H A N D

-
B O O K
OF T H E

C H A P T E R :

CO NTA I N IN G
M O N IT O R I A L I N S T R U C T IO N S

IN E
THE EE D GR S OF

M AR K M A S T E R PA ST M AS T E R M OST , E X CE LL E N T
M AS T E R
,

, A N D R OYA L A R C H ;

AD AP TE D To TH E

WO R K AN D L E C T U RE S
?
(H THE

(j RA N D C H APT ER O F C AL I FO R NIA

AS ADOP TED S E TPEM B ER, 7 8 55 .

T O G ET H E R WIT H THE

CE R E M O NIE S OF C O N S TI T U T I NG A N D D E D I C A T I NG C H AP TE R S
AN D T H E I N S T A L L A T I O N O F O FFI C E R S .

BY TH OM A S H C A SW ELL .

G R AN D L ECT ER .

S A N FR ANCISCO
FR AN K EAST M AN OO .
, PRIN TERS .

1 87 8 .
 PRE FACE

w
i n t h eir aim s may b e he l d i n gr at e ful re m e mb r an ce
,
.

b y t he R o yal C r aft of C alifo rn ia t heir nam e s a re here ,

i ns er t ed v iz ,

C o m p O R AN G E H D I B B L E of N e Y o r k
. .
,

I S AA C D AV I S of O h i o ,

C H A R L E S M R A D C L I FF of O h i o .
,

T O W N S EN D A T H O M A S of T e nn e ss ee .
,

WI L L I A M H H O WA R D of L ou i s i ana .
, .

T he H AN D B O O K i s almost e x c lus i v e l y as al re a dy
-

—
i nt i mat ed a c omp i lat i o n t he publ ic at i ons of no l e ss
, ,

t h an fou r d i ffe r e nt aut h o r s h av i ng b ee n us ed i n

i ts p re pa r at i on v i : M oore s [Vea [M ason ic T restle
,
z .
’
l

an d S kl M it
zc
'

es
’
all of w hic h wo rks i t h as h ere
on or :

tofo re b ee n n ece ssa ry to pos se ss an d stu dy b e fo r e

H i g h P rie sts e l ec t c oul d q ual i fy t he ms e lv e s fo r i n

s tallati on T o obv i at e t he c onfus i on t h u s l i abl e to

.

a ri s e an d at t he sam e t i m e to g i v e as a c onn ec t e d
, ,

w h ol e t he mon i to ri al po r t i ons of ou r r i tual t h i s wo r k

, ,

was un der tak e n h e n ce t h e abs e n ce of e v ery t h i ng l i k e

‘

c omm e nt upon t h e h i sto ry o r s y mbol i sm of e i t h er t he

i nt er m e d i at e d e gr ee s o r th e R o yal A h rc .

T r ust i ng t h at t he H an d B ook ma y full y m ee t -

"

t h e wants here tofo r e e x i st i ng i t i s re sp ec tfull y sub ,

m itte d fo r t h e favo r abl e c ons i der at i on of t he R yal o

C raft of C al i fo r n i a .

T H O M A S H C A S WE LL . .

N E E
OV M B 87 8 R 22, 1 .
 M A RK M A S T E R .

I n the j urisd i ct i on o f C ali forn ia a Lodge

of Mark M aster M asons is composed of fi v e
or more The number o f officers necessary
.

to a prope r conferring o f the degree is ,

nine (bes i des the Treasurer S ecretary and

, , ,

Tyler whose d ut i es and stations correspond

,

with those o f the symbolic degrees " and ,

are as follows
R I G H T W ORSHIP FU L M AS TE R ,

S ENIOR W ARDEN ,

J UNIOR W ARDEN ,

M AS TER O F C E RE M O N IE S fi ‘

S ENIOR D EACON
J UNIOR D EACON ,

M ASTER O VERSEER ,

S ENI O R O V E RSEER ,

J UNIO R O VERSEER .

These offices ar e fi lled by the officers of

the C hapte r i n the follow i ng order :
N ot n a m e d i t h e o e n in e re m o n ie s
n p g c .
 HAND BOOK -
OF THE CH AP TER .

T he H igh P rie s t R ig h tW o rsh ip ful M ast er

T he King Se n i o r Wa rde n
T he Scri b e .
J un i o r W a rde n
T he C ap ta i n f the H t o os . . aS . . M as ter f Cere mon ie s
o

The P r in c ipa l S ojou r n er . Se n i o r D e a c on

T he R y l A rch C ap ta in
o a . .
J un i o r D e a c on
T he M as t er f the 3 d V a i l
o . M ast er O er s eer
v

T he M as t er f th d V a il o e 2 . . Se n i o r O er s eer
v

T he M as ter f the t V a il
o Is . .

J un i o r O er
v s eer .

T h e sy m bolic colo r of the Mark D egree

is purple ; b u t as Mark Lodges are always
held under the war rant of a R o y al A rch
C hapter the collars aprons and jewels of
, ,

the C hapte r a r e use d in c onfer r ing the

degree .

A b r other r eceiving this degree is said to

be advanced to t h e hon o rary de g r ee
"
Mark M aste r .

O P E N IN C .

In c e rt ain a r t s f t h e it a t h e R W as t e r i s t e d
p o R u l M s yl M E n
Ki g
S a n d t h e S e n io r Wa rd e n as S e n io r G ra n d Ward e n
. . . .

o lo m o n ; .
 HAND B OO K OF THE CHAP T ER
- .

C H A RG E
TO BE READ AT O P ENIN G THE L OD G E .

W h erefore breth ren lay aside all malice

, , ,

and gu i le and h y p o c ric ie s and envies and

, , ,

all ev i l speakings If s o be ye have tasted .

that the Lo r d is gr acious ; to whom com

ing as unto a living stone d i sallowed in ,

deed o f men but c hosen of God and , ,

precious ; ye also as living stones be ye , ,

built up a spiritual house an holy p r iest ,

hood to offe r up S acrifi ces acceptable t o

,

Go d .

B rethren this is the will of God that

, , ,

with well d oing ye put to silence the

-
,

ignorance of foolis h men A S free and .

,

n ot as using your liberty fo r a cloak of

maliciousness but as the servants o f G o d
,
.

H onor all men ; love the B rot h erhood ;

fea r G o d A M EN . .

Re sp on s e : S o mote it be .

The R W Maste r afte r declaring a

. .
,

Lodg e o f M a r k Maste r Masons t o be

duly opened in this place and in order ,

for business seats the brethren H e the n

, .
 HAND BOOK -

w
OF

m
THE CHAP T ER

states the pu rpose for w h i c h the L o dge as

convened naming the brother who is to be
,

advan c e d an d if there are no obje ctions he

,

will di re c t the S enio r D eacon to take

.

“
w
,

su c h as sistan c e as ma y be nece ssary an d ,

r epai r to the ante r oom take cha rge of

-

t h e brothe r p r operly p r epar e and introdu c e

, ,

him .

R IT U A L .

I
SECT ON I .

The c e remonies whic h follow st r ikingly

illustrate the foundation an d histo r y of t h e
d eg ree and exemplify t h e method b y whi c h
,

the idle an d unwo r th y were d ete c te d and

punished an d d isplay one of t h e p r in c ipal
,

events whi ch c h a r acterizes this d egree A .

variety of inte r est i ng c i r cumstances c on

’

n e c t e d with the building of K ing S olomon s

Tem ple a r e also detailed and t h e marks of

,

distinction whi ch we r e in use among o u r

an c ient b r eth r en a re explaine d .
 HAND B OO K O F THE CHAP TER
-
.

Wo r kmen from the quarr i es with wo r k

for inspection .

—
Good work S quare wo r k .

96 96 9? 96

W hat is the da y and the hour ?

It is the sixth day and the sixt h h ou r .

66 9? 96

“
The b r ot h er will again repair to the
quarries in charge o f the O versee r s wit h
t h e ass u ra n ce t h at when he h as wroug h t
,

diligently an d exh ibite d a satisfacto r y spec

,

i m en of h is skill to entitle h im to wages he ,

 HAND B OOK O F THE CHAPT ER
-
.

—
c

The C h i sel i s an inst r ument made use o f

by operative Masons to cut carve mark , , ,

and engrave their work that it may be the

,

more readily known and dist i nguished when

carried up fo r any part o f the building .

B ut we as Mark Master Masons are tau g ht

, ,

to make use of it fo r a more noble and

g lo r ious purpo se —
to cut ca
, r ve mark,and ,

i ndelibl y e ng r ave upon the mind and con

science those truly Masonic virtues silence

w
,

and circumspection .

Then he brought me ba c k by the ay of

the gate of the outwa r d sanctuary which ,

look e th towa r d t h e E ast an d it was shut

, .

T h en said the Lord unto me : This gate

shall be shut it shall n o t be opene d and
, ,

no man shall enter in by i t ; because the

L ord the God of I srael hath entered in b y
, ,

it therefore it s h all be shut

, .
12 H A ND B OO K O F
-
THE CHAPT ER .

D J
"

I t is fo r the p r ince ; the prince he shall

,

sit in it to eat b r ea d before t h e L ord ; h e

s h all e n te r b y t h e way of the por ch o f t hat

w
gate an d shall go out by the way o f the
,

sam e .

A n d t h e Lo rd sai d unto me S o n of man

, ,

m ark e ll an d behold with thine eye s and

, ,

hear wit h t h ine ea r s all t h at I say unto thee

,

con cerning all the o r d inan c e s of the ho use

of the Lo rd an d all t h e laws thereof ; and
,

ma r k well t h e ente r ing in of t h e house wit h ,

eve ry going fort h of t h e sanct u ary .

a
e ee 96
 HAND BO O K O F
- THE CHA P TER .

My brother th i s was not don e to i mpose

,

upon you nor t o trifle wit h you r feelings

,

w
but to i mpress most strongly upon your
m ind this fa c t — that you are never to turn
away a brother i n dis t ress who presents ,

you h is mark w i thout giv i ng him at least a

,

quarte r of a dollar .

This degree as i nstituted by K ing S o l

omon n o t only as an hono r a r y reward for
,

the faithful of t h e C raft but also to render

,

it impossible fo r a Mark Master Mason ever

to want fo r the ne c essaries of life when the ,

value of his ma r k woul d pro c u r e them .

A brothe r wo ul d not be likel y to present

his ma r k to one s o poo r that he could not ,

by some m eans raise a quarte r of a dollar ;

,

no r would a broth er place another in a posi

tion t o v i olate h is O B The brethren o f
. .

this L odge well kn e w that a demand for

this amount would be ma d e of y o u ; and
therefore in a man ne r unknown t o you
, ,

p r ovided you with the means of r edeemin g

I4 HAND B OOK O F
-
THE C HA P TER .

you r pledge This is the way in whic h

.

Masons should ever d i spense thei r chari

ties should you meet a brother in dist ress ,

y ou will relieve h i s wants an d if possible , , ,

not even let hi m know w h ere the relief

came fro m .

“
You will now a r ise salute the J unior and
,

S enior W a rd ens a n d c onvince them that

,

o u have been regu la r ly obligated a Mark

y
Master Mason .

96

T h e work is right in t h e S outh .

T h e wo r k is right in the W est .

96 56

This is the sto n e which was set at naught

of y o u builders which i s become the head
,

o f the corner A c ts i v I I
.
, . .
 HAND BOOK -
OF THE CHAP TER .

w
D id ye never read in the sc r iptu res The
'

stone which the builders rejected the same ,

is become the head o f the corne r ? Matt .

xx i 42. .

A nd have ye not r ead this s c r i pture ,

The stone h i ch the builde rs rejected is

become the head of the c o rn e r P Ma rk
xii I O
. .

What is this then t h at is w r itten : The

, ,

stone which the builder s r ej ected is be c o me

the head of the corner P Luke xx I 7 . .

H e that hath o m e ar to hear let him hear , .

R e v iii 1 3

w
. . .

T his stone i s supposed to be alluded

to in a certain passage of s c ripture w h ich ,

says

w
To him that ove rc ometh will I give to
eat of the h id d en manna ; and I will give
him a oe/k ite sto n e and in t h e stone a n e
f

fl a m e wr i tten which n o man knoweth s av

, ,

ing he that receivet h it R e v ii I 7 . . . .

This you see is a z oom sto ;

, ,
 HAND B OO K OF THE CHA P TER
-
.

The W ORKIN G T O O L S of a Mark Maste r

ar e t h e CHI S E L and M A L L E T .

TH E CH I S EL

Mo r ally d emonstrates the advantages of

d iscipline and education T h e mind like
.
,

the d iamond in its original state is r ude ,

a n d unpolishe d ; b u t as the effe c t of the

c hisel on t h e exte r nal coat soon p resents
‘

to view t h e latent beauties of the d ia m on d ,

so e d u c ation d is c ove r s t h e latent vi r tues of

t h e min d and d raws t h em fo r t h to r ange
,

t h e la rge fiel d of matte r an d spa c e to dis ,

play the s u mmit o f h uman knowledge our ,

duty to God and to man .

T H E M A L L ET

M o r ally tea ch es to c o r re c t ir r egularities and

to r e d u c e man to a p r oper level s o that by, ,

quiet depo r tment he ma y in the school o f

, ,

discipline learn to be content W hat the

, .

mallet is to the workman enlig h tened r ea

,

son is to the passions : it c u rbs ambition ,

dep resses envy m oderates ange r and e n

, ,
18 HAND B OO K OF -
THE CHAP TE R .

I n the honorable cha racter of Mark Mas

te r Mason it is your duty t o endeavor to
,

let you r cond u c t in the Lodge and a m on g ,

your breth r en be such as may stan d the

,

test of the Grand O verseer s square ; that

’

you ma y n ot l i ke the u nfi nished and im

,

perfe c t wo r k o f the negligent and unfaith

ful of forme r times be reje c ted an d th r own
,

aside as unfit for that spiritual buil d ing

that house not made with hands ete r nal —
in the heaven s .

W hile suc h is you r c ondu c t should mis ,

fortune as sail you should friends forsake

,

y ou should env y t r aduce your good name

, ,

an d mali c e persecute you y et m ay you ,

have confi d en c e that among Mark Master

w
Masons you will fi nd fr iends who will ad
minister relief to your d istresses and com ,

fort your a ffl ictions ; ever bearing i n mi nd ,

as a consolat i on under al l the frowns of

fortune and as an en c ou r agement to hope
,

fo r better prospects that tne sto n e h ic h

,

th e b u ilde rs reje cte d (possessing meri t s t o

them unknown " be ca m e tne enz ef s ton e of
'

tne co r n e r .
 HA N D B O OK O F THE CHA P T E R
-
.

CLOSI NG .

The ceremony of closin g when p r ope r ly ,

conducted i s peculiarly interest i n g

, .

