1980

Procedure before Opening

The Procession having been formed, the Grand Marischal enters the Chamber and says: Brethren, to order.
The Brethren rise, the Grand Guarder draws his Sword, and the Procession enters the Reception Chamber, while the Grand Organist plays appropriate music.
As the Procession enters, the Grand Guarder steps aside and takes up his post at the door, his sword at the carry.
The Procession passes between the Guardians’ Chairs and divides into two columns. The Procession halts momentarily to allow the Grand Chaplain to place the cushion with the Bible thereon on the Altar, moves on toward the East and, at a convenient distance front the dais, halts and turns inwards.
The Provincial Grand Master, preceded by the Grand Sword Bearer and followed by the Grand Banner Bearer, passes through the two columns thus formed. The Grand Sword Bearer and the Grand Banner Bearer halt at the east end of the columns and turn inwards to face each other.
As soon as the Provincial Grand Master has taken his seat on the dais, the Grand Sword Bearer and the Grand Banner Bearer move to their places; the Deputy and Substitute Provincial Grand Masters and any Past Deputy and Substitute Provincial Grand Masters take their places on the dais.
The Grand Marischal and the Deputy Grand Marischal conduct the Grand Guardians to their places in the West and the remaining Officers move to their seats. The Guarder sheaths his sword.
GM: Brethren, be seated.
 

Opening of a Provincial Grand Chapter

Tirshatha giving one knock, at which the Brethren rise: Brethren, I am about to open Provincial Grand Chapter.
Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian, what is the first duty of a Brother of the Royal Order?
JGG: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, it is to see the Chapter properly guarded, as well against Master Masons, Fellow Crafts and Entered Apprentices, as against the rest of the world besides.
Tirshatha: Are you a brother of that Order ?
JGG: I am so highly honoured.
Tirshatha: Then do your duty.
The Junior Grand Guardian gives the knocks of the Degree, ** *, ** *, ** *, which are responded to by the Grand Guarder at the door and by the Deputy Grand Guarder.
JGG: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, the Chapter is properly guarded.
Tirshatha: I declare the Provincial Grand Chapter open. The Tirshatha gives the knocks of the Degree, which are repeated by the Grand Guardians, the Grand Guarder and the Deputy Grand Guarder. The Tirshatha gives the Penal Sign which is repeated by the Brethren.
The Grand Chaplain goes to the Altar, opens the Bible at the Book of Judges, arranges the Square and Compasses as in the Master Mason Degree, with the points of the Compasses facing North, salutes the Tirshatha and resumes his seat.
Tirshatha: Brethren, be seated.
Any business before the meeting should now be transacted.

Notes:
Throughout the Ceremonies only the knocks of the Degree are repeated by the Guardians and the Guarders. Single knocks from the Chair are not repeated by the Guardians.
Any distinguished Brethren present at the opening of the Chapter should be presented to the Tirshatha by the Grand Marischal before the business on the agenda is begun.
Any Brother known to the Grand Guarder who may arrive after the Chapter has been opened should be admitted without announcement. He gives the Penal Sign of the Degree and, with a bow, takes his place.
It is desirable that the Proposer and the Seconder of the Candidate should introduce him to the Grand Marischal before the meeting begins. The Grand Marischal will conduct him to the Preparation Room and there clothe him with a Master Mason’s apron. No other masonic regalia may be worn by the Candidate.
 

Reception of the Candidate

Tirshatha: Brother Grand Introductor and Examiner the Grand Introductor and Examiner leaves his seat, comes to the centre of the Chamber and salutes with the Penal Sign you will retire to the Preparation Room and examine the Candidate in all the Signs, Tokens and Words of the three Degrees of St. Johns Masonry and report the result of your examination to me.
The Grand Introductor and Examiner salutes and retires, the door being opened for him by the Grand Guarder. As the Royal Order exists, inter alia, for the preservation in its purity of St. John’s Masonry, the Candidate must be thoroughly examined in his knowledge of all three Degrees.
After completing his examination, the Grand Introductor and Examiner returns to the door of the Chamber and he gives the knocks of the Degree. The Grand Guarder opens the door sufficiently to see who is there, closes it, takes a step forward and with his drawn sword presents arms. He returns his sword to the carry and reports:
GG: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, the Grand Introductor and Examiner seeks admission.
Tirshatha: Admit him.
The Grand Guarder raises the hilt of his sword to his lips in acknowledgement of the order, returns the sword to the carry and, opening the door, admits the Grand Introductor and Examiner.
The Grand Introductor and Examiner comes forward to a point between the Guardians’ chairs, salutes with the Penal Sign and says: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, I have examined the Candidate and find him well versed in the three Degrees of St. John’s Masonry.
Tirshatha: Brother Grand Introductor and Examiner, you will retire and introduce the Candidate.
The Grand Introductor and Examiner salutes and retires, the door being opened for him by the Grand Guarder. From the Preparation Room he conducts the Candidate to the door of the Reception Chamber and gives the knocks of the Degree.
The Grand Guarder presents arms, returns to the carry and says: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, there is a report.
Tirshatha: You will enquire who seeks admission.
Grand Guarder acknowledges the order by raising the hilt of his sword to his lips, and at the carry, opens the door, goes outside and, closing the door behind him, addresses the Grand Introductor and Examiner: Who comes here?
GI&E: Brother …, a Master Mason from a Lodge dedicated to St. John, humbly craving to be admitted a Member of the Order of Heredom of Kilwinning.
GG: Wait while I report to the Right Worshipful Tirshatha.
The Grand Guarder opens the door, re-enters the Chamber, presents arms, returns to the carry and says: Right Worshipful Tirshatha, at the door of the Chapter stands Brother …, a Master Mason from a Lodge dedicated to St. John, humbly craving to be admitted a member of the Order of Heredom of Kilwinning.
Tirshatha: Let him be admitted.
The Grand Guarder acknowledges the order as before, opens the door and admits the Grand Introductor and Examine, and the Candidate. The Candidate is received by the Grand Marischal. The Grand Introductor and Examiner takes his seat. The Grand Guarder closes the door, sheathes his sword and resumes his seat.
The Grand Marischal conducts the Candidate to a position in front of the Tirshatha in the East. The Tirshatha welcomes the Candidate and explains that the Instruction in this Degree takes the form of a series of Lectures to which he must listen with great attention. The Tirshatha directs the Grand Marischal to conduct the Candidate to the West and place him in a seat between the two Guardians.
 

