Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

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4 PRETENSIONS OF FllEK MASONBY*
Free Main's Monitor, PartJL Book L Chapter X. .
" The most potent grand master, representing Solomon,
in the east, seated in a ch^ir of state under a rich canopy,
with a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand/ 9 . >
We will not tarry for the description of the royal vestments,
but proceed to the history and charge of this degree—{Knights
of the Arch.) " My worthy Brother. It
is my intention at this time, to give you a clearer account
than you have yet been acquainted with, of Masonry, of
which at present you barely know the elements/ 1 [Hear,
hear."]
" Enoch, being inspired by the Most High, and in commemoration
of a wonderful vision, built a temple under
ground, and dedicated the same to God. Methusaleh, the
son of Enoch, constructed the building without being acquainted
with his father's motives. 11 (This is the Enoch
who was " the first translated;" and the Methusaleh who was
" the oldest man.") " Enoch caused a triangular plate of
gold to be made, each side of which was a cubit long -, he
enriched it with the most precious stones, and encrusted the
plate upon a stone of agate of the same form. He then
engraved upon it the ineffable characters, and placed it on
a triangular pedestal of white marble, which he deposited
in the deepest arch.—And none but Enoch knew of the
treasure which the arches contained."
"• And behold the wickedness of mankind increased more*
and became grievous in the sight of the Lord; and.God
threatened to destroy the whole world. Enoch, perceiving that
the knowledge of the arts was likely to be lost in the general
destruction, and being desirous of preserving the
principles of the sciences, for the posterity of those whom
God should be pleased to spare, built two great pillars on
the top of the highest mountain; the ope of brass to withstand
water; the other of marble to withstand fire. And
he engraved on the marble hieroglyphics, signifying that
there was a most precious treasure concealed in the arches