The Gods of the Lodge

by Reginald Haupt Jr

  In this Degree the bronze serpent is called a “Brazen Serpent” and it is symbolized upon the apron of this Degree. The serpent is entwined around a cross. On the upright of the cross is engraved in Hebrew “khalati,” meaning “I have suffered.” On the arms of the cross is the Hebrew word “nakhushtan,” meaning “a serpent.” 31 Again, this symbol containing a serpent will be discussed later.

  This Degree emphasizes that the rule of evil and darkness is only temporary, and that light and goodness will prevail and be eternal.

  26. Prince of Mercy Degree

  This Degree is also called the Scottish Trinitarian and is Christian in construction. It concerns the three acts of divine mercy through the three covenants God made with man. They are: first with Abraham by circumcision, second with Israel through Moses, and third, in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The Masonic Bible justifies or explains this Degree with this disclaimer:

  “While Masonry is a religious Institution, it has never, and it does not today, invade the field of distinctive religious controversies, nor does it question or challenge the devout religions which worship One God, and One God only, even though there may be difference with references to Intermediation and the basis of approach or access to the One God for worship and service.” 32

  The dogma of the Degree is the importance of Truth, and the Masonic search for the Truth.

  27. Knight Commander of the Temple Degree

  This Degree contains neither symbols nor allegories and appears to be out of place in the midst of the philosophical degrees. It serves to break the weariness of continuity in these advanced stages of the Scottish Rite. This Degree is sometimes called Sovereign Commander of the Temple, and it teaches that the Mason is also a soldier, a successor of the Knights of the Middle Ages. The fight is for righteousness.

  28. Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept Degree

  Masonic authorities believe this Degree to be the most important and interesting of all the high degrees, and it is the last of the ancient initiations teaching. The Degree is veiled in Kabbalistic and Hermetic symbols and instructions, allegorizing in the old rituals the search of Man after Truth. The principal characters are Father Adam and Brother Truth. The six northern signs of the zodiac appear on the reverse side of the jewel of this Degree.

  The definitions of Kabbalism and Hermetic Masonry are being reserved for the time being, but the reader is reminded to review this Degree afterward.

  The Knight of the Sun highlights the nature, quality, attributes and perfections of God.

  29. Grand Scottish Knight of St. Andrew Degree

  Sometimes called “Patriarch of the Crusades” this Degree highlights religious tolerance. The ritual is founded on the legend which says that Freemasonry of the Middle Ages consisted of a society of Knights founded in Palestine for the purpose of building churches. The Saracens opposed them and infiltrated their ranks. To combat this they developed secret symbolic ceremonies to detect an intruder. When the Saracens became too strong they accepted an invitation of a king of England and moved into his dominion where they devoted themselves to the cultivation of architecture and the fine arts.

  Modern Masonry adopted the traditions associated with St. Andrew when this Degree was implemented two hundred years ago. St. Andrew’s vision of his cross that gave courage and faith to the armies of England adds to the teachings of this popular Degree.

  30. Knight of Kadosh Degree

  The word Kadosh is a Hebrew word meaning holy or consecrated and thus denotes the elevated character of this Degree and the Truths taught. Masons contend that the degree of Kadosh appears in all the degrees of the Knights Templar. 33 According to the Kadosh system, the ancient Templars are the modern Kadoshes, the builder of the Temple of Solomon is now replaced by James de Molay, the Martyred Grand Master of the Templars, and the three assassins are now the King of France, Pope Clement V, and Naffodei, the informer against the Order. The persecutions against the Templars form the rituals and the teachings. The Degree teaches that persecutions have only strengthened Freemasonry and have contributed to its growth and purety.

  31. Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander Degree

  This Degree has no historical, philosophical or symbolical significance. It is simply a judicial power of the higher degrees. It points out fairness and patience in judging others with the understanding that everyone is to face a judgment before their God eventually.

  32. Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret Degree

  This originally was the twenty-fifth degree of the Lodge of Perfection, and when eight additional degrees were added, forming Scottish Rite Masonry, this degree was made the thirty-second degree. In the ritual and teachings of this Degree advanced light and progress in the search of Truth are supplied to the serious student of Masonry, and by the revelations of truth many agencies of past history.

  Through the centuries of the past, Mason authorities contend that Freemasonry has drawn from the symbolisms and mysteries of ancient cults:

  “With the unveiling of great spiritual truths by the Hebrew writers, and the reflection of Divine light upon the mysteries of many ancient religions through these revelations, Masonry became the depository of Divine Truth in its symbols, traditions, legends, and mysteries and has preserved Truth through all the centuries of the past.” 34

  The symbolism of the apron worn by the members of this Degree deserves mentioning for later discussions. The apron bears a Teutonic cross with an all-seeing eye above it. On the cross is an uncrowned eagle with two heads.