Lectures
Section I

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, what are you?
SGG: A Master Mason.
Tirshatha: What is the highest and most sublime Degree of Masonry?
SGG: The Royal Order of Heredom of Kilwinning is so named.
Tirshatha: Where was that Order first established ?
SGG: On the holy top of Mount Moriah in the Kingdom of Judea.
Tirshatha: Where was it afterwards re-established ?
SGG: At Icolmkill, and afterwards at Kilwinning, where the King of Scotland first sat as Grand Master.
Tirshatha: To what intent was it re-established and amendments made thereon?
SGG: To correct the errors and reform the abuses which had crept in among the three Degrees of St. John’s Masonry.
Tirshatha: What are the qualifications requisite to gain admittance into the Order?
SGG: Temperance, Fortitude and Justice.
Tirshatha: How do you discover a Brother of the Order?
SGG: By Five points, a Word and Badge.
Tirshatha: By what points ? Explain.
SGG: By the points of Fellowship Hiram was raised, and a Word then spoken; King Solomon gave to me a Title, and conferred on me this Badge he places the palm of his hand on his apron.
Tirshatha: The Badge I see you have and wear; give me the Word also.
SGG: Machaben.
Tirshatha: What does that import to the Brother ?
SGG: The Builder is slain.
Tirshatha: Your Name and Title I also demand.
SGG: Giblim is my Title, and Adoniram is my Name,
And from a just and perfect Lodge I came.
Tirshatha: Welcome, thrice heartily welcome, Right Worthy and Highly Honoured Brother, what do you seek?
SGG: A Word which was lost, and which by your assistance I hope to find.
Tirshatha: Will you travel ?
SGG: I will travel.
All, rise: We will travel from East to West, from North to South, until we find that Word. This response should be spoken or chanted by the Brethren, who at the same time give the first part of the Penal Sign. The sign should be repeated at the close of each section; except section X. The Brethren complete the sign at the end of the response.
The Brethren remain standing while a Procession is formed thus:
The Grand Guarder leaves his post and goes to the Altar. He lifts the cushion with the open Bible, Square and Compasses upon it. He positions himself between the Altar and the Brethren in the North and waits until the Sword Bearer, the Tirshatha and the Banner Bearer, have taken their places behind him. When they are ready he moves off slowly, leading the Procession round the Reception Chamber in an anti-clockwise direction. The Grand Organist plays appropriate soft music. As the Procession passes them the Guardians leave their chairs and take their places immediately behind the Banner Bearer, the Senior Guardian behind the Banner Bearer, the Junior Guardian behind the Senior Guardian. Other Brethren may join the Procession behind the Guardians, the number so doing being dependent upon the number present and the size of the Chamber. When the Procession is complete the Marischal and the Candidate join it at the rear.
The Procession makes three complete circuits of the Chamber, moving anti-clockwise North, West, South and East.
At the end of the third perambulation the Grand Guarder proceeds to the north side of the Altar, deposits the cushion with the Bible, Square and Compasses, the points facing
North, on the Altar. He returns to his place at the door and draws his sword.
The Tirshatha stops at the south side of the Altar, with the Grand Sword Bearer on his right and the Grand Banner Bearer on his left. The Grand Chaplain stands beside the Grand Banner Bearer. The remaining Brethren pass round behind these Officers and form a circle in the centre of the Chamber. The two Grand Guardians take their places on the north side of the Altar and leave space for the Grand Marischal to conduct the Candidate between them to the north side of the Altar, close to the kneeling stool. The Candidate is asked to kneel on the stool.
Tirshatha: Let us pray.
Almighty and Everlasting Father, we thank Thee that Thou didst send into the world Thy dear Son, Who, after having set a bright and glorious example for us to Follow and suffered for our transgressions on the Cross, rose on the third day triumphantly from the grave for our justification, and ascended into Heaven, thus destroying death and restoring us to everlasting life. Be merciful to this Candidate, and grant that he may so serve Thee here as to receive hereafter a crown of joy. To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, One God, be all glory, honor and power, now, henceforth and evermore.
All: Amen.
Tirshatha: Place both hands on the Bible. I shall repeat the Obligation and at the end I shall ask you if you accept it as your own.
The Candidate places both hands on the Bible.
Tirshatha: By every Obligation and each vow
Which surely was administered to you,
In just and perfect Lodge, with solemn tone,
When passing through the Masonry of St. John;
You promise now in manner most sincere,
In presence of that God we all revere,
And of these Knights and Brethren of the Art
Who unto you their Secrets may impart,
That you will always keep, guard and conceal,
In time to come you never will reveal
Either to Master Mason, Fellow Craft or Apprentice
Of St. John’s Order, what our grand intent is
That you will not write, print, mark, stain, cut, carve or engrave
On any thing by which they can perceive
A Token, Symbol, Word or Sign
Which to this Order Royal doth appertain;
And that you never will reveal the same
To mortal , day or night,
Except to a Royal Brother or a Knight,
Or in a Chapter, perfect and complete,
In due and proper form as they do meet;
And that under a penalty no less severe
Than that your head from body we may tear,
And on that Tower grand affix the same
If the Tower is screened, the curtain should be withdrawn for a moment, and the Tirshatha points to the Tower
Such actions most unlawful to proclaim.
Your body also triangularly cut down,
And it into a darksome dungeon thrown,
There to remain a terror to all those
Who dare attempt our secrets to disclose.
You further promise to honour and obey
All our Grand Officers, and submissive be
To all our Statutes, Rules and Regulations
Prescribed to us in our varied stations;
And that you will not from this Chapter roam
To form unlawful Chapters of your own.
To all this, with your hands on the Bible, you solemnly promise to observe, do you not ?
The Candidate assents.
Tirshatha: You will now repeat after me:
And now I say, God grant me, aid
To keep this solemn vow I've made.
All: And now we say, God grant us aid
To keep the solemn vow we’ve made.
Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian, to you I delegate the duty of raising the Candidate, investing him with the Apron of this Degree and communicating the Sign, Token and Word.
JGG: With this grip I raise you as a Brother of the Royal Order of Heredom.
The Tirshatha now returns to the East.
Tirshatha: Brethren, be seated.
With the exception of those to be engaged in the Investiture, the Junior Grand Guardian, the Grand Marischal and the Deputy Grand Marischal, all resume their seats.
The Junior Grand Guardian suits the action to what he has said and then places the Candidate to the west of the Altar to invest and instruct him.
The Grand Marischal brings forward, on a crimson cushion, the appropriate regalia and takes up a position to the left of the Junior Grand Guardian. The Deputy Grand Marischal holds a cushion ready to receive the Candidate’s Master Mason Apron, which is removed by the Junior Grand Guardian.
JGG: By command of the Right Worshipful Tirshatha I invest you with the insignia of the Royal Order of Heredom of Kilwinning.
I invest you with the Apron to distinguish you as a Brother of the Royal Order of Heredom.
I decorate you with the crimson Cordon or Baldric, which is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm.
The Grand Marischal assists the Junior Grand Guardian at the investiture.
The grip by which you were raised is given by grasping the Brother's right wrist with your right hand and his elbow with your left, then sliding your right hand up his arm and grasping his elbow with both hands, he grasping yours and moving each other's arm backwards and forwards three times. It is the grip or Token of Heredom.
The Word of the Degree is Jubilon. It is spelled.
The Penal Sign is given by placing the back of the hand against the left cheek, thumb extended; then bringing the hand, thus extended, diagonally from left shoulder to right hip and touching the jewel at the end of the cordon.
It alludes to the penalty referred to in the obligation. It is this sign which is used as a form of salute in the Degree.
The Junior Grand Guardian salutes the Tirshatha and his resumes his place in the West.
The Grand Marischal conducts the Candidate to the Tirshatha who addresses him:
Tirshatha: Every Brother is known in the Order by a Characteristic. The Characteristic which has been allocated to you is …. It is written on this card which I now hand to you. Take great care of this card since you will be asked for it during a later part of the Ceremony.
Grand Marischal, conduct our Brother to a seat in the West.
 

