I. Mark Master; 2. Past Master; 3. Most Excellent Master;

4. Royal Arch. The officers are : 1. The High-Priest, whose title is Most Excellent, who represents Joshua, the first High- Priest of the Jews, after their return from the Babylonian captivity; 2. The King, whose title is Excellent, represents Zerubbabel, a Prince of Judah, who was the leader of the first colony of Jews that returned from the captivity to rebuild the temple; 3. The Scribe, whose title is, also, Excellent, repre- sents Haggai, the prophet; 4. The Captain of the Host, who represents the general of the troops; 5. The Principal Sojourner, represents the leader of a party of Jews, who sojourned in Babylon for a time after the departure of Zerub- babel with the main body, and who subsequently came up to Jerusalem to assist in rebuilding the temple; (>. The Royal Arch Captain, represents the captain of the king's guards ; 7. Grand Master of the Third Vail; 8. Grand Master of the Second Vail ; 9. Grand Master of the First Vail ; 10. Treasurer ; 11. Secretary ; 12. Sentinel ; and a Chaplain may be appointed. The jewels of a Chapter are of gold or yellow metal, within a triangle, and suspended from a collar. The symbolic color of the Royal Arch degree is scarlet. Candidates receiving the degree are said to be "exalted to the most sublime degree of the Royal Arch." A Royal Arch Chapter represents the Tabernacle erected by our ancient brethren near the ruins of King Solomon's Temple. Chapters are dedicated to Zerubbabel. The appropriate badge and clothing of a Royal Arch Mason, are a jewel, an apron and a sash. The jewel, worn on the left breast, suspended from a scarlet ribbon, is a double triangle within a circle; in the center of the two triangles a sun with diverging rays, within a triangle, and underneath, or suspended to this, the triple tau. On ,the intersecting triangles and outer circle the following Words are engraved — on the obverse — on the circle, "Si talia jungere possis sit tibi scire satis" — If you are able to unite these things your knowledge is sufficient. On the tri- angles— " E&p^Ka/zev," " Invenimus " — We have found it; " Cultor Dei" — JJ WW of God; " Civis Mundi" — Citizen of the world. On the ribbon undor the circle, "Nil nisi clavis deest" — Nothing is wanting except *he key. Reverse — on the circle: "Deo, Civitati, Fratribus, Honor, Fidelitas, Benevolentia"— For God* for the State, for the Brethren, Honor, Fidelity, Benev-
336
BOY.
olence. On the triangles— Wisdom, Peace, Strength, Concord, Truth, Beauty. On the ribbon under the circle — Exalted, (with date). The intersecting triangles denote the elements
of fire and water, the circle, infinity and eternity, and the sun within the triangle is an emblem of Deity. So important is the triple tau considered, that it is called "the emblem of all emblems, and the grand emblem of Royal Arch Ma- sonry." The apron is of white lambskin (13x15 inches, or
nearly square,) lined and bound with scarlet, or lined with scarlet and bound with blue and scarlet tesselated; on the flap the triple tau within a triangle, and all within a circle, as delineated in the engraving. The sash, worn from right to left, is the tesselated blue and scarlet ribbon, four inches wide, with no ornament except a metal or embroidered triple tau, triangle and circle, at the crossing. "The true
ROY. 337
origin of the Eoyal Arch is an important question that has lately engaged the attention of Masonic writers. Seme have asserted that it was brought by the Templars from the Holy Land; others say that it was established as a part of Templar Masonry in the sixteenth century; and others again assert that it was unknown before the year 1780. Dr. Oliver, in a work of profound research on this subject, says that 'there exists sufficient evidence to disprove all their conjectures, and to fix the era of its introduction to a period which is coeval with the memorable schism among the English Masons about the middle of the last century.'* It seems to me as the result of a careful examination of the evidence adduced, that, before the year 1740, the essential element of the Royal Arch constituted a part of the third degree, and that about that year it was severed from that degree and transferred to another, by the schismatic body calling itself 'the Grand Lodge of England according to the old Consti- tutions.'"f It may now be said that never before since the existence of the order was there so general a demand among intelligent Masons for veritable and substantial information on the history of Freemasonry, particularly in regard to this branch of the order. For more reliable information the reader is referred to the most valuable work on the subject of Royal Arch Masonry that has ever been published in this country.J
*" Some Account of the Schism which took place during the last century among the Free and Accepted Masons in England, showing the Presumed Origin of the Eoyal Arch Degree."
f MACKEY'S Lexicon of Freemasonry.
