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

120 PROVOST AND JUDGE.is the equation of right and duty, between man andman, or between the individual and society.” What isequation? What are rights? What are duties? Whatis law?These are questions upon which you should reflect, toascertain wherein right and duty may be absolute andrelative, and wherein law may be natural or conventional.Brother Joabert, a most important question tiowarises:We have a very clear idea of justice. We may knowwhat it is, we may show its origin and necessity; buttell me how is justice to be attained, realized, dispenaedand established?How are we to ascertain that which would be justicebetween man and man, or between society and one ofits mcmbers, in case of contestation?(Candidate answers as he thinks proper.)Tito—Brother Master of Cermonies, teach brotherJoabert to travel.Master of Ceremonies then conducts the candidateseven times round the ~ [lodge.] On the first roundhe gives the Thrice Illustrious the sign, token and wordof an Entered Apprentice; on the second, the sign, tokenand ~vordof a Fellow Craft, and so on until the seventhround, after which I~e stops in front of the altarfacing the East.Tito—(To candidate.) My brother, it gives me infinitesatisfaction to have this opportunily of rewardingyour zeal for masonry, and your attachment for themaster of masters and this I do by appointing you Provostand Judge over all the workmen of this ~ [lodge,1for as we are fully convinced of your discretion, we donot hesitate to confide in you, and to communicate ourmost important secrets to you, which will encourageyou to do your duty in this degTee as you have done inIhe preceding ones which you had the honor of beingadmitted into. Brother Joabert, by accepting the degreeINITIATION.1SIof Provost and Judge you pledge yourself to do inipartizijuBtice to eyery man.To aid you in performing it the Expert will entrustyou with a golden key. It opens the tomb’ which symbolizest~e sanctuary of truth, the sanctuary of conscience,where the heart of Hiram Abiff has been deposited:it opens all the buildings and gives you accesseverywhere. But brother Joabert, before we present youwith this key, or before we entrust you with the means•f doing jwtice, we demand of you the solemn pledgeof every Provost and Judge; are you willing to bindyourself am we hare done?Candidate—I am.Tito—(Five knocks; 00000; all rise.) Brethren bearye witness to the obligation thia Intimate Secretary isabout to aasume, with his hand upon the balance.OBLIGATIONPflOVOST AND JUDGE.I , do solemnly promise in presence of thisassembly, and of my own conscience, that I will keep thesecrets of Provost and Judge; and that I will truly,justly and impartially dispense justice to my brcthrenand to all the world, according to rule and the best ofmy abilities; and lastly bind myself under the penaltiesof all my former obligations, to pay a just and due obedieni,eto the regulations and orders of the council ofPrinces of Jerusalem; so may God keep me in truth,equity, and justice: Amen.Tito—Brother Expert, you will now give brother Joebertthe key and conduct him to the monument.Expert then conducts him to the monument, kz,~eIsand says:Expert—CM.Tito—Ky (Elpert then risen.)