Sovereign Grand Inspector General, or Supreme Council of the 33°

Dit rituaal dateert uit ca. 1835 en werd gebruikt door de First Supreme Council 33° - Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.

This Council chamber must be hung with purple, with a number of Skeletons, Skulls, thigh bones and fire brands painted thereon.
The presiding officer, represents, his Most August Majesty, Frederick the 2nd King of Prussia, who was the Sovereign of the whole Masonic order. He must be dressed in robes of Crimson silk, edged with white fur, wear a regal Crown on his head, and have a drawn sword in his hand His title, Most Puissant Sovereign. He sits in the East, on a Throne elevated with five steps under a Canopy of Crimson, a triangular pedestal before him, covered with crimson.
The 2nd officer represents his Serene Highness, Louis of Bourbon, Prince of the Blood Royal of France, he wears on his head a Ducal Crown, and has a drawn sword in his hand. His title is “Most Illustrious Inspector General.” He sits in the West, on a Throne elevated by 3 steps, and has before him a triangular pedestal, covered with Crimson.
The Treasurer in the North is styled “Illustrious Treasurer General of the Holy Empire.” The Secretary in the South is styled “Illustrious Secretary of the Holy Empire”. The Master of Ceremonies is “Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies.”
The Door Keeper must be dressed in the Military Uniform of the order, and is styled Illustrious Captain of the Life Guards. The Degree must be committed to him, but he is not to be considered as a Member of the Council. The members are styled, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General.”
In the Council or procession, they must always wear Black clothes, a sword, cocked hat, black cockade, and all must wear the attributes of the order.
The Order is worn from the left shoulder to the right hip, and is a white water tabby’d ribbon 4 Inches broad, on the bottom of which is a red and white Rose. On the part which crosses the breast, must be gilt or embroidered, or cut out of gold, a triangle, surrounded by a Sun, and within the triangle, the figures 33 in Gold. On each side of this figure, must be a dagger thus.
Jewel: At the bottom of the Order is suspended the Jewel, which is, a large cast black spread eagle, with two heads and gold beaks holding a naked sword in his claws. Gloves: white; no Apron. Over the head of the Most Puissant Sovereign is the Great and Awful name of Him, who gives us Life and Immortality, thus: הזהי.
In the Center of the Council Chamber, must be a small quadrangular pedestal covered with crimson, on which must be placed Bible open, and a drawn Sword laying thereon. A Human Skeleton on the North side of the pedestal, with a naked dagger in his right hand, in the attitude of striking with it, and in his left, bearing the standard of the order.
The Standard is of white silk 3½ by 2½ feet, edged with Gold fringe and tassels; in the Center a Black spread Eagle with 2 heads, gold beaks, and a naked sword in its Claws, under it, on a blue Scroll, these words in Gold Letters Deus Meumque Ius; the staff 8 feet in length with a spear on the top. Thus, over the inside of the Council Chamber door, are these words in Gold Letters: Deus Meumque Ius.
In the East must be a Candlestick with 5 branches, in the West one with 3, in the North on with 1, and in the South one with 2.
 
 
Opening
 
S: Most Illustrious Inspector General, what age are you?
I: Accomplished 30 Most Puissant Sovereign.
S: What is your employment?
I: To Combat for God and my rights, and to inflict Vengeance on Traitors.
S: What is the hour?
I:  The Watch word is out. The Guards are set, and we remain in perfect security.
S: Since we are safe from interruption, give notice by the mysterious numbers, that a Supreme Council of the 33rd is going to be opened Ad Gloriam Dei, that we may revolve in our minds, the business of our enterprise, and implore the assistance of the God of Armies, to aid us in our struggle for justice and our rights. He then strikes the hilt of his sword 5-3-1-2.
The Most Illustrious Inspector General repeats the same, when the Supreme Council is open.
The members of the Council then kneel on both knees, while the Most Puissant Sovereign, also kneeling, humbly and devoutly offer up to God the following prayer: Let us Pray:
O, thou Great and Eternal Lord God, Father of Light, of Life and of Love, the world’s Supreme Architect. who dost from thy Throne in the heavens behold all the people of the Earth, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to hear and receive the prayers and petitions of thy unworthy servants now prostrate before thee.
Instill into our hearts a knowledge of thy Eternal Word, and grant, that our high Institution may always be governed by the principles of Virtue, religion, and Justice.
Defend us, O Lord, from the machinations of the wicked; frustrate the evil designs of our enemies, and give us strength to overcome all those who may be armed against us, or who may wish to do us evil.
And the honor and the Glory shall be ascribed to thy most Holy and Mighty Name, now and for ever.
The Council answers: Amen.
 
