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EGYPTIAN MASONIC HISTORY 



OF THE 



ORIGINAL AND UNABRIDGED 



ANCIENT AND NINETY-SIX (90 DEGREES 



RITE OF MEMPHIS 



FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND GOVERNMENT OF 
THE CRAFT. 



PiibliPhed, edited, translated, and compiled by Calvin C. Bukt, 96° A. M. 

P C. K. T., a-i" in the A. and A, Rite, and Grand Master General Ad 

Vitem of the E.". M/. R*. of M. ., Egyptian year of true light, 

000.000,000, York Masonic date, A. L. 5879, and Era Vulgate 1879. 






rf%vyA^S ^ 



II 




^1) ^-iyOv^XATi^ 

UTICA, N Y.: ^ 

White A^Floyd, Printers, Cor. Broad (SrSpiiN Streets 





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EGYPTIAN MASONIC HISTORY 

OP THE 

ORIGINAL AND UNABRIDGED 

ANCIENT AND NINETY-SIX (96°) DEGREE 

RITE OF MEMPHIS. 



FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND GOVERNMENT OF 
THE CRAFT. 



Published, edited, translated, and compiled by Caxvin C. Burt, 96'^ A. M. 

P. C. K. T., 32° in the A. and A. Rite, and Grand Master General Ad 

Vitem of the E.-. M.-. R.-. of M.., Egyptian year of true li^ht, 

000,000,000, York Masonic date, A. L. 5879, and Era Vulgate 1879. 




>. 1879. 
UTICA, N. Y. 

WHITE & FLOYD, PRINTERS, COR. BROAD AND JOHN STREETS. 

5879. 



^"^ 



\^%<^^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by CALyiisrC. Bue*, 
n the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, and this Copy- 
right claims and covers the Title and the following, viz: 

The Masonic History of the Original and Unabridged Ancient Ninety-six 
Degree, (96") Rite of Memphis; for the instruction and government of the 
craft for the entire civilized Cosmos, wherever the refulgent and beneficent 
rays of Masonic intelligence and benevolence is dispersed and the mystic 
art is tolerated Together with a history of this Ancient Order from its 
origin, through the dark ages of the world, to its recognition in France and 
promulgation in Europe, and its final translation, establishment and enuncia- 
tion in America, history of the formation of bodies, and record of the 
present Grand Body (or Sovereign Sanctuary) ia 1867, with copies of 
charters and other correspondence of this Ancient and Primitive Rite, viz: 
the Bgypti&n Masonic Rite of Memphis: together with its Masonic Calendar 
and translation of the non-esoteric work. 

With the refusal of the Craft to accept of any reduction of degrees to 
thirty-three (33",) and the consequent abrogationof the higher degrees above 
the SS'' by the Seymour body, and the continuation of the old work, and 
formation of a new and original contribution of this Ancient and Egyptian 
Masonic Rite ol Memphis, of Ninety-six degrees, and no less number, with 
full history of the matter and documentary correspondence on this subject. 

Issued and promulgated by this Sovereign Sanctuary, and only Grand 
Body in this Rite of the original 96 degrees in the world, from the Ist to the 
96", with a history of its present status and eminent membership, being the 
only true and original source of all mystic ceremonies and Masonic degrees, 
from which all other Rites, Societies and Associations have copied to a 
greater or less extent, and from which all other Masonic work are mere 
scintillations of the true light. 



EGYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 



City of Chicago, State of Illinois. 

June 17, A. D. 1867. 

By reason of a notice tor a Convention of Masons 
belonging to the Rite of Memphis, issued May 4)th, 
1867, the brethren of the Order, representing one 
Grand Council, 90°; two Senates, 45°; ten Rose 
Croix Chapters, 18°, and about fifty ninety degree 
(unaffiliated) members assembled together this day in 
the Masonic Temple, in Apollo Commandery Hall 
or K. T. Room, to organize a Grand Body, and form 
a Constitution. 

On motion, 111. Bro. B. F. Patrick was called to 
the Chair, and Bro. Samuel H. Underbill was chosen 
Secretary. 

Bro. Patrick stated the object of the meeting. 

The following preamble and resolution were 
offered by Bro. Blake, 95° : 

Whereas, when we received the degrees of the 
Memphis Rite, we were taught that the Rite con- 
tained 96 degrees, and as such, received our degrees, 
and the several bodies in this Rite were formed in 
this State, and represented here this day, as well as 
each, all and every member of this Rite heretofore, 
was so instructed and obligated ; all of whom have 
been made and the bodies formed by H. J. Seymour, 
96°, Grand Master, and Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Deputy 
Grand Master and Grand Representative General at 
large, as a Rite of ninety-six degrees and no less ; 

And whereas, we have now been notified by the 
aforesaid Grand Master, that the Grand Orient of 



4 

France has reduced the [degrees to 83, and changed 
the names of some of them, and as we believe unlaw- 
fully interfered with the original and ancient work, 
thereof; greatly in our opinion injuring its beauty 
usefulness, and antiquity ; 

And whereas, we are informed that our worthy and 
andf Illustrious Brother and Deputy Grand Master, 
Calvin C. Burt, 96°, has not accepted of the change, 
and does not believe that such power exists in the 
Rite, and that the adoption of such a reduction will 
be attended with bad results ; 

And whereas, our former Grand Master, H. J. 
Seymour, 96°, has abjured, renounced and abro- 
gated the Rite of Memphis, containing 96 degrees, 
for, and adopted the 33° Rite, and that there is not 
now, either in this country or in France, any persons 
working the 96° Rite; 

And whereas, we are members of the 96° Rite, 
and have, by an authority of 96° Rite, issued by the 
Grand Heirophant, 97°, of France, countersigned, ac- 
knowledged, vised, and recognized by all the great 
and grand jurisdictions of Europe, and all other 
nations of the world where the work is known ; 

And whereas, we, as Masons, of our own free will 
and accord, became so, so we intend to remain, and 
we do as the entire representatives and representa- 
tion of the Rite of Memphis in America, in conven- 
tion assembled, solemnly and firmly 

Resolve, That we will not acknowledge or sub- 
scribe to any such reduction of degrees, believing as 
we do, that the Orient of France, nor any other 
Masonic body in this Rite, can lawfully require us to 
do so; therefore we conscientiously refuse, and do 
henceforth, and forever declare ourselves a sovereign 
grand body for this continent of the Rite of 
Memphis, of 96 degrees, and do hereby absolve and 
withdraw from all other bodies of Memphis Masons 
of less than 96 degrees, and hereby offer this as a 
proper beginning of a new body in the old Rite. 

On motion of Bro. Leonard, the resolution was 
unanimously adopted. 



Whereupon, Bro. Allen offered the following, viz : 

That we do declare Bro. Calvin C. Burt, 96°, our 
Sovereign Grand Master, and that we proceed to 
place him in the Orient, with a request that he ap- 
point temporary officers, in order that we may pro- 
ceed to the business of a permanent organization of 
a grand body. 

Which was unanimously adopted, and a committee 
consisting of Bros. Allen, Patrick, Brierlee, appointed 
to escort the M. W. Grand Master to the Chair, where 
he was so placed and declared Grand Master ad 
Vitera, and so saluted by the whole body. 

Whereupon he took the gavel, appointed the oiTi- 
cers of the Sovereign Sanctury, and opened the body 
in due form, which was announced and declared the 
Sovereign Sanctuary for America, sitting in the val- 
ley of Chicago, duly organized by the representatives 
of one Council, two Senates, and ten Rose Croix 
Chapters, and the whole 96° representatives in 
America, in convention assembled. 

A record was opened and the foregoing and follow- 
ing record made and entered in due Masonic form, 
when the following entry on motion was ordered 
entered, viz : on motion of Bro. Starrett, a comtnittee 
of three brothers were appointed to submit the names 
of proper persons to fill the several offices in this 
grand body, viz. Brothers Gurney, Storey, and 
Dyche, who retired to consult and report. The com- 
mittee on nomination and permanent organization 
reported as follows, viz : 

Calvin C. Burt, A. M., 96°, Grand Master, Coun- 
selor at Law, Knight Templar, and 32° Scotch Rite ; 
J. Adams Allen, A. B., M. D., A. M., LL.D., 96^ 
Deputy Grand Master, Professor in Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, Past Grand Commander, and Past 
Grand Master of Michigan; Benjamin F. Patrick, 
95°, Grand Representative, Gen. Pass. Agent C. & N. 



6 

W. R W., Past Master, Past E. Com. Apollo Com- 
mandery, and 33° Scotch Rite ; H. N. Hurlburt, M. 
1)., Grand Orator, Past High Priest, Master of Home 
Lodge, Chicago, and 32° Scotch Rite ; T. T. Gurney, 
95°, Grand Prelate, Member of Apollo Commandery, 
Master of Cleveland Lodge, Chicago, and 32° Scotch 
Rite; H. W. Bigelow, 95°, Grand Senior Warden, 
Member of Apollo Commandery, and 32° Scotch 
Rite ; George McElwain, 95°, Grand Junior Warden, 
Member of 32° Scotch Rite, Apollo Commandery ; 
Samuel E. Underbill, 95°, Grand Secretary, Recorder 
of Apollo Commandery, and 32° Scotch Rite ; D. R. 
Dyche, M. D., 95°, Grand Treasurer, Member of 
Apollo Commandery ; Robert E. Storey, 95°, Grand 
Conductor, Member of Apollo Commandery ; Ira S. 
Younglove, 95°, Grand Senior Master of Ceremonies, 
Master of Wm. B. Warren Lodge, Chicago, Member 
of Apollo Commandery, and 32° Scotch Rite-; J. H. 
Blake, 95°, Grand Organist ; Charles E. Leonard, 95°, 
Grand Junior Master of Ceremonies, Member of 
Apollo Commadery, and 32** Scotch Rite; Charles H. 
Brower, 95°, Grand Captain of the Guard, Member of 
Apollo Commandery, and 32° Scotch Rite ; Francis H. 
Nichols, 95°, Grand Guard of the Tower, Member of 
Apollo Commander}^, and 32° Scotch Rite; L. K. 
Osborn, 95°, Grand Sentinel, Member of Apollo Com- 
mandery, and 32° Scotch Rite. 

The report of this committee was on motion re- 
ceived and entered on the minutes, and the commit- 
tee discharged. The ballot was then spread and each 
of the aforesaid brothers reported by the Committee 
on Permanent Organization was elected, and by the 
Grand Master duly installed, and took their places in 
the body. 

On motion, a committee was appointed to draft a 
constitution and laws for the government of the 
grand body and the craft throughout the civilized 
Cosmos. Whereupon, they retired to consult, and the 
grand body called from labor to meet again at 6 
o'clock p. M, 



6 O'CLOCK p. M., June 17th, A. D. 1867. 

The grand body was opened in ample form by 
M. W. Bro. Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Grand Master, the 
Deputy Grand Master and other officers and brethren 
being present. 

The Committee on Constitutions, Resolutions and 
Laws reported a Constitution, Resolution and Laws, 
which was taken up by sections and adopted as fol- 
lows, viz: 

ARTICLE I. 

Sec. 1. Therefore, be it by this convention duly 
assembled, enacted, ordained and written, that this, 
our first constitution for the formation of this, our 
Grand Jurisdiction, embracing the continent of 
America, shall commence as follows : 

In consideration whereof, we in solemn conclave 
assembled and duly open on the 95°, as the Supreme 
Body of the E.-. M.'. R.-. of Memphis, for America, 
with a constitutional representation of members, and 
representing one Grand Council, two Senates and ten 
Rose-Croix Chapters, duly working within the State 
of Illinois, and other non-affiliated 90° Masons, declare 
that the Rite of Memphis, to wit : The Egyptian Ma- 
sonic Rite of Memphis, which grand body we do now 
here constitute and so name,is the Sovereign Sanctuary 
of the Egj^ptian Masonic Rite of Memphis for America, 
containing ninety-six degrees, ninety of labor, and 
six official degrees ; which it is not in the power of 
any body of men or Masons to alter, abridge, con- 
dense or interpolate to any less number of degrees. 

And that no law, constitution, edict or by-law, 
having such reduction in view, shall ever be made, 
passed or enacted in this grand jurisdiction. And 
the Grand Master of this Rite shall declare any and 



8 

all such enactments, resolutions or motions tending 
to reduce said degrees or adopt any such measure or 
law, out of order. And we do hereby and forever 
absolve ourselves and separate our Masonic Brother- 
hood from each, all and every, and all bodies or mem- 
bers claiming to be of the Rite of Memphis, of less 
number than 96°, and refuse to hold Masonic inter- 
course with any such abridged Memphis Masons in 
the Rite. 

And from this day henceforth and forever consider 
allfsuch reduction as clandestine Masonry, and no 
law or constitution shall ever be made or enacted, nor 
shall this constitution be ever so construed oj amended 
as to reduce the Memphis Rite to less than 96 degrees 
from the first to the 96th, and not otherwise or dif- 
ferent. 

ARTICLE II. 

Sec. 1. The present proclaimed Grand Master of 
this Rite, Bro. Calvin C. Burt, 96°, shall hold the 
office of Grand Master General by virtue of this 
constitution in this grand body, in addition to his 
other appointments and this grand jurisdiction, for 
and during his natural life, and no law or amendment 
to this constitution shall be offered, passed or enacted, 
contravening the same or in any way curtailing or 
abridging his term of office, or his power as Grand 
Master, without his written consent; and that he 
shall always possess the right and have the power to 
make Masons at sight and name his successor, and 
preside at all meetings during his natural life. 

Sec. 2. This grand body shall be called the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary and Grand Body and Jurisdiction 
of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, for the 
Continent of America, it being the only grand body 



9 

of the Eofyptiau Masonic Rite of Memphis of 96° in 
America or the world, and shall be composed of its 
officers and members as follows : 

Grand Master, 56°; Deputy Grand Master, 96°; 
Grand Representative, 95°; Grand Orator, 95°; Grand 
Senior Warden, 95°; Grand Junior Warden, 95°; 
Grand Prelate, 95°; Grand Secretary, 95°; Grand 
Treasurer, 95°; Grand Conductor, 95°; Grand Captain 
of the Guard, 95°; Grand Organist, 95°; Grand Sen- 
ior Master of Ceremonies, 95°; Grand Junior Master 
of Ceremonies, 95''; Grand Sentinel, 95°; Grand 
Guard of the Tower, 95*; such other officers as shall 
be hereafter chosen and designated, and its members 
by affiliation and representation, viz : All 90° Masons 
may become members under such rules and regula- 
tions as may hereafter be enacted. And until the 
formation of a State Council, the three first officers 
of each chapter and each senate, and also the three 
first officers of each council during their term of office 
after they are installed, shall be members ex ojjicio, 
and may also become permanent members, (by affilia- 
tion,) if elected after their official representative 
terms shall expire. 

Sec. 3. This grand body shall meet once in each 
year to elect and install its officers, who shall hold 
their offices for the respective terms, as follows, (ex- 
cept the present Grand Master, who shall hold his 
office for life,) Deputy Grand Master, four years, and 
Grand Jlepresentative two years, and each of the 
other officers for one year, or till his successor shall 
be elected and qualified or installed. Provided how- 
ever, the Grand Master shall have power, and it shall 
be his duty, when in his opinion the interests of the 
order and body shall be promoted thereby, to omit 
the regular meeting, and by notices in writing, con- 



10 

tinue the offices for such further term as in his judg- 
raent shall best promote the interests of the craft. 

Provided further, that the meetings of the grand 
body shall be held at Chicago, unless the Grand Mas- 
ter shall otherwise direct, and 

Provided further, that all meetings of this grand 
body, regular or special, shall be convened by sum- 
mons and under the hand and seal of the Grand Mas- 
ter or Secretary or both, and 

Provided further, that special meetings may be 
called on ten days notice, in writing, when ordered 
by the Grand Master, and 

Provided further, that the Deputy Grand Master 
shall be entitled to the 96'', and in case of the death 
of the Grand Master, shall at once succeed to the 
office of Grand Master, appoint his Deputy, and in- 
vest him with the 96°, and shall hold, each of them, 
their respective office till the next regular meeting, 
when a Grand and Deputy Grand Master shall be 
elected by ballot, and shall at once be invested with 
the 96**, and be duly installed. 

Provided further, that all officers and members, as 
well as representatives, shall be entitled to the 95**,. 
and all other elective officers of subordinate bodies, 
when installed, each to the 90**. 

ARTICLE III. 

Sec. 1. This Rite is divided into four divisions 
or bodies, as follows : 

Rose-Croix, the Chapter, 18**, including the three 
symbolic degrees, which it explains, illustrates and 
embellishes; without the possession of which, viz : 
the symbolic degrees, no person can become a mem- 
ber of the- Rose-Croix Chapter of this Rite or Order. 



11 

Sec. 2. Second , a Senate of Hermetic Philosophers , 
(27'',) making 45^ into which no person can be ini- 
tiated without being in the possession also of the 
Rose-Croix degrees, making 45^. 

Sec. 3. Third, a Grand Council, or Grand Body 
of a State or Territory, (45^,) making 90, into which 
no person can be admitted who has not taken the 
Chapter and Senate degrees, 45, with the Senate, 
making 90«. 

Sec. 4. Fourth, the Sovereign Sanctuary, or 
Grand Body for the continent of America, or civilized 
Cosmos, 5 degrees, into which no person can be ad- 
mitted who has not first taken the Chapter, Senate 
and Council degrees, and in possession of the 90^ per- 
fect pontiff", .past master of the great work, 90°, and 
has also been elected or appointed to some offico in 
this Rite to entitle him to the Sanctuary degrees, 95, 
and not otherwise. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Sec. 1. The time for holding the regular meetings 
of this grand body, shall be on or before the 27th day 
of June in the regular or appointed year. 

Sec. 2. The times for holding the regular meet- 
ings of all State Councils, shall be on or before the 
27th day of January in each year, and at such other 
times as the Subliioe Dai shall in writing direct, and 
of all regular meetings twenty days notice must be 
given, and ten days notice of special meetings shall 
also be given when possible. 

Sec 3. Rose-Croix Chapters and Senates of Her- 
metic Philosophers must hold their regular meetings 
and install their officers on or before the 31st of De- 
cember in each year, and at such other times as they 
shall by their By-Laws designate, or such as may be 



12 

called by the presiding officer of each; but all regular 
election meetings shall be cal'ed by written notice of 
at least ten days before the regular election meeting 
day or time. 

ARTICLE V. 

Sec. 1. The Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, 
extracts from former constitutions and laws as tar as 
consistent with this constitution, are also adopted, 
viz: 

The Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis consists of 
ninety degrees of Science, and s>x degrees of Merit 
and Distinction. The whole are arranged in four 
series and classes. 

These four series comprise all Masonic knowledge. 

The Masonic Rite of Memphis possesses five Deco- 
rations, VIZ : 

1st. The Grand Star of Sirius. 

2d. The Decoration of Alidee. 

8d. The Decoration of the Grand Commanders of 
the Third Series of the Rite. 

4th. The Decoration of the Lybic Chain. 

5th. The Decoration of the Golden Branch of 
Eleuisis. 

These five Decorations are exclusively official and 
the Reward of Merit, and are regulated by a pro- 
gramme, deposited in the Grand Body of the Rite. 

Series First teaches Morality and Ancient Work, 
and extends to thirty degrees. 

Series Second teaches Science and Morality, and 
extends to sixty degrees. 

Series Third teaches Religion, Mj^thology, Philos- 
ophy, Theosophy, Zoolooy, Geometry and Astronomy, 
with its kindred Sciences, and extends to ninety de- 
grees. 



13 

Series Fourth, six dep^rees, from ninety to ninety- 
six, and are Official, with Decorations of Merit. 

No person can be admitted into this Rite who is 
not a Master Mason, in good standing. 

This Rite does not work the first three degrees of 
Masonry in the first instance, but embellishes the 
degrees and teaches the Ancient and European work 
of to-day. 

The Bodies of this Rite are as follows ; 

1. — Cha'pter Rose-Croix, 18 Degrees. 

Sec. 2. Discreet Master, Perfect Master, Sublime 
Master, Just Master, Master of Israel, Master Elect, 
Grand Master Elect, Sublime Grand Master Elect, 
Master of Geometry, Knight of the Royal Arch, 
Knight of the Secret Vault, Knight of the Flaming 
Sword, Knight of Jerusalem, Knight of the Orient, 
Knight of the Rose-Croix, 

^. — Senate of Hermetic Philosophers, 27 Degrees. 

Sec. 3. Knight of the Occident, Knight of the 
Temple of Wisdom, Knight of the Key, Knight of 
Noachite, Knight of Libon, Knight of the Tabernacle, 
Knight of the Sacrificial Fire, Knight of the Serpent, 
Knight Trinitarian, Knight Evangelist, Knight of 
the White Eagle, Knight of Kadosh, Knight of the 
Black Eagle, Knight of the Royal Mysteries, Knight 
Grand Inspector of the First Series, Knight of the 
Red Eagle, Knight Master of Angles, Knight of the 
Holy City, Knight Adept of Truth, Knight Sublime 
Elect of Truth, Knight Philalethe, Knight Doctor of 
the Planispheres, Knight Savant Sage, Knight Her- 
metic Philosopher, Knight Adept Installator, Knight 
Adept Consecrator, Knight Adept Eulogist. 



14 

3. — Mystic Temple State Council, 4^5 Degrees. 

Sec. 4. Knight Adept of Sirius, Knight Adept of 
Babylon, Knight Adept of the Rainbow, Knight 
Adept of the Seven Stars, Knight Commander of 
the Zodiac, Knight Barruke, Knight of the Lumin- 
ous Triangle, Knight of the Zardust, Knight of the 
Luminous Ring, Knight Sublime Magi, Doctor of the 
Sacred Vedas, Prince Brahmin Sublime Scalde, 
Knight Scandinavian, Prince of the Sacred Name, 
Prince of the Golden Fleece, Prince of the Lyre, 
Prince of the Labyrinth, Prince of the Lybic Chain, 
Prince of Truth, Prince of the Covenant, Prince of 
the Sanctuary, Prince of the Temple of Truth, Com- 
mander of the Second Series, Orphic Sage, Sage of 
Eleu, Sage of the Three Fires, Sage of Mithra, Sage 
of Delphi, Sage of Samothrace, Sage of Elettsis, Sage 
of the Symbols, Sage of Wisdom, Sublime Sage of 
the Mysteries, Priest of the Sphynx, Priest of the 
Phoenix, Priest of the Pyramids, Priest of HeU^opllis, 
Priest of Oru, Priest of Memphis, Pontift of Serapis, 
Pontifi' of Isis, Pontift* of the Kneph, Pontiff of the 
Mystic City, Perfect Pontiff, Past Master of the 
Great Work. 

4. — Sovereign Sanctuary, 6 Degrees, Official and 
Meritorious. 

Sec. 5. Patriarch Grand Commander, Patriarch 
Grand Generalissimo, Patriarch Grand Captain Gen- 
eral, Patriarch Grand Inspector General, Patriarch 
Grand Orator and Prince, Sovereign Patriarch Grand 
Defender of Truth, Sovereign Sublime Magi 96°, 
which is the title of the Grand Master. 



16 

ARTICLE VI. 

Sec. 1. The following extracts from the Ancient 
Minutes, Statutes and Edicts are hereby taken and 
adopted as a part of this Constitution, when not in- 
consistent with or repugnant to the former declara- 
tions of this constitution or the general law of Free- 
masonry, leaving the Grand Master, and future meet- 
ings of this body in tliis grand jurisdiction to inter- 
pret, explain, alter and amend, as time, circumstances 
and experience may in future dictate for the good 
order, working and harmonious action of this and 
subordinate bodies of this Rite, viz: 

Extracts from the General Statutes and Ordinances of 
the Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis. 

Sec. 2. Grand Councils of Past Masters of the 
Great Work of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- 
phis shall be under the immediate jurisdiction of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, 90^ 

Sec. 3. The principal meeting of a Grand Council, 
Masters of the Great Work, Senate of Hermetic 
Philosophers, and Chapter Rose-Croix, shall be held 
on or before the Sun's entrance into the first point of 
Aries, the 21st of March, when the election of officers 
shall be holden, and the festival of the Vernal Equi- 
nox celebratedin honor of the revivification of Nature. 
A festival may be held on or before the Sun's en- 
trance into the first point of Libra, about the 23d of 
September, to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox ; also, 
on or before the Summer Solstice, about the 24th of 
June, and the Winter Solstice, about the 27th 
December. 

Sec. 4. When at labor, the Temple of a Grand 
Council represents the place of meeting of the twelve 



16 

Deities of tbe Egyptian Mysteries, and is decorated 
with the Banner of the Council, which is placed at 
the noitheast of the altar. There must also be nine 
Banners, each of which bears a sign of the Zodiac, 
(the Winter signs, Scorpio, Sagitarius and Aquarius, 
being omitted.) In the Yale of Amenthes is placed 
the veiled Statue of Tsis. In the Orient is displayed 
the Symbol of Osiris and of Egyptian Theogony, the 
Kneph, or Winged Egg of Earth. 

Sec. 5. The insignia of a Past Master of the Great 
Work, or any other Sanctuary officer or member, is a 
collar, with gold fringe, sash, gauntlets, sword, red 
belt, and white gloves. On the coilar are twelve 
stars, in groups of three; on^the point is embroidered 
in gold the distinctive Symbol of Osiris, compasses 
and square, with the number of degrees in scarlet. 
The collar is made of orange silk, lined with cherry. 

A Past Master of the Great Work may be 
refused admittance into the Council or into any Sen- 
ate or Chapter of the Egyptian Masonic Rite, if not 
properly clothed. 

OFFICERS. 

Sec. 6. The Sublime Dai represents Osiris; his 
jewel is a ^jolden Delta, on which is engraved a Sun; 
he wears a robe of celestial blue, showered with sil- 
ver stars; the Sublime Dai possesses the 95°, and is, 
during his term of office, by virtue of his position, an 
actual member of the Sovereign Sanctuary 95°. 

The First Mystagog represents Serapis ; his jewel 
is a rising Sun, engraved on a golden Delta ; he wears 
a scarlet robe ; he is also, during his term of office, 
an actual member of the Sovereign Sanctuary 95°. 

The Second Mystagog represents Horus ; his jewel 
is a half Moon, on a golden Delta ; he wears a scarlet 
robe, and possesses, by virtue of his office, the 95°, 



17 

and is, during the term thereof, an actual member of 
the Sovercicyn Sanctuary. 

The Orator represents Hermes Trismegistus ; his 
jewel is a Scroll, engraved on a golden Delta ; he 
wears a green robe ; he is also, during his term of 
office, an actual member of the Sovereign Sanctuary 
95°. 

The Treasurer wears a robe of dark blue ; his jewel 
is a Chest, engraved on a golden Delta. 

The Secretary represents Thoth ; his jewel is the 
crossed Stylus, engraved on a golden Delta ; he wears 
a gray robe. 

The Archivist wears a white robe ; his jewel is a 
Book, engraved on a golden Delta. 

The Grand Expert represents Anubis ; his jewel is 
a Sphinx, engraved on a golden Delta; he wears a 
yellow robe. 

The Messenger of Science represents Harpocrates ; 
his jewel is a shepherd's Crook, engraved on a golden 
Delta ; he wears a black robe. 

The Accompanier represents Charon ; his jewel is 
an Oar, engraved on a golden Delta; he wears a 
black robe. 

The Standard Bearer represents Sirius ; his jewel 
is a Star on a FJag, engraved on a golden Delta; he 
wears a green robe. 

The Sword Bearer represents Orion ; his jewel is a 
Sword on a golden Delta ; he wears a purple robe. 

The Guardian of the Sanctuary represents Canopus; 
his jewel is a Dog's Head on a golden Delta; he 
wears a purple robe. 

The Sentinel represents Hercules ; his jewel is a 
Club, engraved on a golden Delta. 



18 

All Sir Knights applying for admission into a 
Grand Council must come well recommended from 
the Senate of which they are members. 

No Illustrious Brother can be elected to preside as 
Sublime Dai unless he has regularly filled the office 
of First or Second Mystagog or Orator, or has pre- 
viously presided one year as Grand Commander of a 
Senate of Hermetic Philosophers, or as Most Wise of 
a Chapter of Rose-Croix. 

A Sublime Master of the Great Work, proven guilty 
of unmasonic conduct, and deprived of his member- 
ship in a Grand Council, cannot be received in any 
subordinate body of the Egyptian Masonic Rite, un- 
til again restored to his Masonic standing. 

A Past Master of the Great Work has the right of 
appeal to the Sovereign Sanctuary 95°, (or Grand 
Master,) which is the Judicial Degree, and is the 
Grand Tribunal of the Rite. 

On the death of a Past Master of the Great Work, 
each and every Past Master of the Great Work is 
solemnly bound to attend in full regalia, and assist 
in consigning the remains of the deceased to the 
bosom of our common mother earth. Provided that 
the sanction of the Grand Master, or the representa- 
tive of the Grand Master, be granted to the Sublime 
Dai of the Grand Council of which the deceased was 
a member. 

Toleration being inscribed on the banners of the 
Egyptian Masonic Rite, political or religious discus- 
sions are imperatively forbidden within our temples. 

A Past Master of the Great Work must sign the 
By-Laws and Oath of Fealty, before he becomes an 
actual member of the Grand Council. 



19 

ARTICLE YII. 

Chapters of Rose Croix of the Egyptian Masonic 
Rite of Memphis. 

Sec. 1. Chapters of Rose Croix of the Egyptian 
Masonic Rite of Memphis shall be under the immedi- 
ate jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Council 
General, Perfect Pontiff, Past Masters of the Great 
Work, 90°, of the State or Territor}^ wherein located, 
under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

Sec. 2. The Most Wise and Respectable Knight 
Senior and Junior Wardens elect shall receive the 
95°, Orator and Prince, Grand Defender of Truth, by 
virtue of their office, which entitles them to member- 
ship in the Grand Council General during their term 
of office, after the expiration of which the^^ shall be 
honorary members of the Grand Council General 
entitled to the rights and privileges as prescribed 
by the statutes. The Respectable Knight Orator 
shall receive the 90"^, Perfect Pontiff, Past Master of 
the Great Work, by virtue of his office, and be en- 
titled to all riefhts and privileges appertaining there- 
unto. The above mentioned degree, 95°, being official, 
can only be conferred by the Grand Officer, or in- 
stalling officer of the body. 

Sec. 3. No Chapter can be opened unless three 
of its officers and two of its members be present, or 
an officer of the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

Sec. 4. A Knight of Rose Croix is bound by his 
honor to the service of his God, his country, and the 
Statutes of the Egyptian Masonic Rite ; and he shall 
not fight another Knight Rose Croix on any pretext, 
but shall help, aid and assist him. 

Sec. 5. No Chapter shall be closed without the 
box of fraternal assistance being first presented to 
the Sir Knights. 



20 

Sec. 6. In passing the ballot, if one black ball 
appear, it must be immediately declared closed at 
that conclave. It may be opened at the three follow- 
ing conclaves, when, if the black ball still appears, 
the Brother is rejected. 

Sec. 7. If a Knight Rose Croix falls sick, all the 
rest must visit him, to see that he wants for nothing. 
If a Knight Rose Croix die, all the Knights must 
attend the funeral with the sash and jewel of this 
Degree ; and if the deceased have no relatives they 
must cause his jewel to be buried with him. The 
name of a deceased Knight Rose Croix must not be 
stricken from the rolls, but a skull and cross-bones 
should be delineated beside it, to show that he no 
longer exists. 

Sec. 8. Sir Knights Rose Croix wear black 
clothes, with white baldrick, guantlet gloves, sword, 
and red belt. On the front part must be painted or 
embroidered with a Cross, '' In Hoc Signo Vinces." 
The Rose Croix jewel hangs on a ribbon, or is pinned 
on the left breast of the coat ; it consists of a crowned 
Compass extended to ninety degrees. Between the 
branches of the Compass there must be on one side 
a Pelican, and on the other an eagle. Between these 
two emblems rises a Cross, on which is a Rose, with 
the letters Y. I. H. N. V. R. H. I. at bottom. The Official 
Jewel is a Serpent forming aCircle,within which is the 
interlaced Triangle, having in the centre the officer's 
distinctive mark. The seal of a Chapter of Rose 
Croix is a Serpent forming a circle, with the Rose on 
a cross in the centre, surmounted by a Delta, with 
the appropriate characters. 

Sec. 9. No one can be admitted into a Chapter 
of Rose Croix unless he is a Master Mason in good 
standing, and be proposed by a member of the Rose 



21 

Croix. He shall sign the laws of the Chapter and 
the obligation of fealty to the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
which shall be kept in a book for that purpose in 
each and every Chapter. 

Each Chapter shall at the end of each year pay 
the sum of two dollars for each candidate initiated, 
into the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

The Sovereign Sanctuary is the Grand Body of 
the United States and British America, and sits 
when called by the Grand Master by twenty days 
summons. 

Its regular meeting is on the first Tuesday on or 
before the 27th day of June in each year. 

Special meetings may be called at any time by the 
Grand Master. 

Sec ]0. The body is composed ot its officers — 
Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Repre- 
sentative and his Deputies, (one or more for each 
State,) Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden 
Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Prelate, 
Grand Orator, Grand Conductor, Grand Captain of 
the Guard, (who are also Grand Stewards,) Grand 
Guard of the Tower, Grand Sentinel, and members. 
Also, the three Pesidingf Officers of the State Council 
in each State, all members of the 95°, and the Past 
Officers of the Sovereign Sanctuary and State 
Councils for each State. 

All other bodies act under the supervision of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, and any proceedings of inferior 
body can be appealed thereto. 

The officers of the Sovereign Sanctuary are elected 
by ballot, and hold their offices as follows: Grand 
Master, for life ; Deputy, four years ; Grand Repre- 
sentative, two years ; and each of the other officers 
for one year. 



22 

All Charters must issue from the Sovereign 
Sanctuary. 

All charters, dispensations, and diplomas must be 
sealed with the Seal of the Sovereign Sanctuary and 
be signed by the Grand Secretary or Grand Master, 
or both, as the Grand Master shall direct. 

In case of the death of the Grand Master, the 
Deputy Grand Master shall succeed to the office. 

Sec. 11. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
Master, and Grand Representative, shall have the 
right to preside in all inferior bodies when they shall 
desire to do so, and shall instruct the inferior bodies 
in the work, when required, if they shall deem it 
necessary — the expenses of each to be borne by the 
Sovereign Sanctuary. 

The fees for granting dispensations shall belong 
to the Grand Master ; and all fees for makin2[ Masons 
and for the purpose of forming bodies or for other 
purposes of benefit to the Order, shall be charged 
in the discretion of the officer conferring the degrees ; 
but no person shall have the power or authority to 
confer degees but the Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
Master, Grand Representative, or his Deputies, by 
the Grand Master when commissioned, who shall, in 
each case, notify the Grand Secretary, and forward 
the oaths of fealty, which must in all cases be signed 
by the person taking the degrees, and forwarded or 
given to the Grand Secretary, who shall file and pre- 
serve the same in his office. 

Sec. 1 2. No Chapter shall confer the Chapter degrees 
for a less sum than fifteen dollars — five dollars to ac- 
company the petition. 

Sec. 13. No Senate shall confer the Senate De- 
grees for a less sum than fifty dollars — ten dollars to 
accompany the petition. 



23 

Sec. 14. No Council shall confer the Council 
Degrees for a less sum than one hundred dollars — 
ten dollars to accompany the petition ; and no note 
or other acknowledgement of indebetedness shall in 
any case be taken in lieu of money. 

Sec. 15. The affiliation fee of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary shall be ten dollars ; and for every person 
made in any Chapter, the sum of two dollars shall 
be paid the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

All 90° members may become members of the 
Sovereign Sanctuarj^ by affiliation, if elected by a 
vote of the same. 

Sec. 16. Any member of the Egyptian Masonic 
Rite, in good standing, shall have the right to visit 
an}' of the bodies of this Rite of which he has taken 
the degrees, if he can prove himself qualified, or be 
properly vouched for, and in proper clothing; and 
when so admitted, he shall have the right to speak, 
vote, or exercise any other right or privilege that any 
other member of that particular body has, (except 
to vote on subjects or matters connected with or af- 
fecting the financial affairs or funds of that partic- 
ular body,) on their office election. 

Sec. 17. All other general Rules and Regulations 
of Free and Accepted Masons not inconsistent with 
the general statutes and constitutions of this Rite, 
are acknowledged as good Masonic Law by the 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis. 

Sec. 18. The officers of the Grand Council shall 
consist of: 

Sublime Dai, First Mystagog, Second Mystagog, 
Treasurer, Secretary, Orator, Grand Expert, Ar- 
chivist, Messenger of Science, Accompanier, Standard 
Bearer, Sword Bearer, Guardian of Sanctuary, and 
Sentinel 



24 

The first seven of whom shall be elected by ballot 
at the regular Convocation held nearest the Spring 
solstice (21st of March.) The remaining ofiicers 
shall be appointed at the same Convocation by the 
Sublime Dai. 

Sec. 19. The officers of a Senate consist of: 
1. Sublime Grand Commander. 2. Most Learned 
Senior Knight Interpreter. 3. Most Learned Junior 
Knight Interpreter. 4. Illustrious Knight Recorder. 

5. 111. Knight of Finance. 6, 111. Knight Archivist. 

7. 111. Knight Orator. 8. 111. Knight Marshal. 9. 
111. Knio^ht of Introduction. 10. 111. Knight Accom- 
panier. 11. 111. Knight Captain of the Guard. 12. 
111. Knight Standard Bearer. 13. 111. Knight Sword 
Bearer. 14. 111. Knight Guardian of the Sanctuary. 
15. Knight Sentinel. 

All of whom (except those numbered 6, 9, 10, 11, 
12, 13, 14 and 15,) shall be elected by ballot at the 
regular Convention held on the 21st of March, (now 
changed to December 31,) in each year, or at the 
regular Convention nearest to that date. The re- 
maining officers shall at the same time be appointed 
by the Sublime. Grand Commander. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

Sec. 1. The officers of the Chapter shall consist 
of: 

1. Most Wise. 2. Respectable Knight Senior 
Warden. 3. Respectable Knight Junior Warden. 
4. Sir Knight Orator. 5. Sir Knight Conductor. 

6. Sir Knight Archivist. 7. Sir Knight Treasurer. 

8. Sir Knight Captain of the Guard. 9. Sir Knight 
Guard of the Tower. 10. Sir Knight Prelate. 11. 
Sir Knight Organist. 12. Sir Knight Sentinel. And 
shall be elected at the annual election by ballot. 



25 

Each body shall make annual returns to the grand 
body once in each year, stating the names of the 
officers, and of the members initiated, and shall pay 
the sura of fifty cents for each member, except those 
who have been initiated during the previous fiscal 
year and have paid the two dollars mentioned in 
section 10 ; which report shall be made on or before 
the 1st day of May in each year and signed by the 
presiding officer and Secretary, and returned to the 
Grand Master. 

ARTICLE IX. 

Masonic Calendai of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis. 

Sec. 1. March 1st answers to the 1st day of 
the Egyptian month Thoth ; April, Paophi ; May, 
Athir ; June, Chocoac ; Jul}^ Tibi ; August, Mechi ; 
September, Shemenoth; October, Pharmathi ; Novem- 
ber, Pachon; December, Pagni; January, Epophi; 
February, Mesori. 

The following caption is to be used at the com- 
mencement of all edicts, proclamations, letters 
patent, &c., &c., in all degrees of the Rite : " To the 
glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. In 
the name of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyp- 
tian Masonic Rite of Memphis, in and for the Conti- 
nent of America, sitting in the valley of America." 

And must be dated as follows : 

" Done this daj^ of the Egyptian month , 

year of true light, 000,0()(),00(), answering to the 

day of ,Era Vulgar, 18 ." 

ARTICLE X. 

Sec. 1. All Charters shall be issued from the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary or Grand Jurisdiction, and be signed 



26 

by the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand 
Representative, and Grand Orator, under the hand 
and seal of the Grand Secretary, and be also sealed ' 
with the private seal of each, when convenient to do 
so, and when not sealed with the seal of the Grand 
Representative, shall be signed and sealed by a Grand 
Deputy Representative of the State, and may be is- 
sued to the Grand Master, signed in blank, to be by 
him delivered to the Bodies when installed in am- 
ple form. Provided, however, that when there shall 
be formed and installed in any State a Mystic Tem- 
ple, they shall, when a Charter is issued for a Rose- 
Croix Chapter or Senate, be by the Sublime Dai, 
First and Second Mystagog, countersigned and certi 
■&ed by the Secretary thereof; for which a fee of five 
dollars shall be paid to each officer so countersigning, 
which, with the exception of the five dollars paid the 
Secretary, shall be paid over to the Treasurer of the 
State Council, as other moneys are for general 
purposes. 

ARTICLE XI. 

Sec. 1. The fees for Charters shall be as follows : 
For Rose-Croix Chapters twenty-five dollars ($25.) 

For Senate of Hermetic Phillosophers fifty dollars 
($50.) 

For [State Councils or Mystic Temple, one hundred 
dollars ($100,) and the sum of twenty dollars each 
for a dispensation under which to work before char- 
ter issues, and which sum shall be deducted from the 
charter price when the charter shall thereafter issue. 

Sec. 2. The officers of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
except the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master, 
may resign at any time, by tendering the same in 
writing- to the Grand Master; or he, the Grand Mas- 



27 

ter, may, for disobedience or other cause, suspend any 
or all officers, during the recess of the grand body, 
till its next regular meeting, when he shall report the 
same with his reasons in writing, briefly stating the 
causes, which the grand body may, in its discretion, 
affirm or reverse. 

Sec. 3 The fees of the officers of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, shall be as follows : To the Grand 
Master, the sum of five dollars each for all rituals 
supplied by him to the Grand or Subordinate 
bodies, with the fees for diplomas, charters and dis- 
pensations, and the making of Masons to form bodies 
or for the good of the order, and he shall also be en- 
titled to reasonable traveling expenses while on the 
exclusive business of the Rite : Provided, however, 
that the Grand Master shall furnish all seals, rituals, 
charters, diplomas and printing, and the grand body 
shall not be chargeable with any of the foregoing 
expenses. 

Sec. 4. The grand body shall furnish to each 
subordinate body, when installed, seven copies of 
rituals and one constitution and by-laws of this or- 
der, together with a charter and one diploma to each 
charter member thereof, at or immediately after in- 
stallation, and which said rituals, by-laws, charter, 
seal, record and other property belonging to said 
body, shall be handed over to the succeeding officers 
at installation, to be by them again transmitted to 
their successors. The presiding officer of each and 
all the bodies of the Kite, shall have full power 
and control over the bodies in this Rite and 
their subordinate officers, subject only to the Grand 
Master, constitution, edicts, laws, rules of the Rite and 
order, and the decisions of the Grand Master, whose 
edict, rule, command and order, shall be final and 



28 

COD elusive, until reversed or annulled by a decision 
of the grand body at the next regular meeting. 

ARTICLE XII. 

Sec. 1. There shall be in this Rite two days of 
Masonic Festival observed, which may be in public 
or private, viz : The 24th day of June, commonly 
called St. John the Baptist's, and the 27th day of 
December, commonly called St. John the Evange- 
list's day, and one day which shall henceforth and 
forever be celebrated as a Masonic Holiday and 
Festival, viz : the birthday of this Rite in America, 
viz : the 17th day of June in each year, that being 
the day in the year A. D. 1867, that this body was 
formed in America, and the day on which these 
articles of organization and coostitution were by us, 
in solemn conclave, signed and published to the 
world as the highest body of Masons on this continent 
or the habitable globe. Provided, however, that this 
constitution, (or such parts thereof as may be 
altered) may, by a notice in writing, read at a previous 
regular conclave and entered in the Journal of the 
Grand Secretary, taken up at the next regular meet- 
ing, and if passed by a two-thirds vote of all the 
members present, on the day of the election of its 
officers, be changed, amended or revised ; but in no 
other way or manner whatsoever. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

Sec. 1. The Grand Master may, during the recess 
of the grand body, fill all vacancies that may occur 
in any body iu the Rite. 

Sec. 2. Dimits may be issued from the grand 
body as well as from subordinate bodies. 

Sec. 3. Charters and Diplomas may also issue from 



29 

this grand body ; ])rovided, however, that after the 
formation of a State grand body, dimits or diplo- 
mas to the State body, or the Senate, or Chapter, 
may be issued by the State Council, under its seal. 
But all diplomas shall bear on their face the seal of 
this grand body, which shall be the Winged Egg of 
Earth, known in the Egyptian language as the 
KnefF, with the words " Greajb Seal of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, Valley of America," and such other de- 
vices or emblems as the Grand Master shall direct, 
whose duty it shall be to furnish and provide the 
seal for this and all other grand bodies of the Rite, the 
seal of this grand body and the official seals of the 
Deputy Grand Representative and Grand Secretary 
free of charge to this grand body. 

Sec. 4. The Grand Master may, from time to 
time, and it shall be his duty to issue edicts, orders, 
rules and regulations for clothing, jewels and in- 
signia of the Rite, and to prescribe the mode and 
manner of working degrees, and the formation of 
bodies; subject, however, to the constitution and 
landmarks of the Order. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

Sec. 1. This Constitution, when by us duly signed 
and promulgated shall be the law of this order, 
together with such edicts and orders as may 
from time to time, be issued by the Grand Master 
and the general rules of the Ancient and Honorable 
Society of Free and Accepted Masons throughout 
the civilized cosmos ; provided, however, that all the 
bodies of this Rite shall have power to form such 
by-laws, rules and regulations, as they may see fit 
and proper, with the approval of the Grand Master, 



30 

not inconsistent with this constitution or the amend- 
ments or alterations hereafter attached. 

Witness our hands, this 17th day of June A. D., 
1867. 

Charter Members. 

B. F. Patrick, 95°, C. H. Brower, 95«, A. E. Clark, 
90°, W. F. Wentworth, 90", T. N. Holden, 90°, D. C. 
Hill, 90^ F. H. Nichols, 95°, D. R. Dyche, 95«, John 
Middleton, 90«, George H. Parker, 90«, W. T. Han- 
cock, 90^ J. A. Allen, 96°, J. A. Van Buskirk', 90°, Ira 
S. Younglove, 95°, J. L. Marsh, 90°, A. W. Hitchcock, 
90°, J. W. Clyde, 90°, Wm. Lewitt, 95°, M. N. Fuller, 
90°, James Smith, 90°, E. B. Myers, 90°, J. H. Blake. 
95°, S. E. Underhill, 95°, E. H. Keene, 90°, R. E. 
Storey, 95°, C. E. Leonard, 95°. C. E. Hyde, 90°, H. 
Starrett, 90°, L. K. Osborn, 95°, E. V. Roddin, 90°, 
G. L. Smith, 90°, H. R. Caberey, 90°, H. N. Hurlbut, 
95°, T. T. Gurney, 95°, R. J. Morse, 90°, J. L. Day, 
95°, L. W. Rouse, 90°, George McElwain, 95°, H W. 
Bigelow, 95°, C. H. Cutler, 90°, C. C. Burt, 96°, L. A. 
Howland, 90^D. A. Starritt, 90°, W. G. Swan, 90°. 

After the routine business of this body, an ad- 
journment was had till the 18th July, when the Con- 
vention and grand body adjourned sine die. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96^ 

Grand Master. 
Samuel E. Underhill, 95°, 

Grand Secretary. 



31 
EGYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 

At a meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the 
Valley of Chicago, held at their rooms, 92 Dearborn 
Street, on Thursday evening, February 6th, 1868, 
there were present : 

M. W. Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Grand Master; R. W. 
J. Adams Allen, 96^ Deputy Grand Master; 111. Bro. 
T. T. Gurney, 95^ Grand Prelate ; 111. Bro. D. R. 
Dyche, 95^ Grand Treasurer; 111. Bro. Chas. K 
Leonard, 95°, Grand Secretary, pro tem., and other 
Illustrious Brothers. 

EXTKACT FROM THE MINUTES. 

The names of the following Brothers, members of 
this Rite, were proposed for affiliation, and the bal- 
lot being spread, they were declared duly elected : 

111. Bros. S. C. Coffin berry, 90°, 32' Scotch Rite, 
G. M., and P. G H. P. of Michigan, Constantine ; G. 
B. Noble, 90°, K. T.,P. E. Com. of Michigan, Detroit; 
T. H. Armstrong, 95°, K. T., P. E. Com., Detroit, 
Michigan ; D. Burnham Tracy, 94°, 33° Scotch Rite, 
P. E. Com., Detroit, Michigan ; James Fenton, 90°, 
32° Scotch Rite, Secretarv Grand Lodge Michigan, 
Detroit ; Edward Le Fever, 95°, P. H. P., Sub. Gr. 
Com. Cheops Senate, Rite ot Memphis, Detroit, 
Michigan ; J. J. Bardwell, 95°, 32° Scotch Rite, P. H. 
P., M. W. Shemenoth Chap. Rite of Membhis, De- 
troit, Michigan; James W. Frisbie, 90°, K. T., 32° 
Scotch Rite, Detroit, Michigan; Ed. R. Landon, 90°, 
K. T., 32^ Scotch Rite, Detroit, Michigan ; Frank 
Darrow, 90°, K. T., 32° Scotch Rite, P. G. M., P. G. 
Com. of Michigan, Pontiac; J. P. Fisk, 90°, K. T., 
32° Scotch Rite, G. H. P. of Michigan, Detroit; A. 
G. Hibbard, 90°, K. T., 32 Scotch Rite, E. Com. De- 
troit Commandery, Detroit, Michigan ; Edward Lee, 
90°, K. T., 33° Scotch Rite, P. G. M., P. G. Com. of 
Mississippi, Holly Springs; Lucius Fairchild, 90°, K. 
T., and Governor of Wisconsin ; John Spooner, 90°, 
Lieut. Governor of Wisconsin ; James K. Proudfit, 
95°, K. T., Grand Generalissimo, and Adjutant Gen- 



32 

eral of Wisconsin; S. Y. Shipman, 95^ K. T., P. E. 
Com. Isis Senate, Rite of M., State Architect, Madi- 
son, Wis.; Chas. G. Heimstreet, 94^ K. T., M. W. 
Chapter Rite of Memphis, Janesville, Wis. ; O. C. 
Palmer, 90°, K. T., Janesville, Wis. ; Joel Squires, 
94^ R. A., P. H. P.,M. W. Hippocrates Chapter, Rite 
of Memphis, Mineral Point, Wis. ; Homer J. Persons, 
95°, K. T., San Francisco, Cal.; B. H. Porter, 95°, E. 

A, 32** Scotch Rite, P. H. P. New Jersey ; Jerome 

B. Gardner, 95^ K. T., H. P. Corinthian Chapter, No. 
159, New York City; Chas. E. Noble, 90^ K. T., 
Agent M. C. R R., New York City; George S. Fan- 
cher, 95^ K. T., firm of A. T. Stewart & Co., New 
York City; Seth Hart, M. D., 90^ R. A., New York 
City; Henry B. Horton, 90°, K. T., Kt. Mar. Alexan- 
dria Senate, No, 2, Rite of Memphis, Chicago, 111. ; 
Claud G. Avery, 95°, K. T., Sub. Gr. Com. of Osiris 
Senate, No. 1, Rite of Memphis, Chicago, 111. ; Thos. 
W. Blayney, 95°, R. A., Sen. Kt. Int. of Osiris Senate, 
No. 1, Rite of Memphis, Chicago, 111. ; G. A. Richard- 
son, 95°, Kt. Orator of Osiiis Senate, No. 1, Rite of 
Memphis, Chicago, 111.; Chas. C. Brierly, 90°, K. T., 
Kt. Stand Bearer of Osiris Senate, No. 1, Rite of 
Memphis, Chicago, III; George W. Lyon, 90°, Kt. 
Sword Bearer, Osiris Senate, No. 1, Rite of Memphis, 
Chicago, 111. ; C. W. Nash, 90°, 33° Scotch Rite, Grand 
Master, St. Paul, Minn.- 

In testimony whereof, we have made this Certifi- 
cate, done in our Sanctuary, where abide Peace, 
Tolerance, Truth, and the fullness of all that is good, 
this sixth day of the Egyptian month Mesori, 
answering to the sixth day of the month of Febru- 
ary, A. L. 5868, Yulgar Era, 1868. 
By order of the Grand Master. 
Witness our hand and the seal of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, at the Yalley of Chicago, this 
[L. s.] sixth day of February, Yulgar, or Christian 
Era, 1868. 

SAM'L E. UNDERHILL, 95°, 
Grand Secretary E:. M:. K\ of M:. 
By Chas. E. Leonard, 95°, 
Grand Secretary, pro tern. 



33 

SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 1868. 

June 23d, A. D. 1868. 

The Sovereign Sanctuary for the Continent of 
America, was opened this day in ample form, by the 
M. W. Grand Master, C. C. Burt, 96^ 

The report of the Grand Master was then referred 
to a committee of three, consisting of III. Bros. R. 
Cleveland, 95^ Claude G. Avery, 95^ Thomas W. 
Blayney, 95**. 

The following resolution was then offered by 111. 
Bro. C. E. Leonard : 

Resolved, That the M. W. Grand Master make the 
nomination of officers for the ensuing year. 

Which was seconded by Bro. R. Cleveland, and 
unanimously adopted. 

The Grand Master then nominated the following 
officers, viz : 

Jonathan Adams Allen, Deputy Grand Master. 

H. J. Parsons, of San Francisco, Grand Represen- 
tative. 

George S. Faucher, of New York, Grand Orator. 

S. V. Shipman, of Wisconsin, Grand Prelate. 

James R. Proudfit, of Wisconsin, Grand Senior 
Warden. 

B. H. Porter, of New York, Grand Junior Warden. 

Thomas W. Blayney, of Chicago, 111., Grand Secre- 
tary. 

Claude G. Avery, of Chicago, 111 , Grand Treasurer. 

Nelson Chitteudon, of Wisconsin, Grand Conductor, 

Edward Lee, of Mississippi, Grand Captain of the 
Guard. 

Seth Hart, of New York, Grand Organist. 

Nelson D. Plumb and Edward W. Roberts, of Cal- 
ifornia, Grand Sr. and Jr. Masters of Ceremonies. 

Charles C. C. Brierly, of Chicago, 111., Grand Guard 
of the Tower. 

William Lewitt, of Michigan, Grand Sentinel, 



34 

The officers were installed by the Grand Master, 
and the grand body closed in peace and harmony to 
meet at such place as the Grand Master may de- 
termine. 



THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. 

June 27th, 1871. 

In pursuance of the following summons and notice 
from the Right Worshipful Grand Master, the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary for the United States assembled 
this day, in the City of Jackson, State of Michigan: 

Illustrious Brother and Dear Sir : 

Whereas, At the general meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuafy 
for the Continent of America, held in Chicago, on the 23(1 day 
of June, A. D. 1^68, a resolution was adopted to authorize the 
Grand Master to convene the Grand Body thereafter at such 
time and place as in his discretion and in force of circumstan- 
ces should direct ; and 

Whereas, By an Edict of the Grand Master, the Annual Com- 
munication of the 24th of June, A. D. 1869, and the Annual 
Communication for the 28th of June, A. D. 1870, were ad- 
journed to the 27th day of June, A D. 1871 : 

JSfoio, Therefore Considering the best intrests of the Craft, and 
that the grand body now require the annual meeting of said 
body to take place on the 27th day of June, A. D 187.1, at the 
City of Jackson, and county of Jackson, and State of Michi- 
gan : 

Therefm^e, Be it known that I, Calvin C. Burt, 96<^, Grand 
Master, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do 
hereby order and direct, that the said Annual Meeting of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary for the Continent of America, be held at 
the City of Jackson aforesaid ; and you are hereby summoned 
to be and appear, either in person or proxy, in said City of 
Jackson, the 27th day of June next, at 12 m., for the purpose of 
choosing officers for the ensumg term, and the transaction of 
such other business as may lawfully come before the said grand 
body. Hereof fail not under penalty of a violation of your 
obligation. 



35 

Done in our Sanctuary, where abides peace, tolerance, truth^ 
and the fullness of all that is good, this sixth day of the Egyp- 
tian month, Athir, answering to the sixth day of May, A. D. 
5871, Vulgar Era, A. D. 1871. 

Witness our hand and the seal of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
[l. s.] at the Valley of Jackson, this sixth day of May, Vul- 
gar, or Christian Era, A. D. 1871. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96^ 

Grand Master. 

The conclave having been called to order and 
opened in due and ancient form, the Worshipful 
Grand Master proceeded to state his reasons for not 
holding conclaves in the 5^ears 1869 and 1870, and 
that he had issued his edicts accordingly. The Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary unanimously approved and affirmed 
the course taken by him in that regard. 

The minutes of the last conclave were then read 
by the Grand Secretary for the information of the 
Sir Knights present. 

Sir Knights Thos. W. Blayney and J. M. Brown 
were chosen a Committee upon Credentials. 

The conclave then adjourned till 3 o'clock, and 
upon reassembling; the Committee reported upon the 
several appointments of proxies made by absent 
members, all of which were approved and affirmed 
by the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

Letters of apology for absence were then read 
from Sir Knights C. Avery, R. Cleveland, C. E. Leon- 
ard, N. C. Chittenden, Edward Lee, Seth Hart, and 
several others, and were ordered to be laid on the 
table. 

The election of officers being next in order, it was 
moved by 111. Sir Knight Shoemaker, seconded by 
111. Sir Knight Mitchell, and unanimously 

Resolved, That the Worshipful Grand Master be 
requested to nominate to the Sovereign Sanctuary 



36 

for electioD such persons for officers as in his judg- 
ment were best fitted for the several positions to be 
filled. 

The Grand Master accordingly nominated for 
Deputy Grand Master, the Hon. Michael Shoemaker, 
of Michigan. 

A ballot was taken, and Col. Shoemaker was de- 
clared elected. 

The following Sir Knights were then nominated 
for the several offices set forth, balloted for and de- 
clared unanimously elected : 

For Grand Representative, J. Mabbett Brown, of 
Michigan. 

For Grand Secretary, Thomas W. Blayney, of Illinois. 

For Grand Orator, J. C. Wood, of Michigan. 

For Grand Prelate, J. C Dyer, of Michigan. 

For Grand Senior Warden, Benjamin Porter, of 
Michigan. 

For Grand Junior Warden, George S. Fancher, of 
New York. 

For Grand Treasurer, G. A. Baldwin, of Michigan. 

For Grand Senior Master of Ceremonies, B. F. 
Prentiss, of Michigan. 

For Grand Junior Master of Ceremonies, W. W. 
Childs, of Michigan. 

For Grand Organist, Seth Hart, of New York. 

For Grand Conductor, Nelson Chittenden, of Wis- 
consin. 

For Grand Captain of the Guard, Governor Lucius 
Fairchild, of Wisconsin. ' 

For Guard of the Tower, Hugh Richards, of Michi- 
gan. 

For Grand Sentinal, Thomas J. Conely, of Michigan. 

