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and, lastly, all the other utensils, and these were emblematically pointed out by the double equilateral triangle.

Indeed there is no

W. M. Be pleased to deliver the obligation? (I have not the form of this obligation. fixed form in these branching degrees of masonry penalty is to lose both arms.)

W. M. How did you confirm it?

S. M. With my lips six times on the holy Bible.
W. M. In what manner were you raised?

S. M. By the grip of a super-excellent Mason.

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W. M. Be pleased to advance and give it? (This is done but the manner is not known to me.

W. M. To what does it allude?

R. C..

S. M. To that part of the obligation where that peculiar loss of both the arms constitutes the penalty attached to any voluntary breach thereof.

Finch says here an explanation of the signs in this degree are next given, but I cannot even glance at them without danger of exposing what I dare not commit to paper, but Brothers that belong to this degree cannot be at a loss to know what part of scripture to refer to for a full and beautiful explanation.)

W. M. Be pleased to deliver the words and their allusion.. (This is done in due form, but that form is not known to the writer.)

W. M. In what part of the lodge were you placed?

S. M. In the centre to represent a point within a circle.

W. M. Why there?

S. M. As a point is the smallest portion of geometrical matter, and the circle the largest of any within the plane of its surface, I was thus placed, to represent that point; as one of the smallest particles of created matter, and the Deity was aptly represented by the circle, whose centre is every where, and circumference no where.

W. M. What is the distinguishing mark or signature of this degree?

S. M. The initials of the four famous double bodied stars, situated east west, north and south.

W. M. With what is the jewel of this degree ornamented? S. M. In the twelve points forming the star are the initials of our distinguishing united words.

W. M. What was the original number of this degree? S. M. Nine, formed into three lodges with three in each, W, M. Why is this degree dedicated to Aaron the High Priest? S. M. Because he was the first priest, who presided over the first most excellent and sacred lodge held in the Tabernacles in the wilderness of Arabia. So also were the brothers of this degree appointed by King Solomon, as super-excellent Masons, to survey all the sacred furniture and jewels of that glorious buil

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ding, for the same pions purpose as those in the Tabernacle of Moses. Guro batmoq

1

A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE OF NINE ELECTED KNIGHTS, CALLED BY FINCH, SUBLIME KNIGHTS ELECTED...

Form of the Lodge.

THE chamber in which this chapter is held represents the apartment in Solomon's Palace. The hangings are red and white columns intermixed and strewed with flames. The master represents Solomon King of Israel and is stiled the most sovereign, There is but one warden who sits alone in the west representing Stolkin and is called the Inspector. All the rest of the brethren must be in black and placed in the south, as the lights are placed, eight close and one at a distance. When there is a reception, all the brethren, being in mourning, set with their hats flapped, and the right leg over the left, their heads leaning on their right hands, in a doleful character. Their aprons are lined and bordered with black. They wear a broad black ribbon from their left shoulder to their right hip, on the breast of which are painted three heads of fear and terror. A poignard hangs to this ribbon with nine red roses painted on it near the bottom, four on each side and one in the centre. Each brother has a naked poignard lying at his feet. The plan of the draft of the lodge or chapter is an o oblong square, at the upper part of which, to the right, is drawn, the city of Jerusalem. At the left is represented a cave near the sea side, and the River Joppa, surrounded with rocks, in which a man is seen, lying with his head on a rock, a lamp burning by him, a poignard at his feet, a running stream of water and a cup. Over the mountain, the setting sun is seen. In the middle of the draft appears a bush, which seems to be on fire, occasioned by the reflection of a rainbow. A brilliant star is fixed immediately over the cave, to point out the retreat of the murderer. On the draft is likewise seen, a winding road which leads from Jerusalem to Joppa. On this road, a dog is seen near to the cave, which is the figure under which the unknown person is drawn, A man closely follows, and, at a distance, are seen, eight other men walking without order. Near the room where this chapter is held, there must be a small room made to represent a cave, and a large stone in it for the candidate to sit upon, a little table with a lamp lighted, and, under it, the word REVENGE written. A poignard lies on the table, a spring or fountain, runs in the room, a cup to drink out of, and an effigy of a man asleep: india this chapter, the sovereign sits under a canopy, in an elev

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ted chair of state covered with black. Before him stands a table 'covered with black and a fiery coloured carpet, on which is a bible, a sceptre and a dagger*. Solomon strikes with his sceptre, and Stolkin strikes with his poignard, which he holds in his hand, as a symbol of revenge.

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Form of opening.

9. Q. Are you an elected Knight?

A. One cavern received me, one lamp gave me light and one spring refreshed me.

Q. What is the clock?

A. Break of day.

The master knocks 8 and 1. The inspector initiates him, and the brethren clap the same number with their hands. The master says-This chapter is opened.

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The Master of the Ceremonies brings the candidate to the door, knocks 8 and 1, which are repeated by the master, all the brethren being in their proper postures. The inspector rises and receives the candidate, whom he brings into the middle of the chamber, opposite to the Thrice Puissant. After a little silence, he is asked by the master:-What do you want here?

... A. I am come to solicit the favour of being initiated into the degree of the Nine Elected Knights.