" The date of the organization ot this body has been variously stated. Dr. MACKEY gives the date as 1739. PIERSON, in his ' Traditions,' gives it as having occurred about 1753. PRESTON asserts that the secedera continued to hold their meetings without acknowledging a superior luitil the year 1771, when they chose for their Grand Master the Duke of Athol, then Grand Muster elect of Scotland. SANDYS, in his 'Short View,' says they (.the ancieuts) established their Grand Lodge in London in 1757. In certain testimony taken by a commission in England, for use in the New York Masonic difficulty some years since, Bro. WHITE, at that time the Venerable Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England, says, under oath, in answer to a question, that the Athol or Awtittit Grand Lodge was formed in 1752. This ought to settle the question."- — GOULD.
t Guide to the Royal Arch Chapter: a complete Monitor for Royal Arch Masonry; with full instructions in the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch, according to the text of the Manual of the Chapter. By JOHN SHEVILLE, P. G. H. P. , and JAMES L. GOULD, G. H. P. Together with a Historical Introduction, Explanatory Notes and Critical Emendations. To which are a^.ded Monitorial Instructions in the Holy Order of High Priesthood in Royal Arch AiAsourv. with the Ceremonies of the Order.
338 EOT.
ROYAL AECH CAPTAIN. An officer in a Chapter of the Royal Arch degree. He represents the Captain of the King's Guards. His station is in front of the Council, and at the entrance of the fourth vail. His duties, in some respects, are similar to those of the Junior Deacon in the Symbolic Lodge.
ROYAL ARCH OF ENOCH. The same as the degree of Knights of the Ninth Arch.
ROYAL MASTER, The first of the degrees in the Council, or Cryptic system. It is immediately associated with the degree of Select Master, and, with it, is explanatory of the Royal Arch degree, and was originally conferred in a Chap- ter of Royal Arch Masons. Its ritual is highly interesting.
ROYAL ORDER OF SCOTLAND. This is an order com-
?osed of two parts, viz: that of H.-R.-M. and R.-S.-Y. C.-S. he former took its rise in the reign of David L, King of Scotland, and the latter in that of King Robert the Bruce. The last is believed to have been originally the same as the Most Ancient Order of the Thistle, and to contain the cere- monial of admission formerly practiced in it. The Order of H.-R.-M. had formerly its chief seat at Kil winning; and there is reason to suppose that it and the Grand Lodge of St. John's Masonry were governed by the same Grand Master. The introduction of this order into Kilwinning appears to have taken place about the same, or nearly the same period as the introduction of Freemasonry itself into Scotland. The Culdees, as is well known, introduced Christianity into Scotland, and, from their known habits, there were good grounds for believing that they preserved among them a knowledge of the ceremonies and precautions adopted for their protection in Judea. In establishing this degree in Scotland, it is more than probable that it was done with the view to explain, in a correct Christian manner, the symbols and rites employed by the Christian Architects and Builders; and this will also explain how the Royal Order is purely catholic, — not Roman Catholic, but adapted to all who acknowledge the great truths of Christianity, in the eame way that Craft or Symbolic Masonry is intended for all, whether Jew or Gentile, who acknowledge a Supreme God. The second part, or R.-S.-Y. C.-S., is an order of knighthood, and perhaps the only genuine one in connec- tion with Masonry, there being in it an intimate connection between the sword and the trowel. The lecture consists of a figurative description of the ceremonial both of H.-R.-M. and R.-S.-Y. C.-S., in simple rhyme, modernized, of course, by oral tradition, and breathing tbo, purest spirit of Chris-
CUYPT. — UOYA1, MASTER.
RUL— SAL 341
tianity. These two degrees constitute, as has been already said, the Royal Order of Scotland. Lodges or Chapters cannot legally meet elsewhere, unless possessed of a charter from it, or by dispensation from the Grand Master or his Deputy. The office of Grand Master is vested in the person of the King of Scotland, (now of Great Britain,) and one seat is invariably kept vacant for him, in whatever country a Chap- ter is open, and cannot be occupied by any other member.