For Grand Marshal, Fidus Livermore, of Michigan. 

And were dul}^ installed by the Grand Master, M. 
W. Bro. Calvin C. Burt, 96^ 

The Worshipful Grand Master then delivered his 
address, replete with valuable information as to the 



37 

^reat antiquity of the Rite and the symbolic charac- 
ter of the ritual, as well as sugrrestive of several 
matters which he was of opinion the Sovereign 
Sanctuar}^ might take action on, which would tend to 
the benefit of the institution. 

Committees were appointed to take action on his 
suo-orestions and the conclave took a recess until 
Wednesday, the 28th day of June, at 7 P. M. to hear 
the reports of the Committees. 

June 28th, 1871. 

The grand body was opened in ample form by M. 
W. Bro. Calvin C. Burt, 96^ Grand Master. There 
were present R. W. Bro. M. Shoemaker, 96°, Grand 
Senior and Junior Wardens, Secretary and other 
brethren. 

On motion of Bro. M. Shoemaker, 9G°, adjourned 
until June 29th. 

June 29th 1871. 

The Committee on Ameuded Constitution reported 
the following, which was taken up section by section, 
and adopted, and spread upon the Record. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96°, 
[l. s.] Grand Master ad Viteni. 

Thos. W. Blayney, 95°, 

Grand Secretary. 



The Amended Constitution of the Rite of Mem- 
phis, rules, regulations, and by-laws of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, for the habitable and civilized world, 
Masonic Brotherhood and Fraternity, viz : We the 
othcers and members of said Body, in solemn conclave 
assembled, the 27th day of the Egyjjtian month 



38 

Chocas, in the year Anni Lucia 5871, answering to 
the Vulgar or Christian Era, June, 1871, according to 
the recommendation of the M. W. Grand Master in 
his last address, due notice having been given, we do 
hereby amend the constitution and by-laws of the 
Rite and the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian 
Masonic Rite of Memphis, as follows, viz : 

ARTICLE I. 

Sec. 1. The oame and style of this Masonic 
body shall continue to be known and called the 
Sovereign Sanctuary for the Continent of America, 
and since the cessation to work these degrees in 
France, its jurisdiction, embracing the whole civilized 
world where Masonry is known and tolerated, 
supreme in itself, paying allegiance to none, but fra- 
ternizing with all that is good, and they who recog- 
nize one God, Almighty Creator of all, the immortal- 
ity of the soul of man, and the general law of Ma- 
sonic jurisprudence throughout the habitable globe. 
Peace, tolerance, truth, and brotherly love. Know 
we that 

Sec. 2. This body shall continue to be com- 
posed of its members, the Grand Officers of the 
95°, as follows : the present Grand Master ad vitem 
96°, or for his natural life ; Deputy Grand Master, 
96°, for four years. 

The office of Grand Representative, having been 
abolished at the Quadriennial Communication of 
June, 1878, and the following to stand in its place, 
viz : The Grand Master shall appoint one or more 
Deputy Grand Represesentatives in every State or 
Teiritory, who shall hold their office during his 
pleasure, and who shall report to him all proceedings, 
and they, when commissioned by him, (the Grand 



39 

Master,) shall have power to make Masons for the 
])urpose of forming bodies in the Rite, and may with 
his consent and ap})roval, endorsed on the commis- 
sion or appointment, then appoint deputies to assist 
in forming bodies, and they shall be entitled to the 
95°, and receive the same when they are appointed 
by the Grand Master, and shall be compensate*! by 
the Deputy Grand Representative, and continue 
during his pleasure ; provided, however, that they 
shall be residents of the same State or Territor}?- 
where the Deputy Grand Representative resides, 
unless the Grand Master shall, b}^ dispensation, other- 
wise direct residents of another Territory; provided, 
also, that the Deputy Grand Representatives and 
their Deputies shall keep a full record of each and 
all their proceedings for their use and for the inspec- 
tion of the Grand Master; Deputy Representative, 
95°, during the pleasure of the Grand Master; Grand 
Orator 95° ; Grand Prelate, 95*^ ; Grand Marshal. 95° ; 
Grand Senior Warden, 95°; Grand Junior Warden, 
95**; Grand Secreteay, 95°; Grand Treasurer, 95°; 
Grand Conductor, 95° ; Grand Senior Master of 
Ceremonies, 95° ; Grand Junior Master of Ceremonies, 
95° ; Grand Guard of the Tower, 95°; Grand Sentinel, 
95° ; for the term of four years from election, and 
until their successors are installed in office. Also 
all past Grand Officers in good Masonic standing, 
who shall not be otherwise objectionable to the 
Grand Master or to the officers of the State Council ; 
the three first officers of each Chapter and each 
Senate, till a State Council is formed in a State ; the 
Deputy Grand Representative and their Deputies 
then in office, being in possesssion of the 95 ^, with- 
out which no brother shall be admitted to the coun- 
cils or deliberations of the Sovereign Sanctuary or 



40 

Grand Body. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
Master, and Deputy Grand Representative shall have 
the right to make Masons at sight for the purpose of 
forming bodies, or install when duly commissioned 
by the Grand Master for that purpose, except the 
Grand Master, who shall never be deprived of this 
right to make MLasons at sight, and if he choose, may, 
by special dispensation or edict, deputize any person 
having the 95** to do such business for him ; but all 
fees receivable therefrom at such price as he (the 
Grand Master) may fix, shall belong to and be per- 
quisites of the Grand Master, whose opinion and 
authority shall, in all cases, be absolute, but may be 
reversed by the grand bod}^, when duly appealed 
from, at the next regular meeting of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
Master, or in the case of the death of the Grand 
Master, two other officers and two members, at a 
regular or a special meeting called by the Grand 
Master, shall constitute a quorum, in the presence of 
the Grand Master, to open the grand body, at its 
stated conclave, or called meetings, which may be 
called by the Grand Master or Deputy, (in case of 
the death of the Grand Master,) at any time by sum- 
mons or publication, so that due and timely notice, 
according to Masonic usage, may be given. 

Sec. 3. The regular meetings of the grand body, 
Sovereign Sanctuary, shall be held quadriennially, 
or once in four years, at such time and place as the 
Grand Master shall designate and order, the next 
meeting to be held on or near the third Monday in 
June, A. D. 5874, and quadriennially thereafter. 
In all cases notice by summons shall be given (if 
possible) at least twenty days before the time of 
meeting of said body, viz : in case of regular quad- 



41 

riennial meeting ; but called meetings shall be legal 
and valid when ordered by the Grand Master, upon 
such notice as the Grand Master shall di rect. Notice 
and summons may be given by enclosing a written 
or p)rinted notice in an envelope directed to the post- 
office addi-ess, or last place of residence of the 
brother summoned, at least twenty days before the 
time of such meeting, and prepaying the postage 
thereon. And notice to any of the bodies of this 
Rite may be given by such notice being directed to 
the Secretary or presiding officer of such body, 
placed in the postoffice, prepaid as aforesaid, twenty 
days before the time of meeting as aforesaid. 

Sec. 4?. Officers and brethren, except the presid- 
ing officer, may appear by proxy, which may be re- 
turned with and attached to the summons or notice 
(if it is in writing or signed by the person) and di- 
rected to the brother who is to act as proxy, or to 
the Grand Master. 

Sec. 5. The Grand Master shall pri^side at all 
meetings of this body; except in case of his death, 
at a regular meeting, the Deputy shall preside. In 
case he do not preside, then the Senior Warden ; or 
in case of his death, absence or inability, then the 
Junior Warden. In all cases the person who, by the 
constitution, shall preside, shall, for that time, possess 
the same power as the Grand Master, and be obeyed 
in a like manner as the Grand Master should be 
were he in person present,except that any other person 
except the Grand or Deputy Grand Master acting 
temporarily as Gi-and Master, shall not, except in the 
grand body while in session, and while so acting, be 
empowered to do any act whatever, by reason of his 
having acted in the capacity of Grand Master during 
a session of the Sovereign Sanctuary, and then only 
as presiding officer. 



42 

Sec. 6. The annual election of officers required 
to be chosen by ballot shall be held as follows, (except 
State Grand Councils,) viz : Senates of Hermetic Phil- 
osophers and Kose-Croix Chapters, shall be held at the 
nearest regular meetings preceding the 31st day of 
December of each year, and the officers installed 
during said month, unless, for cause shown, the Grand 
Master shall by dispensation otherwise direct. 

Sec. 7. At all meetings of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary and other bodies of this Rite, three officers and 
two members shall constitute a quorum to open the 
grand body or Chapter, Senate or Council, except at 
election meetings, and in other bodies than the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary, special communications. In the 
first case at least five persons shall be present, unless 
the Grand or Deputy Grand Master otherwise direct 
while presiding. 

Sec. 8. No brother shall be eligible to the office 
of Sublime Dai, Sublime Grand Commander, Most 
Wise of any of the bodies of this Rite, unless he shall 
have first served as Warden of that body or of the 
body in which he seeks to be elected, for a full term, 
unless it be for the purpose of forming a new body, 
or by dispensation in writing, or the Grand Master 
shall otherwise direct. 

Sec. 9. The seven first officers in a Senate or 
Rose-Croix Chapter shall be elected by ballot, at the 
regular meeting of each body in each year. The 
other and remaining officers of each body may be ap- 
pointed by the regular presiding officer, unless the 
members, by a majority of votes, shall otherwise de- 
termine, which the presiding officer of each body on 
the night of the election shall, on the request of any 
member of the body, put to vote^by ballot or other- 
wise as he may see fit or order. All officers who are 



48 

rei^ularly elected and installed shall hold their offices 
until the next regular meeting, and until their suc- 
cessors are qualified, unless they shall die, be removed 
or become otherwise disqualified ; in which case they 
may be filled by the presiding officer, or by a special 
election, called by him on due notice. No person but 
the Grand Master or some person especially by him 
in writing deputed, shall have the right to make 
Masons at sight. The fees therefor shall belong to 
and be the exclusive money of the Grand Master. 

Sec. 10. And no person shall be made or the de- 
grees communicated to him for a less sum than ten 
dollars, unless by express permission of the Grand 
Master ; and no such person shall be so made or de- 
grees communicated to him unless he first sign the 
oath of fealty, which shall be filed in the office of 
the Grand Master. No petition for the formation of 
a Chapter shall be acted upon by the Grand Master 
unless the fee of five dollars for each person so made, 
and not less than twenty persons shall constitute a 
petition, unless the Grand Master shall otherwise or- 
der in w^riting, on or accompanying the petition, 
signed by each of them as petitioners : and no person 
so signing a petition, unless he is a member of the 
Rite in good standing, shall be received, unless such 
fee be first paid. 

Sec. 11. No person shall be received into any or- 
ganized Chapter in this Rite, unless by a petition, 
signed by him, presented to the Chapter at a regular 
communication, and accompanied by a petition fee of 
at least five dollars, which petition shall be voted 
upon before it is received by said Chapter ; and if a 
majority of votes are against it, this petition shall be 
laid on the table and the money refunded ; which 
transaction shall be recorded in the minutes of the 



44 

Chapter. If a majority vote to receive the petition, 
it shall be referred to a committee of at least three 
brothers in good standing, who shall make diligent 
inquiry as to the standing and Masonic character of 
the applicant, and report thereon at the next regular 
communication of the body. If favorable, he shall 
be balloted for in due and ancient form. If elected, 
he shall, upon pa3mient of not less than ten dollars 
in addition to the petition fee, in money, be initiated ; 
and the Most Wise shall require the voucher or re- 
ceipt of the treasurer or secretary, to be exhibited to 
him, that he has received the money for the initiation 
fee before they shall be begun or conferred, or the 
" neophyte " admitted to his first degrees. In case 
the neophyte is rejected, his fees shall be immediately 
returned to him, and his name in full shall be writ- 
ten in the black book on the black roll of the Sanc- 
tuary, together with the date of his rejection. Such 
person so refused admission, shall not be again bal- 
loted for in less than one year from the date of his 
rejection, unless for good cause shown the Grand 
Master, by dispensation, at a request of the mem- 
bers of the Chapter, shall otherwise order. 

Sec. 12. Dimit petitions for membership, if any, 
shall be in writing, signed bj^ the person applying, 
and shall be voted upon in such way and manner as 
the body by its by-laws provides, except in case of 
initiation, which shall be by secret ballot, and in no 
case until he has paid his fees into the treasury, 
who shall give vouchers for the same, to be exhibited 
before he be received into the body, and which shall 
not be less than for the Chapter, fifteen dollars ; 
Senate,$50; Council, $100; Sovereign Sanctuary ,$10 ; 
unless the Grand Master shall, by dispensation, other- 
wise order. Five dollars must in each and every 



45 

case accompany the petition or.application ; provided, 
that under circumstances for the good of the order, 
the Grand Master may, by dispensation, allow a 
body, for one year, to initiate for a less sum, but not 
otherwise ; but any Chapter, Senate or Council, has 
the right to increase its fees, by a resolution printed 
in its by-laws, to such higher sums as they or a ma- 
jority of its members may direct ; provided, however, 
that no Chapter or body of this Rite shall change its 
by-laws more than once a year. One copy of all 
by-laws of Rose-Croix Chapters or Senates shall be 
delivered to the Grand Master, and one copy be filed 
with the Grand Secretary of the Sovereign Sanctuarv, 
as soon as the same are promulgated ; provided, how- 
ever, that no by-laws of any Chapter, Senate or 
Council, shall contravene any of the provisions of 
this constitution, or the laws and edicts of the order. 
But any such by-laws shall be null and void, and 
subject the body that shall continue their existence 
to discipline by the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

Sec. 13. The bodies of this Rite shall pay to the 
grand body, the Sovereign Sanctuary, annual dues 
as follows : The Rose Croix Chapter shall pay at 
the expiration of every first Monday in December, 
the sum of two dollars for every })erson initiated 
into such Chapter before the election ot officers for 
the coming year, which shall accompany the annual 
return to the Grand Master, which shall be made 
before the third Monday in the month of January 
following election, and before the officers are installed , 
and shall contain the names of the officers for the 
coming year, also the name, residence, and number 
of brethren who are membei's of the body, including 
the names of those who have died, removed, or have 
been expelled during the past year, which shall be 



46 

signed by the Secretary, and certified to by the 
presidinp[ officer of the body, and sent by express to 
the residence of the Grand Master as aforesaid. 

Sec. 14. Every Senate shall make like returns to 
the Grand Master, as by Section 13 of this Consti- 
tution, the Rose Croix Chapter is required to do, 
until the formation of a State Grand Council accord- 
ing to law (except that the Senate is not required to 
pay the two dollars fee for its membership,) after 
which time the returns of the Rose Croix Chapter 
to the Grand Master shall be only the fee of two 
dollars for each old member — the other returns as 
to members, deaths, etc., and shall be made by the 
Rose Croix Chapter to the State Council within 
whose jurisdiction said Chapter shall be, but the fee 
of two dollars shall be always paid to the grand 
body or Grand Master for such body. 

ARTICLE II. 

Sec. 1. The third body of this Rite, viz, the 
State Council, when duly organized and its officers 
installed, shall have the control and supervision of 
all Chapters and Senates within its jurisdiction in 
the first customs, which shall be co-extensive with 
the State for which it is chartered. It shall be com- 
posed of its officers as provided in section of this 

Constitution, and such members as may from time to 
time be, by vote, admitted into its counsels. No 
person who has not received the 90 degrees, can be- 
come a member of this body, viz, Grand Council, 
V7hich shall hold its sessions at such time as by law 
is provided therefor, which shall be at least once in 
each year. It shall have appellate and exclusive (in 
the first instance) jurisdiction of all the Chapters 
and Senates in .the State, subject to the appellate 



47 

jurisdiction of the Sovereign Sanctuary. It shall 
make, once in every year, returns, and deliver a copy 
of its by-laws to the grand body or Master at his 
residence, viz; the number of members, the names 
of its officers and its members, together with full re- 
turns from all Senates and Rose Croix Chapters 
within its jurisdiction, stating the names of bodies, 
their officers, and shall give certificates to all such 
as are by law entitled to represent the several bodies 
of the Rose Croix Chapter and Senate in the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary for the current year, forwarding a 
list thereof to the Grand Secretary at the end of 
every four years, one month before, and in time for 
the quadriennial meetings of the grand body, and a 
copy to the Grand Mast.er at least twenty days be- 
fore the time of its meetings. For a failure so to do, 
the body will be subject to lose its right of represen- 
tation, and forfeit its charter. Each Rose Croix 
Chapter, Senate or Council, which shall fail or who 
shall neglect to pay over its dues to the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, to the Grand Master, or to make its re- 
turns or fail to comply with each, any or all of the 
aforesaid rules, shall be subject to suspension, expul- 
sion, and forfeit its charter, and the Grand Master is 
empowered to suspend or punish each and every body 
or person who shall fail or neglect to make a full 
compliance therewith. 

Sec. 2. The State Council, when organized and 
installed, shall hold its meetings annually, the first 
of which shall be on or before the first Tuesday in 
January of each year, at such place as may be desig- 
nated within the State, or may, by a vote of the 
body, be called, and each Rose-Croix Chapter shall 
be entitled to representation, viz : the Most Wise, 
Senior and Junior Wardens. Each Senate shall have 



48 

the representation of the Sublime Grand Com- 
mander, Senior and Junior Wardens of each Senate ; 
provided, however, that one person may represent 
the body and have three votes, in case the Chapter 
or Senate which he represents shall so direct in 
writing. The State Council shall make rules, by- 
laws and regulations for its manner of conducting its 
business, not inconsistent or in contravention of this 
Constitution, subject to the approval of the Grand 
Master, who shall have power to correct and dictate 
the form and manner of its work. The Grand Mas- 
ter and his Deputy, and the Deputy Grand Repre- 
sentatives, shall visit the Grand Council from time 
to time, examine its work, and make such suggestions 
as they may deem for the good of the order. But 
the full charge of each Chapter and Senate in a 
State shall be vested in the State Coouncil, when 
fully formed and chartered. They may determine 
questions of Masonic law and jurisprudence, in the 
iirst instance, subject to the opinion of the Grand 
Master, from whose opinion appeal may be had to 
the grand body, when convened. The officers shall 
be elected by ballot as in the other bodies, and may be 
installed and install their successors in office, for all 
time to come. Special meetings may be called by 
the Sublime Dai, upon the usual Masonic notice. 

Sec. 3. But at all regular election meetings each 
Chapter, Senate and Council in the jurisdiction, shall 
be summoned by a written notice, duly served at 
least ten days before the time of meeting, and also 
notice given to the Grand Master, that he may be 
present, if he shall see fit, which notice shall be at 
least ten days before the time of meeting. 

Sec. 4, The following fees shall be paid for is- 
suing charters by this grand body, and dispensation by 



49 

the Grand Master to work the dej^rees till a charter is 
issued, viz : Chapter of Rose-Croix, seventy-tive 
dollars ; dispeusatioii for the forming of a Chapter, 
twenty dollars; Senate of Hermetic Pliilosoph- 
ers, one hundred dollars; dispensation to form a 
Senate, thirty dollars; State Council, one hundred 
and fifty dollars; dispensation to form a State Coun- 
cil, fifty dollars, which shall be de<iucted from the 
charter fee when that is issued. 

Sec. 5. The ofticers elected at a (Jouncil shall 
each hold their oftices and continue the same for the 
term of one year from the date thereof, viz : To the 
27th day of January, A. D. 1874, and those elected 
hereafter shall hold theii' several ofilccs for the term 
of four years, or until their successors are elected aud 
duly qualified, unless they shall die, resign, or be- 
come otherwise disqualified, or shall, by the Grand 
or Deputy Grand Master, acting as Grand Master, 
be suspended or expelled, which suspension shall not 
hold longer than till the next regular meeting of the 
grand body, when such order of the Grand Master 
shall by him be submitted to the grand body for 
decision. 

ARTICLE III. 

Sec. 1. The Grand Master shall have the power, 
and it shall be his duty, to suspend any brother or 
oflicer for gross unmasonic conduct during the recess 
of the grand body and until the next regular meet- 
ing thereof, which suspension shall be in writing, 
and contain a statement of the cause or reasons 
therefor, a copy ot which shall be served on him 
personally, if possible or convenient; if not, by put- 
ting the same in the post-ofiice, as is provided for in 
case of summons ; a copy shall also be filed with the 
c 



50 

Grand Secretary, or at the regular meetings, and con- 
tained in the Grand Master's report. 

Sec. 2. All trials shall, in the first instance, be 
in the Rose-Croix Chapter, by a commission or com- 
mittee of not less than three nor more than seven, 
issued by the Most Wise of the Chapter to which 
the person accused belongs, or nearest to his place of 
residence, in case he reside in the State where there 
is a Chapter working. If he does not reside in said 
State, then in any Chapter where he may be nearest 
found, or the complaining brother resides ; provided, 
however, that brother is a member of the 90°, may, 
if he demands it, be tried by a commission of 95° 
members issued outof the State Council. When the ac- 
cused is a 95° member he may require to be tried by 
a commission issued out of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
by making application in writing to the Sublime 
Dai of that State Council, enclosing a copy of the 
notice and charges, with a request for a commission 
to issue from such Senate, which shall, when issued, 
contain the same charges, and suspend the action by 
the commission issued by the Rose Croix Chapter. 
If convicted, shall pay the reasonable costs and 
charges, and be by the Sublime Dai sentenced, repri- 
mauded, or suspended, but shall not be expelled un- 
less by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 
In case he is discharged, the complainant shall pay 
the reasonable costs of the proceedings, to be de- 
termined by the Sublime Dai. All charges and com- 
plaints must be in writing, filed in the body from 
which the commissioo is issued, and a copy of the 
same served on the person charged at least thirty 
days before the time of meeting for the trial ; and 
all returns must state the day and manner of service, 
and the trial shall be conducted in a private man- 



51 

Iter, and the evidence taken shall not be by any 
brother or member disclosed to any person not a 
Mason during the progress of the tiial, and not after- 
wards, except for good cause or the purpose of Masonic 
warning. All presiding officers may for gross un- 
masonic conduct committed in the Chapter, Senate, 
Council or Sanctuary, in presence of such officers, 
susi)eud the offender for the term of one year, or till 
an appeal can be had by the body over which such 
officers preside ; and in all cases the party may ap- 
peal from such decisions to the highest body of the 
Rite, if he is in possession of the 95®, and in other 
cases, to the State Council, if one is formed for the 
State where he is tried — until such formation, he may 
appeal to the grand body, and in case the trial shall 
result in favor of the accused, the Grand Secretary 
shall issue to such brother, on demand, a certificate 
under the seal of their body, which shall state such 
trial and acquittal; but in case of conviction in a 
Chapter or Senate, the secretary or presiding officer 
shall immediately notify the Grand Secretary of the 
State Council, and he shall notify the Secretary of 
the gi-and bod}", and in case a conviction is 
had in the grand body, he shall notify the Grand 
Secretary of the Scate Council, if any is formed ; 
if not, the Secretary of the body to which 
the otfending brother had belonged. All appeals 
shall be transmitted to the appellate body, within six 
months, or deemed abandoned ; aud all appeals re- 
ceived thirty days before the communication of the 
body to which they are appealed, shall be determined 
at that meeting, unless for good cause shown, they 
shall be continued to the next term. Provided, 
however, that in all cases where there is no State 
Council, the commission may issue from the Sovereign 



52 

Sanctuary, signed by the Grand Secretary and the 
Grand Master, or both of them. And provided 
further, that all 90<* and upward members may, if 
they so desire, be tried by commission issued out of 
State Council, when there is one in working order ; 
Or, if notj then the Sovereign Sanctuary, as is pro- 
vided for in Section 21, Article 1. And provided 
that for cause shown and by dispensation issued, the 
Grand Master may order any offending brother tried 
by commission, to be issued out of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, as is also provided for in Section 21. 
And any and all commissions shall have power, and 
it shall be their duty, to report their opinion and 
pronounce judgment thereon, subject to approval and 
reversal by the body from which it was issued, at 
the ^ext regular meeting thereof. 

Sec. 3. An expulsion from any of the bodies of 
this Rite for any crime shall work an expulsion from 
all ; and an expulsion from any other Masonic body, 
for a crime committed after the party was made a 
Mason, shall, on motion, be made an expulsion from 
all the bodies of the Rite, except from office in the 
Sovereign Sanctuary ; but it may, by motion, on due 
notice, be made an expulsion from the body by a 
two- thirds vote of the members present at a regular 
or called meeting, of which the offender has had due 
notice, and a copy of the charges served on him, and 
he given an opportunity to be heard in his defense. 

Sec. 4. When any brother has been by any one 
of the bodies of this Rite duly expelled, and the 
time for appeal having expired, he may, by motion, 
be expelled from all the rights and benefits of the 
Rite of Memphis on this continent, of which immedi- 
ate notice shall be given him by the secretary having 
the record. 



53 

Sec. 5. The Grand Master shall have full power, 
aud it shall be his dut}^ to see that these and all 
other rules and edicts shall be enforced, and he shall 
have power from time to time to make and promul- 
gate such other rules, edicts, regulations and com- 
mands as may, in his judgment, be for the benefit, 
good order and good government of the bodies of the 
Rite ; and may, from time to time, enforce, and by 
dispensation release from the present eftect of any 
rule, law or edict, till the next meeting of this grand 
body, when, in his judgment, the good of the craft 
shall be benefited thereby ; he shall have full power 
to appoint officers, fill vacancies, confer degrees, make 
Masons at sight, do all other acts and perform all 
other service, make, order a!id command by rule, 
order, edict, or by-law, all such acts, things and pre- 
rogatives as Grand Masters in the past have done, 
may now do, and shall have been or are severally 
empowered to do. 

Sec. 6. The Grand Master shall have the care, 
custody and possession of all property and effects 
that does now or may hereafter belong to the grand 
body ; and all Chapters, Senates and Councils, when 
they shall, from any cause, cease to work, shall im- 
mediately deliver over to the grand body, on de- 
mand, all rituals, records, pi-operty of every kind 
which they shall have at the time the same may, 
from any cause, cease to work. Any Chapter, Sen- 
ate or Council that shall contumaciously refuse to 
obey the rules, regulations and laws of the order, or 
the edict of the Grand Master, shall forfeit all right 
under any charter, or by dispensation to them 
granted, and the same together with all the Chapter 
or Senate property, charters, rituals and furniture, 
or any thing else proper and necessary for the work- 



54 

ing of the degrees, or doing business of the order; 
and all such things shall become the exclusive and 
entire property of the grand body, and upon demand, 
shall be delivered over to the Grand Master for the 
use of the grand body. 

Sec. 7. The duty of the several officers in the 
Rite, are the same as in other Masonic bodies ; and 
the right to preside shall remain in the presiding 
officer when present, and in case of his absence, the 
next in rank; but any officer shall, when acting in 
the place of his superior officer, be obeyed and sanc- 
tioned the same as the proper officer, and with like 
effect. 

Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Conductor of 
the Chapter and the Senate to serve all notices, un- 
less for good cause shown, the presiding officer shall 
direct otherwise ; and in the State Council, it shall 
be the duty of the Conductor to serve, in like man- 
ner, all notices and summons ; but in the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, it shall be the duty of the Marshal to 
serve all such papers and perform all other ot the law- 
ful commands of the Grand Master or the grand 
body. 

Sec. 9. Services performed by any officer of the 
Rite, otherwise than those performed in the regular 
work of the bodies, should be paid a just compensa- 
tion ; for, as the laborer is worthy of his hire, so 
should we, as Masons, reward each other, The 
Grand Master is authorized by edict or rule to fix the 
price of pa^anent of all persons who aid and assist 
him in the performance of labor in forming bodies or 
furnishing supplies of any kind for the good of the 
order, or the propagation of the good of this order ; 
and for that purpose, he may draw his order on the 
Treasurer, who shall pay thesa,me. AH Senate Con- 



55 

ductors, Wardens, Marshals, Guards, and all other 
officers who shall perform manual lab^r or service, 
other than the regular workings of the degrees, may, 
by a rule or by-law of the Chapter, Senate or Coun- 
cil, be paid such sum for the stated compensation as 
shall, by a vote of the body, be ordered. 

Sec. 10. The Deput}^ Grand Representative 
shall be paid for the organization of his deputies, all 
necessary and proper traveling fees and postage, out 
of fees by him received, or the Treasurer of the 
grand body ; but all others, except the officers of the 
grand body, shall be paid out of the respective body 
to which they belong and do service for. 

Sec. 11. The order foi- forming bodies shall be as 
follows : In any State or Territory there must be 
at least eight working Rose-Croix Chapters, before a 
Senate can be organized. 

Sec. 12. There shall be at least four Senates in a 
State or Territory before a State Council can be 
formed, and there can be but one State body in any 
one State or Territory. 

Sec. is. No Chapter or Senate shall ordinarily 
be formed of less than twenty members, who shall 
sign the oath of fealty, and a petition therefor, vrhich 
shall be issued by the Grand Master, and when 
signed, shall be returned to him, too^ether with the 
initiation fee of each member, which shall not be less 
than five dollars for each member, and the balance of 
the money for degrees, rituals and dispensations, shall 
be paid before the degrees are gven or the body 
organized ; provided, however, the Grand Master 
may, by dispensation issued, form bodies of less than 
twenty (20) members. 

Sec. 14. This constitution shall not be amended 
except at a regular quadriennial meeting, in which 



56 

notice shall have been given at a former meeting of 
the body in writing, and which shall be filed by the 
Secretary in a book kept by him for that purpose; 
provided, however, that new rules, edicts and regu- 
lations may be made, from time to time, by the 
Grand Master or the grand body for the explanation 
of this constitution, and the better and more 
efficient enforcement and construction of the same. 

Sec. 15. Persons elected to any office in the Rite 
may be refused installation, or being put into office, 
who' are at the time indebted for dues to the grand 
body in any sum, or for money in this society, or 
any of the subordinate bodies of this Rite, or tor 
money collected and withheld therefrom, after de- 
mand for the same has been m de and refused or 
neglected to be paid over for the space of five days. 

Sec. 16. Any member of this Rite, on payment 
of dues, may obtain from the secretary of the body 
of which he is a member, a dimit from such body, 
and it shall not be necessary for a vote by the Chap- 
ter or body before granting such dimit ; and there- 
after the said member, while so dimited, shall not be 
liable to pay dues to any of the bodies of this Rite, 
except the Sovereign Sanctuary, to which he shall 
pay, if an unaffiliated member thereof, the sum of 
,one dollar per year, so long as he continue to be an 
unaffiliated Mason in good standing, and reside 
within its jurisdiction ■; and provided, further, that 
Ao dimit sh^U be giyen from the Sovereign Sanc- 
itfUar}^ to any person whatever. 

Sec. 17. Any member of the Rite holding an 
office therein, shall have the power to resign when 
he shall so desire, upon giving due notice to the 
secretary of the body, except the Grand and Deputy 



67 

Grand Masters, who are instructed and obliged 
not to resign diirinor their term of office. 

Sec. 18. This constitution shall take immediate 
effect, and all former constitutions, laws, rules and 
edicts, not inconsistent herewith, are hereby con- 
tinued. But all constitutions, laws, rules and edicts, 
to which this is amendatory, that are not conform- 
atory hereto, or that are in conflict herewith, are 
hereby repealed. But such repeal shall not effect 
any act done or right acquired under or by virtue of 
such former constitution or law. 

Sio^ned by the committee of revision as follows : 

M. Shoemaker, 96**, 
James C. Wood, 95^ 

FiDUS LiVERMORE, 95°, 

Revising Committee. 
Dated June 28th, A. D. 1871. 

Approved and passed in dpe form at a regular 
meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

THOMAS W. BLANEY, 95^ 

Grand Secretary, 

Office of the Grand Secretary, ) 
ChicIgo, August 5h, 1872. J 

I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy 
taken from the mmutes and records of this grand 
body. 

[L. s.] THOMAS W. BLANEY, 95^ 

Grand Seceetary. 

Compared and approved by me. 

[L. s.] CALVIN C. BURT, 96^ 

Grand Master ad vitem. 



58 
FOURTH MEETING, 1874, DETROIT MICH. 

Illustrious Brother and Dear Sir : 

Whekeas, At the Annual Meeting of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary for the Continent of America, held in Jackson, on the 
27th day of June, A. D 1871, a resolution was adopted to 
authorize the Grand Master to convene the grand body hereafter 
at such place as, in his discretion and in force of circumstances, 
should direct ; and 

Whekeas By an amendment of Article 4, Section 10, of the 
Constitution of this Order, passed at the Annual Meeting of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, June, 1871, it was directed that the meet- 
ings of this Body should be thereafter held quadriennially, the 
first of which should be held on the third Monday in June, 
1874; 

Therefore, Be it known that I. Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Grand 
Master, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do 
hereby order and direct that the said quadriennial meeting of 
the Sovereign Sanctuary for the Continent of America, be held 
at the city of Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of 
Michigan, and you are hereby summoned to be and appear 
(either in person or by proxy) at Castle Hall, in the city of 
Detroit, on Monday, the 15th day of June next, at 12 M , for 
the purpose of choosing officers for the ensuing term, and the 
transaction of sucb other iSusiness as may lawfully come before 
the said grand body. Hereof fail not, under a penalty of a 
violation of your obligation. 

Done in our Sanctuary, where abide peace, tolerance, truth 
and the fullness of all that is good, this sixth day of the Egyp- 
tian month Athir answeriuii to the sixth day of May, A. L 
5874, Vulgar Era, 1874. 

Witness our hand and the se^ of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
[l. s.] at the Valley of Jackson, this sixth day of May, Vul- 
gar, or Christian Era, A. D 1874. 

CALVIN C, BURT, 96^ 
Grand Master E. -. M.\ of R . M. '. 
THOMAS W. BLAYNEY, 95°, 

Grand Secretary. 



State of Michigan, City of Detroit, Castle 1 
Hall, June 15, A. L. 5874, A. D. 1874 J 

At High 12 the Sovereign Sanctuary for the Con- 
tinent of America, was hj M, W. Bro, Calvin C. 



59 

Burfc. 96", opened in ample form, with a constitutional 
number of brethren present who had been convened 
bj virtue of the foregoing summons, and the following 
summary of proceedings agreed upon for publication, 
viz: 

A committee on credendials was by him appointed, 
such consisting of Brothers J. L. Holmes, 95*, H. J. 
Blanchard, 95**, J. L. Mitchell, 95°, and labor was sus- 
pended till 2 p. m., at which hour the grand body re- 
sumed its labors. The Grand Master delivered his 
quadriennial address, and read his report of official 
decisions, proceedings and edicts, and dispensations 
granted, and a full report of the financial condition 
of the Order, which was placed on file, together with 
the new constitution, which was there for the first 
time, read for information. 

On motion of Bro. Prentiss, ordered that 5,000 
copies of the same be printed under the direction of 
the Grand Master, and a sufficient sum drawn from 
the Treasurer to pay therefor. 

Electing officers was then declared in order, 
Brothers Benjamin Porter, 95°, and T. V. Davey, 95°, 
acting as tellers. The ballot was spread and the fol- 
fowing officers were duly electedfor the next fouryears, 
or until June, A. L. 5878, viz : 

Giand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Michigan. 
Deputy Grand Master, Abram T. Metcalf, 96'', Mich- 
igan ; Grand Representative, John L. Mitchell, 95°, 
Michigan ; Grand Orator, Reuben Cleavland, 95**, 
Illinois ; Grand Prelate, George S. Fancher, 95°, New 
York ; Grand Senior Warden, Benjamin Porter, 95°, 
Michigan; Grand Junior Warden, Harry G. Blanch- 
ard, 95 , Michigan ; Grand Secretary, Fred C. Losey 
95**, Kentucky ; Grand Deputy Secretary, Thomas 
W. Blaney, 95**, Illinois; Grand Treeisurer, James L. 



60 

Holmes, 95°, Michigan ; Grand Conductor, J. Mabbett 
Brown, 95°, Illinois ; Grand Senior M. of C, Brouse 
T. Prentiss, 95°, Michigan ; Grand Junior M. of C, 
Oscar M. Barrett 95°, Illinois ; Grand Captain of 
Guard, Lucius Fairchild, 95°, Wisconsin ; Grand 
Marshal, James A. Dyer, 95°, Michigan ; Grand 
Guard of Tower, Edward Lee, 95°, Mississippi ; 
Grand Sentinel, Edward W. Roberts, 95°, California ; 

Who after being duly installed by the Grand 
Master, took their stations, and business of a private 
character was then taken up and disposed of 

Bro. B. T. Prentiss, 95°, offered the usual resolu- 
tion that the next regular meeting of the grand body 
meet at such place as may be designated by the 
Grand Master, and for the best interest of all the 
grand officers, and the fraternity at large, which 
was unanimously adopted, and the Grand Master re- 
quested to give at least twenty days notice of the 
time and place of said Grand Meeting. 

Appealed cases were then disposed of, and other 
routine private business. 

The Grand Master was requested to take charge of 
all property belonging to the grand body, and cause 
the same, together with all jewels, rituals, books, 
papers and clothing belonging to the grand body, 
and have the same fully insured, in his own name, 
for the benefit of the grand body, and draw his 
order on the Treasurer for the amount ; also that the 
'Great Seal destroyed by the Chicago fire be replaced 
at the expense of this grand body, and that the 
Secretary furnish the Grand Master with a brief 
sketch of their proceedings, (or such as may be made 
public,) and that 5,000 copies be printed for general 
circulation, under the supervision and direction of 
the Grand Master, 



61 

Whereupon, the grand body closed in love, peace 
and harmony, sine die. 

In testimony whereof, we have made this certifi- 
cate ; done in our Sanctuary, where abide [)eace, 
tolerance, truth, and the fullness of all that is good, 
this day of the Egyptian month Pachon, answering 
to the sixth day of the month of Noveniber, A. L., 
5(S77, Vulgar Era 1877. 
By the Grand Master, 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96^ 
Witness our hand and the seal of the Sovereign 
[l. s.] Sanctuary, at the valley of Chicago, this day 
of November, Vulgar, or Christian Era, 1877. 
FRED C. LOSEY, 95^ Louisville, Ky. 
Grand Secretary, E:. M.\ R: of M:. 
By Thomas W. Blaney, 95°, Chicago, 111. 

Grand Secretary, pro te^n. 

[From the close of this grand meeting till the Convention of 
1878 the proceedings of which follow the report, thirty-two 
( "hapters were formed in the State of Michigan, hesidf s a large 
number in other States.] — Author. 



FIFTH MEETING, JUNE 2^, 1878, QUINCY, 

On the 6th day of May, A. L. 5878, the following 
summons was issued to the officers and members of 

the Rite, Sharon Chapter No. , having proposed 

to take care of the members and represent the first 
eighteen degrees of the Rite, and exemplify them 
before the grand body : 
Illustriovs Brother and Dear Sir : 

Whereas, At the Annual Meetimi of the Sovereign Sanctu- 
ary for the ( ontinent of America, held in Jackson, on the 27th 
day of June A. D. 1871, a resolution was adopted to authorize 
the Grand Master to convene the grand body hereafter at such 
place as, in his discretion and in force of circumstances, should 
direct; and 



62 

Whbheas, By an amendment of Article 4, Section 10, of the 
Constitution of this Order, passed at the Annual Meeting of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, June , 1871, it was directed that the meet 
ings of this Body should be thereafter held quadriennially, on 
or near the third Monday in June, in each year at such place f s 
the Grand Master should deem for the best interest of the craft, 
and direct; 

Therefore, Be it known, that I, Calvin C. Burt, 96*^, Grand 
Master, by virtue of the power and authority m me vested, do 
hereby order and direct that the said quadriennial meeting ( f the 
Sovereign Sanctuary for the Continent of America, be held at 
the city of Quincy, in the county of Branch, and l^tate of 
Michigan and you are hereby summoned to be and appear 
(either in person or by proxy,) at Masonic Hall, in the city of 
Quincy, on Monday, the 24th day of June next, at 12 M., Jor 
the purpose of choosing officers for the ensuing term, and the 
transaction of such other business as may lawfully come before 
the said grand body. Hereof fail not, under penalty of a 
violation of your obligation 

Done in our Sanctuary, where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 
and the fullness of all that is good, this sixth day of the Egyp- 
tian month Athir, answering to the sixth day of the month of 
May, A. L. 5878, Vulgar Era, 1878. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sovereign Sanctuary, at 
[l. s ] ihe Valley of Jackson, this Sixth day of May, Vulgar, or 
Christian Era, 1878 

CALVIN (\ BURT, 96^\ 
Gi^and Master E. '. M. . of R. ■. M.\ 
Attest : THOM \S W. BL.WNEY, 95°. 
Grand Secretary. 



QUADRIENNIAL MEETING OF 1878. 

Masonic Hall, Quincy, Mich., 
June 24,1878. 

The Sovereign Sanctuary for the civilized Cosmos, 
assembled at Quincy, at high 12, on the 24th day of 
June, 1878. pursuant to the order of the M. W. 
Giand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96^ by^ summons of 
more than twenty days notice, as is provided for by 
Article 1, Sec. 3, of our Constitution, 



63 

The Sovereign Sanctuary was then opened in 
ample form, by M. W. Grand Master Calvin C. Burt, 
96°. there being a constitutional number of officers 
and brethren present, viz: M. W. Grand Master, 
Calvin C. Burt, 96° , R W. C. W. Straight, 95°, 
Grand Representative, ad interim, to fill the place of 
Past R. VV. Grand Representative, John L. Mitchell, 
95«, suspended. R. W. Bro. C. V. R. Pond, 95», R. 
W. Bro. F. E. Marsh, 95^ R. W. Bio. H. D. Pessell 
95°, Representatives of Sharon Rose-Croix Chapter, 
No. 36, Quincy, Mich. ; R. W. Bro. B. F. Dawson, 
95°, R. W. Bro. H. Freygang, 95«, R. W. Bro. Lewis 
D. Jones, 95°, Representatives of Angola Chapter 
No. 4-1, Angola, Ind. 

Prayer was offered by R. W. Bro. C. V. R. Pond, 

95*^, actincr, Grand Prelate, after which Bro. Pond 

offered the following i-esolution, viz : 

Resolved, That all 90° members of the E M. R of M. in at- 
tendance, and in good standing, be admitted to and made 
members of the Sovereign Sanctuary hy affiliation. 

The resolution was adopted and they were so ad- 
mitted : R. W. Brothers Dan W. Sawyer, H. D. 
Young, H. Lounsburg, W. J. Wilbur, R. W. Berry, 
C. S. Skinner, J. W. Mason, J. C. Bennett, of 
Quincy, J. F. Hicks, of Tecumseb, John Peters and 
Alonzo Powers, of Angola Chapter No. 1, Angola, 
Ind., A. Wilson, D. W. Young, G. W. Delts ani Wm. 
Lennox, of Quincy, David Woodward, of Clinton, 
Mich., H. H. Hunt, E. S. Throop, L. Higgins, N. C. 
Skiimer, Rev. R. D. Clark. 

F. H. Skinner, of Quincy, was invested with 95°, 
and admitted. 

A motion was then made to affiliate the above 
named brothers, which motion prevailed. 



64 

The M. W. Grand Master then appointed as a 
Committee on Credentials, R. W. Bros. Pond, Marsh 
and Pessell. 

The M. W. Grand Master then declared labor sus- 
pended until three o'clock P. M. 

3 O'clock p. m., June 24th, 1878. 

Labor was resumed by order of the M. W. Grand 
Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, and the aforesaid broth- 
ers being present. The Committee on Credentials then 
submitted their report, which, on motion, was re- 
ceived, viz : 

To the Sovereign Sanctuary of the E. M. R. of M., 
sitting in the valley of Quincy, June 2Jfth, 1878 : 

Your Committee on Credentials beg leave to report 
as follows : We find the following in person in due 
form, vouched tor by the M. W. Grand Master, Cal- 
vin C. Burt, 96^ H. G. Blanchard, 95^ M. W., De- 
troit, Mich., 3 votes; B. T. Prentiss, 95°, M. W., De- 
troit, Mich., 3 votes ; B. H. Porter, 96°, M. W., Sterl- 
ing, 111., 3 votes; G. S. Fancher, 95°, Grand Prelate 
Sovereign Sanctuary, New York City, 1 vote : W. W. 
Likins, 95^ M. W., Placerville, CaL, 3 votes ; Charles 
S. Hemstead, 95°, M. W., Janesville, Wis., 3 votes ; 
J. C. Wood, 95°, P. G. Prelate of Sovereign Sanctu- 
ary, Jackson, Mich., 3 votes; P. R Dow, 95°, S. W., 
Janesville, Wis., 3 votes ; W. H. Gains, 95°, M. W., 
Painesville, Ohio, 3 votes; J. M. Brown, 95°, P. G.R., 
Chicago, III, 1 vote ; Reuben Cleveland, 95°, S. G. 
Commaadery M. W., Chicago, 111., 6 votes; G. W. 
Esterly, 95°, M. W., Whitewater, Wis., 3 votes; C. 
Lee, 95°, D. G. R., Holly Springs, Miss., 1 vote and 
some sixty other 95° members, 



65 

Letters are, in the estimation of this Committee, 
sufficient to warrant the reporting of the proxies as 
entitled to 6 votes. 

Your Committee also report the following repre- 
sentative delegates entitled to seats : C. V, R. Pond, 
95^ M. W., of Sharon Chapter, No. 36,Quincy, Mich. ; 
F. E. Marsh, 95°, S. W., of Sharon Chapter, No. 36, 
Quincy, Mich. ; H. D. Pessell, 95«, J. W., of Sharon 
Chapter, No. 36, Quincy, Mich.; B. F. Dawson, 95**, 
M. W., Angola Chapter, No. 1, Angola, Ind. ; H. 
Freygang, 95°, S. W., Angola Chapter, No. 1, Angola, 
Ind. ; L. D. Jones, 95°, J. W., Angola Chapter, No. 
1, Angola, Ind., and entitled to 1 vote each. 

The report was adopted. 

A resolution was offered by the R. W. Grand Sec- 
retary, Dan W. Sawyer, as follows : 

Whereas, The times are hard and money scarce, and we desire 
good men more than money, and Chapters are formed slowly, 
and w^ith great labor ; therefore 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this grand body, the charge 
of $200 to the bodies organizing Chapters for rituals and charters 
should not be enforced, and notice is hereby given of our inten- 
tion to change the law on that subject and for the purpose of 
forming more Chapters, before the adjourned meeting or the 
next regular meeting of this grand body, such charge shall be 
remitted to the Crand Master. This resolution to take effect 
from the date of the last meeting of this grand body, June 27, 
1874. 

The above resolution, after due consideration and 
discussion, was adopted.; after which the Quadrien- 
nial Address of the M, W. Grand Master was de- 
livered, preceded by a grand and glorious general 
history of the E.\ M.*. R.'. of M."., and on conclusion, 
the Grand Master appointed as a committee on 
division and reference of the address, with power to 
ap])oint sub-committees, Rt. W. Brothers Pond, 
Straight and Pessell. 



66 

A motion in writing by Rt. W. Bro. Hicks, that 
the M. W. Grand Master appoint a committee to in- 
vestigate the charges, &c., against certain members 
named, prevailed, and the M. W. Grand Master ap- 
pointed as such committee, R. W. Bros. R. W. Berry, 

B. F. Dawson and H. D. Pessell. 

The committee on sub-division of the M. W. Grand 
Master's address, reported as follows : 

Committee on Legislation : 

R. W. Brothers Dawson, Pessell and Straight. 
Comw^ittee on Constitution ; 

R. W. Brothers Jones, Lownsberry and Wilson. 
Committee on Grievances: 

R. W. Brothers Freygang, Marsh and C. D. Skinner. 

The M. W. Grand Master then called the Sovereign 
Sanctuary from labor, to refreshment, until 9 o'clock 
A. M. Tuesday, June 25th, 1878. 

Rt. W. Bro. DAN W. SAWYER, 95^ 

Grand Secretary. 

Masonic Hall, Quincy, Mich., 
June 24, 1878. 

The Sovereign Sanctuary of the civilized Cosmos 
assembled at Quincy, at 9 o'clock A. M., June 25th, 
1878, pursuant to suspension of labor, the M. W. 
Grand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, in the chair, to- 
gether with all the before-mentioned officers and 
members. 

The Sanctuary was opened, called to labor in am- 
ple form by the M. W. Grand Master Calvin 

C. Burt, 96°, and was then suspended from labor 
in the 95°, for the purpose of witnessing the opening 
of a Chapter in due form, and the exemplification of 
the work of 18°, by Sharon Rose-Croix Chapter, No, 



67 

36. Pursuant to notice, Sharon Rose-Croix Chapter, 
No. 36, E.-. M.-. R.-. of M.-. sittino- in the valley of 
Quincy, Mich., was opened in Ancient and Primitive 
form, on the 18°, in the presence of the grand body. 

There were present besides the officers and mem- 
bers of the Sovereign Sanctuary, the Chapter officers, 
to-wit: The Most Wise, Resp. Knight C. V. R. 
Pond ; Senior Warden, Resp. Knight F. E. Marsh ; 
Junior Warden, Resp. Knight H. D. Pessell ; Orator, 
Resp. Knight R. W. Berry; Archivist, Resp. Knight 
Dan W. Sawyer ; as Conductor, Resp. Knight W. 
J. Wilbur; Treasurer, Resp. Knight H. Lownsberry; 
Capt. of Guard, Resp. Knight C. D. Skinner ; Guard 
of Tower, Resp. Knight J. N. Salisbury; as Sentinel 
Sir Knight J. W. Mason ; and Resp. Knights D. W. 
Young, A. Wilson and J. C. Bennett, of Sharon No. 
36, Qnincy. Visiting Resp. Knights B. F. Dawson, 
H. Fre3^gang, L. D. Jones, John Peters, and Alonzo 
Powers, of Angola, Indiana, and J. F. Hicks, of Te- 
cumseh, Michigan. 

The Most Wise, R. Kt. C. V. R. Pond declared 
Sharon Chapter open. The reading of the Graven 
Tablets was dispensed wdth. The M. W. then de- 
clared the Chapter labor of the 18° suspended, and 
opened it on the 4?** or Discreet Master for labor. 

Brother Powers, of Angola, Ind., consented to serve 
as the Neophite for the purpose of exemplifying the 
work ; which being done, the Chapter was declared 
closed on the 4° and opened on the 5°, when the 
5** was duly communicated. The Chapter was then 
called from labor on the 5° and duly opened on the 
6°. The 6° was then conferred upon Brother Powers 
in ancient form. The Chapter was then declared 
closed till the further order of the Grand Master, 
and they retired. 



.68 

The Sovereign Sanctuary resumed labor by order 
of the M. W. Grand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96^ on 
the 95°. 

On motion of Brother C. W. Straight, it was resolved 
that the quadriennial election of officers of this grand 
body take place in this hall at 4 P. M., to-day. 

A motion was made to appoint a committee of 
three to propose the names of persons for officers, to 
be elected at this sitting of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
to the offices of the Sovereign Sanctuary for the 
coming four years which prevailed, and Brothers 
Pond, Strait and Hicks, were appointed such com- 
mittee where labor was suspended by the M. W. 
Grand Master, until 2| o'clock p. M. 

Rt. W. Bro. DAN W. SAWYER, 

Acting Grand Secretary. 

2J O'clock p. m. 

Labor was resumed by order of the M. W. Grand 
Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, aforesaid officers and 
brethren being present. 

The Committee on Constitution reported on the 
proposed amendment to Art. 1, Sec. 2, of the present 
Constitution, on notice given at the meeting of 1874, 
as follows : 

That the office of Grand Representative be and 
the said office is hereby abolished, and in place 
thereof, there shall be, by the M. W. Grand Master, 
appointed one or moi-e Deputy Grand Representa- 
tives, brothers who, when commissioned by and 
under his hand and seal, shall have power to confer 
degrees and make Masons for the purpose of forming 
Chapters, Senates and Councils, within the State or 
Territory for which they may be appointed, to con- 
tinue during his will and pleasure, that the Grand 



. 69 

Representatives shall, on demand, deliver over to the 
present acting Deputy Grand Representative, R. W. 
Bro. C. W. Strait, 18°, the seal, books, papers and all 
properties pertaining to his office of Grand Repre- 
sentative. 

Resolved, That this amendment to the Constitu- 
tion take immediate effect. 

L. D. Jones, 
(Signed,) H. Lownsberry, 

W. J. Wilbur. 

Resolutions Adopted. 

The Committee on Jurisdiction reported as follows : 

The geographical jurisdiction of a Rose Croix 
Chapter shall extend to a line at equal distance from 
the next nearest Chapter. A Chapter may be formed 
at any place where the constitutional number may 
request it, or Grand Master direct. There shall be at 
least five or more Chapters in a State before a Senate 
can be formed. 

The constitutional number required to form a 
Chapter shall be twenty (20) or more Master Masons 
in good standing. 

The constitutional number required to form a Sen- 
ate shall be twenty (20) or more Rose Croix Masons, 
in good standing, provided the Grand Master may 
issue a dispensation or charter for a body to a less 
number for a Chapter, Senate or Council, at his 
pleasure. 

There shall be formed in each State, not less than 
fifty (50) Rose-Croix Chapters before a Council can 
be formed, unless by dispensation the Grand Master 
otherwise direct. 

The Grand Master may issue charters to Chapter»or 
Senates or Councils, for such number as he shall see 



70 

fit, during the adjournment of this Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary, and the grand officers shall sign charters in 
blank for that purpose, when he shall request it^. 
either at the session or during its vacation. 

B. F. Dawson, ) 

C. W. Straight, v Committee. 
H. D. Bessell, ) 

Report adopted by sections. 

The hour for the quadriennial election of officers 
having arrived, the Committee submitted the follow- 
ing list of officers, who were each unanimously 
elected to the offices, as follows : 

First ballot for Deputy Grand Master. Whole 
number cast was one hundred and seventy, of which 
Bro. William Brown, ot Battle Creek, Mich., received 
ninety, and Bro. H. D. Bessell, of Quincy, Mich,, 
received one, twenty- eight scattering. 

First ballot for Grand Senior Warden. Whole 
number of votes cast one hundred and seventy, Bro. 
B. F. Dawson, of Angola, Ind., having received them 
all, was declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Junior Warden. Whole 
number cast one hundred and seventy, and Bro. 
David Woodward, of Clinton, having received them 
all, was declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Orator. Whole number 
cast one hundred and seventy, and Bro. J. M. Brown, 
of Chicago, having received them all, was declared 
unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Prelate. Whole number 
cast one hundred and seventy, and Bro. George S. 
Francher, • of New York, having received them all, 
was declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Secretary. Whole number 
cast was one hundred and eighteen, and Bro. F. E. 



71 

Marsh, M. D.,of Quincy, Mich., having received them 
all, was declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Treasurer. Whole number 
cast one hundred and eighteen, and Bro. H. D. Bes- 
sell, of Quincy, Mich., having received them all, was 
declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Conductor. Whole num- 
ber cast was one hundred and fourteen, Bro. H. 
Freygang received one hundred and thirteen and 
Bro. C. V. R. Pond, received one, and on motion, 
Bro. H. Freygang, of Angola, Ind., was declared 
unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Captain of the Guard. 
Whole number cast was one hundred and ten, and 
Bro. James C. Wood, of Jackson, Mich., having re- 
ceived them all, was declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Guard of the Tower. 
Whole number cast was ninety-eight, and Bro. 
Charles S. Hemstead, having received them all, was 
declared unanimously elected. 

First ballot for Grand Sentinel. Whole number 
cast was one hundred and nineteen, and Bro. W. W. 
Lickens, of Placer ville, California, having received 
them all, was declared unanimously elected. 

The officers present were then duly installed and 
took their stations. 

The M. W. Grand Master then declared the labor 
of the Sovereign Sanctuary suspended, until 9 o'clock 
A. M., Wednesday, June 26th, 1878. 

DAN W. SAWYER, 

Grand Secretary. 

In the presence of the grand body, in the Sanc- 
tuary rooms, were then convened Sharon Chapter, 
No. 36. Bro. C. V. R. Pond, then took the Chair and 



72 

opened the Chapter in ancient and primitive form, 
for the purpose of exemplifying the work of the 
Chapter degrees. 

The Chapter was called from labor on the 18** and 
opened in due form on the 13** or Royal Arch degree. 
The officers being in their proper chairs, and there 
being present also Bros. H. H. Hunt, H. D. Young, J. C. 
Bennett, F. H. Skinner, N. C. Skinner, William Len- 
nox, A. Wilson, and D. W. Young, of Sharon, No. 36. 
Visiting brothers in attendance were R. W. Brothers, 
B. F. Dawson, H. Freygang, L. D. Jones and John 
Peters, of Angola, Ind., J. F. Hicks, of Tecumseh, 
Mich., and David Woodward, of Clinton, Mich. 

The reading of the Graven Tablets was dispensed 
with. Bro. Lewis Higgins, a Master in Geometry, 
together with Bros. B. D. Clark, and Rt. W. Bro. 
John Peters, who were in waiting, after being duly 
prepared were received into the Chapter, and exalted 
as Knights of the Royal Arch in ancient form. 

Bro. Higgins retired and was prepared to receive 
the 14**, or Knight of the Secret Vault, which, being 
completed, he retired and was prepared to receive 
the 15** or Knight of the Flaming Sword. That 
being finished, he was ready to receive the 16** or 
Knight of Jerusalem. Which being done. Sir 
Knight Higgins retired and was prepared to receive 
the 17** or Knight of the Orient. Sir Knight Hig- 
gins thereupon retired to be prepared for receiving 
the 18** or Knight of the Rose Croix, all of which 
were conferred in ancient and primitive form. 

The Graven Tablets of the evening were read for 
approval. The " poor box" was passed for the benefit 
of the good of the order, and no further business 
appearing in the Chapter degrees, it was called 



73 

from labor until Tuesday eveniug, July 2d, 1878, at 
7 J o'clock, p. M. 

Rt. W. Bro. Dan W. Sawyer, Archivist, 

Sharon Chapter, No. SO- 

Wednesday, A. M., June 26, 1878. 

The Sovereign Sanctuary was declared open, and 
labor resumed by the M. W. Grand Master Calvin C. 
Burt, 00°, the aforesaid officers and brethren being 
l)rescnt. The subject of uniforms for Knights of the 
Rose-Croix was called up and properly discussed, 
and a motion that a Committee of three be ap- 
pointed for the purpose or determining what otlier 
if any regalia shall constitute the regalia or cloth- 
ing of a Rose Croix-Chapter, members or officers, 
an«i also to confer with some responsible manufac- 
turers to ascertain at what price it can be procured, 
and who can be relied upon to make proper work 
and that said committee report at the next meeting 
of this Sovereign Sanctuary, the result of their in- 
vestigation. Motion prevailed. 

A motion to adopt a resolution ot R. W. Bro. C. 
V. R. Pond, that the committee on charges against 
Bros. Porter, Mitchell and Finch, be granted further 
time and be permitted to report at an adjourned ses- 
sion of the Sovereign Sanctuary, and that two more 
brothers be added to said Committee on Grievances, 
as follows ; Bros. James C. Wood, of Michigan, and 
H. Freygang, of Indiana, was adopted. 

