44’ 4$i

‘44 F-)
EIGHTH DEGREE—INTENDANT OF THE BUILDING
MEANING OF THIS DEGREE
The death of Hiram, the Chief Architect, threw the workmen
4~4 4’
of the Temple of King Solomon into great confusion, and for a time
V the construction of the building was stayed, for the want of es-
sential plans and an expert director of the work. King Solomon,
upon consultation, determined to appoint five Superintendents—
EIGHTH DEGREE 45
~4F--
Warden represents Ahishar, Governor of the House, and wears a black
‘44 robe and the collar and apron of the degree.
¼ 4’
The brethren sit about the Lodge in the form of a triangle.
Apron :—Triangular in shape, white, lined with crimson and bordered
with green; on the area is depicted a five-pointed star, with the Hebrew J
thrice repeated, in the center, and over that a balance; on the flap is a
triangle, with one of the following letters in each angle: B. A. J. (the
V initials of the word Ben-Ichurim, Achcr, and Jakinah.)
~444
Cordon or Order :—A broad crimson Sash, worn from the right
F-), shoulder to the left hip; at the point is suspended the jewel by a green
4-F ribbon.
Jewel :—A golden triangle, similar to that described as on the flap
-I’’
of the apron.
Steps :—Five grand steps, the heels to a square.
Age :—Three times nine—equal to twenty-seven.
4

‘‘4 Battery.—+++++
one for each of the five Departments of Architecture—and under “44

‘44
4: their supervision the bailding progressed. The ceremony of in- F, ‘44’
OPENING
stalling the superintendents is in this degree exhibited, instructions
given, and lessons of virtue inculcated. 0 /2 ‘~ ye.7 -1>
F-F-/’
ft. ~.—+ Brother Captain of the Guard, your station and
-F’ ‘duty?
44’- DECORATIONS, OFFICERS, CLOTHING, ETC.
44’ C. of G.—In the North, and, as the chief of the Guards, to see
IF-

The apartment represents the middle chamber of King Solomon ‘s ‘4 that the Lodge is secure.
Temple, with various symbols of truth and wisdom displayed. The hang- ft. P.—Attend to your duty, and inform the Sentinel that I am
ings are crimson, with a blue canopy in the East, sprinkled with stars. I4
4

about to open a Lodge of Intendants of the Building.

The lights are twenty-seven in number, in groups of nine each—each
group forming a triple’ triangle. -Ft Gaptain of the Guard instructs the Sentinel.
144~
The altar is immediately in front of the Master, on which are five
other lights. Over the Master is suspended a blazing star, with five 44, C. of G.—Thrice Potent, we are secure.
points, and in its center the Hebrew letter J, thrice repeated; this star C Thrice Potent ++; Wardens rise.
is surrounded by the triple interlaced triangle.
The Lodge consists of five members only, representing the five Chief ft. P.—Brother Joabert, are you an Intendant of the Building?
-I’ Architects, who were appointed temporarily in the place of the lamented S. W.—I have made the five steps of exactness; I have pene-
Grand Master Hiram. trated into the innermost parts of the Temple, and have seen the
The Master sits in the East, is termed Thrice Potent, and represents
Adoniram, the son of Abda, President of the Board of Architects.
i.
‘—F- great light, in which the mysterious characters Yod, Yod, Yod are
Senior Warden, in the West, represents Joabert, a Phoenician—Chief “4
F-’ thrice repeated.
F-”
Artificer in Brass. 44
ft. P.—What lesson are you taught in this degree?
Junior Warden, in the South, represents Stolkin, a Hebrew, Chief S. W.—That we should apply ourselves with zeal to whatsoever
Carpenter. work may be required of us or allotted to us to do in the Temple
N{aster of Ceremonies, in the North, represents Selec, the Giblemite—
—ever remembering that the Lord seeth.
Chief Stone Mason. ‘4
7’
Captain of the Guard, in the North, represents Gareb, a Hebrew— ft. P.—Brother Stolkin, what is the hour?
4- Chief Worker in Silver and Gold, and Engraver. 4-4 J.W.—Break of day.
During a Reception, the Thrice Potent represents ICing Solomon, and 44 ft. P.—If break of day, it is time for us to commence our labor;
is robed and decorated as in Perfection; the Senior Warden represents for that purpose, I will open a Lodge of Intendants of the Build.
L
444
Zadoc, the Priest, and is clothed in a white robe and mitre; the Junior
[44]
I”’

