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Article THE HISTORICAL DEGREES; ← Page 4 of 15 →
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The Historical Degrees;
suspended from a white ribhpn edged with black ; on tha key is engraved th £ letter Z , referring to Zadoc , who was the high priest in the reigns of David and Solomon . < The fifth degree is that of Perfect Master , and may be said to be a continuation of the preceding , being a tribute of respect to the
worthy departed Brother . In this the Right Worshipful Master represents Adoniram ; be has also but one warden , who is called " Inspector . " The deacon , or " Conductor" as he is called , represents Zabdiel ^ who was the father of Jashobeam , the first captain of the guards , ( 1 Chron . xxvii . 2 . ) . The badge is white , in the centre of which is embroidered within three circles a square stone or cube , ¦
on which the letter " J ¦ " " is placed ; the flap of the apron is green , symbolically to remind the Perfect Master that , being dead in vice , he must hope to revive in virtue . The jewel is a compass ^ ex tended sixty degrees , to teach him to act within measure , and ever pay due regard to justice and equity .
The Perfect Master ' s degree is founded on this traditional event . At the death of Hiram AMfy Solomon , being desirous of paying a tribute of respect to his Mend , requested Adoniram , the Grrand Inspector , to make arrangements for his interment , The latter erected a superb tomb and obelisk of black and white marble , which
he finished in nine days . The entrance to the tomb was between two pillars , supporting a square stone surrounded by three circles , on which was engraven the letter "J . " The heart of the deceased was inclosed in a golden urn , to the side of which a triangular stone was fixed , inscribed with the letters " J . M . B . " within a wreath of cassia
The urn was placed on the top of the obelisk . Three days after the interment , Solomon visited the tomb , and with solemn ceremonies , in the presence of the Brethren , offered up a prayer , and with hands and eyes elevated to heaven , exclaimed , " It is accomplished !" The sixth degree is the Intimate Secretary ; in this there are only three officers who represent Solomon , Hiram of Tyre , and a captain of the guards . The ceremonial and legend are intended to preserve the remembrance of an instance of unlawful curiosity , the due
punishment of the offender being averted only in consideration of his previous fidelity . Our Brethren will readily perceive that these three degrees are a kind of commentary upon the historical traditions of the M . M . degree , all having some reference to the event symbolized in that degree . The collar and apron are black with red lining ; on the badge are emblems of tears . In the degree of Intimate Secretary , the two persons who represent Solomon and Hiram of Tyre are clothed in blue mantles lined with
ermine , with crowns on their heads , sceptres in their hands , and seated at a table on which are two naked swords , a roll of parchment and a human skull . The rest of the Brethren are considered only as Perfect Masters , and are termed Gruards . They wear white aprons , lined and embroidered with crimson , and strings of the same , with crimson collars , to which is suspended a > solid triangle , The degree relates to circumstances that occurred between Hiram and Joaberh
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Historical Degrees;
suspended from a white ribhpn edged with black ; on tha key is engraved th £ letter Z , referring to Zadoc , who was the high priest in the reigns of David and Solomon . < The fifth degree is that of Perfect Master , and may be said to be a continuation of the preceding , being a tribute of respect to the
worthy departed Brother . In this the Right Worshipful Master represents Adoniram ; be has also but one warden , who is called " Inspector . " The deacon , or " Conductor" as he is called , represents Zabdiel ^ who was the father of Jashobeam , the first captain of the guards , ( 1 Chron . xxvii . 2 . ) . The badge is white , in the centre of which is embroidered within three circles a square stone or cube , ¦
on which the letter " J ¦ " " is placed ; the flap of the apron is green , symbolically to remind the Perfect Master that , being dead in vice , he must hope to revive in virtue . The jewel is a compass ^ ex tended sixty degrees , to teach him to act within measure , and ever pay due regard to justice and equity .
The Perfect Master ' s degree is founded on this traditional event . At the death of Hiram AMfy Solomon , being desirous of paying a tribute of respect to his Mend , requested Adoniram , the Grrand Inspector , to make arrangements for his interment , The latter erected a superb tomb and obelisk of black and white marble , which
he finished in nine days . The entrance to the tomb was between two pillars , supporting a square stone surrounded by three circles , on which was engraven the letter "J . " The heart of the deceased was inclosed in a golden urn , to the side of which a triangular stone was fixed , inscribed with the letters " J . M . B . " within a wreath of cassia
The urn was placed on the top of the obelisk . Three days after the interment , Solomon visited the tomb , and with solemn ceremonies , in the presence of the Brethren , offered up a prayer , and with hands and eyes elevated to heaven , exclaimed , " It is accomplished !" The sixth degree is the Intimate Secretary ; in this there are only three officers who represent Solomon , Hiram of Tyre , and a captain of the guards . The ceremonial and legend are intended to preserve the remembrance of an instance of unlawful curiosity , the due
punishment of the offender being averted only in consideration of his previous fidelity . Our Brethren will readily perceive that these three degrees are a kind of commentary upon the historical traditions of the M . M . degree , all having some reference to the event symbolized in that degree . The collar and apron are black with red lining ; on the badge are emblems of tears . In the degree of Intimate Secretary , the two persons who represent Solomon and Hiram of Tyre are clothed in blue mantles lined with
ermine , with crowns on their heads , sceptres in their hands , and seated at a table on which are two naked swords , a roll of parchment and a human skull . The rest of the Brethren are considered only as Perfect Masters , and are termed Gruards . They wear white aprons , lined and embroidered with crimson , and strings of the same , with crimson collars , to which is suspended a > solid triangle , The degree relates to circumstances that occurred between Hiram and Joaberh