The Master of C e r e monies wi ll asse mble

the C raft for the purpose o f passing the
S en i or G r and W arden s D epartment
’

c e iv e the i r wa es
g .

followi n g song is sung

Tnne A m eric a .

M a r k M ast er s all app e a r

,

B e fo re t he C h ie f O e rse e r
’
,

I n c on cer t mov e .

L e t hi m y ou r wo r k i nsp e c t
F o r t he C hie f A rchi t ec t
I f t h ere b e no de fec t ,

H e w i ll app r ov e .

Yo u w h o h av e pass ed t he S q ua re ,

F o r y ou r re wa rd s p re pa re ,

J o i n he a r t an d h an d

M a r c h w i t h t he just an d t r u e
Wag e s to y ou a re d u e ,

A t y ou r c omman d .
20 H A N D B OOK O F
-
THE C H A PT E R .

H ir am t he w id ow s
,
’
son ,

S e nt unto S olomon
O u r g re at Kev S ton e -

O n i t app e a r s t he nam e
T h at r a i s e s hi g h t h e fam e
O f all to w h om t he sam e
I s t r u l y known

ww
.

Where full of st re ngt h an d lov e

.
,

H ir am d ot h stan d .

B t i f i mposto r s a re
u

Mi x ed i t h t he wo r t hy t here

w
,

C az/ tion fi l e "" to b e are

follo i n g passage from the B ook

the Law i s read :
M att xx
. . I I 6 .

w
F or the k i ngdom of heaven like unto is

w
a man that is an householder which went ,

o u t early in the m orning to hire labo r e r s

i nto his vineyard A nd when he had ag ree d

.

with the labo r ers for a penny a day he sent ,

them into h is v ine y ard A n d he e nt out .

ab out the third hour and s a others stand

,
 w
HAND B OO K O F THE CHAP TER
-
.

in g idle in the market place and sai d unto -

,

them Go ye also i nto the vineyard and

, ,

whatsoever is r i ght I will give you A nd

, .

the y went their way A nd again he e nt .

o u t about the s i xth and n i nth hour and did ,

likewise A nd about the eleventh hou r he

.

went o u t and found others standin g i dle ,

and saith unto them W h y stand ye he r e ,

all the day idle ? They s ay unto him B e ,

cause no man hath hired u s H e saith unto .

t hem Go ye also i nto the vineyard and

, ,

whatsoever is r i g ht that shall ye re ceive

, .

S o when even was come the L ord o f the ,

vineyar d saith unto his steward C all the ,

labo r ers and give them t h ei r hire b eg i n

, ,

n ing from t h e last unto the first A nd .

when they came that were hired about the

eleventh hour they received every man a
,

penny B ut when the first came they sup

. ,

posed that they should have receive d more ,

and they likewise received eve ry man a

penny A nd when they had received I t
. ,

they murmu r ed aga i nst the g ood man of

the house say i ng These last have wrou g ht
, ,

but o n e hour and thou ha st made them

,

equal unto u s which have bo rne the burden

 HAND BOOK OF THE CHAP T ER
-
.

w
and heat of the da y B ut he answe r e d one

w
.

of them and said F riend I do thee n o

, , ,

wrong : d idst thou not agree with me for a

penn y ? Take that thine is and g o thy ,

wa y ; I will give unto this last even as unto

thee I s it not lawful fo r me t o do h at I
.

will with mine o n ? I s thine eye evil b e

w
cause I am goo d ? S o the last shall be
first and the first last : fo r many be called
, ,

but few ch osen .

No to t he p ra i s e of t h os e
Wh o t ri ump hed o er t he fo e s
’

O f M asons a r ts
’

T o t he p r a i s e wo r t hy t h ree
Wh o foun d e d t hi s d e g ree
M a y all t he i r v i r tu e s b e
Dee p i n ou r he a r ts .

The n may the blessing of H eaven rest

upon us and all regula r M asons " May
,

brotherl y love prevail and every moral a n d

,

social virtue ce ment us " A m e n .

R e spon se S o mote it be .
 P AS T M AS T E R .

A L odge of P ast Masters i s composed

tnre e o r m ore
,
the
R I G H T W ORSHI P FU L M AS TE R ,

S E NIOR W ARDEN ,

J U N IOR W ARDE N .

T h e following officers are also necessary

c o nstitute a perfect Lodge
T R E ASU R E R,

S ECRE TARY,

S ENIOR D EACON ,

w
J UNIOR D E ACON ,

T YL ER.

The symbolic color of t h e P ast Master s

’

degree i s purple but fo r the r eason g iven

unde r the h ead o f M ark Master the
“
,

aprons and j e e ls of the C hapter are also

u sed in this de g ree .

A brother r eceiving t h e degree of P ast

“
Master is said t o have been r e gularly
elected and presided in the O riental Ch air
,
.
 HAND BOOK O F THE CHA P TE R
-
.

O P E N IN C

P R AY E R
OPENIN G A L OD G E OF PAS T M AS T ERS .

M o st h oly an d glorious Lor d Go d the ,

Great A r c h i te c t o f the U nivers e t h e giver ,

of al l good g i fts and graces : Thou hast

promised that whe r e two or three ar e gat h
ered to g ether i n thy name thou wilt be in ,

the m i dst of them and bless them , In .

thy name we assemble most humbly b e ,

~

s e e c h in thee to bless us in all our under

g
t akings that we may know an d serve thee
,

a r ight and that all ou r act i ons may tend to

,

thy glory and to o u r advance ment in

,

knowledge and virtue ; and we beseech

thee O Lord God to bless our present
, ,

assembling an d t o illumine our minds that

, ,
 HAND B OOK OF THE CHAPTER
-
.

Master elect is then p resented fo r installa

tion by the S D as follows :
. .
,

“
R W Maste r I have the pleasure of
. .
,

p r ese nting to you B ro who has

.

been regularly elec t ed M aster of this Lodge ,

and is r eady for in s tallat l o n .

The vari ous implements of M asonry are

illust r ative of our conduct in life ; an d upon
this occasion should be ca refully e n u m e r
ated .

T he H oly B ible or B ook of the Law , ,

that g reat light in Masonry will guide you ,

 HA N D BO OK O F
-
T I I E CHA P T ER .

to all truth ; it will d i rect your path t o the

temple o f happiness and point out to you
,

the whole du t y of m an .

The Son are teaches us to regulate o u r

actions by rule and line and t o harmon ize ,

our conduct by the princ i ples o f morality

and virtue .

The Co mp ass e s teach u s to l imit our de

'

sires in every station that rising to emi -

,

n e n c e by meri t we may live respected and

,

die regretted .

The R n te directs that we should punctu

ally observe our duty press forward i n the
,

pa th of v i r t ue and neither i nclin i ng to the

, ,
28 H AND BOOK O F
-
THE CH AP TER .

r ight nor to t h e left in all our actions h av e

,

eternity in v i ew .

w
The L i n e teaches the crite r ion of mo r al
rectitu d e to avo i d dis s imulation in conve r
,

sat i on and action and to direct our steps

,

to t h e path hich leads to a g lor i ous im

mortality .

T h e B oon of Con s titu tio n s you are to

S earc h at all times C ause it to be read in
.

your Lodge that none may preten d ig n o

,

ran c e of the excellent pre c ep ts it enj oins .

Y ou now receive in charg e t h e Cno rter

by the autho r ity of w h ic h thi s Lo d ge
 HA N D B OOK O F THE CHAP TE R
-
.

hel d You are carefully to preserve and

.

duly transmit it t o your successor I n o ffice .

You w i ll also rece i ve i n charge the

Laws o f your Lodge which you are t o ,

ca r e fu lly and punctually execu ted .

w
w w
w
A nd last th ou g h n o t least I present
, ,

with this emblem of power You will do .

well to observe its use O n e blo will call

.

—
a brothe r to order an d he dare not d i so
bey i t T o blo s call up t h e offi c ers of
.

your Lodge a e o blo s call up the bo dy

.

o f you r Lodge O n e blo will seat t h em

.

again This I now intrust t o your keep

.
,

ing n o t doubti ng but you will make suc h

,

good use of it as Maste rs have done in all

ages before .
 HAN BOOK O F THE CHAP T E R
D- .

[ M y bro t her y o uhave n o doubt thought

“
, , ,

it strange and un u sual to see so much levity

,

and confusion in a Lodge of F ree and A c

ce
p t e d Masons professing
, nothing but the
purest p ri nciples of morality and v i rtue .

I t is unusual and on any other occas i on is

never in d ulged in T h is levity and c o n fu
.

sion however have an i mportant moral

, ,

less on attac h ed and teache s us that we

,
-

should never asp i re to any posit i on w h ich

we are not fully qualified to d i scharge the
dut i es of I t also tea c hes the impossibility
.

o f one man governin the many without

g
the many a r e at the same time willing to
be governed .

To re i g n supreme in the h e arts and affe c

tions of men must be far more g rateful to
,

the noble and benevolent m i nd t h an t o rule ,

over the i r l i ves an d fortunes A nd t o e n .

able u s to enj oy th i s pre em i nence w i th -

honor and sat i sfact i on i t is necessary that

,

subject our pass i ons and o u r prej ud i es c

to the dom i n i on of reason and charity J .

 HAND B OOK O F THE CHA P T ER
-
.

CHARGE .

w
B RO T H E R :

The con ferr i ng at th i s t i me o f a de g ree

which has n o h i stor i cal connect i on w i th the
other cap i tular deg rees i s an apparent ,

w
anomaly ,
h i ch however is indebted for
, ,

its existe nce t o the following circumstances

O riginally when R oyal A rch Masonry
,

was under the g overnment o f symbolic

Lo dg es in which th e R oyal A rch D egree
,

was then always conferred it as a regula ,

t i on that no o n e could receive i t unless he

had previously presided as the Master o f

that or some other Lodge and this re s tric
tion was made because the R oyal A rch was
de e med too important a degree to be con
ferred only on M aster Ma s ons .

B ut as by confining the R oyal A rch t o

,

those only who had been actually elected

as the p re s id in g o ffi c e rs of the ir L odges
'

the extens i on o f the degree would have

been materially c i rcumscribed and i ts use ,

fulness greatly i mpaired the Grand Mas,

te r often g ranted upon d u e pet i t ion h i s

, ,

dispensat i on t o permit certain Mast e r Ma

32 —
HAND B OO K OF THE C H AP TER .

sons (although not elected to p reside over

t heir Lodges " which
“
to fi as s tne ob a i r
, ,

was a techn i cal term inten d ed to de s ignate

a brief ceremony by which t h e candidate
,

was i nvested with the mysteries of a P ast

Maste r and like h im e ntitle d to a d vance
, , ,

in Masonry as far as the R oyal Ar c h o r ,

perfecti on and con summation o f the th i rd

w
deg r ee .

When however th e control of the R oyal

, ,

A rch was taken from the symbolic Lo dges

and intrusted to a dist i nct organization ,

, ,
—
that namely of C hapters the re g ulation
continued t o be observed for it as doubt ,

ful to m any whether it could legally be

abolished ; an d as the law still r equi r es
,

that the sublime degree o f R oyal Ar ch

shall be restricted to P ast Masters our c an ,

didate s are made t o pass the c h a i r S i mply

as a preparation and qualification toward

being i nvested with the solemn instructions

of the R oyal A rch .

The cere m ony o f pass i ng the chair o r ,

making y o u i n this manner a P ast Master ,

does n ot howeve r confer upon y o u any

, ,

o fficial rank outside o f the C hapter n o r can ,

 H AND B OOK OF THE CHAP T ER
-
.

CLOSI NG .

PRAYER

C L OSIN G A L OD G E OF P A S T M AS T E R S .

S upreme Arc hitect of the U niverse ac ,

c ept our humble praises for t h e many mer

cies and blessings which thy bounty h as
con ferred on us and especially for this
,

friendly and so cial intercourse P ardon .

,

we beseech thee whatever thou hast seen

,

amiss in u s since we have been together ;

and continue to u s thy presence protection
, ,

and blessing M ake us sensible of the re

.

newed obligations we are under to love thee

supremely an d to be friendly t o each other
, .

May all our irregular passions be subdue d ,

and may we daily increase in Faith H op e , ,

 HAND —
B O OK O F THE CHA P T E R .

and Cb ar itybut more espe c ially in that

,

C/i ar ity which is the bond of peace and ,

the perfecti o n of every virtue May we s o .

p r actice thy p r ecepts that we may finally

obtain thy p romises an d fi nd an entrance
,

throu g h the gates into the temple an d city

of our G o d A M E N. .

Re sp o n s e S o mote it be .

,
,
e

c onfe r red i n w h at i s t er m ed t/ l g ay
ze on — ww
N O T E — T h po r t i on of t he l ec tu re i n lu ded w i t hi n

t h at t h e cere mon y i s app r op ri at e fo r t he / t ay

c

t he b r a c k e ts i s onl y to b e us ed w he n t he de g ree i s
O m i tt i ng
.

s z or

w hich i n most i nstan ce s i s p re fer abl e an d i s st r ongl y

rec om m e n ded .
,
"
M OST EX C ELLEN T M AS T E R .

A Lodge of Most E xcellent Masters

composed of tnre e or more :
M OS T E X CE L L EN T M AS TER
S ENIOR W ARDEN ,

J UNIOR W ARDE N
W ith the following a d ditional o ffi Ce rs
T REASUR E R ,

S ECRE TA RY ,

M AS TER OF C ERE M ONIES ,

S ENIOR D E ACON ,

J UNIOR D EACON ,

T YL ER .

The ceremon ies commemorated in this

deg r ee particularly refer to the completion
,

and dedication of the t emple The sym .

boli e color is like that of the fourth and

,

fifth degrees p u rple ; but the Ch apter jew

,

els and aprons are usually worn fo r the

reason already assigned .

A brother receiving this deg r ee is said

“
to be received and a c knowle dged a M ost
 '

HA N D BOOK OF THE CHAPT ER

-

E xcellent Maste r — and is an ac k n o le dg

,

ment of the merits and sb ill Of those upon

whom it is c onferred .
.

w
O P E N IN G .

The following psalm is read

O pening
P S A L M x x rv .

The earth is the Lo r d s and the

the r eof the worl d and they that dwell
the re in F or he hath foun ded it upon the
.

seas and established it upon the floods

,
.

W ho shall ascend i nto the hill o f the Lord ,

or who shall stand i n h is holy place ?

H e that hath clean hands an d a pure h eart ;

,

who h ath not lifted up h is soul unto vanity ,

n o r sworn deceitfully H e shall receive

.

the blessing from the L ord and righteous ,

ness from t h e God o f his salvation Th i s .

is the gene ration of them that seek him ,

that seek t h y face O J a c ob Lift up your

, .
 HAND BOOK O F THE
-
C HAP T E R .

heads O ye gates ; and be ye lifted up ye

, ,

everlast i ng doors and the K i ng of Glo ry

.

shall come i n W h o is this K i n g of Glory

.
?