Q. What motives induce you to think that you deserve to have the honour conferred upon you.

A. My zeal, fervour and constancy, which I promise shall be doubled hereafter, have made me aspire to this favour..

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T. P. M. Learn, my brother, that you are to impute your present Badmission into this chapter, less to a desire in us to confer this degree upon you, than to an inclination to make a trial of your conduct and courage, and of your compliance with the obligations which you have contracted in the different degrees through which you have already passed. Know, my brother, that, at this mo- ment we have in our power one of the murderers of our respectable master, Hiram Abiff, who groans under the enormity of his guilt and expects every instant to undergo the rigorous torture which his crimes justly merit, to serve as an example to deter others. This I have learnt from a stranger, who will conduct those I send to the place where the miscreant is hidden

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My dear brother, this chapter is fully convinced of your zeal and is much disposed to confer higher degrees on you. So, now, the opporstunity offers, of your being the first to revenge the craft," by bringing this villain to condign punishment, if possible, adequate

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A very becoming emblem of the Trinity in Unity. We have dagger& work and revenge here approaching somewhat to the French Degree of Kadosh. to Thaide bedorw une sicB. Co

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to the enormity of his crimes. Do you find yourself disposed to vindicate the royal art, and to sacrifice, the traitor, in ho of masonry?--Give me an answer. AI shall be happy of the opportunity to revenge the death of our dear Grand Master.

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T. P. M. I must previously inform you, that this man is perhaps one of your acquaintances, probably, your friend, or your brother; but in such a case as this, every sentiment must give way to that of revenge, which, with you, is to stifle every other consideration, because, no bad consequences will attend your accomplishment of this revenge. Besides, this is the only opportunity that offers of making us sensible of your zeal, by which you will be admitted into this degree; therefore, determine immedi*ately.!

A. I am determined.

T. P. M. Suffer yourself to be conducted and follow the stranger, to the place where the criminal is hidden?

The candidate is now blind-folded and conducted to the cave, where he is seated on a stone, opposite to the sleeping murderer. When seated, the guide tells him, that he shall have to leave him for a while; another brother shakes a parcel of chains and groans heavily. The guide places the candidates left hand on the table, tells him to lay his head on his arm, and his right hand on his thigh and this addresses him :-My dear brother, I must leave you a little while, be of good courage, and not daunted. Promise me faithfully, that you will remain in the posture in which I now leave you, however much alarmed you may be, by sany noise which you may hear. Attend to what I say; for if you neglect it, your life may be the cost. As soon as you heara masonic knock, take the bandage from your eyes and closely examine every object that is around you. When you hear a second 1 knock, drink out of the cup, which you will find near your left hand,When you hear a third knocking, you must do exactly das a voice shall bid you. Although I leave you alone, believe me the eyes of the whole chapter are upon you; therefore, I beg, that you will not fail to comply with these instructions. Farewell, I leave you. He quits the room and shuts the door sharply after him*. In a minute or two, he knocks three distinct knocks after a while, he knocks again, as before: and then, again, when Ja voice tells the candidate, to take that dagger and strike the villain, first on the head, then in his heart. Cut off the head * and follow me with it in your left hand and the dagger in the

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The dramatic representation is here contemptible. Here is along sinstruction and ceremony performed, with a noisy shutting of the door, in the face of a sleeping murderer, who is to be the victim of the plot! No-thing is supposed capable of waking him, not even the subsequent masonic knuckings and the voice that orders his destruction. This masonry is a detestable and wicked science as a whole,

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right. He is again brought to the door of the lodge and knocks 8 and 1. The door being opened. the master says, who comes there.

A. Joabert, who has discovered where the traitor was concealed and having revenged the death of our respectable master, Hiram Abiff, comes to lay the villain's head at the feet of Solomon, King of Israel.

He is then admitted. Holding the head out, he strikes at it with the dagger, which brings him to the throne, where he falls on his knees with the head and dagger exposed in his hands. The King, seeing the candidate rises with great indignation and says:Wretch what have you done? My orders were, that the traitor should be taken and brought to me, not that you should put him to death. Your obedience of orders shall therefore cost you your life. Stolkin, put him to death. (On hearing this the brethren fall on one knee and beg pardon from Solomon for the candidate, saying, that it was an excess of zeal and love for the memory of our respected master, Hiram Abiff, that prompted him to disobey the king's orders. While this entreaty is making Stolkin seizes the candidate and stands ready to execute his orders, Solomon says stop :-My Brother Joabert, I freely forgive you, the second time, as you meant no wrong, but beware of the third offence. The head and poignard are then taken from him and the obligation is administered.

The penalty of this obligation embraces those of all the foregoing, with a promise to revenge masonry in general*; to protect the order of one's brethren with all one's might and power; to submit one's self to perish by the same weapon which will be given as an honourable mark of this order, and as a reward for zeal and constancy.

The Thrice Puissant raises the candidate and gives him the dagger, saying:-I deliver to you this vindictive weapon: make a good use of it when required.

The first sign of this order is for one to take a poignard or sword and stab another on the forehead. The one that is struck claps his hand to his forehead to see if it is bloody+!

The second sign is to strike your poignard to the heart of another and say N —m. The other answers, by laying his hand upon his heart and saying-Joabert.

The grip is to take the thumb of the other's right hand, and, in the bottom of your's, clench all the fingers of both hands and place the thumb erect, It signifies the elect eight close and one by itself.

The pass-words are Nmt Joabert and Stolkin.

*What can this mean?

+ Pretty play! Delightful masonic morality!

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