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

128 PROVOST AND JUDGE.Ado,tiram—I have ornamented tllc tomb of our dearMaster Hiram Abiff.Tile—What did the Thrice Illustrious ornament youwith, upon being received Provost and Judge?Adonirami—W~th a white apron lincd with red, withwhite and red roscs and a pocket in the apron.Tile—What is the intention of the pockct?Adoniram—The cldest Provost and Judge makes useof it, to put the plans in, which he communicatcs to theMasters who draw them out on their trestleboard.Tilo—What do the white and red roses mean?Adonira.m—The red’ is an emblem of the blood thatwas spilled by our respectable Master Hiram Abiff, andthe white signifies the candor and fidelity of the Masters.Tile—How old are you?A doniram—Four times sixteen.Tile—What o’clock is it?Adoniram—Break of day, eight, two and seven o’clock.Tile—Why so?A doniram—Beeause a Perfect Mt.ster, Provost andJudge should be everywh,~re and at all hours ready tobe at hand, in order to administer justice.Rote 69.—”Red is in the higher degrees of Masonry as predominating acolor as blue is in the lower. Its symbolic significatlons differ, hut theymay generaliy be considered as alluding either ‘to the virtue of fervencywhen the symhollsm is moral or to the shedding of blood when It I, historical.Thus in ihe degree of Provost and Judge it Is historically emblematicof the violent death of one of the founders of the Institutlos;while In the degree ot Perfection it Is said to he a moral symbol of sealf~r the glory of Ged and for our own advancement towards perfection inMasonry and ,irtna.”—XsOhsF’5 Enoyolojssiia d V’sssmaaeery, azuelsReLCLOSING CI~REMONIESPROVOST AND JUDGE.Tite—Brother Adoniram, what is our particularduty?Adouiram—The equity of judgment.Tile—How will you fulfill it?Adoniram—By searching for truth.Tile—Where?Adoniram—Everywhere.Tilo—When?Adontram—At all hours.Tile—What is the hour?Adoniram—There is none set.Tile—Why?Adoniram—Because a Provost and Judge must beready to do justice unto all men at all times and allplaces.Tile—(Raps seven; all rise,) Brother Adoniram willplease notify the brethren that I am about to close this~ [lodge] of Provost and Judges.Adoniram—Brethren, you will please take notice thatthe Thrice Puissant is about to close this lodge 6f Provostand Judges.Tige—Together, brethren. (All give the signs fromthe Secret Master up.)Tile—(Knocks four and one.)Adoniram—(Knocks four and one.)Abd~z—(Knocks four and one.)Tito—I declare this Z [lodge] of Provost andJudges closed.