The Lord strong and mighty ; the L ord

, , ,

m ighty in battle Lift up your heads 0

.
,

ye gates ; even lift them up ye everlasting ,

doo r s and the K i ng o f Glo ry s h all c o m e

,

in. Who is this K ing of Glory ? The

Lo rd of H osts he is t h e K ing
, Glory .

So mote it

J d
“

o o

Lodg e of Mo s t E xcellent Maste r Ma

sons being decla r ed open and the purpose ,

for w hich i t was convene d having b een

stated the Master of C e remonies is d i rected
,

to repa i r to the an te room take charge -

,

o f the brother and prope r ly prepare and

,

introduce h i m .
 H AND B OOK
-
OF THE CHAPT ER .

R E C E PT I O N .

g
w
I was g lad hen they said unto
o i nto the house of the Lo r d .

O ur feet shall stand within thy gates 0 ,

Jerusalem Jerusale m IS builded as a C ity

.

that is compact together .

Whithe r the tribes g o u p the tr i bes of

—
—
t h e Lord unto the t est i mony o f I srael to ,

give thanks unto the name of the Lord .

40 H AND BOOK OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

F o r the r e a re set th r ones of j udgment

the thrones of t h e h ouse of D avi d .

P r ay fo r the pea c e of Je r usalem ; they

s h all p r o s per t h at love thee P ea c e be
.

wit h in thy walls an d prosperity within th

,
y
palac es.

F o r my breth r en and companions sakes ,

I will now say peace

, within thee b e
cause o f the house of L or d our God I
, ,

will seek thy good .

42 HAN D BOO K OF
-
THE C H APTER .

T he C ap e S ton e i s fin i s he d
-

O u r labo r i s o er ’

T he soun d of t he Gav e l
S h all h a i l us no mo re .

T o t he P ow er A lm i g h t y w h o e v er h as gu ided
,

T he t ri b e s of ol d I s ra e l e xalt i ng t heir fam e

, ,

T o H i m w h o h at h gov er n ed ou r he a r ts un di v ided .

L e t s s e n d fo r t h ou r vo ice s to p r a i s e H i s g re at na m e
’
.

C ompan i ons ass e mbl e ,

O n t hi s jo y ful d a y ;
(T he o cc as i on i s glo ri ous " ,

T he K e y S ton e to la y
-

F ulfill ed i s th e p rom i s e ,

B v t he A N C EN T O F D A Y S I

Wi t h s h out i ng an d p ra i s e .

w
w
T here i s no mo re o c c as i on fo r l e v e l o r plumb l i n e
F o r t ro e l o r gav e l fo r c ompass o r s qua re
,

O u r wo rks a re c ompl e t ed t/ze A R K saf ely seatea

AI n d
,

e s h all b e g ree t ed as wo r km e n most r a re

-

’
,

.
,
 HAND BOOK O F THE CHA P T E R
-
.

No w
t h os e t h at a re wo r t hy
O u r to i ls w h o h av e s h a red
A n d p r ov e d t he ms e lv e s fa i t h ful
S h all m ee t t heir re wa rd .
,

T heir v ir tu e an d knowl ed g e ,

I n d ust ry an d sk i ll ,

H av e ou r app r obat i on ,

H av e ga i n e d ou r goo d w i ll .

w
We areept an a reee iz e t/z e/n M ost E x c e ll e nt M ast er s
’
'
,

I nv e st ed w i t h h ono r s an d pow er to p re s ide

A mong o r t hy C r aftsm e n w here er ass e mbl ed
v

T he k nowl ed g e of M asons to sp re a d fa r an d w ide

,
,

A nd K ing S olo mon stood before the

w
A ltar of the L or d in the p resence of all the
,

congregat i on of I srael and spre a d f o rtn

,

b is b a n ds and said
,

O L O RD G O D of I srael there is no G O D ,

like thee in H eaven nor i n t h e earth ; which

,

keepest co venant an d s h o e s t me r cy unto

,
44 H AND BOOK OF -
THE CH AP TER .

thy s ervants that walk before t h ee with all

w
t h eir hea r ts N ow then O L ORD G O D of
.
,

I s r ael let thy wor d be verified whi c h thou

, ,

hast spoken unto thy servant D avid B ut .

will G O D in very d eed d well wi th men o n

t h e earth B ehold heaven an d the h eaven, ,

of heavens c annot contain thee ; h o mu c h

,

less this h ouse which I have buil d ed H ave

r espect the refore to t h e prayer of th y s e r
, .

vant and to h is supplication O L ORD G O D

, , ,

to hearke n unto the cry and the pra ye r

w h i c h th y servant pra y et h b e fore t h ee ; that
t h ine eyes may be open upon this h ouse
d a y and nig h t upon the place whereof thou
,

hast said that thou wouldst put t h y name

the re ; to hearken unto the prayer w h i c h
thy S ervant prayeth towa rd s this pla c e .

H earken the r efo r e unto t h e suppli c a

, ,

tions of thy servan t an d of t hy people ,

I srael w h ich they shall make towa rd s t h is

,

place ; hear thou from th y dwelling pla c e ,

even from heaven ; and when thou hearest , ,

forgive A M EN
. .

R e spon s e S o mote it be
: .
 HAND B OOK O F THE CHAPTE R
-
.

CH RO N V II 4 2 . . 1- .

N ow when S olomon had made

,

o f p r aying the fi r e came down from heaven

, ,

and consum e d the burnt offering and the

w
w
sac r ifices ; and the glory of the L ord filled
the house ; and the priests could not enter

w
into the house of the Lord because the ,

glory of the Lord had filled t h e L ord s

'

hou se .

“
A n d when the children of I srael sa h o
the fi r e came down and the g lory of the
,

Lord upon the house they bo e a tne rn se lo e s

,
’
,

with their faces to the ground upon tne

‘

p av e m e n t and worshipped and praised the

,

Lord sayin g For b e is g ood; f o r b is in e rey

, ,
 HAND B OOK O F THE CHAP T ER
-
.

ALM I GH T Y J E H O V A H

De s ce n d now an d fill
T h i s L o d g e w i t h t hy glo ry ,

O u r h e a r ts w i t h goo d w i ll
P re s i d e at ou r m ee t i ngs ;

w
A ss i st us to fin d
T r u e pl e asu re i n t e a c hi ng
Goo d w i ll to mank i n d .

W sd m i nsp ired t he g re at I nst i tut i on

i o '

T hy S t g t/ h all suppo r t i t t i ll natu re e xp i re

re n z S

A md h e n t he re at i on s h all fall i nto r u i n

c ,

I ts B a ty s h all i t hr oug h t he m i d st of t he
e u r se

fi re I

The brethren will clothe themselves an d

be seated .

w
L ECT U RE .

B RO T HER ‘

The degree of M ost E xcellent Mas

ter i s re g arded amon g Masons as o n e o f
, ,

the Most beau t i fu l o f the O r de r I t as .

i nstituted by at the completion

and ded i cation o f the Temple ; n o t only as
a reward fo r the faithful and meritorious of
 HAND B OOK O F THE CHA P T E R
-
.

the C raft but as a substitute also fo r t h e

,

of a that had been pro m ised them ;

but wh i ch ow i ng to the untimely d eath o f
,

the Grand Master "

it was i mposs i ble
4

t o commun i cate .This there ,

fore was i nst i t uted instead ; and with it the

, ,

C raft were satisfied .

N one but the mer i tor i ous and praise

worthy ; none but t hose who through d i l i
,

gence and industry have advanced far tow

,

w
ards p e rfection ; none but those who have
been seated i n the O rie n tal Cnair by the ,

u n an i mous S uffrages of their brethren can ,

be adm i tted to this degree of Masonry .

I n the original establishment when the ,

Temple of J erusalem as fi nished and the ,

F r atern i ty celebrated the cape stone with -

g reat j oy ; it is demonstrable that none but

thos e who had proved themselves to be
co m plete masters of their profession were ,

adm i tted to th i s honor ; an d indeed the , ,

dut i es i ncumbent on every Mason who is

r e ce i ved and acknowledged a M ost E xcel
lent Master a r e such as ren d er i t in dis pe n
,

sable that he should have a correct kn owl

ed g e o f all the preced i ng degrees .
48 HAND B OOK O F -
THE CHAP T ER .

w
The foun dations o f the Temple were lai d
by K i ng S olomon in the year of the wo r ld
, ,

2 9 9 2 and the build i ng was fi nished in the

,

year 3 0 0 0 About se v en years and six

.

months were consu med in its erection I t .

was dedicated i n the year i th great

solemnity and in the presence of the
,

assembled people of I srael t o t h e worship .

of Jehovah who condescended to make it

,

the place of the special manifestation of

his glory .

P erhaps n o structu r e erecte d ei t her b e

,

fore o r since is to be compared with it fo r

, ,

its exactl y p r oportioned and beautiful d im e n

sions I ts various cou r ts an d other apart
.

ments were capable of h ol d ing

people I t was adorned with 1 4 5 3 columns
.

of the fi nest P arian marble tw i sted sculpt , ,

u re d an d v oluted
,
and 2 9 0 6 pilasters dec ,

orated with magnificent capitals The .

O racle and S anctuary we r e line d with mass

ive g old adorned with e mbellishments in
,

sculpture and set with nume r ous gorgeous

,

and dazzlin g decorations of diamon d s and

all kind s of precious stones I n the em .

phatic language o f J osephus “

the w h ole ,
50 H A N B OOK O F CHAP TER
‘

D -
TH E .

mis c onduct and i nattenti on to our rules ,

t hat esteem w h ich has raised you to the

rank you now possess .

I t is one of your great duties as a M ost ,

E x cellent Master to dispense light and

,

truth to the uninformed M ason and I need

not remind y o u of the imposs i bility of com
plying w i th th i s obligation without possess ,

ing an ac c urate acquaintance with the lect

u r es of each degree .

I f you a r e n ot already completely con

ve r sant in all the degrees heretofore c o n
ferred on you reme mber that an i ndulgence
, ,

prompted by a belief that you will apply

yourself wi t h double d i ligen c e to make
yourself s o h as induced the b r eth r en to
,

accept you .

Let it therefo r e be your unremitting

, ,

study to a c quire such a deg r ee o f knowl

edge and info r mation as shall enable y ou to
dis c harge with propriety the various duties
i ncumbent on you and to preserve u n s u l
,

—
lied the title now conferred upon you o f —
M OS T E XC E L L EN T M AS TER .
 HAND B OO K O F THE CHA P T ER
-
.

C L O S IN G .

PSAL M X X I I I .

Lord is my shepherd ; shall n o t

want H e maketh me to lie down in green
.

pastures H e leadeth me beside the still

.

wate rs H e resto reth my soul H e lead

. .

eth me in the paths of ri g hte ousness for his ,

name s sake Yea thoug h I walk through

.
,

the valley of the shadow of death I will

w
,

fear no evil ; fo r thou art wit h me ; thy r od

and thy staff they com fort me Thou pre .

p reparest a table before me in the p resence

of mine enemies Thou anointest my head
.

with oil ; my cup runneth o ver S urely .

g oodness and mercy shall follo me all the

52 H A ND BOOK OF
-
THE

w
w CHA P TER

d ays of my li fe ; an d I ill d e ll
li on se of tb e L o rd f oreo e r
.

R e spon se : S o mo t e it be
.
A M EN
.
.
THE RO YA L A RC H D E GRE E .

S E C T IO N I .

This section explains the manner of open

in g a C hapter —the nu mbe r station and , ,

duties of the officers an d the c olor of th e

,

banners appropriate to the degree I t fur .

nis h es many interestin g particulars c o n

n e c te d with t h e building of the secon d
Temple I t also illustrates the organiza
.

t i on and government o f t h e Ch apter and ,

should therefore be carefully studied by

, ,

eve ry companion who aspires to the dignity

of offi cial rank .

A C hapter of R oyal Ar ch Masons is

composed of n i ne reg u lar R oyal Ar c h
“

Masons consisting of the

,

M E H I G H P RIES T
. .

K IN G ,

S CRIBE ,

C AP TAIN O F T H E H OS T ,

P RINCIPA L S OJ OURN E R ,

R O Y A L A RCH C A P TAIN A N D ,

T H REE G RAND M AS TERS O F T H E V AI L S .

54 HAND B OOK O F
-
THE CHA P TE R .

A ls o of a
T REA S U R ER ,

S ECRE TAR Y ,

G UARD an d any convenient number

,

of membe r s .

R oyal A rch C hapters a re dedi c ated to

Zerubbabel .

A brother receiving t h e degree is sai d t o .

be exalted to the sublime degree of R oyal

A rch Mason .

A R oy al Arc h Ch apter rep r esents t h e “

Tabernacle whi c h our ancient b reth r en

erecte d nea r t h e old ruins of K ing S olo
mon s Temple
’ "

O P E N IN G .
 H AND BOOK O F THE CHA PT ER
?

- .
.

CH A RG E AT O P E N I N G .

N ow we command y Ou brethren that ye , ,

w i thdraw yo u rsel v es from every brother that

walketh disorde r ly and n ot aft er the tra ,

dition which ye received of us F or your .

selves kn ow how ye ought t o follow us ; fo r

we behaved n ot ou rselves disorderly among
’

you N either did we eat any man s brea d

.

fo r naught but wr o ught with labor and

,

t r avail day and nig h t that we might

w
not be chargeable to any o f you N o t .

because we have n o t power but to make ,

ourselves an ensampl e unto you t o follow

ww
us F o r even when we were with y ou
.
,

this we com m anded you : that if any would

not o rk neither should he eat ; for we
,

hea r there are some who walk among y o u

d i sorderly work i ng not at all but are busy
, ,

bodies N o them that a r e such we co m

.
,

mand and exhort that with quietness they ,

work and eat their o n bread B ut ye

, .
,

brethren be not weary in well doin g A n d

, .

if any man O bey not our word note t hat ,

man and have no com pany with him that ,

he may be ashame d Y e t count him not .

 HAND BOO K OF T HE C H AP TER
-
.

as an enemy but admonish h i m as a

,

brother N ow the Lord of pea c e h i m self

.

give you peace always A M EN . .

R e sp o n s e : S o mote it be .

OU R who a r t in heaven h allowed

FA T H E R , ,

be thy name Thy kingdo m come Thy

. .

will be done on earth as I t IS I n heaven

, .

Give u s this day ou r d aily b r ead A nd .

forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those ,

who trespass against us A nd lead us not .

into temptation ; but d elive r us from evil .

Fo r thine is the king d om and t h e power , ,

and the glory forever and ever A M EN

,
. .