~1
‘‘I

‘F-
I
46 EIGUTE DEGREE
ing. Brother Joabert, give due notice therco E, that the brethren
may govern themselves accordingly.
S. W.—~4~4~4 Brethren, the Thrice Potent is about to open
a Lodge of Intendants of the Building; give your attention and
assistance to the work.
T. P.—Together, my brethren:
++
OF~’ICIAL DECLARATION
Brother Captain of the Guard, inform the Sentinel.
C. ofG.—Brother Sentinel, a Lodge of Intendants of the Build-
ing is now open.
RECEPTION
The Candidate, clothed as a Provost a~d Judge, is admil;ted within the
Lodge room without ceremony, and seated with the members.
T. P.—[Re presenting King Solomon.] Reverend Brother Zadoc,
counsel and advise with me. How shall we repair the loss which
we have sustained by the murder of our worthy Grand Master
Hiram? You know that to him was assigned the dLlty of decorating
the secret chamber, where our most sacred treasures are deposited—
that sacred and most Holy Place, where the Ark of God is to be
kept, and his protection and presence to be sought.
Scarcely had our most illustrious Brother set about this most
important task, when he was suddenly removed from us; and upon
Ill
no one has his mantle fallen; for he studied architecture in Baby-
lon, in Thebes, in Memphis, and in Tyre; all that the builders in
Rho~nicia, Egypt, and Assyria could teach, he knew. I am at a
loss to provide for carrying on the work of the Temple, which
stands still.
i}~i S. W.—Thrice Potent King Solomon, cannot our Brother, the
King of Tyre, send another architect to fill the place of our deceased
Grand Master?
12. P—He has none such in his dominions, and where shall we
find one like unto him that we have lost?
S. W.—Thrice Potent, I deeply sympathize with you in the loss
of our Grand Master, and am convinced of the difficulty of repair-
ing it.
I have reflected much on this matter; the only remedy which in
ill
A
EIGHTH DEGREE
47
my opinion promises any success, would be to select from the chief
architects five of the most worthy and expert, upon whom you may
confer the rank of Intendants of the Building, and with their aid
and skill complete the Secret Chamber and other unfinished parts
of the Temple.
You know how fond oar lamented Grand Master was of the
society of the yoang, and how he delighted to communicate to them
the arts and sciences which he had studied in the East and in
Egypt. His chief favorites were Adoniram, the son of Abda;
Joabert, the noble Ph~nician; Stolkin, of the tribe of Benjamin;
Selec, the Giblemite; and Gareb, of the tribe of Naphtali—whom
he was wont to term his school, and whom he well instructed in the
art of working in brass, in wood, and in silver and gold.
He often spoke to me of these scholars, saying, that, if he were
taken away, they would be able to fill his place; he often intrusted
to Adoniram the superintendence of the whole work, and made
Joabert the chief artificer in brass; Stolkin, chief of the workers
in wood; Selec, chief of the stone-masons; and Gareb, chief of the
workmen in silver and gold, and the engravers.
Why should they not, if it so please the King, take his place, as
he intended, now that he is dead?
12. P.—Brother Ahishar, as governor of my house, you should
be somewhat conversant with the competency of these pupils of our
deceased Grand Master to fill his place and carry on the work upon
the Temple; how do you adjudge them?
J. W.—Thrice Potent, they were greatly trusted by the Grand
Master, and he believed them fitted to succeed him. They may,
at least, conduct the work until one can be found fitted in all
respects to be appointed Grand Master Architect. They will partly
supply the great loss we have sustained, if they can do no more.
12. P.—Have they attained the rank of Provost and Judge?
J. W.—They have, and ever proved themselves, as Judges, just
and impartial.
T. P.—Brother Wardens, your counsels are approved. If pres.
ent, let Adoniram, Joabert, Stolkin, Selec and Gareb, arise.
The Candidate and four 1,rethren, among whom is the Master of Cere
monies, ~~ise.
fT. P.—Were you the pupils of our Brother Hiram?
M. of 0.—We were.
 EIGHTH DEGREE 49
EIGHTH DEGREE
48
is necessary -that you be skilful architects and learned in the knowl-
T. if—In what did he instruct you? edge of the East and Egypt. But it is equally necessary that you
M. of C.—In the arts and 5~i~nces~~e5pecially architecture~afld should be charitable and benevolent, that you may sympathize
in the mysterious knowledge of the Magi and Etruscans. But our with the laboring man, relieve his necessities, see to his comforts
knowledge, in comparison with his, is nothing. and that of his family, and smoothe for him and for those who de-
I~1 1’. P.—I’Ie knows much who is conscious of his ignorance. Are pend upon him the rugged way of life. Recognizing men as your