Section II

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, how many constitute a Chapter of the Royal Order of Heredom of Kilwinning?
JGG: Nine.
Tirshatha: Why so?
JGG: For three reasons.
Tirshatha: Give me the first.
JGG: Because there are nine digits in numbers which teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Tirshatha: Give me the second.
JGG: Because there are nine Muses in harmony, which polish human nature.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, Urania and Thalia.
Tirshatha: And what is the third reason?
JGG: Because there are nine orders of Angels in the celestial hierarchy.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Cherubim and Seraphim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels and Angels.
Tirshatha: How many make a just and perfect Lodge?
JGG: Seven.
Tirshatha: Why so?
JGG: For three reasons also.
Tirshatha: Give me the first.
JGG: Because in six days God created the Heavens, Earth, Sea and all that in them is and rested on the seventh, when He declared all to be perfect.
Tirshatha: What is the second?
JGG: Because there are seven liberal Arts and Sciences by which we improve our knowledge.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
Tirshatha: And what is the third?
JGG: Because it is said there are seven Spirits standing before the Throne of the Lamb, offering up the prayers of the faithful.
Tirshatha: How many form a Lodge of Fellow-Crafts?
JGG: Five.
Tirshatha: Why so?
JGG: Also for three reasons.
Tirshatha: Give me the first.
JGG: Because there are five distinctions of time, which teach us to time our actions,
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Minutes, Hours, Days, Months and Years.
Tirshatha: What is the second?
JGG: Because there are five Orders in Architecture which adorn or ornament our buildings.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.
Tirshatha: And what is the third?
JGG: Because there are five points of Fellowship which do or ought to unite Masons.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Hand to hand, foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, and hand over back.
Tirshatha: How many rule a Lodge?
JGG: Three.
Tirshatha: Why so?
JGG: Also for three reasons.
Tirshatha: Give me the first.
JGG: Because there are three terms in a syllogism by which we discover truth, the major and the minor proposition and the conclusion.
Tirshatha: And what is the second?
JGG: Because there are three equal sides in an equilateral triangle, which is an emblem of the third.
Tirshatha: And what is the third?
JGG: Because there are Three Persons in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost, One God.
All, rise: To Whom be all Glory, Honour and Praise, now, henceforth and for evermore.
Amen.
All resume their seats.
 

