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

42 SECRET ~ASTE~’~ DEGREE.flaps blue, with an eye painted thereon in gold. Thewhite signifies the innocence of the masters, and theblack mourning for their chief. The lodge should beilluminated by eighty-one candles, distributed as perplate.Batter1~ ~ ...—S~mbo1ic Age.—THREE TIMES 27—81 years—Houra of Work—F OX DAWN UNTILCLOSE OF DAY—MOftLZ””’THE DUTY 01 SECRECY ANDSILENCE.OPENING CEREMONIESSolomon—Brother Adoniram,5 are you a Secret Maeter?Adoniram-’--Most Powerful, I have passed from theSquare to the Compass, I have seen the tomb of ourRcspcctable Master Hiram Abiff, and have in companywith my brethren sl~ed tears thereat.Solomon—What’s the clock my brother PAdoniram—The dawn of day has driven away darkness,and the light begins to shine in this lodge.Solomon—If the light has driven away darkness, andwc are all Secret Masters, it is time to begin work;givc notice that I am going to open this lodge of SecretMasters.Adoniram—Brethren, you will please take noticethat the Most Powerful is about to open this lodge ofSecret Masters.Solomon—(Seven raps: 000-000-0; allrise.)Adoniraln—(Seven raps: 000-000-0.)All—(clap hands seven times 000-000-0.)Solomon—Together Brethren.SIGN OF SILENCE.All put the two first fingers of the righthand on the lips.Solomon—Illustrious Brethren, thislodge is open and devoted lo God.Solomon—(One rap.) Brethren willplease be seated.Note S.—”In Scotch Masonry. Adoniram II introduced in the degreesSign of Siloncc.of Secret Master. Provost end Judge, intendant of the Building andothers, as one of the most praminent j~ersons~es In the Tample.”—Morris’ Monitor of Jreemsscnzy, Article oniram.