 
Reception
 
As this is the most solemn and important of all the degrees of the Royal and Military Art of Free Masonry it is necessary that the utmost precaution should be used, in the selection of persons for admission.
It does not follow that because a Brother may have received the degree of Prince of the Royal Secret, he is then entitled to receive this. None must be admitted whose character is not irreproachable, and whose zeal, virtue, discretion, fidelity and fortitude are not fully known and approved. Such a person must apply in the following form:
To the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, in Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree
Most Puissant Brethren,
Ardently attached to the Glorious enterprise established in the degrees of K.H. and Prince of the Royal Secret; and being anxious to arrive at the summit of Masonic Knowledge, and to enjoy its privileges, I most humbly beg leave to offer myself as a Candidate for admission into your Illustrious and Puissant Council and your suffrages in my favour will ever by held in grateful remembrance.
A.B.
K.H: P.R.S
The Candidate is then Voted for Viva Voce. One may excludes him for ever, if the reasons which are given shall be deemed sufficient.
The Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies goes out to the Candidate, and examines him in all the preceding degrees, as none can be advanced into this Supreme Council, who have not been regulary and lawfully initiated into the Ancient Mysteries, and received every degree, from an Entered Apprentice to the or Prince of the Royal Secret, and produces certificates of the same.
The Candidate must then declare that he believes the Holy Scriptures to be the revealed Word of God, for if he swears on a book which he does not believe, he will deem his obligation of no importance. No one can be admitted, who has not attained 30 years of age. The Candidate then knocks on the door of the Council chamber 5-3-1-2 on which the Most Illustrious Inspector says: Most Puissant Sovereign, some person knocks at the door and disturbs the deliberations of the Council. The Most Puissant requests him to go and see who it is. He then goes and knocks 5-3-1-2, and when the door is opened, he demands: Who is it that knocks and disturbs our deliberations.
The Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies answers: It is a Knight of Kadosh and prince of the Royal Secret, who is sincerely attached to his order, his Country and his God, who feels for the sufferings of humanity in the death of the Master, and humbly solicits admittance into the Supreme Council, that, he may enjoy the privileges which hereunto belong.
The door is then shut, and the Most Illustrious Inspector General reports the answer in the same words to the Most Puissant Sovereign, who desires the Candidate to be admitted if he posses the necessary qualifications.
The Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies then introduces the Candidate, who must be dressed in black clothes, and without shoes, hat, apron, sword, his head inclining forwards and downwards, his arms crossed on his breast, his fingers touching his shoulders, a black cord, round his neck, which is held by the Grand Master of Ceremonies in his left hand, and a fire brand in his right:  In this situation he is led round the Council, and when he passes in front of the Most Puissant Sovereign, he bows before the Sacred and Ineffable name of God, which blazes in the East while the Most Puissant Sovereign says to him: Let us with the deepest veneration and piety, humbly adore the fountain of all good. that Glorious and Gracious Being, who with mercy and Beneficence governs the Universe, and all the works of his Creation, Glory be to his Holy Name, now and for ever.
He is then led round again, and again bows before the Ineffable name; and the Most Puissant Sovereign says: How adorable and wonderful is that Being who irradiates the world with the light of Reason and of Revelation. We adore thee Jehovah Sabaoth for all thy goodness, thy power and thy Glory be to thee for ever and ever.
The Council answers: Amen.
He is then led round the 3rd time, and on approaching the East, he again bows before the great Name, and the Most Puissant Sovereign addresses him as follows: Most Respectable Knight and Prince, Impressed with the solemn scene through which you are about to pass, in taking an obligation, which of all others is the Most Awful and important that men can subscribe to. And feeling, as I do, a consciousness of the dreadful penalty which the Great Eternal will most assuredly inflict on all those, who violate it. And as temptations may frequently occur, that may put your religion and fortitude to the test. It is necessary we should have some proof of your firmness and resolution of mind. You will therefore my Respectable Brother, advance to that cauldron, and wash your hands in the melted lead which you see therein that your hands may be cleansed from the stains of Vice and immorality: and that you may give us an assurance, that you are capable of enduring any sufferings in the cause of virtue, religion and truth. All of us have gone through the same trial, and have escaped unhurt. Put your trust in God, and resolutely determine to fulfill the Obligation which you are about to take, and the Lead, though melted, will loose its heat, and as you immerse your hands, it will recede from your touch. Brethren attend to see the Mystic Ceremony.
They all advance and see it performed. The Cauldron must be an iron basin, under which must be a furnace or chafing dish, containing a few pieces of lighted Charcoal, and placed in the South, so that in going round the Candidate may pass behind it. Some incense must be thrown on it, composed of Amber, Olibanum, and Mastick, each three parts; Storax, two parts, Labdanum and Benzoine each one part, mixed in a gross powder. This will make it smoke and yield a grateful perfume.
The Cauldron must be half filled with Quicksilver, which has the appearance of melted lead, by cannot be made hot.
After washing his hands in it, the Candidate is led to the Quadrangular Pedestal, at which he knees and takes the Obligation of an Inspector, during which the incense is kept burning, and every Member kneels, inclining his head downwards in humble adoration, with their right hands upon their hearts. The Candidate places both his hands on the Holy Bible, and takes the following
 