Section III

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, what in Masonry is said to represent the Son of Man?
SGG: The Perpend-ashlar.
Tirshatha: What is the Perpend-ashlar otherwise called?
SGG: The Stone which the Builders rejected, which is now become the Chief Stone of the Corner, or the most perfect pattern for Masons to try their Moral Jewels upon.
Tirshatha: In what is it said to be the most perfect pattern ?
SGG: In the three great principles of Masonry.
Tirshatha: What are they ?
SGG: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Tirshatha: Why Brotherly Love?
SGG: Because none can show greater love to his Brethren than He who laid down His Life for them.
Tirshatha: Why Relief?
SGG: Because He came to relieve them from the bonds of Sin and Death.
Tirshatha: Why Truth?
SGG: Because He is Truth itself and the Giver thereof.
Tirshatha: What is His name?
SGG: Emanuel.
Tirshatha: What does that signify to the Brethren ?
SGG: God with us.
All, rise: May the God of Truth always be with us, to direct and assist us. Amen

 
Section IV

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, what was the first building erected under divine direction?
JGG: Noah’s ark.
Tirshatha: To what intent was it built?
JGG: To preserve the elect from the Deluge.
Tirshatha: How many persons were there preserved?
JGG: Eight; four men and four women.
Tirshatha: Name the men.
JGG: Noah, Japhet, Shem and Ham, all masons true.
Tirshatha: How many pieces of work by men’s hands were called Wonders of the World?
JGG: Seven.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: The Tower of Babel, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Statue of Jupiter by Phidias at Olympia in the Peloponnesus, the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, the Tomb of Mausolus, King of Caria, the Pharos or Lighthouse at Alexandria in Egypt, and the Colossus at Rhodes.
Tirshatha: How many persons were said to have been named before they were born?
JGG: Three.
Tirshatha: Who were they?
JGG: Bezaleel, Maher-shalal-hash-baz and King Cyrus the Great.
Tirshatha: What were they ?
JGG: Bezaleel was the inspired workman of the Holy Tabernacle, wherein the Divine Schekinah resided and the ark of the Covenant was deposited, which afterwards became the model for King Solomon’s Temple, conform to a pattern delivered on Mount Horeb by God to Moses, who afterwards became Grand Master of the Lodge of Israel: the second, the son of a Prophetess, as we read in the Prophecies of Isaiah, ch. viii; and the third, Cyrus the Great, was Founder of the Persian Monarchy, conqueror of Asia and restorer of the Holy Temple.
Tirshatha: How many persons are said never to have died?
JGG: Two, Enoch and Elijah.
Tirshatha: What were they ?
JGG: Enoch was the fifth after Seth and the seventh from Adam, and prophesied of the flood and general conflagration ; and lest the Arts and Sciences should slip from the knowledge of men, he erected two pillars, the one of brick, the other of stone, on which these Arts were engraven, to the end that if the pillar of stone should be destroyed by fire, the pillar of brick might remain, and if the pillar of brick were destroyed by water, that of stone might remain, and which, we are told by Josephus, were to be seen in his day in the Land of Siriad. The second, Elijah the Tishbite, who, after working many miracles in the presence of the Kings and Princes of Israel in order to bring them back to the worship of the true God, was translated to Heaven in a chariot of fire.
Tirshatha: What things ought Freemasons chiefly to commemorate?
JGG: Three great events: the Creation of the World, Noah’s Flood and the Redemption of Man.
Tirshatha: To what intent?
JGG: To the Glory of God.
All, rise: To Whom be all Glory, Honour and Praise, now, henceforth and for evermore. Amen.
All resume their seats.
 

Section V

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, here was first a Chapter of the Order held?
SGG: On the holy top of Mount Moriah, in the Kingdom of Judea.
Tirshatha: How did Mount Moriah become consecrated or called holy?
SGG: On account of three great offerings made thereon: 1st, Abraham, at the command of God, offering up his son Isaac; 2nd, the prayer and offering of King David for appeasing the pestilence; 3rd, the prayer and offering of King Solomon at the dedication of the Holy Temple.
Tirshatha: Had Mount Moriah any equal to it in the world?
SGG: Only Mount Calvary.
Tirshatha: How came Mount Calvary to be consecrated or called holy?
SGG: On account of one great offering made thereon.
Tirshatha: What was it?
SGG: The offering up of the Messiah for the redemption of the world.
Tirshatha: Formerly talking of honours and dignities conferred upon you as a Freemason, I desire to know what was the first and highest honour, ever conferred on Freemasons.
SGG: The descent of the Divine Schekinah, first at the consecration of the Holy Tabernacle, and afterwards at the dedication of the Temple of the Lord by King Solomon, placing itself on the Ark or Mercy-seat in the Holy of Holies, covered by the wings of the Cherubim, where it continued to deliver its oracular responses for several generations.
Tirshatha: How many?
SGG: Fourteen.
Tirshatha: Was the Schekinah ever removed?
SGG: It was.
Tirshatha: Why so?
SGG: Because the Israelites proved unfaithful to their God.
All, rise: And so may the light of Masonry be removed from all who prove unfaithful to their God! Amen.
All resume their seats.
 

