Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

us, but before pursuing further it would be necessary for us to kneel at the altar in due
form, and take upon ourselves the solemn oath or obligation of a Royal Arch Mason.
Q. What was that due form?
A. Kneeling upon both knees, both hands covering the Holy Bible, square and
compasses, in which due form I took upon myself the solemn oath or obligation of a
Royal Arch Mason.
Q. Have you that oath?
p. 258
A. I have.
Q. Will you give it?
A. I will with your assistance.
Q. Proceed. (I, A. B., etc., etc.)
Q. After the oath how were you then disposed of?
A. We were again conducted around the outer courts of the tabernacle, where was
exhibited the symbol of the burning bush.
Q. Why was the symbol of the burning bush exhibited to you at this point of your
exaltation?
A. To impress upon my mind in the most solemn manner, that the words and signs
following were of divine origin, and as such were regarded sacred by the children of
Israel--by them transmitted to their posterity, as words and signs by which they should
make themselves known and be distinguished by each other for ever after.
Q. How were you then disposed of?
A. We were again conducted around the outer courts of the tabernacle, where a
representation of the destruction of the temple took place.
Q. By whom was it destroyed?
A. By Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, King of
Jerusalem, went up, beseiged and took the city, seized on all the holy vessels, together
with the two brazen pillars; and the remnant of the people who escaped the sword, he
carried away captives to Babylon.
Q. What was the period of their captivity?