 
Obligation
 
I, …, Knight of Kadosh and Prince of the Royal Secret, do most solemnly pledge my sacred word of Honor, and do most sincerely swear and promise on the Holy Bible, which I verily believe to be the revealed Word of the Everlasting the God, that I will never reveal, either directly or indirectly, any part or parts of the Secrets or Mysteries of this Inspectors degree, which I am now about to receive, or any degrees which I have heretofore received, to any person or persons in the world, except it be to a true and lawful Grand Inspector General of the 33rd who has received it, in as lawful a manner, as I have or unto those to whom the same shall justly and lawfully belong. And I do furthermore swear, that I will strictly and religiously adhere to all the Statutes, Constitutions, Orders, and regulations, of this degree. That I will diligently and faithfully, and without partiality, favor or affection, discharge the duty of Grand Inspector General. That I will never receive or acknowledge any higher degree in Masonry that this. That I will worship the only true and living God in the manner and form, which I conscientiously believe revealed in the holy Scriptures, and regulate my conduct, by the unerring guide of his divine commands. That I will bear true allegiance and fidelity to the Country in which I live, and be obedient to all the orders and laws of the Government. That I will to the utmost of my powers, endeavor inculcate to all around me both by my language and behavior, the duty we owe to out God and our Neighbor, that it is Virtue alone that can make us respectable and religion bless us with happiness. All this I swear without any equivocation, mental reservation, or self evasion of mind, or in the hope of any future dispensation from any power whatever, under the penalty which I hereby implore upon myself, of being dishonored among men, of having my name exposed in large red letters in all the Councils and Lodges in the World, and I hereby most solemnly invoke the Great and Eternal God, to pour his curses upon this execrable head, here the Candidate places his right hand upon his head and to let me languish in misery and wretchedness, should I violate this my Inspectors Obligation.
So may God Almighty bless me with sufficient strength, and resolution to fulfill it in all its points, to the Glory of His Most Holy and Almighty Name. Amen. Amen. Amen.
He kisses the Bible three times, and the blade of the sword three times.
The Most Puissant Illustrious Sovereign then delivers the sword into the Candidate’s right hand, and says to him: Respectable Knight and Prince, we place into your hands a weapon of death, which we solemnly enjoin you never to use against the life of a fellow creature, except on the following occasions in your own defense, against the common enemies of your Country or your order, when lawfully called so to do.
He then places upon the wedding finger of his left hand, a plain gold ring of this breadth, on the inside of which is engraved the following Motto, Deus Meumque Ius, and the name of the owner, and says to him: With this ring I wed you to the order, your Country, and your God, and receive you and acknowledge you as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General. Let it always put you in remembrance of the solemn obligations you have taken. Swear to me, never to part with it, but when you believe yourself to be near your death, and then to give it to your wife, oldest son, daughter, or dearest friend as a sacred deposit, under a solemn promise never to part with it but in the like manner.
The Candidate answers: To which I swear, and pledge my sacred Honor.
The Most Illustrious Inspector General, then raises him and invests him with the order and Jewel, and gives him the following Signs, Token and Words:
1st Sign: Go on both knees, cross your arms over your breast, your fingers touching your shoulders, your head and body bent downwards.
2nd Sign: Draw your sword, fall on your left knee, and place your left hand upon your heart.
Token: Kiss the blade of your sword three times.
1st Pass Words are De Molay, when the other answers Hiram Abiff.
2nd Pass Words are Frederick, when the other answers Of Prussia.
Grand Words are the same as in Kadosh, Mi Chamocha Baelim Adonai, which means: Who is like unto thee in Strength! O God!
The Candidate then puts on his shoes, and takes his seat among the Inspectors.
 