Motion by Bro. C. W. Straight, that a committee 
of three be appointed to examine the Constitution 
and the proceedings of the Sovereign Sanctuary, held 
at Detroit, Michigan, in 1871;, to ascertain if there 
be anything thereiu making it necessary to meet in 
Jackson, or anything pertaining thereto, was adopted. 



74 

The committee so appointed, were R. W. Brothers 
Pond. Pessell and Hicks. 

The Committee appointed on uniforms, fcc, were 
H. W. Brothers Freygang, Pond and Woodward. 

The committee to examine Constitution, &c., re- 
ported as follows : 

Your Committee, to whom was referred the subject of the 
legality of the call of the Grand Master for this quadriennial 
meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary, at Quincy, Mich., June 
24th, 1878, would respecfully report, that they find in the book 
of records, printed proceedings of a meeting held in Detroit, 
June, 1874, in which appears a resolution, offered by Brother 
B. T. Prentiss, conferring full power upon the Grand Master, 
to call the grand body where he shall see fit. 

C. y. R. Pond, ) 
(Signed,) J. F. Hicks, J- Committee. 

H. D. Pessell. ) 

The report was accepted, and committee dis- 
charged. 

The following resolution was offered by Brother 

Dawson, of Indiana : 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Sovereign Sanctuary be 
given to the M. W. Grand Master. Calvin C. Burt, 96*, and to 
R. W. Brothers Dan W. Sawyer, Grand Secretary, for dili- 
gent labor and work, and the members of Sharon Rose Croix 
Chapter, No. 36, for the kindness and the trouble they have 
taken to make our stay pleasant and agreeable while here. 

The resolution was unanimously adopted. 

The following notice of amendment to Constitu- 
tion to be proposed hereafter, was offered by R. W. 
Brother C. V. R. Pond, 95^ 

Eesolved, That the Constitution be so amended as to make the 
office of Grand Master of the Sovereign Sanctuary an elective 
office, after the death of the present Grand Master, Calvin C. 
Burt, 96*^. This amendment to be acted upon and to go into 
effect when it can do so constitutionally. 

Also another motion by Grand Rep. Bro. C. W. 
Straight. 



75 

Resolved, That Section 3 of the Constitution of this grand 
body be amended by striking out the word " quadriennially " 
and substituting the word " annually." 

The M. W. Grand Master, after prayer by the act- 
ing Grand Prelate, Bro, C. V. R. Pond, declared labor 
suspended, to be resumed asj^ain at Jackson, Mich., 
Tuesday, November 12th, 1878, at 10 o'clock a.m., 
whereujx^n the grand body closed in peace and har- 
mony. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 90^ 
Grand Master ad vitem. 
Dan W. Sawyer, 

Deputy Grand Secretary. 

On the 12th day of November, A. D. 1878, pur- 
suant to the action of the grand body, and a notice 
from the Grand Master, labor was resumed ; there 
being present M. W. Grand Master C. C. Burt, 96^ ; 
R. VV. William Brown, 95J, Deputy Grand Master ; 
R. W. Benjamin F. Dawson, 95**, Grand Senior 
Warden ; R. W. David Woodward, 95^, Grand Junior 
Warden; R. W. James C. Wood, 95^, Grand Captain 
of the Guard ; R. W. Bro. C. W. Straight, 95«, Deputy 
Grand Representative for Southern Michigan ; R. W. 
Bro. F. B. Smith, 95'', Grand Deputy Representative 
for Northern Michigan ; R. W. L. D. Jones, 95°, 
Deputy Grand Representative for Indiana ; R. W. 
Bro. B. F. Dawson, 90^ Most Wise of Angola Chap- 
ter, No. 1, of Angola, Ind., and R. W. Bro. L. D. 
Jones, 95**, Senior Warden of Angola Chapter, No. 
1, of Angola, Ind. ; R. W. Bro. N. B. Smith, 95°, 
Most Wise of Owasso Chapter, No. 47, of Michigan ; 
R. W. Bro. William Brown, Most Wise, of Athir 
Chapter, No. 27, of Battle Creek, and the proxies of 
twenty-seven Chapters of Rose-Croix, and other 95°, 
Masons ; also the following representatives in 



76 

Sovereign Sanetaary, in person or proxy, viz : No. 5, 
Shemenoth Chapter, Chicago ; No. 8, Karnack, 
Beloit, Wisconsin ; No. 4, Oriental, Janesville, Wis- 
consin ; No. 6, Shemenoth, Detroit, Michigan ; No. 8, 
Pyramid, Madison, Wisconsin ; No. 1, Osiris Senate, 
Illinois; No. 64, Athir Chapter, Battle Creek, Michi- 
gan; No. 3, Isis Senate, Madison, Wisconsin; No,. 
32, Osiris Chapter, East Saginaw, Michigan ; No. 21, 
Lake Chapter, Painesville, Ohio; No. 13, Delta 
Chapter, Detroit, Michigan ; No. 86, Sharon, Quincy, 
Michigan ; No. 4, Theber Senate, Janesville, Wiscon- 
sin ; No. 1, Hippocrates, Mineral Point, Wisconsin ; 
Howell, Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; Manchester, Chap- 
ter, U. D. Michigan ; Ionia Chapter, U. D. M ichigan ; 
Lyons Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; Tecumseh Chapter, 
TJ. D. Michigan ; Lansing Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; 
Lowell Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; White Water, U. D. 
Wisconsin ; Ann Arbor Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; 
Grand Ledge Chapter, U. D. Michigan ; Homer Chap- 
ter, U. D. Michigan ; Adrian Chapter, U. D. Mich- 
igan ; Phoenix Chapter, U. D. Painesville, Ohio, 

The following Senates and Chapters were repre- 
sented in the Sovereign Sanctuary, after roll call, 
viz : 

Senates — Mitzian, Michigan ; Hermes, Michigan ; 
Theber, Michigan; Cheope, Michigan; Osinia, Illi- 
nois ; Emanuel, Chicago ; Isis, Wisconsin ; Plato, 
Michigan, 

Chapters — Shemenoth, Illinois ; Alexandria, Illi- 
nois ; Hippocrates, Wisconsin; Romae, Wisconsin; 
Oriental, Wisconsin ; Shemenoth, Michigan , Cove- 
nant, Michigan ; Pyramid, Wisconsin ; Velta, Mich- 
igan ; Oriental, Michigan ; Phoenix, Michigan ; Cen- 
tral, Michigan ; Athir, Michigan. 



77 

The Sovereign Sanctuary was opened in ample 
form . 

On motion of C. W. Straight, ordered that all 
visiting brethren of the 90** be admitted as members 
of the grand body, and that the fee therefor be re- 
mitted. 

. Labor was then suspended in tlie grand body till 
2 o'clock p. M. 

At 2 o'clock p. M., Nov. 12th, labor was then re- 
sumed, there being present : M. W. Grand Master 
Calvin C. Bnrt,96^ R. W. Bro. Wm. Brown, 95^ R. 
W. Bro. B. F. Dawson, 95**, Grand Senior Warden ; 
R. W. Bro. David Woodward, 95°, Grand Junior 
Warden ; R. W. Bro. James C. Wood, 95^ Grand 
Captain of the Guard ; R. W. Bro. F. B. Smith, 
Most Wise of Owasso Chapter, No. 47, together with 
other members and visiting brethren, being a con- 
stitutional number of brethren and officers. 

Brothers Seymour D. Gilbert, 90°; Sanford Hunt, 
90°; Matt D. Blosser, 90°; Arthur Case, 90°; David 
Shepard, 90° ; M. W. Riker, 90° ; Isaac F. Crissman, 
90°, were duly admitted as members of the grand 
body, and received each the 95°. 

On motion of Bro. C. W. Straight, 95°, it was 
ordered that each delegate and representative attend- 
ing the session, be furnished with a certificate by 
the grand body, through the Gi'and Secretary, of 
such attendance, and the grand body recommended 
that each Rose-Croix Chapter, pay the reasonable 
expenses of such attendance. 

M. W. Grand Master then called attention of the 
grand body to the following communication, which 
was read and submitted and placed on file ; where- 
upon R. W, Bro. C. W. Straight, reported as follows : 
That he had called upon Bro. John L. Mitchell, 95°, 



78 

late Grand Representative, and demanded of said 
Mitchell the seal, records, &c., which said John L. 
Mitchell refused to deliver up or to return to the 
grand body. 

On motion of Bro. C. W. Straight, 95°, Bro. Sand- 
ford Hunt, 95°, was elected Deputy Grand Secretary. 

The body being officially notified that Bro. M. W. 
Liking, 95°, of California, was an expelled Mason, 
the office to which he was elected (Grand Sentinel,) 
was then declared vacant, and the Grand Secretary 
requested to notify Bro. Liking accordi ngly , and Bro. 
Reuben Cleveland, 95°, of Chicago, III., was appointed 
Grand Sentinel, and Bro. Fidus Livermore, 95°, 
Grand Marshal. 

Labor was then suspended till Wednesday, 
November 13th, at 10 A. M. On Wednesday, Novem- 
ber 13th, 1878, 10 o'clock A. M, the Sovereign 
Sanctuary was opened in ample form, M. W. Bro. 
C. C. Burt, 96°, and the officers and members of yes- 
terday being present. Labor was then resumed, 
R. W. Bro. William Brown, 96°, acting as M. W. 
Grand Master. The Most Worshipful Gi'and Master, 
C. C. Burt, 96*^, then called for the report of a former 
committee on uniform and masonic clothing. There 
being only one member of said committee, R. W. 
Bro. D. Woodward, 95^, present, it was ordered that 
the whole subject of uniforms be left with the Grand 
Master to issue such edict as in his opinion would be 
most convenient and useful, and at the same time 
harmonize the equipment of officers so that the 
same uniform could be worn on all occasions in meet- 
ings of the Chapter, Senate, Council, and Sovereign 
Sanctuary, except when the official positions of 
officers in the Council are especially designated by 
jbhe Ritual. 



79 

The Grand Master then reported the formation of 
forty Rose-Croix Chapters since the last meeting of 
this body in June, of this year, and that there was 
installed and ready for installation in Michigan, 
fifty-eight Rose-Croix Chapters, and about 2,374^ 90^ 
Masons within the State of Michigan. 

The Grand Master also reported the following 
edict as to the clothing and emblems of the Rite, viz : 
That the letters on the segment or circle of the Rose- 
Croix jewel, be as follows : H. I. V. N. Y. R. H. 1., 
with name and date, on the obverse side engraved, 
also cross with I. N. R. I., a six-pointed star or inter- 
laced triangle be worn on cap or baldrick, and any 
of the jewels of the Rite at discretion ; that the 
ring for 90 and upward members be worn on third 
finger of the left hand, with three or more Deltas, 
All-Seeing Eye, Tripletaw, or T. on H., and number 
of degree taken, with full name inside and degree, 
and by edict ordered the same to be entered in the 
Journal, as the law on this subject. 

The Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the 
action of John L Mitchell, do^, and others, in reference to the 
organization of a clandestine Sovereign Sanctuary of E. M. 
Rite of Memphis, at the City of Jackson, Michigan, on the 24th 
day of June, A D. 1878,; have had the same uuder consideration, 
and submit the following report and accompanying resolutions : 

The committee find first that Grand Master Calvin C. Burt, 
96''. by virtue of the Constitution of the Order, called a Quad- 
riennial meeting of the Order to meet at Quincy, Michigan, 
June 34th, 1878. 

2d— That the said John L. Mitchell and three or four other 
members of the Sovereign Sanctuar}'-, after the meeting of the 
said Sovereign Sanctuary had been called at Quincy by the 
Grand Master, insisted that the said Quadriennial meeting should 
be held at Jackson instead of Quincy. 

3d — That because the said Grand Master would not change 
the call for the meeting, the said Mitchell, former Grand Repre- 
sentative, called a meeting to organize a Sovereign Sanctuary 



80 

of the E. M. Rite of Memphis, to be held at Jackson, June 24th, 
A. D. 1878. 

4th — That the said Mitchell had no power or authority in the 
Constitution to make such a call, or pretended organization. 

5th — That said Mitchell, and others, after being duly notified 
of the call at Quincy, did meet at Jackson, on said 24th day of 
June, and pretended to elect officers of the said pretended Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary, and did this without the knowledge or consent 
of many of those who were pretended to be elected to said 
offices. 

6th — That some of said officers, so pretended to be elected, 
were not qualified to hold them under the Constitution, not 
having taken the necessary degrees. 

7th — That a number of those so pretended to be elected re- 
pudiate their election and refuse to act with the said Mitchell, 
regarding the whole proceeding as clandestine. 

8tli — That officers were elected at the regular meeting of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary and have been duly installed. 

9th — That according to the Constitution and the oath of every 
member of the Order, the pretended organization of a Sovereign 
Sanctuary at Jackson, June 24th, 1878, is clearly clandestine. 

10th — That at the meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary at 
Quincy, a committee was appointed to call upon the said 
Mitchell and demand of him the seal of the Grand Representa- 
tive ; that said committee did call upon said Mitchell and de- 
mand said seal, and said Mitchell did refuse to deliver the same 
to said committee. 

Benjamin F. Dawson, ) 
William Brown, [ Committee. 

B. F Smith, ) 

Besolved, First, That the Sovereign Sanctuary pretended to 
be organized at Jackson, June 24, 1878, by the said John L. 
Mitchell and others, is a clandestine body. 

Besolved Second, That said Mitchell, by his refusal to deliver 
up to the Sovereign Sanctuary the seal of the office of Grand 
Representative, which he formerly held, and his proclaiming and 
insisting that the said pretended organization at Jackson, June 
24, 1878, is the valid and regular organization of said Order, 
has violated the Constitution of the Order and the obligations 
he took when he entered the Order. 

Besolved, Third, That the meeting at Quincy, June, 1878, was 
a legal and valid meeting, and that the action of the M. W. 



81 

Grand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 9G°, in suspending the said John 
L. Mitchell and others from the rights and privileges of this 
Sovereign Sanctuary, is fully endorsed. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Benjamin F. Dawson, ) 
William Brow:[, >■ Committee. 

B. F. Smith ) 

On motion, the report was received and adopted, and com- 
mittee discharged. 

A true copy of the report and resolutions adopted 
at the meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary, Nov. 

13th, A. D. 1878. 

SANFORD HUNT, 95°, 

Deputy Grand Secretary. 

On Motion of Bro. Straight, Bro. Sandford Hunt, 
who had kept the minutes of the body, was elected 
Deputy Grand Secretary. 

On like motion of Bro. Straight, the Secretary was 
directed to give to each (jf the Representatives of 
Chapters a certificate of attendance and mileage, 
with the request that such Chapter sending the Rep- 
resentative pay the same. 

On motion of Bro. L. D. Jones, 95°, ordered that 
the proceedings, or so much thereof as are of a pub- 
lic nature, be published in pamphlet form by the 
Grand Master, at the expense of this grand body. 

On like motion of Bro. B. F. Dawson, 95°, ordered 
that this Body call off to resume labor on the 24^th 
day of June, next, if the Grand Master so elect, and 
at such place as he shall deem for the best interests 
of the Order, and shall summon the craft thereto 
when so called, this quadriennial communication 
stands over until said 24th day of June, at 12 o'clock 
meridian. 

Attest : CALVIN C. BURT,96°, 
By Sanford Hunt, 95°, Grand Master. 

Deputy Grand Secretary. 

Nov. U, 1878. 



82 

Done in our Sanctuary, where abide Peace, Toler- 
ance, Truth, and the fullness of all that is good, this 
14th day of the Egyptian month Pachon, answering 
to the 14th day of the month of November, A. L. 
5878, Vulgar Era, 1878. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, at the Valley of Jackson, this 
[l. s.] Fourteenth day of November, Vulgar, or 
Christian Era, 1878. 

CALVIN S. BURT, 96«, 
Grand Master, E. M. R. of M. Ad vitem. 
Sandfoed Hunt, 95°, 

Deputy Grand Secretary. 



The history of the Ei^yptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis having grown out of the Old Rite, called 
the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis, I give 
first the abridged history of that rite viz., as follows, 
and which will be followed up with the history of the 
E. M. R. of Mem])his to the present time, and the 
following copies of charters and correspondence 
show how the Rite was instituted and propagated 
up to the break in the Rite, the expulsion of Sey- 
mour and the forming of a Sovereign Sanctuary in 
Chica^^o. — Author. 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

EGYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS, 

BEFORE CALLED 

ANCIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE, 

From its first organization in America down to the reduction of 
Degrees to 33 and the 96 Rite denounced by Seymour 
and the 33^ adopted and th9 9»i^ founded in 
Chicago, 1867. 



Jacques Etienue Marconis de Negre, in person, 
established the first organization of the Ancient and 
Primitive Rite New in York City, November 9, 1856, 
under the name and title of " A Supreme Council, 
Sublime Masters of the Great Work, Ninetieth De- 
gree," and appointed the following as the first officers : 
111. Bro. John Mitchell, 9oth Degree, Sublime Dai ; 
111. Bi'o. Samuel D. Wilson, 95th Degree, First 
Mystagogue ; 111. Bro. Wm. F. Dubois, 93d Degree, 
Second Mystagogue ; 111. Bro. el. Franklin Wells, 
94th Degree, Orator; 111. Bro. John Hanna, 94th 
Degree, Secretary ; III. Bro. John M. At wood, 95th 
Degree, Treasurer ; 111. Bro. David McLelland, 95th 
Degree, Archivist ; 111. Bro. George T. Dollinger, 94th 
Degree, Grand Expert; 111. Bro. Theophilus Pratt, 
95th Degree, M. of C. ; 111. Bro. Anthony Allaire, 
94th Degree, Messenger of Science ; 111. Bro. Josiah 
S. Gr indie, 94th Degree, Guardian of the Sanctuary. 

The following is a copy of the provisionary charter 
or warrant, entitling the Council to work the degrees 
to the Ninetieth Degree, inclusive ; 



85 

Copy of the Original Chauter, Ninetieth Degrbe. 
A La Gloirk, Du Sublime Architkcte des Mondes, 

An Norn Da Grand Ilicrophante, 
Salut Sur Tous Les Points Du Triangle. 

RESPECT A L'ORDRE. 

The Crand Mierophant, Sublime Master of the Light Sacred 
Depositary of the Traditions, Supreme Chief of the Order, 
Grand Elect of the Sacred Curtain, Sublime Commander of 
the Three Legions of the Knights of the Order, Member of the 
Alidee, decorated with the Grand Star of Sii-ius of Eleuisis, 
President of the Temple of Mysteries 97th and last degree, 
Honorary Grand Master of the Philosophical Persian Rite, one 
of the Grand Commanders and Inspectors of the Rite of 
Misraim Honorary Member of the Supreme Grand Council, 
and Sovereign Grand Consistory of the Ancient and Accepted 
Scotch Kite, Grand Dignitary of the Supreme Chapter of the 
Hoyal Arch, etc., etc., and the members composing the Celestial 
Empire of the Masonic Order of Memphis, 

Declar e regularly constituted the Supreme Council of the 
Sublime Master of the Great Work, sitting in the Valley of 
New York and let all know that this Council is authorized, 1st, 
to take the title of Supreme Council of the Masters of the 
Great Work 2d, to labor the 90th degree of our Antique and 
Venerated Rite. 3d, to fix the price of the monthly receptions, 
affiiations and cotisatious. 4th. to confer the aforesaid degree 
to each Mason who shall possess the qualities required from our 
Masonic laws. Let all know equally that this Supreme Coun- 
cil is exempt from all contribution against the Celestial Empire, 
and that the number of its members is unlimited The Sub- 
lime Dai is appointed for seven years, that he must comply 
with and obey the General Statutes and Rules, and let them be 
respected; that he must execute the labors as they are indicated 
in the rituals, and to establish conferences in order to make 
enjoy all the active members of the masonic and scientific in- 
struction of the 90th degree. The Sublime Dai is bound to 
deny the entrance of the Temple to any Brother not clothed 
with the Masonic costume of his degree ; to any Brother who 
should not present himself in a decent and convenient condi- 
tion ; to any not active Brother who should not be bearer of a 
title in due form. 



86 

The Very Illustrious and Very Enlightened Brother, John 
Mitchell being one of the principal founders of the aforesaid 
Council, the Grand Hierophant declares, after the advice of the 
Patriarchs, Chie'"s of the Order, that he shall keep the Presi- 
dency during seven consecutive years, and that he could be 
re-elected. 

In consequence of this we invite all the Masons who shall see 
the present writings to acknowledpje to the aforesaid Council the 
rights and prerogatives which are granted to it by our General 
btatutes, desiring it may enjoy of the plentitude of its attribu- 
tions. Given and approved in our Sanctuary where reposes the 
Venerated Arch, a place enlightened with a divine ray, where 
reigns peace, science, virtue, concord, union and the plentitude 
of all good. 

Valley of Paris, the 7th day of the 5th month of the real 
light, 000,000,000, 1856, (Er. Vul.) 

Enregistered on the Great The G. Hierophant S. M. of the 

Glod Book by us Grand L. S D. of the Traditions, Sup. 

Chancellor of the Order, Chief of the Order. [l. s.] 

Delaplana, 95° [l. s,] J Et Marconis de Negre, 97° 

G Arch Keeper of the Seals, (fol 354, 
No. 469.) 

Baron Othon de Braunecker, 95°. [l. s.] 
M. Letrillard, 95°. A. Veykaty. 95°, 

LaRMARTIN, 95°, MORISSAND, 95°, 

CocHOY, 95°, Gar AY, 95°, 

Roux, 95°, LiouLT, 95°, 

S. ROLLIN, 95°, MOREAU, 95°, 

Audibert, 95°, H. Voisembert, 95°, 

Deligne, 95°, Pre Villaret, 95°, 

H. Daugy, 95°, RuAux, 95°, 

Salarier, 95°, Daumas, 95°, 

MoRizoT, 95°, J. B Hanso de Villa, 95° 

CoRBisiER, 95°, Burnet, 95°, 
Merlanchon, 95°. 

Enregistered by us, G. Secretary, 
(fol. 347, No. 468,) 

B. Netter, 95°. [l. s.] 

March 1, 1857, 111. and En. Bro.Marconis de Nesfre 
organized a " Sovereign Grand Council General, 



87 

Ninety-fourth degree, with 111. Bro. David McLellan, 
Ninety-fifth degree, as Sovereign Grand Master." 
The following is a coi)y of the charter given into his 
hands : 

Copy or Charter of thb Ninety rouRTH Degeer. 

A La Gloire Du Sublime Architecte Des Mondes, 

Au Noni Du Gi'and llierophante, 

Sous les Auspices du G. '. Empire de I'Ordre Mac. '. de Memphis. 

A Tous LBS Macons repandus sur les deux Hemispherks. 

Salut, Amitie, Fi^aternite, 

A TOUTES LES LOGES A TOUS LES CHAPITRES, AREOPAGES, 

Scnats et Conseils travaillant notrc Kit Antique et Primitif. 
Union, Prospcnte, Caunige, Force, Tolerance. 

Nous G. Hierophante Sub. Maitre de la L. Chef. Sup. 
de rOrdre et membres composant le Sanctuaire des Patriarches 
Grand Conservateurs de I'Ordre. Declarons Constituer par les 
presentes uu Conseil Sup. du 94'^ Degre. Ce Souverain Grand 
Conscil General est autorise a travailler du i« au 94" Degre de 
rOrdre a la Vallee de New York sous la Presidence de Noire 
T. •. 111. •. et T. •. Gel •. F. . David McLellan I'Un des Pat. G. 
Conscrvateur de I'Ordre membre honoraire du G Empire, Prince 
de jSL, decore de la G. Etoile, de Sirius, de I'Alidee, de la toison 
d'or 95.'. D •. En consequence le Souverain Grand Conseil 
General, est autorise a fonder des Loges, Chapitres, Areopages, 
Senats et Conseils jusqu'au 90® Degre, en ce Conformant 
a I'article 29 titre 3 des Statuts genereaux de notre Rite antique 
et venere. 

Nous invitons prions et ordonnons a toutes nos Loges, Chap- 
itres, Areopages, Senats et Conseils, que ces presentes verront, 
de reconnaitre le sus dit Conseil en cette qualite, et d'accueiller 
favorablement tous les actes emanes de son sein, a moins qu'ils 
ne soient contraires, a nos lois sacrees, desirant que nos Atteliers, 
accordent un acceuil beinveillant a tous les ff. •, qui se presente- 
ront de leur part, avec un titre en bonne et due forme et qu'ils 
recoivent les honneurs dus a leurs qualites Maconniques nous 
entendons qu'il en soit de meme de ceux crees par le sus dit 
conseil 

Le rite Maconnique de Memphis, ayant inscrit la tolerance en 
tete de ses lois sacree, il ordonne a tous ses enfants de frater- 
piser avec les macons de tous les rits maconniques connus, et d(! 



88 

es admettre dans leiirs travaux. en consequence ce conseil ne 
pourra sous aucun pretexte enfreindre cette loi. 

Le Souverain Grand Council Greneral est autorise a faire un 
reglement particulier pour son administration intarieur, et a 
fixer le prix des initiations, augmentation de salaire, des Diplo- 
mes, Brefs, et Patentes. 

Considerant qu'en Vertu d'une decision speciale du G Hiero- 
phante Chef Sup. de I'Ordre declarant qu'il ya urgence, ce 
conseil supreme est et sera considere comme etant conseil repre- 
sentatif de I'Ordre pour les Etats Unis d'Amerique. 

Fait dans notre Sanctuaire ou repose I'arcbe Veneree des 
traditions, lieu eclaire d'un rayon divin ou regnent la paix, la 
Concorde, I'union la science, et la plenitude de tous les biens, 

Vallee de Paris, le 7^ J.-, du 10« m.'. de I'an de la V.'. L. •. 
000,000,000, 1857. (E. V.) 

Marconis de Negre, 97.'. 

G.-. H-'. Chef.-. Sup.-. [l. s.] 
Enreg. -. sur notre Grand Livre 

d'Or, fol. 215, No. 329, le 17^ 

J. -. du 10 -. mois teveth de I'an B. Netter, 95. -. 

de la V. -. L. -. 000,000,000, Gd. -. P. -. S. '. 

Delaplane, 95.-. [l. s.] 

Lambert, 95. '. Audibert, 95. . 

Gd -. Ch- D.-. L. . S.-. G.-. C..- 

Th. Levy, 95.-. Cordey, 95. -. 

G.-. Et -. D. . L -. P.-. Gr.-. C.-. 

Enreg. -. Par nous G. -. Chancelier 
de I'Ordre fol. 7, No. 35, Ad. de Pourderlet, 95. *. 

J. RouwEL, 95 •. [l. s.] 

Vu Par nous Grand Tresorier General 
de l-'Ordre, fol. 87, No. 120. 

E. Sampson, Jr., 95. . 

G.-. T.-. G.-. D.-. L .-. [l. s] 

H. F. Levy, 95. •. 
G. •. S. •. G. •. L. -. 

Declarons Par les Presentes constitues egalement 
le College Lythurgique et le Supreme Conseil 
de Radiation. 

Marconis de Negre, 97 *. 
C. Labrot. 95.-. G.-. H.-. Chef.-. Sup.\ 



89 

111. and En. Bro. de Negre, having seen these 
bodies of the Rite well established, announced his 
intended departure for his native land, and, at a 
meeting of the Council held March 25th, 1857, the 
following resolutions were adopted, suitably en- 
grossed, and presented to him : 

Whereas, Our Most 111. and En. Grand Hieropbant is about to 
return to bis borne in France, and in tbe consideration of tbe 
distinguisbed favors be bas witb sucb liberal bands been pleased 
to sbower upon us ; it is 

Resolved, Tbat tbe sincere tbanks of tbe officers and membere 
of tbis S Council, Ninetietb Degree, be, and are bereby 
tendered bim, witb tbe bope tbat be will believe us anxiously 
solicitous of bis safety and well being in bis journey, wisbing 
tbat tbe Supreme Arcbitect of tbe Universe may take bim 
under His especial care and long preserve bim a monument of 
every Masonic virtue. 

Resolved, Tnat a copy of tbe above be presented to 111. Bro. 
Marconis de Negre. 

The first election of the Sup. Council, Ninetieth 
Degree, was held May 2, 1857, when the following- 
officers were elected and appointed : 111. Bro. Johu 
Mitchell, Sub. Dai ; 111. Bro. Josiah S. Grindle, First 
Mystagogue; 111. Bro. Albert P. Moriarty, Second 
Mystagogue ; 111. Bro. Thomas S. Vaughn, Orator ; 
111. Bro. M. L. Mann, Secretary; III. Bro. John M. 
Atwood, Treasurer; 111. Bro. Chas. C. J. Beck, Grand 
Expert ; 111. Bro. Henr}^ Gimber, Mess, of Science ; 
111. Bro. P. J. Kiernan, Accompanier ; 111. Bro. J. B. 
Hawkins, Guardian of the Sanctuary; III. Bro. 
Hugh Flack, Sentinel. 

May 16, 1857, the first translation of the Ritual 
of the Rite was placed in the hands of the Sov. 
Grand Master. 

From this date during the years 1857 and 1858, 
the Rite steadily increased in numbers and prosper- 
ity, many of the names most prominent in Free- 



90 

masonry were added to the Roll, and the Ancient 
and Primitive Rite stood first amonof all the 
Masonic organizations. This vast merabei*ship 
and unequaled progress, created the demand for 
the establishing of other bodies of the Rite, and 
November 29, 1859, the Sov. Grand Council was 
duly convened by III. Bro. David McLellan, Sov. 
Grand Master. A petition was received from a 
constitutional i] umber of brethren and the first 
charter in America was granted for a Senate of 
" Knights Grand Commanders of the Temple," 35th 
degree, of which the following is a 

COPY. 

lo the Olory of the ISuhUme Architect of the Universe : 

In the Name of the Grand Hierophant, under the 

Auspices of the Grand Empire of the Masonic 

Order of ]\^emphis. 

Salutation. Friendship. Fraternity. 

To all Lodges, Chapters, Areopages, Senates and Councils, 
working our Ancient and Primitive Rite. 

Union, Prosperity, Courage, Strength and Tolerance. 

We, the Sov. Grand Master, Patriarch, member of the Mystic 
Temple, Representative of the Grand Hierophant, Decorated 
with the Grand Star of Sirius, the Cross -of the Alidee, and the 
Golden Fleece, Grand Commander of the three Legions of the 
Knights of Masonry, &c., &c., and the President of the Liturgical 
College and Sov. Grand Tribunal of the Order, 

By virtue of the supreme power with which we are invest* d, 
do constitute, and declare by this patent to be constituted, in the 
Valley of "^^^ew York, a Senate of "Knights Grand Commanders 
of the Temple," 35th degree of the 0.-. 

And we further declare and proclaim our Very 111. and En- 
lightened Bro. H. J. Seymour, Prince of Memphis, 94*^, decorated 
with the Alidee and the Grand Star of Sirius, to be the " Prince 
Grand Commander," (President,) and the 111 and En. Bros. Sub- 
lime Masters of the Great Work whose names are herein written, 
to be officers of the said Senate, to wit : Peter W. Neefus, John 
Shevjlle, Albert P. Moriarty, O. H. Hart, W. J. Kay, Abraham 



91 

G. Lpvv. Albert Webb, J. W. Orr, Obarles W. Merritt, William 
V. Brown, John Hanna, Thomas Orilinela, Charles J. Dodge. 
J. K. C'arreras, Wm. V. Webster, John XA'allace, Robert Latta, 
Jlugh Gardener, Charles McDonald, P. A. Rink, Peter V. Yer- 
aoce, Garrett Yerance and Clement M. Hancox. 

We. the Sov. Grand M., however, reserving to ourselves our 
preroofative to appoint the Archivist of the said Senate, and we 
firther Authorize and empower our Very HI. and En. Brother, 
the Prince Grand Commander, and our 111. and Kn. Brethren 
whos ' names are above written, to open and hold said Senate 
under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sov. Grand <'ouncil Gen- 
eral, and to confer the degrees hereafer specified, according to 
our Ancient and Primitive Rite, namely, from the 26th to the 
35th, exclusively, and from the 4th to the 25th, inclusive, from 
the date of this patent, until the Sov. Grand Counc'l General 
shall have constituted in the Valley of New York such Chapters, 
Areopages. Senates or Oouucils whose province it shall be to 
confer the degrees from the 4th to the 25th, inclusive. And we 
do further authorize and empower our Very 111. and En. Brother, 
the Prince Grand Commander, and the officers of said Senate, to 
hear all cases and matters relative to the brethren witliin the 
jurisdiction of the said Senate, to install their successors in office 
after being elected and chosen ; to invest them v^^itli all the pow- 
ers and dignities of their respective offices; and to deliver to 
them this patent ; and such successors shall, in like manner, in- 
stall their successors and deliver the patent as above directed. 
All this shall they do, and all th s shall be, and hereby is, 
granted to them during the continuance of the said Senate. 

Provided, always, that the above named 111. and En. Brethren 
and their successors, do pay and cause to be paid all respect and 
obedience to the Sov. Grand Council General, its constitution, 
general rules and regulations, and also the general statutes of 
the Order, otherwise and upon the failure to conform to this 
provision, this patent of constitutions shall be void and of no 
force or virtue. 

Done in our Sanctuary, where reigns Peace, Virtue Knowl- 
edge, and the fullness of all that is good. Witness our hand and 
seal. (Signed) 

David McLellan, Sov. Gd. Master, P. G. C. of the 0. 96th de- 
gree. 

Valley of New York, the Twenty-eighth of the Eleventh 
Month of the Year of True Light 000,000,000, 1859 (E. V.) 

(Signed) Samuel D. Wilson, P. Sov. Gd. Pont., 95th degree. 



92 

Registered in the Great Book of Gold, No. 93, 35. In con- 
formity to the Statute, 

(Signed) John Mitchell, Pr. Sov, G. I., of the Grand Tribunal, 
95th degree. 

The first meeting of this Senate was held May 11th, 
1860. 

July 18, 1860, the Sov. Grand Master conferred 
the 94th degree upon the following brothers belong- 
ing to the Sup. Council of the Ancient and Accepted 
Scottish Rite for the U. S. of America, to wit : 

Edmund P. Hays, 83d degree, M. P. Sov. Grand 
Com. ; Hopkins Thompson, 88d degree, 1st Lieut. Gr. 
Com. ; Robert E. Roberts, 88d deojree, Gr. Treasurer ; 
George Osborn, 83d degree, Gi-. Sec. Genl. H. E. ; 
Wm. Jarvis, 88d degree, Captain of the Guard ; Ben- 
jamin C. Leveridge, 33d degree, Gr. Orator and K. of 
S. ; Charles W. Atwood, 38d degree. 

And upon petition they were balloted for and elected 
as affiliated members of the Senate and Council. 

Dec. 14, 1860, the Sov. Grand Master granted the 
Senate a dispensation to confer the degrees of the 
Rite from the 85th to and inclusive of the 42d. 

Jan. 25, 1861, a charter was granted to organize a 
Senate in New Jersey, under the name and title of 
Excelsior Senate, No. 1, of New Jersey, located in 
Hoboken. The following were the first officers : 

111. Bro. F. McDonough, Sub. Gr. Commander; 111. 
Bro. James M. Riper, Sen. Kt. Interpreter ; 111. Bro. 
G. L. Hull, Jun. Kt. Interpreter; 111. Bro. J. Harvey 
Lyons, Orator; 111. Bro. Hazen Kimball, Recorder; 
111. Bro. J. H. Wilson, Treasurer; 111. Bro. R. Thomas, 
Marshal ; 111. Bro. S. Bayles, Kt. of Introduction ; 111. 
Bro. Samuel Lemons, Jr., Accompanier; 111. Bro. G. 
Sinclair, Guardian of the Sanctuary ; 111. Bro. T. W, 
Harndon, Sentinel. 



93 

April, 18G1, the Sov. Grand Master, David McLel- 
lan. Major of the 79th Regiment of the National 
Guard, State of New York, being ordered to the seat 
of war, addressed the subjoined letter to Bro. Sey- 
mour : 

26 Spruce Street, N. Y., April 27, 1801. 
Ill and Eu. Bro. H. J. Seymour: 

Your note is received. Having volunteered to go witli my 
regiment to the City of Washington, and my term of office — five 
years — having expired by limitation, T herewith forward to you 
the charter of the Sovereign Grand Council General, 94th degree, 
together with the original charter of the Grand Council, 90th 
degree, given to me by 111. Bro. John Mitchell, and I wish it to 
be distinctly understood that the position of Sov. Grand Master 
which I now resign be occupied by you, and that all broth* rs of 
our beloved Rite recognize and obey you as the Sov. Grand Mas- 
ter of the Rite in America. 

I am, respectfiilly and fraternally yours, 

DAVID McLELLAN, 96th degree. 

Upon the expiration of the term of office of Grand 
Master McLellan, he relinquished active supervision 
over the Rite, and, as seen in the foregoing letter, the 
executive powers devolved upon 111. Bro. H. J. Sey- 
mour. 

111. Bro. Mitchell having also resigned all jurisdic- 
tion of the Sup. Council, proceeded to the seat of 
war, where he lost his life while gallantly hea<ling 
his company at the battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 
5, 1862. 

In June, 1862, Boston Senate, Forty-second De- 
gree, was organized, with 111. Brothers J. D. Jennings, 
Ninety-fourth Degree ; A. K. P. Welch, Samuel C. 
Lawrence and others, as the first officei's. 

The Grand Council deeming it of interest to ascer- 
tain its status in Europe, delegated 111. Bro. Seymour, 
and a voyage to the old world was lesolved upon. 

Accordingly he sailed for Europe, and in Glasgow 
he found the Rite in a prosperous condition, under 



94 

the administration of 111. Bro. Donald Campbell. 
Arriving in Paris, he wa^s cordially received by the 
Grand Hierophant, and found the Rite there working 
under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France, 

He was made the recipient of the high honorary 
degrees, and obtained Letters Patent for the forma- 
tion of " The Sovereign Sanctuary, A. and P. Rite," 
in and for the continent of America. 

The following is a true copy of 

Thh; Chakter of the Sov. Sanctuaky, 
A La Gloire Du Sublime Architecte Des iMondes. 

Au Nom Du Grand Hierophante. 

Nous Grand Hierophante Sublime Maitre de la Lumiere de- 
positaire Sacre des traditions, Chef Sup. •. de I'ordre, ayant la 
plus grande confiance dans la Sagesse et U science Maconnique 
de notre tres Illustre et Tres Eclaire f. •. H. J. Seymour: 

Declarons en vertu de 1 'article 36 de nos Statuts generaux 
nommer et elever par ces presents notre Tres 111. •. f. *. H. J. Sey- 
mour Sublime mage 96 degre de I'Ordre decore de la grande 
Etoile de Sirius, de I'Alidee, de la Chaine Lybique et du Rameau 
d'or d'Eleusis, Souv •. Grand Maitre de I'Ordre, Maconnique de 
Memphis en Amerique. 

En Consequence, nous I'autorisons a fonder a la Vallee de 
New York, une puissance maconnique de notre rite Antique et 
Venere, compose, savoir, I'' d'un Sanctuaire de Memphis gouv- 
ernment General de I'Ordre 95**, 2'' d'un Temple Mystiqi:ie ad- 
ministration 90*= . d. •, d. . L. •. — 3^= d'un Souv. •. grand conseil 
general des grands Insp. ". Reg. * . 90^ d. •. et a fonder des Ateliers 
Chapitres, Areopages, Senats, Consistoires et Conseils, travail- 
lant du Premier au Quatre vingt quatorzieme degre de I'Ordre 
pour la propagation des Lumieres et le bien de I'humanite. En 
Consequence nous accordons a notre T. *. 111. . et T. •. Eel. • f. •. 
H J. Seymour, la Suprcmatie du Sanctuaire de I'Ordre macon- 
nique de Memphis en Amerique avec tons les droits et preroga- 
tives attaches a cette haute dignite. 

Fait et approuve par notre conseil Sup. '. Vallee de Paris le 
31'^ jour du 6me mois de I'an de la V.'. L.-. 000,000,000, 1863. 
(E. V.) 



95 

Le Grand Hierophante Sublime Maitre de la Lumiere 
Depositaire Sacre des Traditions, 
('hef. Sup. de I'Ordre Maconuique 
de Memphis. [l. s ] 

J. Et Makconis dk Neore, 97.-. 

Vu par nous Grand Cbancelier Administra- 
[li. 8.] teur General de I'Ordre No. 1375. 

M. I). DuKAND, 97.-. P. Pernaud/ 95.'. 

L'Orat.'. de la D.*. C2 des Sectateurs de 
Menes. 

Ch. Fondeury, 95.-. [l. s. 

P. Le Secret.*. General de I'Ordre Mac*.- 

de Memphis. [l. s.] 

P. Fabre, 95.-. 
[Vued and Sealed by the following Officers of the Grand Orient of Frauce.'] 

Scelle et Eurei>istre Sous le jSTo, 

: Secretary ! 28,911 du Gd Llvre des Sceaux 
: Gen. G. o. . du Grand Orient de France. 
- •••" Le Chef Du Secretariat, 



Thevenot. 

Vu et Fraternellement accueilli au Grand Orient de 
France, O. •. de Paris, ce 3 Septem- 
bre, 1862, E •. V.-. Le Grand [l. s.] 

Maitre adjoint de I'Ordre Maconni 
que en France. 

Heuilant. 
Vu et approuve 

le Marechal de France, Grand Maitre 
de I'Ordre Maconuique. [l. s.] 

Magnan. 

TRANSLATION. 

To the Glory of the Sublime Architect of the World. 

Ill the name of the Grand Hierophant. 

We, Grand Hierophant, Sublime Master of Light, Depos- 
itary of the Sacred Traditions, approvicg the past ads, having 
confidence in the wisdom and masonic knowledge of our Illus 
trious and Enlightened Brother Harry J. Seymour, do by these 
presents and in virtue of the 26th Article of the General Stat- 
utes of the Order, create, constitute, appoint our aforesaid Illus 
trious Enlightened Brother H. J. Seymour, Sublime Magi, 96th 



96 

degree, decorated with the Grand Star of Lucius, Cross of Alidee, 
the Lybique ( hain, and the Golden Branch of Eleuses, Sover- 
eign Grand Master of the Masonic Order of Memphis for 
America. 

And we, Grand Hierophant, and we, members of the Sanc- 
tuary of Memphis, sitting in the Valley of Paris, do by this 
Patent authorize and empower our Illustrious Enlightened 
Brother Harry J. Seymour, 96th degree, to create, found and 
organize a Sovereign Sanctuary 95th degree in the Valley of 
New York, for the general government of the order in America, 
also a Mystique Temple and Sovereign Grand Council General 
94tli degree, for the regulation of the order, and also to create, 
found and establish Lodges, Chapters, Consistories, Senates, 
Areopages, Councils and Sov Grand Councils Gen., working 
from the 1st to the 96th degree of the order, for the propagation 
of our Ancient and Primitive Rite, for all time. 

Accordingly, by these presents, we declare, proclaim and cer- 
tify our Very Illustrious and Very Enlightened dear Brother 
Harry J, Seymour, Supreme Chief ad vitem of the Masonic Or- 
der of Memphis for America, with all the rights and preroga- 
tives attached to this high family. 

Done and approved by our Council sitting in the Valley of 
Paris, this 21st day of the 6th month, in the j^ear of true light, 
000,000,000, A. D. 1862. 
P. Le Secret. •. General de I'Ordre Mac. *. 

de Memphis. 
[l. s.] p. Fabre. 

L'Orat. •. de la D. •. (HI des Sectateurs 
» de Menes. 

Ch. Fondeurt, 96 •. [l. s.] 
Scelle et Enregistre Sous le No. ' 

28,911 du Gd. Livre des Sceaux 
du Grand Orient de France. 
Le Chef Du Secretariat, 
[i. s ] Thevenot. 

Vu et Fraternellement accusilli au Grand Orient de 
France, O. •. de Paris, ce 3 Septem- 
bre, 1862, E. . V. •. Le Grand [l. s J 

Maitre adjoint de I'Ordre Maconni- 
que en France. 
Vu par nous Grand Chancelier Admiuistra- 
[l. s.] teur General de I'Ordre, No. 1,375. 

M. D. DuRAND, 97. •, 
[l. s.] J. Et Marconis, 97.'. 



97 

To the Glory of the Sublime Architect of the Universe. 

MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 

Peace. Tolerance. Truth. 

SovERKiGN Sanctuary of America of thk Masonic 
Rite of Memphis. 

Office of the T. . I. •. Grand Mastur Genijkai,, 
Valley op NeSy York, [E. V.] Jan. 180"). 

To all Masonti to wJuym these presents may coiney Greeting • 

Know YC, that we, the Thrice lUustrious Grand Master Gen- 
eral of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Mempliis in and for 
the I ontinent of America, by virtue of the high power in me 
vested by the Grand Orient of France, Ijave and do by these 
presents, and do hereby dechire and appoint our Very Ilki-tiious 
Brother Calvin C Burt, for and during his natural life Deputy 
Grand Master General of the Ancient Piimitive Kite of Mem 
phis for the Continent of America, irrevocable, with full power 
to make Masons at sight, form Chapters, Senates, Councils, and 
do all other acts as fully and as valid as I myself can or could 
do. And, for the purpose of identity, have caused him to sign 
his name in full on the margin hereof. 

Approved and given under my hand and seal, this 38th day of 
[l. s] February, K. V. 1865. 

HARRY J. SEYMOUR, 96^ 

T'. III.-. G.: M: General. 

The first meetiiio- of the Sov. Sane, was held Nov. 
7, 1862, at which were present the follow i rig officers : 

111. Bro. H. J. Seymour, Grand Master General ; 
III. Bro. A. G. Levy, Grand Administrator; 111. Bro. 
Charles C. J. Beck, Grand Chancellor ; 111. Bro. Thos. 
Picton, Grand Secretary ; 111. Bro. P. W. Neefus, 
Gland Treasuier; 111. Bro. H. F. L. Bunting, Giand 
Master of Ceremonies ; III. Bro. J. F. Wells, Grand 
Keeper of the Temple; 111. Bro. Nehemiah Peck, 
Grand Representative. 

It was duly (jpened by the presentation of the III. 
Grand Master General's warrant of authority. Reso- 



98 

lutions were received from Councils and Senates, ac-- 
know '.edging its jurisdiction, and 111. Bro. Seymour 
as the Most III. Grand Master General. 

The following edict was issued on completion of 
permanent organization : 

To the gloiy of the Siipretne Architect of the World. In the name of 
the Sovereign Sancttiary of Alicient and Pri??iitiz>e Freemasonry, 
according to the Rite of Memphis, in and for the Continent of 
America. Salutation on all points of the Triangle, Respect to 
the Order. 

To all to whom these "presents shall come, Greeting : 

Be it known, That the Grand Hierophant and Sublime Magi 
of the Rite of Memphis, in solemn conclave, assembled in their 
Sanctuary, No. 16 Rue Cadet, in the Valley of Paris, on the 
twenty-first day of the sixth month of the year one thoussnd 
eight hundred and sixty-two, did confer upon the undersigned, 
H. J. Seymour, the 96th Grade of the Ancient and Primitive 
Rite; and did, in approval of his Masonic services in propaga- 
ting the Rite in America, erant the aforesaid a charter or war- 
rant, constituting him Sovereign Grand Master General of the 
Rite of Memphis, advitem, in and for the Continent of America; 
vesting him with full powers to create and organize a Sovereign 
Sanctuary of Patriarchs, 95th degree, for the general govern- 
ment of the Rite in America : also, the power to organize Mys- 
tic Temples (Grand Councils General,) and to appoint their offi- 
cers; also, to organize and grant warrants for the formation of 
Sublime Coimcils, Senates, Chapters, and other bodies of the 
Rite; also, the full power to confer from the fourth degree to 
the ninety fifth degree, inclusive, upon any person he shall deem 
worthy of that honor. 

Therefore, I. the Sovereign Grand Master, do proclaim, in 
pursuance of the power in me vested, the following Patriarchs 
of the Rite to comprise the officers of the Sovereign Sanctuary 
of Ancient and Primitive Freemasonry in and for the Continent 
of America; and I require all Masons of our beloved Rite to 
recognize them in their high qualities as such, and to respect 
them accordingly, viz : 

111. Bro. John J. Crane, M. D., 95th degree. Grand Adminis- 
trator General ; 111. Charles C. J. Beck, 95th degree. Grand Chan- 
cellor General; 111 Bro. Robert D. Holmes, 95th degree, Grand 
Expert General; 111. Bro. Thomas Picton, 95th degree, Grand 



99 

Secretary General; 111. Bro. Peter W. Neefus, 95th degree, Grand 
Treasurer General; 111 Bro. Abram G. Levy, M D., 95tli do 
gree, Grand Inspector General; III. Bro George F. Woodward, 
M. I)., 95th degree, Grand Examiner General; 111. Bro. Bradley 
Parker, M. D. 95th degree. Grand K. General of the G. Book; 
III Bro. H. F L. Bunting, 95th degree, Grand Master General 
of Ceremonies; 111. Bro J. B Y. t^ommers, 95th degree, Grand 
Keeper General of the Sanctuary. 

All of which is now otticially promulgated and ordered to he 
publicly announced in all Mystic Temples, Councils, Senates, 
Chapters and other Bodies working our Ancient and Primitive 
Rite. 

Done in a Sacn d Sanctuary, whce repose Peace, Virtue, and 
the fullness of all that is good; this, the Fourth day of the 
Egyptian month Athir, in the year of True Light. 000,000,000 
(answering to the Fourth day of June, one thousand eight hun- 
dred and sixty-three, vulgar era.) 

In testimony of all which, I have hereunto affixed my signature 
[l s ] and seal. 

H. J. SEYMOUR, 96th Degree, 

Sovereig)i Grand Master. 

Letters of acceptance from the first appointed offi- 
cers ot the Sovereign Sanctuary, vvere received and 
placed on file. 

A petition having- been presented for a chai-ter for 
a Mystic Temple in the New England States, it was 
duly granted, and the following is a true copy : 

COPY OF CHARTER FOR NEW ENGLAND 

MYSTIC TEMPI.E, P4th DEGREE, PRINCES OP MEMPHIS. 

To the Glory of the Supreme Architect of the 
Universe. 

" Do unto others whatsoever ye ivould that others should do unto you.'' 

In the name of the Sovereign Grand Master, (Chief Supreme.) 

Under the auspices of the Sov. Sanctuary, Sov. Patriarchs of the 
Masonic Order of Memphis. 

Salutation. Friendship. Fraternity. 

To AF.L THE Lodges, Chapters, Are pages. Senates and 

Councils, Working Our Ancient and 

Primitive Rite. 

Union, Prosperity, Courage, Strength and Tolerance. 

We, the Sovereign Grand Master (Cbief Supreme.) and we the 



100 

Sov. Patriarchs, composing the Sov. Sanctuary of the Masonic 
Order of Memphis, by virtue of the Supreme Power with which 
we are invested by the Celestial Empire of Memphis, sittinpr in 
the Valley of Paris, under the cognizance of the Grand Orient of 
France: Do declare and proclaim that we have ere ited and con- 
stituted, and by these presents, do create and constitute a Mystic 
Temple, Sovereign Princes of Memphis, 94»h degree (Sov. Gd. 
Council General,) for the Valley of New England, comprising the 
States of Maiine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island and Connecticut, with full powers to issue Dispen- 
sations a;nd Charters for the lormation of subordinate bodies, to 
work the degrees of the Ancient and I'rimitive Rite of the Ma- 
sonic Order of Memphis, to the 00th degree, Sublime Masters of 
the Great Work, tnclusiVe ; subject, however, to the approval of 
the Sovereign Sanctuary sitting in the Valley of New York. 

And we do further proclaim that our Very 111. auH En Brother 
Albion K. P. Welch, 95>h degree, to be Gd. Mas. of Light; Very 
111. and En. Brother Samuel C. Lawrence, 94th degree, Gd Or- 
ator ; Daniel W. Lawrence, 94tli degree, Gd. Annalist (-ec'ty. ;) 
Benjamin F. Nourse,94th degree, Gd Treasurer; Caleb C. Allen, 
94th degree. Administrator (Examiner ;) Charles C. Southard, 
94th degree, Keeper of Rites; James C. Bullen, 95th deg-ee, 
Ceryce ; John Davis Jennings, 95th degree, Representative. 

And, we do further authorize and empower the aforesaid Mys- 
tic Temple (Sovereign Grand Council General,) to hear all causes 
and matters relative to the order within the above mentioned 
jurisdiction, and to install their successors into office, after hav- 
ing been duly elec ed and chosen, and to invest them with all 
the powers and dignities of their respective offices and to deliver 
to them these authorizations; and such successors shall in like 
manner install their successors, henceforth and forever. 

Provided always, that the above named 111. and En. Brethren 
and their successors, do pay and cause to be paid all due respect 
and obedience to the Sovereign Sanc'uary, its constitution, rules 
and regulations, and also to the general statutes of the order. 
Otherwise, and upon the failure to conform to these provisions, 
this Patent of Constitution shall be void and of no force or virtue. 

Done in our Sanctuary, wherein reigns Pe ce, Virtue, Knowl- 
edge, and the fullness of all that is good. 

Valley of New York, the thirtieth day of the month Mec lir, 
(June,) in the year of True Light 000,000,(00 (E. V.) 1863. 
Signed, 

H. J, Seymour, 96th degree, 

Sov. Gr. Mas. of Light, [L. s.] 

Chief Supreme of C. E. 



101 

Thos. Picton, Sov. Pat. 95th dejjree, 
Secty. Genl. Celestial Empire. 

Jno. J. Crane, M. I)., 9r)th degree, 

Grand Administrator. 

[L. 8.] 

J. B, Yates Summrrs, 95tli dejrree, 

Grand K. of S. 

Chas. C. J. Beck, 95tli degree, 

Gd, Chancellor CeleBtial Empire. 

Robert L>. Holmes, 95th degree. 

Grand Expert. 

Peter VV. Neepus, 95thdegiee,, 

Grand Treasurer. 

Henry F. L. Bdnting, 95th degree, 

Grand Master of Ceremonies. 

Geo. F. Woodward, 95th degree, 

Grand Examiner. 



[L. 8.] 



LL. 8.] 



Abram G. Levy. 95th degree, 

Gd, Inspector Genl. Celestial Empire 

August 1868, a dispeusation was granted for Se- 
sostris Senate, No. 2, of New York, located in Brook- 
lyn, to 111. Bros. John B. Harris, R. W. Dockson, John 
EUard, T. E. Purdy, first officers. 

March, 1864, III Bro. J. Q. A. Fellows, of New Or- 
leans, La., was appointed Grand Master of Light, 
Mystic Temple, Ninety-fourth degree, in and for the 
State of Louisiana, and made an honorary member of 
the Sov. Sane. 

June 11, 1864, the following appointments were 
made b}^ the Sov. Grand Master : 

III. and En. Bro. Charles E. Gillett, Ninety-fourth 
degree, Grand Representative in and for the State of 
Michigan. 

Ill and En. Bro. Stephen H. Johnson, Ninety-fifth 
degree, (Senior Graqd Warden of the Grand CJ, State 



102 

of New York,) Dep. Representative for the district in 
and about Schenectady, N. Y. 

111. and En. Bro. Orrin Welch, Ninety -fifth degree, 
(R. E. Grand Com. of Kt. Templars, State of New 
York,) Dep. Representative for the district in and 
about Syracuse, N. Y. 

111. and En. Bro. John L. Lewis, Ninety-fifth degree, 
(Past Grand Master of the Grand d]. State of New 
York,) Dep. Representative for the district in and 
about Peun Yan, N. Y. 

111. and En. Bro. Clinton F. Paige, Ninety-fifth 
degree, (Grand Master of the Grand □, State of New 
York,) Dep. Representative for the district in and 
about Binghamton, N. Y. 

July 31, 1864, Zoroaster Senate, No. 3, of New 
York, was organized at New York, and the following 
duly installed as the first officers : 

111. Bro. Andrew M. Underbill, Sub. Gr. Com- 
mander; 111. Bro. Alvin Graff'. Sen. Kt. Interpreter; 
111. Bro. Edward Bouton, Jun. Kt. Interpreter; 111. 
Bro. D. Snedeker, Orator; 111. Bro. J. H. LeBar, Re- 
corder ; 111. Bro. David Graham, Marshal ; 111. Bro. 
J. H. Gardener, Kt. of Finance ; 111. Bro. Sewall Fisk, 
Sentinel. 

Hermes Senate, No. 1, of District of Columbia, at 
Washington, was instituted September 5, 18G4. Offi- 
cers : 

111. Bro. Rev. Robert M'Murdy, Sub. Gr. Com- 
mander; 111. Bro. John F. Sharretts, Sen. Kt. Inter- 
preter; 111. Bro. Z. D. Gillman, Juu. Kt. Interpreter; 
111. Bro. Hon. Alexander W. Randall, Orator; III. 
Bro. Hon. Green Adams, Archivist; 111. Bro. W. P. 
Dole, Recorder. 

Sesostris Senate, No. 3, of New York, was dedica- 
ted, and its officers duly installed, December 21, 186i 



103 

An official conimunicatioti from the Gian<l Orient 
of France, dated Paris, May 1, 18()5, Mo. 314, Vol. 30 
of corres[)ondence, was received by the Sovereij^n 
Sanctuary, notifying that body of the appointment 
by his Excellency, the Marshal Magnan, Grand Mas- 
ter of France, of M. W. Brother Robert D. Holmes as 
Grand Representative of the Grand Onent of France, 
near the Sov. Sanctuary : also a letter of thanks and 
acceptance of Grand Representative of Sov. Sanc- 
tuary, near the Grand Orient of Fiance, from 111. Bro. 
Heuilant, Thirty- third Degree. 

Copy of appointment of M. W. Robert D. Holmes, 
as Grand Representative : 

Grand Orient of France^ Supreme Council for France and the French 
possessions : 

Paris. May 1, 1865. 
111. Bro. Rhbert D. Holmes: 

I have the pleasure to inform you, that iu compliance with 
the wish of the Grand Officers of the Rite of Memphis, our 
Grand Master, Marshal Magnan, has appointed you Representa- 
tive of the Grand Orient of France, near the Grand Sanctuary 
of Memphis, sitting in the Valley of New Y6rk. 

I feel assured that this appointment, upon which I congratu 
late you, will be fruitful in happy results to our Order, and for 
Masonry in general. 

Accept, illustrious sir and brother, the assurance of our dis- 
tinguished consideration and brotherly love. 

CUSSSOIS, 

Deputy Grand Master. 

Copy of acceptance of 111. Bro. Heuihint, Thirty- 
third Degree, Gd. Re[). to G. 0. of France : 

Grand Okient of France, Paris, April 27, 1865. 
111. Grand Master and Brethren: 

I have received, with great satisfaction, the diploma sent me 
and have placed it in my library, where my eyes will naturally 
rest upon it whenever I sit down to write. 