Section VI

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, talking of King Solomon’s Temple, had Masons any place there?
JGG: They had.
Tirshatha: What was it called?
JGG: The Middle Chamber.
Tirshatha: What were the qualifications requisite to gain admittance to that Middle Chamber?
JGG: Fidelity, Hospitality and Taciturnity.
Tirshatha: When admitted, what did they see worthy of observation?
JGG: The Mosaic Pavement, the Blazing Star and the Tasselled Border.
Tirshatha: What did the Mosaic Pavement represent?
JGG: The Law delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Tirshatha: Give to the Brethren the Sign of that Law.
JGG holds up both hands, fingers and thumbs spread out.
Tirshatha: What does the Blazing Star represent?
JGG: The Glory of God appearing on Mount Sinai at the deliverance of that Law.
Tirshatha: What does the Tasselled Border represent?
JGG: The ornaments of a virtuous life, living in conformity to that Law.
Tirshatha: Had King Solomon’s Temple any equal to it in the world?
JGG: Only the mystical Temple of Christ’s body.
Tirshatha: Do Freemasons expect any place there?
JGG: They do.
Tirshatha: What is it called?
JGG: Also the Middle Chamber.
Tirshatha: What are the qualifications requisite to gain admittance into this Middle Chamber?
JGG: Faith, Hope and Charity.
Tirshatha: When admitted, what do you expect to see worthy of observation?
JGG: The Tressel-board, the Perpend-ashlar and the Broached Thurnal.
Tirshatha: How do you expect to find them placed?
JGG: The Tressel-board on the Mosaic Pavement, the Perpend-ashlar on the Blazing Star, and the Broached Thurnal on the Tasselled Border.
Tirshatha: What does the Broached Thurnal represent to us?
JGG: Divine Grace penetrating our hard and stony hearts.
Tirshatha: What the Perpend-ashlar ?
JGG: The Great Architect of the Church who called Himself the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
Tirshatha: And what the Tressel-board?
JGG: The way of Salvation laid out to us in the Book of Glad Tidings.
Tirshatha: What is that Book otherwise called?
JGG: The Holy Gospels.
All, rise: Blessed be God for giving us the Holy Gospels as the rule and guide of faith. Amen.
All resume their seats.
 

Section VII

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes. You erst have talked about religious things,
And of honours granted you by Kings,
Now, you must tell me, take Revelation quite away,
How you could walk so as not to go astray.
SGG: By doing as I would be done by holds up the Square,
By living in humility holds up the Level,
By walking uprightly with my God holds up the Plumb Rule.
So as to escape His iron rod.
Tirshatha: The Compasses still you want.
SGG: I'd live contented with what’s given holds up the Compasses. And always thankful be to Heaven.
Tirshatha: Thus far, my worthy friend and Brother, you have answered well, but know
That he who would obtain a Crown
Must act up to those glorious rules pointing to the Bible on the Altar
Which God Himself lays down.
SGG: Unto those glorious rules pointing to the Bible I would myself conform,
And with the Sword of Justice armed
I’d put the righteous Breastplate on
And Helmet of Salvation.
Thus armed, my friend, I would not fear to oppose
My King’s, my Country’s and Religion’s foes.
Tirshatha: Well clone, Right Worthy and Highly Honoured Brother, pass ye on to higher honours.
The scene now changes to the Tower of Refreshment. The Grand Guarder leaves his post at the door and goes to the north-west corner of the Tower. The Grand Marischal conducts the Candidate to the north side of the Tower. The Grand Marischal resumes his seat.
Grand Guarder, addressing the Candidate: My Brother, this pointing to the Tower represents the Tower of Refreshment. I would direct your attention to the Steps he points to each item at he mentions it, the Pedestal, the Shaft, the Capital, the Entablature, the Sphere upon it, the Open Book, the Word Written, the Door of the Dungeon, and the Drawbridge. You will receive information regarding all these in the succeeding lectures.
You will now attempt to gain admission to the Tower under the Characteristic by which you are to be known throughout the Order. Please give me the card bearing your Characteristic.
The Candidate gives it.
Figuratively, you now ascend the first flight of Seven Steps the Grand Guarder places the card on the first landing, at the summit of which you are opposed by a Junior Warden who demands of you the Sign, Token and Word of an Entered Apprentice. You supply these proofs and are permitted to pass up the second flight here the Grand Guarder places the card on the second landing of Five Steps, at the top of which a Senior Warden demands of you the Sign, Token and Word of a Fellow Craft. You again supply the required proofs and are permitted to mount to the third flight Grand Guarder places the card on the topmost landing which is of Three Steps, where your further progress is barred by a Right Worshipful Master who demands of you the Sign, Token and Word of a Master Mason. You give these last convincing proofs and are allowed to proceed as follows. I will speak for you.
The Grand Guarder gives the knocks of the Degree with his knuckles on the table or platform on which the Tower is placed.
 

Section VIII
or 1st of the Tower

Watchman: Who with such clamour disturb, the Tower?
Grand Guarder: ‘Tis I giving the candidate’s Christian name and his Characteristic by name, Who, led by Ignorance, hither came.
Watchman: Though good’s your title, bad’s your guide
Who walk in darkness often slide;
What do you seek?
SGG: I’ve often heard a Word was lost
But have not found it, to my cost;
That Word I seek.
Watchman: Step in, then, and rest a while, where no noise was ever heard to disturb the harmony of the Brethren.
The Card with the Candidate’s Characteristic is placed inside the Tower by the Grand Guarder. After a brief pause:
Grand Guarder knocks ** *, ** *, ** *: Ho! Watchman, ho! what news from Sion?
Watchman: Nothing yet that I rely on,
But party-coloured Fame
Passed by this way and something did proclaim.
Grand Guarder: What did she say ? The sense explain
And do not vary from the same.
Watchman: She said that Beauty lies by three a ruffians murdered,
Cain, Achin and Eni, one of whom I fear is there. Pointing to the Candidate.
Grand Guarder: Try me, prove me, or disprove me, if you can; else love me.
The Badge of Innocence you see I wear pointing to the candidate’s apron,
Which proves in blood I have no share.
Watchman: If you are no man of blood,
You’ll find nought within this Tower but what is good,
But you must for a while in bondage seem
Till Sir the Christian name and Characteristic of the Grand Inductor and Examiner is given here comes you to redeem.
The Watchman resumes his seat.
 