 
History
 
The Most Puissant Grand Sovereign, Grand Master Commander in Chief, Sovereign of Sovereigns of the degree of Prince of the Royal Secret, was our Illustrious Brother, Frederick the 2nd King of Prussia. He established this degree, in connection with our Brother, his Serene Highness, Louis of Bourbon, Prince of the Blood Royal of France, and other Illustrious characters, who had received the degrees of K.H. and Prince of the Royal Secret.
The degree of K.H. or Knight of Kadosh, is a most awful and important degree. In it we have without restriction, solemnly obligated ourselves to destroy an order of men, for crimes committed many Centuries ago, without regard to the common principles of Humanity, or the Laws of the Country. And notwithstanding the utmost precaution, in the selection of Candidates, some unworthy persons may be received into that degree, who through a mistaken zeal for the order, or a religious enthusiasm for the literal observance of Obligations, might be induced to commit acts, which never were contemplated. The King on the first of May 5786, formed and established the 33rd Degree to give some elucidations of the K.H:  The King was conscious, that agreeably to the common course of human nature, he could not live many years; and he conceived and executed the glorious design if investing the Sovereign Masonic power which he held, as Sovereign Grand Commander of the order of Prince of the Royal Secret, in a Council of Grand Inspectors General, that they might, after his decease, regulate, agreeably to the Constitution and Statutes which he then formed, the government of the Craft in every degree, from the 17th or Knights and West inclusive, leaving the control over the Symbolic Lodge; the Grand, Ineffable and Sublime Lodge of Perfect Masons, and the Knights of the East or Sword, to the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, whom he conceived to be justly entitled to that Honor and power.
This new Degree he called “Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, or Supreme Council of the 33rd”.
The Princes of Kadosh or K.H. are Deputy Grand Inspectors General, acting under special patents, granted for that purpose, but to this degree, the Sovereign power is committed. The Council when formed can take cognizance of every circumstance appertaining to Masonry, from the 17th Degree upwards. Grant patents to deputy Inspectors General, or warrants for Councils hear all appeals from Councils or Individuals, above the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, etc. etc. as is more fully explained in the Constitution accompanying this degree.
No Inspector General possesses any Individual power in a Country, where a Supreme Council of Inspectors is established, as a Majority of their Votes is necessary to give legality to any of their proceedings. In consequence of the power with which the Inspectors of this degree are invested, it is necessary to limit their number. Therefore, a Council cannot consist of a greater number than Nine; at least five of whom must profess the Christian Religion. No business can be transacted or the Degree given, but when three are present, except on its first establishment, as pointed out in the Constitution. There must be one Council of this Degree in each nation or Kingdom of Europe, two in the United States of America, as remote from each other as possible, One in the British West India Islands and one in the French. None of the Inspectors can be possessed of the Manuscript of this Degree, but those two, who first formed each Council. When an Inspector goes to another Country to establish this degree, it shall then be given to him, under an Obligation, never to give it, except in the like manner. The Signs Words and Token are to be given to all the Inspectors.
The unjust and unprovoked cruelties, insults and injuries, inflicted on the Knights Templars, in which, the Knights of the order of Sr. John of Jerusalem, or Knights of Malta, assisted. which gave rise to the degree of K.H. and feelingly described in that degree. and in Vertot’s history of the Knights of Malta:  The Knights Templars, otherwise called Knights of the Temple, were a Masonic order of Knighthood, instituted in the Reign of Pope Gelasius, about the year of Masonry 5117 and so called, because they dwelt in a part of the Temple at Jerusalem, not far from the Sepulcher of Jesus Christ. They entertained Christian strangers and pilgrims charitably, and in their armor led them through the Holy Land, to view the sacred monuments of Christianity, without fear of the Infidels.
This Order continued to increase in numbers, power and wealth, and in about 200 years, was spread over all Europe:  The principal part of their Commanderies were along the Mediterranean Sea. As their influence was extensive, and their possessions great, Philip the Fair, King of France became jealous of them, which soon was increased into hatred, because they espoused the cause of Boniface 8th in that Pontiff’s difference with King Philip, an insult which the King had never forgiven:  On the 13th of October, Anno Lucis 5307 he arrested all the Knights Templars he could find in his kingdom, and brought them to the Stake.
In the year 5312, the whole order was suppressed by Pope Clemens Quintus. And at the request of the King of France and the Pope, the Kings of England, Castile, Arragon and Sicily, the Count of Provence, and all the sovereigns in Europe, arrested the Knights Templars, seized their possessions, and placed Garrisons into their Commanderies.