RULE. A well-known instrument by which measurements are made or straight lines are drawn. It is employed as an important emblem in the degree of Past Master, admonish- ing the newly-elected Master to punctually observe his duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither inclining to the right nor to the left, in all his actions to have eternity in view.
8.
SAINT JOHN THE ALMONER, born at Cypress, A. D. 550, was made patriarch of Alexandria, A. D. 606, and died Nov. 11, 616. He has no connection with Freemasonry, and is mentioned here merely because Commanderies of Knights Templar and the 30th degree (Kadosh), Ancient and Ac- cepted rite, claim that it is to him, and not to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, that Masonic bodies are dedicated. " Celui a qui elles sont dediees est St. Jean I'aumonier, qui etait le Grand Maitre des chevaliers de St. Jean de Jerusalem, au xiii e siede, et qui a toujours ete le plus bel ornement de I'Ordre, et le patron des Templiers."* It requires no little credulity, and some imagination, to believe that a man who died A. r>. 616 was Grand Master of the Knights of St. John A.D. 1250!
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, DISCIPLES OF. A society which has existed in Asia for many hundred years, but the exact date of its origin is unknown. Tradition asserts that it was founded by the immediate disciple of John the Baptist, who fled from Judea directly after the latter was beheaded. Their religious and philosophical doctrines have a mystical character. Their moral system is pure and elevated, and the highest virtues are inculcated and rigidly practiced. Their priests are divided into three degrees. They have some peculiarities which remind one of the early Christian Brotherhood, especially their "Agape," or love-feast, which is the prototype of the Masonic Table-lodge.
* "He to whom they are dedicated is St. John the Aimoner, who wae the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, in the I3tb century, and who was always the greatest ornament of the order knd patron of the Templars."
29
SAI— SCA.
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, KNIGHT OF. A division of ffemplar Masonry which, toward the end of the last century flrose in Ireland, flourished for a brief period, and then became extinct. ^
SAINT JOHN, FAVORITE OF. The 7th degree of the Swedish rite, and also of the imperial Grand Lodge of Prussia. Oliver calls it the 6th in the series comprised in the degrees of the Knights of the East and West.
SAINT JOHN, or HOLY SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM. This expression, so common in our Lodges, is, by its needless tautology, offensive alike to the ear and to a refined literary taste. Holy and Saint are the same word, both signifying the same thing. The French Masons do not say "Saint Saint Jean," nor in the German Lodges do we hear the phrase, "Heiligen Saint, i. e., Heiligen Johann," but simply "Saint Jean," and "Heiligen Johann."
SAINTS JOHN, FESTIVALS OF. The 24th of June is conse- crated to Saint John the Baptist, and the 27th of December to Saint John the Evangelist. It is the duty of Masons to assemble on these days, and by a solemn invocation of the past, renew the ties and strengthen the fraternal bonds that bind the present to the brotherhood of the olden time.
SAMAKITAN, GOOD. An androgynous degree in Masonry. It is an impressive and interesting degree, founded on the well-known parable. It is communicated to the wives of Royal Arch Masons.
SANCTUARY. That part of the Temple at Jerusalem which was the most secret and most retired; in which was the ark of the covenant, and wherein none but the High- Priest might enter, and he only once a year, on the day of holy expiation. The same name was also given to the most sacred part of the Tabernacle, set up in the wilderness, which remained until some time after the building of the Temple.
SCANDINAVIAN MYSTERIES. These rites were intro- duced into the north of Europe, near the beginning of the Christian era, by Sigge, a Sythian priest and chieftain, who is known in the Northern mythology by the name of Odin. The principal feature of the initiation seems to have been a modified form of the Isianic rite. Balder was slain by Loke, with a branch of mistletoe, and the initiation represented a search for his body. The myth preserved in the " Ancient Edda," which describes the descent of Odin into the regions of Hela, seeking for his murdered son, conveys a very clear
SCH— SCO. 343
idea of the ceremony. The candidate meets with difficulties and troubles of the most appalling kind, but finally reaches the palace "roofed with golden shields," which resounds with songs of triumph. Balder, physically, represents the sun, and, morally, the truth, and Loke is a symbol of winter, and also of evil. Thus here, again, is seen an attempt to illustrate the everlasting conflict between Truth and Error, Good and Evil, in which, after divers defeats, Truth and Goodness gain the empire of the universe.