C hapter h as been convened

work the M E H igh P rie st will state the
, . .
 HAND BOO K O F T H E CHAP TER
-
.

have just passed

which is to make a lasting im
p r ession upon you r minds that the principal
,

se cr et of this d eg ree can only be c o mmuni

c ate d
You have alrea dy been taug h t as Ma ,

sons that befo r e ente r ing upon any great

, ,

and important undertaking you shoul d first

,

invoke the ai d and blessing of God You .

will the r efore kneel for

PRAYER .

O thou E ternal and O mnipotent God ,

who by t h ine A lmighty W o rd d i d st speak

'

, ,

into being the stupendous A rch of H eaven ,

and for the instruction and pleasure of thy

"

rational creatures didst ado r n u s with

,
 HAND B OOK O F THE CHA P TER
-
.

greater an d le s se r lights thereby magnify

‘

ing thy powe r and endearing th y goo d ness

,

unto the sons of men : We humbly adore

and worship thine unspeakable pe r fection .

We bless the e that when man had fallen ,

from his innocence and happiness thou ,

didst leave hi m the powe rs of reasoning ,

and the capacity of improvem ent and of

pleasure W e thank thee that amidst the
.
,

pains and calamities o f our p r esent state ,

s o many means o f refreshment and satis

fa c tio n are preserved unto us while travel ,

ing the rug g e d pain of lif e E specially .

would we at this time render thee our

, ,

thanksgiving and p r aise fo r the I nstitutio n ,

w
as members o f which we are now assem
bled and for all the pleasures we have de
,

rived from it W e thank thee t h at the few

.
,

he r e assembled before thee h ave been fa

v o re d with new inducements an d been lai d ,

unde r n e and strong e r obligations of vi r tue

and holiness May these obligations O
.
,

blessed F ather " have thei r full effect upon

us Teach us we pray thee the true rev
.
, ,

erence of thy gr eat mi g hty an d terrible , ,

N AM E . I nspire us with a firm and unshaken

60 H AND BOOK O F
-
THE CH AP TER .

resolution in our vi r tuous pu r suits Give .

us grace diligentl y to S ea r ch thy W ORD in

the book of nature and in the H oly S c ript
,

ures wherein th e d uties Of our high voca

,

tion are in c ulcated wit h D ivine authorit y .

Ma y the solemn it y of the ceremonies of

our I nstitution be duly impressed on our
minds and have a happy an d lasting effe c t
,

upon ou r lives " 0 th ou who didst afore

,

time appear unto thy servant M oses i n a

a m e o fi r e o u t o f t/z e m id s t of a b it s /i e n
fl f ,

k i ndle we beseech thee in ea c h of our

, ,

hea r ts a fl ame of devotion to thee of love

, ,

to each other and of c h arity to all mankin d

,

Ma y all thy miracles an d mighty wo r ks fill

u s wit h dr ead and t h y goodness impress us
,

with a love of thy holy name " M a y the

lep rosy of S in be era d i c ate d from ou r b o
soms and may H o L IN E ss T o T H E L ORD be
,

engraven on all our though ts words and , ,

a c tions " May the i n ce n s e of piety ascen d

c ontinuall y unto thee from the AL T AR of
ou r hearts and burn day an d night as
, ,

sacrifi c e of sweet smellin g savo r well pleas ,

ing unto thee " A nd since sin has de

 HAND B OOK O F THE CHA P TE R
- .

stroyed within us the FIRS T T E M P L E of p u

rity and i n noc e nce may thy heavenly g race
,

g
uide and assist us i n rebu i lding a S E CO N D

T E M P L E of reformat i on and may the g lory

,

o f this latter house be g reater than t h e

glory of the former S o mote it be

.
,

A ME N .

I S A I AH X L I I ,
16 .

I will bring the blind by a way that they

knew no t ; I w ill lead them in paths that
they have not known ; I will make d ark
ness light before them and crooked things
,

s t r aig h t
. These things will I do unto them ,

and will forsake them .

 HAND —B OOK O F THE CHAP TER .

A rise pursue your j ourney

, , pea c e
be with you .

E XODU S II, I, 6 .

N ow M oses kept t h e flock of Jet h ro his

, ,

fathe r in law the priest of M idian and h e

- -
,

led the flock to the back side of the dese r t ,

w
an d came to the mountain of G O D 1e v e n to
’
'

w
,

H oreb . A nd t h e angel of the L ORD ap

e are d unto him in a flame of fire out of
p ,

the midst of a bush ; an dgh e looked and ,

behold the bush burned with fi re and the ,

b u sh as not consumed A nd M oses sai d .

,

I will n o tn rn f as i ae and s e e this g reat

’
,

sight : why the b ush is not bu r nt A nd .

when the L ORD saw that h e turned as ide t o

 HAND BOO K OF THE CHAP T ER
-
.

w
ee GO D called to him out of t h e midst of '

s
‘

t h e bush and said M os es M oses " A nd

, , ,

h e sa id H ere am I A nd h e said D raw

, .
,

not nigh hither P at of tny snoe s from o ff "

thy feet for the place hereon thou standest

,

is holy ground M o reover h e said I am .

, ,

the G O D o f thy fathe r the GO D o f A b r a ,

ham t h e G O D o f I saac and the G O D o f

, ,

Ja c ob A nd Moses hi d his face fo r he

.
,
.

was afraid to look upon G o d .

CHRO N X X XV I 2 . . I I , 20 .

Zedekiah was one and twenty ye ars old - -

whe n he began to reign and he reigned ,

eleven years in Jerusalem A nd he did

that which was evil in the sig ht o f the
L ORD his G O D and h umbled n o t himself
,

before Je remiah t h e prophet speak i ng from ,

t h e mouth of the L ORD A nd he also re .

belled ag ainst K ing N ebuchadnezzar and ,

stiffened his neck and hardened h is he art , ,

from turnin g unto the L ORD G O D of I s r ael .

Moreover all t h e chief o f the priests

.

, ,

and the people transg r essed very much ,

afte r all the abominations of t h e heathen ,

and polluted the house o f the L ORD which ,

 HAND BOOK OF T H E CHAP T ER
-
.

he had hallowed i n Je r usalem A nd t h e .

L ORD G O D of their fathers sent to them by

his messengers ; because he had compas
sion on his people and on h is d welling ,

place B ut they m ocked the messengers

w
.

of G O D an d d espised h is word and misu se d

, ,

his p r ophets until the w r ath o f the L ORD

,

arose against his people till there was n o ,

medy .

Therefo r e he b r ought upon them the

K ing of t h e C haldees h o slew their young ,

men wit h the sword in t h e h ouse of t h eir

,

san c t u a r y and had no compassion upon

,

young men or ma i dens old men o r him , ,

t h at stoope d fo r age he gave them all In

w
to h is hand A nd all the vessels of t h e

w
.

house of G O D great and small and t h e

, ,

treasu r es of the house of the L ORD and ,

the treasu r es of t h e K ing and his p rinces

all t h ese he broug h t to B abylon A nd they .

bu r nt the house of G O D an d break do n th e ,

all of J eru s ale m and burnt all the pa laces

,

thereof with fire an d destroyed all the

,

g oodly vessels thereof A nd them that .

had escaped from the swo r d ca rr ied he

66 HAND B OOK O F
-
THE CHAP TER .

T h us shalt thou say unto the children

of I srael : 1 A M T H AT I A M ; I A M hath
sent me unto you .

S Y M B OL I C J O U R N EY

w
The r e are t o routes leading up
.

w
’

to Jerusalem : o ne lies through the enemies

country ; the other through the wilderness
, .

S hould we take the r oute th r ou g h t h e ene

’

mies country we are l i able to be again

,

take n pris oners and perhaps suffer a wo r se

,

captivit y than t h at fro m wh ic h e have just

been liberated We will therefore go
.
, ,

through the wilderness .

W hile d eparting from this the pla c e ,

of our captiv ity let us place our trust i n

,

H IM who hath caused our delive r ance and ,

invoke H is aid to guide us on our j ourney .

 HAND B OOK-
- OF THE CHA PT ER .

We have now gained the open

plain ; beyond the l i m i ts of that vast city
which has been so lon g the place of our
,

captivity Where for seventy years o u r

.

harps have hung upon the w i llows and we ,

have borne i mpatiently the burdens im

, ,

posed upon u s by o u r i mperio u s masters

and where s o m any of o u r companions ,

while vainly waiting for the day of the i r

deliverance have gone to that lon g sleep
, ,

which knows n o waking B U t we are o f .

those t o whom it has pleased the G O D of

our fathers t o grant length of d ays — to

w
endu re o u r sorrows to a termination and
to behold the downfall of the c i ty of our

w
oppressors S o B abylon is fallen " S h e
.
,

in her pride was the queen o f nations ;

,

enriched with the spoils an d conquests o f

ages from the days of he r h o brought
,

thither the treasures o f N ineveh t o h i m

h o burned the C I T Y O F G O D and p lu n ,

dered the sacred vessels o f the sanctuary .

B ut while an imper i ous successor was r ev

elin g in the S po i ls and w i th sacr i le g ious
,

l i ps profaned the sacred cups the fin g e r o f ,

the A L M I G H TY wrote his doom upon the

 w
w w
68 H AND BOOK O F
-
THE CH A P TER .

wall M en e , i
n ene, teleel, u
p harsin thou
art ei
gh ed in the balan ce
f an d ou n d an tin g .

C o mpanions let us kneel and render thanks

,

to H im h o hath cause d our release an d ,

invoke his aid to g uide and protect us o n

our toilsome j ourney .

P S A L M CX L I .

L ORD I cry unto thee : make haste unto

,

me ; give ea r unto my voice Let my .

pra y er be s e t forth before thee as incense ,

and the lifting up of my h an d s as the eve

ning sac r ifi c e S e t a watch O L ORD before
.
, ,

my mouth ; keep the doo r of my lips I n .

cline n ot my heart to any evil thing to ,

p r actice wicke d wo r ks with men that work

iniquit y Let the righteous smite me it
.
,

shall be a kin d ness ; and let him reprove

me it shall be an excellent oil M ine eyes
,
.

ar e unto thee O G O D T H E L ORD : in thee is

,

my trust ; leave not my soul destit u te .

K eep me from the snares which they have

laid for me and the gins of the workers of
,

iniquity Let the w i cked fall into their own

.

P ronoun ced M ay n a y m ay nay t ay k

,
-
.
-
,
-
e l, o o - ph a r s i n
-
.
 HA N D B OOK O F THE CHA P T E R
-
.

nets while that I withal escape

,
. S o mote
it be , Amen .

W e app e a r t o be approachin g
-

the ruins o f an ancient city F rom .

the distance we have t r avele d and ,

the dire c tion in whi ch they lie from

B abylon they must be the ru i ns of
,

the ancient city of R abba H ere .

are ru i ned walls b r oken columns and

,

p i lasters ; step carefully compa u

,

ions and we will soon be over this

,

rough and rugged portion o f o u r

j ourney .

I t is a r ough and rugg ed road l i ke

t h e j ourney of life ; beset with toil and

hopeless care ; ever strivin g t o reach the

p r omised goal we must n o t despair O u r
, .

fathers traversed this wilde rness and success

was the reward of their pat i ence Like .

them let u s place o u r trust in Jehovah and

, ,

patiently pursue our to i lsome path A round .

us are the everlastin g witnesses of G OD S ’

fav o r to h is chosen people Y ond e r is

.
70 HAND B OOK O F-
THE CHAP T ER .

hoary S i nai where G O D spake unto M oses

,

in the thunder and l i ghtning and gave t o ,

man that g reat table o f the law saying , ,

“
Thou shalt have no other G ODS before
me . C ompan i ons let this be a toke n for
,

us to obey h i s commands an d follow not ,

after the abominations of the heathen ‘

that length of days may be o u r portion ,

and our children like the fruitful vine A nd .

here let u s again knee " and r en d er thanks

, ,

to G O D and invoke H IS aid to guide us on

,

ou r j ourne y .

P S A L M CX LII .

I cr e unto the L ORD with my voice ;

i d
with my voice unto the L ORD did I make
my supplication I poured o u t my com .

plaint before hi m I showed before him my

trouble When my spirit was overw h elm
.

ed within me then thou knewest my path

,

in the way wherein I walked have they

priv i ly laid a snare fo r me I looked o n .

my right h and and beheld but there was

, ,

no man that would know m e refu g e failed

~

me : n o m an cared fo r my s oul I c rie d .

unto thee O L ORD : l s aid Thou art my

, ,
 H AN D BO O K O F THE CHA PT ER
-
.

r efuge and my portion i n the land o f the

,
‘

living.
A ttend u n to my cry ; for I a m
'

brought very low ; deliver me from my

pe r secutors f o r they are st r on g er t han I .

B ring my soul o u t o f darkness that I may ,

praise thy name S o mote it be Am en

.
,
.

We again appe ar to be approach

ing the ruins o f some ancient ci t y
and be i n g i n the confines o f Judea ,

they must be the ruins o f Tadmor

— once a powerful city built by ,

w
K ing S olomon as a resting place fo r -

th e caravans trading into E gypt .

A g ain we meet with ru i ned arches ,

broken columns and pilasters S tep .

carefully companions our troubles

, ,

ill soon end A lready I see in

w
.

the distan c e the open plain spread

ing o u t before us S tep carefully
.
,

W e have now passed t h e country of

the M oabites and A mmonites ,
ho were the
 H AN D BOOK O F THE C H AP T ER
-
.

enemies of our people T h ey refused hos .

p it alit y to our fathers w h ile t r avers ing t h is

wildern e ss and it was t hen decr e ed that a
,

Moabite o r an A mmonite should not e n

ter into t h e c ongregation o f t h e L ORD even ,

to the tent h generatio n We may n ow .

look d own upon that sea whi c h the wrath

of G O D cause d to hi d e the wicked cit y o f

w
the plain an ever endu r ing witness of the
-

vengean c e which will su r ely follow those

wh o obe y not his c om mands A nd h e r e .
,

in this land given to the children of I srael

for t h eir inheritance let u s o nce more
,

kneel an d render thanks to H i m h o hath

,

guided us so near to our j ourney s end and ,

inv oke H is aid t o gu id e us throu g h t h e

j ourney of l i fe .

P SA L M CX L III .

H ea r m y p r ayer O L ORD , give ear

to my supplications in thy faithfulness
answer me and in thy r ighteousness
,
.

A nd ente r not into judgment with thy s e r

vant : for in thy s i ght shall n o man living be
just i fied F or the enemy hat h persecuted my
.

soul he hath s mitten my life d own t o t h e

 H AND B OO K OF T H E
-
C H AP TE R .

fully c ompanions and be of good

, ,

cheer Already the towering heights

.

upon which the sacred c ity of Jeru

salem was built are plainl y visible ,

and our toilsome j ourney almost

—
X 9 6 66 6 9 if 96
ended
'

R ough
an d r ugged as has bee n ou r
roa d and long and toilsome as h as been
,

ou r march at last it draws to a close Y o n

, .

de r we be h old t h e r uined walls of J e ru s a

lem and t h e glistening tents of o u r breth
,

ren Let us app r oa c h the H O LY P L ACE

.

wit h fear and reveren c e and endeavo r ,

make ourselves known to our people .