On the first of October of the same year, the Council of Vienna banished their whole order, in with the Pope, and gave the greatest part of their possessions to the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Rhodes, now called Knights of Malta, who were established about the year of Masonry 5120 when Honorius was Pope.
The Knights of Kadosh or K.H. were originally called Knights Templars, but after the Massacre, by King Philip, the few who escaped, found it necessary, to change the title and appearance of their order, that they might the better avoid the persecution of their enemies. They then laid aside the Black order and red cross, and substituted in its place a broad fiery blood colored riband from the left shoulder to the right hip, to which is suspended a Black spread Eagle with 2 heads, with a naked sword in its Claws.
About the year of Masonry 5767 an Inquiry was instituted at Paris, to prove that those Masons who styled themselves Knights of Kadosh, were in reality Knights Templar. Had the Inquiry succeeded, the whole order, probably would a second time, have been cut off. In consequence of this circumstance it was determined, in the Grand Communications of Berlin and Paris, that they should, in future, be styled, “Knights of the White and Black Eagle”.
The Knights of Malta, that they may retain the possessions which they have unlawfully received, are solemnly obligated to exterminate the order of Knights Templars, who are actually they, who have received the degree of K.H. For this reason the Knights of Kadosh, or of the White and Black Eagle, have solemnly pledged to each other, their sacred honors, and have sworn in the name, and in the presence of God, to hold them in enmity, and to exterminate them, whenever it is in their power: Although it is a duty we owe to ourselves, to endeavor to destroy that power, which attempts to destroy us, yet it is necessary that the extent of our enmity and hostilities to the Knights of Malta, should be well defined lest we should expose ourselves to ridicule and contempt if not to punishment by the civil Law, it is not intended, that if a Knight of K.H. should go up the Mediterranean on business, and accidentally meet with some of the Knights of that Order, that he should immediately draw the poniard, and stab them to the heart. This would be deemed murder by the Laws of every Country, and would justly be punished with Death. But if any Sovereign power should declare war, against the Knights of Malta, or against any power with whom they have treaties of Offense, and they are actually in the field, then we are bound, by the solemn and awful obligations which we have taken, if the situation of our affairs will admit, of it to join immediately the Army of their Enemies, and to use our utmost exertions both in the Cabinet and the field, to exterminate their order, that we may once more obtain those possessions, which are the indisputable right of the Knights Templars:
When the whole Masonic body of the different degrees, (as they are all obligated to obey the order of their superiors) are sufficiently powerful, they will be led out against their enemies by the Sovereign of the 33’s. And should success attend our arms, the Knight of Kadosh will then openly declare themselves, and take possession of the Countries, of which they are now illegally deprived and will peaceably rest themselves under the banners and protection of the Sovereign of this degree, from whom they will receive a system of Government, founded on the rights of the Knights and on their zeal, services and virtuous sufferings for so many Centuries.
When we take the field, against our enemies, our forces are to be governed by the orders given in the degree of Prince of the Royal Secret. But as the Most Illustrious Sovereign of Sovereigns has been most graciously pleased to invest this degree with the Supreme Executive power the Command in Chief of the Troops, after his death, devolves upon us. Therefore His Majesty the King of Prussia, has ordained, that the 1st and 2nd Officers of the Supreme Council of the 33rd shall be the 1st and 2nd in command over the Masonic Troops, District, Nation or Kingdom; over which they have Masonic Jurisdiction.
On the arrival of the Land forces at their Rendezvous at Jerusalem, a Supreme Council General, of all those who have received the 33rd Degree, shall be immediately convened, where each Inspector, must produce his Letter of Credence of this degree, and the possessor of the oldest Letter of Credence, shall be declared and proclaimed to the Troops as Generalissimo, and shall be styled Most Puissant Sovereign, Grand Commander. All the other Military Grades shall be held agreeably to the dates of the several Letters of Credence. Letters of the same date shall be determined by ballot.
Henceforward, all Rank, Honors, Dignities, Titles, possessions etc shall be hereditary. The government of the order always resting in the family of the Sovereign Grand Commander. On the reduction of the Knights of Malta, the Sovereign Grand Commander shall immediately assemble a Supreme Council General of the 33rd in which shall be formed a Constitution and system of Government for the order, which shall always be military.
At which time the order will assume its real title. The Uniform of the order in the field is, Blue, faced and lined with white, full trimmed, white buttons, on which is the Jewel of the 33rd. On the small buttons, 33.
 
