The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASDXkV AXD KNIGHTSYr:.\;i'LARSUPER EXCELLENT MASTERA degree which was originally an honorary orside degree conferred bv the Inspectors-General ofthe Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at Charleston.It has since been introduced into some of theRoyal and Select Councils of the United States,and there conferred as an additional degree. Thedegree is simply an enlargement of that part of theceremonies of the Royal Arch which refer to theTemple destruction. It has nothing to do withthe ideas inculcated in Cryptic Masonry. Whencethe degree originally sprang, it is impossible to tell.As to the symbolic design of the degree, it is veryevident that its legend and ceremonies are intendedto inculcate that important Masonic virtue fidelityto vows. BOOK OF THE LAWBy an ancient usage of the Craft, the Holy Bible,or Book of the Law, is always spread open in theLodge. There is in this, as in everything else thatis Masonic, an appropriate symbolism. The Bookof the Law is the Great Light of Masonry. Toclose it would be to intercept the rays of divinelight which emanate from it ; and hence it isspreadopen, to indicate that the Lodge is not in darkness,but under the influence of its illuminating power.Masons in this respect obey the suggestion of the" NeitherDivine Founder of the Christian religion,do men light a candle and putit under a bushel,but on a candlestick; and itgiveth light unto allthat are in the house."Masonically,the Book of the Law is107that sacred