I had decided to retire from my official station, and only 
accepted the post of Deputy Grand Vlastcr when the,difficult 



104 

situation of Masonry in France seemed to call on every Mason 
for help, but I will act as your representative with all the zeal 
and devotion at my command 

Accept the assurance of my Masonic sentiments and sincere 
wishes for the prosperity of our noble institution 

HEUILANT, 
Orand Officer, (jhancellor of the Legion of Honor. 

The first Chapter of Rose-Croix, Grarnercy, No. 1, 
of New York, was iustituted at New York, June, 
1865. Officers: 

III. Bro. W. P. Patten, Most Wise; III. Bro. J. O. 
Halsey, Senior Warc^en ; J 11. Bro. H. M. Clark, Junior 
Warden; 111. Bro. J. H. Forshay, Orator ; SirKt F.C. 
Van Orden, Captain of the Guard. 

George Washington Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 2, of 
New York, was organized the same month at New 
York. Officers : 

111. Bro. Andrew M. Copeland, Most Wise; III. Bro. 
W. T. Lloyd, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. J. Lovelock, 
Junior Warden. 

The Senate of Knights Commanders of the Temple, 
w^as reorganized as Samothrace Senate, No. 1, of New 
York, June 7, 1865. Officers : 

111. Bro. Abram G. Levy, Sub. Gr. Commander ; 
III Bro. W. P. Patten, Sen. Kt. Interpreter; 111. Bro. 
John Hanna, Jun. Kt. Interpreter; 111. Bro. Thomas 
Bennett, Orator. 

Seymour Senate, No. 2, of District Columbia, was 
instituted at Washington, August 7, 1865. Officers : 

111. Bro. J. H. Rath bone. Sub. Gr. Commander ; 111. 
Bro. R. T. Campbell, Sen. Kt. Interpreter ; 111. Bro. 
E. W. Francis, Jun. Kt. Interpreter ; 111. Bro. John R. 
Thompson, Orator. 

The Sovereign Grand Master General visited the 
Sixteenth Triennial Convocation of the Grand En- 
campment of Knights Templars of the United States, 



105 

held at Columbus, Ohio, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th days 
of September, 18G5; and there conferred the Degrees 
of the A. and P. Rite ujion a number of prominent 
members of the Fraternity in that State. 

Socrates Senate, No. -t, of New York, was instituted 
at Newburor, in the fall of 1865. Officers : 

111. Bro. P. S. Haines, Sub. Gr. Commander; 111. 
Bro. G. F. Wiltsie, Sen. Kt. Interpreter; 111. Bro. Da- 
vid A. Scott, Juu. Kt. Interpreter; 111. Bro. J. C. 
Chapman, Orator; 111. Bro. John Dale, Recorder ; 111. 
Bro. Thomas P. Ramsdell, Kt. of Finance; III. Bro. 
S. Stanton, Marshal ; 111. Bro. John W. Forsyth, Kt. 
of Introduction; 111. Bro. C. M. Leonard, Accom- 
panier ; 111. Bro. Thomas W. Purdy, Ca]jtain of the 
Guard ; 111. Bro. J. H. H. Chapman, Guardian of the 
Sanctuary ; 111. Bro. Andrew Lawson, Sentinel. 

Highland Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 8, of New York, 
was also organized at Newburg at the same time. 
Officers : 

111. Bro. G. Fred Wiltsie, Most Wise ; 111. Bro. David 
A. Scott, Senior Warden ; III. Bro. Samuel Stanton, 
Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. Joseph H. H. Chapman, 
Orator; Sir Kt. Thomas W. Purdy, Conductor; Sir 
Kt. John Dale, Archivist ; Sir Kt. Thomas P. Rams- 
dell, Treasurer ; Sir Kt. John W. Forsyth, Captain of 
the Guard ; Sir Kt. Chauncey M. Leonard, Guard of 
the Tower; Sir Kt. Andrew Lawson, Sentinel. 

At a meeting of the Sovereign Sanctuary, August 
26,1865, 111. . Brothers Guiseppe Garibaldi, Thirty- 
third Degree, Past Grand Master of the G. O. of Italy, 
and Francesco de Lucca, Thirty-third Degree, Grand 
Master of the Italian Freemasonry, were elected hon- 
orary members ol the Sovereign Sanctuary; 111. 
Bro. Ludovico Frapolli, Thirty-third Degree, was ap- 



106 

pointed as the Grand Representative of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary, near the Grand Orient of Italy. 

An official letter from 111. Bro. G. Garibaldi, dated 
" Orient of Caprera, September 26, 1866," was re- 
ceived, acknowledging the reception of the appoint- 
ment of Deputy Representative for Italy, and accept- 
ance of the same. 

Dispatches frqpa the Grand Orient of Ital}^ dated 
" Turin, October 1, 1865," were received, in which the 
Grand Master, Francesco de Lucca and III. Bro. Fra- 
polli, accepted the appointments given them by the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, and informed our Grand Body 
that 111. Bro. John J. Crane, Thirty-third Degree, and 
the 111. Grand Mas. Gen. H. J. Seymour, had been 
nominated and elected members of the Grand Orient 
of Italy. 

Columbian Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 8, of New 
York, was organized at New York, June, 1866. 
Officers : 

1)1. Bro. James Morrow, Most Wise; 111. Bro. A. B. 
Barnes, Senior Warden ; III. Bro. Jesse T. Dingee, 
Junior Warden; III. Bro. John Shannon, Orator; 
Sir Kt. George W. Sloan, Conductor; Sir Kt. William 
H. Jones, Archivist; Sir Kt. W. H. Bromley, Treas- 
urer ; Sir Kt. Charles S. Abbott, Captain of the Guard ; 
Sir Kt. J. H. Mendenhall, Guard of the Tower; Sir 
Kt. Edwin Reynolds, Prelate ; Sir Kt. A. F. Carpen- 
ter, Organist ; Sir Kt. James McCaughie, Sentinel ; 
Sir Kts. C. S. Abbott, P. McKay, Robert Birnie, 
Trustees. 

Architect Rose-CVoix Chapter, No. 4^, of New York, 
was organized at Yoi ':ville, August, 1866. Officers : 

111. Bro. James Gorton, Most Wise ; 111. Bro. W. H. 
Marshall, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. Richard Banfield, 
Junior Warden ; III. Bro. Moses Bernhard, Orator ; 



107 

Sir Kt. Richard SchoHeld, Coaducfcor . Sir Kt. Wil- 
liam A. Conklin, Arcliivist ; Sir Kt. J. T. Van Winkle, 
Treasurer; Sir Kt. J. A. Pendleton, Captain of the 
Guard ; Sir Kt. Herman Elstroth, Guard of the Tower; 
Sir Kt. W. H. Merriam, Sentinel. 

Primitive Rose-Croix Chai)ter, No. 5, of New York, 
was organized at New York, September 7, 1866. 
Officers : 

111. Bro. Benjamin S. Hill, Most Wise; 111. Bro. 
Charles Latour, Senior Warden; 111. Bro. Geo. Russ, 
Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. Robert Boyd Hardy, Orator ; 
Sir Kt. John S. Loughery, Conductor ; Sir Kt. H. 
Clay Lanius, Archivist ; Sir Kt. William Scott, Treas- 
urer ; Sir Kt. H. R. Chapman, Captain of the Guard ; 
Sir Kt. Adam White, Guard of the Tower ; Sir Kt. 
Robert John Somerville, Prelate ; Sir Kt. Richard 
Horner, Organist ; Sir Kt. Andrew Ferguson, Sen- 
tinel ; Sir Kts. J. Macdonald, William Fullager, John 
T. Davis, Trustees. 

Passaic Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 1, of New Jersey, 
was organized at Newark, September 24, 1866. 
Officers : 

111. Bro. James B. Taylor, Most Wise ; 111. Bro! Wil- 
liam D. Rutan, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. David Ay res, 
Junior Warden; 111. Bro. Jacob W. Crane, Orator; 
Sir Kt. Eliphalite Smith, Jr., Archivist ; Sir Kt. Wil- 
liam Prinver, Treasurer ; Sir Kt. Edw. Pressinger, 
Captain of the Guard ; Sir Kt. Francis Bell, Guard of 
the Tower; Sir Kt. David A. Johnson, Prelate ; Sir 
Kt. William O'Brien, Sentinel. 

Olive Branch Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 6, of New 
York, was organized at Brooklyn, October 17, 1866. 
Officers : 

111. Bro. Charles Latour, iMostWise; III. Bro. Henry 
E. Day, Senior Warden; 111. Bro. J. Windle Fowler, 



108 

Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. A. G. Bishop, Orator ; Sir 
Kt. William J. Read, Conductor; Sir Kt. J. W. Buck- 
bee, Archivist ; Sir Kt. H. L. Foote, Treasurer; Sir 
Kt. Hiraui Bloomer, Jr., Captain of the Guard ; Sir 
Kt. Lawrence Tower, Guard of the Tower ; Sir Kt. 
W. F. Gilbert, Organist ; Sir Kt. J. W. Hastings, Sen- 
tinel ; Sir Kts. William McBride, William E. Sprague, 
J. W. Burnham, Trustees. 

Oriental Rose Croix Chapter, No. 1, of the District 
of Columbia, was organized at Washington, Novem- 
ber, 1866. Officers : 

111. Bro. J. B. Will, Most Wise; 111. Bro. John 
Lockie, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. A. G. Dietrick, Jun 
ior Warden. 

Ancient Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 2, of the District 
of Columbia, was organized at Washington, Novem- 
ber, 1866. Officers : 

111. Bro. John R. Thompson, Most Wise ; III. Bro. 
George W. Francis, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. Stephen 
A. Doyle, Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. Robert A. Cham- 
pion, Orator ; Sir Kt. M. H. Dillon, Conductor ; Sir Kt. 
H. O. Hood, Archivist ; Sir Kt. C. F. Jarvis, Treas- 
u7'er;Sir Kt. M. B. Gordon, Captain of the Guard; 
Sir Kt. Albert Partridge, Guard of the Tower; Sir 
Kt, T. Creaser, Sentinel. 

Hercules Sublime Council, No. 1, of the District of 
Columbia, was organized at Washington, the same 
month. 

January 4th, 1867, a charter was granted for a 
Mystic Temple, 32d degree, Princes of Memphis, for 
the State of Louisiana, and the following were ap- 
pointed the first officers : 

111. Bro. J. Q. A. Fellows, Grand Master of Light ; 
111. Bro. Edward Barnett, Grand Orator; III, Bro. 
William R. Whittaker, Grand Annalist; III Bro. 



109 

Thomas 0. May, Grand Treasurer ; III. Bro. J. P. 
Buckncr, Grand Ceryce; 111. Bro. Robert Watson, 
Grand Keeper of Rites ; 111. Bro. E. T. Parker, Grand 
Examiner; 111. Bro. Harry T. Hayes, Grand Master 
of Ceremonies ; 111. Bro. Thomas Cripps, Grand Con- 
ductor ; III Bro. J. B. Walton, Grand Guard of the 
Council ; 111. Bro. Alfred Shaw, Grand Representative. 
At the same time, January, 18G7, charters were 
issued for Mizraim Chapter, No. 1, of Louisiana, and 
No. 15 of the Soveieign Sanctuary ; Heliopolis Senate, 
No. 1, of Louisiana, and No. 10 of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary; and Delta Sublime Council, Thirtieth 
Degree, No. 1 of Louisiana, and No. 2 of the Sover- 
eign Sanctuary, all at New Orleans. 

OFFICERS OF MIZRAIM CHAPTER. 

111. Bro. Hugh Breen, Most Wise ; III. Bro. W. C. 
Driver, Senior Warden; III. Bro. J. W. Davis, Junior 
Warden; 111. Bro. John Anderson, Orator; Sir Kt. 
A. W. Benedict, Conductor; Sir Kt. J. W. Pearce, 
Archivist; Sir Kt. D. C. Johnson, Treasurer; Sir Kt. 
J. D. Scott, Captain of the Guard ; Sir Kt. Andrew 
Heero, Guard of the Tower ; Sir Kt. T. Carroll, Pre- 
late ; Sir Kt. Thomas Cripps, Organist; Sir Kt. T. D. 
^ larke, Sentinel. 

OFFICERS OF HELIOPOLIS SENATE. 

111. Bro. W. L. Stanford, Sub. G. Com. ; 111. Bro. J. 
Anderson, Senior Knight Interpreter; III. Bro. W. C. 
Driver, Junior Knight Interpreter; 111. Bro. C. L. 
Walker, Orator ; III. Bro. B. R. Lawrence, Recorder ; 
111. Bro. D. C. Johnson, Knight of Finance ; 111. Bro. 
C. H. Reed, Archivist ; III. Bro. J. D. Scott, Marshal ; 
III. Bro. J. H. Behau, Knight of Introduction ; III. 
Bro. J. W. Davis, Accompanier ; III. Bro. T. Carroll, 
Captain of the Guard ; III. Bro. A. Heero, Standard 



110 

Bearer; HI. Bro. J.W. Pearce, Sword Bearer; 111. Bro. 
T. D. Clarke, Guardian of the Sanctuary ; 111. Bro. T. 
Cripps, Organist; 111. Bro. H. Breen, Sentinel. 

OFFICERS OF DELTA SUBLIME COUNCIL. 

111. Bro. J. W. Davis, Sublime Dai ; 111. Bro. H. 
Breen, First Mystagogue ; 111. Bro. W. G. Driver, Sec- 
ond Mystagogue; 111. Bro. J. Anderson, Orator; 111. 
Bro. J. W. Pearce, Secretary ; 111. Bro. D. G. Johnson, 
Treasurer ; 111. Bro. A. Heero, Grand Expert ; 111. Bro. 
A. W. Benedict, Archivist; 111. Bro. J. D. Scott, Mes- 
senger of Science ; 111. Bro. B. R. Lawrence, Acconi- 
panier ; 111. Bro. W. L. Stanford, Standard Bearer; 
111. Bro. T. D. Glarke, Sword Bearer; 111. Bro. T. Gar- 
roll, Guardian of the Sanctuary; 111. Bro. T. Gripps, 
Organist; 111. Bro. G. H. Reed, Sentinel. 

The M. 111. G. Master visited Peoria, Illinois, and 
on the 9th of February, 1867, instituted Pyramid 
Rose Groix Ghapter, No. I, of Illinois. Officers : 

III. Bro. Justin E. Dow, Most Wise ; 111. Bro. Thos. 
D. Gautt. Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. G. A. Rich, Junior 
Warden; 111. Bro. William Rounseville, Orator; Sir 
Fit. Gharles Spalding, Gonductor; Sir Kt. W. Gope- 
land, Archivist ; Sir Kt. M. E. Erler, Treasurer ; Sir 
Kt. J. Higbie, Gaptain of the Guard ; Sir Kt. F. M. 
Barrett, Guard of the Tower ; Sir Kt. Samuel Tart, 
Prelate ; Sir Kt. F. M. Reinhart, Organist ; Sir Kt. 
T. H. Randolph, Sentinel 

Isis Senate of H. P., 2()th degree, No. 1, of Illinois, 
was instituted at the same time and place, and the 
following officers installed : 

111. Bro. Wm. Rounseville, Sub. Grand Gommander ; 
111. Bro. G. Spalding, Senioi* Knight Interpreter; 111. 
Bro. Samuel Tart, Junior Knight Interpreter; 111. 
Bro. W. Y. Francis, Orator ; 111. Bro. W. Gopeland^ 



Ill 

Recorder; 111. Bro. M. E. Erler, Knight of Fiuance; 
111. Bro. F. M. Barrett, Archivist; III. Bro. J.E.Dow, 
Marshal ; III. Bro. F. M. Reinhart, Knight of Intro- 
duction ; III. Bro. D. Spencer, Accompanier ; III. Bro. 
John Higbie, Captain of the Guard ; III. Bro. H. E. 
Seley, Standard Bearer ; III. Bro. T. D. Gautt, Sword 
Bearer; III. Bro. T. H. Randolph, Sentinel. 

Cheops Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 2, of Illinois, was 
instituted at Peoiia, February 24, 1867. Officers : 

III. Bro. Louis Furst, Most Wise; III. Bro. J. P. 
Singer, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. J. Lorenz, Junior 
Warden; 111. Bro. Marx Moses, Orator. 

Diooenes Senate, No. 2, of Illinois, was oroanizcd 
at the same time and place. Officers : 

III. Bro. J. N. Neglas, M. D., Sub. Grand Coni- 
mander ; III. Bro. Aucr. Reen, Senior Knioht Inter- 
preter ; III. Bro. Henry Ullman, Junior Knight Inter- 
preter; III Bro. G. Stiehl, Sentinel. 

Note. — Cheops Cliapter and Diogenes Senate, work in the 
German language. 

Covenant Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 5, of Illinois, 
was organized April 24, 1807, by the Gd. Mas. Gen., 
assisted by 111. Bro. William Rounscville, Thirty- 
third Degree, at Eureka. Officers : 

III. Bro. David P. N. Sanderson, Most Wise; 111. 
Bro. J. A. Davis, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. L. T. Blair, 
Junior Warden; 111. Bro. E. P. Hall, Oiator; Sir Kt. 
Thomas Bullock, Jr., Conductor; Sir Kt. James W. 
Finley, Archivist; Sir Kt. Peter Ben nage, Treasurer; 
Sir Kt. Thomas H. Gray, Captain of the Guard ; Sir 
Kt. Alonzo Hale, Guard of the Tower ; Sir Kt. Syl- 
vester Wright, Prelate ; Sir Kt. W. G. Vantlyke, Sen- 
tinel. 

Emanuel Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 3, of Illinois, 
and No. 17 of the Sanctuary, was instituted, and the 



112 

following officers for the ensuing year were installed 
and inducted into office in A. and P. form, at Pekin, 
during the same month : 

111. Bro. Dr. Samuel Wagenseller, Most Wise ; 111. 
Bro. N. W. Green, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. Henry 
Wilkey, Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. John S. Milam, 
Orator; Sir Kt. John Cohonour, Conductor; Sir Kt. 
W. W. Clemens, Archivist; Sir Kt. Peter Weyrich, 
Treasurer ; Sir Kt. F. S. Hubbler, Captain of the 
Guard; Sir Kt. W. H. Siebert, Guard of the Tower; 
Sir Kt. John B. Orr, Sentinel. 

Jubulum Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 4, of Illinois, at 
Moawequa, Zodiac Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 6, of Illi- 
nois, at Chillicothe, and Bezaleel Rose-Croix Chapter, 
No. 7, of Illinois, at Lacon, were organized during the 
same Spring. 

Eleuisis Rose-Croix Chapter, No. 1, of Iowa, was 
organized April 80, 1867, at Burlington. Officers : 

111. Bro. Mortimer E. Gillette, Most Wise ; 111. Bro. 
William E. Woodward, Senior Warden ; 111. Bro. War- 
ner Miller, Junior Warden ; 111. Bro. Samuel W. Snow, 
Orator; Sir Kt. Logan Steece, Conductor; Sir Kt. 
E. C. Parsons, Archivist; Sir Kt. Geo. A. McArthur, 
Treasurer; Sir Kt. Samuel J. Lane, Captain of the 
Guard. 

Karnak Senate of H. P., No. 1, of Iowa, was or- 
ganized at Burlington, April 80, 1867. Officers : 

111. Bro. William E. Woodward, Sub. Grand Com- 
mander; 111. Bro. R. M. Raab,Sen. Knight Interpreter; 
Ill.Bro. Samuel J. Lane, Junior Knightlnterpreter ; 111. 
Bro. William Bolton, Orator ; Ill.Bro. H. R. Rhein, Re- 
corder ; 111. Bro. Samuel Lehman, Knight of Finance ; 
111. Bro. Solomon^ Kohn, Archivist; III. Bro. M. E. 
Gillette, Marshal ; 111. Bro. E. C. Parsons, Knight of 
Introduction; 111. Bro. S. W. Snow, Accompanier- 



113 

III. Bro. Frank X. Kuechen, Captain of the Guard ; 
111. Bro. G. A. McArthur, Standard Beaier ; 111. Bro. 
Christian ^Jiller, Sword Bearer; III. Bro. J. M. Broad, 
Sentinel. 

Pythagoras Senate of H. P., No. 3, of Illinois, was 
organized at Eureka, Ma}^ 9, 1867. Ofhcers: 

111. Bro. David P. N. Sanderson, Sub. Grand Com- 
mander; 111. Bro. Sylvester Wright,SeniorKnightInter- 
preter; III. Bro. B. D. Meek, Junior Knight Interpreter; 
III. Bro. James N.Finley, Recorder; III. Bro. J. A. Davis, 
Knight of Finance ; 111. Bro. Henry Damerill, Archi- 
vist; III. Bro. E. P. Hall, Orator; 111. Bro. Thomas 
Bullock, Jr., Marshal ; 111. Bro. Sampson Shockley, 
Knight of Introduction ; 111. Bro. J. J. Rassmussen, 
Accompanier; III. Bro. L. T. Blair, Captain of the 
Guard; 111. Bro. Thomas H. Gray, Standard Bearer; 
111. Bro. Ezra P. Meek, Sword Bearer; 111. Bro. Alonzo 
Hale, Guardian of the Sanctuary; III. Bro. John G. 
Wood, Sentinel. 

E. A. Guilbert, P. G. Master Grand Lodge of Iowa ; 
R. W. Simeon D. Welling ; R. W. Geo. B. Van Saun ; 
R. W. F. H. Griggs ; R. W. James L. Enos ; R. W. 
J. Chapman, and R. W. T. Sehriener, received the 
degrees at the Annual Grand Lodge Comnmnication 
at Burlington, Iowa, 1867. 

Sirius Sublime Council, 30th Degree, No. 1, of Illi- 
nois, was organized at Peoria, on Wednesda}^ June 
12, 1867. OtRcers: 

III. Bro. J. N. Neglas, Sublime Dai ; III. Bro. H. E. 
Seley, First Mystagogue; 111. Bro. D. T. N. Sander- 
son, Second Mystagogue; III. Bro. William McLean, 
Orator; 111. Bro. M. E. Erler, Treasurer; III. Bro. 
Charles Spalding, Secretary ; III. Bro. George Broad, 
Grand Expert ; III. Bro. John G. Treager, Standard 
Bearer ; III. Bro. William Oberhouser, Sword Bearer • 



114 

111. Bro. D. W. Meek, Messenger of Science; 111. Bro. 
Charles A. Rich, Archivist; 111. Bro. C. W. Carroll, 
Accompanier ; 111. Bro. J. M. Eiser, Guardian of the 
Sanctuary ; 111. Bro. F. M. Barrett, Sentinel. 

Here the Edict reducing Degrees to Thirty-three 
was made known. 

Marconis de Negre having surrendered the title of 
Grand Hierophant, and vested the control of the An- 
cient and Primitive Rite in the Grand Orient of 
France; December the 20th, 1685, the Sovereign 
Sanctuary adopted and issued the following in 1867 : 

About this time Seymour, the Grand Master, came 
to Illinois for the purpose of informing the Memphis 
Masons in that State, and the Author, who was a 
Grand Magi and Deputy Grand Master in the original 
Memphis Rite of 96°. There was at that time com- 
pleted, or nearly so, by the Author, two Councils 90°, 
two Senates 48°, and ten Rose-Croix Chapters 18°, 
and about one hundred 90° unaffiliated Masons. The 
Edict or pretended reduction was as follows : 

EDICT. 

To the Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. In the name 
of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Ancient and Primitve Freemasonry 
according to the Rite of Memphis, in and for the Continent of 
America., sitting in the Valley of New York. Salutation on all 
points of the Triangle. Respect to the Order : 

To all Masons to wliom these presents shaU come. Greeting : 

Whereas, The Grand Orient of France, and the Grand Bodies 
of the Masonic Rite of Memphis, have mutually agreed that 
there shall be but Thirty-three Degrees; the 31st, 32d, and 33d 
of which shall be conferred only by authorization of the Su- 
preme Body; and 

Whereas, Said agreement was solemnly ratified by the late 111. 
Brother, the Marshal Magnan, 33d degree, Grand Master of 
Masons for France and the French possessions, and the 111. Bro. 
Marconis de Negre, and the officers of the Grand Orient and 
Rite of Memphis; and 



115 

Wherms, The Officers and Members of the Ancient and Prim- 
itive Rite of Memphis, deem it for the best interests of the Rite 
and Masonry generally, that the degrees be condensed; thereby 
concentrating the sublime Morals, Symbols, Allegories, Anti(iiie 
Legends and Philosophical Dissertations, into Thirty three de 
grees, the better to maintain its unity, exercise benevolence, 
propagate knowledge, and avoid the differences which unhap- 
pily exist in other Masonic Rites: 

Therefore, We, the Grand Master General, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Grand Officers of the Ancient and 
Primitive Rite do hereby agree that the Ancient and Primitive 
Rite of Memphis shall consist of Thirty-three Degrees, divided 
as hereinafter designated : 

Section I —Chapter op Rose Croix. 

4th Degree, Discreet Master; 5th Degree, Sublime Master; 
6th Degree, Sacred Arch: 7th Degree, Secret Vault; 8th Degree, 
Knight of the Sword; yth Degree, Knight of Jerusalem; lOth 
Degree, Knight of the Orient; 11th Degree, Rose-Croix. 

Section II. — Senate of Hermetic Philosophers. 

12th Degree, Knight of the Red Eagle; 13th Degree, Knight 
of the Temple; 14th Degree, Knight of the Tabernacle ; 15th 
Degree, Knight of the Serpent; 16th Degree, Knight Kadosh; 
17th Degree, Knight of the Royal Mystery; 18th Degree, Grand 
Inspector; 19th Degree, Sage of Truth; 20th Degree, Hermetic 
Philosopher. 

Section III. — Sublime Council. 

21st Degree, Public, Grand Installator; 22d Degree, Public, 
Grand Consecrator; 23d Degree, Public, Grand Eulogist; 24th 
Degree, Patriarch of Truth; 25th Degree, Patriarch of the 
Planispheres; 26th Degree. Patriarch of the Sacred Vedas; 27th 
Degree Patriarch of Isis ; 28th Degree, Patriarch of Memphis; 
29th Degree, Patriarch of the Mystic City ; 30th Degree Master 
of theG.-.W.\ P. . P.-. 

Section IV. — Official. 

31st Degree, Grand Defender of the Rite; 32d Degree, Sub- 
lime Prince of Memphis; 33d Degree, Sov. Grand Conservator 
of the Rite. 

And, furthermore, it is decreed, that the Ancient and Prim- 
itive Rite do now and forever waive and renounce all claiui over 



116 

the first three or Symbolic Degrees, and that no person shall be 
received unless he be a Master Mason in good standing. 
(Signed,) 

H. J. Seymour, 33°, M 111. ISov. Grand Master General. 

John J. Crane. M. D , 33*^, Grand Administrator General. 

John W. Simons, 33°, Grand CJiancellor General. 

Robert D. Holmes, 33°, Grand Expert General. 

James B. Taylor, 33°. Grand Secretary General. 

Peter W. Neefus, 33°, Grand Treasurer General. 

Bradley Parker, M. D , 33°, Gr. Keeper. Gen of the Golden Book. 

Henry F. L Bunting, 33°, Grand Master of Ger. General. 

John J. Thompson, 33°, Grand Guardian of the Sanctuary. 

A, M. Underbill, 33°. 

John Hanna 33°. 

P. S. Haines, 33°. 

The New York Masons generally refused to con- 
sent to the reduction, and the chief officers of the 
Sanctuary came out in a card and refused to have 
any further Masonic intercourse in the Kite, dissolved 
the body that had existed for some time, and pub- 
lished the following in the public prints of New York 
and elsewhere, viz : 

CARD. 

New York, Nov. 30, 1867. 

The undersigned members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite 
of Freemasonry, and attached to the Supreme Council of the 
Northern Jurisdiction by active and honorary membership, 
claiming their allegiance to that body as superior to any other 
system of ineffable Masonry, have dissolved their connection 
w^ith Harry J. Seymour and the A and P. Rite of Memphis; 
and hereby declare unauthorized the further use of our names 
in connection therewith. 

JOHNW. SIMONS, 33° 
CLINTON F. PAIGE, 33° 
ORRIN WELCH. 33° 
JOHN L. LEWIS, 33° 

Although the foregoing edict of the Grand Orient 
of France purports to have been issued two years be- 
fore, so secret had been the proceedings, that none 



117 

i^aVe Seymour was aware of its action and the re- 
duction. 

But the publication of this card from four of the 
leading Masons in the United States, was the last 
straw that broke the camel's back, and everything 
was in a state of turmoil, and confusion reigned su- 
preme ; the temple was destroyed, and Seymour and 
the few that followed him, renounced the 9Gth Degree 
Rite of Memphis, and the Memphis Masons of Illinois 
founded the present institution, whicn has elected and 
installed oiScers ever since, and is to-day the oidy 
true or legal head of Egyptian oi Memphis Masonry 
in America. 

[See first part of this book for the Convention in 
Chicago, June 17, 1867. — Author.] 



ABRIDGED HISTORY 

OF THE 

EGYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 



Before collecting the various evidences of antiquity 
of this venerable ordej*, whose records were and had 
Vjeen musty with age long before even the Pyramids 
were begun or finished, which would give a date of 
at least 2500 years before the Christian Era date be- 
gan, I quote from a work recently written in New 
York, called the General History and Encyclopedia 
of Freemasonry, edited and published by Mr. Robert 
Macoy, an authentic modein writer, who has with 
considerable labor and ability condensed the history 
of the Masonic Rite, and on page 124, under the 
head of the Egyptian Masonic Rite says, " according 
to Heroditus, the secret institution of Isis, with its 
wonderful mysteries and imposing ceremonies, made 
its appearance simultaneously with the organization 
of Egyptian society and the birth of Egyptian 
civilization."* 

At first, says Mr. Macoy, who copies from others, 
the initiation was probably a simple mystic drama, 
representing the progress of man from a barbarous 
to a civilized state, and his advancement and strug- 
gles through gloom and terror towards a supreme 
perfection, whether in time or in eternity. This is 

*Tliis being about 250,000 years before the Christian era, for 
Egypt had been twice in Barbarism and is now in a semi bar- 
Ijarous state, when the Bible history began its date. 



119 

seen in the hiefoglyphical representation of the 
judgment of Amenti. It was a picture of an ordeal 
or scrutiny to which the candidate was subjected 
preparatory to initiation. The ceremonies of initia- 
tion itself was a progress through gloom and terror, 
and all possible mental tei'rors, toscenes of inde- 
scribable beauty and glory. 

The principal seat of the mysteries was at 
Memphis, (commonly called Memphi.) They were 
of two kinds, the grreater and the lesser ; the former 
taught by the Priests of Isis and Serapis, the latter 
by those of Osiris. The candidate was required to 
furnish proof of a pure life as Ln evidence that he 
was fitted for enrollment, (in our parlance that he 
was worthy.) When these conditions were fulfilled, 
he was required to spend a week in solitude and 
meditation, abstain from all unchaste acts and confine 
himself to a light diet, and to purify his blood b}^ 
frequent ablutions and severe mortifications of the 
flesh. Being thus prepared, the candidate was 
oi'dered to enter the pyramid during the night, when 
he had to descend on his hands and knees through a 
narrow passage without steps, until he reached a 
cave-like opening, through which he had to crawl to 
another subterranean cave, on the wall of which he 
found inserted the following words : " The mortal 
ivho shall travel over this road alone without hesitancy 
or looking behind, shall be punished by fire, by water 
and b}^ air, and if he can surmount the fear of death 
he shall emerge from the bosom of the earth, he 
shall revisit the light and claim the right to prepare 
his soul for the reception of the mysteries of the 
great God Osiris. At the same time three priests, 
disguised in masks resembling the heads of jackals, 
and armed with swords, .sought to frighten him, first 



120 

by their appearance and voice, afterwards by enu- 
merating the danoers that waited hiin on his journey. 
If his courage did not fail hun here, he was permitted 
to pass on to the hall of fire. This was a large 
apartment lined with burning stuffs, and whose floor 
was a grate painted to flame color ; the bars of this 
grate were so narrow that they offered scarcely room 
enough for him to cross. Through this hall he was 
obliged to pass with the greatest of speed to prevent 
being burned and avoid the intense heat and flame. 
He ne.^t encountered a wide channel fed from the 
waters of the Nile. Ovei- this stream he was 
obliged to swim, with a small lamp, which furnished 
all the light that was afforded him. On reaching the 
opposite side, he found a narrow passage leading to a 
landing place about six feet square, the floor jf 
which was made movable by mechanism underneath ; 
on each side were walls of rough stone, and behind 
wheels of metal were fixed ; in front was a gate of 
ivory opening inward and preventing any further 
advance. On attempting to turn two large rings 
annexed to the door in hopes of continuing his 
journey, the wheels came into motion, producing a 
most terrific and stunning effect, and the floor gave 
way, leaving him suspended by the arms over appa- 
rently a deep abyss, from which proceeded a violent 
and piercing current of cold air, so that the lamp 
was extinguished, and he remained in complete 
darkness. In this process of trial, it will be ob- 
served that the candidate was exposed to the action 
of the four great purifying elements — Earth, Air, 
Fire and Water. After the risk of falling into an 
unknown depth, continued for a moment or two, the 
floor resumed its original position, the wheels ceased 
to revolve, and the doors of ivory flew open, disclos- 



121 

ing the Sanctuary of Isis, illumiDated with a blaze 
of lis^ht, where the priests of that goddess were 
assembled, di-awn up iu two ranks, clothed in cere- 
monial dresses, and bearing the mysterious symbols 
of the order, singing hymns in praise of their 
divinity, who welcomed and congratulated him on 
his courage and escape from the danger which had 
surrounded him. The entrance to the Sanctuaiy 
was constructed in the pedestal of the triple statue 
of Isis, Osiris and Horus, and the walls were orna- 
mented with various allegorical figuies, symbols oi' 
the Egyptian mysteries, among which were particu- 
larly prominent, 1st, the figure of a ser[)ent tnrovving 
an egg out of its mouth, a S3'mbol of the production 
of all things by the heat of the sun ; 2d, a serpent 
curled up in the form of a circle, holding its tail in 
its mouth, an allusion to eternity, and to the uninter- 
rupted revolution of the sun; 3d, the double tau, 
which is meant to represent the active and passive 
power of nature in the production and generation of 
all tilings. Then he was made to kneel before an 
altar, and required to pronounce the following solemn 
obligation : " I swear never to reveal to any uninitia- 
ted person the things I have seen in this Sanctuar}^ 
nor any of the mysteries which have been or shall 
hereafter be communicated to me. I call on all the 
Deities of earth, heaven, hell, and the infernal 
regions, to be witness of this oath, and I trust that 
their vengeance will fall on my head should I ever 
become a villain so base and perjured." He was 
then retained for a period of several months in the 
Pyramid or Temple, where moral trials and physical 
tests awaited him. The object of this was to bring 
out all the powers of his physique and traits of his 
character, thus testing his fitness for a vocation. 

F 



122 

After he has passed through this trial, then came 
what was called his Manifestation. This consisted 
of a number of ceremonies of which the novice or 
neophyte was the subject during the space of twelve 
days. He was then dedicated to Osiris, Isis and 
Horus, and decorated with the twelve consecrated 
scarfs, (stolae,) and the Olympic cloak. These 
scarfs were embroidered with the signs of the Zodiac 
and the cloak with figures that were symbolic of 
the starry heavens, as the abode of the Gods and 
happy Spirits. A crown of palm leaves was placed 
upon his head and a burning torch in his hand. 
Thus prepared he was again led to the altar, where 
he renewed and took additional oath. Now came the 
time when he had the right to appear as victor 
before the people, and to this end they prepared for 
him a solemn procession, called the triumphal 
march of the initiated, which was proclaimed by 
heralds in every quarter of the city. On the morn- 
ing of the day appointed for the ceremony, the 
priests assembled in the temple, when the most 
precious treasures belonging to the Sanctuary were 
displayed, and repaired to the Chapel of Isis, to bring 
sacrifice to the Goddess, covered with a veil of white 
silk, embroidered with golden hieroglyphics, and this 
again concealed beneath a black gauze. After this 
service the procession left the temple and moved 
westward. First in the train came an image of Isis 
seated upon a triumphal car drawn by six white 
horses, next to which walked the priests in the order 
of their rank, dressed in the most gorgeous attire, 
and carrying the sacred symbols, the utensils of the 
temple, the books of Thot, and the sacred tablet of 
Isis, which was a silver plate with the hieroglyphics 
that referred to the mysteries of the Goddess engrossed 



123 

on it. The priests were followed by all the native 
and foreign adepts dressed in white linen garments. 
The newly initiated walked in their midst distin- 
guished by a white veil, which extended from the top 
of his head to his shoulders. All the houses of the 
streets through which the procession passed were 
decorated as on festal occasions, flowers and perfumes 
were everywhere thrown over the person of the 
novice, and his arrival greeted with shouts of 
rejoicing. After his return to the temple he was 
placed upon an elevated throne, before which imme- 
diately afterwards a curtain descended, while the 
priests chanted during the interval hymns in favor 
of the Goddess. He divested himself of his holiday 
suit and assumed a white linen garb, which he was 
henceforth to wear. The curtain was now again 
raised, and the renewed shouts of the spectators 
greeted him, as an adept. The ceremonies concluded 
with a festival (banquet) which lasted three da3^s, 
during which the newly made brother occupied the 
seat of honor. 

At a subsequent period the mysteries were aug- 
mented by the introduction of the Tragedy of 
Gsiris. This ceremony consisted of funeral rites 
expressive of the wildest grief on account of his 
death, a searcli for his body, which is at last found, 
the return of Osiris to life, and the capture and 
death or destruction of Typhon, his assasin. Osiris 
was a symbol of truth, fortitude and goodness, one 
who would sacrifice or lose his life rather than 
betray his trust. Typhon was the symbol of error 
or evil — the murder of Osiris signified the temporary 
subjugation of virtue or truth. 

This was the parent, or source of all the Grecian 
or other rites which represent a death and a resur- 



1245 

rection of the body, and whose principal features 
are perpetuated in the legend of the Sidonian 
builders. These mysteries exercised a powerful 
influence over the Egyptian mind. They gave 
unity to the Egyptian character, and consistency to 
their religious doctrines or establishments^ stability 
to their political institutions, and vigor and direct- 
ness in the pursuits of philosophy, science and 
art. 

Edition of 1875, page 242, Mackey Encyclopedia, 
Egyptian Masonry : Egypt has always been consid- 
ered as the birthplace of the mysteries ; it was there 
that the ceremonies of initiation were first estab- 
lished, it was there that truth first veiled in 
allegory and the dogmas of religion were first im- 
parted under symbolic forms. From Egypt, the 
land of the tongued globe, the land of science and 
philosophy, peerless for stately tombs and magnifi- 
cent temples, the land whose civilization was old, 
and nation before other nations, since called to 
empire, had a name, this system of symbols was 
disseminated through Greece and Rome, and other 
countries of Europe and Asia, giving origin through 
many intermediate steps to that mysterious associa- 
tion which is now represented by the institution of 
Freemasonry. 

To Egypt, therefore, Masons have always looked 
with a peculiar interest, as the cradle of that myste- 
rious science of symbolism whose peculiar mode of 
teaching they alone of all modern institutions have 
preserved to the present day. The initiation into 
the Egyptian mysteries was, of all the mysteries 
practiced by the ancients, the most severe and im- 
pressive. The Greeks at Eleusis initiated it to some 
extent, but they never reached the magnitude oi the 



125 

forms nor the austerity of its disciples. The system 
had been organized for ages, and the priests, who 
alone were the hierophants, the explainers of the 
in^^steries, or as we should call them in Masonic 
language, the Masters of Lodges, were educated 
almost from childhood for the business in which 
they were engaged. That learning of the Egyptians 
in which Moses is said to have been so skilled was 
imparted in these mysteries ; it was confined to the 
priests and to the initiates, and the trials of initiation 
which the latter had to pass were so difficult to be 
endured that none but those who were stimulated by 
the most ardent thirst for knowledge dared to 
undertake them or succeed in submitting to them. 
The j)riestbood of Egypt constituted a sacred court 
on whom the sacerdotal functions were hereditary. 
They exercised also an important part in the govern- 
ment of the State, and the Kings of Egypt were but 
the first subjects of the priests. They had originally 
organized, and continued to control the ceremonies 
of initiation. These doctrines were of two kinds, 
exortem, or public, which were communicated to the 
multitude, and esoteric, or secret, which were revealed 
only to a chosen few, and to obtain them it was 
necessary to pass through an initiation which was 
characterized by the severest trials of courage and 
fortitude. 

The principal seat of the mysteries was at Mem- 
phis, in the neighborhood of the great pyramid 
Cheops. They were of two kinds, those of Osiris, 
the greater, and those of Isis, the lesser. 

Those of Osiris were celebrated at the autumnal 
equinox, those of Serapis at the summer solstice, 
and those of Isis at the yernal equinox, 



12^ 

The candidate was required to exhibit proofs of a 
blameless life. For some time or days previous to the 
commencement of the ceremonies of initiation, he 
abstained from all unchaste acts, confined himself to 
an exceedingly light diet, from which all animal 
food was excluded, and purified himself by repeated 
ablutions. 

Apuleius, (Met. lib. xi,) who had been one of the 
initiated into all of them, thus alludes with cautious 
reticence to those of Isis : " The priests, (all the 
profane having been removed to a distance,) taking 
my hand, brought me into the inner recesses of the 
Sanctuary itself, clothed in a new linen garment. 
Perhaps, curious reader, you may be eager to know 
what was then said and done. I would tell you if 
it were lawful for me to do so ; you should know if 
it were lawful for you to hear. But the ears that 
heard those things, and the tongue that told them, 
would reap the evil result of such rashness. Still, 
however, kept in suspense as you probably are with 
religious longing, I will not torment you with pro- 
tracted anxiety. Hear, therefore, but believe what is 
the truth : / approached the confines of death, and 
having trod on the threshold of Proserpine, I returned 
therefrom, being borne through all the elements. 
At midnight I saw the sun shining with its brilliant 
light, and I approached the presence of the Gods 
above and stood near and worshiped them. Be- 
hold, I have related to you things of which though 
heard by you, you must necessarily remain ignorant." 

The first degree, as we term it, of Egyptian initia- 
tion, was that into the mysteries of Isis. What was 
its peculiar import we are forbid to say. Isis, says 
Knight, was among the later Egyptians the personifi- 
cation of universal nature. To Apuleius he says, 



127 

" I am nature, the parent of all things, the sovereign 
of the elements, the ))riniary progeny of time." 

Plutarch tells us that on the front of the Temple 
oflsis.was ]>laced tliis inscription: " I, Isis, am all 
that has been, that is or shall be, and no mortal hath 
ever unveiled me." Thus we may conjecture that 
the Isaic mysteries were descriptive of the alternate 
decaying and renovating powers of nature. 

Higgins' Anacal, 11-102, it is true, says that dur- 
ing the mysteries of Isis, were celebrated the misfor- 
tunes and tragical death of Osiris in a sort of drama, 
(like H.\ A.', of the Masons.) And Apuleius asserts 
that the initiation into her mysteries is celebrated as 
bearinoj a close resemblance to a voluntary death, 
(like that of Cleopatria, in Shakspeare,) or with a 
very precarious chance of recovery. But Higgins 
gives us no reference or authority for his statements 
or conclusions, while that of Apuleius cannot be con- 
travened by any resemblance or reference to the 
enfoiced death of Osiris. It is, therefore, says an- 
other, probable that the ceremonies of the initiation 
were simply, like the Apprentice and Fellow Craft, 
preparatory to the Master or Osiris, and taught by 
some of the instructions in the physical laws of na- 
ture, the necessity of moral puri^cation, the theory of 
which is not incom])atible with the mystic allusions 
of Apuleius, in which he hints at his own initiation. 

The mysteries of Serapis constituted the second 
degree of the Egyptian initiation. Of this Rite, we 
have but a very scantv intimation or knowledge. 
Herodotus is entirely silent in the description of 
them — either he did not understand them, or, if he 
did, he feared to make them known ; and Apuleius, 
calling them " The Nocturnal Orgies of Serapis, a 
God of the first rank," only intimates that they fol- 



128 

lowed those ot Tsis, and were yjreparatory to the last 
and greatest initiation. 

Serapis is said to have been only Osiris while in 
Hades ; and hence the Serapian initiation might have 
represented the death of Osiris, but leaving the 
resurrection for a subsequent or higher initiation. 
This however is merely a conjecture. 

In the mysteries of Osiris, which were at first the 
consummation of the Egpytian system, the lesson of 
death and resurrection was symbolically taught, and 
the legend of the murder of Osiris, the search for the 
body, Cnot in the several apartments of the temple,) 
its discovery (not by the acacia,) and restoration to 
life, is scenically represented. This legend of initia- 
tions was as follows : Osiris, a wise King of Egypt, 
left the care of his kingdom to his wife, Isis, and 
travelled for three years to communicate to other na^ 
tions the arts of civilization. During his absence, 
his brother, Typhon, (the Devi], or God of Pandemo- 
nium,) formed a secret conspiracy to destroy him and 
to usurp his throne. On his return, Osiris was in- 
vited by Typhon to an entertainment, in the month 
of November, at which all the conspirators were 
present. Typhon produced a chest inlaid with gold, 
and promised to give it to any person whose body it 
would most exactly fit. Osiris, against the entreaties 
of his wife, Isis, was tempted to try the experiment, 
but he had no sooner laid down in the chest than the 
lid was closed and nailed or fastened down, and the 
chest containing the body thrown into the riyer Nile. 
The chest containing the body of Osiris was, after be 
ing a long time tossed about b}^ the waves, finally cast 
up at By bios, in Phoenicia, and left at the foot of a 
tamarack tree. Isis, overwhelmed with grief at the 
Iqss of her husband, s^t out on a jouruey aqd traversed 



129 

the earth in search of the body. After many adven- 
tures she at length discovered the spot where it had 
been thrown up by the waves, and returned with it 
in triumph to Egypt. It was then proclaimed with 
the most extravagant demonstrations of joy, Osiris 
was risen from the dead and had become a God. 
Such, with slight variations of details by different 
writers, are the general outlines of the Osiric legend 
which was represented in the drama of initiation. 
Its resemblance to the Hiraraic legend of the Masonic 
system will be readily seen and understood. Osiris 
and Typhon are the representatives of the two an- 
tagonistic principles — good and evil, light and dark- 
ness, life and death. 

There is also an astronomical interpretation of the 
legend which makes Osiris the sun, Typhon the sea- 
son of winter, which suspends the fecundating and 
fertilizing powers of the sun or destroys its life, to be 
restored only by the return of invigorating Spring. 

The sufferings and death of Osiris were the great 
mystery of the Egyptian religion. His being the 
abstract principle and abstract idea of the divine 
goodness, his manifestation upon the earth, his death, 
his resurrection, and his subsequent office as Judge 
of the dead in a future state, look, (says Wilkinson,) 
like the early revelations of a future manifestation of 
the Deity converted into a mythological fable. Into 
these mysteries Herodotus, Plutarch and Pythagoras 
were initiated, and the former two have given brief 
accounts of them. But then our knowledge of them 
must have been extremely limited, for, as Clement of 
Alexandria, (Chron. Vol. 7,) tells us, the more important 
secrets were not revealed even to all the priests, but 
to a select number of theiin only. 



130 

The folloiuing is a synopsis of the preface to the first 

edition of thi History of the Egpytian Masonic 

Bite of Memphis : 

This book is written for the purpose of showing 
what the Egyptian MLasonic Rite of Memphis really 
is; as some of the Craft have not had the ad- 
vantages of Masonic libraries, and have been made 
to believe that it is an innovation on the other 
Rites or Systems, and particularly as there has, at 
this late day, arisen a new system of Masonry — 
or humbug called Masonry — entitled Ancient and 
Primitive Rite of Memphis, of 33 Degrees, The 
writer has taken the Introduction to the First Vol- 
ume of the Ritual and prefaced it with an article 
from one of our ablest and highest Masons, which we 
commend to all true Masons, and which will well pay 
for the reading. We therefore submit the same, to- 
gether with a few quotations from the Ancient 'Cus- 
toms, Edicts, and Laws of the Order. Hoping it will 
serve to allay any feeling of alarm about the Egyp- 
tian Masonic Rite interfering with our present sys- 
tem, we submit it to the candid reader and inquirer 
after truth. 

Since the issue of the first volume of the Ritual 
of these Degrees, the writer has been pleased to see 
the spirit of kindness shown by eminent Masons of 
every branch of the Institution toward the Egyptian 
Masonic Rite of Memphis, and who seem to be 
pleased with its rapid progress and wide-spread pop- 
ularity among all classes of Masons, especially among 
the learned and eminent in the Craft. And when it 
is known that the original Egyptian Masonry is prop- 
agated by this Jurisdiction, they all seem eager to 
embrace it ; so nmch so that it has been a great labor 
on the part of the Officers of the Sovereign Sanctu- 



131 

ary to supply the necessary papers and Rituals. And 
as an evidence of its appreciation hy the Craft, an 
article from The Mystic Star, of August, 1867, is here 
copied, and which commends itself to all true Masons : 

" Rite of Memphis. — This branch of Free Ma- 
sonry is acquiring a firm foothold among the learned 
and skilled of the Craft in the West. To tliose who 
are well informed in the York and Scotch Rites, the 
Memphian lectures are of peculiar interest, and their 
impression can not easily be destroyed. The question 
of precedency of these Rites is well established, but 
which of them ultimately is to prevail, in the West 
especially, is for the future to make known to us. 
While each of the legends is rich, alike with interest 
and freighted with truth, fortitied with great and 
good morals, the inharmonies in philos(j[)hy and 
chronology in the two former aie corrected and 
reconciled in the last. 

" These systems have come down to us from remote 
ages, and each has had attentive ears and faithful 
breasts, and will probably be handed down to other 
generations with little if any improvement by us. 
While there is a disputation as to wliich is the better 
historic standard, we have no desire to dwell long on 
the question of antiquity, leaving that entirely with 
the records which are within the reach of every Mas- 
ter Mason in the country. The high grade of morals 
taught in every step of Masonry, in each line of 
march from the Master upward to the Knight Tem- 
plar, the 33d Degree and 96th Degree are worth moie 
to the world now than the fact as to which of these 
systems Hiram and King Solomon gave their patron- 
age. It is more probable, in point of expenditure of 
time in the life of all Master Masons, to cultivate 
themselves up to the moral g mge laid before them in 



the Third Degree than to be diverfced from their 
teachings by the confusion of Degrees and mixing of 
systems. The beautiful illustrations of truth and 
fidelity can nowhere be better displayed than in the 
first three Degrees of the Order, and as in them there 
is soviething not clearly understood, and for the find- 
ing of which we are pointed by the whole lesson to 
look forward; an earnestness for mastery and ob- 
servance of the principles taught should characterize 
the whole life of the aspirant; the multiplication of 
advancement, instead of relaxing the first obligations, 
should endear them stronger and warmer to the 
hearts of all true Masons. 

" From the Third Degree we find three avenues of 
advancement, and the Master Mason is sole umpire 
of which he shall take, or all if he so determines. 
Each of these branches have their friends; all will 
doubtless live ; one is destined to take the lead in the 
United States, and appearances are very much in favor 
of the Rite of Memphis. The continuation of the moral 
lessons, the faithful following of the illustrious char- 
acters, and the harmony and beauty of the history, 
as given in this Ritual, are certain to draw around 
it everywhere warm friends and faithful adherents. 

" We are informed that strong Chapters and Sen- 
ates have already been formed in Illinois, under the 
auspices of the Grand Orient, and that they are do- 
ing active and good work. A movement is also on 
foot in Chicago for the same purpose. Believing that 
this branch of Masonry possesses elements for doing 
much good among Masons, and therefore making 
society better and the world happier, it has our un- 
qualified sup[)ort and best wishes wherever its pres- 
ence may be made known and invited to dwell. 
" If Masonry has any mission in the world more 



« m 

than to bring repubed good men together upon a com- 
mon level of recognition and equality, it is to foster 
and exemplify the soundness of a life in the service 
of truth and righteousness, and to influence, at all 
points in life, the suppression of vice and crime, to 
strengthen the faltering, cheer the sorrowful, and 
soothe the afilicted. This being the province of the 
Order so faithfully cherished by the worthy and wise 
of antiquity, and the influence ot its teachings marked 
with so many evidences of good to the world, let its 
custodians and pupils of this age see that its jewels 
are kept bright, and that its great designs are not di- 
verted from their true intents. While this is pre- 
sented to mankind as the outgrowth of the doings of 
Masonry, its prosperity will be measured by the 
march of civilization, and its greatest eulogy will 
be the examples of its membership throughout the 
world. With this view, let Masons remember that 
* the end of a thing is better than the beginning 
thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the 
proud in spirit.' " 

Thus it will be seen that the regular Degrees, from 
the 3d to the 96th, are here endorsed ; and Masons 
will remember that there can be no Rite of Memphis 
of less than 96 Degrees, (90 Degrees of Science and 6 
Oflicial,) as any Monitor, Lexicon, or Masonic History 
will show, and when we again call to mind all the 
Ancient Charges and Constitutions, which clearly 
teach and aflirm that it is not in the power of any 
man, or body of men, to make innovations in Ancient 
Craft Masonry, what scorn and contempt must they 
unavoidably feel for any man, who, for the sake of 
gain, or other cause, should seek to deceive the Craft 
by an attempt to palm ofl' as true Masonry of the 
Egyptian order, a system of 33 Degrees, and call it 
the Rite of Memphis ? 



134 , 

The Author issued the following as an introduction 
to his first edition, and as it contains much historic 
information not embraced herein, is reprinted, al- 
though repetition, viz : 

In the following brief History of the Egyptian Ma- 
sonic Rite of Mem})his, the compiler does not claim to 
present a new theory or history, but merely to call up 
long established historical facts, and bring to mind 
Ancient Systems and Rituals long since neglected, and 
of more ancient origin than our present system of 
Masonry. And this is not for the purpose of throwing 
obstacles in the way, nor with any view to impede or 
discourage other systems ; but only to supply anything 
which those systems shall fail to provide for, and also 
as additional embellishments, which the York Rite, 
the Scottish Rite, and our })resent form of Masonry, 
seem to make no provision for— one of which is the 
Religious test, or Christian Religious test, known to 
the York Rite, the Scottish Rite and the Templar 
system. Not that the Egyptian Rite requires no re- 
ligion ; but merely a belief in God, and that religion 
in which all rational men agree. 

The writer does not wish to speak egotisti- 
cally, but merely mentions the fact that he has taken 
all the Degrees of Symbolic Masonry in a regular and 
constitutional manner; has regularl}^ passed the 
Chairs ; been exalted to the Sublime Degree of the 
Royal Arch ; dubbed and created a Knight of the 
Red Cross, of the Temple, and of Malta ; has been 
permitted to view the beauties and learn the mys- 
teries of a Sovereign Prince of the Royal Secret ; 
has viewed the Veiled Statue of Osiris; and obtained 
the Secrets of the Chair of the Sovereign Sublime 
Magi, 96°, of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, 
for the Continent of America. He therefore claims 
to look upon Masonry and its institutions from a 



. 135 

standpoint well calculated. to show its perfections and 
imperfections in the very best possible light. At all 
events, he ought to be in a position to judge of those 
matters better than those less advanced. 

The writer, therefore, will only cite a few authors, 
and make a few quotations, which will tend to prove 
the fact that the Egyptian Masonic Rite is not only 
the oldest Rite, but is the fountain, or source from 
whence all Masonry was derived. And for the pur- 
pose of establishing this fact, the writer will ask the 
candid reader to examine the Masonic works and 
writings of Clavil, Pluche, Herodotus, Oliver, Mackey, 
and other Masonic writers, who affirm that Egypt 
was the cradle of all the mysteries ; that she at one 
time was in exclusive possession of all the religious 
and mysterious learning in the world ; and from her 
extended, not only all the influences of religious cer- 
emonies, but also its sacred rites — its secret doctrines, 
and its esoteric rituals. "The importance, therefore," 
says one of the above writers, " of a full knowledge 
of the Egyptian mysteries, must be obvious to every 
Masonic scholar or inquirer after truth and knowl- 
edge;" and "the antiquity and importance of the 
Egyptian mysteries," says Mackey, " entitles them to 
a more diffusive examination, study, and explanation, 
than has been awarded them by most writers on 
Masonry." 

We learn from sacred and profane history, that the 
priesthood of Egypt was a sacred caste, and the 
sacerdotal functions were hereditary. They also 
held an important position, and exerted a powerful 
influence on the government of the country ; so 
much so, that even the King on his throne was in 
actual subjection to the Priests, and had an inferiori- 
ty of rank with them — a fact which is also shown in 



136 

the York Rite,for there the High Priest in the Chapter 
is the presiding officer, and the King his inferior 
officer, which plainly shows where that system of 
Masonry, or mysteries, sprang from. " They were 
also," says the same writer, " the originators, and 
controlled the ceremonies of all initiations. They 
had two doctrines — one public, for the masses ; the 
other was private, or secret, which was only commu- 
nicated to a chosen few, and that few obtained them 
only by the forms and ceremonies of initiation, 
which wei e always characterized by trials of courage 
and fortitude, (as in the initiations of the present 
day.") 

The principal center or seat of the Egyptian 
mysteries was Memphis, (in and) near the Grand 
Pyramid. They were originally of only three kinds : 
1. Those of Osiris. 2. Those of Serapis. 3. Those 
of Isis. The first were always celebrated at or near 
the Autumnal Equinox, about the 23d of the Egyp- 
tian month Shamenoth, (answering to the month of 
September with us.) The second in the Summer 
Solstice, about the 24th of the Egyptian month 
Chocac, (answering to the month of June with us.) 
The third at the Vernal Equinox, about the 21st of 
the Egyptian month Thoth, (answering to the month 
of March with us.) In all cases, the candidate was 
required to exhibit proofs of blameless life. (In our 
language, be properly vouched for and examined.) 