 
Address to the New Inspector
 
My Brother, As we have powerful enemies to contend with, we must endeavor so to regulate our conduct, that we may not give just cause of offense to any one; that our wisdom may preserve us from the machinations of the wicked, and our virtue and urbanity subdue the Malice and envy of the Ignorant.
To effect these purposes, you must constantly wear upon your Lips, the guard of Secrecy and cherish in your heart the principles of virtue and honor.
Let us respect the whole human race, and even your enemies, for they are Men, and the same God created us all, and the same Providence provides for them as for us. If your duty should call you into the field, bravely and honorably contend with them, and should you prove victorious, wither not the victors laurels, by meanly insulting a fallen foes. Prove to them by the magnanimity of your conduct, that justice requires not the cowardly aid of an assassins hands, but that Virtue will be its own reward. Convince them of the Villainy of their Conduct, by the uprightness of yours, and of their Injustice, by your mercy. In whatever Country Capricious fortune may throw you, be faithful and obedient to its government and laws, for a Mason who is capable of sacrificing the interests of the Country in which he lives is equally as capable of sacrificing the interests of his order. Venerate the beings who brought you into existence, be a tender husband to the partner of your bosom, and an affectionate parent, to the offspring of your Loins; rear them up in the paths of Religion and Virtue and teach them to love their Country and to obey its Laws and set them the example of industry and care, and bring up your sons in the Masonic Order. Be true to your friend and your Brethren bear patiently with their failings, and make allowances for the frailties of human nature. Be a living example virtue and benevolence to all around you. Aid the poor and the distressed, whether they are Masons or not, with such assistance as they may want and you can conveniently spare and above all, offer up unceasingly prayers and Thanksgivings to that Great and Eternal God, for the many signal instances of his Divine Mercy, which you have unworthily received at his hands, and ardently seek for the attainment of Bliss, in the Mansions not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens. Amen.