E x o D U s, IV .
,
I, 5
.

the L ORD sai d unto M oses W h at ,

that in t h ine hand ? A nd h e sai d A ,

rod A n d he sai d C ast it on t h e gro und

. ,
 HAND B OO K OF THE CHAP TER
-
.

and he cast it on the g r o und an d it became ,

a se rpent ; an d M o ses fled from befo r e i t .

A n d t h e L ORD said unto M oses P ut fo r th ,

thine hand and take i t by the tail A nd he .

put forth his hand and caug ht it and i t b e ,

came a rod in his hand .

E XODUS , IV .
, 6, 8 .

A nd t h e L ORD sai d unto M oses P u t now ,

thine hand into t h y bosom an d h e put his

hand into his boso m and when h e took it
out behold his hand was leprous as snow
, , .

A nd h e said P ut t h ine hand i n to thy

,

bosom again and he put his hand into h is

bosom again and plucked it out of h is b o
,

so m and behold it was turned again as his

, ,

othe r flesh .
 H AND BOOK OF THE C H AP T ER
-
.

EXODU S IV
, .
, 9 .

A nd t h e L O R D said unto M oses I f t h ey ,

will not believe these two sign s neit h e r ,

hea r ken unto thy v oice t h ou s h alt take of

,

the water of t h e river and pour it upon t h e

,

dry land and the wate r which thou takest

of the rive r s h all beco m e bloo d upon
land.

E nter this into t h e p resen c e

of the G RAND C OU N CI L .
HAND B OOK
-
OF TH E CHAP TER .
 HAND BOOK O F T H E C H AP T E R
-
.

and the earth A nd the eart h as without

.

form an d void ; and darkness was upon the

w
I n t h e begin n ing G O D c r eated the heavens

fa c e of the deep ; and the S pirit of G O D

moved upon the face of the wate r s A nd .

G O D said Let there be Lig h t ; and the r e

,

was lig h t G e n e s is i I 3
.
, .
, , .
 HAND BOOK O F THE CHAPTER
-
.

GOD spake these wo r ds and said ,

I am the L ORD T H Y G O D : Thou shalt

h ave no other G ODS but me .

w
T h ou shalt not make t o thysel f any .

gr aven image nor the likeness of anyt h ing

,

that is in heaven above o r in t h e earth ,

beneath or in the water under the e ar th

, .

Thou shalt not b o down to them n o r ,

wo rship them : for I the L ORD thy G O D

, ,

am a j ealous G O D an d visit the sins of t h e

,

fathe r s upon the chil dren unto t h e third ,

and fourth generation of them that hate

me ; and show merc y unto thousands of
t h em t h at love me and keep my c o m
,

m an dm e n t s .

III .

Thou shalt not take the N ame of

L ORD T H Y G O D in vain ; for the L ORD
not h old him guiltless that taket h ,

N ame in vain .
80 H AND BOOK OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

w
R emembe r that thou keep holy the S ab
bath day S ix days shalt th ou labor and
.
,

do all t h at t h ou hast to do ; but t h e seventh

day is the S abbath of the L ORD T H Y G O D .

I n it t h ou shalt do n o manne r of ork ;

thou and t h y son an d thy da ughter thy
, , ,

man se r vant and th y mai d servant thy

-
,
-
,

cattle and the st r a n ger that is within thy

,

gates F o r in six days the L ORD ma d e

.

heaven and earth the s e a an d all that in

, ,

them is and rested t h e sevent h d ay :

,

whe r efore the L ORD bless e d the seventh

day and h allowed it
, .

H ono r t h y father and th y mothe r , that

th y day s ma y be long in the lan d w h ich t h e
L ORD th y G O D givet h thee .

T h ou shalt d o no mu rd er .

V II.

T h ou shalt not commit adulte r y .

82 —
H AND BOO K OF TH E CHAP TER .

The B ook of the Law long lo s t but ,

now found ; H O L INESS T o T H E L ORD .

EXODU S xx v , .
,
21 .

A nd thou shalt put the mercy seat above ,

upon the A rk and in the A rk tho u shalt

put the T e sti m ony t h at I shall give thee .

w
E x o D U s, x v 1 .
, 3 2 , 34 .

A n d M oses said T h is is the thing which

,

t h e L ORD commandeth : F ill an O m e r of th e

M an n a to be kept fo r you r generations
,

that they may s e e t h e bread wherewith I

have fed y ou in the ilde r ness when I ,

brought you forth fro m the lan d of Egypt .

A nd Moses said unto A aron Take a P ot , ,

an d put an omer full of manna therein ,

an d la y it up before the L ORD to be kept ,

for your generations A s the Lord com

.

m an de d Moses s o A aron laid it up befo r e

,

the testi m ony to be kept .

 HAND BOO K OF THE CHAP TER
- .

NU M B E R S XVII
,
.
,
10 .

A nd the Lord said unto M oses B ring ,

A a ro n s ro a again befo r e the testimony

’
’
,

kept for a token .

VI E xo D U s
3 .
, 2, .

spoke u nto M oses said ,

unto him I A M T H E L ORD ; an d I appeare d

,

unto A braham unto I saac and unto Jacob

, , ,

by the name o f G O D A L M I G H TY ; but by

my name J EHOVAH was I n o t known to
them .

J OHN L 5 ,
I, .

I n the begi n ning was the W ORD : and

the W ORD was with G O D and the W ORD ,
 w
HAND B OOK O F THE CHAPT ER
-
.

was GO D The same was in the beginning

.

with G O D A ll things we r e made by him :

.

and without him as not anythin g made

that was made I n him was life and the
.
,

l i fe was the light of men A n a th e lig h t .

’

sh i n e th i n d a rk n e s s ,
an d th e da rk n e s s oo m

r e h e n ae th
’
p it n ot .

C O M P A N IO N s : —
Yo u
will pe r mit
exp ress the hope that i t i s not an i d le
va i n c u r iosity that merely g rasps at nov
,

e lt y w h i ch has induced you to receive this

,

subl i me degree o f Masonry infi nitely more ,

important than all which have preceded it .

I t is calculated to i mpress upon o u r minds

a firm bel i ef i n the being and existence o f
a G O D ; and it teaches a due r eve rence fo r
h i s g reat and holy N A M E .
 HAND BOO K O F THE CHAP TER
-
.

I t also b r ings to light some o f the most

important secrets of the C raft wh i ch had ,

laid buried in darkness from the death o f

the t i ll the commencement
of the erection of the second Temple by
—
Ze rubbabel a perio d of four hundre d and
—
seventy y e ars and without a knowledge
of w h ich the Masonic character is n o t co rn
p le t e ; but having attained to this degree ,

you are now entitle d to a full explanation

of the W OR K I N G T OO L S and principal E M
B L E M S of a R oyal A rch Maso n .

T h e W OR K IN G T OO L S are the S " UARE

an d C O M PAS S whi c h have been presented
,

to y o u r V iew in every degree o f M asonry

through which you have passed The.

S " UARE teaches us as R oyal A rc h Masons

, ,

that G O D has made all things square ,

upright and per fect The C O M PASS is an

, .

instrument used by operative Masons to

describe C IRC L E S every part of whic h is
,

equally near and equally d is tant from the

center .
~

The C IRC L E is therefore a striking E M

, ,

B L E M of the relation in which the c re atu re

stands t o his C REAT OR A s every part of
.
86 HAND B OO K OF
-
TH E C H AP TE R .

the c i rcumference of a C ircle is equall y

near an d equally distant from its cen ter so ,

i s every creature whom G O D hath made

, ,

to h i m equally near and equally distant .

The equilateral or perfect T RI AN G L E is

, ,

an E M B L E M of the three essential att r ibutes

of D E I TY namely : O M NIPO TENCE O M NI
, ,

SCIEN C E and O MNIPRESENC E ; and as the

,

three equal le g s or equal angles form but

one triangle so these three equal attributes
,

c onstitute but O N E G O D .

The B

L E CT U R E H I STO R Y .

the cere monies throu g h which

In
you have passe d th i s evenin g you have ,

been caused to represent two distinct sets

of characters I n t h e first part o f o u r
.

ceremonies y o u represented three o f those

noble G ib lim ite s who wrought long at
the buildin g of the first Temple were ,

present at its destruc t ion by N e b u c h ad n e z

 H AND BOO K O F THE CHA P TER
-
.

za r and carried captive t o

, Where
they remained servants t o him and his sons
until the first year of the reign of C yrus ,

K ing of P ersia by whose order they were

,

liberated F rom t h at time forward and i n

.
,

the remaining portion of our ceremonies ,

you represented the descendants of those

noble G ib lim ite s returning t o Jerusalem ,

under the proclamation of K ing C y r us t o ,

a i d and assist in rebuild i ng the C ity and

H ouse o f the L ORD without the hope o f ,

fee or reward A nd as the prin cipal inci

.

dents of this degree ori g inated at the re

building o f K ing S olomon s Temple a
’

short history of that edifice cannot be unin

t e re s t in g to y o uias a R oyal A rch Mason .

This famous fabric was situa t ed o n M ount

Moriah near the place where A braham
,

was ab o u tjft o offer up his son I saac and

" '

whe r e D avid met and appeased the de

stroy i n g angel who was vis i ble over the
,

th re s h i ng flo o r of O rn an th e ye b n s ite
- It .

was be g un in the fourth year of the r eign of

S olomon the third after the death o f D a
vid ; fou r hun d red and eighty years after
the passage of t h e R e d S e a and o n the
’

,
88 HAND B OO K OF
-
THE C H AP TER .

ww
second day of the month Zif being the ,

second month of the sacr e d year which ,

answers to the twenty fi rs t of A pril in the

-
,

year of the world two thousand nine hun d

re d and ninety two ; an d as ca r ried on
-

with such p r odigious speed that it as ,

fi nished in all its p arts in little more than

, ,

seven years .

B y the Masonic art and the wise regu,

lat io n s of S olomon this famous edifice was

,

erected without the soun d of the axe ham ,

mer or any tool o f iron ; for the stones

,

were all hewed squared and numb e red in

, , ,

the q u arries of Zeredathah where they ,

we r e raised ; the timbers we r e fi tted and

prepared in the forest of Lebanon and con ,

e d by s e a in flo at s to J oppa and from

‘

ve
y ,

thence by land to Jerusale m ; where the

fabric was e recte d by the ass i stance of
wooden i nstruments prepared for t h at pur
pose A nd when the building was finished
.
,

its several parts fi tte d with that exact nice

t y t h at i t had mo r e the appearance o f being

the handiwork of the S up reme A rchitect

of t h e U niverse t h an of human hands
, .
90 HAND BOO K OF
-
THE C H APT ER .

he away captives to B abylon whe r e t h ey ,

remained servants to him and h is s u cc ess

o r s unt i l the r eign of C y rus K ing of P er
, ,

sia C yrus in t h e fi rst year of h is reign

.
, ,

being direct e d by that divi n e power which

invisibly led him to the th r o n e of P er sia ,

issued his famous e d ict fo r the liberation of

the H ebrew captives with permission t h at
,

the y s h ould r etu r n to t h eir native countr y ,

and rebuild the C it y and H ouse of the

L ORD A c c or d ingly the p r incipal pe o ple
.
,

of t h e t r ib e s of J u d ah an d B enj amin with ,

the P riests and Levites immediately de ,

parted fo r Jerusalem and c ommen c e d the

,

great an d glorious work .

R E W A RD .

Yo u we r e promise d that y ou r z eal

an d fidelity
should not go un rewarded A s a suitable .

r ewa r d ther e for I now appoint you

,

and you will d o

well to qualify yourselves to discharge the
‘

duties of those stations w h en calle d upon ,

s o to do .
 HAND B OO K OF THE C H AP TER
-
.

ADDRESS .

A nd now my C ompanions y o u h aVe

, ,

receive d all the instruction that pe r tains to

our noble C raft .

You have ascended by regula r grada ,

fi o n s to t h e summ i t o f our sublime and

,

R oyal A rt .

You have been con d ucted a r oun d the

oute r courts of t h e temple v iewed its beau ,

tiful proportions its massive pillars its , ,

sta r ry de c ked canopy its M osaic pave

-
,

ent its l i gh ts jewels and fu r niture

, , ,

You have been introduced into the Mi d

dle C hamber and lear ne d by t h e example
, ,

of our an c ient brethren t o reverence the ,

S abbath day and to keep it holy .

You h ave ente red the unfi nished S

and there in the integrit y and inflex ible
,

fidelit y o f the illustrious Tyrian witnesse d ,

an example of firmness and fortitude never

surpassed in the history o f man .

Y o u have wrought in the quarries and ,

exh i bited sat isfacto r y spe ci mens of your

skill and have been tau g ht how to rece ive
, ,

in a prope r manner your Masoni c wages , .

 w
HAND BOO K OF THE CHAPT ER
-
.

You have r egula r ly passed the chair and ,

learned its important duti es ; a kno l ed g e

of which can alone qualify y o u to preside
over the sons o f light .

w
You have been present and assis te d at ,

the completion and de d ication of o u r mys

ti c temple ; and fo r your zeal and fidelity

w
to the C raft have received the congratula
,

tory ti tle of M ost E xcellent Master .

You have n o witnessed the mournful

desolation of Zion the sack and destruct ion
,

of the C it y and Te mple of G O D and the ,

u tt er loss as the o rld s u pp o s e d of all

, ,

t h ose ar ticles containe d in the H oly o f

H olies.

You have seen the chosen people of

Go d for c e d by a foreign d espot from the
,

pleasant groves an d peaceful v ineyards o f

t h eir native I srael an d d r agg ed into cap
,

t iv it y on the banks o f the far off E uphrates -

.

B ut you have seen those affl icted sons

of Zi o n visited in the darkest night o f their
,

advers i ty by a peaceful li g ht from heaven

, ,

wh i ch g u i ded them over rou g h and ru g g e d

roads t o the scene of their former glory .
 H AND B OO K OF THE CHAP T ER
- .

You have seen them enable d by the sig ,

n e t of E ternal Truth t o pass t h e va i l s that

,

interposed between them and thei r fondest

hopes .

Y o u have S een them succ e ssfully engaged

i n t he g reat and g lorious work o f rebuildin g
t h e H OU S E OF T H E L O R D .

A nd fi nally y o u have seen the sacred

,

treasures o f the first temple brought to

l i ght and the blessed book restored t o the
,

long i ng eyes o f the devou t I sraelites t o be ,

—
the rule and g u i de the comfort an d sup
—
port o f the people of G O D throug hout all
f ture time
u .