First, in the mysteries of Isis, he is stripped of 
his outward clothing, and after the proper time of 
fasting and purification, is subjected to frightful and 
terrifying scenes, well calculated to exhibit his 
courage and prove his fortitude, as well as his belief 
in the Supreme Ruler of the Universe ; and if, after 
a severe trial, he overcomes obstacles and seeming 



137 

dangers, accoiaplishes the usual pere2;rinafcions, per- 
ambulations, and allegorical journeys, over rugged 
roads, and through darkness, and arrives at the place 
of light, he is formally baptized, receives a new 
name, and obligated to secresy, and is then put upon 
a more severe trial, passing over rocks, through dark, 
dismal caverns and passages, in v^^hich he sees, by 
the Hitful and vivid flashes of lightning, emblems of 
mortality, in the shape of skeletons, etc., and hears 
the fearful crash of thunder reverberating through 
the caverns, mino-led with the howlinof of wild 
beasts which he has to encounter, (they being the 
initiated clothed in the skins of wild beasts, and who 
strenuously opj^ose iiis progress.) He is also made 
to swim rivers and leap over fearful chasms, till, 
finally, if he possesses the courage and perseverance 
to overcome and surmount all these and other 
obstacles, he is received into the second secret place, 
or place ol light, and invested with a robe of spotless 
white, instructed in the mysteries, which can only 
be done after he has exhibited his courage, been 
baptized, given a new name, and passed through the 
four elements — Earth, Air, Fire, and Water — by 
which he is said to be purified and made a new 
man — in the words of the Apostle, has put oft' the 
old man, and put on the new — to which the Apostle 
Paul doubtless alluded. He is then, for the first 
time, permitted to view the veiled statue of Osiris. 
He then is subjected to a period of fasting and 
prayer ; is instructed and makes suitable proficiency 
in the mysteries, history, signs of recognition, and 
words of the Older. 

After a suitable lapse of time, he is proposed for 
the Second Degree, or Mysteries of Serapis, which 
are performed in the dead hours of night. In the 



138 

midst of human bones and ghastly emblems, he 
enters alone a cavern, in which is a taper shedding 
just light enough to magnify the terrors of the place ; 
there he makes ablution, and deciphers the questions 
in hieroglyphics on the wall, and writes on a scroll the 
answers with an instrument dipped in his blood. If 
the questions are correctly answered, he is again 
obligated to secresy, makes a libation to the Gods to 
seal his obligation by drinking wine out of the top 
part of a human skull ; after which he is conducted 
to a more magnificent chamber than the first, invested 
by the Hierophant with the secrets of the Degree, 
and clothed in a robe of azure blue. 

After a proper period of time had elapsed, if the 
candidate could exhibit a suitable proficiency in the 
ceremonials and degrees of the Order, he was pre- 
pared for the third and highest grade of the Rite — 
the Mysteries of Osiris, which was then the summit 
of the Egyptian Mysteries, or Masonry. In this 
Degree, the murder of Osiris by his brother Typhon, 
and also the death and resurrection of the god 
Osiris, is represented by the candidate, the legend of 
which is familiar to all Masons ; and although Osiris 
was looked upon by his followers as a god, he here 
represents, like Hiram Abif, Gedaliah, and Zerub- 
babel, the picture or type of a good man, who would 
sacrifice his life sooner than betray his trust, or 
forfeit his integrity. The legend of the murder, 
•burial, and resurrection of Osiris, is there acted. 
Osiris having reformed all the bad habits of his own 
subiects, made a journey around the earth to reform 
the other nations, and to teach them the mysteries 
of Egypt, the arts and sciences, extend the blessings 
of civilization, and the art of agriculture ; and, as 
the legend runs, he left his wife, Isis, a very wise 



139 

and beanfciCul wouiau, to take charge of the kingdom 
in his absence. Having performed this arduous and 
benevolent task, he returned to his own country, and 
was shocked to learn that in his absence his brother 
Typhon had seduced his beautiful and accomplished 
wife, Isis, and demoralized his subjects to such a 
degree that his wise laws, rules and maxims had 
been entirely disregarded. Osiris attempted to re- 
monstrate with his brother for the unbrotherly and 
unmasonic act, when Ty})hon demanded that he 
should acquiesce in his adulterous and wicked con- 
duct, and upon his refusal Typhon flew into a 
passion, and killed his brother Osiris, whom he cut 
in pieces and packed them in a chest, and then threw 
the chest into the river Nile. When it was found 
that Osiris had been thus brutally murdered, his 
wife and the subjects repented, and search was made 
for the body, which was found cut in pieces, but an 
important part of which was missing, viz : the 
Phallus, or Mernhriirt% Virile. The body was given 
to the Priests, and by them transformed ; and Osiris 
became a god. Isis substitutd a piece in place- of 
the missing one, and named it Phallus; and it 
became the emblem of fecundity in the mysteries 
which are said to have been established or improvis- 
ed to commemorate Osiris' death and sufferings by 
the foul deed ; and the candidate goes through a 
representation of the sufferings, death, and resurrec- 
of Osiris, and is then declared free from sin and 
regenerated. 

The secret doctrines of the mysteries were As- 
tronomy and Mythology, in which Osiris represents 
the sun, Isis the moon. Typhon was the symbol 
(darkness and evil) of winter, which destroys the 
fertilizing power of the sun, depriving him, as it 



140 

were, for a time, (during the winter rnonths,) of light 
and heat. 

The other doctrines of the Rite related to the 
gods, the creation of the world, and the immortality 
of the soul. These traditions were not permitted to 
be written, except in hieroglyphics, understood only 
by the Priests, and handed down from one to the 
other of the initiated to secure secresy, (and as they 
claim,) from Adam, the first man, to Seth, Enoch, 
etc., etc., to the present day. The candidate, when 
he had passed through initiation, was given one of 
the names of Deity, and a name of the Deity was 
also used as password of the Order ; secresy was 
the most binding part of the obligation, which was 
enjoined under fearful oaths. Their lessons were 
inculcated and illustrated by symbols. Thus, a point 
within a circle was Deity surrounded by Eternity, 
etc., etc. The conclusion of some of the obligations 
they took were : " I call to witness my promise, 
the gods of heaven and hell, and I invoke their 
vengeance on my head, if ever I willfully violate my 
oath or vow." Another conclusion was : " May my 
departed spirit wander in eternal misery, in immen- 
sity of space, without a place of rest, should I break 
my vow. Amen, Amen, Amen." 

Thus I have briefly given some points in the 
Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite, which the intelligent 
Mason will at once discover to be the chief and lead- 
ing points of Masonry of the present day. And can 
there longer exist a doubt but they were the very 
essence of Ancient Masonry, and that they were the 
foundation and chief corner stone of the present in- 
stitution ? Now, the curious reader is referred to the 
several other writers on the subject, which want of 
time aud spape prohibit a further examinatioiiL of 



141 

here, but which will well pay for the perusal, and 
may be found in an}" of the authors before cited, and 
especially in tliat valuable and reliable work by 
Brother Mackey, viz., his Lexicon, which should be 
in the library of every Mason or Masonic body. 

As a matter of course, these mysteries have, 
during the long period of time they have existed, 
undergone changes; and as history shows, they have 
been worked or practiced for more than three thous- 
and years, and their date indicates and claims 25,000 
years. As the manners and customs of the people 
changed, and the memory of the devotees faded, new 
systems have in part been adopted ; hence, the differ- 
ent work among Masons at the present day, yet all 
tending to the same result and having in view the 
same object. Should our Ancient Brother and Grand 
Master, King Solomon, come upon earth to-day, I ap- 
prehend he would find no little trouble in working 
his way into his Blue Lodge, or proving himself a 
Mason. But all the changes in Masonry are in im- 
material points, and those parts have, for some good 
cause and wise reasons doubtless, been changed. But 
no person can deny but that the Egyptian Masonic 
Rite to-day contains all and every i)rincii)al element 
of true Masonry. And the work has been to a 
greater or less extent worked even befoie and- si nee 
the building of the Pyramids, an I ion-- itetoi-e 
Solomon's Temple was even thouglit of, and is now 
extensively practiced in all foreign countries, and is 
fast spreading itself over this land. It has, in addi- 
tion to its liberal doctrine of that religion in which 
all men agree, no contradictions or inconsistencies ; 
its traditions, history and record agree, as to time and 
place, with all writers of sacred and profane history ; 
it teaches morality, the immortality of the soul, a 



142 

knowledge of God and His attributes, without en- 
dorsing or denouncing sects or creeds, eschews politics 
and teaches patriotism, worships God in spirit and in 
truth, and adopts the law of doing unto others what- 
soever ye would that others should do unto you. 

I have thus quoted liberally from this authentic 
history and the latest authors, for two reasons, viz : 
First, it proves most conclusively that Egyptian Ma- 
sonry is the oldest and most systematic, and that all 
other Masonry, and in fact all other secret societies, 
had, to a greater or less extent, their origin in the 
Egyptian Mysteries, or Masonic Bite; and Second 
that the Masonry of the present day has, in its eso- 
teric and exoteric ritual, the same end or object in 
view ; and while, perhaps, the modus operandi or 
work of the degrees may differ, yet the real germ is 
discoverable in the entire practice or work. And 
that from these three degrees of their operative work 
or Masonry and performance, have grown the entire 
speculative and symbolic ritual of our Rite, called 
the York Rite, and also fully prove that the popular 
form of religion has also been borrowed from Egyp- 
tian Masonry, as the death and resurrection of Osiris^ 
and his coming to life or transformation, is in full 
parallel with Christian doctrine, of the Saviour, 
Jesus Christ, and also the resurrection of the dead and 
the immortality of the soul of man, or the new birth 
of the Christian, as w,ell as the reputed immaculate 
conception, and the instance of the assassination of H.'. 
A.*, at the building of King Solomon's Temple. Com- 
pare the ritual of the York Rite, and the catechism 
of the orthodox churches of to-day, and you, in each, 
can see cropping out the same doctrines and teach- 
ings. Thus also in the degrees of the A. & A., or Scotch 
Rite; the Royal Arch, the Council of Royal and Se- 



143 

lect Masters, and the Knight Templar. In each of 
these again you see the ^inain and strong points are 
similar, and seem founded on the same analogy ; then 
again, if the searcher after truth will read the ancient 
liistories of the different religious creeds, and the his- 
tories of Freemasonry, he will be forcibly struck 
with the similarity of views, language and teachings, 
and the close analogy existing in all of them. Even 
Christ, w^hen His disciples asked him to teach them 
to pray, says : " Enter into thy closet, and when thou 
hast shut the door, pray to the Father in secret, and 
He shall reward thee openly." (Matt, vi : 6.) 

The secret or esoteric portion of the religious teach- 
ing has been thrown off in a measure, but not in all 
of them, as there exists to-day, secret or esoteric 
teaching in some of the churches at least, if not in 
all of them ; and although called b}^ different names, 
they are, to some extent, proof to the unprejudiced 
mind, similar and alike. I could cite in proof one or 
two instances ; they are those of the confessional to 
the priests, and others, and the doctrine of all of the 
'71071-orthodox, and some of the orthodox churches or 
societies of the world. In our endeavor to connect 
the Egyption Masonry with the York Rite, or all the 
Masonic teachings of to-day, we have far less trouble, 
as they are so strikm^ly similar that I have only to 
make this suggestion to the posted Mason, who will 
at once recognize them, and the fountain of their 
origin. And as this book is written only for, and in 
the interests of Masonry, I am not going to take any 
more space in my remarks to prove the similarity on 
this part of my argument, but leave the few and 
mere suggestions to be enlarged and finished in the 
fruitful and natural product of the intelligent im- 
agination of the reader, who will think of and apply 



IM 

things that I am forbidden to write here, or to ex- 
plain only in a well tiled Lodge, and show some of 
the reasons why, and the benefits of these humani- 
tarian societies. When the reasons are so much better 
described in one and all of the lectnres of this Rite* 
than I can describe them, I quote freely from 
them. Thus, in the Degree of Discreet Master, we 
have this lecture, viz : a 

Brief History. 

In the Degrees of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis, you will be forcibly struck with the great 
dissimilarity between them and the degrees already 
taken. When you were initiated into the first sym- 
bolic degree, called Appientice, you swore not to 
write, &c., any part of the secrets or mysteries of 
those degrees. Under this impression, you will no 
doubt be surprised that we have the degrees in manu- 
script. It is therefore necessary to give some expla- 
nation of the difference. 

Masonry was founded in those dark and rude ages 
when civilization was yet in its infancy, and the arts 
and sciences had shed but few and imperfect rays 
across the gloom of barbarism ; mutual wants and 
necessities impelled our primeval brethren to seek 
for mutual aid and assistance. Diversity of talent, 
inclinations and pursuits, rendered each dependent 
upon the other; thus society was formed, and as a 
natural consequence, men of the same habits and 
pursuits were associated more intimately together, 
not only with a view of nmtual improvement and 
advantage, but from that natural impulse felt by con- 
genial minds. In this manner societies were formed, 
as civilization began to extend through the world, 
and the minds of men became enlaroed from the con- 



145 

templation of the works of nature; the arts and 
.sciences were cultivated by the most ingenious of the 
people. The contemplation of the Planetary System 
as the works of an Almighty Artist, and the attributes 
of their God, gave rise to religion, and the science of 
astronomy, the measurement of land and the division 
and marking of their property gave rise to geometry, 
and these to the society into whose mysteries you 
now desire to be introduced. 

If we should look upon the earth with its produce, 
the ocean with its tides, the coming and going of 
day, the starry arch of heaven, the seasons and their 
changes, the life and death of man, as being merely 
the accidents of nature, we must shut up all the 
powei*s of judgment, and yield up ourselves to the 
darkest folly and ignorance. 

The august scene of the planetary system, the day 
and night, the seasons in their succession, the animal 
frame, the vegetation of plants, all aftbrd subjects of 
astonishment the greatest, too mighty but lor the 
hand of Deity whose works they are ; the least, too 
miraculous but for the wisdom of their God. 

It is no wonder, then, that the first institutors of 
our Society, who had their eye on the revelation of 
Deity from the earliest ages of the world, should hold 
these sciences hallowed among them, whereby such 
lights were ordained by man in the discovery of the 
great wisdom of our adorable Creator in the begin- 
ning. 

This Institution, which was originally founded in 
the mysteries of religion and science, is now main- 
tained by us on the principle of rendering mutual aid 
to each other, as well as to preserve our adoration to 
the Almighty Artist, and to improve our minds with 
the principle of science. 



146 

How should we be able to discern the brethren of 
the great family, but through such tokens as should 
point them out from other men? Language is not 
provincial, and the dialects of different nations would 
not be comprehensible to men ignorant and unen- 
lightened. Hence, it becomes necessary to use an ex^ 
pression which should be cognizable by people of all 
nations. 

So it is with Masons ; they are possessed of that 
universal expression, and of such remains of the 
original language, that they can communicate their 
history, their wants, and their prayers to every 
brother Mason throughout the globe ; from whence it 
is certain that a multitude of lives have been saved 
in foreign countries, when shipwreck and misery 
overwhelmed them ; when robbers had pillaged, and 
when sickness, want and misery had brought them to 
the brink of the grave. 

The degrees of Ancient and Primitive Masonry 
being of still higher importance, as containing the 
i*eal secrets and principles of the mystic institution, 
were to be guarded in a more particular manner, both 
from the knowledge of the world, and of those who 
may be unworthy of receiving them. 

Consequently, it was ordained that the first three, 
or blue degrees, which are only symbols of the sub- 
lime and true degrees of Masonry, should be commit- 
ted to memory, that it might be thereby known from 
the manner in which a symbolic Mason discharged the 
duties of those preparatory degrees, whether he was 
capable of being entrusted with the real and im- 
portant secrets of the craft. 

Again, the history of Masonry, as contained in the 
higher degrees, gives an account and authentic detail 
of occurrences found only in the records and archives 



147 

of the sublime iustifcutioii, and which are so lengthy 
that they fill many volumes, which it would be im- 
possible to commit to memory, unless the whole of 
our lives were dedicated to it iu the lectui'e. 

Attention is called to the brilliant Delta, enclosing 
certain Hebraic characters, from which emanate nine 
beams of the Shekiuah, bearing each an initial of a 
divine name, as derived from an attribute, and the 
whole surrounded by a great circle. 

The meaning of the Hebraic characters in the 
Delta, describe the ineffable name of the Grand Archi- 
tect of the Universe, which was forbidden to be spoken 
by a law of Moses. 

The initials of the names in the nine beams of the 
Skekinah, are those which God gave himself when 
he spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, intimating to him 
at the same time that his future issue should one day 
know his real name. 

The serpent forming a circle represents Eternity 
and the immensity of the power of God, which hatl^i 
neither beginning nor end. 

In the Sanctum Sanctorum a luminous circle, en- 
closing a brilliant star of five points, with the letter 
G in the centre, the meaning of which is thus de- 
scribed :— Glory, Grandeur and Gomel ; from which 
we understand by Glory, God ; by Graadeur, the man 
who may be great by perfection ; and by Gomel, a 
Hebrew word, which signifies thanks to God for His 
supreme power. It it the first which Adam spoke 
on discovering the adorable Eve. 

There is also in the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Ark 
of Alliance, the Golden Candlestick with seven 
branches, having a lamp in each, also a table. The 
Ark of Alliance was placed in the middle of the 
Sanctum Sanctorum, under the brilliant star and the 



148 

shadow of the wings of the cherubims, which repre- 
sents the alliance which God made with His people. 

The Ark of Alliance was of the form of a paral- 
lelogram, of which Solomon's Temple was an ex- 
act model, and also every Lodge of Masons, being a 
double cube and situated due East and West, extend- 
ing from North to South, (see page 44, Monitor or 
Book of the Lodge by Macke}^) two cubits and a-half 
in length, one cubit and a-half in breadth, and the 
same in height, made of shittim wood, covered within 
and without with gold, decorated with a golden crown, 
and borne by two cherubims of gold. The cover of the 
Ark had a name ; it was called the Propitiatory, a place 
that served to appease God's anger. Said Propitiatory 
contained the testimony which God gave to Moses, 
the tablets of the law. These tablets were of white 
marble, and contained the Decalogue, written in He- 
brew characters. The commandments taught were 
disposed on the tablets as follows : The four first 
pointed out the duty of man to his God, and were 
engraved on the first tablet. The remaining six 
pointed out the obligations of man, and were en- 
graved on the second tablet. 

The name of the Sanctum Sanctoruna in Hebrew 
is Dabir, denoting speech, and it was there the Di- 
vinity resided, and where He delivered His oracles. 

Moses, by the help and command of God, con- 
structed the Ark, and for that purpose he chose to 
assist him Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, son of Uri 
and Miriam, sister to Moses and Aholihab, of the 
tribe of Dan, the most learned of the people, The 
Israelites testified so much ardor for the works, and 
offered with so much zeal to carry on the same, that 
Moses proclaimed by sound of trumpets that he 
wanted no more. They worked after the model 



149 

which God had given unto Moses, who also in- 
structed him iu the number and form of the 
sacred vessels which were to be made and placed in 
the tabernacle to serve in the sacrifices. 

The hangings of the Sanctum Sanctorum are Pur- 
ple, Blue, Scarlet and White, implying Awe and Rev- 
erence, Truth and Constancy, Justice tempered with 
Mercy, and Purity. 

The seven branched candlestick alludes to the seven 
planets, and was composed of seventy parts, which 
alluded to the Decani, or seventy divisions of the 
planets. The eye over the door of a Chapter or 
Lodge, represents the eye of God, to whose name our 
works are dedicated, and from whose inspection our 
actions can never be concealed. 

The Shekinah All Seeing Eye in a Delta or Tri- 
angle, signifies visible glory, which was a sym- 
bol of the Divine presence, but in our Ancient and 
Primitive Rite we are taught to regard it as the cul- 
tivated mind which dis])erses Ignorance. 

It will be remembered by those who are conver- 
sant with Masonic literature and teachings, that when 
Moses was but a youth, he by reason of his position 
in Pharaoh's family, and being the adopted son of 
Pharaoh's daughter, was given rule over certain of 
the workmen, who were compelled to do the most 
servile and degrading service for the Egyptians. 
And Moses being a Hebrew by birth, naturally took 
sides and sympathized with the Israelites, and re- 
monstrated with the task masters, who compelled the 
Jews to make brick without straw, a difficult and 
slow operation. And they were also compelled to 
make the same quantity or number of brick as the 
Egyptians, who had straw, and complete the same 
amount of material as the Egyptian workmen, al- 



150 

though deprived of the principals. And straw being 
the most useful material used in the construction 
thereof, and by the use of which the bricks were 
held in place, and the shape not injured by handling 
before burning or hardening them. Hence, Moses 
seeing this and other great hardships his kinsmen 
were subjected to, began reproving the task 
masters for the cruel iniustice and barbarous treat- 
ment they were subjected to, and remonstrated with 
the masters ; and from words came blows, in which 
one of the Egyptian task masters was by Moses 
slain, while in the performance of duty. This be- 
coming known next day, Moses was obliged to flee 
from the place ; and journeying for several days in a 
north-western direction, came to a well, in Media, 
near the city of Hellopolis, in the vicinity of the 
great pyramid Cheops. When, armed with a pass 
from his foster mother, Pharaoh's daughter, he escaped 
the wrath and express commands of Pharaoh that he 
should be executed, or put to death ; and he there 
married the priest of Midian's eldest daughter, Zij)- 
porah, where he dwelled forty years, and became 
learned and possessed of all the mysterious learning 
of the priests of Egypt, which gave him a high posi- 
tion among the Jews, and the dread of the Egyp- 
tians, of which he was High Priest, or Sublime Dai, 
in the mysteries or Masonry of the Egyptians, 
And being a levite or priest, by Jewish birth and 
parentage, gave him also a high position among the 
Jews, and rendered him a fit and proper person to 
undertake the liberation and freedom of his people? 
who had long remained in bondage with the Egyp- 
tians, and who inhabited a clay, bairen and desolate 
portion of the Egyptian dominions, called Pithom 
and Raamses. (See Exodus i: 11.) And there 



151 

• 

were over six hundred thousand able bodied men 
under his charge. And being possessed of this mys- 
terious learning, it was this also that fitted him for a 
ruler and leader of the million of souls over whom 
he presided, and enabled him to introduce that sys- 
tem of esoteric learning or Masonry, that raised the 
tabernacle by the command of God and the help of 
Ahohiab and Bazaleel, before mentioned, being the 
pattern of and after which King Solomon's Tem- 
ple was built, and as we have before noticed, of 
which every Lodge is a pattern. 

These degrees or mysteries were worked in the 
country of the Egyptians, as has been shown by our 
former quotations, many thousand years, and used 
and worked for two purposes, viz : Religious wor- 
ship and Masonic ceremonies, and were of three kinds 
in the first or operative division, viz : First, those of 
Isis, second, those of Serapis, and third, those of 
Osiris, and from which every system of Masonry, 
operative and speculative, has been taken, as well as 
all the modern systems of secret associations or so- 
cieties, and were the systems that built the pyramids, 
Cheops and others, and in which the building of 
Solomon's Temple was a comparative modern in- 
stance compared with those stupendous remains of 
edifices that exist in ruins of the ancient cities of 
Rome, Heliopolis, Liberi, Alexandria, Memphis, Ti- 
berias and other stupendous works of the mystic art, 
reared by the ancient brethren who have gone before 
us into that Lodge not made with hands eternal in 
the heavens. 

And as the writers before quoted, together with 
Herodotus and others inform us, had their origin at or 
about the time of the birth or introduction of civili- 
zation of Egypt, and these three degrees of ISIS, 



152 

• 

SERAPIS, and OSIRIS, were the original three de- 
grees of the present so-called York Rite. Although 
they have been changed, altered and abridged, yet 
they contain sufficient points and landmarks to sat- 
isfy the careful reader, oi* the educated craftsman, 
that these three degrees have been drawn out and 
added to, till they represent in numbers what is 
called 3, 7, 9, 10 and 12 degrees, being attached to, 
and containing when attached together, three in the 
Master Mason, seven in the Royal Arch, nine in the 
Council, and twelve in the Knight Templar, while 
in every other part of the world the York Rite con- 
tains but three degrees, the Royal Arch and Council 
being side degrees, and the Templar Degrees being for- 
bidden, on account of the doctrine of Christianity 
embraced in them. They, (the Egyptian,) when being 
worked,are dramatized and are descriptive of Masonic 
and historic events that occurred or transpired before 
and at the destruction of the first and the building and 
destruction of the second Temple, and as such are 
worked in the Memphis Rite only. 

Therefore, it may not be amiss in this connection 
to briefly explain that while the Memphis Rite con- 
tains all the Masonic learning in the world, yet, the 
possession of it, or any other system of Masonry, does 
not, in itself, enable or give admission to the partic- 
ular degrees that are worked in the other Masonic 
bodies, or admission to any but the regular initiates 
or members of that or those particular institutions 
where initiated; for it is in Masonry, as it is in other 
societies, masonic or religious, that the particular 
system has its particular tenets and its peculiar dog- 
mas, so much so, that if one is in possession of all the 
mysteries of the Royal Arch, Master Mason, Knight 
Templar, &c., &c., yet unless this person has been 



163 

regularly initiated into each of these societies, he can 
uo more claim the rio^ht or gain admission to them 
than a profane ; and he nmst become a regular initiate 
and member of the body before he can claim its pro- 
tection, its charities, its fellowship, or I'ight to visit 
that particular body. 

But, such is the law, rules and regulations and 
edicts of each, that he may be subjected to discipline 
and trial, suspension or expulsion, in any of the 
bodies of the York Rite, within whose jurisdiction 
he may be, either as sojourner or resident. And, as 
a general rule, suspension from one branch or body 
of this Rite works suspension or expulsion from all. 
This is also, with some few exceptions, the law of 
the Scotch Rite. 

But a very different rule prevails in the Memphis 
Rite. That Rite does not take the hearsay acts, say- 
ings and decisions of other Rites, or even the doings 
of the inferior bodies of this Rite, as conclusive evi- 
dence of the conclusions arrived at, or the decisions 
therein pronounced, but require, unless the decision 
is from a State or United States Grand Body,, as con- 
clusive evidence against a member denying his guilt, 
a showing de novo in the body of the Rite 
having jurisdiction, which a careful reading of 
the printed constitutions and extracts from its decis- 
ions will show, and as we are taught in Masonry, 
the right, and it is made the duty of visiting brethren 
to know fully or examine closely into the legality 
and authority of the bodies working Masonic degrees 
or holding assemblages ; and we, having shown our 
charter, our constitution and organization, will now 
briefly attempt to show our anti(|uity. Not that this 
is really or absolutely necessary, but merely because 
the fact exists. And as many good and learned Ma- 



154 

sons have said to the writer that the Masonic insti- 
tution would be quite as good, and perhaps better, if 
it was of no more than one year's existence, yet the 
fact is that Egyptian Masonry is of very ancient date, 
and its birthplace is not very certain; but many 
writers and historians say : 

The cradle of Masonry is placed by the most judi- 
cious historians in that country which was first in- 
habited, namely, the plateau of Tartary, and it is said 
that it was transmitted to us by the sages of India, 
Persia, Ethiopia, and Egypt. 

It is evident that Masonry had its birth in India, 
and that it was transmitted to Europe by the sages 
of Ethiopia and Egypt, where the hierophantes and 
the patriarchs of this venerated order formed those 
great men who spread throughout the whole world 
Light and Truth. 

The Masonic order of Memphis is, therefore, the 
sole depository of high Tnasonic science, the true prim- 
itive rite, the supreme rite, that luhich has come doivn 
to us without any alteration, and consequently the 
rite that justifies its origin with a constant exercise 
of its rights by constitutions tuhose authenticity it is 
impossible to call in question, In fine, tits Rite of 
Memphis is the true masonic tree, and all other sys- 
tems, whatever they may be, are only detached 
branches of this institution, rcTidered respectable by 
its vast antiquity. 

The mysteries were divided into two classes, the 
smaller and the greater. 

The smaller had for its obfect the instruction of 
the initiated in the humane sciences ; the sacred doc- 
trine was reserved for the last degree of the initia- 
tion. This is what they called the great manifesta- 
tion of Light, 



155 

Between the knowledge of humane science and 
that of the divine doctrine, there were symbolical de- 
grees that had to be gone through. All the mysteries 
turned on three ])rincipal points, the morale^ the ex- 
act sciences, and the sacred doctrine. From the first 
object they passed to the second without intermediary; 
but once arrived at the second degree, long prepara- 
tions were necessary ; these were the object to be 
attained by three other symbolic degrees; the first 
ended and completed the smaller mysteries,. the other 
two opened the greater. 

It was not till the first symbolic degree, the third 
of the initiation, that the fables were exposed, and in 
following the two other degrees, they strove to pene- 
trate into the sense of these fables and to become 
worthy of the great manifestation of Light. 

The general division included the preparations, the 
voyages and symbols, and the autopsie. The prep- 
arations were divided into two classes ; the first had 
as symbolic title the word " wisdom," and for object 
the morale. The initiated were called Thalmedimites 
or disciples. The second had as symbolic title the 
word "strength," and for object the humane sciences. 
The initiated were called Heberemites or companions. 

The voyages and symbols were divided into three 
classes. In the first, called the Obsequies, the ini- 
tiated bore the name of Mouzehemites ; in the second, 
called Vengeance, they took that of Bheremites ; and 
in the third, called Emancipation, that of Nesche- 
rites. The autopsie was the grand completion of the 
initiation, the crowning of the edifice, the keystone 
of the arch. 

The Antique Legends of Masonry, which date back 
1,000 centuries, having descended to us fortified by 
unquestionable authenticity, through the Patriarchs 



/ 



156 

of our ADcient Rite, Priests of the Most High God, 
who officiated in the Temples of Israel and of Judah, 
and of Hierophants of Egypt, that land of mystery 
of science, and of practical, operative Masonry, where 
to this day wonders of Masonic Act, still towering to 
Heaven their gigantic heads, exist as incontrovertible 
proofs of the antiquity of our Order, inform us that 
the Patriarch Noah was born in the year of the world 
six hundred and twentj^-two, that he lived three 
hundred and sixty-five years, and that he walked 
with God, and that he was not; for God took him. 
We are also informed that Enoch, filled with the love 
and fear of T. S. A. O. T. U. strove to direct the 
minds of men in the paths of honor, truth and wis- 
dom, but in vain ; for the wickedness of man was 
great in the earth, and every imagination of the 
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 
Enoch, overwhelmed with grief on account of the 
wickedness of mankind, supplicated God to bring 
them into the paths of Light and Truth, that they 
might know, fear and love the Holy Name of Deity. 
While thus pondering how to rescue the human 
race from their sins and the punishment due to their 
crimes, he dreamed that the Deity in visible shape 
appeared unto him, saying, " Enoch, thou hast long 
yearned to know my true name ; arise, follow me, 
and it shall be revealed to you ?" Then it appeared 
to Enoch as if he was taken up on the wings of the 
winds, and transported to the summit of a high moun- 
tain, whose top was hid in the heavens, and appeared 
to reach the stars. There he perceived amidst the 
clouds, in letters of brilliant light, the Mysterious, 
Omnific Word, whose pronunciation was then and 
there made known to him. Suddenly he found him- 
self descending perpendicularly into the bowels of 



157 

the earth, pas&ing through nine subterranean apart 
ments, each' roofed vvitli an arch, the apex of each 
ti^rming a keystone, having inscribed on it myste- 
rious characters, emblematic of nine names or attri- 
butes, by which Deity was known to our ancient 
brethren. 

In tlie ninth and lowest arch he perceived a ped- 
estal of marble, on which was a triangular plate of 
gold, suirounded by rays of brilliant light, on which 
was engraven the same Mysterious Omnitic Name, 
I'evealed to him upon the mountain. Uj)()n awaken- 
ing, Enoch accepted his vision as an inspiration iVo n 
Heaven, and traveled in search of the mountain he 
saw in his dream. Way-worn and weary, he tested 
in the land of Canaan, then already populous with 
the descendants of Adam. Witli the assistance of 
his son Methuselah, he constructed in the bowels of 
the mountain nine apartments, each- roofed with an 
arch, and having a keystone with mysterious char- 
acters upon it, even as he beheld them in his vision. 
This labor being completed, he made two deltas of 
purest gold, engraving upon each two of the myste- 
rious characters. One of the deltas he placed upon a 
pedestal of marble, which he erected in the deepest 
arch, as had been shown him in his dream — the other 
he retained. 

Having accomplished this labor, he closed the 
aperture at the top with a square stone, having en- 
graved on its sides the hieroglyphics which you have 
this day had interpreted to you. He also erected 
over the Royal Arch a roofless temple of huge, unhewn 
stones, to the glory O. T. S. A. 0. T. U. 

That the knowledge of this sacred spot and the 
treasure it contained might survive the flood, which 
Enoch knew would soon ()verwhelm the world in one 



158 

vast sea of ruin, he raised two columns on the hill — 
one of brass, to resist water, the other oF granite, to 
withstand fire. On the column of granite he inscribed 
a description of the subterranean arches, on the other 
the rudiments of the arts and sciences. The column 
of granite was swept into a shapeless mass by the 
flood, but that of brass stood firm for ages after the 
Deluge. 

This mountain was in the Holy Land opposite 
Mount Moriah, where King Solomon erected the 
Temple many thousand years afterwards; it was in 
later days named Zion, and it was there that the Ark 
of the Covenant was placed, in the Sabbitical year 
1045 before the Christian era, when it was brought 
from the House of Aminadab, at Kirjathjearim, by 
King David, and sixty thousand choice men of Israel. 

Enoch having finished the Sacred Vault, gave to 
his son Methuselah the Delta which he retained, with 
strict charge to give it to his grandson Noah; this 
was accomplished according to his desire. In the 
year of the world 1656, Noah entered the Ark, with 
his three sons, and, with their families, were, by Di- 
vine will, preserved from the deluge that destroyed 
the rest of the human race. 

About the year 1200, before Christ, Mizraim, the 
grandson of Ham, led colonies into Egypt, and laid 
the foundation of the Kingdom of Egypt, which 
lasted 1,663 years. Mizraim carried with him the 
sacred Delta of the Patriarch Enoch, which he con- 
fided to the care of the Hierophants or Priests, who 
carefully preserved it in their splendid Temples on 
the banks of the Nile. 

Hermes Trismegistus, who was looked upon by the 
Egyptians as the Interpreter of the Gods, was one of 
the most learned of the Hierophants ; he deciphered 



159 

the'sacred characters upon the brazen obelisk erected 
by Noah, and was the inventor of many useful arts • 
to him was ascribed the reformation of the Egyptian 
year. He prophesied that there would arise in the 
East a King, who would erect a magnificent Temple 
to the glory of the S. A. 0. T. IT., whose renown 
should penetrate to the remotest parts of the earth 
and charged the Priests that when this great King 
should arise, that they should give into his keeping 
the S-Acred Delta of the Patriarch Enoch, 

This prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Solo- 
mon, during the reign of Hiram of Tyre, who initia- 
ted him into the mysteries of Masonry, and gave him 
the Sacred Delta, which Solomon caused to be sus- 
pended in the E. of his Hall of Audience. 

From the time of Enoch the true pronunciation of 
the sacred name remained unknown, until the Al- 
mighty, man}^ thousand years after, was pleased to 
reveal it to the prophet Moses, when he commanded 
him to go unto Pharaoh, and cause him to send forth 
the children of Israel out of bondage, saying unto 
him : 

" I have sorely seen the affliction of my people 
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, by 
reason of their task masters — for I know their sor- 
rows." 

" And I have come down to deliver them out of the 
hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that 
land unto a good land and large — unto a land flowing 
with milk and honey ; unto the place of Canaanites, 
and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Per- 
rizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites." 

" Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto 
Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people, the 
children of Israel, out of Egypt." 



160 

''And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM ; 
and he said ; Thus shalt thou say unto the children 
of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto j^ou, 

" Moreover, he said, I am the God of thy father, the 
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of 
Jacob." 

Moses, revealed the sacred name of Aaron to 
Joshua, the son of Nun, and atteiwards it was com- 
municated to the High Priests. The word being 
composed of consonants only, was lost, except to the 
few favored by the Almighty, and was entirely lost 
to Masons by the death of our operative Grand 
Master. 

It is a historic fact that this rite has for its founda- 
tion and legends the truth of sacred and profane 
history, as well as the science of Philosophy, Archi- 
tecture and Geometry, and they clearly and distinct- 
ively prove that the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis is the most Ancient Freemasonry known to 
mankind, from which all Masonry of modern times 
has been derived, or originated, and all other systems 
are but off-shoots of the original tree, and contain 
only scintillations of the important and divine truths 
contained in the primitive teachings of this Ancient 
Rite, as taught, promulgated and practised by the 
Patriarchs Enoch, Noah, Mizraim, Sesostris, Hermes. 
Zoroaster, Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, Lycurgus, 
Solon, Alcibades, and many other great and good 
philosophers ; those great lights of antiquity, whose 
teachings guided and improved the rude barbarism 
of antiquity, and upon which all Masonry is founded, 
The Masonic Order of Memphis has but one Thought 
— to do Good ; but one Baimer — that of Humanity; 
but one Crown— it is for Virtue. Its origin is lost in 
the night of time. The most judicious historians 



161 

assign as its birthplace the plains of Tartary, and 
trace it to our day through the wages of India, Persia, 
Ethiopia and Egyj^t. 

In an immeasurable antiquity, according to Indian 
monuments, sages sought the light on the banks 
of the Ganges, and in the countries of Lower India. 
Like us, they worshiped Truth, and propagated it 
unostentatiously. Their doctrines were simple, and 
devoid ot superstition. They adored an Eternal 
God ! Creator of the world, who preserves its exist- 
ence, and causes destruction to give birth to repro- 
duction. 

This simple theology of the Brahmins spread 
throughout Persia. It was cultivated by the Magi. 
It changed, as everything changes in the world, and 
was reduced to its primitive simplicity by a second 
Zoroaster. Its faithful disciples still exist in Ethiopia 
as well as in India, among nations not now classed in 
the ranks of civilization. Its votaries assembled in 
the Isle of Merve and gave freedom and happiness to 
the nations which they governed. Followed by a 
body of his countrymen, Osiris descended from the 
mountains of Ethiopia, and by the most glorious con- 
quests brought Egypt, still barbarous, into subjection 
to his laws, conferring on them the blessino^s of civili- 
zation. 

These benefactors of the human lace deemed it im- 
possible to present the true light to rude and unculti- 
vated minds. They veiled under emblems which the 
multitude construed literally, the Truth, which had 
her devotees in the Temples of Sias, Thebes, Heliopolis 
and Memphis. Thus, as in China, Greece, and An- 
cient Rome, as also among enlightened people of the 
modern world, there were two religions in Egypt; 
thai of the multitude, which mostly addresses itself 



162 

to objects of the external worl<], and that of the 
enlightened, who, disregarding such objects, or view- 
inof them only as important in an allegorical sense of 
sublime significance, and covering great moral truths, 
or great features of nature. Eafeh city of Egypt had 
its peculiar symbols. Memphis, the eloquent, assumed 
for herself the " Raven." Thebes, which elevated 
thought to heaven, decorated her banners with the 
" Eagle with the eye of fire." Caoapa chose the 
" Incense Vase," emblematic of Divine worship. The 
Sphinx, couching at the gate of the Temple, denoted 
the Sages that watched over Egypt. These Sages, 
educated in the solemn mysteries of Heliopolis> 
Thebes, and Memphis, were the conservators of the 
Divine Fire. The Sacred Fire of Masonry glowed 
during a thousand years, and no attempt was made 
to extinguish or weaken it. 

The archives of the Egryptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis can reckon among its votaries, such men as 
Orpheus, Homer, Pythagoras, Thales, Virgil, Hippo- 
crates, Socrates, Plato and many other great names of 
Greece, that intellectual daughter of Egypt. Whilst 
on the banks of the Nile, the august guardians of the 
Traditions veiled them from contemporary e^^es, and 
communicated them only to the few whom they 
deemed worthy of initiation; other adepts in the 
interior of Africa, assembling barbarous nations, pol- 
ished their manners, propagated knowledge, and, in 
short, founded our secret mysteries among the burn- 
ing sands of Nubia and Ethiopia Meroe, on one 
hand, gave light to her Gymnosophists, on the banks 
of the Ganges and the Indies. Zoroaster founded the 
Magian School in Persia and Media. Orpheus estab- 
lished the m^^steries of Samothrace, which were con- 
secrated to Cabiri, and spread among many nations, 



163 

Triptolemus gave laws to Greece, and laid down the 
principles of agricultural knowledge, and founded the 
Temple of Eleusis. Abaris carried the light into the 
North. The mysteries of Memphis were instituted 
everywhere, even among the frozen plains of Scythia. 

In the early ages of mankind, all branches of sci- 
ence, and especially the architectural, were intrusted 
entirely to the Priests, or to such as they might admit 
by initiation ; but religion, as explained by the mys- 
teries, was the grand object, — science a subsidiary 
one. Such certainly was the case in the Egyptian 
mysteries ; and as those of Eleusis were brought to 
Greece from Eg3^pt, shortly before the departure of 
the Israelites, there is no reason to suppose that they 
were founded on different principles. 

But after a period of four hundred years, during 
which Greece had advanced much in civilization, 
some of the initiated attached themselves more to 
one branch than to another ; while some devoted 
themselves to religion, others followed up more closely 
the paths of science ; and about the year 1060, B. C, 
a portion emigrated to Avsia Minor, and gave to that 
country the name of Ionia. Here the Rites received 
the name of the Dionysian Mysteries and were no 
longer practiced chiefly for inculcating religion, but 
as a necessary initiation or purification of the mind, 
before the candidate could be admitted to the privi- 
leges of an Architect ; — for building was so peculiarly 
the object of this association, that its members were 
in after time known as the Dionysian Artificers. 
One of their chief cities was Byblos, the Gebal, or 
Gabbel of the sacred volume, and the Hebrew word 
Gibblim, translated (i Kings, v ; 18,) stone-squarers ; 
in another place, {Ezekiel, xxviii : 9,) rendered (an- 
cients of Gebel,) which means the inhabitants of or 



164 

workman from Gebal, indicates with sufficient pre- 
cision that the artists sent by Hiram, King of Tyre, 
to Jerusalem, were a party of these famed artificers. 

After the ceremonies of initiation, the candidate 
was led to the Presiding Priest, and instructed in the 
mystic science of the institution — Theology, Morals, 
Philosophy, and Politics being embraced in these in- 
structions. He was baptized, and as in the Christian 
Church, received a new name. This was engraved, 
together with a mystic token or sign, upon a small 
white stone, which thus prepared was presented to 
the initiated. He preserved it as a sacred talisman, 
and carried it with him wherever he went, as a 
means of recognition, it being efficacious to procure 
him relief from distress and security from danger. 
It was at the same time the emblem of victorv over 
fear, darkness and error, and the means of enjoy- 
ment and peace. 

St. John, of the Apocalypse, vt^as an initiate of the 
Cabiria; and alludes to the mystic stone just noticed, 
when he says : " To him that overcometh will I 
give to eat the hidden manna, and will give him a 
White Stone, and in the stone a new name written 
which no man knoweth, saving him that receiveth 
it." {Rev. ii : 17.) The Apostle means to say, as the 
initiate in the Cabirian mysteries, who with a brave 
heart and an unfaltering step, passes boldly through 
the terrible ordeal appointed to try his patience, re- 
ceives a White Stone, with a new name and a mysteri- 
ous inscription upon it, which is a powerful resource 
against misfortune, and gives him immunity from 
danger ; so shall be given to the man who overcometh 
his passions, and triumphs over vice, security from 
sin and misery. It will raise him to a divine com- 
panionship, in a celestial fraternity, and to a full 



165 

participation hereafter in the mysterious enjoyments 
of the Secret Pavilion above. These Rites were 
spread through all the cities of Syria. Hiram, King 
Tyre, was a High Priest of these mysteries. 

This institution existed in Judea in the time of 
Christ, and it is a notable fact, that while he de- 
nounced in the severest terms, the Pharisees and 
Sadducees, he did not say a word against the Essenes, 
the faithful depositaries of the Ancient Cabirian 
Rite. That he was familiar with this Rite was cer- 
tain, for it cannot be supposed that a mind like his 
could pass over without due consideration, a society 
like theirs, admired for amiability and gentleness of 
manners, and dignified with so man}^ virtues. Be- 
sides the moral sentiments, the social maxims, the 
idea of liberty, fraternity and equality which distin- 
guished the Order, differ in no respect from the 
teachings of Christians regarding the same things. 

Though the Lodges in Judea were chiefly com- 
posed of Jews, yet they admitted into their Order, 
men of every religion and every rank of life, and 
like the Priests of Egypt, the Magi of Persia, the 
G^^mnosophists of India, they united the study of 
Moral with that of Natural Philosophy. Although 
])atronized by the great, and respected by all men 
for the correctness of their conduct, and the inno- 
cence of their lives, they were persecuted by the 
Romans until the abolition of their Rite, about the 
middle of the fifth century. 

The mysteries of Eleusis were abolished by Valen- 
tinien, A. D. 39(3. Disposessed of the pre-eminence 
of their worship, the Druids in gi'eat numbers took 
refuge in Britain; others retired among their breth- 
ren in the North. Egypt was equally troubled by 
the successors of Alexander. The initiated were 

H* 



166 

obliged to hide themselves in the deserts, or to ex- 
patriate themselves. Surrounded by barbarians, 
they felt more than ever the necessity of a rigorous 
secret. But they were initiates of difiereut degrees; 
all were not equally instructed; there were no writ- 
ings ; the great part were ignorant of the oral tradi- 
tions ; few could read the hieroglyphics of the in- 
stitution. 

The real secret of Masonic principles, written in 
Chaldean, is preserved in the Venerated Ark of the 
Memphis Rite. A part of it is in the Grand Lodge 
of Scotland, in Edinburg, and in the Convent of 
Marmonites on Mount Lebanon. It has come down 
on the stream of time, pure and unchanged, as it was 
when from the Temples of Thebes and Eleusis, it ex- 
cited the veneration of the world. 

Whilst the ordinary man is content with the a])- 
pearance of mystery, and is satisfied with pronounc- 
ing some words, of which he knows not the mean- 
ing, the Masonic philosopher roams through antiquity, 
and ascends to primary causes in the study of our 
institution. Whatever success may crown his^toil, if 
the lamp of study has guided him through the 
labyrinth of Ancient Mystery, still eager to learn, he 
will knock at the gate of our Temples. 

[The history of this Rite is so very closely con- 
nected with the sciences, that it cannot be well sepa- 
rated. So I will give them together as I find them, 
allowing the reader to cull out or separate for him- 
self] — Author. 

The teachings of these degrees are of the 
highest antiquity. The Magi who were the founders, 
drew their science trom the Gymnosophists of India. 
There was in the ancient city of Hipparenum, a cele- 
brated school, worthy of the concemtration of all 



167- 

hiunau virtues, of the chapters, which heaven de- 
signed to become the instructors of the world. But 
it was particularly in Media tliat the Magi celebrated 
their nriysteries, and doctrines which spread through 
the world those floods of light and truth which the 
Supreme Architect of the Universe had placed in the 
hearts of the learned Hieropharits of Egypt. 

Plato attributes to the word Magi a mystic mean- 
ing, which signifies " the most perfect culture of all 
things." The principal object of this degree is to 
render man perfect, and to draw him nearer to the 
Divinity, from whom he emanated ; that is to say, 
his re-habitation and re-integration in his primitive 
rites of rank. There is within us two natures, the 
animal and the angel, and our labor is to combat the 
one that the other may dominate, until that moment, 
when disengaged of its heavy envelope, it shall take 
flight to better and higher regions. It is perhaps in 
tliis sense that the universal dogma of the redemp- 
tion of mankind should be explained. In the mys- 
teries of this degree it was said that when man, by a 
new and exemplary life, and by useful work, has re- 
instated himself in his primitive dignity, he aj)- 
proaches his creator, is animated by a Divine breath, 
and is initiated. In the instruction, the occult 
sciences are taught ; the secrets of this grade can ordy 
be acquired after the prescribed studies, and severe 
trials, which are in leality but a course of religious 
and moral ideas, divested of all superstition. To 
gain admission to this venerated institution, it is 
necessary to join to an elevation of soul and intelli- 
gence — a great purity of morals ; and we should bind 
ourselves by a most solemn vow, to follow the pre- 
cepts of the most severe virtue in the new life on 
which we enter. 



-168 

The forms of thivS grade are few and simple, and 
recall the origin and arrangement of the Universe. 
The object is to render to the Supreme Architect ol 
the Universe the homage which is due to him ; to 
elevate man above his fellow creatures, and to place 
him beyond those passions which so often trouble his 
existence. 

In the Spring of every year a festival was cele- 
brated, ■' the regeneration of Light," to represent the 
primitive equality, and the present connection of 
mankind. Kings exchanged their vain pomp, and 
freely mingled with the humblest of their subjects, 
who were seated at the same table with their kings 
and princes, a custom calculated to imprint a salutary 
lesson on the minds of the young princes. 

These doctrines, adopted long before by the Chal- 
deans, were perfected by the sage King Darius Hys- 
taspes, who, having penetrated into most of the 
regions of India, found the Gymnosophists in the 
solitary forests, where deep tranquillity favored their 
profound labors. It was of them he learned the laws 
which govern the Universe, and the journey of the 
Stars. They revealed to him the Sacred Rite, which 
he knew to agree with the doctrine of the Magi. 
During several centuries these were transmitted to 
posterity through their descendants ; and from time 
to time men of vast and profound genius in {)enetrat- 
ing into the sanctuary of science, have dissipated the 
clouds which hid the truth from the eyes of the pro- 
fane, and taught them how, by the force of per§ever- 
ance, they might elevate temples to virtue, and dig 
graves for vice. 

The ancient initiates have transmitted the science 
of calculation, a measurement so closely connected 
with Geometry, and which has been so frequently 



169 

pointed out as a necessary study. It begins with the 
knowledge of tif^uies, the key to which we derive 
from the Egyptians. This consists of a perfect 
square divided into four [)aits by a perpendicular 
line, and a horizontal one ; then by two diagonal lines 
from angle to angle, by which the square is divided 
into triangles. Hence we find the cyphers from one 
to ten. The one is a perpendicular line. The two 
is formed by the two horizontallines, and one of the 
diaooiial. The three is formed bv the two horizon- 
tal lines of the great square, and by the right half of 
the diagonal ones. The FOUR is formed by the right 
perpendicular side of the great square, half the diago- 
nal and half the central horizontal lines. The five 
is formed by the northwest half of the diagonal line, 
the right side of the central horizontal, the lower 
half of the right hand perpendicular" of the great 
square, and the right hand side of the lower horizon- 
tal side of the square. The six is formed by a line 
extending from the right superior angle to the left 
inferior one, thence horizontally to the right inferior 
angle, thence diagonally to the centre. The seven is 
formed by a line drawn horizontally from the summit 
of the middle, perpendicularly to the right superior 
angle, thence horizontally to the left inferior angle- 
The EIGHT is formed by two diagonal lines, making 
a cross of St. Andrew, and uniting them above and 
below by two horizontal lines. The nine is formed 
by a line drawn perpendicular upwards from the 
centre of the square, thence horizontally to the right 
superior angle, thence diagonally to the left inferior 
angle. The aught is the square itself. The ancient 
fiorures were anji^ular ; but as nations became refined, 
they gave their characters a more agreeable form, 
curving the lines, which were originally straight ; and 



170 

thus formed what we improperly denominate Arabic 
characters. Geometrical studies led our forefathers 
to that of the inhabitable world, and they soon learned 
to fathom the ocean of immensity, and to pierce the 
azure vaults. Man devoted himself to mathematics; 
a noble science, known then but to the initiates of 
the Order. This enabled him to develop almost the 
organization of nature, noting the Solar and Lunar 
causes, the Astral periods, and the changes of the 
seasons. The ancient astronomical system is repre- 
sented in thesquare; the four compartments of which 
are the four presumed regions of the world. By ob- 
serving the sun's course, the four cardinal points were 
fixed East, West, North and South. The four squares 
served as angles of divisions for the seasons, making 
ninety-one days for each, nearly, or three hundred 
and sixty-four days for the whole, one or two days 
being added at determined periods. 

The Magi studied every department of nature with 
attention, with a view to arrive at a knowledge of 
its essence. The immensity of the asrial fluid filled 
those fires, which they regarded as so many small 
Suns, and afterwards as Stars. The power of the 
atmosphere upon all things, and the harmony of the 
organic laws, caused them to admire the wonders of 
nature, and sharpened their energies to inquire, and 
to discover the vivifying principle, the soul of the 
Universe. 

They recognized by their wjrk, the Deity, as the 
sole origin of organization. They adored the Su- 
preme Being in all the productions of the earth. 
They concealed their discoveries from the people, and 
gave fictitious significance to those emblems, which 
they made known to the public. They decomposed 
air and matter; salt, sulphur and mercury appeared 



171 

to be its constituent elements. These three sub- 
stances were figured as a triangle, which form be- 
came, for this reason, more intimately blended with 
their religious worship, as an emblem of the great 
motive, God, whom the Hebrews named Jehovah, or 
the soul of nature. The Triangle was placed in the 
centre of the divers circles and squares, to denote the 
vivifying principle which stretched its ramifications 
over all things. The Magi foi-etold eclipses and com- 
ets, thereb}^ extending the infiuen^e of religious 
ideas, and leading to those of a metaphysical re- 
search. The several planets, which are represented 
as making their course round the common centre, 
announce the antiquity of the great [)ersouages who 
govern the earth, and were deified by admiring mor- 
tals. 

Apollo, the God of Light, was synonymous with 
the sun; this deity also presided over the arts and 
sciences of antiquity. The Moon represented the 
Goddess Diana, the sister of Apollo; she was the 
nocturnal luminary, or light of the second ortler. 
Mars presided over the battles and was styded the 
God of Heroes and Patriots. Mercury, the iiiter[)re- 
ter of Divine Light, was also the patron deity of 
Eloquence and Virtue. Jui>itfr, the chief among the 
Gods, and the personification of divine intelligence 
and power. Venus, the Goddess of Beauty, and the 
Mother of Love, are names which the genius of 
Greece and Rome have transmitted imperishably in 
a language which will be preserved by the polished 
and the educated of mankind thi-ough all time. 

So, also, these classic pages preserve the renown of 
the God w^ho, j)ersonating Time, was said to have 
devoured his children, even as time consumes all to 
whom it gives birth — Saturn. 



172 

The two semi-circles are emblematical of Divinity 
and Nature, which to the true Mason are synony- 
mous terms; everything in nature being governed by 
fixed laws, and consequently, periodical in its move- 
ments, annonnces the existence of a Grand Master, 
which attracts our veneration, and convinces us that 
nothing can be superior to Him. The Flaming Star 
is a symbol of Divine Providence, ot that great and 
good Being whom Masons adore as the Supreme Ar- 
chitect of the Universe. 

Among the mathematical sciences, Geometry is the 
one which has the most special reference to Archi- 
tecture, and we can therefore understand the whole 
art of Freemasonry. The whole being of the Order 
is comprehended in it. Freemasons, therefore, ought 
to make themselves intimately acquainted with Ge- 
ometry. It is not absolutely necessary to be able to 
delineate Geometrical figures, but it is necessary to 
be able to deduce all our actions, works and resolu- 
tions from Geometrical principles. 

Freemasonry is a science which requires both time 
and experience, and more time than many brethren 
can devote to it; the only time in fact they can de- 
vote to it being during their hours of recreation. 
Therefore it is good that it is communicated by de- 
grees, according to the regulations of the Order, or 
the candidate's power of comprehension. 

As in Geometry, so in Masonry, there is no royal 
road to perfection ; a knowledge of its science can 
only be acquired by long and diligent study. To the 
candidate who rapidly passes through the degrees. 
Masonry is as incomprehensible as the 'veiled statue 
of Isis, and he becomes either a useless drone in our 
hive, or retires in disgust from all participation in 
our labors. But the candidate who by slow and 



173 

painful steps has proceeded thiough each ajmrtment 
of our Mystic Temple, from its porch to its Sanctuary, 
pausing in his progress to admire the beauties and 
study the uses of each, learning as he advances, line 
upon line and precept upon precept, is gradually and 
almost imperceptibly struck with so much admira- 
tion of the institution, so much love of its principles, 
so much appreciation of its design as a conservator 
of Divine truth, and an agent of human civilization, 
that he is inclined at last, on beholding the whole 
beauty of the finished building, to exclaim as did the 
wonderful Queen of Sheba, " A most excellent Mas- 
ter must have done this !" 

In the Degrees of the Rite of Memphis, it is ex- 
plained to you that the builders of the Temple of Je- 
rusalem, the Tyrians, the men of Gebal, were a colony 
of our ancient brethren, who had brought the Arts 
from Egypt to the shores of Asia Minor. They were 
famed for their skill in working metals, in hewing 
timber and stone, in a word for what was solid, great 
and ornamental in architecture. 

They had already built the Temple of Hercules, at 
Tyre, and many magnificent edifices in Asia Minor; 
and the Israelites, who disregarded mechanical arts, 
a])plying themselves to agriculture and the feeding 
of cattle, had no professed artificers who could under- 
take the work of the Temple. 

Solomon requested Hiram, King of Tyre, to send 
him men capable of constructing it ; also an architect 
to superintend the work. 

This person was found in Hiram Abifi", who was 
the most accomplished designer and oj)erator on the 
earth. His abilities were not confined to building 
only, but extended to all kinds of work in gold, sil- 



174 

ver, brass or iron. Whether considered as an archi- 
tect or designer, he equally excelled. 

From his designs and under his direction, all the 
rich and splendid furniture of the temple and its sev- 
eral appendages were begun, carried on and finished. 
Solomon in his zeal to have the Temple finished, con- 
vened those masters who had distinguished them- 
selves by their genius, capacity and devotion, and 
formed them into a Lodge to effect it. As these were 
no longer to be confounded with the rest of the work- 
men, he commanded that the distinct mark they had 
worn should be changed, and that they should in fu- 
ture have the right of entrance to the Sanctuary, 
having previously been placed on the letter " G," and 
the flaming star, and binding themselves by promises 
such as you have entered into. And may you many 
years enjoy this happiness among us. 

Many remarkable circumstances occurred near 
Mount Horeb, where Moses received the Divine 
command to lead forth the Israelites from Egypt. 
This mountain was remarkable for seven memorable 
transactions. First, the Burning Bush ; second, the 
striking of the rock with the rod of Moses ; the lift- 
ing of Moses' hands by Aaron and Hur, which caused 
the slaughter of the Amelekites; fourth, the delivery 
of the Law ; fifth, the forty days' abstinence of 
Moses ; sixth, the erection of the Tabernacle ; and 
seventh, the punishment of Korah, Dathan, and 
Abyrarn, for disobedience. 

The Tabernacle was constructed on the plan of the 
Egyptian Temples. It is true that, strictly speaking, 
it ought not to be looked upon as a piece of architec- 
ture, being only a large tent. But by reflecting on it 
more closely, we shall perceive that the Tabernacle 
had a great relation with architecture. In the gov- 



1T5 

erntiieut of the Hebrews, the Supreme Being was 
equally their God and their King. 

The Tabernacle was created to answer the double 
purpose of a Temple and a palace. Many symbols 
were represented on the Tabernacle and the Temple. 
Moses placed in the former two cherubims, or 
sphinxes, as well as ornaments ; and decorations of 
flower work, and tigures of cherubims were embroi- 
dered on the Vail of the Holy of Holies, on the hang- 
ings of the Sanctuary, and probably the curtains also. 
It is evident, therefore, that Moses never intended to 
prohibit the use of symbols; nor was such a thing 
understood by the Jews in any age. 