SCHRODER'S KITE. In 1766, a person bearing this name established at Marburgh a Chapter of "True and Ancient Rose-Croix Masons," which met with so much success that he was encouraged to introduce into a Lodge at Sarrebourg certain mystical and alchemistical degrees. This system recognized the three symbolical degrees as the foundation of Masonry, and, at one time, was considerably disseminated. The rite is still acknowledged as legitimate Masonry by the Grand Lodge of Hamburg, under which, it is said, there are several Lodges now at work.*
SCOTCH MASON. In the French, or modern rite, the fifth degree. It is intended to throw light on the events which are the subject of the Royal Arch degree, and, iu substance, is nearly identical with the degree of Select Master.
SCOTCH RITE, more familiarly known as the Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite. The degrees of this rite are, for the most part, elaborated from the system invented by Ramsay, who claimed that he found them in Scotland, where
*" Louis Schroder, of Hamburg, with Ignace Fessler, of Berlin, took up the old English rituals, toward the end of the 18th century, and they together determined to introduce them into the German Lodges, wherein the higher degrees had become so dangerous. In their place they do 'sired to introduce the Masonic degrees of Symbolism and Light. A pro- found investigation as to the origin, genius and history of Freemasonry. and an exposition of the different systems of the Lodges and of theii higher degrees, necessarily awakened in the brethren a more general desire to*eimplify the object and constitution of the society, and tc guard for the future against the invasions of a mystical and dangerous reverse. Schroder introduced these degrees without any ceremony ol reception, so that they might not have even the appearance of the higher degrees. Fessler preserved particular ceremonies. The latter, though beautiful and solemn, resembled those of the Roman Catholic worship; their founder, who probably retained a secret liking for it, being, perhaps, unconscious of the Fast. The Grand Lodge of Hamburg constitiited itself, according to the system of Schroder, at the beginning of the present century; and many Lodges have since followed its example; as also the Grand Lodge Royal York, of Friendship, at Berlin, has. since 1800, made great progress in propagating the system of Schroder with the improvements of Fessler." — BOBBICK. Hist, de la Fr. May.
,-544
SCO.
they had been planted by Knights of the Temple and of Malta, on their return from Palestine. It is needless to say that these pretensions have no foundation in truth. The Councils and Lodges of this rite are governed by Supreme
f Grand Inspectors General, of which there are two in tl!e United States, one at Charleston, S. C., and the other at Boston, Mass. This rite is, next to the York, the most extensively diffused throughout the Masonfc world. It consists of thirty-three degrees, divided as follows:
7. ProTOst and Judge.
8. Intendant of the Building.
1). Elected Knights of the Nine.
10. Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen.
11. Sublime Knights Elected ol the Twelve.
12. Grand Master Architect.
13. Knights of the Ninth Arch, or Royal Arch of Solomon.
Symbolic Lodge.
1. Entered Apprentice.
2. Fellow-Craft.
3. Master Mason.
Lodge of Perfection.
4. Secret Master.
5. Perfect Master.
6. Intimate Secretary.
SCK— SEC.
345
14. Grand Elect, Sublime Mason.
Perfect, and
Council of Princes of Jerusalem.
15. Knights of the Sword, of the East, or of the Eagle.
16. Prince of Jerusalem.
Chapter of Rose-Oroix.
17. Knight of the East and West.
18. Knight of the Eagle, Knight of the Pelican ; or, Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix.
Consistory of Princes of the Royal Secret.
19. Grand Pontiff; or, Sublime Ecossais.
20. Venerable Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges.
21. Noachite; or, Prussian Knight.
22. Knight Royal Axe; or, Prince of Libanus.
23. Chief of the Tabernacle.
24. Prince of the Tabernacle.
25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26. Prince of Mercy; or, Scottish Trinitarian.
27. Sovereign Commander of the Temple.
28. Knight of the Sun ; or, Princ* Adept.
29lfcrand Scottish Kn't of St. An drew; or, Patriarch of the Crusades.
30. Knight Kadosch.
31. Grand Inquiring Commander.
32. Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.
Supreme Council.
33. Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
SCRIBE. Among the Jews, Scribes were officers of the law. There were civil and ecclesiastical scribes. The former were employed about any kind of civil writings or records. The latter transcribed, studied and explained the Holy Scrip- tures. In the traditions of the Eoyal Arch degree, Haggai, the scribe, occupies an important place in the Council of the Chapter, and should be regarded as the secretary of the king.
SECRECY. Freemasonry, in laying its foundations in secrecy, follows the Divine order of Nature, where all that is grand and beautiful and useful is born of night and mystery. The mighty labors which clothe the earth with fruits and foliage and flowers are " wrought in darkness." The bosom of Nature is a vast laboratory, where the mys- terious work of transmutation of substances is perpetually going forward. There is not a point in the universe, the edges of which do not touch the realms of night and silence. God himself is environed with shadows, and " clouds and darkness are round about his throne ;" yet his beneficence is felt, and his loving Spirit makes itself visible through all worlds. So Freemasonry works in secrecy, but its benignant fruits are visible in all lands. Besides, this principle oi secrecy furnishes a mysterious bond of unity and strength, which can be found nowhere else. The objection often urged against the Order on account of this peculiar feature is too puerile to be considered.
SECRET SOCIETIES. All the great associations of an- tiquity, the objects of which were to civilize and improve the condition of mankind, were secret societies. They werf. sailed "MYSTERIES." The mysteries of India, Egypt* Greece.
346 SEC.
etc., we- re secret orders — great educational institutions, established for the advancement of men in wisdom and vir- tue. The wide extension of the secret principle at the present time, and the immense number of secret philan- thropic societies which cover all lands, prove that there must be some wants, universally felt, to which political institutions do not respond; some elements of human nature not repre- sented therein, wrhich are the cause and groundwork of these secret orders. When society and governments are oppress- ive or imperfect — and all are imperfect, when they do not provide for all the moral, intellectual, and physical needs of men, — the earnest, the loving, the hoping, who, dissatisfied with the present, invoke the future; and the weak, who are crushed to the earth by the oppressive laws which govern all industrial arrangements, become disgusted with these con- ditions, and fly to the embrace of some secret order, where a higher ideal is revealed, and the prophecy of a better state is announced. We conclude, then, that secret societies have their origin in the deepest and most pressing wants of hu- manity. They grow out of a social arrangement which is unjust and unequal, and point forward to a time when justice and love shall possess and govern the earth.
SECKET MASTER The 4th degree of the Ancient and Accepted rite, and the first of the Ineffable degrees, conferred in the Lodge of Perfection. The body is styled a Lodge. The hangings are black, strewed with white tears. The Lodge is illuminated with eighty-one lights, the square of nine. On the altar the Book of Constitutions, closed; and on that lies a key of ivory. No working-tools are used, for the reason that the labors on the Temple are suspended
after the death of The Master represents King
Solomon, and is styled Puissant Master. The East repre- sents the Holy of Holies of the first Temple at Jerusalem, with its appropriate decorations and furniture. The sash is a broad blue watered ribbon, worn from right to left. The apron is white, edged with black; the flap is blue, with an open eye embroidered or painted on it. Two branches, one of laurel and the other of olive, cross each uther in the middle of the apron, and at the crossing is the letter Z, embroidered in gold. The gloves are white, turned over, with black at the wrists. The jewel of the degree is an ivory key, on which is engraved the letter Z, referring to Zadoc, who was the High-Priest in the reigns of David and Solomon. The duty of a Secret Master is to keep a careful watch over the conduct of the Craft in general; to practice virtiie, sbun vice, and remain in silence.
jg~f / fc&f,£:-: \ \ -_ ._!
SANCTUARY OF THE TEMPTS SECRET MASTER.
SEC-SIG.
SECRET MONITOR An interesting and useful side de- gree, founded on the history of the covenant of friendship which was entered into by David and Jonathan, an account of which is given in the 1st book of Samuel, 20th chapter.
SELECT MASTER. The second degree in the Council known as the Cryptical branch of Masonry. It accounts for the concealment of important mysteries at the building of the first Temple, which were preserved and brought to light at the erection of the second Temple, and furnishes th«j history which connects the incidents of Ancient Craft Ma- sonry with those of the Royal Arch.