Section IX
or 2nd of the Tower

Grand Inductor and Examiner, rising: Why does the Sun his glorious beams display
Within a Mason Lodge, or Moon reflect his ray?
Why doth the Star encircled G appear?
Why J. and B. two Chapiters do bear?
Why were the Tassels to the Indented Border,
Or why the Moral Jewels laid in order?
Why the Mosaic Pavement, and the Stairs ?
The Vow and Clothing after walking, Prayers ?
Quick, answer these, then you’ re a man quite free
Without the need of further secrecy,
For you and they are both alike to me.
Tell me, why does the Guarder wear a Sword,
Or why the Guardian demands the Master Mason Password?
Grand Guarder: The Sun directs us to the glorious light
Of Revelation, without which ‘tis night
The Moon the Law of Nature does display,
Reflecting but a faint and glimmering ray.
The Star encircled G declares
The Schekinah, wherever it appears,
Whether Off Sinai, Salem, or the place
Where th'Eastern Magi saw the blessed face
Of the Bedeemer, Who in Strength divine
‘Stablished His Church, th’indented line.
The Pillars J. and B. import
That God alone is our support.
The Moral Jewels, on the Mosaic checkered way,
Teach us humbly both to do and say.
By Tassels four the Virtues displayed are
Called Cardinal: by slow degrees the stair
We must ascend to our perfection;
And lest some surprise should happen,
We are led into the place
Where prayers are offered, and we see the face
Of our most honoured Master: and there repeat
An Obligation: and, our Freedom to complete,
Are with Innocence invested, whilst to our sense
The beauties of a well-formed Lodge commence.
A Sign, a Token and a Word also
To us are given that Brethren we may know.
The Guardians question and The Guarder’s Sword
Defend the Brethren, and hele the Word.
If I have answered well, let me go free,
For much I long to dwell at liberty.
Grand Introductor and Examiner: How hard it is unto the generous mind
And to the senses, long to be confined!
Now that the eye of Reason’s opened Wide,
And in the Wilderness no evil doth betide,
Go on, my worthy friend and Brother, but know
Should you return within this darksome dungeon once again
No light of Masonry you'll find to cheer your sense or ease your Mason pain.
The Grand Introductor and Examiner resumes his seat., The Warder of the Tower rises, mores to the South-East corner of the Tower and addresses the Candidate
Warder: The Passing Fee amounting to thirty shillings Scots Money, having been paid, being part of your dues as a Candidate, I, as Warder of the Tower, now communicate to you the Word and Signal which will set you free of the Tower. The Word is Zerubbabal and the Signal is given by laying the right hand and arm on the top of the left across the breast.
The Candidate is asked to repeat both the Word and the Signal.
The Warder now lowers the Drawbridge, opens the door of the Tower, withdraws the Card with the Candidate’s Characteristic on it, makes it to pass over the Drawbridge and down the ramp. He then gives the card to the Grand Guarder who returns it to the Candidate.
The Warder raises the Drawbridge, closes the door of the Tower and resumes his seat.
The Grand Marischal conducts the Candidate to his seat between the Guardians in the West. The Grand Guarder resumes his seat.
The following Sections, X and XI, are then recited, being an examination preparatory to the Candidate’s admission to the Cabinet of Wisdom.
 

Section X
or 3rd of the Tower.