Here Moses opened his Holy Lodge about two 
years after the exody of the children of Isi-ael from 
Egypt into the wilderness of Sinai. Here the Al- 
mighty delivered to him the Decalogue, with the 
forms of the Tabernacle and the Ark ; and here he 
dictated those peculiar forms of civil and religious 
policy which, by separating His people from all other 
nations, consecrated Israel a chosen vessel for His 
service. 

Over this Lodge presided Moses, the great and in- 
spired Lawgiver; Aholiab, the curious carver and 
embroiderer ; and Bezaleel, the famous architect, un- 
til Korah, Dathan and Ab3^ram raised up a sedition 
against Moses and Aaron, saying unto the children of 
Israel, " Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the 
congregation are holy, every one of them, and the 
Lord is among them. Wherefore, then, lift ye up 
yourselves above the congregation of the Lord ?" 

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, " Speak 
unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about 
the Tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abyram." 

And Moses said, " Hereby ye shall know that the 



176 

Lord hath sent me to do all these works, for I have 
not done them of my own mind. 

" If these men die the common death of all men, or 
if they be visited after the visitation of all men, then 
the Lord hath not sent me. 

" But if the Lord make a new thing, and the e^rth 
open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that 
appertain unto them, and they go down quick into 
the pit, then ye shall understand that these men have 
provoked the Lord." 

And it came to ])ass, as he had made an end of 
speaking all these words, that the grouni clave 
asunder that was under them. 

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed 
them up, and their houses, and all the men that ap- 
pertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 

And thus Aaron was no longer to have the priest- 
hood by the favor of Moses, but by the "public judg- 
ment of God. 

[Perhaps this is a digression, but in order that the 
reader may see the difference between the York Rite 
and Memphis Rite in its application,! here insert a por- 
tion of the lecture in one of the Degrees of a Senate. 
I also append a Lecture on Coptic Worship, taught 
by the Egyptians, and in some measure explaining 
the use of the Serpent in Masonry.] — Author. 

This Lecture supposes the Neophyte to have taken 
the preceding Degrees of Symbolic Degree Nomen- 
clature, and his guide, the Grand Marshal, answers 
for him these questions : 

Q. Illustrious Knight Marshal, tell me what qual- 
ities were ascribed by our venerated Patriarchs to 
the Seven Planets ? 

A. Saturn, cold and dry ; Jupiter, warm and 
moist; Mars, hot and dry; Sun, fiery and dry; Ve- 



177 

nus, moist and warm; Mercury, warm and dry; 
Moon, cold, moist and changing. 

Q. What is the power of numbers? 

A. Unity is the symbol of identity, existence and 
general harmony; Binary is the symbol of diversity 
and separation ; the Ternar3% the image of the Su- 
preme Being, uniting in itself the properties of the 
two first numbers. 

To the Pythagoreans it represented not only the 
surface, but the principle of the formation of bodies. 

It applies to the three chemical principles, which 
give animation to the whole world, Salt, Sulphur and 
Mercury, belonging to the thiee kingdoms of Nature, 
Life, Soul and Body, Birth, existence and Death, Dry- 
ness, Humidity aud Putrefaction ; from all times, the 
ancients held the Ternar}^ in great respect. 

The number Four is found in time and space ; 
there are four Cardinal Points and four Seasons. 

The number Five was considered as a mystic num- 
ber, composed of the Binary and Ternary. As a Pen- 
talpha, it is an emblem of fellowship. 

The number Six was in the ancient mysteries a 
striking emblem of Nature, North, East, South, West, 
the Zenith, and Nadir. 

The Double Triangle is the emblem of the Sen- 
tence of Hermes, who said : " That which is below is 
like that which is above." This figure is emblematic 
of Deity. 

The number Seven, according to the Sages, gov- 
erned the Universe. 

The number Eight is a symbol of peifecticni, and 
its figure indicates the pei-petual and regular course 
of the Univeise. 

The number Nine was regarded by the Sages with 
veneration, for reasons already given. 



178 

The Hermetic Cross. The Cross mystically cor- 
responds with the secret teachings of the high mys- 
teries, and CQntains all the sacred numbers ; it is the 
base of Geometry. This symbol existed in the Isle 
of Cazumel, on the coast of Yucatan, nearly four 
thousand years before Christ, and was I'evered as the 
divinity of rain, allegor}^ of fertility. 

Quetzalcoate, the legislator of the Indians, was 
represented in a robe with crosses. It was used an- 
ciently to indicate the roads. It was consecrated in 
China to the adoration ot the Supreme Architect of 
the Universe. 

In Northern Asia, and in some parts of America 
have been found large stones in the form of a Cross, 
adored by the ancient people. Many mythological 
ruins in Greece have had the same form. 

Also we learn that in Egypt the Thos, (laud-marks) 
were often in wood, and in the shape of a Cross. On 
the transverse pieces were inscriptions relative to 
science and the arts ; and to multiply those inscrip- 
tions, they sometimes placed on three cross-pieces, 
which made double or triple Crosses, which -are fre 
quentl}^ seen on ancient monuments, as well as single 
crosses; again, it is considered as the key of the 
Nile, to which that country owes its fertility. We 
have seen how general was the veneration for this 
sign, with different motives. 

It is to be remarked, with as much pleasure as in- 
terest, how natural good sense knew when science 
was but little advanced, how to represent by so sim- 
ple a sign as two sticks laid across at right angles, 
the course of the sun and the progress of the seasons. 
It is not astonishing that to fix better the atten- 
tion of the people on those great phenomena to which 
we owe the production of the earth, and to excite 



179 

them to a pious gratitude towards their author, their 
representative sign was made a religious symbol. 

The horizontal line represents the Equator, and 
the vertical, the Meridian ; we have thus four ex- 
tremities of the Equator, and the two solstices of 
Summer and Winter at those of the Meridian ; con- 
sequently, the four seasons. By analogy, they unite 
to Spring, youth and morning; to Summer, ripe age 
and noon ; to Autumn, age and evening ; and to Win- 
ter, death and night. 

The Alchemists added to those four points, which 
they called the four generative elements, Fire, Air, 
Earth and Water, which they expressed by conven- 
tional signs. 

The Red Cross is the symbol of the life to come ; 
the origin of this Cross is of the highest antiquit3^ 

To form this Cross, commence by tracing a circle 
of three hundred and sixty degrees, in which design 
a Cross of twelve equal squares, which represent the 
twelve signs of the Zodiac, or the twelve months of 
the solar year ; one-half in ascending from January 
to the end of June, indicates the progression of the 
days ; and the other half, July to the end of Decem- 
ber, the declination of the sun. This Cross essen- 
tiall}^ marks the line of meridian from South to 
North, and indicates at the same time the strong 
heat of Summer, in opposition to the frosts of 
Winter. 

A horizontal line traverses the entire world from 
East to West, and shows us equal days and nights in 
the zone which it divides ; this line is called the 
Equator. 

In casting the eye of imagination over the four 
quarters of the globe, we discover in this Cross the 
principle of life, which is the Air, or the East ; the 



180 

beginning of vegetation, or Spring, which announces 
to us the awakening of Nature ; infancy should be 
placed on this side, for man finds himself in the 
Spring of life, as the horizon of morning indicates 
the appearance of da};^ in this quarter of the world, 
and the sun rising in the East enriches it with its 
beneficent rays. 

Let us now look to the top of the Cross ; W' e shall 
find there fire, which is the soul of life, according to 
many philosophers, who sjanbolized by this element 
the Creator of the Universe. The Summer by its 
great heat characterizes the second part of the 3^ ear. 
Man, in adult age, is remarked by the desire of re- 
production of his kind, and by the strength of his 
physical faculties. Noon is naturally found in this 
part of the Cross, because the sun is at its highest 
point, which makes the meridian. 

If we look at the West, we shall find that part of 
the world contains more atmospheric humidity. 
Autumn, which is the third season of the year, shows 
us that all the productions of the earth have arrived 
at their maturity. Man, in this division of the 
Cross, is placed in his decline, which we denominate 
age — third period of life — that in which he should 
live happy, if he has known how to profit by the 
preceding years of his labor. This division of the 
Cross indicates, also, that the sun descends under the 
horizon of night in the West ; it is the time wdien 
man prepares himself for rest. 

In the North is found the earth, as being the most 
material and consequently the heaviest portion ; it is 
also the reason why w^e place it at the bottom. 
Winter, where all is frozen from its distance from the 
sun, procures the fourth season of the year, when all 
nature seems to be completely inert. The portion of 



181 

the globe to the North is found to be less peopled 
than the other portion of the earth, because it is an 
almost continual Winter. In this part of the Cross 
is indicated the death to which each creature is 
obliged to submit. 

Man, as well as animals, returns to the ground; 
all of matter is decomposed to be reproduced under 
other forms and is annihilated by turns, according to 
the order of the Divinity and Nature. In the bot- 
tom of the Cross is the instant os sleop or night; 
which makes the fourth part of the day, composed of 
twenty-four hours. 

In the centre of the Cross is found the Flaming 
Star, with a Delta in the middle, bearing in its 
centre the simple, but great character of One God ! 
— the point signifying the Universe, which is gov- 
erned by invariable rules. 

The laws are indicated by twelve squares, which 
bear the names of the months, composing the Solar 
Year. Outside of this Cross there is another, an- 
nouncing the lunar months of twenty-eight days, 
two hours, seventeen minutes and thirty-six seconds, 
which the Mahommedans still follow ; their year is 
therefoi-e composed of thirteen lunar months, which 
gives the same number of days as the solar year, 
which is three hundred and sixty-five days, forty- 
eight minutes and forty-eight seconds. The Lunar 
Cross is called the Hammer Cross. The Alchemists 
of the middle ages wore a ring with the initials I. A. 
A. T. — Ignus, Aqua, Aer, Terra, — Fii*e, Water, Air, 
Earth. 

The Hebrew words for the four elements, were — 

lanmiin, Water ; Nour, Fire ; Rouaah, Air ; labesc- 

heh. Earth. Of these four letters were the following 

aphorisms : " Igne Natura Renovatar Integra!' 

I 



182 

Nature is entirely renewed by fire. " Igne I^itrium 
Boris Invenitury Repel we ignorance by indefati- 
gable efforts. 

We nnight follow this course of instruction through 
a large number of pages, and show to the curious 
reader that which a search into many volumes would 
fail to convey — instruction strange to the Masonic 
scholar who had contented himself with a mere 
glance, or very superficial idea of what real Masonic 
teaching was, for in the age in which this system of 
education was introduced, venerable sages searched 
the pages of antiquity, and gleaned from them the 
rarest gems of thought and expression, and soughfc to 
convey them to the mind of the neophyte in the 
most simple and yet in the most striking and im- 
pressive manner; and as this sample of antiquity is 
all we intended to copy, we will briefly consider the 
more modern Masonry, from the raising of the Ta- 
bernacle in which God was worshiped in the wil- 
derness, and the lifting up of the Brazen Serpent, to 
the building of Solomon's Temple, and certain events 
in connection therewith, and the tracing of the Rite 
to the present day. And I shall avail myself again 
of some of the valuable lectures. of the Memphis Rite, 
of the Brazen Serpent, being a partial induction into 
the body of a Council of Knights of the Brazen Ser- 
pent, as an illustration of the condition to which the 
children of Israel were reduced by their persistent 
deviation from the teachings of their fathers, and the 
revealed will of God, who brought many afflictions 
upon them because they forsook His Divine Law. 
And we read from history that while journeying 
through the wilderness, many left the camp of safety, 
and were lost ; others profaned the privileges God 
had vouchsafed unto them, for the correction of which 



183 

His powerful arm was frequently required for their 
subjugation and restoration. Proiuinent among these 
was the infesting their tents with poisonous serpents, 
who bit the transgressors, so that many died. 

To appease or subvert the evils produced by diso- 
bedience, Moses, at God's command, caused a Brazen 
Serpent to be made, and set up on a cross, or T, so 
that all who were bitten might look upon the Brazen 
Serpent, and, by Faith, be healed. Of this we have 
an account in the Book of Numbers, to which I would 
call your especial attention. 

" And the Lord sent fiery ser[)ents among the peo- 
])le, and they bit the people ; and much people of 
Israel died. 

" Therefore the ])eople came to Moses, and said, 
We have sinned, for we have spoken against the 
Lord, and against thee ; pray unto the Lord, that he 
take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed 
for the people. 

" And the Lord said unto Moses, make thee a fiery 
serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to 
pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh 
upon it, shall live. 

" And Moses njade a serpent of brass, and put it 
upon a pole ; and it came to pass, that if a serpent 
hg,d bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of 
brass, he lived." 

And you are here showu thatt thus far Masonry 
h^s taught you that in our Egyptian Masonic Rite, 
the Legends of Antiquity, which had their origin on 
the banks of the Nile, were by our Primitive Breth- 
ren disregarded, and viewed only as myths, veiling 
from vulgar minds, important truths. In the earliest 
ages, amongst rude and uncivilized men, the Serpent 
or Dragon, was regarded as sacred ; according to the 



184 

writers of Antiquity, the very foundation of Greece, 
that intellectual daughter of Egypt, was cemented by 
the blood of the Dragon or Serpent, when Cadmus, 
having slain him and plucked his teeth and sown 
them, there sprang forth from these seeds, armed 
warriors, from whom afterward were to be born the 
sages and heroes of antiquity. This, perchance, may 
refer mythologically to the advent of the ophitic wor- 
ship into Greece, for we notice that after his death, 
Cadmus, like Toth among the Egyptians, was trans- 
formed into a snake, and adored under that form ; 
still further, when the country began to be reduced 
to some order, Draco, that is the Dragon, was first 
pionarch at Athens. In short, the histographers and 
logographers are replete with anecdotes and illustra- 
tions of the worship as it then existed, depicting in 
their sober sincerity, the same state of things which 
prevailed, even with the savage tri bes of Africa ; de- 
scribing their serpents as the guardians or palladiums 
of the cities, and as beings reverenced with every ex- 
pression of abject submission. Their entiie mythol- 
og}^ abounds with similar allusions and circumstances, 
wherein the serpent personates a most important 
character. Again, the adventures of Hercules in his 
childhood, the death of Laocoon, the gaolers in the 
gardens of Hesperides, and the thousand fabulous 
grottos defended by the snake in some one of his 
varied forms, are illustrations familiar to all. As to 
the Latin nation, religion had become so modified up 
to the period of their settlen^ent, that their njythology 
embodies fewer circumstances express^ive of its 
ophitic origin than other nations sprii^ging more 
directly from the Orientals; still they appropriated 
much from the neighboring Greeks and Egyptians. 
The rapid extension of Roman and Grecian pQwef 



186 

and with it, an intercourse with the then known 
world, afforded but so many facilities for the propa- 
gation of their religions ideas ; and, although there 
seldom enforced the unwilling acceptance of opinions 
and beliefs upon their conquered nations, still, there 
must have resulted from the mere communication a 
reciprocal influence, as might be surmised, in favor of 
the mightier minds. Thus the Muscovite and Pole 
finally adopted the most debased form of worship, 
adoring the serpent as a household divinity, like the 
lares and penates of the classic world, decreeing it a 
penalty of death to injure one, however venomous in 
its character, and surrendering up to them the un- 
restrained freedom of their hearths. Almost all the 
vipers obtained their protection and reverence in an 
equal degree. But of the divisions of Europe, 
Scandinavia, embracing the Swedes, Fins, Norwegi- 
ans, Danes, fee, is particularly rich in the mysteries 
and legends of this character. Its mythology 
abounds in allusions to, and its fables are filled with 
exploits of the serpent. Lok, the genius of evils, is 
styled the father of the great serpent ; the standards 
of many exhibit the same emblem, and the few hiero- 
glyphic remains that have been discovered, bear 
witness of the prominent character it assumed in 
their belief The only diflference to be remarked, is 
the variation in the form of the reptile, which now 
assumed the most niQiAstrous and terrific powers, 
breathing flames and pestilence from its distended 
jaws, and expressing revenge and utter slaughter in 
its looks. This fanciful form became a particular 
favorite with the earlier Christian writers, whence 
have resulted the heroic legends of St. Patrick, St. 
Michael, St. George and St Margaret, and the extra- 
ordinary wonders depicted in the stories of the Mid- 



186 

die Ages. That such was the policy of the founders 
of most religions is not a matter of astonishment, 
since, to the uneducated mind the awful and sublime 
are to be represented less in things invisible than in 
natural forms exaggerated into terrors, in physical 
events, partaking of the purely tragic character ; it 
appeals, in short, rather to the eye than to the subtle 
essence of the mind. Thus it seems to them that 
God would rather afflict nations with His wrath, than 
seek to raise up prophets in their midst to instruct 
and forewarn them. 

At length, we enter into Gaul and Britain with the 
worship which, like the symbolical representation of 
the Chinese, had literally encircled the earth. The 
Druid worship, so famous in antiquity, was an off- 
spring of the ophitic creed ; the same familiar snake 
was adored, not only as a symbol of light and life, 
but independently, in its own animal nature, as a 
serpent. So close, indeed, are the affinities of their 
gods and goddesses, so perfect the exposition of that 
creed, that many incline to the opinion that the in- 
tercourse between these isles and the ancient world 
was far more intimate than we are accustomed to 
think. 

Their divinities are variously pictured under the 
form of the snake, whilst still further to increase and 
cement the C(3nnection of ideas, " draig " signifies 
both serpent and a Suprenie God. Their many 
fables, among others that of " Uther Pendragon," 
contain explicit and conclusive evidence of their 
worship, with its ambiguous reference to the " gliding 
king" pursuing the " fair one," even as in the garden 
of Eden, the treacherous angel followed the credulous 
Eve. The same peculiarity to which we have refer- 
red in other natious, that of attributing healing 



187 

powers to the serpent, is abundantly manifested 
among tlic Druids. 

As the Druid religion was established in Ireland 
and Gaul, there, no less than in England, were ex- 
amples afforded of the old creed. The story of St. 
Patrick banishing the toads and serpents from Ire- 
land, has, with a great deal of ingenuity, been refer- 
red to his opposition to the existing faith and his 
determination to eradicate its pernicious doctrines 
from the minds of the people; the ruling divinities 
in both countries are presented armed with the cadu- 
ceiis of Mercury, or associated in some distinct manner 
with the serpent, either as a symbol or attribute; the 
same low superstitions and their resultant cruelties 
and barbarism are reproduced. 

The cycle is thus completed, but much remains 
untold, were it but the theory of the origin of the 
serpent worship) or its practice as it exists in our own 
times. We have only to recall the numerous current 
stories of the fascination of the snake, its mesmeric 
and medicinal powers, the wondrous accounts of the 
ubiquitous sea-serpents that startle the world so 
frequently, and tales of a similar character, to under- 
stand that the old belief is not entirely dead nor the 
old terror entirely cast aside. The whole subject 
affords us a hue illustration of credulity, whether 
indulged by minds sottish and brutal, or active and 
refined. Unfortunately, in all religions, the element 
of fear has entered too largely ; and to repent, in 
order to be sa,ved, is a precept more attentively fol- 
lowed than to do, in order to have done. And so of 
old, it hung like a dark mist over the intellectual 
sight of the world, at the dawn of science. But the 
sun rose at last, blood-stained, it is true, and the 
glorious prospects began to be revealed. Far back 



188 

lay the mountains, clad in purple and gloom, around 
all flashed a golden light, whilst forward, the un- 
fathomless vistas of space were opened, glittering 
with worlds through all immensity. And that sun 
was the light of knowledge, and those growing 
mountain tops the past, and the golden glow and 
heat the present, and the future lies with those 
worlds dimly seen and known. Forihe past there is 
charity, for the present hope, for the future there is 
faith. 

History of Moses Masonry. 

A good deal of the history of Moses and the jourfiey 
of the Israelites through the wilderness is the con- 
necting link in the quasi Egyptian Hebrew Masonry, 
called now York Rite, and more particularly the first 
three degrees of Operative Masonry, called in Egpyt, 
the Degrees of "Isis, Serapis and Osiris," and known 
to us as Apprentice, Fellow-craft and Master, the 
Royal Arch of the York Rite, together with the 
Royal and Select Master, or Council Degrees, being 
side degrees, and there communicated instead of be- 
ing worked as they now are in America, the}^ being 
better adapted to building and municipal government 
than the higher or philosophical degrees ; therefore, 
when Moses undertook the arduous task, and had got 
throuQ:h the Red Sea, he commenced to disseminate 
the work by Degrees ,of Operative Government or 
Labor. 

After Moses had led the children of Israel through 
the wilderness to Mount Sinai, and had founded in 
some degree the secret mysteries of the Egyptians, 
amonsc whom he had been educated, and of which he 
was one, except perhaps by blood and birth, he was 
allowed to see from Pisga's top, the land of promise, 
that land which had been the goal of his ambition, 



189 

his hopes and aspirations. He had, although a man 
slow of speech, been a diligent officer, High Priest 
and King. He had rescued his people from the hand 
of the oppressor, and had taught them in all the ways 
of civilization then known; he had, above all things, 
learned them self government, the real spirit of Free- 
masonry, the art of benevolent society. He had 
made wise laws, and laid down in plain unmistaken 
terms the true principles of law and order; he had 
spent a long life of usefulness, and had acted as a 
mediator between God and man, and had lived to a 
green old age. Yet he was over one hundred years 
old, and with all his toil and care, including a life of 
over forty years in the wilderness, on a constant 
march, subject to all the changing seasons of such a 
varied life, and yet such was the care he had taken 
of himself, such had been the control he exercised 
over the passions and the inclemency of a life in the 
tented field, subject so the changing seasons, the cold 
wintry winds, and the heated months of summer; in 
all this we are told that his natural forces had not 
been impaired, his eye was not dimmed, or his nat- 
ural forces abated ; he possessed all the vigor and 
alacrity of youth, coupled with the wisdom and ex- 
perience of the sage, fresh and vigorous in body and 
mind, just the pattern and type of a good Mason, one 
\rell calculated to rule and govern the Lodge, and to 
give good and wholesome advice on all subjects com- 
ing within his duty as Master, Priest, King 9,n(l 
Scribe, to that million of l^rother Masons' wives ar|d 
ichildren entrusted to his care. But he, for disobe- 
dience to his maker, was debarred the privilege of 
entering into that land of proniise, that land flowing 
with milk and honey, that he had so long pictured 
^ad described to his brethren. When the storn^s of 



190 

adversity and thick and dark clouds of doubt and 
distrust took hold on his people, when his Lodge re- 
monstrated with him for bringing them into the 
wilderness to starve, (as they claimed,) when hunger 
and cold, and rain, hail and the thousand ills that 
flesh is heir to set in, and discontent and dissatisfac- 
tion reigned supreme, yet he, like the true Mason, 
cheered them on, by his sage and good counsel, 
even when the serpent bit them, and they died by 
hundreds of the poisonous reptiles. And when they 
were perishing with thirst for the want of water, yet he 
with a firm belief in the immutable promises of Di- 
vinity, followed the pillar of cloud by day and fire 
by night, till he brought his Lodge within sight of 
the land that was to be the inheritance for them and 
their children forever — then and then only did he 
resign the gavel into other hands ; and he was gath- 
ered to and slept with his fathers. And his works 
lived; they were confided to faithful breasts; and 
the Tabernacle, by Moses, with the help of Aholiab 
and Be;zaleel, ^as tl^e pattern of the Teniple, and that 
pattern was one he had learned in Egypt, where Ma- 
sonic usage and custom had taught its votaries, who 
to the present day follow its patterns. Although 
thousands of years have rolled into the dark vista, 
and generation after generation have passed away, 
yet its secrets to-day live in the hearts of eyery 
true craftsman, As tl^e needle to the pole is true, so 
are the cardinal principles and landmarks of that in- 
stitution, reared for wise, good and benevolent purr 
poses in the hearts of good n^en; and although we 
no longer practice the operative, yet we do and should 
revere the speculative, and propose to trace, mostly 
by extracts fronj the several lecturer of the degrees, 
tlie history pf the institution through the temple 



191 

building period down to the present time, speaking 
first of the Orders of Knighthood or Chevalier De- 
grees, as the French call them, and by which the 
ofKcers of the several degrees were instructed, it be- 
ing a kind of Council or Court for the instruction of 
Masons who had charge of the drawings and specifi- 
cations necessary to the construction and design of 
the edifice or superstructure that was to be raised, 
and here it was that the principles of geometry and 
its kindred sciences were discussed and unfolded; 
here also it was that the higher branches of architec- 
ture were taught. And we as Masons, keeping in 
full view the rules, regulations and principles of the 
operative workman, teach the ardent Mason the 
principles of speculative science, adapti.ng its rules 
and regulations, and applying its cardinal principles 
to the good of society and the development of its 
virtuous and benevolent principles, to explain which 
we now begin with the temple building period. 

In Egyptian Masonry and this Masonic Rite we 
believe that there is no God but GoD, and all men are 
His children. Then let us each endeavor to purify 
our hearts, that we ma}^ be worthy of t.hat heritage 
hereafter, which our Father who is in Heaven has 
provided for His children. 

There is nothing stable in this world; the most 
solid monuments, the institutions most revered, are 
subject to this law. Virtue alone is immortal, and 
renders the true Mason unshakable in the events of 
life. In the gi-eat revolutions, the ordinary man sees 
only the physical causes which have prepared and 
produced them; but the sage knows there is a Provi- 
dence in the secret council of His justice, which dis- 
poses and directs events for the fulfillment of His 
designs. 



192 

The Degrees through which you have passed have 
taught you what the Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite 
expects trom j^ou. They have made you feel the ne- 
cessity of purging 3^our soul of vice, the passions and 
the prejudices which obscure the intelligence, and 
which deprive the soul of all its energy, They have 
been at the same time for us, the means of proving 
your zeal, docility, and love of the Order, and of man- 
kind. 

The Temple of Jerusalem is the Grand Type of 
Masonry. The revolutions it has undergone will re- 
call to you those the Masonic Order has suffered at 
different times. The masonry instituted by the 
Chiefs of the workmen at the Temple of Solomon, 
rebuilt by Zerubbabel, presents but the solid princi- 
ples, and the pure morality, which tends to make 
man better, and more useful to others ; to teach him 
his duties, and to elevate him to the dignity of his 
existence. So long as it was practiced on this basis, 
the Order was and must be flourishing, and all its 
members respected. 

Such was its first state, which is figured to you by 
the Temple of Jerusalem, which was in its splendor 
under King Solomon, and was the glory of all na- 
tions. But from the time that indolence was intro- 
duced into the Order, that members were admitted 
little disposed to follow its fundamental principles, 
they neglected the prescribed virtues, and introduced 
the vices, which had till then been banished ; then 
was seen a mixture of worthy men, in manners, 
knowledge and benevolence, with others, who, having 
but the appearance of those virtues, with the insult- 
ing arrogance of vice, gave a mortal blow to the repu- 
tation which they had enjoyed. Envy, jealousy 
and calumny gave rise to powerful enemies ; its 



193 

ceremonies, and mysterions practices became sus- 
pected, and served as a pretext for graver imputa- 
tions, injustices and persecutions, from which it has 
so often and so severely suffered. Pride, so familiar 
to the man who has lost sight of all that should 
humiliate him, — ^pride to belong to a body which had 
so long excited the admiration of all who knew it, 
was the source of all its evils. The vices which re- 
sulted therefrom burst on the entire Order; it was 
persecuted and lost all its eclat. The second state of 
our Order is lenewed by the improper conduct of 
many of its members, and which is represented by 
the burnincr and sacking of Jerusalem and its Tern- 
pie. But, as in that revolution, its foundations were 
preserved ; even so the true Masons, yielding for a 
time to the torrent, have guarded carefully the 
precious deposit transmitted to them, and when they 
have seen a multitude of Masons, like the Israelites, 
repairing their faults, then they have again brought 
forth, in all their primitive splendor, those rules. 
Like Esdras of old, they have made the Masonic 
fraternity feel the necessity of purging their Lodges 
of innovations, which the second state of the Order 
had introduced. Thus the Temple has been re-edi- 
fied ; the Sacred Word has been again found, and 
Masonry has resumed its ancient lustre, which will 
be preserved, so long as Masons keep in view the in- 
variable principle on which it was founded. This is 
the actual state of the Order, represented to you by 
the third epoch of the Temple re-established by Ze- 
rubbabel. For it must be remembered that during 
the reign of Zedekiah, Jerusalem was destroyed, 
her people driven in chains to Babylon by 
their conquerors, who carried with them those holy 
vessels of silver and gold which had adorned that 

K 



194 

magnificent Temple, erected by our Ancient Grand 
Master, King Solomon, four hundred and seventy 
years six months and ten days previous. 

After the city was destroyed, and the Temple de- 
molished, several Knights of the Secret Vault be- 
thought them of the Sacred Delta. On repairing to 
the ruins of the Temple at midnight, they found the 
entrance open; upon descending discovered in the 
cold embrace of death the body of Gedaliah, whom 
you to-day have represented, covering the secret 
place where he had concealed the precious emblem 
He, like Hiram Abif, nobly lost his life, rather than 
•betray his trust to the unworthy. Thereupon, they 
erased the sacred characters irom the Delta, and 
broke it into pieces. They then placed the body of 
Gedaliah by the cube stone, and having performed 
the rites of sepulchre over his inanimate remains, 
they filled the Vault with rubbish. 

The Egyptian Masonic R-ite is a religion that 
taught the patriarchs of antiquity to render homage 
to T. S. A. O. T. U. It has for its basis the belief in 
the existence of God, and the immortality of the soul ; 
and for its aim the practice of benevolence and virtue. 

It is the fraternal claim that links the brethren 
together in bonds of Faith in God, who redeemeth ; 
of Charity, which blesseth ; and of Hope in immor- 
tality. 

These Degrees are founded on a knowledge, belief 
and adoration of the Sacred Word or name of God, 
which is the foundation of every branch of Masonry 
and religion, whether ancient or modern. 

In the beginninp- was the WORD, and the word was 
with God, and the word was God. 

This same word, however mysterious it may ap- 
pear to the profane, has been held sacred by all Ma- 



196 



SODS wlio Imve been exalted to the high Degrees 
throughout the world. The belief iu the Eternity of 
the Godhead, beiug the foundation of every religion 
known to tlie world. 

Our ancient Hebrew brethren recognized twelve 
mysterious or cabalistic names by which they ex- 
pressed the attributes of Deity, which we cannot le- 
peat or give here, but which Masons know and fully 
understand. 

You are already acquainted with the fact that the 
true pronunciation of the name of God was revealed 
to Enoch, and that he engraved the letters compos- 
ing that name on a triangular plate of gold. The 
name was represented by the four Hebrew conso- 
nants. The vowel sounds of this language being rep- 
resented by points placed above the consonants com- 
posing the mysterious word, at different ages received 
different pronunciations. Hence, though the method 
of writing this word remained uniform, its pronun- 
ciation underwent many changes. These changes 
constitute what are termed the different ages of 
Masonry. These are the three ages of Masonry, and 
are thus estimated. After the death of Enoch the 
Ineffable Name was pronounced by 



Methuselah, 
Lamech, and 
Noah, 

Reu, 

Serug, 

Nahor, 

Terah , 

Abraham, 

Isaac, 

Jadah, 



!• Juha, I 
) (Ye haw.); ^ 



}■ Jova, 

I (Yo-waw.) 



3 ages. 



7 ages. 



Shem, 


1 1 


Araphaxt d 


J 1 


Salah, 


't Jeva. J- 


Eber, 


1 (Ye-waw . ) | 


Peleg, 


J J 


Hezron, 


Jevo, 1 
1 (Yay-wo.) | 


Ram, 


Abidab, 


/ Jevah, I 
(Ye- way.) i 


Nasshou, 


Salmon, 




Boaz, 


- Johe, 1 


Obed, 


(Yo-hay ) | 


Jesse, 


Jehovah, | 
(Yehowaw.)J 


David, 



9 as;es. 



The true pronunciation of the name was revealed 
to Enoch, Jacob, and Moses, and on that account are 
not named in this enumeration. The perfect number 



196 

is thus formed. The number of corrupted words is 
9. The ages of Masonry, 3, 5, 7, 9 — 24, multiplied 
by 3, gives the product 72 ; to this add 9, the number 
of corrupted words, the amount is 81, which is the 
age of a Knight of the Secret Vault. The mysteri- 
ous words which you received in the preceding De- 
grees, are all so many corruptions of the true name 
of God, which was engraved on the triangle. 

Moses did not ask for the true name of God, but 
for the true pronunciation of it, which had been lost 
through the wickedness of mankind. It was en- 
acted in the Mosaic Law, that if any one expressly 
mentioned the name of Jehovah blasphemously, he 
should be stoned to death. Upon this account the 
name has always been called Shem-Ham-Pheraush, 
the unutterable name, or as it is sometimes called the 
word of a Mason which I have before explained to 
be the true name of T. S. A. O. T. U., spoken in or 
pronounced differently by different nations in dif- 
ferent parts of the world. 

It remains with me to explain the connection of 
Hiram Abif wjth the Order. Hiram, the sublime 
workman, endowed, according to the Holy Writings, 
with intelligence and rare knowledge, surnamed Abif, 
which, according to some, signifies "sent from God" 
— this man, revered by Hiram, King of Tyre, as a 
father; esteemed, cherished and honored by Kiug 
Solomon, who was guided by his counsel, is at once 
the father and model of true Masons, and the partic- 
ular type of the Order, and the three states, of which 
I have presented to you the image. . The history of 
his death and assassination by three Fellow Crafts is 
an ingenious fiction, favored by the silence of the 
Holy Writings ; it veils, how^ever, great truths for 
the Mason who would instruct himself Each cir- 



197 

cumstance of his life, ami the iiiouniful event which 
Masons celebrate in their works, teach the virtues 
they should practice, of which the example is now 
before you. Hiram, living respected, cherished, and 
directing all. represents the Order in its primitive 
state, when it was known only by its good deeds and 
the admiration it excited. Hiram, in the Temple, 
praying each night, when the workmen retired, 
teaches Masons that they owe more to the Supreme 
Being than to the profane. Hiram, assassinated by 
three Fellow Crafts, who would force from him the 
Word, indicates the danger of violent ])assions, which 
may lead us to the greatest extremes, if they are not 
at once repressed; and the injustice of those, who, 
without taking the trouble to labor themselves, 
would tear from others their discoveries, and partake 
with them the fruits thereof. 

The refusal of Hiram teaches that discretion 
shduld ever be the favorite virtue of a Mason. 
Lastly, his tragic death announces the second state 
of the Order, succumbing through the bad conduct 
of some of its members, designated by the Fellow 
Crafts under the characters of Avarice, Calumny 
and Injustice, Hiram, the particular type of the 
Masonic Order, and of the three epochs, is to-day 
presented to you as rising from the dead. Aid us to 
recall him to life, surrounded by the virtues he 
practiced, and which conduct to that immortality to 
which all should aspire who would imitate his truth. 

This ends all of Masonry connected with the 
Temple erected by Solomon. At its commencement 
a Brother sealed his truth with his blood, and at its 
destruction, amidst the wickedness of the people, 
there was still found a brother whose integrity was 
equal to that of our first Operative Grand Master. 



198 

May you, and all Masons of our Egyptian MasonicRite, 
emulate their courage in the cause of truth. So shall 
our beloved institution be honored by the world, and 
our Sanctuary be blessed by Heaven ; and the light 
of our truth shine forth as the morning star in the 
midst of a cloud; as the sun shining upon the Tem- 
ple of the Most High ; and as the rainbow giving 
light in the bright clouds ; as the flavor of roses in 
the spring of the year; as lillies by the waters, and 
as the frankincense tree in summer ; as fire and in- 
cense in the censer, and as a vessel of gold set with 
precious stones ; as a fair olive tree budding forth 
fruit, and as a cypress which groweth up to the clouds. 
And when the robes of death are placed upon ys, may 
they prove to be the garnients of perfection to the 
All Seeing Eye of the S. A. 0. T. U., Supreme Archi- 
tect of the Universe, that He may appoint each of us 
Gitardians of his resplendent Sanctuary of Truth, 
and to an everlasting lite, where is love, and peace, 
and joy unspeakable, in the Divine presence of Him 
who was, who is, and who ever shall be, world with- 
out end. 

In conclusion, therefore, I have only to recall some 
of the main points of the former brief history, in 
order that the reader may not get embarrassed in the 
brief histories set forth ; the first being a history of 
our organization, the second a brief history of the 
Rite in America, which was then called the Ancient 
and Primitive Rite, and the third a sj'nopsis of the 
history of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, 
with a brief outline of Moses' Masonry, or quasi 
Egyptian-Hebrew Masonry. And after completing 
the Tem])le, and drawing therefrom the moral, and 
exposing some of the myths and evils arising from 
the drawing out of a Rite of Three Degrees, with 



199 

the Royal Arch as a side degree or honorary degree, 
and the Council of Royal and Select Masters as ex- 
planatory degrees, with the original signs and 
tokens changed, and other new ones substituted, 
which tend greatly to hinder and embarrass either 
the Neophyte of this country or of Europe, and 
which instead of making the degrees universal, 
makes them to seem contradictory and different. 
Thus the mission of the Memphis Rite, seems to be a 
sort of explanatory Rite, doing no harm. In that it 
does not interfere with any other, or in any way seek 
to dissuade or hinder the candidate from any, either 
the Scotch or the York Rite. In that it does not 
make Masons a?> initio, but takes only those who 
have been made in the York Rite. And while this 
Rite works over and explains the York Rite, or the 
first three degrees, yet it makes the possession of 
those degrees, taken in the York Rite, a condition 
precedent to receiving the degrees of the Memphis 
Rite, so there can be no hindrance to the York Rite — 
on the other hand, makes it an inducement to the 
obtaining of the higher and universal Masonry of 
the world, the Memphis Rite. And the reason why 
I have taken the pains to say thus much on this 
seeming objection, is because some persons who hap- 
pened to occupy high and honorable positions in the 
York Rite have taken it upon themselves to slander 
and traduce this Rite, and try to prevent persons 
from taking the degrees, as they say, (or this they 
advance as an objection,) that the Memphis Rite 
ought not to be patronized or worked, for two reasons. 
First, because it would have a tendency to injure the 
York Rite, and the institutions that they claim are 
attached to it, viz : The Royal Arch Chapter, Coun- 
cil and Commandery. And some go farther to 



200 

sa3^ that it will injure the A. and A., or the Scotch 
Rite ; and for a second and further reason they ad- 
vance, the degrees are not worked in the Grand 
Orient of France, where the Charter comes from. 

But to return to the two objections, viz : that it 
may tend to injure the Scotch or A. & A. Rite, I have 
this to say, that I have conclusively shown that it 
does not or cannot injure the York Rite of Three De- 
grees, because every one must possess them before he 
can be taken into this Rite. And as to the other, 
Royal Arch and Commandery, they are no part of 
the York Rite except by adoption, and I cannot see 
how it could by any possibility injure them, and I 
am a past officer in each of them, and a majority or 
nearly all our members belong to them. But, if the 
assertion is true that the Chapter which has been 
working in this country for ninety-five years, and the 
Commandery that has also been working for over one 
hundred years, can be injured by a Rite that has 
been only fourteen years working in this country, 
(see page 3 ante,) I for one would willingly consent 
to its doing so, because either the high degrees of the 
York Rite are meaningless and impotent, or that the 
Memphis Rite is the better Rite, and if so, why not 
adopt it ; but the fact is in relation also to the A. & 
A. or Scotch Rite, which originated in Charleston 
in 1802, died out in 1805, revived again in 1845, 
(Rebolt Hist, page 171,) and was refused a recogni- 
tion by the Orient of France till 1841 — cannot com- 
pete with a Rite that had its formation and founda- 
tion, in fact, the previous organization having died 
out in this country on the 17th day of June, 1867, 
(see page 3 ante.) It shows very conclusively to my 
mind, and I apprehend it does to the reader, that the 
Memphis Rite must be the better Rite, and that the 



201 

A. & A. or Scotch Rite, ought to be injured or out- 
run ; thus again, the assertion that the Memphis Rite 
is not recognized by or does not now recognize the 
Grand Orient of France, ought to be in the Mem- 
phis Rite, for it is a fact that the Memphis Rite is 
not worked by the Grand Orient of France, for the 
very reason that no person can be made in this Rite 
unless he believe to some extent in the Divine Rev- 
elation of the Holy Bible or Scriptures, and must 
be obligated on the great light of Masonry, viz: the 
Holy Bible. And as the French Masons, particularly 
the Grand Orient of France, have eschewed and dis- 
carded God's Holy Book from their Masonic Institu- 
tion, and as the Memphis Degrees cannot be given 
or worked except on the Holy Bible, they have tried 
in every way to injure it by attempting to reduce the 
degrees to 33, and then by calling it a dead Rite, and 
that too after in the most solemn manner, and for 
pay, giving us a Charter, (see pages 84 to 104, ante,) 
to work the degrees ; but we are free from them, and 
are proud of the fact that they do not work the de- 
grees. After having transmitted to us the rituals, 
(that they never fully understood,) and given us the 
entire jurisdiction, for we use the Bible, for we refuse 
to acknowledge any Masonic Rite that refuses to use 
the Holy Bible, for we believe that no person can be 
made in this Rite, or legally in any other, except on 
the Holy Bible, and for this cause did we in 1870, 
dissolve all connection with the Grand Orient of 
France; and they do not work the Memphis Rite 
above the 33°, and for this reason solely. Another 
reason why the Memphis Rite is much the best Rite, 
and ought to succeed, no matter if the {)oorer Rite^ 
palled A. & A. Scottish Rite, or called by any other 
pame, should not succeed in this land of light and 



202 

liberty and knowledge, where true and undefiled Ma- 
sonry should succeed, flourish and abound ; and by 
the blessing of God I hope it may when the shafts of 
calumny, envy, ignorance, falsehood and malice shall 
be broken b}^ the hand of truth, or fall harmless to 
the ground before the pure light of Masonry, and " the 
lion can then, comparatively speaking, lay down with 
the lamb, and a little child to lead them." 

This is a millennium we need, especially in Ma- 
sonry, and not that Michigan is any worse than other 
States. But for the late Masonry of Michigan, it 
must be said of a truth, (and I am sorry to say it,) 
that the high offices of the several departments of 
the York Rite have been filled more than they should 
have been with men who looked more to their own 
personal aggrandizement, than to the good interests 
of Masonry. And I must repeat it, that 1878 was 
one of the most disastrous and unfortunate and dis- 
graceful of its years and history; and so much more 
the pity too, in a State embracing over 29,000 Master 
Masons, with over 300 Lodges, over 100 Royal Arch 
Chapters, 50 Royal and Select Councils, over 50 Com- 
manderies, but with only about 332 Scotch Rite Ma- 
sons. But the redeeming fact, we opine, is shown 
that in less working time than two years 2,731 90 de- 
gree Memphis Masons have been made here, and we 
have over 58 Rose-Cioix chartered Chapters; and 
the grand officers elect are, some of them, good Mem- 
phis Masons, notwithstanding Finch's edict. And in 
conclusion of the edict matter, I refer you again to 
my edict or answer to John W. Finch's celebrated 
pronunciamento, which will be read with surprise by 
all intelligent men and Masons, and be a foul blot on 
the proud escutcheon of the Grand Lodge of Michi- 
gan. But I must again express my hope aad wish 



203 

• 

that its East will never again be disgraced by such 
an edict or by such a peison occui)ying its chair. 

And 3^et the present Deputy Grand Master, Rufus 
C. Hathaway, of Ionia. Michigan, is, I am credibly 
informed, at the present time busily engaged canvass- 
ing the State trying to secure his re-election as Dep- 
uty, if he cannot be advanced to the Grand Master's 
Chair, but is trying hard for the Grand Mastership. 
Should he succeed, it will be a sorry day for the Ma- 
sonic Fraternity in the Wolverine State, as the same 
Hathaway stands suspended in the Memphis Rite for 
the unmasonic offence of appropriating Rituals of this 
Order, and in being arrested for the offence of embez- 
zlement, he was discharged for the technical reason 
that the taking of these rituals and refusing to return 
or to account for them, was not embezzlement. Such 
men would rarely hold Masonic offices, should the 
maxim of the wise and good Diogenes prevail, who 
searched for honest men even in the day time with 
a light, viz : that offices should seek the men, rather 
than men for themselves seek the office. 

But to resume my recapitulation, and leaving Mich- 
igan Masonry to take care of itself, as I have said be- 
fore this Rite is now worked by and under this Grand 
Body. Thus : A portion of this Rite was translated 
and worked in the Grand Orient and Grand Lodge 
of France as early as 1694-, and its rituals, translated 
and untranslated, from the Egyptian Sanscrit, and 
other original languages deposited with that Body, 
with an arrangement that all bodies working these 
degiees should be chartered b}' that body, viz : the 
Grand Orient de France. 

Accordingly, in 1856, Marconi De Negree formed 
a Iwdy with John Mitchell as Grand Maji. (See 
ante page 87.) This body was to be the head 



^04 

center of the Rite, and held its office in New York 
City. The neglect to elect officers caused the body 
to lose its organization, i. e., charter, and a new body, 
or council was formed in 1857, was also allowed to 
forfeit its right to work. Again, in 1857, David 
McLellan, a member of the Grand Orient of France, 
locating in New York City, formed a Grand Council 
90°, but this followed the fate of its predecessors 
in 1861, when the Grand Orient of France issued 
its dispensation for the formation of a jurisdiction to 
be called the Sovereign Sanctuary, which was of 
short duration really, although they professed to 
keep up the organization (see ante page 87,) of this 
Rite, a full copy of all documents, charters, &c., down 
to the issuing of a consolidation of the Rite into 33°,, 
when the split between this and the A. & A. Rite 
began, (again see ante page 90 to 106,) and given 
full power and authority to charter Lodges, Chapters, 
Senates and Councils, Areopages and Consistories and 
Sovereign Grand Bodies under the jurisdiction of 
State Councils General 90°, and from them subordi- 
nate bodies to conter the several degrees from Ap|)ren- 
tice to the 90°, make Masons at sight, and to take, 
assume, and maintain control, power and authority 
over the entire craft for the continent of America, to 
elect its officers, appoint its Deputies, and install 
them and its officers for all time to come and forever 
thereafter. To exact from and receive homage, and 
exercise full, perfect and complete authority over 
every and all bodies of Masons throughout its juris- 
diction, as full, complete and perfect as the Grand 
Lodges of England, Ireland, Scotland and the Grand 
Orient of France could do; the first, only, real and 
authentic depository of all Masonic records. Rites ; 
Nom de Plume, Grand College, Lithurgique Rite de 



205 

Memphis Sublime, Images, Lepafcua et Marconi ; to 
install its officers for all time to come and forever 
thereafter ; Supreme, Superior, Most Worshipful, High 
and Exalted, Most Potent, All Powerful and Augu st. 
Thrice Illustrious, ne plus ultra Royal Grand Sover- 
eign Sanctuary and Repository of the Ancient and 
Sacred name ; rank and title, Grand Magenties 96°, 
Patriarch, Grand Defender of Truth 95°, for its offi- 
cers, members, &c., &c., and with the Sovereign 
Grand Magi, degree 96, for its Grand and Deputy 
Masters, for all time, and to the end of the world, and 
for this purpose full blanks and rituals were for- 
warded,' which rituals, on examination, proved to be 
in the original Egyptian and Sanscirt languages with 
the exception ot the first eighteen degrees, which 
were printed in French. A body was accordingly 
formed, but owing to the very poor and superficial 
manner in which the translation of the eighteen de- 
grees had been done, it made very slow progi-ess, and 
few persons were disposed to embrace the degrees or 
learn the work ; and the whole other work in the 
original languages and hieroglyphics written upon 
highly and formidable looking rolls and parchments 
and vellum, which had become aged, musty, torn and 
soiled, almost beyond translation or interpretation, 
and so continued till about the first of November, 
A. D. 1861, when a committee consisting of a French 
Masonic scholar by the name of Baron De Brum, and 
a Jewish Rabbi, Raphelph, and the author, who at 
once set about translating and correcting the degrees 
of the Rose-Croix, degrees which, uf)on examination, 
proved to be a work of great antiquity and rare 
Masonic beauty, and in reality contained the history 
and source from which all the systems of Masonry 
had emanated, and had the full original work 



206 

of the first three degrees, and which, when 
translated, was truly what it claimed to be, 
the true source of all Masonic learning, and 
those musty, dust-covered and soiled parchments 
were rare literary and Masonic gems, and contained 
some of the most brilliant and beautifully dramatized 
and instructive^degrees ever seen in any symbolic or 
other institutions, which were replete with histories, 
Masonic learning and history, as well as a synopsis 
of the science of philosophy, astronomy, geology, 
alchemy and theosophy. Accordingly, in 1862, a 
charter was obtained, (see page ante, 93,) a full record 
of each charter organizations, and down to the 17th 
day of June, A. D., 1867, when the degrees were 
condensed from 96° to 83°, and then came a split 
in the body by an edict purporting to come from the 
Grand Orient of France. 

The society formed in 1862, was called the An- 
cient and Primitive Rite of Memphis. The degrees 
of this Rite were slowly and surely progressing in 
interpretation, when, in 1863, the author, for a con- 
sideration, obtained possession of all the charters, 
dispensations, rituals, &c., &c., with a view of form- 
ing bodies in the west and south. About this time 
the war of the rebellion became general and peace- 
ful pursuits gave way to the grim visage of war, 
and absorbed the attention of most every one, Even 
Masonry, except in the military camp, was abandoned, 
or at least in part neglected. The work of this trans- 
lating however, went slowly on ; the bodies men- 
tioned before continued to hold occasional meetings, 
but very few members were admitted. At this 
period the war between the two factious of the A. 
& A. Rite or Scotch Rite began, and the Scotch Rite 
being ver}^ jealous as to higher degrees, and fearing 



207 

that the introduction of a new or higher system of 
Masonry might injure the prospects of the A. & A. 
Rite, they opposed this Rite with all the power they 
possessed, frequently giving hostile war to the Mem- 
phis Rite; and things were getting so hot in New 
York, (so to speak,) that more conservative fields of 
operation were sought after and the work was intro- 
duced into the western States of Illinois, Michigan, 
Wisconsin and Indiana, at various periods, from 
1863 to 1807, when the A. & A. Rite began to op- 
pose the progress of the Rite, notwithstanding which 
a large and eminent body of Masons in the Memphis 
Rite had been made, and a goodly number of socie- 
ties formed. 

At about this time, February, 1866, the then Grand 
Master of this Rite, H. J. Seymour, 96°, got into a 
controvers}^ with the Grand Orient of France, and 
entered into an arrangement to reduce the degrees of 
this Rite to 33°, (see ante, page 114.) This being in the 
opinion of the most eminent Masons in this Rite, 
residing in the western States, a very great wrong 
and a violation of the first princi|)les of the order, 
they, in a body, absolutely refused to accept the 
recommendation of the Grand Master, H. J. Seymour, 
96°, or the Orient of France, and called for a conven- 
tion of the brethren in the western States to meet at 
Chicago. Accordingly, on the 17th day of June, A. 
D. 1867, (see pages 3 to 15, ante,) such a con- 
vention met and which resulted in a general meeting 
of the ten Rose Croix Chapters, two Senates and one 
Council, and other unaffiliated Masons then workintj 
in the States, besides a large number of 90° and up- 
wards Masons, who were assembled firmly resolved 
not to abide by the order, or the condensation of the 
degrees to 33, but formed a Constitution and Laws 



208 

for themselves, and changed the name of the body to 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, (see ante, page 
4,) declared themselves the onl}^ body of Masons on 
the continent of America working the degrees, who 
acknowledged the Rite of Memphis contains 96°, and 
that it is not in the power ot any person or body 
of Masons on this globe to alter, change or reduce 
or interpolate to any less number of degrees 
after this Rite had been established ; and this 
body has been by that style and name known, 
and is now at the head of this beautiful sys- 
tem of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated by 
symbols. The degrees will be found to bo most beauti- 
fully dramatized, and contain the most exhaustive and 
complete form and system of Masonry the world ever 
saw. The teachings of morality are combined with 
brotherly love, friendship and truth, that divine 
attribute, the chief corner-stone of the superstructure, 
In the original work, the various degrees of work, 
90 in all, were divided into a large number of bodies; 
and while each was well calculated to impress upon 
the mind some important truth, and at the same time 
to communicate lessons of Religion, Morality, Phil- 
osophy, Astronomy and Geometry ; and while the 
names of Geology, Alchema, are used to express and 
represent and to challenge fortitude and brotherly 
love, all tend to force upon the mind important 
Masonic truths, and present to the symbolic crafts- 
man toiling in the speculative quarries of Masonic 
lore a full reward for his labors, not satisfied with a 
superficial illustration of the terms of architecture, 
but delving into the mysteries of the order, portray- 
ing its beauties and filling and storing the mind 
with useful knowledge by such a changing series of 
mysterious knowledge as is only accessible to the true 



• 209 

craftsman holding the mystic key of translation. In 
the year 1860, the full translation of the entire work 
from the 1st to the 96th degree being completed under 
the last mentioned name, it was deemed advisable to 
procure the further recognition of the Grand Orient of 
France to this new organization by this new name. 
Accordingl}^ Dr. Johnson, a ver}^ influential Mason, 
residing in Paris, near the Grand Orient of France, 
was appointed representative of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary to the Grand Orient, and in return, Mons. 
John H. Blake, 95°, was appointed by the Grand 
Orient representative residing near the Sovereign 
Sanctuary in the city of Chicago. Applications for 
charters and dispensations were accordingly granted 
to the Masonic brethren residing in Illinois, Wiscon- 
sin, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, California, 
Oregon and other States, and the work went on for 
about two years, when a serious disturbance arose 
between some of the members of this Rite and the 
Scotch Rite and the Commandery of Knight Tem- 
plars, each claiming a prior right to the working of 
some of the first degrees. Accordingly, a conference 
was held, and upon examination of the most promi- 
nent points of the work, principally names of the 
degrees, which were similar, it v>'as found that they 
were entirely dissimilar, and did not collide or inter- 
fere with each other, and the Grand Orient of France, 
becoming satisfied that they were not then and never 
had been in possession of a real translation of the 
Egyptian work, and it being entirely too large for a 
body that was merely legislative and judicial to work 
all or even a part of the degrees by a grand annual 
meeting of Masonic deputies, they convened on or 
about the 1st of June, A. D. 1869, condensed the de- 
grees of the Rite called the Ancient and Primitive 



210 • 

Rite of Memphis or the Ancient and Accepted Rite 
of Herodem into S3^, and relinquished all other de- 
grees to the care, custody, keeping, concimunication 
propogation and diffusion of the Sovereign Sanctuary 
of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis sitting in 
America, which is the only true, legal and proper body 
of Memphis Masons who are in possession of 96°, or 
who have the right to communicate or work 
them, and giving to this Grand Body full, complete, 
and entire jurisdiction of all the entire Cosmos or 
Masonic world, the whole habitable universe, 
wherever civilization and the light of Masonry has 
shed or shall hereafter shed its beneficent rays. 
This Memphis Rite of 96 degrees has full power, 
force, authority and Masonic command, although the 
scoffs of the ignorant, the jeers of the prejudiced and 
the taunts of the aspirant for Masonic power, rule 
and influence may for a time seem to prevail. Yet 
truth being a divine attribute and the foundation of 
every virtue, must surely prevail. And, although 
like our former craftsman, Zerubbabel, it may be 
clouded with infamous reports or charged with the 
assumption of false power, yet the King ot Kings 
will in due time issue his edict that the temple shall 
be built with all its pristine beauty, the holy vessels 
of silver, of gold and brass returned, and the tribute 
due to its greatness paid within the porch of the 
temple. There it will be ever as it is now, and 
most of the enlightened and zealous Masons in the 
order in search of light and knowledge may see and 
know and fully understand that the perhaps seeming 
devious ways of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis and what in truth is claimed for it, are like 
the visit of the Queen of Sheba to the first temple of 



211 

Solomon — the half of its beauties and virtues 
have not been told. 

It has been greatly abused and villified, tra- 
duced without cause, but only by those who eithei* 
did not know or could not understand or explain its 
mysteries. But it is like some great rock in a 
desert land, towering above the common things of 
earth and pointing the weary traveler or searcher af- 
ter Masonic truth, or inviting the weary craftsman 
to enter its temples, examine its work irom the 1st 
to the 96th degree harmoniously in keeping with the 
truth of history, the light of science and of knowl- 
edge shedding its rays across the path of life, at 
peace with itself and all the world beside, bearing on 
its banners the motto of peace on earth, good will to 
men, dispensing wisdom and Masonic lore without 
fear of reproach. And as none but Master Masons 
in good standing can enter its portals, interfering 
with none, but teaching pure Masonry, such as will 
enable the possessor of its degrees to work his way 
into any body of Masons in the world — eschewing 
priestcraft, sects, creeds and societies who use the 
holy Bible and who do not acknowledge God as God, 
and believe in the immortality of the soul of man, 
its future reward or punishment. 

Such being the tenets of this Ancient Order, and 
it seemingly not being understood, or the attempt of 
designing men to injure its progress by the cir- 
culation of base falsehoods against the Rite and the 
writer, it has been considered best to issue this 
book containing a brief history of the organi- 
zation of the present Grand Body, and a brief 
history of the Rite, in order that Masons may read 
and know what the Rite of Memphis really is. 
This being a, short, condensed recapitulation of the 



212 

contents of the book, the reader is earnestly re- 
quested to read the work carefully over, and then al- 
low some brother, who may not feel able or inclined 
to buy a copy, to read this one. It is Masonry that 
will commend itself to every lover of the Art, and 
the reader will be amply repaid for the time spent, 
if only by the reading borrowed from other books by 
the author, and compiler, as it is not in the power 
of every Mason to own a large Masonic library, and 
as they are scarce even in the hands of wealth}^ 
Masons. This, by numerous quotations of other au- 
thors, may awaken in the reader a desire to follow 
up the subject, and examine for himself the source 
from which these quotations issue. 

And in conclusion of this branch of history, I wish 
to express my sincere thanks for favors and assist- 
ance in books and other help from Brother Masons, 
among whom are R. W. Bro. C. W. Strait, 95°, Dep- 
uty Grand Representative for Michigan, Past Grand 
Warden of the Grand Commandery of Michigan, 
and Past Grand Principal Sojourner ol the Grand 
Chapter, and Deputy Grand Master of the Grand 
Council, as well as a member for some years past of 
the Committee on Appeals of the Grand Lodge of 
Michigan. Brother Strait is a very zealous Mason, 
understands the work of the Lodge, Chapter, Coun- 
cil and Commandery as well as any, if not nmch 
better than any other Grand Officer of ray acquaint- 
ance in this State. Brother Strait is a good worker 
in this Rite also, and was a very efficient officer at 
the last meeting of the Grand Body of this Rite, of 
which he is now an honorable member. With his 
assistance the writer has formed forty-two Chapters 
of Rose-Croix in Michigan and live in the State of 
New York, also a Senate and one Rose-Croix Chap- 



213 

ter in Ohio, and several others are under process of 
construction in this and other States. I must also 
return my sincere thanks to R. W. Bro. W: B. Lord, 
95*', of Utica, N. Y., who, as Deputy Grand Repre- 
sentative for New York, has formed many Chapters 
in that State, and assisted me on this book by proof 
reading, &c., «Sz:c. Bro. W. B. Lord, 95*, has proved 
himself a valuable member of this order. I also 
wish to return my thanks for favors to other mem- 
bers of the Rite. Hoping this will be the means of 
making more plain the principles of this order, and 
of doing good generally, is the sincere wish and desire 
of the author. 