SENSES. Man is brought into communication with the external world by means of five senses, or organs of percep- tion. Seeing, Hearing and Feeling are often referred to in Masonic instructions. They are explained in the degree of Fellow-Craft.
SENTINEL. In Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, and Councils of some other degrees, the Tiler, or. guardian of the door, bears this name.
SHIBBOLETH. The Hebrew word Ji^tC signifies an ear of corn and a stream or flood of water. The name given to a test or criterion by which the ancient Jews sought to dis- tinguish true persons or things from false. The term originated thus: After the battle gained by Jephthah over the Ephraimites, (Judges xii.,) the Gileadites, commanded by the former, secured all the passes of the river; and, on an Ephraimite attempting to cross, they asked him if he was of Ephraim. If he said no, they bade him pronounce the word Shibboleth, which the Ephraimites, from inability to give the aspirate, gave Sibboleth. By this means he was de- tected as an enemy, and immediately slain. In modern times this word has been adopted into political and other organizations as a pass or watchword.
SIDE DEGREES. Certain degrees having no real con- nection with Freemasonry, invented by enthusiastic brethren, are thus designated. Some of them are conferred for their supposed utility, and others for the harmless amusement they afford. The degree of Secret Monitor belongs to the first class, and that of the Knight of Constantinople to the second.
SIGNET. A sign, token, or seal. Formerly, rulers had seals or signets with which they invested their ministers, as that they acted by royal authority. The signet oi
350 SIX— SOL
King Solomon, or rather of Hiram, kncwiv among Masons, is said to have been a token of friendship which the King of Tyre sent to the Hebrew monarch.
SIX PERIODS, THE GRAND ARCHITECT'S. God is said to have created the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh. The "Grand Architect's Six Periods" refer to that event. Hence Masons are instructed to labor during the six days of the week, and devote the seventh to rest, devotion and medi- tation. These important periods in the world's history, and the manifestation of the Almighty's power and goodness are often and eloquently portrayed during the ceremonies of the Fellow-Craft's degree.
SKIRBET. In the English ritual, one of the working-tools of a Master Mason. It is an instru- ment usually made of wood, shaped like a letter T, and acts on a center pin, from which a line is drawn, chalked and struck, to mark out the ground for the intended edifice. In a speculative sense, it points out that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down in the sacred volume.
SOLOMON. This celebrated monarch was the son of David by Bathsheba, tnrotujn whose influence he inherited ,he Jewish throne, in preference to his elder brothers. During his long and peaceful reign — from B. c. 1015 to 975 — the Hebrews enjoyed their golden age. His remarkable judicial decisions, and his completion of the political insti- tutions of David, show gained him the respecl t the people. By building the Temple, which plays so jii.->ortant a role in the symbolism of Freemasonry, exceeding as it did, in splendor and beauty, all former works of architecture, he gave to the Hebrew worship a magnificence that bound the people more closely to the national rites. He was truly a great ruler; but, while the Jews were naturally proud, of the glory which his great qualities reflected on the nation, his enlarged and liberal views with regard to intercourse with foreign peoples deeply offended the national bigotry. The decorations of the Temple were thought by many to be pagan emblems, and, finally, they accused him openly of idolatry. Solo- mon is often styled "the first Grand Master of Masons."' This cannot be true. He might have been, and probably was, the first Grand Master of Masons in Judea; for Masonry was not known in that country until it was introduced by the Masons of Tyre and Sidon, who built the Temple. Solo- mon must have been made a Mason at that time, unless he
SOU 353
had been previously admitted into the society at Tyre or Sidon. To Solomon, however, belongs the honor of having brought the Masonic institution to the knowledge of the Hebrews, through the agency of the Tyrian architects. Yet the society seems not to have made much progress among that people, and even Solomon's great name and patronage could not secure it from misrepresentation and persecution. And this is not strange. A Jew of that age could not com- prehend, much less appreciate, the cosmopolitan character and liberal spirit of such an institution. Consequently, the Masons — called, in the Scriptures, Sidonians — were often the objects of bitter persecution. Of the writings ascribed to Solomon, the " Proverbs," and the book entitled the " Wisdom of Solomon," are the best. The latter Protestants have unwisely pronounced apocryphal; for, in a purely reli- gious point of view, it is the most instructive and valuable