I~
you willing to devote your time, your talent, your energies, to the br&hren, and yourselves as the ahnoners of God ‘s bounty—are you
great work which he commenced, but did not live to finish? willing to perform these duties?
M. of C.—Thrice Potent, we fear to assume so grave a respon- Five Brethren—I am.
sib ility, knowing ourselves in competent. 2’. P.—Brother Senior Warden, you will canse the brethren to
ft. P.—If I command? advance by five steps, and then recede by five steps, when you will
M. of C.—Then we shall undertake the task with diffidence— place one of them in due position, that he may symbolize the death
devoting our energies to the great work, and relying more upon of our Grand Master Hiram.
your kind indulgence than upon our own merits. F-’4 4-” The Senior Warden causes the five brethren to advance by five steps and
ft. P.~Remember ever to apply yourself with zeal to whatsoever -4’, recede as many, explaining the same briefly.
F’ “4
I’
work may be required of you or allotted you to do—ever remem- -44’ ~4’/‘-44’/’-44’
S. W.—My Brethren, this step of the degree of the Intendant of
I’ 4F-t
4’
bering that the Lord seeth. -ii
the Building is intended to symbolize your fulfillment of the promise
You will all now retire, and being severally attired in white .4444’ to recede from everything that is vicious in your nature, and to
robes of purity, you will again enter this chamber, for investiture, 44’ -44’
4-44 strive and study how you may best advance to virtue.
44444
if found qualified and worthy. /4-4 4’ 42
My Brethren, in order that a Provost and Judge may be quali-
The five brethren retire, and all put on white robes and the regalia of 4’F-~ ~ fled for the office of Intendant of the Building, it will be necessary
Provosts and ~Judges; the signs and lessons of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and
Seventh Degrees are rehearsed. All thea proceed to the door, and the Master 4-4 *4 /444 for him to take a solemn obligation in the same position in which
~ h-e whom he represents as an architect lies in the grave; for we
I
-F44W 444’
of Ceremonies +++• Within, Junior Warden Senior Warden ‘-4 A’

