Mackey – Encyclopedia Of Freemasonry Vol. 1

THE CARBONARI 163the other, and finally condemned to be crucified ; but he ispardoned on taking a second oath, more binding than thefirst, consenting to have his body cut in pieces and burnt,as in the former degree . But still the true secret of theOrder is not revealed .549 . The Degree of Grand Elect .-This degree is only to beconferred with the greatest precautions, secretly, and to Carbonariknown for their prudence, zeal, courage, and devotionto the Order. Besides, the candidates, who shall be introducedinto a grotto of reception, must be true friends of theliberty of the people, and ready to fight against tyrannicalgovernments, who are the abhorred rulers of ancient andbeautiful Ausonia. The admission of the candidate takesplace by voting, and three black balls are sufficient for hisrejection . He must be thirty-three years and three months old,the age of Christ on the day of His death . But the religiousdrama is now followed by one political. The lodge is heldin a remote and secret place, only known to the Grand Mastersalready received into the degree of Grand Elect . The lodgeis triangular, truncated at the eastern end. The GrandMaster Grand Elect is seated upon a throne . Two guards,from the shape of their swords called flames, are placedat the entrance . The assistants take the name of Sunand Moon respectively. Three lamps, in the shape of sun,moon, and stars, are suspended at the three angles of thegrotto or lodge . The catechism here reveals to the candidatethat the object of the association is political, and aims at theoverthrow of all tyrants, and the establishment of universalliberty, the time for which has arrived. To each prominentmember his station and duties in the coming conflict areassigned, and the ceremony is concluded by all presentkneeling down, and pointing their swords to their breasts,whilst the Grand Elect pronounces the following formula :-"C I, a free citizen of Ausonia, swear before the Grand Masterf of the Universe, and the Grand Elect Good Cousin, to devotemy whole life to the triumph of the principles of liberty,equality, and progress, which are the soul of all the secretand public acts of Carbonarism . I promise that, if it beimpossible to restore the reign of liberty without a struggle,I will fight to the death . I consent, should I prove false to /my oath, to be slain by my Good Cousins Grand Elects ; tobe fastened to the cross in a lodge, naked, crowned withthorns ; to have my belly torn open, the entrails and heart\taken out and scattered to the winds. Such are our con-" ditions ; swear!" The Good Cousins reply : "We swear ."