CHAPTER XI.

Perfection, or XSrand Elect, Perfect and Sublime

MasoU^

THE lodge of perfection, or idtirtmte degree of
ancient masonry, should represent a "subterraneous
yault, painted red, and adorned with many co«
lours, and columns of a flame colour. Behind the
master must be a light to shine through a triangu*
lar sun ; and before him there must be a pedestal
•appearing to be broken. There ougfat to be seve-
ral other lights, arranged numerically, according
to the different stages of masonry*

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200 FIt££MA80K*S MOKITCK*

The most perfect, grand elect and suUime nmt*
ter, in this degree, is to represent Sdomon, seated
in the east, dressed in royal robes, and having a
crown and sceptre placed on a pedestal foe-
fore him* The two grand wardens are seated in
the west. On the right hand oi the most perfect
aits the grand treasurer, having a table before bim,
upon which must be placed some perfumes, with a
ftmall silver hod, and b trowel of gold. On his
left hand sits the grand secretary, with a table al-
so before him, on which must be seven loaves of
shew bread, with a cup of red wine for libation,
end also jewels for the candidates at Iheir recep-
tion.

The jewels appertaining to this degree are a
crowned compass, extended to ninety degrees;
or, a quadrant, a sun in the centre ; and on the
reverse, a blazing star, enclosing a triangle, hung
to a broad flame coloured ribbon, of a triangular
form, round the neck ; and also, a gold ring with
this motto, ^< Virtue unites what death cannot
part.'*

The apron must be flamed with red, a blue rib*
bon round the edge, and the jewel painted on the
flap. The brethren must be dressed in black, wtfh
iswords in their hands.

. IREEMASON^S MONITOIU 1^91

Prayer at Opening.
Almighty and- Sovereign Architect of Heavea
and Earthy who by tliy divine power dost ulti*
majtely searoh the most secret recesses of thought ;
purify our hearts by the sacred fire of thy love i
guide us by thine unerring hand^ in the path of
inrtue^ and cast out of thy adorable sanctuary all
impiety andperverseness ;i we beseech thee that
auv .Aottghlt may be engaged in the grand work
o£ ouc petfection, which, when attained^ will be
fiDf ample: reward for our labour ; let peace and
cfai|ri^ Vaak us together io; a pleasing union, and
may. tUia io^ge exhibit a^firiot resemblance of that
bappincte wMcfa the elect will enjoy in thy king*
dom. Give us a spirit of holy discrimination,, by
which we may be able to refuse the evil and
choose the good ; and also that we may not be
led astray by those who unworthily assume the
character of the grand elect. Finally, be pleased
to grant, that all our proceedings may tend to thy
glory, and oar advancement in righteousness*
Bless us and prosper our works, O Lord ! Amen*.

When a candidate is introduced^ after certain
solemn forms,, the master of the ceremonies says,.
¥l impress you, my brother, with an ardent zeal
for the honour of the Grand Architect of the Uni^^
i^esse^;, to^ the end that you may live always iia

S03 FREEMASON'S MDONITOft.

his adorable presence with a heart disposed toeTt*
ry thing that is pleasing to him/'

The most perfect then presents the candidate
with the bread and wine^ sayings ''Eat of this
bread with me^ and drink ef the same cup^ that
we mty learn thereby to succour each other in
time of need by a mutual love^ and participation
ef what we possess*"^ He then prasentt to hhn a
gold ring, sayings ''Receive thisjringj and let it
be remembered by you ajs a symbol of the alliance
you have now contracted with virtue andthevu>
tuous. You are never, my dear brother, to part
with it whilst you live ; nor to bequeath it at
your death, except to your wife, your eldest son,
or your nearest friend.'*

When this part of the ceremony is ended, the
brethrea make a libation, according to ancient
linage.