Chapter II. 

Having devoted perhaps more time and space to 
the first chapter or section of this book, viz : the re- 
cord of our organization, the brief existence of the so- 
called Ancient and Primitive Rite, and a partial his- 
tory of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, I will 
now briefly introduce the reader to a short descrip- 
tion of the degrees, as a sort of Monitor or Book of 
the Chapter, calculated in some measure to assist in 
working the degrees in the Chapter as well as to give 
the uninitiated Mason an idea of the character and 
dramatic work on which certain poi'tions of the his- 
tory of events upon which they are founded, taking 
care not to repeat anything before said, or to publish 
anything forbidden or not proper to be seen or told 
outside the Tiler's door, which will bo followed with 
the three public degrees of Installator, Conseciator 
and Eulogist, and a few forms for Masonic documents 
and records in this Rite. 

And the writer wishes to say in this connection 
that the publication of this work has been gi'eatly 
delayed and all parties have been greatly embar- 



214 

rassed by the fact that the brok has been written at 
the great distance of 500 miles from the printer, and 
that they' have been unable to see each other or com- 
pare notes, but that the work has been written 
and forwarded by mail under the Act of Congress 
allowing such matter to be sent registered, and in 
consequence some parts have been delayed till a for- 
mer part has been received by the printer, which will 
account for the seeming and perhaps real unconnected 
reading of the sections, a thing the writer will en- 
deavor to obviate in a future issue of the work, 
should this production be found worthy of it. 

Therefore, in the presenting of this Monitor, or 
further history and description of the Memphis Rite 
Degrees, the only apology the writer and compiler 
deems it necessary to make, is that there is or was 
no other person acquainted with its peculiar forms 
and j3eremonies who was willing to spend the time 
and money that must necessarily be spent and given 
to a work like this. And as we are expected to use 
all just and honorable means in our power to dissem- 
inate the true light and to bring good Masons into 
the Order, and having a few spare hours, I have un- 
dertaken what generally is a thankless duty, of re- 
peating in some degree a thrice told tale, for it makes 
very little difference on what branch of Freemasonry 
we write or speak, some one who has written or 
spoken on the same subject before, has perhaps had 
the same ideas, the same thoughts, or perhaps had his 
mind drawn by the same ideas written or spoken by 
others on the same or analogous subjects. But inas- 
much as it has become a sort of practice or custom 
for authors to make some introductoiy and explana- 
tory remarks before they begin the main part of their 
discourse, and also as there has been and perhaps 



2151 

now exists in the minds of many of those who may 
read these lines, a feeling of prejudice against any- 
thing written about Masonry, there may also be 
a feeling in the minds of some ao-ainst the institution 
itself, in any of its various phases or forms, and they 
are ready to embrace every argument advanced tend- 
ing in the slightest degree to injure its influence or 
prevent its truths and useful forms ; for such I have 
no word of apology or care for their judgments. 
Another class are so self-confident in their opin- 
ions of its merits or demerits, that nothing new can 
be produced from the old, well worn and established 
forms, and who view every word written or spoken 
outside of the tiled chapter, as an innovation or dis- 
closure of its hidden mysteries. 

But for the fair minded honest searcher after 
truth, light and knowledge, and those who are willing 
to search into and weigh well everything pertaining 
to the institution, for the mere love of the institu- 
tion, or for the acquirement of light and knowledge, 
no matter from what source it may emanate, and 
those who are not content with a mere superficial 
knowledge, but wish to drink deeply of the perennial 
spring, this work is written and to them is dedicated, 
in the zealous and honest desire that they may de- 
rive benefit, light and knowledge of its degrees, lec- 
tures and teachings, for I am well aware that before 
this branch of Masonry can succeed, it must in a 
measure meet and overcome some at least of the 
very many prejudices existing in the minds of the 
public and also among even the fraternity. The for- 
mer, as before stated, are usually prejudiced in a 
great measure against ari}^ new or secret organiza- 
tion, not merely because it is wrong, but with them 
because they do not know whether it is right or 



216 

wrongs but because they think that it is not right 
that anything secret should exist, and the very 
fact of its beino- secret is to their nainds evidence that 
it is wrong, or the secret would not exist. Forget- 
ting for the moment, perhaps, that very many of the 
best things derive their force and usefulness fro n 
the very fact that they are not public. The uncov- 
ering or bringing to light produces the highest evi- 
dence of their utility and success — for them the evi- 
dence of their usefulness. But suffice it to say that it 
is not the object or intention of the writer or of this 
book to bring to light or to expose any of the esoteric 
part of Masonry, but merely to enlarge upon what 
has long ere this become exoteric to many who have 
given their time to searching out its seeming mys- 
teries, and those who have been in a position to or 
who have had access to these writinos and teachino-s 
of men learned in the ancient Masonic law, and have 
devoted a great portion of their lives to its study, as 
we have had occasion to say in a former part of this 
work. We need but allude to the mere fact that the 
forms and ceremonies of our Masonic institutions 
cannot be materially altered or changed. That they 
have become in a great measure the landmarks, and 
that there is a great difference in or between learn- 
ing and changing things ; not merely are things 
changed because they are new to the reader, or the 
discoverer, and the very best evidence of their being 
ancient and not new, remains in the fact, that they* 
are found by the searcher, otherwise they would not 
have been found, or not have been to be found. All we 
ask of the candid Mason or reader is a fair and dis- 
])assionate examination of the work, being well 
aware that there are very many good and conscien- 
tious Masons who believe that there is no Masonry or 



217 

good Masonry, above or not contained in the first (as 
they are called) three deorees, and that all above or 
outside ot tliese three degrees of Apprentice, Fellow- 
craft and Master Mason, is not true Masonry at all. 
Others believe that the Royal Arch, in addition to 
the other three, is the apex or summit of the Mystic 
Art, while not a few contend that the whole thing is 
a matter of very modern date, and has in fact existed 
but a very few years in even the first three degree 
form, but that the Rose-Croix chapter is more 
ancient than any of them, and in fact there are very 
many strong points of evidence that go to sustain 
that position ; while others again contend that the 
Masonry of the original (as they claim tirst three 
degrees) was the form of religion that existed prior 
to the Christian era. Be this as it may with the first 
three degrees or York Rite, as it is called, yet no 
respectable historian, I think, can be found, who does 
not admit that the mysteries such as are and were 
practiced in Egypt and the countries of the East have 
existed for a much longer period than either the first 
three degrees or the Christian Religion, and in the 
work which w^e present to the Fraternity and the 
public, we shall not so much contend for antiquity as 
for univers&,l general instruction and consistent Ma- 
sonry, 

For many years it has been the desire, and the 
author has labored in the various Rites and branches 
of the Order with aii eye single to the advancement 
and prosperit}^ of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- 
phis, and during the past fifteen to twenty years, has, 
at a great sacrifice of time, labor and money, strug- 
gled to bring before the public and get into practical 
and useful working order, this, to his mind, the most 
beautiful, instructive, and useful branch of Free 

L 



Masonry, and the publicatioa of such works as would 
challenge the careful and candid Mason to examine ; 
and he now, after years of toil and research, with 
many forebodings and doubts, introduces this work, in 
addition to the short history that precedes it, as a 
working monitor, or book of the Egyptian Rite, 
which he is confident will, to a great degree, assist 
the members and officers in the Rite in working the 
degrees and conducting its ceremonies, and preserve 
in such form as may, at least, assist future gene- 
rations in the work of the different degrees and 
bodies of the Rite. The presiding officers, as well as 
the craftsmen, will find that the exoteric work has 
been arranged in perhaps as good a form as could be 
in so small a book. As it is not the intention of the 
writer to make a very large work or to explain 
every part of the ritual, but merely as a guide in 
conferring of the degrees ; and as this is the first 
monitor or book of the Rite ever published, to the 
knowledge of the author, he has not been able to 
draw forms or suggestions from others, but has had 
to depend on his own knowledge of the actual work 
for subject matter and material. He therefore hopes 
and confidently expects, that great allowance will be 
made for these reasons ; and he also hopes to allay 
any fear or prejudice that may have been, or does 
now exist in the minds of those not so familiar with 
what is sometimes termed high decrees, against their 
usefulness and utility, but that it may, in a measure, 
be instrumental in bringing good Masons into the 
Order. But should the work fall into the hands of 
any whose better judgments are still clouded by the 
calumnies of by-gone days, we beg to assure them 
that in the following pages they will find the best 
refutation of the various misstatements that have so 



219 

long been banded about the world in regard to this 
high and intellectual branch of Freemasonry. 

However anxious and restless the busy and invid- 
ious may be, and whatever attempts they may make, 
to traduce our institution or discover our mysteries, 
all their endeavors will prove ineffectual. They will 
still find that the only means to attain to the knowl- 
edge of our mysteries are abilities, integrity, firmness, 
and a due and constant perseverance in the great 
duties of moral and social life, in principles of relig- 
ion and virtue, and whatever is commendable and 
praiseworthy. These are the steps and this the 
clue, that will lead and direct the practicers of such 
excellencies to the heights of Freemasonry, and 
while they adhere to them, will effectually secure 
them favor and esteem from every able and faithful 
Brother, and the warmest approbation and satisfac- 
tion from their own hearts. 

Masonic assemblies were anciently called lodges^ 
and in the ancient and original acceptation of the 
terra, were composed of a certain well-known num- 
ber of Masons, duly assembled, having the necessary 
furniture, ornaments and working tools. When thus 
convened, each body was perfect in itself and ac- 
knowledged no higher Masonic authority. In this 
respect Masonry differs from all other institutions of 
a like nature. The reason is obvious. Dating its 
commencement from a remote period, its government 
naturally became assimilated to that of the times 
and country where it arose; hence, we find its office 
bearers invested with the high sounding titles of the 
earlier ages of the world, and its ceremonies emblaz- 
oned with the gold and purple of antiquity; but 
with time, which traces its progress on all material 
things, the world changed, empires and kingdoms 



220 

flourished and decayed, stately palaces and gorgeous 
temples now marked the habitations of earthly gran- 
deur, or enclosed the altars whence arose the oraisons 
of the faithful, and anon — they crumbled into dust. 
The golden age encompassed the world with joy and 
the age of darkness spread over it like a funeral pall ; 
yet amid all these circumstances and changes Ma- 
sonry remained intact. The ceremonies that were 
practiced in the beginning are still observed, the 
laws that first governed the craft are still obeyed. 
Every zealous Mason should therefore keep steadily 
in view the ancient I'ules, customs and ceremonies 
which, by long continuance, have been stamped as 
portions of those landmarks which our fathers 
charged us not to remove. One of the most import- 
ant of these is uniformity. Too much care cannot 
be exercised in this respect?; every craftsman must 
acknowledge it as one of the safeguards of our in- 
stitution, as one of the means by which it has out- 
lived the pitiless storms of malice and persecution, 
that have so often burst upon it, the means by which 
it will be communicated in all the freshness of its 
original purity to the latest posterity. 

Many ways of attaining this desirable end, have, 
at different times, been suggested to the Fraternity ; 
but none seems to have met with more favor than 
the system of printing in whole or in part, the work, 
which zealous Masons will guard and take care of so 
there can be no difference in the work and ceremoni- 
als. Brethren selected to fill so impoi'tant a station 
should be men of education, tact and address — well 
skilled in the lectures, and capable of winning the 
hearts as well as the attention of those whom the\^ 
may be called to instruct. Assiduous attention to 
lectures, work, and a desire to learn on the side of 



221 

the iiieinbers, cannot fail of producing tbe happiest 
results. 

Another method tending to the same end, enjoined 
in the charges and constitutions (portions of which 
we subjoin) is, that each Lodge in a jurisdiction shall 
appoint some of its members to visit the others. 
Apart from that knowledge which is to distinguish 
us from the profane, thus obtained, is the interchange 
of fraternal greetings — the formation of friendship 
cemented by our mystic ties, producing the most 
beneficent eftects. 

Much also devolves upon the craft in the selection 
of competent officers for the various stations in the 
Lodge. "The possession and exercise of authoiity is 
a matter of honorable and proper ambition in every 
Brother who really prizes the Institution into which 
he has been initiated, and who wishes to render his 
Masonry productive of its legitimate fruits, the 
mor^l improvement of his mental faculties. To 
maintain his authority the Master of a Masonic Body 
must possess talent, moral virtue, and courtesy, 
blended with firmness. He must teach both by pre- 
cept and example ; Faith the most lively, Hope the 
most pure, Chaiity the most unfeigned. He must 
inculcate Temperance, unmoved except by the de- 
lights of science; Fortitude unshaken alike by pros- 
perity and adversity ; Prudence united with inflexi- 
ble Justice ; and he is bound to instruct the Brethren 
in the development of that mysterious and important 
fact, that man was not created to promote the selfish 
purposes of his own interest alone, but to use his 
best endeavors to advance the welfare of others; and 
above all, to elucidate that leading secret of Free- 
masonry — the absolute necessity of acquiring a 
practical knowledge of ourselves, 



222 

" If, then, it be the Master's province to instruct 
others, he must be conscious that ignorance in him- 
self is totally inexcusable. He cannot enforce on 
the younger Brethren the necessity of ruling and gov- 
ernins: their passions — of keeping a tongue of good 
report — ^ practising all the duties of morality and 
social order, unless he exhibit an example of these 
virtues in his own person. If he be insincere, his 
praise of Truth will stand for nothing ; if he be not 
charitable, he cannot consistently recommend the 
practice of relief; nor if he be factious, can he di- 
late, with any effect, on the exercise of the most 
beautiful feature in the Masonic system, Brotherly 
Love or Charity ; that glorious emanation of the 
Deity, divested of which, Freemasonry would be un- 
worthy of attention. Without these essential quali- 
fications, the Chair will bo bereft of its influence ; 
the Master's authority will be disregarded by the 
Brethren ; and disorder and disunion, though delayed, 
will not be the less certain to ensue." 

If these remarks may be truly applied to the 
Brother whose distinguishing jewel is the " square," 
they have also their relation to the officers of a 
Lodge; both Master and officers should always be 
punctual in their attendance; and observe the hour 
of meeting with scrupulous exactness ; for correct 
conduct in officers will invariably produce a corres- 
ponding accuracy in the brethren. If there be not 
absolute certainty that the Lodge will be opened at 
the proper hour, it must be expected that the mem- 
bers will visibly relax in point uf punctuality. If 
the system is to be kept vigorous and healthy, ac- 
tivity and address, perseverance and energy are re- 
quired on the part of its principal functionaries. 
Let the superior officers diligently and conscientiously 



223 

perform their duty, and then there will be little fear 
of irregularity or defection on the part of the 
members. 

A proper administration of the various ceremonies 
connected with our ritual is of the first importance 
and worthy of our serious consideration. The rites 
and ceremonies of Freemasonry form the distinctive 
peculiarity of the Institution. In their nature they 
are simple — in their end instructive. They naturally 
excite a high degree of curiosity in a newly initiated 
brother, and create an earnest desire to investigate 
their meaning, and to become acquainted with their 
object and design. It requires, however, both serious 
application and untiring diligence to ascertain the 
[)recise nature of every ceremony, w^hich our ancient 
brethren saw reason to adopt in the formation of an 
exclusive system, which was to pass through the 
world unconnected with the religion and politics of 
all times, and of every people among whom it should 
flourish and increase.* In order to preserve our 
ceremonies fiom the hand of innovation, it is essen- 
tially necessary that every officer should be thor- 
oughly acquainted with them, and that a "Srm de- 
termination should exist among the craft to admit 
710 change. A few" words here or there may not in 
themselves appear of much consequence, yet, by fre- 
quent allowance we become habituated to them, and 
thus open the door to evils of more serious magnitude. 
There is, there can be, no safety but in a rigid ad- 
herence to the ancient ceremonies of the Order, 

The first of these that claim our attention are 
those employed in opening and closing the Lodge; 
much might here be said in relation to them did they 
in our opinion admit of written elucidation, but as 

♦philosophy of Freemasonry, 



224 

they are necessarily kept within the body of the 
Lodge, nothing but vague and unsatisfactory hints 
could be given respecting them ; we therefore prefer 
to pass them in silence, reiterating our previous re- 
commendation to visit each other as the best method 
of keeping out innovation and preserving uniformity.* 
In connection with this ceremony a variety' of 
charges have, at various times, been used by the 
Order ; from the number, we cull the two following, 
as well for their simple beaut}^ as for the wholesome 
truths contained in them. 

SELECT BEADING BY THE ORATOR OR PRELATE AT 
OPENING. 

The ways of virtue are beautiful. Knowledge is 
attained by degrees. Wisdom dwells with contem- 
plation. There we must seek her. Let us then, 
Brethren, apply ourselves with becoming: zeal to the 
practice of the excellent principles inculcated by our 
Order. Let us ever remember that the great objects 
of onr association are, the restraint of improper de- 
sires and passions, the cultivation of an active be- 
nevolence, and the promotion of a correct knowledge 
of the duties we owe to God, our neighbor, and our- 
selves. Let us be united, and practice with assiduity 
the sacred tenets of our Order. Let all private ani- 
mosities, if any unhappily exist, give place to affec- 
tion and brotherly love. It is a useless parade to talk 
of the subjection of irregular passions within the 
walls of the Chapter, if we permit them to triumph 
in our intercourse with each other. Uniting in the 
grand design, let us be happy ourselves and endeavor 
to promote the happiness of others. Let us culti- 
vate the great moral virtues which are laid down on 
our Masonic Trestle-board, and improve in every- 



225 

thing that is good, amiable and useful. Let the be- 
nign Genius of the Mystic Art preside over our coun- 
cils, and under her sway let us act with a dignity 
becoming the high moral character of our venerable 
Institution. 

PROPER SELECTION TO BE READ BY ORATOR OR PRE- 
LATE AT CLOSING. 

Brethren : You are now to quit this sacred retreat 
of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the 
world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget 
not the duties you have heard so frequently incul- 
cated and forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be 
diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. Remember 
that around this altar you have promised to befriend 
and relieve every brother who shall need your assist- 
ance ; remember that you have promised to remind 
him, in the most tender manner, of his failings, and 
aid his reformation. Vindicate his character, when 
wrongfully traduced. Suggest in his behalf the 
most candid and favorable circumstances. Ls he 
justly reprehended ? — Let the world observe how 
Masons love one another. 

These generous principles are to extend farther. 
Every human being has a claim upon your kind offi- 
ces. "Do good unto all." Recommend it more 
" especially to the household of the faithful." 

By diligence in the duties of your respective call- 
ings ; by liberal benevolence and diffusive charity ; 
by constancy and fidelity in your friendships, dis- 
cover the beneficial and happy effects of this ancient 
and honorable Institution. 

Let it not be supposed that you have here "LA- 
BORED in vain, and spent your strej^gth for naught; 



226 

for your work is with the Lord and your recom- 
pense with your GoD." 

Finally, Brethren, be ye all of one mind, — live in 
peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to 
dwell with and bless you ! 

The ancient manner prescribed for the admission 
of candidates also claims our attention, and we here 
insert it, least in this age of new invention any 
method should be found supplanting that which has 
for ages been the practice of the Fraternity. 

ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES. 

By the regulations of the Fraternity, a candidate 
tor the mysteries of Masonry cannot be initiated in 
any regular Lodge, without having stood proposed 
one regular meeting, unless a dispensation be obtain- 
ed in his favor. All applications for initiation 
should be made in writing, giving name, residence, 
age, occupation and references. 

The petition, having been read in open Lodge, is 
placed on file. . A committee is then appointed to in- 
vestigate the character and qualifications of the pe- 
titioner. If, at the next regular meeting of the 
Lodge, the report of the committee be favorable, and 
the candidate is admitted, he is required to give his 
free and full assent to the following: interrogations : 

1. " Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, 
before these gentlemen, that, unbiased by friends, and 
uninfluenced b}^ mercenarj^ motives, you freely and 
voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mys- 
teries of this Chapter? 

2. " Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, be- 
fore these gentlemen, that you are prompted to solicit 
the privileges of Masonry by a favorable opinion con-. 



227 

ceived of the Institution, a desire of knowledge, and 
a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow- 
creatures ? 

3, " Do you seriousl}^ declare, upon your honor, be- 
fore these gentlemen, that you will cheerfuly conform 
to all the ancient established usages and customs of 
the Fraternity ?" 

The candidate, if no objections be urged to the 
contrary, is then introduced in due and ancient 
form. 

Having thus spoken of the Lodge and its officers, 
a few words to the craft themselves might not be 
deemed out of place; but we prefer to speak to them 
in the plain yet eloquent language of the following 
charges, worthy the attention of all men, and par- 
ticularly the zealous inquirer for MASONIC Truth. 

ANCIENT CHARGES. 

THE PRIVATE DUTIES OF MASONS. 

Whoever would be a Mason should know how to 
practice all the private virtues. He should avoid all 
manner of intemperance or excess, which might pre- 
vent his performance of the laudable duties of his 
Craft, or lead him into enormities which would re- 
flect dishonor upon the ancient Fraternity. He is to 
be industrious in his profession, and true to the Mas- 
ter he serves. He is to labor justly, and not to eat 
any man's bread for naught ; but to pay truly for his 
meat and drink. What leisure his labor allows, he is 
to employ in studying the arts and sciences with a 
diligent mind, that he may the better perform all his 
duties to his Creator, his country, his neighbor, and 
himself 

He is to seek and acquire, as far sa possible, the 
virtues of patience, meekness, self-denial, forbearance, 



228 

and the like, which give him the command over him- 
self, and enable him to govern his own family with 
affection, dignity and prudence ; at the same time 
checking every disposition injurious to the world, and 
promoting that love and service which Brethren of 
the same household owe to each other. 

Therefore, to afford succor to the distressed, to di- 
vide our bread with the industrious poor, and to put 
the misguided ti'aveler into the way, are duties of. 
the Craft, suitable to its dignity, and expressive of 
its usefulness. But, though a Mason is never to shut 
his ear unkindly against the complaints of any of 
the human race, yet when a Brother is oppressed or 
suffers, he is in a more peculiar manner called to open 
his whole soul in love and compassion to him, and to 
relieve him without prejudice, according to his 
capacity. 

It is also necessary, that all who would be true 
Masons should learn to abstain from all malice, slan- 
der and evil speaking; from all provoking, reproach- 
ful and ungodly language ; keeping always a tongue 
of good report. 

A Mason should know how to obey those who are 
set over him ; however inferior they may be in 
worldly rank or condition. For although Masonry 
divests no man of his honors and titles, 37et in a 
Lodge, pre-eminence of virtue and knowledge in the 
art, is considered as the true source of all nobility, 
rule and government. 

The virtue indispensably requisite in Masons is — 
Secrecy. This is the guard of their confidence and 
the security of their trust. 80 great stress is to be 
laid upon it, that it is enforced under the strongest 
obligations; nor, in their esteem, is any man to be 
accounted wise who ha^ not intellectual strength and 



229 

ability sufficient to cover and conceal such honest 
secrets as are committed to him, as well as his own 
more serious and i)rivate affairs. 

DUTIES AS CITIZENS. 

A Mason is a peaceable citizen, and is never to be 
concerned in plots and conspiracies against. the peace 
and welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself un- 
diitifuU}' to inferior magistrates. He is cheerfully to 
conform to every lawful authority ; to uphold on 
every occasion the interest of the community, and 
zealously promote the prosperity of his own country. 
Masonry has ever flourished in times of peace, and 
been always injured by war, bloodshed and confus- 
ion ; so that kings and princes, in every age, have 
been much disposed to encourage the craftsmen on 
account of their peaceableness and loyalty, whereby 
they practically answer the cavils of their adversa- 
ries and promote the honor of the Fraternity. Crafts- 
men are bound b^^ peculiar ties to promote peace, cul- 
tivate harmony and live in concord and Brotherly 
Love. 

DUTIES IN THE LODCxE. 

While the Lodge is open for work, Masons must 
hold no private conversation or committees, without 
leave from the Master ; nor talk of anything foreign 
or impertinent; nor interrupt the Master or Ward- 
ens, nor any Brother addressing himself to the 
Chair, nor behave inattentively while the Lodge is en- 
gaged in what is serious and solemn ; but every 
Brother shall pay due reverence to the Master, the 
Wardens and all his fellows. 

Every Brother guilty of a fault shall submit to the 
Lodge, unless he appeal to the Grand Lodge. 



230 

No private offences, or disputes about nations, fam- 
ilies, religions or politics, must be brought within the 
doors of the Lodge. 

DUTIES AS NEIGHBORS. 

Masons ought to be moral men. Consequently 
they should be good husbands, good parents, good 
sons and good neighbors; avoiding all excess, injur- 
ious to themselves or families, and wise as to all af- 
fairs, both of their own household and of the Lodge, 
for certain reasons known to themselves. 

DUTIES TOWARDS A BROTHER. 

Free and Accepted Masons have ever been charged 
to avoid all slander of true and faithful Brethren, 
and all malice or unjust resentment, or talking dis- 
respectfully of a Brother's person or performance. 
Nor must they suffer any to spread unjust reproaches 
or calumnies against a Brother behind his back, nor 
to injure him in his fortune, occupation or character; 
but they shall defend such a Brother, and give him 
notice of any danger or injury wherewith he may be 
threatened, to enable him to escape the same, as far 
as is consistent with honor, prudence and the safety 
of religion, morality and the State ; but no farther. 



REASONS FOR DESCUirriON OF DEGREES 



As the Rose-Croix Chapters have now become 
ahiiost as universal as Masters' Lodges, of which sum- 
mary descriptions are to be found in the various 
monitors published, and in use in all the Bodies of 
the York Rite, and inasmuch as this system of 
Masonry has been for the past century worked only 
in foreign countries, we deem it advisable to put 
into this book (which is only written for, and ex- 
pected to be sought after or purchased by Masons,) a 
brief description ot the collection of 18 degrees that 
are worked in a Rose-Croix Chapter. Therefore, in 
Masonic parlance or language, I wish merely to write 
of the prominent and material points of the non- 
esoteric part of the degrees, and briefly at that, viz : 

The first degree of the Chapter is called Discreet 
Master, and is the 4th degree of Masonry ; and is, 
together with the eight degrees that follow it descrip- 
tive of and explanatory to the Master's degree, and 
is founded on events that took place before and at 
the buildmg of the first temple, and completes the 
tragic description of the integrity, fortitude and vir- 
tues possessed by some of the ancient members of 
the craft whose virtues we should endeavor to per- 
petuate and emulate, as well as commemorate, as a 
fitting tribute to the memory of those who have 
gone before us into that undiscovered country 
whence no traveler will return ; and as it exhibits a 
trial of fortitude through which all who seek after 



232 

truth, must, in some measure, obtain it, and an im- 
pression upon the mind that will never fail so long 
as reason sits enthroned upon its seat, or the windows 
of the soul continue to reflect shadows of passing 
events. Here the Neophyte is for the first time 
introduced unto the unfinished Holy of Holies, 
the unfinished sanctum sanctorum of that magnifi- 
cent, and at that time most stupendous Temple 
that has ever been built by the Jews or by any 
other nation on the earth ; the fame of which Tem- 
ple erected on Mount Moriah, and on the celebrated 
reputed threshing floor of Oman the Jebusite, and 
the place of the offering of Isaac by his father Abra- 
ham, and which had for ages been known as the 
place where the Almighty made his name known to 
man. This Temple had been contemplated by 
King David while he was king of Israel, and was by 
Solomon, his son, when Israel's King, and Hiram, the 
Tyrian King, with the assistance of the widow's son, 
made the most costly and magnificent structure that 
at that day had been erected, the renown and wonder 
of which spread itself all over the civilized world. 
It is here in this degree of Discreet Master, that a 
representation of a case of unparalleled fortitude and 
integrity is manifested, and a })attern of the person 
who would rather lose his life than sacrifice his 
honor or integrity, and here the proper and fiotiug 
ceremonies of honor and respect are paid to the 
exalted worth and true Masonry. In this de- 
gree the M.*. M.". then for the first time beholds the 
reward paid to virtue, fortitude and integrity, and 
views the Holy Shekinah, the representation of vis- 
ible glory, which is to dispel ignorance and vice and 
symbolize truth and righteousness. Here the seek- 
er after light is taught to prove himself worthy of 



283 

imtiiortality, and learned to form habits and associa- 
tions acceptable to the S.'. A.*. O.". T.'. U.'. his conn- 
tr}^ his family, his neighbor and himself; to learn 
that man is created for virtue and to know himself; 
and that the Deity has created all men to be happy ; 
to that purpose he has bestowed upon mankind a 
mind stored with intelligence and reasoning power, 
which is full and conclusive evidence of its immor- 
tality, and by which we know that if our minds are 
well employed and our energies well directed, we are 
the more capable of rendering that perfect adora- 
tion that is due from a creature to his creator, and 
thereb}^ better fitted to appreciate the greatness of 
his power, the goodness of his grace and his munifi- 
cent blessing daily bestowed on and dispensed to the 
creatures of his creation, causing them to thereby be- 
come more fit subjects to inherit the crown of glory 
laid up for those who render to the Supreme Archi- 
tect that true adoration and worship him in spirit 
and in truth. And the degree closes with a great 
moral lesson of the instability of human affairs, and 
a fitting tribute to the illustrious character of the 
trul}^ good man who would rather lose his life than 
betray his trust. 

The Orator reads from the Monitor the following: 

The Lord reigneth ; let the people tremble. He 
sitteth "between the Cherubims ; let the earth be 
moved ; praise ye the Lord ; praise, O ye servants of 
the Lord ; praise ye the name of the Lord. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time 
forth and forevermore. From the rising of the sun 
unto the going down of the same. The Lord's name 
is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations 
and His glory above the heavens. 

Praise ye the Lord ; praise ye the name of the 



234 

Lord ; praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord. Ye 
that stand in the house of the Lord in the courts of 
the house oi our God ; praise the Lord ; for the Lord 
is good; sing praises unto His name, for it is pleas- 
ant ; for the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, 
and Israel for His peculiar treasure ; let them praise 
the name of the Lord, for His name alone is excel- 
lent ; His glory is above the earth and the heaven. 

Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever ; and Thy 
memorial throughout all generations. Bless the 
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His 
holy name. 

The Fifth, or Degree of Perfect Master, illus- 
trates in a strikiucf and signal manner the noble and 
truly commendable traits of character practiced and 
inculcated by the faithful Mason, transmits to pos- 
terity a lesson of intelligence venerating old age, and 
the perpetuation of the good deeds of a long and 
useful life, devoted to Friendship and Brotherly 
Love, a full knowledge of which can only be kuown 
and appreciated by the actual exemplification ol the 
degree by those who desire to join in the perpetua- 
tion of them by an actual participation in the mys- 
teries, to whom only this can be imparted by per- 
mission of their fellows within the vail and in due 
form. 

In the Sixth Degree, or Sublime Master, there is 
expressed and exemplified a striking illustration of 
the effect of good government, and the reward of a 
laudible curiosity that has for its attainment the de- 
sire to protect our friends, superiors and brethren 
from the claims of avarice, or the knife of the as- 
sasin, and a check upon the avarice or cupidity of 
dishonest intercourses. In this degree the Neophyte 
is taught to appreciate the fact that he is (Filius 



235' 

Dei,) the Son of God, and therefore entitled to 
Divine Love. He here perceives the intimacy be- 
tween the creature and the Creator, between divine 
and human nature, and his alliance with his Heavenly 
Father, and now for the first time realizes the fact 
of his celestial origin. He learns the fact with joy, 
adheres to it with gratitude. God is his soul, his 
light, his companion ; they unite through a mutual 
force of attraction, from whence is derived the glory 
of God, and the perfection of man before his fall. 
He also witnesses the alliance with which the true 
Mason, armed -with tiue fortitude,, exhibits his power 
to stay evil and do good, which is perfection, and 
gives the true meaning ofB. ***N. ****S. **** 
which closes the Degree. 

The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and 
Twelfth Degrees can only be learned by the Initiate 
within the double guarded Chapter, as they allude to 
and exemplify subjects that I am neither permitted 
to write or to speak of outside the Chapter. 

The Thirteenth Degree of Sacred or Royal Arch, 
represents scenes that took place in the Holy Moun- 
tain shortly after the landing of Noah's Ark, and are 
decorated by the Pillars of Strength and Beauty, to- 
gether with nine of the signs of the Zodiac, viz : 
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, 
Capricorn and Pisces; the other three or winter signs 
of Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are omitted, they 
being the dead or winter signs of the Egyptians. 
Besides which are the nine names by which Deity 
was known to our Ancient Brethren, and were by 
Enoch engraven by divine command on the Delta, to 
preserve the same for the craft, and from destruction 
in case the world should again be destroyed by flood, 
and which is explained (ante page 156 and 157.) 



236 

And there should not be found a family like Noah's, 
to whom the Almighty should give warning in time 
to prepare an ark of safety for their preservation, 
with some of their descendants who could explain 
the same. This of course is not like the Royal Arch 
of the York Rite. This Degree also rationally ex- 
plains and accounts for in an intelligent manner the 
various blessings conferred upon the children of man, 
and historically shows the age in which the flood 
took place, during which the Orator reads and ex- 
plains the following scripture, viz: 

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide 
my commandments with thee; 

So that thou incline thine ear into wisdom, and 
apply thine heart to understanding; 

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up 
thy voice for understanding; 

Tf thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her 
as for hidden treasures, then shalt thou understand 
the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God ; 

For the Lord giveth wisdom ; out of His mouth 
Cometh knowledge and understanding. 

Canst thou, by searching, find out God ? Canst 
thou find the Almighty to perfection ? He is high as 
Heaven. What canst thou do ? He is low as Hell. 
What canst thou know ? 

God, let thy work appear unto thy servants, and 
thy glory unto the children of men. 

Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us, and estab- 
lish the work of our hands, Jehovah, establish thou 
it. 

God is the Principle, the source of all things, the 
great Supreme Cause, and Universal Father. 

God is existence ; in Kim we live and have our 
being. Go on. 



237 

God is eternal ; without beginning and without 
end; unto Hiuj, the past, the pi-esent. and the future 
are one. Go on. 

God is immortality ; He was, is, and ever shall be, 
world without end. Go on. 

Fortitude is from God; His mercy and His truth 
giveth the weight on one side and the other, and His 
judgments are perfect. Go on. 

There are two Jewels belonging to this Degree. 
The intersecting Triangles forming a six pointed 
star, with the mysterious characters, is a perfect I'ep- 
resentation of the Signet of Solomon, of Israel, which 
for ages has been the object of profound veneration 
among the nations of the East. 

The Intersecting Deltas are emblematic of Fire 
and Water ; Pra3^er and Remission ; Creation and 
Redemption ; Life and Death ; and of Resurrection 
and Judgment ; and denote that the Mason vt^ho is 
worthy of this Sacred Degree, should fulfill his duty 
to God and to man ; and fill with justice, truth and 
honor his place in creation wherein T. 8. A. 0. T. U. 
has pleased to place him. 

The second Jewel is a representation of the Hier- 
oglyphics upon one side of the Cul)ical Stone, which 
was discovered, closing the ai)erture to the sacred 
vault, and is the particular mark of this Degree. It 

is the Triple Tau, a figure of live lines, thus , 

as T. upon H.; it is symbolical of the union between 
the Father and the Son, the letter H. lepresenting 
Jehovah, the Father. Again, tlie T. H. is explained, 
Templum Hierosolyma, Temple of Jerusalem ; mean- 
ing a treasure, or the j^lace in which the Treasure is 
deposited. The true interpretation of this symbol is 
Key to knowledge, or the intellectual searching into 



the physical mysteries, and obtaining revelation of 
truth. ***** 

Amongst the Egyptian Brethren it Was named 
Nilometer, and was used to measui-e the height of 
the waters of the Nile at their annual overflowing* 

It also signifies Clavis ad Thesaurpm, Key to a 
Treasure; and what more appropriate symbol can 
there be than the Cross or Key, to the unlocking of 
those mysteries which cease to be such when opened 
with the Key of Knowledge ? The Cross is an em- 
blem of science in the mind of man, and is the first 
object in every system of human worship. One of 
the secrets of Masonry is, that it passess by symbols 
from superstitions to science, and leads us to the 
Light of Truth. * * * ♦ 

He draws pictures to the mind and enables him to 
understand or readily to comprehend by Metaphysi- 
cal reasoning. * * Also upon the Cubical Stone 
certain other Hieroglyphics, which are used as a 
means of secret correspondence between Masons of 
this Degree, and are explained to the Neophyte in 
order that he may be thereby enabled to correspond 
with his fellows in that lano^uaoje which, althouojh 
well known to the posted Mason, is meaningless to, 
the profane, and in which he can without fear of be- 
ing misunderstood, or in spite of prying eyes, or med- 
dling outsiders, being able to read its language, to un- 
derstand its meaning or comprehend its significance. 

The Fourteenth Degree, or Secret Vault, is a con- 
tinuation of the Arch Degree and belongs with the 
eleven preceding degrees to what is called the Mas- 
ter's Degrees, (see ante, page 195, 196,) and are to 
them a sort of compendium and contam all of the 
original work worked here, and such other work as 
is, at the presant day, worked in ail the symbolic 



239 

Lodges of Europe, and otlier foreign countries', and 
while it is a condition precedent that a man be a 
Master Mason, in good standing, before he can enter 
tliis Rite or any of the bodies of this Rite, yet, being 
in the possession of the Master's Degree, and beihg 
well posted and familiar with each and every of 
them is, in fact, no evidence that he is such a Master 
Mason as could prove himself such in any foreign 
country. Quite the contrary. A few words of expla- 
nation may not be improper in this connection. 

Masonry, while it is general, existing in all parts 
of the world, yet, it is by no means universal in its 
workings and details, and while the Masonry taught 
(I mean the lecturers of course,) and worked in the 
symbolic Lodges and Chapters of this country, is not 
generally so universal as to be understood and prac- 
ticed without much hindrance, yet the symbolic 
Masonry of other countries, where there are but 
three degrees in the York Rite, (or Symbolic Rite so 
called here,) must, of course, differ from the York 
Rite of this country with nine degrees. Conse- 
quently, the drawing out of the three degrees of the 
English York Rite, to nine degrees of the American 
York Rite, must necessarily tend to misplace and 
confuse those who practice the other way, and that 
too, when in this changing, some of the tests are left 
out or new ones put in. The posted Mason will 
readily understand this, and hence we say that the 
possession of the Memphis Rite becomes a real neces- 
sity, — especially to the Mason wishing to visit foreign 
countries. And should the recipient of these degrees 
never visit a working body he would be well paid 
and the attendant expense well invested, by the 
knowledge he will gain of his previously taken de- 
grees, to say nothing of the light and knowledge im- 



240 

parted in the various and beautiful lectures that 
cannot be given here ; to say nothing of the beauti- 
ful and sublime dramatic work embraced in the ac- 
tual dissemination of the parts and the degrees. 

The degree being founded on events that took 
place before and at the destruction of Jerusalem and 
the temple by Nebuzaradan, is the summit of 
symbolic or operative Freemasonry. During the 
conferring ol the degrees the following is spoken by 
the Orator or Prelate, viz : (Is fully described ante 
page 197.) 

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel : Behold, I 
will give this city into the hand of the King of 
Babylon ; and he shall burn it with fire. * 

And thou shalt not escape out of his hand ; but 
shalt surely be taken and delivered into his hand ; 
and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the King of 
Babylon; and he shall speak with thee mouth to 
mouth ; and thou shalt go to Babylon. * 

The Babylonians have broken down the walls of 
Jerusalem, slain our young men and old men. seized 
upon our women, and have polluted the House of 
the Lord ; and we fear that they will penetrate this 
Secret Vault and carr}^ off our Ss-cred Delta. * 

Arise, Priests of the Temple ; let not the Babylon- 
ians desecrate this holy place, nor enter within the 
Temple. * * * * * 

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. 

This structure, for beauty, magnificence and ex- 
pense, exceeded any building which was ever elected. 
It-was built of large stones of white marble, curiously 
hewn, and so artfully joined together that they ap- 
peared like one entire stone. Its inner walls, beams, 
posts, doors, tloors and ceilings, were made of cedar 



241 

and olive wood, and planks of fir, which were entire- 
ly covered with ])late.s of gold, with various beautiful 
engravings, and adorned with precious jewels of 
many colors. The nails which fastened those plates 
were also of gold, with heads of curious workman- 
ship. The roof was of olive wood, covered with 
gold ; and when the sun shone thereon, the reflection 
from it was of such a refulgent splendor that it daz- 
zled the eyes of all who beheld it. The court in 
which the temple stood, and the courts without were 
adorned on all sides with stately buildings and clo.s 
ters ; and the gates entering therein were exquisitely 
beautiful and eleo-ant. The vessels consecrated to the 
perpetual use of the temple, were suitetl to the mag- 
nificence of the edifice in which they were deposited 
and used. 

Josephus states that there were one hundred and 
forty thousand of those vessels, which were made of 
gold, and one million three hundred and forty thous- 
and of silver; ten thousand vestments for the priests, 
made of silk, with purple girdles ; and two millions 
of pui-ple vestments for the singers. There were also 
two hundred thousand trumpets, and forty thousand 
other musical instruments, made use of in the tem- 
ple and in worshiping God. 

According to the most accurate computation of the 
number of talents of gold, silver and brass, laid out 
upon the temple, the sum amounts to six thousand 
nine hundred and four millions eight hundred and 
twenty-two thousand and five hundred pounds ster- 
ling; and the jewels are reckoned to exceed 
this sum. The gold vessels are estimated at 
live hundred and forty-five millions two hundred 
and ninety-six thousand two hundred and three 
pounds and four shillings sterling; and the silver 

M 



242 

ones at four hundred and thirty-nine millions three 
hundred and fourty-four thousand pounds sterling ; 
amounting in all to nine hundred and eighty- 
four millions six hundred and thirty thousand 
two hundred and thirty pounds four shillings. 
In addition to this, there were expenses for 
workmen and for materials brought from 
Mount Libanus and the quarries of Zeradatha 
There were ten thousand men per month in Lebanon 
employed in felling and preparing the timbers for the 
craftsmen to hew them ; seventy thousand to carry 
burdens ; eighty thousand to hew the stones and 
timber ; and three thousand three hundred overseers 
of the work ; who were all employed for seven years ; 
to whom, besides their wages and diet, King Solo- 
mon gave as a free gift, six millions seven hundred 
and thirty-three thousand nine hundred and seventy- 
seven pounds. 

The treasure left by David, towards carrying on 
this noble and glorious work, is reckoned to be nine 
hundred and eleven millions four hundred and six- 
teen thousand two hundred and seven pounds, to 
which if we add King Solomon's annual revenue, his 
trading to Ophir for gold, and the presents made him 
by all the earth, we shall not wonder at his being 
able to carry on so stupendous a work ; nor can we, 
without impiety, question its surpassing all other 
structures, since we are assured that it was built by 
the immediate direction of heaven. 

The Fifteenth Degree, or Knie^ht of the Flaminof 
Sword, is taken in part from the organization known 
as the Knight Crusaders. (Referred to ante, page 
191.) And is founded on events connected with the 
liberation of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, 
and the commencement or rather permission to the 



243 

Jews to rebuild the temple in spite of the Samari- 
tans, and the compelling them to pay tribute to Ju- 
dea as a tributary province, in which Zerubbabel and 
Cyrus, with Darius, kings in authority, are favor- 
ably impressed and render material aid and assist- 
ance to the Jews, to recover the vessels of gold and 
silver contained in the sanctuary of Solomon .when 
he was King of Israel. During which is also pro- 
duced a singidar phenomena, and Zerubbabel is fully 
convinced of his divine and important mission, and 
during the interview with King Cyrus by Zerubba- 
bel, who had been taken prisoner by the guards of 
the King, while traveling within his territory in 
search of the King, who was a friend of his youth, 
and had made a most solemn promise that should he 
ever become King, he would liberate the captive 
Jews from their Babylonian captivity, in which they 
had been held for seventy years, being the descend- 
ants of those ancient Jews whom Moses had liberated 
from Egyptian bondage, and who w^ere in possession 
of Egyptian Masonry as taught their forefathers by 
the High Priest Moses; and Zerubbabel had been by 
the Jewish Synagogue and Sanhedrim Council, on 
account of his former and youthful acquaintance with 
Cyrus, deputed to do this great service, thereby in- 
curring the risk of being taken a prisoner and spy, as 
he really was suspected to be, and arrested and 
brought before Cyrus for. 

In this Degree is shown and exemplified one of the 
severest tests and trials of courage, integrity and Ma- 
sonic firmness in the keeping of its secrets since the 
days of Huram and Jedediah, during which the fol- 
lowing colloquy takes place and the King's dream is 
interpreted, and the King is called upon to pronounce 
sentence upon the spy, viz : 



244 

Q. Who aro you, and why were you found in our 
territory and brought here as a prisoner and a spy ? 

A. I am no spy. 

Q. Who are you then ? 

A. I am Zerubbabel, the first among my equals, a 
Mason of rank. 

Q. ' What is your desire ? 

A. An interview with your Majesty. 

Q. What is your age ? 

A. 70 years. 

Q. What is the nature of your application ? 

A. To remedy the condition of my brother Ma- 
sons who are in captivity. 

Princes and Rulers, this is Zerubbabel, my early 
friend. I have long witnessed the captivity of the 
Jews and have resolved in my mind to ameliorate 
their condition. I am greatly troubled in my sleep 
with dreams relative thereto, one of which I will re- 
late, and as Zerubbabel is a wise maii of the tribe of 
Judah, he may be able to interpret it, while you also 
will assist me with your counsel. This is my dream : 
(Reads from the Book of Esdras.) 

In my sleep I saw a lion read}^ to spring upon and 
devour me, and at a distance Nebuchadnezzar and 
Belshazzar, my predecessors, chained in the garb of 
slavery; they were contemplating a halo of glory 
which Masons show as the name of the G. A, O. T. U., 
out of which is issued the words " Liberty to the Cap- 
tives." 

My tranquillity is disturbed ; interpret, if thou 
canst, my dream. 

" Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever, for 
wisdom and might are His ; He giveth wisdom unto 
the wise, and knowledge to them that know under- 
standing. He revealeth the deep and secret things ; 



245 

He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light 
dwelleth with Him." 

Zerubbabel replies : 

Oh, King ! forasmuch as thy pi-edecessors appeared 
to thee, captives, and in chains, beneath the sacred 
Emblem of Deit3^ and a lion was about to devour 
thee, this is the dream, and this is the interpretation 
thereof 

Thy predecessors being in chains, showeth the 
wrong they have done unto Israel. The lion is the 
wrath that will fall upon thee, if thou followest in 
their footsteps, and the halo of glory is the reward 
thou shalt receive hereafter, if thou wilt liberate the 
captive Jews. 

King. The captivity shall be concluded. Zerub- 
babel, signify the favor you request. 

Most Potent King, we request that you grant us 
our liberty, and permit us to return to Jerusalem, to 
assist in rebuilding the Temple of our God. 

King. Arise ! I have long witnessed the weight 
of your captivity, and the zeal and attachment 3^ou 
have for the Institution of Masonry, the secrets of 
which I am not in the possession of, though I have 
for a long time been anxious to be possessed of them 
without the trouble and fear of an initiation, and am 
ready to release you on the instant, if you will com- 
municate to me the mysteries of Masonry, for which I 
have the most profound veneration. * * 

Cond. : Most Potent King, your situation renders 
it desirable that you should become a Mason, as we 
are taught in Masonry that the wise, great and good 
are always acceptable candidates. But our obliga- 
tions render it impossible that we can communicate 
its m3^steries to you, or entrust you with its secrets, 
without a proper obligation to secrecy taken on your 



246 

part, as we and all other Masons have done, before 
you can be entrusted with them; for our Grand Mas- 
ter Solomon taught the craft these principles, that 
Fidelity, Equality and Brotherly Love, were 
ever to be the criterions among us ; your rank, titles 
and superiority are not incompatible with the mys- 
teries of our order, but our obligations are unknown 
to you, our engagements with our brethren are invi- 
olable, I will not reveal our secrets. If our liberty is 
only to be purchased at the price of integrity, we 
prefer captivity or death. 

King. I admire your zeal and constancy. Princes 

and Rulers, this worthy Prince merits liberty for his 

attachment to his solemn compact. Our Archivist 

^ Semetius, will draw up a royal proclamation that 

people may return, unmolested to Jerusalem. * * 

Thus said Cyrus, King of Persia : "The Lord God 
of Heaven hath given me all the. kingdoms of the 
earth, therefore I give to as many of the Jews that 
dwell in my country, permission to return to their 
own country, and to build the Temple of God at Je- 
rusalem, at the same place where it was before. I 
also send my Treasurer, Mithridates, and Zerubbabel, 
the Governor of the Jews, that they may lay the 
foundations of the Temple, and may build it sixty 
cubits hiorh, and of the same latitude, makino: three 
edifices of polished stones, and one of the wood of the 
country, and the same order extends to the altar 
whereon they offer sacrifices to God. I give order 
that the expenses shall be given them out of the 
tributes due from Samaria; the Priests shall also of- 
fer their sacrifices according to the law of Moses in 
Jerusalem, and when they offer them, they shall pray 



247 

to God for the preservation of the King, and of his 
family, that the Kingdom of Persia may continue. 
By order of 

CYRUS, King of Persia, 
Semetius, Grand Chancellor. 

Take this epistle, Zerubbabel, and with it I arm 
you with this sword, as a distinguishing mark above 
your companions. It is the sword that Nebuchadnez- 
zar received from Jehoiachim, King of Jerusalem, at 
the time of his captivity ; employ it in the defence 
of 3-our country, religion and laws. * * 

Henceforth, you are to me, and I will be to you, a 
brother. Proceed to Judea, and rebuild the Temple. 
I appoint you chief over your brethren, with full 
powers to rule over Judea as a Tributary Province, 
and the annual payment shall be made within the 
porch of the Temple, of which you will forward me 
an exact model ; but before you depart, I will entrust 
you with the necessary Signs and Pass Words by 
which you will be enabled to make yourself known 

to my Guards on this side of the river Euphrates. 

****** 

The Degree ends with a striking evidence of the 
Power of Truth. * * * * 

The Knight of Jerusalem, or the Seventeenth De- 
gree of the Egyptian Masonic Rite, is the conclusion 
of the former fifteenth degree, and is an illustration 
of the Order of Chivalry or Knighthood, as it exist- 
ed in the early days of Jewish prosperity, and was 
kept up in commemoration of the Hebrew word that 
signified the 20th day of the 10th month, as well as 
the Hebrew word signifying the 23d day of the 12th 
month ; these being the days in which the Second 
Temple was begun and when it was finished, and 



248 

had been kept sacred and held in great veneration by 
Jewish Masons. * * "^ * 

This degree also represents the two at that time 
only civilized, except the Egyptians, nations who' 
possessed a knowledge to any great extent of the 
doctrine of revealed religion, or a close acquaint ane 
with the revelations of God to mankind ; one being 
the Jewish Sanhedrim or Council of the twelve 
tribes, and the other the Court of Cyrus, King of 
Persia, to whom, by reason in part of religious faith 
and by reason of Masonic ties, he complied with the 
request and granted permission. And in this degree 
is represented in connection with Temple Building, 
the kind of embassadors employed by our ancient 
brethren — and this being about the time of the death 
of Cambyses, son of Cyrus, King of Persia, who had 
been a sort of ally to the Samaritans, who were the 
deadly enemies of the Jews, and who also were op- 
posed to all Masonic societies. However, by the 
wisdom and influence of Zerubbabel, the aid of the 
great King Darius, King of the other provinces, the 
Jews are enabled to build the Second Temple, and 
dedicate it after the exact model and manner of the 
First. For which purpose he obtained of Darius the 
following interview and which, by the force of truth, 
gained for them a decree to build and complete the 
Temple. * . * ^ * 

The following discourse is introduced, viz : 1 Es- 
dras 2d and 3d chapters, which after * ^ 

in which a Masonic examination is had. "^ ^ 

Oh ! This is Zerubabbel, my early friend. Release 
him. Your presence here is most opportune. Be 
seated amongst our Princes ; accompany us to and 
partake of our banquet. Yesterday I found under 
my pillow these three questions : " Which is the 



249 

strongest, Wine,Woman, or the King ?" I promise him 
whose answer is the most agreeable to truth and the 
dictates of wisdom, a chain of gold, and a chariot 
shall be given him. He shall sit next myself, and be 
called my cousin. -x- * -x- 

Let us retire to our banqueting hall, and after sup- 
per, we will discuss the questions. [Strikes ! ! !] 
Attention, Sir Knights. Form in line, facing the 
West. [The Senior Warden and Most Wise lead the 
procession. Junior Warden and Neophyte next, Ora- 
tor next. Sir Knights form in double lines, in two 
divisions. Conductor takes the first division, Cap- 
tain of Guard the second. They each give the com- 
mand: "Draw swords! Carry swords! March!" 
They march to the table, one line each side. After 
the officers are seated in the following manner : 
Senior Warden at the head, Most Wise on his right, 
and the Junior Warden on his left — the orders are 
given by the Conductor and Captain of the Guard : 
" Present swords ! Recover swords ! Return swords!" 
They are then seated. (See Tactics Book.) After 
supper, they return in the same manner, the Most 
Wise in the Orient, the Senior Warden being seated 
in the West, with Junior Warden, Orator and Cap- 
tain of the Guard, Neophyte.] We will now discuss 
the questions, " Which is the strongest — Wine, 
Woman, or the King ?" Sir Knight Orator, we will 
hear you — which is the strongest ? 

Orator : 0, ye men ! how exceedingly strong is 
Wine ! It maketh the mind of the King and of the 
fatherless child all one ; of the bond man and the 
free man ; of the poor man and the rich. It turneth 
also every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a 
man remembereth neither sorrow nor debt. It 
maketh every heart rich, so that a man remembereth 



250 

neither King nor Governor ; and it maketh to speak 
all things by talents. O, ye men ! is not Wine the 
strongest, that enforceth to do thus ? 

S. W.: Respectable Knight Junior Warden, what 
say you — which is the strongest ? 

J. W.: O, ye men ! do not men excel in strength, 
that bear rule over sea and land, and all things in 
them ? But yet the King is more mighty, for he is 
lord of all these things, and hath dominion over 
them, and whatsoever he commandeth them they do 
it. They slay and are slain, and transgress not the 
King's commandment ; if they get the victory, they 
bring all things to the King. Likewise for those that 
are no soldiers, but use husbandry ; when they have 
reaped that which they had sown, they pay tribute 
to the King. And yet he is but one man ; if he 
command to kill, they kill ; if he command to spare, 
they spare. O, ye men ! how should not the King 
be mightiest, when he is thus obeyed ! 

S. W.: What say you, Zerubabbel — which is 
strongest ? 

Capt. Guard : [Speaks for Neophyte.] 0, ye men ! 
It is not the great King, nor the multitude of men , 
neither is it Wine that excelleth ; who is it, then, 
that ruleth them ? are they not Women ? Women 
have borne the King, and all the people; — n man 
leaveth his father, and his country, and cleaveth unto 
his wife ; — Women have dominion over you ! Many 
have also sinned and perished for Women. 
And now, do- ye not believe me? Is not the King 
great in his power, and do not all nations fear to 
touch him ? Yet did I see Apame, daughter of 
Bartacus, sitting at the King's right hand, and tak- 
ing the crown from the King's head and setting it 
upou h^r own, Aud if she took any displeasure, the. 



251 

King was fain to flatter, that she might be reconciled 
to him again • Woman is the strongest ! Yet, O 
men ! Wine is wicked, — the King is wicked, — Women 
are wicked. The children of men are wicked ! But 
the Truth is strong, and endureth forever, There 
is but one true God. He is the strongest. Blessed 
be the God of Truth ! 

S. W.: Zerubbabel, ask what thou wilt and it shall 
be granted thee, — for thou hast been found the 
wisest. 

Cond.: Mighty King ! the Samaritans refuse to pay 
the tribute imposed on them by Cyrus, King of 
Persia, for defraying the expenses of the sacrifices 
which are offered on the Altar in the Temple we are 
about to rebuild. The people of Israel entreat that 
jou will compel the Samaritans to perform their 
duty. 

S. W.: Your request is just and equitable; I order 
that the Samaritans shall immediately pay the 
tribute imposed on them. I deliver to you my de- 
cree for this purpose. Go in peace ! 

Cond.: I deliver to you the decree of Darius, King 
of Persia, which we have obtained after defeating 
our enemies, and encountering many dangers in our 
journey. 

M. W. [Reads.] "We, Darius, ' King of Kings !' 
willing to favor and protect our people at Jerusalem, 
after the example of our illustrious predecessor, King 
Cyrus, do will and ordain, that the Samaritans, 
against whom complaints have been made, shall 
punctually pay the tribute money which they owe for 
the sacrifices of the Temple — otherwise they shall 
receive the punishment due to their disobedience. 
Given at Shushan, the Palace, this fourth day of the 
second month, in the year 8534, and of our reigi; 



252 

the third, uader the seal of our faithful Sandram, 
Minister of State. Darius." 

M, W.: [To Zei'ubbabel.] The people of Jerusalem 
are under the greatest obligations to you for the zeal 
and courage displayed by you in surmounting the 
obstacles which you encountered in your journey. 

After the * -x- -x- ^^^ ^1^^ ^^^ ^g 

sung ^ * * -x-. ^}jg (degree is closed. 

* * * * * * 

The altar of perfumes is raised and the tools by 
which all constructions are formed and without 
which they would be irregular. They are the 
* ^ * Y.-. H.-. V.-. H.-. and a re- 

markable evidence of the assurance of divine ac- 
ceptance of the labor of men is evinced and an un- 
mistakable evidence of celestial favor which spread 
over the superstructure and proves a most happy au- 
gury for the craftsman and the 'faithful believer 
■^ * "^ The following from the Book 

of Esdras is repeated. ^ ^ * 

The following ode is suno:, with solemn cereraonv : 

All bail to the morning, 

That bids us rejoice; 
The temple's completed, 

Exalt high each voice. 
The capstone is finished, 

Our labor is o'er; 
The sound of the gavel 

Shall hail us no more. 

To the Power Almighty, who ever has guided 
The tribes of old Israel, exalting their fame ; 

To Him who hath governed our hearts undivided, 
Let's send forth our voices to praise His great name. 

