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

146 INTENDANT OF THE BUILDING. LECTUEB. i47Solomon—How were you receivea?Tito—By acknowledging my ignorance.Solomon—Why were you raised in that degree?Tito—In order to dispel the darkness in which I wasimmersed, and~ to get such light as would regt4ate myheart and enlighwn my understanding.Solomon—Into what place were you introduced?Tito—Into a place full of want and charms, wherevirtue and sovereign wisdom reside.Solomon—What is the duty of Intendant of theBuildings?Tito—Their duty is to keep the brethren steady inthe practice of virtue, by setting them good examplesand to correct their works.Solomon-~.—Why is it required in this degree, beforeyou are admitted, to show that you are acquainted withthe three first degrees in masonry?Tito—To show that it is only gradually we can arriveat perfect ion.Solomon—What do you learn from those three degrees?Tito—The first teaches me moral, the second political,and the third heroic virtue.Solomon—.—Why have you been obliged to take stepsbackwards and forwards in your different degrees?Tito.—To show that the progress toward virtue is slowand gradual, and that by humility we must curb thatpride which is so natural to us, before we can presumeto hope for perfection, and also that we must judge soimpartially of our actions, anl so effectually govern ourpassions, as not to leave anything exceptionable in ourconduct.Solomon—Can you explain the mysteries of our lodge?Tito—I shall endeavor in the best manner I can.Solomon—What do the three mysterious letters Inyour jewel signify?Tito—Judah, Jah, signifying praise be unto God,the third “J,” in the middle of the triangle of the blazingstar is the initial of the sacred and present namelessword.Solomon—What does the circle on the inside of thethird triangle signify?Tito—Thc immensity of God who had neither beginningnor ending.Solonzon—What do the three letters on the inside ofthe circle mean?Tito—Oh! thou eternal alone possessest the attributesof the divinity.Solomon—What are the chief attributes of the divinity?Tita—Beauty (6 letters) Wisdome (7) BoundlessAtercy (14) Omniscience (11) Eternity (8) Perfection(10) Justice (7) Compassion (10) Creation (8). Theseattributes form the number of eighty-one (81.)Solomon—Explain the square of nine to me whichyou see in the triple triangle.Tito—There are in the first nine, 3 attributes, thereare in the second nine, 3 attributes, there are in thethird nine, 3 attributes. And if these are in three columnaand added together, form a square of eighty-one.Solomon—Why do you place Solomon in the temple?Tito—In memory of his being the first who consecrateda temple to the Lord.Solomon—Why do you place a Brazen Sea in thetemple?Tita—To let us know that the temple of God is holyaiid tbt~t we must not enter it before we have been pun..fled from all uncleanliness.