The most perfect then decorates the candidate
according to the ornaments of the order, saying,
" I now with the greatest pleasure sakite you,
my brother, as a grand elect) perfect and sublime
mason, which title I now confer on you, and
grace you with the symbols thereofl Receive this
ribbon, the triangul^^r figure of which is emblem*
atical of the divine triangle. Tlie crown upon
your jewel is a symbol of the royal origin of this
4egree« The cojupass^, extended to uinety. dt«

VftSKMASON^ MONITOR. t9S

gtees, denotes the extensive knowledge of the

grand elect. These jewels^ suspended o» your

breast, should make you attentive to your duty

and station.'*

Charge,

Thus, my venerable brother^ by your unblama*
Ue conduct, assiduity, constancy and integrity,
you have at last attained the title of grand elect,
perfect and sublfme mason, which is the summit
of ancient masonry, and upon your ariwal to
which, I most sincerely congratulate youi

I must earnestly recommend to you the strictest
eare and circumspection in all your conduct, that
the sublime mysteries of this degree be not pro«
faned or disgraced.

As to what remains of completing your know-
kdge in the ancient state of masonry, you will
find it by attending to the following

History.

When the temple of Jierusalem was finished,
Ihe masons who were employed in constructing
that stately edifice, acquired immortal honour*
Their order became more uniformly ettaUished
and regidatedthan it had been before. Their de-,
licacy io' admitting new members of their order,
brought it to a degree of respect.; as the merit
of the candidate was the only thing they then

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9*4 WZStMABOS^t MOlflTOt*

paid attention to. With these principles unfilled
into their mindsj manj of fhe grand elect left the
temple after its dedication^ and dispersed them*
selves among the neighbouring kingdoms, mstmcl*
ing all who applied, and were found worthy, is
the sublime degrees of ancient craft nuMonry*

The temple was finished in the year of the
yrorld 3000*

Thus for th0 wise king of Israel behaved worthji
of bmiself, and gatued universal adminrtion ; but,
in process of time^ when he had advanced in years^
his understanding became impaired ; lie grew <feaf
to the voice of the Lord, and was strangely irre*
gular in his eonductw Proud of having erected an
edifice to his Maker, and much intoxicated with
bis great power, he plunged mto aU manner of Ih^
^entiousness and debauchery, and profaned the
temple, by offering that incense to the idc^ Mo»
toch, which only should have been offered to the
living God..

, The grand tlett and perfect masens saw Ais,
fttd were sorely grieved ;. being £sariul tiiat Us
tpottacy would end in some dreadful conseqoenccs^^
iand perhaps bring upoil them their enemiis^ whfoai
€olonu>n had vainly and vnantonly defied. Tht
people, copying, the follies and vmsof llieir \fmi^
kecame proud and idolatrous, negkoting the tarn
worship of (Sod ibf (hat of idoisr

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Aar ftn adequate pimisbment for this dtffe^tion^
God inspired the heart of Nebuchadnezzar^ king of
Bahylon^ to take vengeance on the kingdom of
Israel* Thi9 prince sent an armyj with Nebu2arar
dan^ captain of the guards, who entered Judah
With fire and sword, took and sacked the city of
Jerusalem, razed its walls, and destroyed that su«
perb model of excellence, the temple. The peo-
ple were carried captive to Babylon, and the con*
querors carried with them all the vessels of gold
and silver, &c. This happened 470 years, d
months and 10 days after its dedication*

When the time arrived that the christian prince9'
entered into a league to free the holy land from
the oppression of the infidels, the good and rirtu*
. ous masons, anxious for so pious an undertaking,
voluntarily ofiered their services to the confede-
rates, on condition that they should have a chief
of their own election, which was granted ; accord*
ingly they accepted their standard and departed.

The valour and fortitude of those elected knight»
iwras such, that they were admired by, and took the
lead of, all the princes of Jerusalem, who, believ*
ing that their mysteries inspired them with cou*
v»ge and fidelity to the cause of virtue and reit^
gion, became desirous of being initiated ; upon be*
ing found Vorthy their desires were complieif
wUb^ and thus tiie royal art^ meeting the approb^^

tSO nUMASON'S MONITOa.

lion of great and good men, became popular 9ni
lM>nourabley and was diffused to the worthy^
throughout their various dominions, and has con-
tmued to spread, far and wide, through a succei*
iion of ages, to the present day.

BNO OF BMK I*

FREEMASON^S MONITOR.