  33. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Degree

  This Degree is defined as the administrative head of the Order of Scottish Rite. It grants its bearers great esteem and honor in the Masons. Their mission is:

  “To teach and enlighten the brethren; to preserve charity, union and fraternal love among them; to maintain regularity in the works of each degree, and to take care that it is preserved by others; to cause the dogmas, doctrines, institutes, constitutions, statutes and regulations of the Order to be reverently regarded, and to preserve and defend them on every occasion; and, finally, everywhere to occupy themselves in works of peace and mercy.” 35

  The major emblems of the Degree are the Teutonic cross in different settings, a double-headed eagle crowned with golden crown of Prussia, and two serpents biting their own tails. To the public viewers the word “S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A.” is revealed on the shield.

  Chapter 5: The Masonic Initiation

  We have already discussed the three degrees of the Blue Lodge, and that these degrees make up basic Masonry. This writer will set out the “ritual” of the initiation of each of these degrees. The material in this chapter has been taken from decodings of the published Ecce Orienti (also referred to as King Solomon’s) books which are used by most lodge officers. The details of the ritual here presented are corroborated by other authors, Masonic texts and Masonic Monitors.

  A duly assembled Lodge consists of at least seven Freemasons acting under a warrant or dispensation from some Grand Lodge. They assemble in a lodge room on the second or third floor of a building well guarded against “cowans,” a Masonic term for eavesdroppers, and the non-Masonic “profane.” When the candidate petitions for membership and submits his initiation fee, the Master, upon hearing the application read in meeting, appoints an Investigating Committee of three Masons to study the character of the applicant and to make a report at the next regular meeting. Favorable recommendations from at least two of the three committee members are sufficient to bring the application to a vote before the Lodge. If on the first ballot all balls or cubes are white (clear), then the candidate is elected to receive the degrees. However, if even one black ball or cube appears, the ballot is termed as “cloudy” and another ballot is taken. If on this ballot a black ball appears, then the candidate is rejected. An unanimous vote is required.

  On the appointed night for conferring the First or Entered Apprentice Degree, the local lodge conducts a Lodge of Entered Apprentices. The usua
l officers include the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior and Junior Stewards, and the Tyler.

  The interior of the lodge room features an altar in the center on which rests the Volume of the Sacred Law, usually the Bible (depending what country the lodge is assembled in), and the Square and Compass. Nearby are three tapered lights. The letter “G” is suspended or painted over the Master’s chair and may be interpreted to stand for geometry or God. The former is used more frequently by most Masonic authorities. The Master sits in the East and wears his apron, hat, sash and jewel of office. Other members wear their aprons and their respective jewels and ranks. A floor plan of the Masonic lodge appears below.

  The Master calls the Lodge to order. He begins, “I now declare this Lodge of Master Masons closed and Entered Apprentice in its stead. Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Tyler (doorkeeper); Brother Senior Deacon, attend at the altar (place both points of the compass under the square).” He raps once and the members take their seats. He then instructs the Junior Deacon to take his assistants (Senior and Junior Stewards) to the anteroom where the candidates are waiting.

  The Secretary accompanies them to the anteroom and obtains affirmative answers to the following questions:

  “Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that, unbiased by friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely are prompted to solicit the privileges of Masonry by a favorable opinion of the institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish to being of service to your fellow creatures?”

  “Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will conform to all the ancient established usages of the Order?”

  The Secretary returns to the lodge room and reports that the candidate has given the required answers. The candidate is now prepared for the first degree. He is instructed to remove his coat, shoes, stockings, and trousers and is divested of all metal articles: coins, watch, rings, etc. The Junior Deacon gives him a pair of trousers furnished by the lodge and asks him to put his left arm through the front of his shirt, exposing a bare arm and left breast. The Deacon then puts a blindfold (called a hoodwink) on the candidate, places a slipper on his right foot and loops a blue silk rope, called a cable tow, around his neck.

  He leads the hoodwinked candidate to the lodge door and gives three knocks. The Senior Deacon inside reports, “Worshipful Master, there is an alarm at the inner door of our Lodge.” The Master asks him to ascertain the cause of the alarm, and the Junior Deacon speaking for the Candidate responds, “Mr.________, who has long been in darkness, and now seeks to be brought to light, and to receive a part in the rights and benefits of this worshipful Lodge, erected to God, and dedicated to the holy Sts. John, as all brothers and fellows have done before.”

  (The dedication of the Lodge to the Sts. John—St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist—is one of the few vestiges of Christianity found in contemporary Freemasonry.) In a series of questions put to the Junior Deacon, the Senior Deacon asks if the candidate is “worthy and well qualified,” “duly and truly prepared,” “of lawful age and properly vouched for,” and “a man, free born, of good repute, and well recommended.” The Senior Deacon closes the door, relays the answers to the Master, and takes the compass from the altar.