A nd my companions if in all these

, , ,

things you have seen only a series of u n

,

—
meanin g rites if the spirit of truth h as
not applied to your hearts the mo r als of
these ceremonies then indeed have we , ,

labored in vain and y o u have spent your

,

strength for nought .

B ut I am persuaded to believe better

thi n gs of you I t ru s t that y ou have e n
.

te re d into the sp i rit of th e se solemn cere

monies and understand the full import o f

,

these i nterestin g symbols ; that all th e

94 HAND BOO K OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

forms an d ce r emonies through w h ic h you

have p assed fr om the moment you first
,

t r od t h e oute r courts of the temple until

your fi na l reception within the vails have ,

impressed d e eply on your minds the grea t

and fun damental principles of o u r time
hono red I nstitution : fo r th e n and on ly th e n , ,

can you j ustly claim the noble name of Ma

son ; then and on ly th e n can you feel
, ,

t h at friendsh i p that un ion that zeal and

, , ,

that purit y of heart which shoul d actuate

,

ever y one who would app r opriate to him

self t h e proud title o f a workman that
n e edeth not to be as h amed .

C H A RG E .

W OR T H Y C O M P ANIONS : B y the consent

w
and assistance of the members of this
C hapter you are now exalted to the S u b
,

lime D egree of R oyal A rch Mason The .

rites and mysteries developed in this de

gree have been handed down through a
,

ch o sen fe unchanged by time and u n c o n

, ,

trolled by prej u dice ; and we expect and

trust they w i ll be reg ar d e d by you with
,

the same veneration and transmitted with

,
 HAND BOO K
- '

OF THE CHAP T ER .

the same scrupulous purity to your succes

sors.

N0 one can reflect o n the ceremonies of

gai n i n g admission into this place with o ut
bein g forcibly struck with the important
lessons which they teach H ere we are .

necessarily led to contemplate with grati ,

tude and adm irat ion the sacred S ource ,

from whence all earthly comfo rts fl ow .

H e r e we find additional i nducements to

continue steadfast and im movable in the
discharge of our r espec ti ve d uties ; and
here we are bound by the most solem n ,

ties to promote each other s welfare an d

, ,

c orrect each othe r s failings by advice

’

, ,

admonition and reproof

, .

A s it is our earn est desi r e and a dut y we ,

owe to our C ompanions of this O r der that ,

the a d mission of eve r y candi d ate into th i s

C hapter shoul d be atten ded by the appro
,

b at io n o f the most scrutinizing eye we ,

hope always to possess the satis fac t ion of

'

finding none among us but such as will ,

p r omote to the utmost of thei r power the

, ,

great end of our I nstitution B y paying .

due at te n t io n t o this determination we ex

u
, ,
96 HAND B OOK O F
-
THE CHAP TER .

e ct
p you will never recommend any candi
date to th i s C hapter whose abil i ties an d
,
,

knowledge of th e preceding degrees y o u ,

cannot freely vouch for ; and whom you

do not firmly and confi d ently believe will ,

w
fully conform to the princ i ples o f our O rder ,

and fulfill the obl i gat i ons of a R oyal A rch

Mason W hile such are our members we
.
,

may expect to be un i ted in one object ,

wit h out lukewarmness i nattent i on o r neg

,

lec t but zeal fidelity and affe ction i ll be

, ,

the distinguishing c haracteristics of our s o

c ie t
y, and that satisfactio n harmony and ,

peace may be enj oyed at our meetings ,

whi c h other society c an afford .

CLOSI NG .

PRAYER .

Wisdom of t h e S UPRE M E
P RIES T may we be dire c ted ; by
, H IS
 CEREMONIES OF T HE ORDER .

CO NST I T U T I N G AN D D E D I C AT I N G A N EW

C HAP T ER .

I . T h e n e w Ch apt e r w i ll m ee t i n i ts H all an d ,

op e n on t h e R oy al A rch De g ree .

2 . T he G r an d O ffi cer s w i ll m ee t i n an a djo i n i ng
room an d on b ei ng not i fi ed b y a c omm i tt ee of t he
,

n e w Ch apt e r t h at i ts m e mb er s a re r e a dy fo r t heir re
c e p tio n t hey w i ll p r o ceed to t he C h apt er r oom w here
, , ,

b ei ng r eceiv e d b y t he n e w C h apt er w i t h t h e G r an d
H ono r s t he offi cer s of t he n e w Ch apt er r e s i gn t h e i r
,

stat i ons to t he G r an d O ffi cer s .

3 . A p r o ce ss i on i s t h e n fo r m e d b y t he G r an d C ap
ta i n of t h e H ost as follows w h ich re pa ir s to t h e
, ,

ch u rch o r plac e d e s i gnat ed fo r t he p e r fo r man ce of t he

,

cere mon ie s
Gua rd .

M a rk M ast er s b y twos
,
.

P ast M ast e r s b y twos

, .

M ost E x ce ll e nt M ast er s b y twos , .

R o y al Ar ch M asons t r i angula r l y two i n fr ont an d on e

, ,

b ehi n d .
10 0 HAND B OOK -
OP THE CHA P T ER .

M ast er s of F ir st an d S ec on d V a i l .

M ast er of T hird V a i l .

R oy al A rch C apta i n P ri n c i pal S ojou r n e r

, .

C apta i n of t he H ost .

S e c re tarv an d T re asu rer .

O n e C ompan i on c a rryi ng P ot of I n ce ns e .

F ou r C ompan i ons c a rryi ng th e A rk .

T hree C ompan i ons c a rryi ng l i g h ts t ri angula r l y ,

.

S cri b e an d K i ng .

H i gh P r i e st .

G r an d Gua rd .

Me mb er s of G ran d C h apt er t ri angula r l y ,

.

G r an d R o y al A rc h C apta i n .

G r an d S ecre ta ry an d G r an d T re asu rer .

G r an d C h apla i n Or ato r
, .

De put y G r an d H i gh P rie st

w
.

G ran d S cri b e G r an d K i ng
, .

G r an d H i g h P rie st .

O n a rr i v i ng at t he ch u rch o r pla ce w here t h e

,

ce r e mon ie s a re to b e p e r fo r m ed t he p r o ce ss i on h alts
, ,

fa ce s i n a rd s an d t he G ran d O ffi cer s an d ot her s pass

,

t hr oug h A ll b e i ng s e at e d t h e cere mon ie s c omm e n ce

.
,

as follows
5 . A NT H E M .

6 .A ll kn ee l i ng t he G r an d C h apla i n w i ll d e l i v er
,
’

t he follow i ng
PR A Y E R .

A lmighty and S upre m e H ig h P riest of

Wh o is the re in
'

H eaven and E arth l

10 2

9
.

. T he De u
H AND BOO K OF

y r
-

d i h P ri e
THE

he n
C H AP TE R

T he G ran d C apta i n of t h e H ost i ll t h e n fo r m

t he offi cer s of t he n e w C h ap t er i n fr ont of t he Gr an d
H i g h P rie st
p t
.

G an H g st t a ri s e s
w .

an d ad d re ss i ng t he G ran d H i g h P ri e st say s
, ,

Most E xcellent G r an d H ig h P riest A — ,

numbe r of C ompanions d ul y inst ru c te d in ,

the subl i me mysteries being desirous o f ,

p r omoting the honor and p r opagating t h e

,

principles of the A rt have applied to the ,

Grand C hapte r for a W a r rant to constitute

a ne w C hapter of R oyal A rch Masons ;
w h ic h h aving been obtained the y are now
, ,

assemble d for the purpose of bei n g c onsti

t u te d an d having thei r o ffi c ers installed in
,

due and ancient form .

10 . T he G ran d H ig h P rie st d i rec ts t he G r an d S ec

re tarv to re a d t he wa rr ant w h i c h i s d on e
, .

I I . T h e G ran d H ig h P rie st t h e n sa y s

w
C ompanions do y ou still approve of t h e
,

O ffi c ers as name d therein ?

1 2 . ei ng answ ered i n t he
B afli rm ativ e ,
c
t h e G ran d
H i g h P r i e st ri s e s an d sa y s
,

B y virtue of t h e high po e r in me vested ,

I do fo r m you m y respected C ompanions

, ,
 H AND BOO K OF THE CHA P TER
-
.

into a regular C hapter of R oyal A rch Ma

sons F r o m hen c e fo r th y o u are author
.

iz e d and empowered t o open and hold a

Lodge of Mark Masters P ast Masters , ,

M ost E xcellent Masters and a C hapter of ,

R oyal A r c h Masons ; and t o do and per

form all such things as may thereunto ap
pertain ; confo r ming in all your d oings to '

the C onstitution of the Gene ral Grand

C hapte r of R oyal A rch Masons of the
U nited S tates and of the G r an d C hapter
,

of the S tate of C alifor n ia An d may the .

God of your fat h ers be with you guide , ,

an d d irect you in all your doings .

1 3 .T h e A r k of t he C ov e nant an d t h e fu
,
r n i tu re ,

c lot hi n g je w e ls an d i m pl e m e nts b e long i ng to t he

, ,

Ch apter (h av i n g b ee n p rev i ously placed i n t he ce nter

, ,

i n front of the G ran d H i g h P rie st "a re now un c overed

, .

D ED I C A T I O N .

14 . G ran d C hapla i n w i t h t he pot of i n ce ns e

T he ,

i n hi s h an d s sa y s
,

To our Most E xcellent P at r on Z e ru b b a

bel we solemnly dedi c ate this C hapter
, .

May the blessing of our H eavenly H igh

P riest des c end and r est upon its members ,
 w
10 4 HAND BOOK O F -
THE CHAP TER .

and may their feli c ity be immortal Glor y .

be to God on high .

R e sp on se As it as i n the begin ning

:
,

is n ow and ever s h all be world wit h out

, ,

en d A M EN . .

1 5 . M U S IC , OR A N O DE .

1 T he De p u t y G r an d H i g h P ri e st t he n p re s e nts
6 .

t h e H i g h P ri e st of t h e (n e w " Ch apt e r to t he G r an d
H i g h P rie st sa y i ng ,

M OS T E XCE LL EN T G RAND H I G H P RIE S T

I p r esent you my wo r thy C ompanion
( nominate d i n the warrant " to be installed ,

H igh P riest of this (new " C hapter I fi nd .

hi m to be skillfu l in the R oyal A rt an d ,

attentive to the moral pre c epts of our fo r e

fat h ers and have therefore n o doubt but
,

"
T he ins tall a t ion cere mon y as here gi e n i in t e nded t o b e v , s

us ed l so f t he annua l i nst a ll at i on f t he offi cers f Ch a p t er s

a or o o

t he om i ss i on f the wo rd s i p th i an d th c o rre spon d ing

o n a re n es s , e

C h an ge i t he t i t le s f o ffi cers on ly b ei n g n ece ss a ry O n the

n o , .

n igh t appo in t e d f h inst a ll at ion t he Ch ap t er b ei ng op e n ed

or t e ,

i n h Roy a l A rch de g ree a P as t H igh P rie s t if on e b e p re s e n t

t e , , ,

a n d if not som e other o ff cer appo in ted f the pu rpos e p re s e n t s

,
i or ,

the H igh P rie st elec t t h p re s id in g o ffi cer mak i ng the ch ange s

o t e ,

a lre a dy i n dic a ted .

 w
10 6 HAND BOO K OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

.I D o you solemnly promise t h at you

will r ed ouble y our en deavors to correct the
V ices purify the m o rals and pro m ote the
, ,

happine s s of those o f your brethren h o

h ave attaine d to this sublime d egree
I I T h at you will never suffer you r
.

C hapter to be opened unless the r e be p r es

,

ent nine r e gula r R oyal A r ch Masons ?

III T h at you will never suffer either

.

mo r e o r less than three b rethren to be

exalted in y ou r C hapter at one and t h e
same time ?

IV That you will not exalt any one to

.

t h is d egree w h o has not shown a c h ar itable

and huma n e disposition o r who has not
ma d e a c onsi d e rable proficiency in the fo r e
going degrees ?

V . That you will p r omote the general

good o f ou r O r d e r and on all p r oper o c ca
, ,

sions be rea d y to give an d receive in s tru c

,

tions pa r ti c ularly from the Gene r al and

,

S tate Grand O ffi c e r s ?

VI That to t h e utmost of your power

.
, ,

you will p reserve the s olemnities of ou r

ce r emonies an d behave i n O pen C hapte r
,
 HAND BOOK O F THE CHA P TER
-
.

with the most p r ofound respect and rever

ence as an example to your compani o n s ?
,

V II That y o u will not acknowled g e o r

.

have intercou r se with any Ch apter that does

w
not work under a constitutional warrant or
dispensation
V III That you will not admit any v is
.

ito r into your C hapter who has n o t bee n

exalte d in a C hapter legally constituted ,

i thout h is fi r st being formally healed ?

IX .That you will observe and support

such b y laws as may be m ade by you
-

C hapter in conform i ty to the General

,

Grand R oyal A rch C onstitution an d the

w
Ge n e r al R egulations of the Grand C hapte r ?

X . That you w i ll pay due respe c t and

obedience to the instructions of the Gen
eral and S tate Grand O fficers particularly
,

relating t o the several lectures an d ch arges ,

an d i ll resign the chai r to them severally

, ,

when they may v isit your C hapter ?

X I . T h at you will support an d observe

the General Grand R oyal Ar ch C o n s t itu
tion and the General R e g ulations o f the
,

Gran d R oyal Ar ch C hapte r under whose

autho r ity you a c t ?
10 8 H A ND BOO K OF
-
THE CHA P TER .

X II That you will b ind your successo r

w
.

in offi ce to the observance of the same

rules to whi c h y ou have now assented ?

D o you submit to all these things and ,

do you pro mise t o observe a n d practice

them faithfully ?

A n s er I do . .

C ompanions let us kneel an d invoke the

,

blessing of D e i t y .

1 8 A ll t he c om pan i ons kn ee " an d t h e G r an d

.
,

Ch apla i n r e pe ats t h e follow i ng

P R A Y ER .

M ost H oly an d Glorious Lord God t h e

Great H igh P riest of heaven and earth
W e approach thee with reveren c e and ,

implore thy blessing upo n the compan ion

appointed to preside ove r this (new "assem
bl y and now p r ostrate before thee F i ll
, ,

his hea r t with thy fear that his tongue a n d

,

actions may pronounce thy glory Make .

hi m steadfast i n thy service ; g r ant him

fir m ness o f m i nd ; animate his heart and ,

strengthen his endeavors May he teach .

thy j udgments and thy laws ; and may t h e

1 10 HAND BOOK O F
-
THE CHAP TE R .

