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Article THE HISTORICAL DEGREES; ← Page 13 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
JKkiglit ; :: ;(^ : fA « . . ' - ^ o r ^ : ' . a- » ' ^ : the East \ k This would appear to be one of very considerable interest , as it is founded on the circumstance of the assistance rendered by Darius to the Jews , who , liberated from their captivity , had been prevented by their enemies , after the death of Cyrus , from achieving their purpose of rebuilding the Temple .
In this degree the meetings are designated " councils i and an important change takes place in the symbolic colours adopted ; the hangings of the council chamber are water-green , in allusion to a circumstance hereafter referred to . The chamber is illuminated by seventy-two lights , in memory of the seventy-two years' captivity . The sash is a green watered ribbon , worn across the body from the
right shoulder to the left hip , the figure of a bridge being in the front , having on it the letters T and H ; there are also sometimes other emblems painted on the ribbon . The apron is white , lined with red and bordered with green , and has on it emblems of war and its consequences . There are five officers : Cyrus , or Sovereign ; Nehemiasj or Grrand Keeper of Seals ; Sathrahazenes , or Grrand ( General ; Mithridates , or Grand Treasurer ; and Sidrus , or Ministier of St ^ e .
From scripture and tradition are derived the following legend of this degree . The Knights of the East derive their origin from the captivity , when the whole land was " a desolation and an astonishment , " and the nation did " serve the King of Babylon seventy years . " And when the seventy years were Accomplished , the Israelites were restored to liberty by Cyrus , in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah . This prophecy was very remarkable , for it not only fixed the
date for the return of the Hebrew people to their own land , but also for the overthrow of the Babylonian monarchy . "It shall come to pass when the seventy years are accomplished , I will punish the King of Babylon , and that nation , saith the Lord , for their iniquity , and the land of the Chaldeans , and will make it a perpetual desolation . " And the last words of the prophet declare—" Thus shall Babylon sink , and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her . "
But to return to the historical events said to be connected with this degree . Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem for the purpose of re-building the Temple , and he caused all the holy vessels and ornaments which had been carried away by Nebuzaradan to " be restored and brought again unto the Temple which is at
Jerusalem , every one to his place , and place them in the house of G-od . ( Ezra vi . 5 . ) The king committed the charge of the holy vessels , as well as of the returning captives , to Sheshbazzar , the prince of Judah . " This is the Babylonian name of Zerubbabel , who was of the royal line of David , and a direct ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ . When the
I ^ raelitish captives were assembled they numbered 42 , 360 , exclusive of slaves and servants amounting to 7 , 337 . This traditional history relates that Zerubbabel , for the protection of his people , armed 7 , 000 Masons , and placed them in the van to repel such as should oppose their march to Judea . Their march was unimpeded as far as the banks of the Euphrates , where they found
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
JKkiglit ; :: ;(^ : fA « . . ' - ^ o r ^ : ' . a- » ' ^ : the East \ k This would appear to be one of very considerable interest , as it is founded on the circumstance of the assistance rendered by Darius to the Jews , who , liberated from their captivity , had been prevented by their enemies , after the death of Cyrus , from achieving their purpose of rebuilding the Temple .
In this degree the meetings are designated " councils i and an important change takes place in the symbolic colours adopted ; the hangings of the council chamber are water-green , in allusion to a circumstance hereafter referred to . The chamber is illuminated by seventy-two lights , in memory of the seventy-two years' captivity . The sash is a green watered ribbon , worn across the body from the
right shoulder to the left hip , the figure of a bridge being in the front , having on it the letters T and H ; there are also sometimes other emblems painted on the ribbon . The apron is white , lined with red and bordered with green , and has on it emblems of war and its consequences . There are five officers : Cyrus , or Sovereign ; Nehemiasj or Grrand Keeper of Seals ; Sathrahazenes , or Grrand ( General ; Mithridates , or Grand Treasurer ; and Sidrus , or Ministier of St ^ e .
From scripture and tradition are derived the following legend of this degree . The Knights of the East derive their origin from the captivity , when the whole land was " a desolation and an astonishment , " and the nation did " serve the King of Babylon seventy years . " And when the seventy years were Accomplished , the Israelites were restored to liberty by Cyrus , in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah . This prophecy was very remarkable , for it not only fixed the
date for the return of the Hebrew people to their own land , but also for the overthrow of the Babylonian monarchy . "It shall come to pass when the seventy years are accomplished , I will punish the King of Babylon , and that nation , saith the Lord , for their iniquity , and the land of the Chaldeans , and will make it a perpetual desolation . " And the last words of the prophet declare—" Thus shall Babylon sink , and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her . "
But to return to the historical events said to be connected with this degree . Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem for the purpose of re-building the Temple , and he caused all the holy vessels and ornaments which had been carried away by Nebuzaradan to " be restored and brought again unto the Temple which is at
Jerusalem , every one to his place , and place them in the house of G-od . ( Ezra vi . 5 . ) The king committed the charge of the holy vessels , as well as of the returning captives , to Sheshbazzar , the prince of Judah . " This is the Babylonian name of Zerubbabel , who was of the royal line of David , and a direct ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ . When the
I ^ raelitish captives were assembled they numbered 42 , 360 , exclusive of slaves and servants amounting to 7 , 337 . This traditional history relates that Zerubbabel , for the protection of his people , armed 7 , 000 Masons , and placed them in the van to repel such as should oppose their march to Judea . Their march was unimpeded as far as the banks of the Euphrates , where they found