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, where have you been?
SGG: In the Tower of Refreshment.
Tirshatha: How got you admittance to this Tower?
SGG: By a winding stair composed of fifteen steps with three landing-places.
Tirshatha: How many to the first?
SGG: Seven.
Tirshatha: Why so?
SGG: Because seven Compose a just and perfect Lodge.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with there?
SGG: A Junior Warden.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The Sign, Token and Word of an Entered Apprentice.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand. Advance in that Degree, and give the Sign, Token and Word.
The Junior Grand Guardian and Senior Grand Guarder leave their chairs and face each other.
SGG: The Sign is this demonstrates; the Token thus I give does so; The Word is B. O. A. Z.
The Guardians resume their chairs.
Tirshatha: How many to the second ?
SGG: Five.
Tirshatha: Why so?
SGG: Because five form a Lodge of Fellow Crafts.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with there ?
SGG: A Senior Warden.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The Sign, Token and Word of a Fellow Craft.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand. Advance in that Degree, and give the Sign, Token and Word.
The Senior Grand Guardian and Junior Grand Guarder leave their chairs and face each other.
SGG: The Sign is this demonstrates, The Token thus I give does so; the Word is J. A. CH. I. N..
The Guardians resume their chairs.
Tirshatha: How many to the third ?
SGG: Three.
Tirshatha: Why so?
SGG: Because three rule a Lodge.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with there?
SGG: A Master Mason.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The Sign, Token and Word of a Master Mason.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand. Advance in that Degree, and give me the Sign, Token and Word.
The Senior Grand Guardian leaves his chair and advances to the dais. The Tirshatha leaves his chair and comes down to the floor and faces the Senior Grand Guardian.
SGG: The Sign is this demonstrates, The Token thus I give does so; the Word is Machaben.
Tirshatha and the Senior Grand Guardian resume their chairs.
Tirshatha: How did he dispose of you?
SGG: He led me to the Grand Porch.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with there?
SGG: A Grand Introductor and Examiner.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The Fellow Craft’s password.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand.
SGG: Boaz
Tirshatha: How did he dispose of you?
SGG: He delivered me to a Junior Grand Guardian.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The Master Mason’s password.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand.
SGG: Jachin.
Tirshatha: How did he dispose of you?
SGG: He delivered me to a Senior Grand Guardian.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you?
SGG: The first Sign, Token and Word of Heredom.
Tirshatha: Which I also demand.
The Guardians leave their chairs and face each other. The Sign, Token and Word of Heredom are given by the SGG to the JGG. The Guardians resume their chairs.
Tirshatha: How did he dispose of you?
SGG: He led me to the Grand Master.
Tirshatha: What did he demand of you ?
SGG: Whence I came.
Tirshatha: Whence come you?
SGG: From the Tower of Refreshment.
Tirshatha: What recommendation do you bring from thence?
SGG: A hearty good wish to almy Brethren in Character.
Tirshatha: Can you describe this Tower?
SGG: Within this Tower three rooms we find, A first, a middle and an inner.
In the first we are entered; in the second passed. And in the third we are raised to honour.
Tirshatha: Are there any more apartments in this Tower?
SGG: A darksome dungeon, too, it hath,
In which, whoe'er is thrown,
For evermore must toil beneath
The weighty Perpend-stone.
Tirshatha: What did you see upon this Tower?
SGG: A Lodge thereon in form was traced,
Whose Canopy was Heaven,
With Principles and Virtues graced,
Which make our mystic seven.
The Principles so grand and good,
In number are but three,
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth,
By name they called be.
The Virtues are in number four, Prudence and Fortitude,
Temperance, Justice: and no more:
All cardinal virtues good.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with in this Tower?
SGG: The safety of the Royal Art,
The Warder of the Tower,
Who for his fee, pronounced me free;
A Word he gave, which now I have:
The Bridge I then got o’er.
Tirshatha: Give me that Word with the Signal.
SGG: Zerubbabel. SGG gives the Signal.
At the conclusion of this Section, the Brethren do not give the Sign.
 

Section XI
or 4th of the Tower

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, where have you been?
JGG: In the Pedestal.
Tirshatha: What is the Pedestal called?
JGG: Strength.
Tirshatha: Give me the Pedestal in Word and Sign.
JGG: Salathiel. The Sign is given by holding the point of the thumb to the forehead, while other fingers are closed together, apart from the thumb.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with in the Pedestal?
JGG: Three young men.
Tirshatha: What did they demand of you?
JGG: What was strongest.
Tirshatha: What answer did you give to each of them?
JGG: To the first I answered Wine, to the second, Women, to the third, the King.
Tirshatha: Whom further did you meet with in he Pedestal?
JGG: Zerubbabel.
Tirshatha: How did he dispose of you?
JGG: He led me from the Pedestal up the Shaft to the Capital.
Tirshatha: How were you conducted?
JGG: By a winding stair composed of nine times Seven steps.
Tirshatha: What is the Shaft called?
JGG: Beauty.
Tirshatha: And what the Capital?
JGG: Wisdom.
Tirshatha: What did you see upon this Capital?
JGG: A Lodge and an Entablature.
Tirshatha: What did you see upon that Entablature?
JGG: A Sphere representing the Universe.
Tirshatha: What did you see upon that Sphere?
JGG: A Book open.
Tirshatha: And what did you see thereon?
JGG: A Word written.
Tirshatha: How was it distinguished?
JGG: By the Square, Level and Plumb-line under it, and the Compasses in the form of a Square over it, by which I knew it to be The Word.
Tirshatha: Give me that Word.
JGG: Jehovah; Jireh; Machaben.
Tirshatha: How did Zerubbabel then dispose of you?
JGG: He led me down the Shaft through the Pedestal, and set me at liberty.
Tirshatha: Before parting with you, what did he demand of you?
JGG: What was strongest.
Tirshatha: And what is strongest?
JGG: Truth is strongest of all things.
All, rise: Glory be to the God of Truth, now and evermore. Amen.
All resume their seats.
 

Section XII

Tirshatha: My Brother, you ought now to perform a long, perilous and mystical journey; but, as the scenes in it can scarcely with propriety he depicted to mortal eyes, I will, with the consent of these Brethren, admit you at once to the Cabinet of Wisdom.
Brethren, are you so agreed?
You will, therefore, take your place among us and listen to the following Lecture, which will explain the journey you are supposed to have accomplished.
The Grand Marischal conducts the Candidate to a seat in the North.
Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, where have you been?
SGG: Traveling the wide world.
Tirshatha: In quest of what?
SGG: The Holy Rock, or Mount of Adamant.
Tirshatha: How did you arrive at it.
SGG: Over mountain tops, through deserts wide, and perils great I ran,
Until the Holy Rock I spied of my salvation.
Tirshatha: What did you see there?
SGG: A Fountain issuing from the side of a rock.
Tirshatha: What heard you there?
SGG: The voice of the Lamb.
Tirshatha: What did it express?
SGG: "Come and drink."
Tirshatha: What more did you see upon this Rock?
SGG: A great Church in a great City.
Tirshatha: How was the City founded ?
SGG: Neither in blood nor in iniquity, but in Righteousness and Truth.
Tirshatha: Why neither in blood nor in iniquity?
SGG: Because it is said "The stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity." (Hab. ii. 11 and 12.)
Tirshatha: Why in Righteousness and Truth?
SGG: Because they are stable as a Rock.
Tirshatha: How was the City inhabited?
SGG: By "kindreds and tongues and nations." (Revel. xiii. 7.)
Tirshatha: How was it guarded?
SGG: By a band of Angels with flaming swords.
Tirshatha: What was it called?
SGG: "Jehovah Shamniah" or "The Lord is there." (Ezek. xlviii. 35.)
Tirshatha: Whereabouts was your Church situated ?
SGG: In the centre.
Tirshatha: Of what form?
SGG: A regular square Cross.
Tirshatha: How long?
SGG: From East to West.
Tirshatha: Why so?
SGG: Because the Glory of God appears in the East and disappears in the West, and therefore all Churches, Chapels and places of Religious Worship are, or ought to be, so situated.
Tirshatha: How broad?
SGG: From North to South.
Tirshatha: How high?
SGG: Height immeasurable.
Tirshatha: How deep?
SGG: Depth unfathomable.
Tirshatha: What did you hear?
SGG: The voice of the Grand Architect.
Tirshatha: What did it express?
SGG: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. xi. 28.)
Tirshatha: Did you work and labour at the building of the Church?
SGG: I did.
Tirshatha: What were your wages?
SGG: The hopes of a Kingdom.
Tirshatha: What Kingdom?
SGG: Not of this world.
All rise and stand with the first part of the Penal Sign.
Tirshatha: May you and I and every Brother, both present and absent, so labour and work that we may come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant where our sun shall no more go down, neither shall our moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall he our everlasting light, and the days of our mourning shall be ended. (Heb. xii. 22-24; Isa. lx. 20.)
The Brethren complete the Sign and resume their rears.
 