M OS T E XCE LL EN T : I n consequen c e of
your c heerful acquiescence with the cha rges ,

wh i ch y ou have hear d re c ited y o u a r e ,

qualified fo r installation as t h e H igh P riest

of t h is R oyal A rch C hapter ; and it is in

w
cumbent upon me on this oc c asion to
, ,

point out some of the parti c ulars appertain

ing to your offi ce duty and dignity
, , .

T h e H igh P riest of ever y C hapter has it

in special c h arge to s e e t h at the b y laws of
,
-

his C hapter as e ll as th e G e n e ral G ran d

,

R oy al A rch Con s titu tion and all t h e r egu

,

lat io n s of the Gran d C hapte r are dul y ,

—
ob se r ve d ; that all th e o fficers of his C hap
te r perform the duties of thei r respective
o ffi ces faithfully and are example s of dili
,

gen c e and industry to their C ompanions ;

that true and accurate reco rds of all the
procee d in g s of t h e C hapte r a r e k ept by the
—
S ec r etar y ; that the Treasurer keeps an d
renders exact and just acco u nts of all the
moneys and other property belonging to the
—
C hapter ; that the re g ula rreturns be made
annually to the G r and C hapter ; and that —
the an nual dues to the Grand C hapter be
regula r l y and pun c tuall y paid H e h as the
.
 HAN D B OOK O F -
THE CHA P TE R . 111

right a n d authorit y of calling h is C h ap te

together at pleasu re upon any emergency ,

or occurrence which in his j udgment may

,

r equire their meeting I t is his pr i vilege .

and duty togeth e r With the K ing and

,

S cribe to attend the meeti ngs of the G r and

,

C hapter eithe r in p e rSo n or b y proxy ; and

,

the well being of the i nst itut i on re quires

-

that thi s duty should on n o occasion be

omitted .

The offi c e of H igh P riest is a station

h ighly honorable t o all those who dili
gently perform the important duties an
n e x e d to it B y a frequent recur rence t o
.

the constitutions and general regulations ,

and a constant practice of the seve ral sub

lime Le c tu r es and C harges you will be ,

best enabled to fulfill those duties and I

am confident that t h e C ompanions who
are chosen to p r esi d e wit h you will g i ve ,

strength to you r en d eavors and support to ,

you r exe r tions .

Let the M itre wit h whi c h y o u are in

vested remin d you o f the dignity o f the
,

o ffice y ou sustain and its inscription im

,

p r ess upo n y ou r m ind a sense o f y our

 1 12 H AND BOO K OF
-
THE C H AP T ER .

—
dependence upon God that pe r fe c tion is -

not given unto man upon earth an d t hat ,

perfect holiness belonget h alone u n to t h e .

Lo rd .

T h e B re ast P late wit h w h ic h you are

-
,

deco r ated in imitation of t h at upon whic h

,

were eng raven the names of t h e twelve

tribes and worn by t h e H i g h P riest of
,

I s r ael is to teach you t h at you are always

,

to bea r in mind you r r esponsibility to t h e

laws an d ordinances of the institution a n d ,

that the hono r and interests of y ou r C hap

w
ter a n d its members s h oul d be always nea r
,

y ou r heart .

T h e v ario u s colors of t h e R obe s y o u wea r ,

are emblematical of eve r y g r ace an d vi r tue

which c an adorn and beautify the min d ;
ea c h of which i ll be briefly illustrate d in
the c ourse of t h e cha rges to be delivered
“
to your subo r d i nate o fficers

w
.

I now deliver into your hands the Ch ar

te r under which you are to work Y ou
.

will r eceive it as a sacre d deposit and ,

never pe r m i t it to be used fo r an y ot h e r
purposes t h an those expressed in it .

I present you wit h the B ooh (y th e L a ,

 HAND B OOK O F THE CHAP TER
- .

C H A RGE T O T H E K I N G .

E X CE LL EN T C O M PANION : The important

station to which you are elected in this
Ch apter requi r es from you exemplary con
,

du c t ; its duties demand y ou r most assidu

ous attention ; y o u ar e t o secon d and sup
po r t your ch ief in all t h e requirements o f

w
his offi ce ; and should casualties at an y
time p r event his attendance you are to
,

su c ceed h im in the perfo r ma n ce of his

duties .

Y our badge (th e L e v el s u rm ou n te d by a

Cro n " s h oul d re mind you that although
you ar e the representat i ve of a K ing and ex ,

alted by o ffi ce above your C ompanions yet ,

that you remain upon a level with them as

“

respects you r d u ty to God to y our neigh

,

bor and to yo u rself ; that y ou are equally

,

bound with them to be obedient t o the

,

laws and ordinances o f the i nst i t ution ; to

be cha r itable h umane and j ust an d to seek
, , ,

ever y occasion of doing good .

Your office tea c hes a striking lesso n of

humil i ty The institutions of political s o
.
 116 H A ND BOO K OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

c ie t teach us to consider the king as the

y
c h i ef of c r eated beings and that the fi r st ,

dut y of his subjects is to obey h is man

d ates — but the institutions o f our sublime
d egrees b y pla c ing the K i n g in a situat i on
,

subordinate to the H ig h P riest teach u s ,

that our duty to God i s paramount to all

othe r duties and s h ould ever claim t h e
,

p r iority of ou r obedien c e to man ; and that

howeve r strongly we may be bound to
obe y the laws of c ivil society y et that ,

those laws to be j ust should never inter

, ,

me dd le with matters of c ons c ience no r dic ,

tate ar ticles of fait h .

I ‘

The S carle t R obe an emblem of imperial

w
,

dignit y should r emind y ou of the paternal

w
,

con c ern y ou should ever feel for the wel

fare o f you r C hapte r and the f e rv e n cy and
,

z e al with which you shoul d endeav o r to

p r omote its prospe r ity .

I n presenting to y ou the Cro n w h ich ,

is an emblem of royalty I o u ld remind ,

you ; that to reign sovereig n i n t h e hearts

and affections of men must be far more ,

grateful to a generous and benevolent mind

than to rule over their lives and f ortunes ;
118 H AN D BOO K OF
-
THE CHAP TE R .

bent upon y ou in y ou r appropriate s tation

, ,

as well as those whi c h ma y o c casionall y

dev olve on you by t h e absen c e of y ou r

,

superiors .

The P u rple R obe with which you are

,

invested is an emblem of u n ion and is c al

, ,

c u lat e d to remind you that the h armon y

and unanimity of the C hapter s h ould be

your constant aim ; and to this end you are
stu d iously to av oid all o c casions of giving
offen c e or co u ntenan c ing anything that
,

m a y c reate d ivisions o r dissensions You .

a re by all means in y our powe r to e u

, ,

de av o r to establish a pe r manent union and

good un de r stan d ing among all o r ders an d
degrees of Masonry ; and as t h e glo r ious
sun at its meridian he i g ht d ispels the m ists
, ,

an d clouds whi c h obscure the hor i zon s o ,

may your exertions tend to dissipate the

gloom of jealousy an d d iscor d wheneve r ,

they ma y appear .

Your badge (a P lu m b ru le s u r m o u n te d
-

by th e T u rba n " is an emblem o f rectitude

d vigilance ; and while y o u stand as a
watchman on the tower t o guard your ,

C o mpanions against the app r oa c h of those

 HAND BOOK O F
-
THE CHAPT ER . 1 19

enemies of human felicity in te mpe ran ce ,

and e x ce ss let this faithful monito r ever

,

remind you to walk uprig htly in your sta

tion ; admonis h ing an d animat i n g y our
C ompanions to fidelity and in d ustry while
at labor and to temperance and modera
,

tion while at r efreshment A nd when the

.

Great Watchman of I s r ael whose eye never

,

slumbers o r sleeps shall relieve y o u from

,

your post on earth may he perm i t you i n

,

heaven to parti c ipate in that food and re

freshment which is
S u ch as t h e sa i nts i n glo ry lov e
A n d s u ch as ang e ls e at .
"

C H A R GE T O T H E C A P T A I N O F T H E H O ST .

C O M PANION : T h e o ffi ce with w h ich y ou

are e ntrusted is o f high importance and ,

demands you r most zealous considerat i on .

The preservation of the most essential

traits of our ancient customs usages and , ,

landmarks are within your prov i nce ; and

it is indispensably necessary that the part ,

assigned to y o u in the immediate practice

,

of ou r r ites and ceremonies should be per ,

1 20 HAND BOOK O F
-
THE C H AP T ER .

fe c t ly understood and correctly ad m in is

t e re d .

Your o ffi ce corresponds with that of

Marshal o r Master of C e remonies You
, .
“

are to superinte nd all p r ocessions of your

w
C hapte r when m oving as a distinct body
.
,

e i ther in publ i c or private ; and as the wo r ld

can only j udge of our private discipline by
our public deportment you will be careful
,

that the utmo st order and d eco r um be o b

served on all su ch o c casions You ill
eve r be attent i ve to the commands of you r
c h i ef and always nea r at hand to see them
,

duly executed I invest you wit h the badge

.

of your offi ce and p resume that you will

,

give to y o ur duties all that study and at

tention which their importance demands .

C H A R GE T O T H E P R I N C I P A L S OJ O U R N E R .

C O M PANION The office con fide d to you ,

thoug h subor di nate in degree is equal in ,

importan c e to any in the C hapter that o f ,

y our c h ief alone excepted You r office .

cor r esponds wit h that of S e n ior D e aco n in ,

the preparatory degrees A mong the d u .

ties required o f you the p r eparation and

,
1 22 H AND BOO K OF
-
THE C H AP T ER .

ar d entl y persevere unto the en d ; r esting

as su red of re c eiving at the termination o f
,

ou r labors a noble an d glorious r ewar d

, .

Y our past exert i ons will be conside r ed as

a pledge of your future assi d uit y in t h e
faithful dis c harge o f your duties .

C H A R GE T O T H E R O YA L A R C H C AP T A I N .

C O M PANION : The well known d uties of

y ou r statio n r equi r e but little elu c idation .

Y our o ffi c e in the preparatory degrees c

responds with that of yu n io r D e aco n I t .

is y our p r ovin c e c onj ointly wi th t h e C aptain

of the H ost to atten d the examination o f
,

all visitors and to take c a r e t h at none are

,

pe r mitted to enter the C hapte r but su ch as,

have trave le d th e rug g e d path of trial and ,

evin c e d thei r title t o ou r favor an d friend

ship Y ou will be at tentiv e to obey the
.

comma nds of t h e C aptain of the H ost du r ,

in
g th f
e i n tro d u ct io n o s tra n
g e rs a m on
g the
wo r kmen s o th at sh ould they be permitted
to pass your post they may by him be
,

intro d uced into the presence o f the Grand

C oun c il .
 H AND BO O K OF T H E CHAPT ER
-
.

The Wh ite B an n er entrusted to your care

, ,

is emblematical of t h at pur i ty of hea r t and

rectitu d e of conduct wh i ch ought t O a ctuate
,

all those who pass the white vail of the

sanctuar y I give it to you strongly in
.

charge ne ve r to suffer any one to pass

,

your post wit h out the S ign et of tru th

, .

I p re s e n t you the badge o f your o ffice ,

in expe c tation o f you perfo r ming your d u

ties with intelligence a ssi d uity and p r o, ,

rie ty
p .

C H A R GE To THE G RAN D MA ST E R OF T HE
THI RD V AI L .

C O M PANION : I present you with the S ear

let B which is the ensign of you r offi c e
an n er, ,

and wit h a sword to protect and de fen d the

same The r i c h and beautiful c olor of
your ban ner is emblematical o f f erven ey and
real; i t is the app r opriate color of the R o y al

A rch D egr ee I t admonishes us that we

.

should be fervent in the exe rc ise of o u r

devot i ons to God and zealous in our e n
,

de av o rs to promote the happiness of man .

1 24 H A ND BOO K OF
-
THE CHAP TER .

C H A R GE T O T H E G R A N D M A ST E R O F T H E
S E CO N D V A I L .

C O M PANION : I in v e s t
y ou W ith the P u rp le
B an n er whi c h is the ensign of you r o ffi ce
, ,

( 1 arm y ou with a swo rd to enable you

,

to maintain its honor .

T h e c olor of your banner is p r odu c ed by

a d ue mixture of blu e and scarlet ; the fo r mer
of whi ch is the characteristi c color of t h e
s mb olic or rst th ree de ree s o
y fi g f rli aso n r
g and ,

the latter t h at of the R oyal Arch D egree

, .

I t is an emblem of u n io n and is t h e c harac

,

t e ris t ic colo r of the inte r mediate degrees .

I t admonis h es us to cultivate a n d improve

that S pirit of union and ha r mony between ,

the b r eth r en of the s y mbolic deg rees and

the C ompanions of the sublime degrees ,

which shoul d eve r distinguish t h e members

of a society founded upon t h e prin c iples
of eve r lasting truth and universal ph ilan
t h ro p y .

C H A R GE T O T H E G R A N D M A ST E R O F T H E
FI R ST V A I L .

C O M P A N ION I invest you with th e B lu e

:

B an n er, which is the ensi g n of your office ,

1 26 HAND B OOK OF -
THE C H AP TE R .

to a c quire those in w h ic h you are d eficie n t

w
.

Let the vario u s colors of the ban n ers com

m it te d to you r charg e admonish y o u t o t h e
exe r cise of the several virtues o f w h ich
they are emblemati c an d y ou are to enj oin
,

the practi c e of those virtues upon all who

shall present themselves or t h e ork of

ww
,

their han d s for y o n r in sp ection

, Let no .

work receive your approbation but such as

is cal c ulated to a d orn and strengthen the
Masoni c e d ifice B e industrious and faith
.

ful in p r actisi n g and dissem inat ing a knowl

e dge o f t h e tru e an d p erfect ork h i ch ,

alone c an stan d the test o f the Gran d Over

seer s S qu are in the great da y of trial an d
’

w
,

retribution . T h en alt h ough e v e r y rod

,

s h ould be c ome a serp en t and ever y se r pent ,

an enemy to tliis I nsti tution yet shall their ,

utmost e x ertions to d estroy i ts r ep u tation

or sap its fo undation become as impotent ,

as the lep rou s ha n d or as ater sp illed up on

,

the grou n d which cann ot be gathered up

,

again .

C H A R GE TO T HE T R E AS U R E R .

C O M PANIO N Yo u
are electe d Treas ure r
of this Ch apte r and I have the pleasu r e of
,
 H A N D B OO K O F
-
THE C H A PTE R . 1 27

investing y o u with the badge of your o f

’

fi ce
. The qualities which should re c o m
mend a Treasurer a r e accu racy an d fi delity
accura cy in keeping a fair and m i nute ac
count o f all receipts and d i sbursements ;
fid e lity l n carefully preservin g all the prop
,

e rt y and funds of the C hapter that may be

placed in his hands and rendering a j ust

,

ac c ount of the same wheneve r he is called

,

upon for that purpose I presume that

.

your respect fo r the I nstitution you r at ,

t ac h m e n t to t h e interests of your C hapter ,

and you r r egard for a good name which is ,

better than precio u s ointment will prompt ,

you t o the faithful dis c harge of the duties

of y our office .