Lecture

S: Are you a Sovereign Grand Inspector General?
I: Most Puissant Sovereign, my Virtue my Courage and my zeal procured me that distinguished honor.
S: How am Ito know that you are a Sovereign Grand Inspector General?
I: By Giving you the pass Words.
S: Begin.
I: De Molay.
S: Hiram Abiff.
I: Frederick of Prussia.
S: What did you see, when you first entered the Council Chamber?
I:  The Grand Ineffable Name of Almighty God.
S: Why does it appear in our council?
I: As our Order and authority are founded on Justice and Equity, we fear not the searching eye of the Supreme Being, and it is likewise to remind us that we are acting in his immediate presence. It also teaches us, to look up to that source for protection and support, and to worship the only true and living God.
S: What is the meaning of the Skeletons, Sculls, Bones and firebrands in our Council?
I: To put us in mind of the Massacre of our Ancestors by the King of France, who brought thousands of our Knights to the Stake.
S: Why do you appear in mourning armed with a Sword?
I: To mourn for their loss, and to be prepared to revenge their death.
S: Who established this degree?
I: Our Illustrious Brother, Frederick of Brunswick, King of Prussia.
S: For what purpose?
I: To regulate our hatred and opposition to the of Malta, to guide our zeal and exertions through appropriate channels, and to point out the mode of our Enterprise.
S: What is the Cause of your hatred and opposition to the Knights of Malta?
I: After the destruction of the greatest part of the order of Knights Templars, by the King of France, in concert with Pope Clemens the 5th their rich possessions were given to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now called Knights of Malta, from the Island of that name, which is a part of our possessions, and also many other places in the Mediterranean, which they hold; and as they have refused to surrender those possessions which were wrested from us by cruelties and injustice, we have bound ourselves, on the increase of our order, to conquer them and regain our possessions, or nobly perish in the attempt.
S: Is this the only reason the King had in establishing this degree?
I: Most Puissant Sovereign, he had others. He knew according to the common course of human events that his dissolution was not very distant, and he determined to establish a Supreme Executive Council of Grand Inspectors General, to whom he might commit the great Masonic power which he possessed, and who, after his decease, might rule the great body of Masons, agreeably to certain Statutes which he framed for that purpose, that when they should become sufficiently strong, to lead them to battle against our enemies. He justly conceived that as every nation is Independent in their Civil government, it was most equitable, they should each possess, a high Masonic Court, from which there could be no appeal. As this would be agreeable to every Government, no jealousies could exist against the order; the Craft would increase, and the great end of the Institution be obtained.
S: What else did you see on entering the Council Chamber?
I: I saw in the East a Candlestick with five branches, in the West, one of three, in the North one of one, and in the South on of two.
S: What do they signify?
I: Arranging the number of Lights in figures, gives 5312, the year of Masonry, when our order was cut off, which circumstance is likewise alluded to in opening and closing the Council, and in a reception, by the knocks on the door.
S: What is the meaning of the order you wear?
I: The White represents the purity and innocence of those who were brought to the stake, and the red represents the blood of those who were murdered. As the Sun gives Light and Life to all the regions of the World, so the Sun on our breasts indicates that, the Supreme and Illustrious Order to which we belong, gives light and Life to the great Masonic body over the Universe.
S: What is the reason of the Skeleton’s holding the Standard of the Order in his hand?
I: To indicate the punishment of death which all those will receive who are traitors to the order and who forfeit the Obligations they have taken, It also points out to those, who fight under our banners, that they must conquer, or nobly perish in the glorious attempt.
 
 
Closing
 
S: Most Illustrious Inspector General, What age are you?
I: Accomplished thirty, Most Puissant Sovereign.
S: What is you employment?
I: To combat for God and my rights, and to inflict Vengeance on traitors.
S: What is the hour?
I: The Effulgence of the morning’s Sun illumines our Council.
S: As the Sun has risen to illumine the World, let us my Brethren, rise they all rise to diffuse into the minds of those who are in darkness, the effulgence of Masonic Light, and to be an example of virtue to an admiring world. Give notice by the Mysterious numbers that I am going to close this Supreme Council.
He then strikes with the hilt of his Sword 5-3-1-2.
The Most Illustrious inspector General repeats the same.
The Most Puissant Sovereign, then holds up both his hands and says: O thou Great and Eternal Lord God Father of Light of Life, and of Love, Most Merciful and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth. Guide us in the paths of Virtue and of Justice. Teach us those Great and vital principles of thy true and Holy Religion, which will make us worship thee in spirit and truth, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, so that we may be prepared to become Members of the Supreme Council above, where all honor, and glory and joy await the righteous and the good, forever and ever.
They all answer: Amen, God grant it so may be.
The Illustrious Inspector General, then holding up his hands says: May the Holy One of Israel, and the Most High and Mighty God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, enrich us with his blessings now and forever.