Section XIII

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian rises and salutes, where have you been?
JGG: In the Middle Chamber.
Tirshatha: What did you see in that Middle Chamber?
JGG: The three great Lights of Masonry.
Tirshatha: What are they?
JGG: The Natural, Mosaic and Christian Laws.
Tirshatha: What did you see by the assistance of the three great lights, in that Middle Chamber?
JGG: The Furniture of a Lodge.
Tirshatha: What are these?
JGG: The Bible, Square and Compasses.
Tirshatha: As the Furniture of a Lodge, what does the Bible teach you?
JGG: Conformity to God’s Law.
Tirshatha: And what the Square?
JGG: To do as I would be done by.
Tirshatha: And what the Compasses?
JGG: To live within due bounds.
Tirshatha: Still by the assistance of the three great Lights what more did you see in that Middle Chamber?
JGG: The Moral Jewels.
Tirshatha: What are they?
JGG: The Square, Level and Plumb-line.
Tirshatha: What does the Square teach you as a Moral Jewel?
JGG: Justice in all our actions.
Tirshatha: And what the Level?
JGG: Humility in heart and behaviour.
Tirshatha: And what the Plumb-line?
JGG: Uprightness in thought and intention.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with in that Middle Chamber?
JGG: Three wise men.
Tirshatha: How did they dispose of you?
JGG: They led me to the Cabinet of Wisdom.
Tirshatha: How were you conducted?
JGG: By a Blazing Star appearing in the East.
Tirshatha: What is meant by the Cabinet of Wisdom?
JGG: An ox’s stall.
Tirshatha: Whom did you meet with in this same Cabinet of Wisdom?
JGG: A most glorious Brother, his most Holy Spouse and the ever-blessed Word.
Tirshatha: Name them.
JGG: Joseph; Mary; Jesus.
All, rise: To Him, as is most due, we ascribe all Glory, Honour, Might, Majesty, Dominion, now and evermore. Amen!
The Brethren remain standing during the next two Sections, giving the first part of the Penal Sign.
 

Section XIV

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Senior Grand Guardian, since opening the Chapter, what have we been doing?
SGG: Seeking a Word which was lost, and which by your assistance we have now found.
Tirshatha: When was the Word lost?
SGG: The Word was lost unto the sons of men,
When the Saviour descended to the infernal den.
Tirshatha: When was the Word found?
SGG: When He triumphant rose.
O’er Sin and Death, our sempiternal foes.
Tirshatha: What for us did the Word?
SGG: Lived thirty-three years upon earth, left a bright and shining example for us to follow, suffered a painful and ignominious death for our salvation, and afterwards ascended into the Grand Lodge of Heaven, where He continues with the Holy Ghost to make intercession for us with the Father, Three Persons in One Godhead.
All: To Whom be all Glory, Honour and Praise, now, henceforth and for evermore. Amen.
The Brethren remain standing, giving the first part of the Penal Sign.
 

Section XV

Tirshatha: Right Worthy Junior Grand Guardian, what did the Word express?
JGG: ‘Tis finished the Redeemer cried,
And lowly bowed His gracious head;
And soon the fainting sacrifice
Sank down to regions of the dead.
Tirshatha: ‘Tis done! ‘tis done! the noble work is done,
For men and angels far too great,
Which none but God’s Eternal Son
Durst attempt or could complete.
The Brethren complete the Penal Sign and resume their seats.
 

Closing of the Chapter

Tirshatha: Has any Brother anything to propose for the good of the Order or of this Chapter in particular?
The Tirshatha gives one knock, which is not repeated by the Guardians. All rise.
Tirshatha: All the business having been transacted, I declare this Provincial Grand Chapter closed.
The Tirshatha gives the knocks of the Degree which are repeated by the Guardians, the Guarder and the Deputy Guarder. The Brethren give the Penal Sign. All resume their seats.
The Marischal goes to the Candidate, conducts him to the door of the Chamber where Grand Guarder allows him to leave.
The Chaplain goes to the Altar, closes the Bible, places the Square and Compasses thereon, and turns the Bible to face the West.
If there is to be an adjournment the Grand Marischal will call the Brethren to order while the Tirshatha retires.

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