  As the candidate and Junior Deacon enter the Lodge room, the Senior Deacon presses one of the points of the compass to the candidate’s bared left breast. “Mr. ________, on entering this Lodge for the first time, I receive you on the point of a sharp instrument pressing your naked left breast, which is to teach you, as this is an instrument of torture to your flesh, so should the recollection of it ever be to your mind and conscience, should you attempt to reveal the secrets of Masonry unlawfully.” This ceremony is known as the “Shock of Entrance” or “Rite of Induction.”

  The Senior Deacon now takes over from the Junior Deacon and guides the candidate around the room. The Master interrupts, however, by asking, “Let no one enter on so important a duty without first involving the blessing of the Deity. Brother Senior Deacon, you will conduct the candidate to the center of the Lodge, and cause him to kneel for the benefit of prayer.” The Master leaves his seat and kneels next to the candidate at the Masonic altar. They repeat the following prayer:

  Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, and become a true and faithful brother among us! Endue him with a competency of Thy divine wisdom, that, by the secrets of our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of brotherly love, relief, and truth, to the honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

  All respond with the Masonic “So mote it be.”

  The Master rises, replaces his top hat and takes the candidate by the right hand. “Mr.________, in whom do you put your trust?” The candidate is prompted to answer, “In God.” The Master comments, “Since in God you put your trust, your faith is well founded. Arise, follow your conductor and fear no danger.” The candidate is then led around the lodge, and the same questions put by the Senior Deacon earlier are repeated by the Junior Warden and Senior Warden. The Master also interrogates the candidate and continues, “From whence come you, and whither are you traveling?” The Senior Deacon answers for the candidate, “From the west, and traveling toward the east.” Master: “Why leave you the west and travel toward the east?” Senior Deacon: “In search of light.”

  Master: “Since light is the object of your search, you will reconduct the candidate, and place him in charge of the Senior Warden in the west, with my orders that he teach this candidate to approach the east, the place of light, by advancing with one upright, regular step to the first stop, the heel of his right placed in the hollow of his left foot, his body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master in the east.”

  The Senior Warden sees that the candidate assumes the proper posture and tells the Master that he is ready. Again the Master leaves his seat and approaches the altar. “Mr. ________, you are now at the altar of Masonry for the first time, before you can be permitted to advance any further in Masonry, it becomes my duty to inform you, that you must take upon yourself a solemn oath or obligation, appertaining to this degree, which I, as Master of this Lodge, assure you will not materially interfere with the duty that you owe to your God, yourself, family, country, or neighbor. Are you willing to take such an oath?”

  He replies that he is willing and the Master continues, “Brother Senior Warden, you will place the candidate in due form, which is by kneeling on his naked left knee, his right forming the angle of a square, his left hand supporting the Holy Bible, square and compass, his right hand resting thereon. Mr. ________, you are now in position for taking upon yourself the solemn oath of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and, if you have no objections still, you will say I, and repeat your name after me.

  “I, ________, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him, and dedicated to the holy Sts. John, do hereby and hereon [Master presses his gavel on candidate’s knuckles] most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Free Masonry, which may have been, or hereafter shall be, at this time, or any future period, communicated to me, as such, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be to a true and lawful brother Mason, or in a regularly constituted Lodge of Masons; nor unto him or them until, by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him, or them, as lawfully entitled to the same as I myself. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, mark or engrave them, or cause the same to be done, on any thing movable or immovable, capable of receiving the least impression of a word, syllable, letter, or character, whereby the same may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of Masonry thereby unl
awfully obtained through my unworthiness.

  “All this I most solemnly, sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to perform the same, without any mental reservation or secret evasion of mind whatever, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly violate this oath. The Master and Senior Deacon then engage in a routine on the following order:

  Master: What do you conceal?

  Senior Deacon: All the secrets of Masons in Masonry to which this [here presses his thumb on the joint] token alludes.

  Master: What is that?

  S.D.: A grip.

  Master: Of what?

  S.D.: Of an Entered Apprentice Mason.

  Master: Has it a name?

  S.D.: It has.

  Master: Will you give it me?

  S.D.: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

  Master: How will you dispose of it?

  S.D.: I will letter and halve it with you.

  Master: Letter and begin.

  S.D.: No, you begin.

  Master: You must begin.

  S.D.: A.

  Master: Z.

  S.D.: Az.

  Master: B.

  S.D.: O.

  Master: Bo.

  S.D.: Boaz.

  The candidate passes around the room, giving the due guard and sign of the Entered Apprentice at the various officers’ stations. The Master presents a white lambskin apron to the candidate and says: “Brother, I now present you with a lambskin or white apron, which is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, and, when worthily worn, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that can be conferred on you at this time, or any future period, by kings, princes, and potentates, or any other persons, except it be by Masons. I trust that you will wear it with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity. You will carry it to the Senior Warden in the west, who will teach you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice.” The Senior Warden ties it on the candidate with the flap turned up.