabel.Grand Orator—What is your origin?Master of Ceremonies—I am an Israelite of the tribeof Judah.Grand Orator—What is your prc~fession?Master of Ceremonies—Masonry.Grand Orator—What buildings did you erect?Master of Ceremonie8—Temples and tabernacles.Grand Orator—Where did you construct them, beingdeposed of land?Master of Ceremonies—In my heart.Grand Orator—What is the surname of a Knight ofthe East?.lfaster of Ceremonies—That of a Freemason.Grand Qrator—Why are you a Freemason?Master of Ceremonies—Because the masons whowrought in the temple of Solomon were qualified such,and of course they and their descendants were declaredexempt from any and every charge and duty; even thatof going to war, their families being called free byexcellence, but in process of time having been subdued,they only recovered their right through the bounty ofKing Cyrus, who confirmed it to them, thus, thereforethey are called most free.Grand Orator-.-Why did Cyrus give the Israelitestheir liberty?Master of Ceremonies—Because God appeared to himin a dream and charged him to set his people free andallow them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the templewhich had been destroyed.Grand Orator—What are the duties of a Knight ofthe East?Master of Ceremonies—To love and adore God, tohold tradition in honor, to succor our brethren innecessity, to anticipate their wants, to receive withfriendship strange brethren, to visit the sick and comfortthem, to aid in burying the dead, to pray for thosethat are under persecution, to love mankind in general,avoid the vicious, never frequent a place of debauchery,nor women of infamous life, to be religious in adoringyour maker, and an exact observer of the laws of hiscountry. In fine, to follow the precepts of masonry inall its points and render justice and honorto the Princesof Jerusalem, and respect to all superior orders.Thrice Excellent—Brother Orator, you will now readthe statutes and general regulations of the Knight. ofthe East. [He does so.]