C H AR G E To THE fi
S E c z ET ARv .

COM P A N I O N : I with pleas u re invest y o u

with your badge as S ecretary of this C hap
ter T h e qualities which should re c o m
.

men d a S ecreta r y are p romp titu de in issuing

the notifications and orders of his superior
officers p u n ctu ality in attend i ng the C onvo
,

cations of the C hapt e r correctn ess in recor d

,

ing their pro c eedings ju dgm en t in dis c rim i

,
 w
1 28 H AN D B OO K OF
-
TH E C H APTE R .

nating be tween what is p r oper an d w h at is

imp r ope r to be c ommitte d to rl t l n g regu ,

larity in m aking h is annual r etu r ns to t h e

Grand Ch apte r in tegrity in ac c ounting fo r
,

all mo n e y s that ma y pa ss t hr ough h is

han d s an d fi delity in pa y ing the same o ver
,

into t h e h ands of the Treasu rer T h e pos .

session o f t h ese good qualities I presume , ,

has designated y ou as a suitable candidate

for t h is impo rtant o ffi c e and I cannot e n
t e rtain a doubt t h at y o u will discha rge its

duties benefi ciall y to the Ch apter and h on ,

o rab l to y ourself A n d when you s h all

y .

have c omplete d t h e reco rd of yo u r trans

actio n s he r e below an d fi n ishe d t h e term
,

of y ou r p r obation ma y you be a d mitted

,

into the celestial Gran d Ch apte r of s aln ts

an d angels an d fi n d you r name r e c o rd e d
,

in t h e book of li fe ete r nal .

C H A R GE T O T H E C H A P LA I N .

E A N D R E V COM P A N I O N : Y ou
. . are ap

pointed C haplain o f this Ch apte r ; an d I

now invest you with t h is ci r cula r jewel the ,

badge of y ou r offi c e I t is emblemati cal .

of ete r n ity an d remin d s us that he re is not

,
1 30 H A N D B OO K OF THE

w C H A PTE R
-
.

tio n s the r eby excl u ding eve r y un qualifi e d

and unwo r th y thou gh t o rd an d de e d ;
, ,

and p rese r ving c ons c ien c es voi d o f offe n s e

towar d s God a n d towa r ds m an .

A s t h e first application fr o m v isito rs for

a d m ission i nto the Ch apte r is gene r ally
ma d e to t h e Guard at t h e door y ou r s ta ,

tion will often p r esent y ou to t h e observa

tion of st r angers ; it is therefo r e essen , ,

t ially ne c essary that h e w h o sustains the

o ffi c e wit h whic h y ou a r e en tr usted s h ould ,

be a man of good mo r als stea dy h abits , ,

stri c t d is c ipline tempe rate affable an dZdl s

, , ,

c re e t
. I trust t h a t a just regard fo r t h e
h ono r and reputation of the institution ,

will eve r in d u c e y o u t o pe rfo r m with fi de l

it y t h e t ru st r eposed in y ou an d when t h e
d oo r of t h is ear t h l y tab e rna c le s h all be
closed m a y y ou fi n d an abundant ent ran c e
,

t h ro u gh t h e gates i n t o t h e templ e and c it y

of ou r God .

AD D R E SS T O T H E H IG H PR I ES T .

M . . COM P AN I O N : H aving been h on

E .

o r ed wit h t h e free suffrages of the mem

bers o f this C h apte r you a r e e lected to
,
 HAND BOO K OF THE C H A P TE R
-
“

the most impo r tant o ffice which it is w ithin

their power to bestow This exp r ession
.

of their esteem and respect should draw

from you cor r esponding sensations ; and
your demeanor shoul d be such as to repay
the honor they have s o conspi c uously con
ferred upon you by an hono rable and faith
,

ful discharge of y our d uties The station.

you are called to fi ll is i mportant not ,

only as it respects the co r rect practice of

o u r rites an d c e r emonies an d the internal
,

e c onomy of the Ch apter over whic h you

p r eside but the public reputation of t h e
,

I nstitution will b e generally found to rise

o r fall a c co r ding to the skill fi d elity and

w
, ,

disc r etion with which its c on c e r ns are m an

aged and in proportion as the c haracters

,

and conduc t of its p r1n c 1pa1 offi c ers are e s

timable or censu r able .

You have accepted a t r ust to whi c h is ,

attached a weight of r esponsibility that i ll

require all your effo r ts t o disc h arge honor
ably to you r self an d satisfactorily to the
Ch apte r You are to s e e that your o ffi
.

cers a r e capable and fait h ful in the e x e r

cise of t h ei r offi c es
. S h o u ld t h ey lack
 H A N D B OO K OF T H E C H A P TE R
-
.

ability yo u are expected to supply t h eir

,

defects : you are to watch carefully t h e

prog r e ss of their performances an d to see ,

t h at the long establishe d customs of the

-

I nstit u tion suffe r n o de r angement in their

han d s You are to have a careful e y e O ver
.

t h e general c onduct of the Ch apter ; see

t h at due order and subo r dination are o h

w
se r v e d o n all oc c asions that the me mbers
a r e p r operl y instructe d ; t h at du e solemnity
be obse r ved in t h e practice of our rites ;
t h at no improper levity be pe r mitte d at an y
time but mo r e espe c ially at the in troduc tion
,

of stran gers am on g th e o rk men .

I n fi ne you a r e to be an example to your

,

o ffi c e r s an d m embe r s which they need not

,

h esitate to follow ; t h us se c u r ing to you r

self the favo r o f heaven an d the applause ,

of y our breth ren an d companions .

ADD R E SS T O T H E O FF I C E RS G E N E R ALL Y .

C o M P A N IO N s I N O FF I C E ex : P r ecept an d

ample should ever advance with equal pace .

T h ose mo r al duties w h ich you are r e quired

to teach unto othe rs you should neve r ,

negle c t to p r a c ti c e yourselves .
134 H A N D B OO K OF
-
THE C H A P TE R .

ADD R E SS T O T H E C H A PT E R A T LA R G E .

C o M P A N IO N s The exer c ise an d manage

ment of the sublime d e grees of Masonr y in
y our Ch apte r hit h e r to a r e so hig h ly ap pre
c iat e d ,an d t h e good r eputation of t h e
C hapte r s o well established that I m ust ,

p resume t h ese considerations alo n e were ,

th e re no ot h ers of greater magnitu d e would ,

be su fficient to in d uce y ou to preserve an d

pe r petuate this valuable an d h ono r abl e c h ar
a c te r B ut when to t h ese is a dd e d t h e
.

pleas u r e whi ch eve r y p h ilan t h ro p l c h ear t

m u st feel in doing good in promoti n g goo d
,

o r de r in d iffusing light and knowledge in

, ,

c ultivating Masonic and C hristian c h arity ,

which a r e the great objects of this sublime

I n stituti on I c ann ot d oubt t h at you r future
,

c on d uct an d that of y our successors will be

, ,

cal c ulated still to inc rease t h e lust r e of you r

w
j ustly esteemed reputation .

M a y you r C h ap ter become beau tif u l as th e

T EM P L E p eacef u l as the A R K and sacred as
, ,

its most h oly p lace May you r oblat i o n s o f

.

iet and ai be ratefu l as the I N C E N S E

p y p r s e
g
your lo v e arm as its flame an d you r char ,
136 H A N D B OO K OF
-
THE C H A P TE R .

G r and H onors of Masonry by t hr ee times ,

three .

24 T he p ubl ic G r an d H ono r s a re t he n g i v e n
. .

A N O E ma y b e sung
2
5 . D .

26 B EN E D IC T IO N b y t h e G r an d C h apla i n : aft er
.

w h i ch t he p r o ce ss i on re tu rns to t h e C h a pt er r oom
, ,

t h e G r an d O ffi cer s r e t ire an d t he C h apt er i s c los ed

,

b v i ts own O ffi cer s .

N OT E— T he p r o cl ama t i on f t he annua l ins t a l la t ion d iffers

or

v
—
fr om the abo e i n t h is b y subs tit ut i n g a ft er t he w o rd p r o “

cl a im t he fo ll o w in g
,
the o ff cers f i o Ch ap ter ,

N O t o b e d u l y i ns t a lled e nsu in g M ason ic y e a r ,

w ith th G ra n d H ono rs &

e ,
"
c .
138 H A N D B OO K OF
-
TH E C H A P TE R .

C onst i tu t i on of t he G e n eral G ran d Ch ap t er of the U n i ted S ta t es ,

so fa as t hey may c om e t o ou r k nowl ed g e

r .

[T hi s D i s pe nsa t i on mus t b e s ig n ed b y no t
l e ss th an i Roy a l A rch M asons
n ne .

It b e p re s e nt e d to e i t h er t h e G r an d o r De p ut y
m ay
G r an d H i gh P ri e st an d m u st b e a cc ompan i e d b y d i
,

m i ts fro m t h e s e v e ral Ch apt e rs of w h i c h t he p e t i t i on

e r s w ere last m e m b ers ; t h e cer t i fi c at e of t h e G ran d
L ec t u r e r t h at t h e C ompan i on rec omm e n de d fo M r .

E H i g h P ri e st i s q ual i fi e d to onfer t h e d e g r ee s i
. c

a cc o rd an ce w i t h t h e wo rk an d l ec t u re s a d opt e d b y t he
G r an d Ch apt er ; an d m u st also be a cc om p an i e d w i t h
t h e r ec o m m e n d at i on of t h e n e a r e st Ch apt e r wo rk i ng
un d e r a wa rrant of C onst i tut i on w hi c h re o mm e n da c

t i on s h o u l d b e i n t h e follow in g wo rd s

Form of Re comme n dation .

w
A t a re gula r c on v o c at ion of Ch a pt er , No . h ol de n
on t he d ay f‘
o A L 8
5 7 .
4 . A . I . 2 0

T he p e t i t i on of s e eral C om p an i ons prayi ng f a D i sp e nsa

v , or

t i on t o p e n a n e w Ch ap ter a t
O i n the f o

a d ul y la id b e fo r t he Ch a p t er w he n i t w as
s e ,

R l d T h a t t hi s Ch ap t er b ei ng fu lly sa t i s fi ed th a t the pe t i
eso v e , ,

tio n e rs a re Roy al A rch M asons i n good s t an di ng an d bei n g

, ,

p ep a red t o ou ch fo r their mo ral ch a ra c t er an d M ason ic ab i l i

r v

t ie s d oe s there fo re rec omm e d th at the D i s pe sat i on pr aye d

, , , n
'

fo r b e gr an t ed t o t he m .

A t r u e c op y of the rec rd s o .
 DAT E OF ROYAL ARCH DOCU M ENT S .

E ach of the s y s te ms f M on ry h as a d a te pe ul i a r t o i t s el f
o as c ,

a n d which as re ferri ng to som e i m p o r an t e e n t i n i ts hi s to ry i s

, t v

w
,

affi ed to i ts o ffi ci al d oc um e n ts T h us the e po ch f the cre a ti on

x .
o

o f l i gh t i n t he b e gi nn i ng of t he w o rl d a cc o rdi ng t o t he M osa ic ,

c osmogon y h as b ee n assum ed fo r a sy mbo lic al re ason a th

, ,
, s e

era of A n cie n t Craft M ason ry an d he n ce a l l d o c um e n ts c on

,

nec e t d w i t h t he fi r s t t hree degree s a re d a t ed fr om t hi s peri o d

w
,

h ich d at e i s foun d b y a ddi ng 4 0 0 0 t o the ulga er a an d i s y r ,

c a lled the ye a r of l i gh t o r A a L i usuall y abb re i at ed A

, nn uc s, v .

L . th us t he pre s e n t ye a r 1 87 8 i n a M ason ic d oc um e n t of the

-
, ,

s y mbolic degree s w oul d b e de s i gna ted A L 587 8

, . . .

Roy al A rch M asons us e thi s d at e a l so bu t i n a ddi t ion t o i t ,

they c omm e n ce their p ec u li a r era i th the ye a r i n which the

bu i l d ing of the s ec on d te mpl e was b e gun a t which t i m e their ,

tr a di t i ons i n fo r m t he m t h a t a di s c o ery impo r t an t t o th craft v e

ma de T hey c all their era t he ye a r of th di s c o ery o r

. e v ,

A aI
nn e ti
nv n i som e t i m e s ab b
on s, at d A I or A I re v x e . . . n v.

The s ec on d te mp le was c omm e n ced 530 ye a rs be fo re Chri st an d ,

he n ce the Roy a l Arch d at e i s foun d b y a ddi ng th a t number of

ye a rs t o t he Chri s t i an era T h us t he p re s e n t ye a r 1 87 8 i n a
.
, ,

Roy a l Arch d o c um e n t w ou ld b e de s i gnat ed A nno I ti i

, n ve n on s

2 4 0 8 an d c omb i n i n g t he tw o M ason ic er as su ch a d o c um e n t
, ,

woul d b e pr op erly : de s i gnated th us A nno L u ci s 5 87 8 an d :

“
,

A nno I ti
n ve n i on s o r i the Ye a r of L i gh t 587 8 an d of
,
“
n ,

the D i s c o ery 24 0 8
v , .

T he abov e i s fr o m M a c k ey s B ook of t he Ch apt e r ’

an d answ e r s t h e p u rp os e w e ll p rov id e d on e c an at all ,

 140 H A ND B OO K OF
-
THE C H A P TE R .

t i m e s r e m e mb e r t he n u m b e r of ye a rs b e fo r e Chri st

w
t h at t h e s ec on d t e m pl e was c o mm e n ce d B u t a b e tt e r .

plan an d on e w h ic h pa r t i c u la r l y c o m m e n d s i ts e lf to
,

t h e R o y al Ar ch M ason i s to k ee p i n m i n d ce r tai n
,

f a c
s t d e v e lo p e d i n t he de g r ee an d a
, pp l y t h os e fa c ts i n
d e t e r m i n i ng t he ye a r r e qu ir e d vi V ery i mpo r tant
, z :

de pos i ts w e r e m a d e i n t h e ye a r o f t h e o rl d 3 ,
0 0 0

t h ey re m a i n e d h idd fo r t h e p e ri o d of 4 7 ye a r s
en 0 .

T h i s gi ves a total of 3 4 7 ye a r s w hi c h s u bt r a c t e d fr om
0 ,

t h e c u r re nt ye a r of l i g h t 58 7 8 (tak i ng t h e p r es e nt fo r
, ,

ill u st r at i on " g i v e s 4 8 —t h e ye a r of d i s c ov ery

,
2 0 .

1 87 8 4 ooo 8
5 7 8
3
3 7
4 °

8
5 7 8 34 7 o = A . 240 8 .