and Thrice Potent +++++ should be dead to sin and vice, that we may arise to virtue.
S. W.—There is an alarm, Thrice Potent. The Candidat6, heing prostrate on his back, is covered with a crimson cloth.
-‘4 In his right hand is placed a sprig of acacia, and in his left, the Book of the
ft. P.~Ascertain the cause of the alarm. “’‘-4,
44-F Testimony.
-4’’—
S. W.~Brother Captain of the Guard, see who knocks as an In- ‘1~
tendant of the Building.
44’,
S. W.—Thrice Potent, the candidate is now in the proper posi-
244’ •4’4-
Captain of the Guard repeats at the door. 4’ 4”4F- tion to take upon himself the obligation of an Intendant of the
F-~1’ ‘44-4 - Building.
-F
ill, of C—Five Provosts and Judges, duly qualified and found ‘4 *‘4444-4 ft. P.—’f’++ My Brother, if you are still desirous of attain-
competent, now claim admission, to await the orders of the King 41
4/4
F-A * 4’
ing the mysteries of this degree, you will retain your present po-
as to the completion of the Temple and the work of the Secret sition and ‘listen to the following
Chamber.
444,, Captain tf the Guard repeats to Senior Warden. Senior Warden epeats 4’-

OBLIGATION
4 -‘4’- to Thrice Potent.
—44 I, , promise and swear, in the presence of Him who
-4 24 ft. P.—Lct them enter, and remain in the West.
~444 dwellth between the Cherubim and of this Lodge of Intendants of
Seajor Warden repeats to. the Captain of the Guard.
the IBuilding, about me assembled, that I will not reveal any part or
C;of G.—Enter, and remain in the West. “4’;’ parts, point or points, of the mysteries of the Ineffable degree of
ft. P—My Brethren, to become an Intendant of the Building it

2/
 I
EIGHTH DEGREE
50
Intendant of the Bui1~ing, which I have idready known, am about
to receive, or which I may hereafter be instructed in, to any person
or persons, unless it be to a true and lawful Brother or Brothers of
this degree; and not unto him or them, until after strict examina-
tion, due trial, or lawful information from a well-known Brother,
that he or they are worthy of that confidence, or within the body
‘44
of a just, perfect, and regular Lodge of Intendants of the Build-
—F ing, or by sanction of constitutional authority;
That I will not be concerned with, aid, or assist in conferring this
degree, unless it shall be in a Lodge of Intendants of the Building,
working under a Lodge of Perfection
FF
That I will not be concerned with, aid, or assist in conferring this
degree upon any one, unless he has previously taken all the pre-
ceding degrees in a due and regular manner;
That I will practice the duties of benevolence and charity; that
ii
I will not oppress or defraud anyone in my employ, nor abandon
him when sick, feeble and unable to work; nor overwork nor under-
pay him; but will ever remember that he is my Brother, entitled
to sympathy, regard, and assistance;
That I will acknowledge the authority and obey the general
laws, rules, and regulations of the United Supreme Council of the
Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third Degree
the statutes and laws of the Council of Deliberation of the State of
and the rules and by-laws of this or any other Lodge of
—,
which I may become a member, so far as they may come to my
knowledge.
The Candidate then repeats these last lines:
2’F-’
A4~/ -~ To all these I promise and swear, binding myself under no less,
~ ~a penalty than that of being deprived of my sight and hearing.
So help me God. Amen!
r -~ T. P.—My Brother, you have already been taught that your
five steps and advancing five steps indicate that you should
F’
44”
I
““~ receding
recede from vice and advance to virtue; they are called the five
steps of cractitudc. Your present posture is that of a dead man,
and is to remind you of the unhappy fate of the Grand Master
Hiram, and that, like him, you should be dead to sin before you can
~- 2~9 be made alive to virtue.
The crimson color of the robe covering you is emblematical of
~
( ~ his zeal and heroic courage.
May his zeal, courage, and resolution be yours; and, like him,
4’
41
EIGHTH DEGREE 51
prove faithful to your trust. I shall now raise you by the lion’s
paw, in a manner similar to which he was raised under the sprig
of acacia. By your being thus raised, is symbolized that you will
-/ in some measure repair that loss, by imitating his bright example.
4F-F-- 4-F-’
~ ‘p-’ Raises him by the 1d~aster Mason’s grip.
My Brother, I accept and declare you an Intendant of the Build-
ing, and one of the chief architects of the Masonic Temple.
I will now put you in po,~cs~ion of th~..signs, grip, word, etc.,
of this degree. -f’~ ~
The three mysterious characters—the Hebrew letter (Yod)
thrice repeated—are the initials of the three sacred words of this
degree, which are to be found in the center of the five-pointed star
in the East, surrounded by the triple interlaced triangle.
The battery of five, the five lights on the altar, the five steps,
the five-pointed star, and the travel five times about the body of
the Lodge, are all emblematical of the first five Chief Architects.
The age is that of a Master IVfason (9), multiplied by that of an
Entered Apprentice (3), representing that the Architect or Inten-
dants were thrice powerful as Master and Chief of Architecture;
hence the number of lights in the Lodge.
INVESTITURE
/ My Brother, I now with pleasure decorate you with a crimson
Cordon or Order, to which is suspended by a green ribbon a tri-
angular plate of gold—the Jewel of the degree. The crimson is
emblematical of that zeal which should characterize you as an In-
tendant of the Building; and the green, of the hope that you will
honor and advance the Craft, and supply, so far as in you lies the
power, the place of oar late Grand Master Hiram.
[also decorate you with this triangular Apron, of white, lined
with crimson and bordered with green; on it you will observe the
five-pointed star which shines in the East, with the Hebrew letter
(Yod) thrice repeated, in the center, which is to remind you of the
threefold essence of the Deity and of the three sacred words of
this degree. Over the star is the equipoised balance of Justice; on
the flap of the apron you will observe, as on the jewel, the Hebrew
letters B, A, J—one on each angle of the triangle—having refer-
ence to Ben-khurim, Achar, and Jakinah.
 4 ~4

44-’
B 52 EIGUTH DEGREE EIGHTH DEGREE

>f / someTheof number Five, in this degree, my Brother, has many illusions,
which have already been ezplained to you; it is also to re-
T. P.—Together my brethren. 53

mind us of the five points of fellowship; that we are to go on a

1~4 Brother’s errand or to his relief even barefoot and upon flinty
ground; to remember him in your supplications to the Deity; to
clasp him to your heart and protect him against misfortune and
OFFI CIAL DE CLARATIQN
Brother Captain of the Guard, inform the Sentinel.
4’ 4

slander; to uphold him when about to stumble and fall; and to The Captain of the Guard instructs the Sentinel.
give prudent, honest, and friendly counsel. Such are the duties you C. of G.—Brether Sentinel, this Lodge of Intendants of the
are especially to observe and to teach to others, for they are the ‘Building is closed.
first ordinances of Masonry. j7~4’.~-~ /7 /P~ f

CLOSING
T. P.—~~’ Brother Captain of the Guard, your station ‘and

h
duty?
C. of G.—In the North, and, as the chief of the guards, to see

-i that the Lodge is secure.

T. P.—Attend to your duty, and inform the Sentinel that I am
about to close this Lodge of Intendants of the Building.
The Captain of the Guard instructs the Sentinel, and reports:

C. of G.—Thrice Potent, we are secure.

Thrice Potent ++; Wardens rise.
F F 1’. P.—Brother Joabert, are you an Intendant of the Building?
S. W .—I have made the five steps of exactitude; I have pene-

I
trated into the innermost parts of the Temple, and have seen the
great light, in which is the mysterious character Yod thrice repeated.
— F ~ T. P.—What lesson are you taught in this degree?
/44 S. W.—That we should apply ourselves with zeal to whatsoever
work may be required of us or allotted to us to do in the Temple—
ever remembering that the Lord seeth.
~24~

4- F; T. P.—Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?

J. W.—Close of day, Thrice Potent.
V. P.—Then it is time to close our labors. Brother Senior War-
den, give notice to the Brethren that I am about to close this Lodge
of Intendants of the Building, that they may govern themselves
-4
accordingly.
S. W.—~I.’+ ~. Brethren, the Thrice Potent is about to close
this Lodge of Intendants of the Building. Give your attention and
assistance to the work.