Companions, assemble 

On this joyful day; 
(The occasion is glorious,) 

The keystone to lay; 



253 

Fulfilled is the promise, 

By the Ancient of Days, 
To bring forth the capstone 

With shouting and praise 

(ceremonies ) 

There is no more occasion for level or plumb line, 
For trowel or gavel, for compass or square; 

Our works are completed, the aek safely seated, 
And we shall be greeted as workmen most rare. 

Now those that are worthy, 

Our toils who have shared, 
And prov'd themselves faithful, 

Shall meet their reward 
Their virtue and knowledge, 

Industry and skill. 
Have our approbation, 

Have gained our good will. 

We accept and receive them, Most Excellent Masters, 
Invested with honors and power to preside; 

Among worthy craftsmen, wherever assembled, 
The knowledge of Masons to spread far and wide. 

Almighty Jehovah! 

Descend now and fill 
This Lodge with thy glory, 

Our hearts with good will ! 
Preside at our meetings, 

Assist us to find 
True pleasure in teaching 

Good will to mankind. 

Thy idsdom inspired the great institution, 
Thy strength shall support it till nature expire; 

And when the creation shall fall into ruin. 

Its beauty shall rise through the midst of the fire. 

" Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, 
the tire came down from heaven and consumed the 
hurnt offering and the sacrifices ; arul the glory of the 
Lord tilled the house. And the priests could not en- 
ter into the house (^f the Lord, because the glory of 
the Lord had filled the Lord's house. 



254 

"And when all the children of Israel saw how the 
fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the 
house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the 
ground upon the pavement and worshiped, and 
praised the Lord, saying. For he is good ; for his 
mercy endureth forever." — IlChron. vii : 1-3. 

Our misfortunes are at an end and our success 
henceforth assured. By this sign of celestial favor, 
which spread itself over us, let us be firm and un- 
shaken in the practice of those virtues which shall 
assure us its continuation. 

You will now listen to the discourse of the Knight 
Orator. 

Orator : Sir Knight, you have retraced an epoch 
forever memorable to the workmen of the second 
Temple and their successors. Redouble your atten- 
tion to that which is yet to be made k-nown to you, 
and learn to make of it a just application. The Su- 
preme Architect of the Universe would punish the 
pride of a rebellious nation, without entirely casting 
them off". 

The sacred fire of the Temple was hid, but not ex- 
tinguished. During the captivity it meditated with 
more fruit than in the past, on the laws and cere- 
monies ; its blindness ceased ; it recognized the true 
cause of its misfortunes and after seventy years of 
bondage, recovered its liberty. 

Zerubbabel, descended from the Princes of his na- 
tion, had the courage to return at the head of the 
people of Jerusalem, to re-establish the Temple on 
its foundation ; to this end he bore the Sword in ona 
hand and the Trowel in the other, because he was 
annoyed by his enemies. Many who were dispersed 
among the neighboring people, on learning the news 
of the rebuilding, came to offer their assistance ; but, 



255 

fchey were not admitted till they had given proofs of 
their zeal and courage in the rigorous trials to which 
they were submitted. After many trials, the work- 
men succeeded in establishing the Temple on its 
foundations ; but it differed from the first, so far as 
the sentiments it excited were also different. The 
ancients who had seen the glory and splendor of the 
first Tem]ile, shed tears of bitterness ; but the Su- 
preme Architect of the Universe consoled them by 
an event which proved to them that they had found 
grace in His sight, and that He would again dwell 
among them. In fact, the new Temple was finished, 
the altar of sacrifice and that of perfumes had been 
rebuilt, and the people instructed in the laws by Es- 
dras. Nehemiah arranged everything for the solemn 
dedication of the Temple, and knowing that the sa- 
cred fire had been hid in a deep dry pit, at the de- 
struction of the Temple, he sent the priests to search 
for it. Not finding any fire there, but only thick, 
muddy water/ he, full of confidence, took it and 
poured it on the altar; it ignited at once, and con- 
sumed the sacrifice in the presence of the people, who 
gave themselves up to the purest joy at the sight of 
an event which aojain raised the glory of the nation. 

This concludes the degree of Knight of Jerusalem, 
and I congratulate you upon 3^our advancement. 

The Seventeenth Degree, or Knight of the Orient, 
is in fact the ceremonials of dedication of the Second 
Temple, and the investing of the Neophyte with the 
orders of Knighthood and in a solemn manner offer- 
ing his vows to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, 
****** 

with proper ceremonials and investments of the Or- 
der of Priestly Knighthood, by which he can prove 
himself a Knight of the Temple of Jerusaleui, but not 



256 

a Knight of the Christian Keligion ; for these de- 
grees were worked in Palestine long before the birth 
of Christ or the Christian Religion was thought of, 
but from which all such degrees have been taken 
and appropriated, and were worked over four 
thousand years ago. Hence, as the Templar system 
does not claim a record of over one hundred years, 
and as the A. and A. or Scotch Rite has only existed 
since 1802, it is very evident to the Masonic scholar 
or posted Mason where these degrees come from. 

This ends the Seventeeth Degree of the Memphis 
Rite. 

The Eighteenth, or last Degree of the Rose-Croix 
Memphis Chapter, called Rose-Croix, or by some 
Rose-Croix de Heredom, is perhaps older than other 
of the Masonic Degrees, save perhaps the degree of 
the York Rite called Master Mason. But it has un- 
dergone many and various changes and is now worked 
with some differences in the Scotch Rite, the Rite of 
the Three Globes and the French Rite. At one time, 
however, it was a Catholic Degree remodeled and 
furbished up by a pretender by the name of Stuart, 
in the college of the Jesuits, at Clairmont, in 1754, 
and mixed up with the Crusade or Ancient Templar 
system, and adopted the Christian religion and the 
Resurrection of Christ for its ceremonial, and which 
had been taken from the Egyptian Rite of Memphis 
in the main, and dedicated to the Christian instead 
ol the Jewish faith or Hebrew religion. The degiee 
is founded on events connected with the last days of 
the ancient crusaders, and was not till after the 
building of the Como in Italy, worked as a Masonic 
Degree, and is now only so worked in the A. and A. 
Rite as a religious festival degree, and in the Egyp- 
tian or Memphis Rite as a Masonic degree ; and its 



257 

scenes are located at or near the great pyramid 
Cheops, and along the banks of the river Nile. Its 
lectures have with tlieni a semblance of religious 
creed of that general or natural religion in which all 
men agree to worship the Supreme Architect of the 
Universe, and keep the moral law of doing unto oth- 
ers as we would others should do unto us. 

The following among select readings are recited by 
the Orator, viz : 

FIRST JOURNEY. 

The Temple of Masonry is demolished ; the Tools 
and Columns are broken ; the blazing Star of Tiuth 
has disappeared ; the Light of Philosophy is obscured ; 
the darknesf^of Ignorance spreads over the earth; 
the Word is lost ! Disorder reigns amongst us. 

Solomon erected on Mount Moriah a Temple, in 
which to render that homage to the Supreme Archi- 
tect of the World, due Him from His intellisfent 
creatures. 

Solomon received from God in Gabaon that which 
he was not able to preserve in Zion, — even Wisdom ; 
and his errors and irregularities giving a taint to his 
glory, she constantly veiled from him her sacred Ta- 
bernacle. 

This example, as striking as that of the conduct of 
the children of Israel, during the forty days that 
Moses went from them into Sinai, demonstrated the 
instability and blindness of the man reputed wise — 
and warns us to be on our guard against ourselves 
and others. Is it not written, — " If an}^ man among 
3^ou seemeth to be wise, let him become a fool, that 
he may be wise, for the wisdom of this world is fool- 
ishness with God." 

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the 
man that getteth understanding, for it is better than 



258 

the merchandise of silver aad fine gold. She is more 
precious than rubies ; and all the things that thou 
canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length 
of days is in her right hand ; and in her left hand, 
riches and honor ; her ways are ways of pleasantness, 
and all her paths are peace ; she is a tree of life to 
them that lay hold of her, and happy is every one 
that retaineth her. 

[The Neophyte, in charge of the Conductor, stops 
by the Pillar of the Senior Warden. As the Senior 
Warden commences his address, the Neophyte com- 
mences the six last Journeys, and gives the Signs.] 

SECOND JOURNEY. t 

S. W. : ! ! Corruption has glided among our 
work ; darkness covers the earth ; the pointed cubi- 
cal stone sweats blood and water ; the Word is lost. 

The Temple of Jehovah, sullied, profaned and for- 
saken in Zion, that of Ignorance watered with the 
blood of human victims, burning upon its Altars the 
incense due only to the true God, is not the only 
stain upon the glory of Israel. 

Despotism has reared her altars, which being ar- 
rayed in glittering jewels and riches of the world, 
dazzle the eyes of the weak-minded man, and Super- 
stition opposes itself towards any approach to true 
wisdom. 

Be not led astray by false lights. The vapors that 
arise from the mire of the Earth, gilded by the splen- 
dor of the Sun, have retired. 

THIRD JOURNEY. 

M. W. : ! ! ! Withdraw, ye dark phantoms of su- 
perstition that oppress the freedom of mind ; with- 
draw, ye oracles of ignorance and delusion, that 



259 

would deceive and enchain the intelligence of him 
who searches after truth. 

Ye purple-robed kings, ye false prophets, and still 
falser priests, who debase man by encircling his soul 
with the adamantine chain of despotism, vanish from 
before the pure spirit of Masonry. 
FOURTH JOURNEY. 

J. W.: ! ! ! ! The great Adonai, who is enthroned 
in every glory above the sphere of innumerable 
worlds, will render futile your sacrilegious efforts to 
enslave the minds of His creatures. The Sun of 
Truth will scatter to dim chaos your slavish teach- 
ings. True Wisdom, which Solomon in all his glory 
conceived not, shall revisit the earth. 
FIFTH JOURNEY. 

S. W.: ! ! ! ! ! Let us no longer lament over the 
misfortunes of Eden, nor of Zion ; they will no 
longer obstruct the efforts of a free and absolute 
will. The Spirit of Evil, who contrived them, will 
remain a nullity in his abortive empire. 

Eden, that antique garden, that visible paradise, 
will be but a weak image of the splendors of Heaven 
and the beatitude that the Eternal has created for 
those who love Him. 

SIXTH JOURNEY. 

M. W.: !!!!!! Now we know the wisdom of 
God — even the hidden wisdom which God ordained 
before the world to our glory. 

The princes and rulers of the earth had not the 
knowledge we possess; if they had had it, they 
would never have slain Him who proclaimed, — 
" Peace on earth : good will towards men." 
SEVENTH JOURNEY. 

J. W.: !!!!!!! The rule of conduct He proclaim- 



260 

ed was, " Whatsoever ye would that others should do 
unto you, do ye even so unto them." 

It is written : " Eye hath not seen, ear hath not 
heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man 
to conceive those things which God hath prepared 
for those who love Him." 

We will not despair — we will practice the new law, 
and, guided by its teaching, endeavor to recover the 
Sacred Word. 

M. W.: This Sublime Degree was founded by a 
Philosopher of Egypt named Ormus, who purified 
the doctrines of the Egyptians by the precepts of 
the new law of doing unto others whatsoever we 
would they should do unto us. His disciples united 
with the Essenes, who had founded Lodges or 
Schools of Solamonic Science, and traveled from the 
East to propagate their secret doctrines in the West, 
where they instructed their pupils in the mysteries 
of religion and philosophy. 

Some of the brethren of the Rose-Croix attaching 
themselves to the crusaders in Palestine, in the year 
1181, communicated their secrets to Garimont, 
Patriarch of Jerusalem, and having formed them- 
selves into armed associations for the protection of 
the pilgrims who visited the Holy City, assumed the 
title of Knights of Palestine. 

J. W.: Sir Knight Conductor, you will cause the 
Neophyte to travel by the North, East, South and 
West, that he may behold and approve the beauties 
of Eden, whence the new law is derived, even the 
law of love. 

Orator : [Reads.] Faith is the substance of things 
hoped for — the evidence of things not seen. Through 
faith we understand that the world was formed by 
the Word of God. By Faith, Enoch was translated, 



261 

so that he should not see death. By Faith, Abra- 
ham, when he was tried, essayed to offer up his son 
Isaac. 

S. W.: Hope is the evidence of things not seen. 
Waiting for the redemption of our bodies from death ; 
for we are saved b}^ Hope ; but Hope that is seen is 
not Hope, for when a man seeth, what doth he then 
hope for ? But if we hope for that we see not, then 
do we with patience wait. 

J. W.: Though I speak with the tongues of men 
and of angels, and have not Charity, I am become as 
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal ; — Charity suf- 
fereth long, and is kind ; Charity envieth not ; Char- 
ity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up ; rejoiceth 
not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth ; beareth all 
things ; belie veth all things ; hopeth all things ; en- 
dureth all things; Charity never faileth ; and now 
abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity, these three ; but 
the greatest of all these is Charity. 

Sir Knight , what have you learned on your 

journeys ? 

Three virtues. Faith, Hope, and Charity tp be my 
guide. Teach me if there be any other to seek and 
follow. 

We must inform you that those three words you 
have so often heard, have, among the Knights of the 
Rose-Croix, a more extended signification than is 
generally attached to them. You will observe that 
the chief virtue of a Mason is Charity — the first law 
he should obey. The Hope of improving our spirit- 
ual condition is an immediate consequence of Charity. 
Love and Hope united will give Faith in our labors 
for the promotion of happiness among brethren. 
Bigots, under the most fearful threats, compel men to 
believe in them — to have Faith in their doctrines, and 



262 

man becomes a tool in their hands. According to 
their teachings, Faith consists in believing; that which 
is not always consistent with nature, science and 
reason. Charity is a virtue ; its object is to love and 
assist our fellow beings, as well as an act of our own 
free will. Masonic charity teaches the love of all 
men, without regard to their religion or origin ; so as 
to be useful, kind and indulgent to every one — to 
establish enlightenment and union where ignorance 
and discord prevail. Charity is the love of God and 
His creatures. To love is to know : — to love and to 
know God are essentially the same thing. If we 
know God, it must be as a father ; and the idea of a 
father conveys the idea of kindness, mercy and care 
for the happiness of his children. 

In the troubles and perplexities incident to human 
life, we are bound by our nature to seek for help; 
hence, we hope in Him for our happiness; have faith 
in Him, and patiently bear that which sometimes to 
us seems unjust, because we know that a loving 
Father cannot deceive His children. 

We do therefore proclaim it as a duty — Masons 
must love each other. Their union will cause them 
to hope for the better condition of humanity ; and 
with Faith in their cause, they will ultimately gather 
all men under their fraternal banner. 

It has been said that the degree of Rose-Croix has 
but little to do with Masonry. Those who make 
such declarations are equally ignorant of the princi- 
ples therein taught, as they are those of Masonry, for 
the diligent scholar will find them identical. 

As Masons, we have nothing to do with the dogmas 
of different religious sects — these are left for individ- 
ual opinion. As a fraternit}^ we acknowledge but 



263 

one Almighty Parent; that all men are brothers^ 
havino^ a common orioin and a common end. 

And now, my brother, if it is your intention to 
follow the new law we have alluded to — that of do- 
ing unto others, as you would they should do unto 
you — take in our presence the solemn vow. 

M. W. : Let the Triangle be formed. 

[Conductor then places the Neophyte between the 
Columns.] 

M. W. : Respectable Knight Senior Warden, what 
is the motive of our assembly ? 

S. W.: We seek the * * * 

M. W. : What must be done * * * 

S. W.: We must embrace the new law, and be 
convinced of the three Virtues, which are its 
pillars, base and principles. 

M. W.: What are they ? 

S. W.: Faith, Hope and Charity. 

M. W.: How shall we find those * * * 

S. W.: By traveling three days in * * * 

M. W.: Let us, then, travel from the East to the 
South, from the South to the West, from the West to 
the North. 

Orator : Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner- 
stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth, shall 
not be confounded. But ye are a chosen generation ; 
a royal priesthood ; a holy nation ; a pecuuliar peo- 
ple ; and though now for a season ye are in heaviness 
through manifold temptations, the trial of your faith 
being more precious than gold purified with fire, 
shall result in honors and rewards. Love the 

Brotherhood ! Fear God I Honor the Most Wise ! 
* * * * * * 

Orator : Hear my prayer, oh Lord, and consider 



264: 

my calling ; hold not thy peace at my tears ; oh, 
spai'e me, that I may recover strength to go hence. 

Thou hast beset me behind and before; whither 
shall I flee from thy presence ? 

If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, the 
darkness hideth not from thee ; the night shineth as 
the day ; the darkness and the light are both alike 
to thee. 

Yet I beseech thee, oh Lord, to have compassion 
on the lowly, even though I walk in the midst of 
Death. 

Oh Lord, haste to deliver me, for I am brought 
very low. Bring my soul out of prison that I may 
give thanks unto thy Holy name. 

*' And I heard a voice from Heaven saying — Bles- 
sed are the dead that die in the Lord, from hence- 
forth, saith the spirit, they rest from their labors 
and their works do follow them." I am the resurrec- 
tion and the life, 6aith the Lord ; he that believeth 
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and 
whosoever believeth in me, shall never, never die. 

Cond.: A Knight of the Orient, who having pen- 
trated the Womb of earth and the abode of Sin and 
Death, during three days, desires from you the Word 
as his reward. 

J. W.: Most Wise, it is a Kninght of the Orient, 
who having penetrated to the Womb of the Earth 
and the abode of Sin and Death, during three days^ 
desires from you * * * * 

M. W.: Let him enter. 

J. W.: Save me, oh God, by Thy name, and 
judge me by Thy strength. Hear my pra3^er, oh 
God ! Give ear to the words of my mouth ! For 
strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors 
seek after my soul. Behold, God is mine helper. I 



205 

will praise Thy name, oh Lord, for it is good; for he 
hath delivered me out of all trouble. 

M. W.: Worthy Knight, from whence came you ? 

Cond.: Judea. 

M. W.: By what place have you passed ? 

Cond.: Nazareth. 

M. W.: Who has conducted you ? 

Cond.: Raphael. 

M. W.: Of what tribe are you ? 

Cond.: Judah. 

M, W.: Give me the initials of the four names 
you have just produced. 

Cond.: * * * * * * 

M. W.: Sir Knights, * * is found ; let the 
Neophyte * * Advance, and receive the 
reward due to your merit. 

Lecture on the Cross. 

Orator : The sign or symbol of the Cross is a nat- 
ural one. The ancient Romans had ensigns, flags, 
and crosses gilded and beautified. When a man, in 
the hour of overwhelming distress and sorrow, prays 
his Father to have mercy upon him, he extends his 
hands heavenwards, and makes precisely the same 
figure. 

In Egypt, the illiterate gratitude of a superstitious 
people, while they adored the river on whose inun- 
dations the fertility of their provinces depended, 
could not fail of attaching notions of sanctity and 
holiness to the crosses wliich were erected along the 
banks of the Nile. 

There is a Masonic legend that a Delta, in which 
was a cross encircled by the motto, " In Hoc Signo 
Vinces," was shown in a vision to the knight cru- 
saders of Palestine on the nicrht before a victorious 



266 

battle ; and thus the motto became one of the Or- 
der. 

It was held in the earliest ages among the Egyp- 
tians, Arabians and Indians, as the signification of 
" the life to come" — of " eternal life." 

To us it has become, as in the days of the Egyp- 
tians, " the symbol of the life to come" — " of eterni- 
ty ;" and it will serve to remind all true Masons that 
they must always be ready to give even their lives 
for the perpetuation and triumphs of truth. 

The Rose which you see on the Cross is the em- 
blem of Discretion. Discretion is a necessity, lest 
those who are opposed to our principles, should shut 
up our Temples and disperse our institutions, as they 
have in former times. The death of one of us would 
not serve our cause. Martyrdom is fruitless in our 
days, and is not to be sought after. 

All we have to do is to enlist good and honest men 
so that an army of true and practical Masons shall 
array themselves against tyrants, imposters and fan- 
atics, and prove to them that their days of successful 
opposition are gone forever, and their only choice is 
to relinquish their useless weapons and join us. 

Therefore, we must not discuss our principles out- 
side of our Temples. We know human nature well 
enough to be satisfied that secresy is in itself attrac- 
tion, and is a means by which we make it impossible 
for our profane enemies to assail us with their soph- 
istry. For we are always right when we answer 
them by saying : " You speak of what you know 
not." To argue about Masonry, a man must be a 
Mason, and once admitted, he must certainly be a 
bad man if he does not love it with all his heart. 



267 

We must be particular iu our admissions, espec- 
ially in this degree. 

Until then let us be prudent and act " sub rosa." 

In the name of this Chapter, 1 sincerely congratu- 
late you on your admission amongst you. In your 
further advancement you will find a more mysterious 
significance attached to the Cross, not revealed in the 
Chapter, and which can only be made known within 
a Senate of Hermetic Philosophers. 

Believe nie, that I am sure your good conduct, 
zeal, vii'tue and discretion, will always render you 
more and more deserving of the honor which you 
have this day received, and we most heartily and 
sincerely wish that your life may long be preserved 
to enable you to continue a useful member of our 
Ancient Rite, and a faithful and devoted Apostle of 
Truth, Science and Love. 

This ends the Rose-Croix Degree and the Chapter 
lecture of the Rite. * * ♦ 

This closes the description of the degrees and some 
of the lectures and quotations from Scripture used in 
conferring the degrees. 

The following three degrees are public degrees and 
will be found useful in the conferring of degrees and 
in a convenient form, being separated from the eso- 
teric work ; they will also be found instructive, and 
were it not for the fact that my time was very limi- 
ted, I would have added the poetry and music ; as it 
is I put in such as I can find time to attend to. — Au- 
thor. 



PUBLIC BEaREES 

OF 

ADEPT mSTALLATOR, CONSECRATOR 
AND EULOGIST, 

The Forty-Third, Forty-Fourth and Forty-Fifth 
Degrees of the Senate 

OF THE 

EGYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 



Installation Ceremonies. 

The highest presiding officer of the body to be in- 
stalled takes the Orient ; and if the ceremony is to 
be private, opens the body in due form ; if public, 
orders the officers to places, and proceeds thus : 

Sub. Gr. Com. — Illustrious Senior Knight Inter- 
preter, what is the cause of this assemblage ? 

Sen. Kt. — Most Wise, this is the appointed time 
when we should renew our vows to the Supreme Ar- 
chitect of the Universe, and perform the ceremonials 
of installation, according to the Regulations of the 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, and our ancient 
customs. 

Subb. Gr. Conn. — This being so, let us ascertain if 
the officers are at their respective stations. Illus- 
trious Knight Recorder, call the roll of officers of 

Senate, No. — . 

[This is done, and if all are present and the offices are filled, 
the Sub. Gr. Com. says:] 

Attention, Sir Knights. ! ! ! We, as Masons, are taught, be- 
fore entering upon any important duty, first to invoke a bless. 
ing from Deity, to bless us and our works. Let the Triangle be 
formed. Illustrious Knight Prelate, invoke the blessing. 



Prelate. —Oh Thou Almighty Father of the Uni- 
verse ! Behold here Thy children standing in Thy 
court, invoking Thy blessing ! Be pleased, oh Lord, 
to smile upon us and bless us. Give us wisdom to 
so order and direct these ceremonies of installation, 
that the}^ may prove acceptable in Thy sight. Be 
pleased to bless this congregation, this Senate, this 
place, and its institutions. Look with favor, we be- 
seech Thee, upon the officers that are to be here in- 
stalled. Bless the Grand Master of this Rite and his 
officers. Bless, we pray Thee, oh Lord, the Sublime 
Dai and his officers, and all others in authority. 
Bless, we pray Thee, the Masonic Fraternity through- 
out the whole world, and all others for whom we 
should pray. Spread, we beseech Thee, the influ- 
ences of Truth, Justice and Brotherly Love. Help 
those who are in affliction, and comfort those who 
mourn ; relieve those in bondage ; strike off the fet- 
ters of those who are slaves to their own passions. 
And when we shall have finished our pilgrimage 
here on earth, receive us into the Grand Lodge on 
high, there to bask in the sunshine of Thy Orient 
forever. We will praise Thy name, oh Lord, for it is 
good. Amen. 

Response : So mote it be. 

[Orator reads from Isaiah xix : 25-28 :] 

'* In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the 
language of Canaan., and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall 
be called, The city of destruction. 

" In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst 
of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the 
Lord. 

"And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of 
hosts in the land of Egypt ; for they shall cry unto the Lord be- 
cause of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Saviour, and 
a great one, and he shall deliver them 

" And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians 
shall know the Lord in that day, aqid shall do sacrifice and 



270 

oblation ; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform 
it. 

" And the Lord shall smite Egypt; he shall smite and heal it: 
and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be entreated 
of them, and shall heal them. 

' ' In that day there shall be a highway out of Egypt to Assy 
ria, and the Assyrian shall come mto Egypt and the Egyptian 
into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 

" In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with 
Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 

' ' Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be 
Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel 
my inheritance " 

[After the Orator has finished reading, the following may be 
sung :] 

Opening Ode. 

1 . Egyptian Masonry Divine, 
Glory of all ages, shine ! 

Long may'st Thou reign ! 
Pyramids Thy monuments stand! 
Egypt, then, had great command, 

Masonic art Divine ! 

2. Karnak did then arise, 
And grace the Azure Skies; 
Thy noble ruins are 
Matchless beyond compare ; 
No art can with Thee share, — 
Mystic art Divine! 

3. Osiris, the Architect, 
Did then this Craft direct 
How cities should be built ; 
Then Solomon, Israel's King, 
Did mighty blessings bring — 
Royal Mystic Art. 

Sub. Gr. Com. — Attention, Sir Knights ! This be- 
ing the time for installing the officers of , No. — , 

let strict silence be observed, and when the Install- 
ing Officers shall enter this hall, let them be received 
in proper form. 

[If the ceremonies are performed by the Grand Body, or one 



271 

representing it, and be presided over by a Grand Officer, the 
following should be the order of exercises: 

When the Grand Officers are announced, they will be re- 
ceived by the whole body standing, and the Grand Master and 
his Deputy will be received under the Arch of Steel, and con- 
ducted to the Orient; and while standing there, the Grand Hon 
ors will be given, after which the Grand Master and Deputy will 
be introduced to the brethren, (presiding officer remaining un- 
covered,) while the Grand Master and his officers take the Orient. 
The other officers then vacate their places to the Grand Officers; 
the brethren go to their respective places, and the body is seated. 
The Arch of Steel is formed thus : The Conductor and Captain 
of the Guard each select four Sir Knights in uniform, who, with 
drawn swords stand on each side of the entrance door, and 
when the Grand Master is announced they give the order. Mar- 
shal at the head of right line, and Knight of Introduction at the 
head of left line : "Draw swords; present swords; cross swords, 
and form the Arch of Steel." When this is done. Sub. Gr. 
Com raps ! ! ! All being in readiness, the Grand Representa- 
tive gives the alarm on the door of the room— 3, 3, 3, 2, = 11.] 

Gd. of Sane. — Most Wise Sublime Grand Com- 
mander, there is an alarm at the door of our Sanc- 
tuary. 

Sub. Gr. Com. — Attend to the alarm, and ascertain 
the cause. 

Gd. of the Sane. — [Opens the door.] — Who disturbs 
our mysteries ? Who comes here ? 

Gr. Rep. — [outside.] — The Grand Representative 
comes to communicate the orders of the Grand Mas- 
ter of the Sovereign Sanctuary in and for the Conti- 
nent of America, respecting the installation of the 
officers of this body. 

[Gd. of Sane, closes the door, advances to the Altar, and 
reports, as follows :] 

Gd. of Sane. — Most Wise Sublime Grand Com- 
mander, the alarm was caused by the Right Worship- 
ful Grand Representative, who comes to communicate 
the orders of the Sovereign Grand Master respecting 
the installation of the officers of this body. 



272 

Sub. Gr. Com. — To order, Sir Knights. Let the 
Arch of Steel be formed. [This is done.] Admit 
the Right Worshipful Grand Representative. 

[Grand Representative approaches the Altar, presiding officer 
uncovers, Grand Representative remains uncovered, Arch of 
Steel keep their places.] 

Gr. Rep. — Most Wise Sublime Grand Commander : 
It is my pleasant duty to announce to you that the 
Sovereign Grand Master is without, and in waiting 
within the vestibule of this Sanctuary, to perform 

the services of installation of the officers of [ 

Senate, No. — , or Chapter, or Council, as the case 
may be. 

Sub. Gr. Com. — Illustrious Patriarch Grand Rep- 
resentative for the Continent of America, please in- 
form the Sovereign GrandMaster that the members 

of [ Senate, No. — ., or Chapter, or Council, as the 

case may bej have elected their officers in due form, 
and at the proper time; that they are now present, 
and await the pleasure of the Sovereign Grand Mas- 
ter to perform the ceremonies of installation, and 
will be most happy to be honored with his presence, 
and be pleased to obey his orders. 

[Grand Representative replies "It is well;" retires to the Ante 
Room, and reports as follows :] 

Gr. Rep. — Sovereign Grand Master, I am informed 

by the Sublime Grand Commander of [ Senate, 

No. — , or Chapter, or Council, as the case may be,] 
that the officers have been elected in due form, and 
at the proper time ; that they are present, and await 
your pleasure. 

[The Grand Master and Deputy and Grand Representative 
then enter, arm in arm ; Deputy on the right, Representative 
on the left of the Grand Master; the other officers two by two, 
in their order, thus : Orator and Prelate, Senior and Junior 
Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer, Conductor and Senior Mas- 
ter of Ceremonies, Junior^ Master of Ceremonies and Captain 



273 

of the Guard, Guard of the Tower and Sentinel. The Arch of 
Steel is kept over the Grand Officers to the Orient, when the 
Grand Master stops in front of the Altar.] 

Sab. Gr. Com. — Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand 
Master, we feel proud to receive a visit from you 
and the Right Worshipful and Illustrious Patriarchs 
of the Sovereign Sanctuary. We assure you that 
we will spare no pains to make your visit a happy 
one, and hope always to deserve the confidence and 
esteem of your Illustrious Grand Body. We hope 
and trust that you will be pleased to proceed with the 
ceremony of installation. Attention, Sir Knights ! 
It becomes my pleasant duty to introduce to you 
Most Worshipful Brother C. C. Burt, 96°, Sovereign 

Grand Master ; Right Worshipful Brother , 

95°, Deputy Grand Master, and Right Worshipful 

Brother , 95°, Deputy Grand Representative, 

and the other Officers of the Sovereign Sanctuary 
sitting in the Valley of America. Together, brethren, 
give the Grand Honors. 

[Three claps on the right, three on the left, and three more 
on the right; at the same time stamping right foot. All stand, 
while the Grand Master takes the Orient, Deputy Grand Master 
on the right. Grand Representative on the left, and facing the 
body.] 

Gr. Mast. — Most Wise Sublime Grand Commander, 

Illustrious Brethren, Sir Knights of [ Senate, 

No. — , or Chapter, or Council, as the case may be,] 
and [if others are present] Ladies and Gentlemen : 
It becomes our pleasant duty to perform the cere- 
monies of installing the officers of [ Senate, 

No. — , or Chapter, or Council, as the case may be,] 

sitting in the valley of , and thereby renew 

our assurance of friendship and brotherly love, while 
we fulfill the ancient Constitution and laws of our 
Order. But before we proceed in the ceremonials. 



274 

let us invoke the aid of Deity to bless us and our 
Institution. Right Worshipful Grand Prelate, perform 
that pious duty. 

Gr. Prelate. — [Prayer.] Supreme Architect of the 
Universe, inimitable Jehovah, Father of Nature, of 
Light and Truth, we prostrate ourselves before Thee, 
and to the eternal laws of Thy immaculate wisdom. 
Be pleased, oh Lord, to bless this assemblage. Bless 
the work we are about to consummate. Bless the 
Craft wheresoever dispersed. Bless all men and all 
conditions of mankind, all over the habitable globe. 
Grant the officers of this body strength, energy, and 
wisdom to combat the enemies of Masonry, and prac- 
tice truth, friendship, and brotherly love, and to 
dispel ignorance, superstition and prejudice. Grant 
them strength and wisdom to support and encourage 
temperance, truth, fortitude, and justice — strength to 
practice and propagate the Divine teachings of our 
beloved R-ite, to cultivate the social virtues and the 
sciences, and to practice tolerance, and to worship 
God in spirit and in truth ; and so let their lights 
shine, that others seeing their good works, may 
glorify the great Adonai in Heaven, and say, Behold 
how they love each other ; and that the scoffer, the 
skeptic, and the infidel, may be brought to a tull 
knowledge of the light and truth as it is taught and 
inculcated by the teachings of our beloved Rite. 
Grant, oh Adonai, that our Ancient Egyptian Ma- 
sonic Rite may extend itself all over the habitable 
globe, and that we may practice the Divine teaching 
of our motto, by rendering unto others that which 
we would others should render unto us. And unto 
Thy Holy Name will we ascribe all honor and praise, 
now and forever, world withoqt end, Amen, 



275 

All say : Glory to Thee, oh Lord! Glory to Thj 
name ! Glory to Thy works ! 

Gr. Mast. — ! Right Worshi})ful Grand Secretary^ 
what is the cause of this assemblage ? 

G)'. Sec. — Most Woi'shipful Grand Master, we have 
assembled together this evening to install the officers 

of [ Senate, No. — , or Chapter, as the case may 

be.] 

Gr. Mast. — Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, you 
will call the Roll of the Officers of the body (or bod- 
ies) to be installed. 

Gr. Secy. — Attention, Sir Knights ! I will now 

call the Roll of Officers of [ Senate, No. — , or 

Chapter, or Council, as the case may be.] You will 
please rise up and respond, as your names are called. 

[Secretary now calls each body to be installed, commencing 
with the highest. The officers rise, and remain standing ] 

Gr. Mast. — Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, you 
will now read the Charters of Constitution by which 
these officers are to be installed. 
[Secretary does so.] 

Gr. Mast. — Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Rep- 
resentative, have you examined the returns of the 
election of the. officers of the several bodies, and are 
they regularly elected ? 

Dep. Gr. Rep. — Most Worshipful Grand Master, I 
have examined the returns of the several elections, 
and find them elected at the proper time and in due 
form. 

Gr. il/cts^.— Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter, have you examined the superior officers of these 
bodies, to see that they are in possession of the nec- 
essary Degrees, and competent to perform the duties 
of their respective offices ? 

Dep. Gr. Mast, — ^Most Worshipful Grand Master, 



276 

I have examined the several superior officers of each 
body ; I find them trusty and true, well skilled in 
the mystic art, in possession of the necessary De- 
grees, and well qualified to fill the several stations to 
to which they have been, by the unanimous choice 
of their Brethren, elected. 

Gr. Mast. — Right Worshipful Grand Conductor, 
you will now present at the Altar, for installation. 

Illustrious Brothers , the five principal officers 

of each body, [Sublime Grand Commander, Senior 
and Junior Knights Interpreters, Orator and Pre- 
late ; Most Wise, Senior and Junior Wardens, Orator 
and Prelate,] they forming a circle around the Altar 
for Obligation. [This is done.] You will now form 
the balance of the officers of each body in another 
circle outside. [This is done.] Right Worshipful 
Grand Secretary, you will now call the names of all 
the officers of each body, and see that they are at the 
Altar. [This is done.] ! ! ! Brethren, you now be- 
hold at the Altar the officers you have chosen to 
preside over you for the ensuing year. Are you con- 
tent with your choice ? [They assent.] Right Wor- 
shipful Grand Prelate, you will now administer the 
Obligation to the officers of each body.' 
[The Prelate advances to the Altar.] 

Gr. Prel. — Attention, Sir Knights ! Present your 
right arm toward the Altar; the inside circle will 
pronounce their names and repeat after me : 

I, of my own free will and accord^ 

upon the Glaive, symbol of honor, the Myrtle, em- 
blem of immortality, and God's Holy Book of the 
Law, solemnly promise and swear, that I will, to the 
utmost of my ability, serve the body over which I 
am elected to preside, for the full term of my office 
and keep and perform my several Obligations ip Ma- 
sonry, 



277 

I further promise to be true and faithful to my 
country and just to its laws. * 

I further promise obedience to the laws, rules 
and regulations of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis. 

I further promise that I will not recognize or hold 
Masonic intercourse in this Rite, with any person or 
body claiming to be of the Rite of Memphis, who 
does not acknowledge Illustrious Brother Calvin C. 
Burt, during his natural life, and thereafter his suc- 
cessor, and the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian 
Masonic Rite of Memphis, sitting in the Valley of 
America, as the only legal head and true body of the 
Rite of Memphis on this Continent. 

I turther promise and swear, that I will, to the 
best of my ability, rule and govern this body over 
which I shall preside or assist in the working of, in 
a spirit of kindness and brotherly love, and do all 
in ny power to inculcate the principles of harmony 
and brotherly love ; that I will obey m}^ superiors in 
office and act with kindness and consideration to my 
equals and inferiors, and suffer no innovations to be 
made in the Rituals and teachings of our Order as 
promulgated by the Sovereign Sanctuary, so far as 
the same shall come to my knowledge; that I will 
cause the election of officers to be held at the proper 
time, and when so elected, will bind my successors 
by the same Obligation by which I am now bound, 
and transmit to them all papers. Rituals, Seals and 
Charters which I shall be put in possession of, and 
l)ind them, also, to do the same by their successors 
forever, to the best of my ability. So help me God, 
and keep me steadfast to keep and perform the same. 

Gr. Pvel. — [To the officers in the outer circle.] 
The Obligation taken by your superior officers, you^ 



278 

each of you, promise to assist them to keep and per- 
form ?, [They all assent.] 

Dep. Gr. Rep. — [To officers.] Illustrious Brothers 
[naming each of the first three officers.] 

1. Do you each promise to be good men, and 
strictly obey the moral law. [Answer.] 

2. Do you promise to work diligently, live credit- 
ably, and act honorably by all men ? [Answer.] 

3. Do you promise to hold in veneration the offi- 
cers of the Sovereign Sanctuary and their successors, 
supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, 
and to submit to the awards and resolutions of your 
Brethren in conclave convened, in every case consist- 
ent with the Constitutions of the Order ? [Answer.] 

4. Do you promise to avoid private piques and 
quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and ex- 
cess ? [Answer.] 

5. Do you promise to be cautious in your behavior, 
courteous to your Brethren, and faithful to the body 
over which you preside ? [Answer.] 

6. Do you admit that the only legal Rite of Mem- 
phis contains Ninety-six Degrees, and that it is not 
in the power of any man or body of men to abridge, 
alter or interpolate to any less number of Degrees, or 
to make any innovations in that or any other body 
of Masonry ? [Answer,] 

7. Do you promise a regular attendance on the 
committees and communications of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary and the Mystic Temple, on receiving 
proper notice, and to pay due attention to your duties 
as a Mason on all occasions ? [Answer.] 

8. Do you admit that no new body in this Rite 
can be formed without the consent and authority of 
the Sovereign Sanctuary or the Grand Master, and 
that no other constituted body ought to be counte- 



279 

iianced, they being contrary to the ancient charges 
and regulations of the Order ? [Answer.] 

9. Do you admit that no person can be regularly 
admitted into this Order who is not a Master Mason 
in good standing, made in a regularly constituted 
Lod.ofe, and without previous notice and diligent in- 
quiry as to his character by a competently app(|inted 
committee at a regular conclave ? [Answer.] 

10. Do you agree that no visitors shall be admitted 
or persons received for affiliation in the body over 
which you preside, without an examination and pro- 
ducing proper vouchers of their Masonic standing ? 
[Answer.] 

Gr. Rep. — Illustrious Brother, these are the regu- 
lations of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Metnphis. 
[Then to the whole body of officers he says :] Do 
you each and all of you consent to the same, and 
promise to support and sustain your superior officers 
in the strict observance of the same ? [Answer.] 

Gr. Mast. — Brethren, I now present you with the 
Holy Bible, the Great Light in Masonry; also, with 
the Glaive, symbol of honor, and the Myrtle, emblem 
of the innnortality of the soul, which should always 
be placed upon and adorn the xlltar of all the bodies 
of this Bite. The Holy Book of the Law will guide 
you in the path of duty and point to you the way to 
happiness on this earth, and direct your feet into the 
Temple of our God, Eternal in the Heaven. The 
Myrtle will remind you that the soul of man is im- 
mortal, and lives through all Eternity ; and the 
Glaive, symbol of honor, that you should always be 
ready and willing to draw your sword in defence of 
the principles of Truth and Virtue, and to stay the 
hand of oppression. 

I also present you with the Book of Constitutions, 



280 

the Laws and Regulations of your body, together 
with the Ritual of the same ; which you will strictly 
preserve and transmit to your successor in office, to- 
gether with the Records, Papers and Seal thereof. 
The Book of Constitutions you will cause to be read 
in your conclaves, that none may be ignorant of the 
precepJfcs and regulations it enjoins. You will now 
receive the Charter ; by authority of which you will 
open, rule and govern the Body over which you pre- 
side ; and which you will transmit to your successors 
at installation, or deliver up to the Grand Master, or 
the Sovereign Sanctuary, when requested. You will 
be very careful to preserve it ; and remember that no 
conclave can be held unless it is present. In your 
absence your next inferior officer will, if in the pos- 
session of the Charter, preside, and in your and his 
absence, his next inferior officer, if in possession of 
the Charter, will preside. If neither of the three first 
officers are present, no conclave can be held, unless 
some one of the first three officers of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary or their deputies, be present. But, in any 
and all cases, the Charter must be present, unless the 
Grand or Deputy Grand Master hold the conclave ; 
in which case it will not be necessary for the Charter 
to be present. 

Brethren, you having cheerfully complied with the 
charges aud regulations of this Order, you are now to 
be installed in your respective offices, haying full 
confidence in your skill, learning and ability to gov- 
ern the same, which I hope you may feel pleased to 
do in such a spirit of kindness and brotherly love, 
that your body and brethren may be of one mind, 
and filled with a spirit of friendship and brotherly 
love. Be ever watchful over the landmarks of the 
Institution • see that no brother is advanced until he 



281 

has made suitable proficiency in the preceding de- 
grees, and that no one is admitted into the Order who 
is not worthy. Rather have few members and worthy 
men than large numbers of doubtful reputation. 
Avoid proselyting or rivalry for members. Practice 
a just spirit of emulation, not only of who can best 
work and best agree, but who can bring the best 
men into the Order. Avoid contention and 
discussion calculated to engender strife. Speak 
not evil of any branch of legally consti- 
tuted Freemasonry, or try to discourage brethren 
from entering into any other legal branch of the 
Order. Remember we are all brethren descended 
from the same common stock, and although we 
may not work alike, all legal work is good work, 
and will tend to make men virtuous and happy. 
Finally, brethren, live in peace with all men ; re- 
vile none ; slander none ; but render good for evil. 
Be just to all. Ask nothing but what is right, and 
submit to nothing that is wrong. And may the 
God of peace be with and abide in you and your 
Institutions forever. Amen. 

Response : So mote it be. 

Gr. Mast. — Right Worshipful Grand Captain of 

the Guard, you will now conduct the officers to their 

several stations. 

[The Grand Officers will now vacate the positions, and be 
seated near the Orient.] 

Gv. Mast. — By vii-tue of the high power in me 

vested, I now declare [ Senate or Chapter, or 

Council, as the case may be] regularly constitued, 

and its officers duly installed. May the blessing of 

Heaven rest upon you, and may you prosper in all 

good works. Right Worshipful Grand Captain of the 

Guard, make the Proclamation. 



282 

Capt Guard. — To the glory of the Supreme 
Architect of the Universe : In the name of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian Masonic Rite 
of Memphis, in and for the Continent of America, I 

hereby declare [ Senate or Chapter, or Council, 

as the case may be,] duly constituted and its officers 
duly installed for the year 18 — , and until their 
successors are elected or appointed, and insalled in 
due form. 

[Grand Master now introduces the Orator, if there is one, or 
makes his Oration. After the Oration, the Brethren sing the 
following, or some other appropriate Ode.] 

CLOSING ODE. 

1. Almighty Father, God of Love, 

Sacred Eternal King of Kings, 
From Thy Celestial Courts above, 

Sends beams of Grace on Seraphs' wings; 
Oh ! may they, gilt with Light Divine, 

Shed on our hearts inspiring rays. 
While bending at Thy Sacred Shrine, 

We offer Mystic Songs of Praise. 

2. Faith, with Divine and Heavenly Eye, 

Pointing to radiant realms of bliss. 
Shed here Thy sweet Benignity, 

And crown our hopes with happiness; 
Hope ! too, with bosom void of fear, 

Still on Thy steadfast anchor lean; 
Oh! shed Thy balmy influence here, 

And fill our hearts with joy serene. 

3. And Thou, fair Charity! whose smile 

Can bid the heart forget its woe ; 
Whose tread can Misery's care beguile, 

And kindness' sweetest boon bestow, 
Here shed Thy sweet Soul soothing ray; 

Soften our hearts, Thou Power Divine; 
Bid the warm gem of Pity play, * 

With sparkling lustre, on our Shrine. 

4. Thou, who art thron'd midst dazzling light, 

^i^d wrapp'd in brilliant robes of gold, 



283 

Whose flowing locks of silvery white, 

Thy age and honor both unfold — 
Genius of Masonry! descend. 

And guide our steps by strictest Law ; 
Oh! swiftly to our Temples bend, 

And fill our breasts with solemen awe. 

[After the singing they are dismissd with the following Prayer 
or Benediction by the Grand Prelate:] 

PRAYER OR BENEDICTION. 

Now may the blessing of Almighty God rest upon 
us, and all regular Masons ; may brotherly love pre- 
vail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. 
Amen. So mote it be. 

Lecture. 

These are the highest degrees of Masonry known 
to the world, and none but those who have labored 
assiduously in the Masonic Art, Symbolic and Inef- 
fable, thereby obtaining that Wisdom, without which 
our labor is useless, and our energy wasted in vanity; 
giving evidence that they have been purified from 
the Errors of Ignorance, Intolerance and Supersti- 
tion, can ever attain to this Masonic dignity. 

What can be more sacred than Masonry ? What 
is more binding and impressive ? What cause is 
purer and more philanthropic ? What possible hon- 
est reason can any human being have to betray the 
ceremonies and harmless mysteries of an order 
founded on the grand principles of Love, Truth, Light 
and Progress ? Of what benefit can such treachery 
be to the traitor himself or to the world at large ? 
None. Every effort made to injure the order, has 
only made it shine brighter and nobler to the eyes of 
the world. 

My brethren, we can never be too cautious in our 
intercourse with those who are not initiated iu oi^r 



284 

rites and mysteries, in all matters pertaining to the 
order. Many a light and careless word may be per- 
verted to our prejudice, and, like the falling snow, 
swell into a mighty avalanche. Let it be not only 
our united but our individual care that such occa- 
sions for prejudice shall never occur. 

In our intercourse with the world, let us carefully 
guard ourselves against depreciating any brother of 
the order, no matter what his faults may be. Let no 
words of ill-will fall from our lips, relating to the 
members of other Rites. If, from motives of jealousy, 
at our success and progress, they choose to be antag- 
onistic to us, let all the aggressive acts be on their 
side — for if Masons disagree among themselves, and 
make their dissensions matters of public notoriety, 
what opinion of us can we expect from the outer 
world, and how can it believe in our professions of 
Brotherly Love and Friendship? 

Let us in our Lodges, Chapters, Senates, and in the 
Sublime Council, be ever ready to yield prompt and 
cheerful obedience to the presiding officers of such 
bodies, and, when acting as such ourselves, to always 
consider the good of the order and the brethren, and 
not the gratification of our own vanity or authority. 
Let us be careful not to remove one of the ancient 
landmarks ; let no ceremony be deprived of its due 
solemnity, and let no portion of the work be curtailed 
or lightly ])assed over, but preserved and performed 
in all its purity and integrity. It is this very thing 
which constitutes the charm and beauty of this Kite, 
together with its lessons of high and holy philosophy 
and progress. 

I have dwelt on this subject at some length, my 
Brethren, for this is, in reality, an executive degree. 
You have already gained all the Masonic light and 



285 

knowledge known to every Rite in existence, far ours, 
like the English language, combines the beauty, 
power, and extent of all others, for it has descended 
to us from the beginning. 

It is an incontrovertible fact^ that the real birth- 
place of the most important and sublime portions of 
Masonry, was that mighty land of Mysteiy and Wis- 
dom — the land of Egypt. Egypt, whose very origin 
is obscured by the mists of countless ages — upon the 
banks of whose oreat river Nile once stood 3,000 mag- 
nificent cities, some whose populations seem almost of 
fabulous amount — whose gorgeous temples, and whose 
mighty works of art laugh to scorn the efforts of 
modern civilization. Their architectural works have 
withstood the ravages of time and the destructive 
hand of man, for thousands of years, and will for 
ages yet to come — whose gigantic pyramids rear their 
unbroken summits to the clouds, eternal mementos of 
a mighty race. Egypt ! the mother of civilization — 
the home of wisdom and of art, when Greece and 
Rome were yet unsung, unheard of, and the mighty 
empires of the present were not. 

It is the belief of many learned and accomplished 
Masons, that Masonry itself existed long previous to 
the flood, and that after that event, Noah, Shem, 
Ham and Japhet, re-established and reformed it; 
that in the very Tower of Babel were rooms set apart 
for Masonic purposes ; that on the destruction of that 
building, and the dispersion of the people, they car- 
ried a knowledge of, and the precepts of the Rite with 
them into many countries — in which it gradually as- 
sumed different forms, but all still showing one com- 
mon origin. Doubtless, this is true. Materials for 
everything have existed since the world commenced • 
but the clay must be fashioned by the potter's hand 



^86 

ere it becomes a vessel; the mightj^ monarchs of the 
forest must be hewn, shaped, and put together by the 
skill of man before the gallant ship floats upon the 
waters. It is the art of the sculptor that, from the 
shapeless mass of marble, creates a statue — a form of 
beauty that may endure for ages — the stone had ex- 
isted before, but not the work of art. 

So was it with Masonry ; the outline, the rough 
material was there — the belief in and yearning for 
something better and more beautiful, but it lacked 
that which Egypt had to bestow : Wisdom, Learning, 
and Organization. 

Yes, it was in the land of Egypt, in the Valley of 
Memphis, where our beloved Rite first assumed a 
coherent form, and gained from the greatest and best 
of Egypt's sages those lessons of wisdom, virtue and 
charity, which, with their knowledge of the arts and 
sciences combined, has preserved through thirty cen- 
turies or more, even through wars, famine, plagues, 
barbarism, and the darkness of the middle ages, the 
Ancient and Primitive Masonic Rite, in all its pure, 
unsullied beauty. 

As nearly as can be ascertained, it was in the year 
of the woi-ld 1920, that Masonry first flourished in 
Egypt, and attained so strong a footing therein, that 
all the most learned and powerful of its population 
were members of the Mystic Tie. The wealth and 
influence of the order was almost beyond compu- 
tation. Buildings of enormous magnitude were 
erected in which our Rites were celebrated. The 
greatest precautions were observed to guard our mys- 
teries from the profane ; so much so, that in the time 
of the Grand Hierophant Moeris (who succeeded 
Osymandias,) he caused a great lake to be dug around 
the Temple, sacred to our meetings, and called it after 



287 

his own name; but in the course of ages that lake 
became choked up by the sands of the desert. The 
meetinofs of the Rite from that time were held in the 
Pyramids. 

From every part of the then known woild came 
the most learned philosophers, the most heroic war- 
riors, the most powerful princes, seeking admission 
within the portals of our temples. Willing and 
eager to submit to the rigorous examinations, the long 
probations, the fasts, the vigils, the hardships, the 
terrible trials of courage, strength and endurance, 
which w^ere then exacted from all candidates before 
they were allowed to receive even the first degree. 
The Greek and Roman mysteries were nothing but 
corrupt perversions of the moral teachings of 
Masonry, but the Jews, who acquired their knowl- 
edge of the craft in Egypt, w^ere so truly imbued 
with the pure doctrines of the Rite and its teachings, 
that they preserved them intact, with the exception 
of altering the names and locality, and, as it were, 
nationalizing the earlier degrees. 

The idea of one Supreme Being is common to all 
religions, even in those which run into Polytheism 
and the worship of idols. The Para- Brahmah of the 
Hindoos, the Eternal Spirit of Buddha, the Zervane 
Akerene of the ancient Persians ; the Supreme Es- 
sence floating on the surface of the dark waters of 
the ancient Scandinavian mytholog}' ; the Belus of 
the Chaldeans ; the Kneph of the Egyptians ; the 
Virococha of the Mexican, are all identical and repre- 
sent the God of the Jews, Christians, and Ma 
hommedans. Every faith has its two opposing 
influences of good and evil — God and Satan; Brah- 
mah and Moisasur ; Ormuzed and Ahriman ; Belus 
and Moloch ; Osiris and Typhon ; the Vitzliputzli and 



288 

Tetslipuca. All have their heavens aud hells, and 
three have purgatories^ namely : The Roman Catho- 
lics, Egyptians, and the Parsees. The Brahmins have 
their Triune God, Brahmah, Siva, and Vishnu, three 
in one ; and we Christians have our Trinity. 

The number four seems common to all — -the four 
elements, the four seasons, the four cardinal points. 
North, South, East and West ; but it is almost use- 
less to multiply instances of this. The number 
seven occurs so often in all religions and their cere- 
monies, that it almost conclusively proves a connect- 
ing link between them. Let us commence with the 
seven days of the week : the Jewish Rabbis describe 
seven hells and give their names ; the Mahommedans 
believe in seven hells and seven heavens. Zoroaster 
says there are seven classes of demons ; the ancients 
only knew seven planets ; then there were the seven 
gothic deities ; the seven Periades ; the seven Titans 
and Titanides ; the seven Hyadel ; the body of 
Bacchus was cut into seven pieces by the Bacchantes ; 
there were seven holy temples in Arabia; seven 
lamps in the temple of Bactria. I might cite a 
thousand instances of its universality. To readers of 
the Bible I need not mention its continual recurrence 
in connection with all its most important events. 
The number twelve is another which is met with 
repeatedly in all religious rites. 

My brothers, may all the blessings of our Rite be 
yours now and forever. Remember this — never con- 
demn unheard. Examine, Reflect, and Tolerate ! 

The end of the Ceremonies known as the Forty- 
third Degree (Public,) styled Grand Installator. 



GRAND CONSECRATOR (44th) DEGREE. 
Dedication of a Masonic Temple. 

[The invited Guests and Visitors being seated, and the Officers 
in their respective stations, the Hall is darkened ] 

Most Wise. — {Strikes!) Brebhi-en, this being the 
time appointed for the Inauguration and Dedication 
of this Hall, as a Masonic Temple ; the Grand Mas- 
ter General (or the Grand Representative) of the 
Sovereign Sanctuar}^ of the Egyptian Rite and Prim- 
itive Freemasonry, in and for the Continent of 
America, has arrived, and is now waiting to perform 
the Ceremony of Consecration. Let strict silence be 
observed. 

[The Grand Master of Ceremonies strikes ! ! ! upon the outer 
door. ] 

Guctrd of Tower. — An alarm at the door of our 
Sanctuary, M. W. 

M. W. — Sir Kt. Guard of the Tower : attend to 
the alarm and ascertain the cause. 

G. of T.—i Opens the door:) The Most Wise de- 
sires to know who it is that thus disturbs us ? 

Grand Master General. — It is Calvin C. Burt, 96°, 
the Grand Master [or the Representative] of the 
Egyptian Masonic Rite, and we come to inaugurate 
and consecrate this place as a Temple for the ])ropa- 
gation of the peaceful teachings and sublime morals 
of our Ancient Rite, under the auspices of the Sov- 
ereign Sanctuary, in and for the Continent of Amer- 
ica, sitting in the valley of , and of the 

Mystic Temple 90° for the Valley of , 

in the name and to the Glory of the Supreme Arch- 
itect of the World, 
o 



^90 

G. of T. — Most Wise : It is the Grand Master Gen- 
eral of the Sovereign Sanctuary [or the Representa- 
tative] of our Ancient Rite, and he comes hither to 
consecrate this Temple to the service of God, and the 
Rite of Memphis. 

M. F.— Admit the M. 111. Sov. G. M. with the offi- 
cers of the Sovereign Sanctuary. 

[They enter, are received with the Battery as in the Installa- 
tion ceremonies and remain standing between the two columns.] 

M. W. — Since this edifice is to be dedicated and 
consecrated to such sublime and glorious purposes, I 
will, with the assistance of my officers, present the 
key. 

[The Most Wise comes down from his seat. The Senior and 
Junior Knights advance with him to the Altar, on the cushion of 
which is the Sacred Book of Laws, the Sword, Myrtle, three 
Gavels, and a Key. They take up the cushion and convey it to 
the Occident, where the Grand Master (or his Representative) 
meets them ; he takes up the Key, and the Grand Examiner 
General and Grand Master of Ceremonies takes the cushion 
from the Most Wise and Senior and Junior Knights, who then 
return to their proper stations. The Grand Master and his 
officers stand facing the Orient.] 

Grand Master.- — Brethren, at the Consecration of 
a Masonic Temple, our first desire is, that our labor 
may prove welcome to the Supreme Architect of the 
Universe, and find grace in His eyes, that he may 
look with favor on our work ; with that intent, let 
us pray. 

[All kneel.] 

Prayer. 

Supreme Ai-chitect of the Universe ! Soul of the 
World, which is filled with Thy Glory and Thy 
Goodness. We adore Thy Supreme Majesty. We 
bow down before Thy Infinite Wisdom, which has 
created all, and which preserves all. Deign, Being 
of beings, to receive our prayers, and the homage of 



291 

our love. Bless the work we are now engaged in^ 
that of consecrating this edifice to the service of uni- 
versal Masonry, the propagation of the divine prin- 
ciples of Fraternity, Liberty and Equality, and to 
the Glory of Thy Name. Bless the work and the 
teachings here to be exemplified ; make them con- 
formable to Thy Laws; enlighten these thy servants 
with Thy Divine Light, that they may have no other 
end in view than obedience to Thee, the prosperity 
of Masonry, and the general good of humanity. We 
pray Thee, Oh Adonai, our God, which was, which is, 
and which will be when time shall be no more, en- 
lighten those who _are swayed by prejudice, igno- 
rance and interest. Remove the bands of error 
wherewith they are blinded ; and may the whole 
human race be benefited by the sublime truths and 
the divine morals hereafter to be taught in this Tem- 
ple by the practice of our Primitive Laws, which we 
now dedicate to Thy Holy Name. 

All say:— Glory to Thee, Oh Lord ! Glory to Thy 
Name ! Glory to Thy Works ! 

[All rise. Music plays — the Grand Master General, followed 
by his officers, make a tour of the Hall, and stop at the station 
of the Junior Knight, where there are three candles or lamps, in 
a triangular form.] 

Gr. Master. — Sovereign Ruler of Immensity !whom 
we invoke by many names; Thou who reignest su- 
preme ; All Powerful ; Unchangeable ; Jehovah ; 
Father of Nature ; Source of Light ; Supreme law of 
the Universe ; deign to bless the lights we now en- 
kindle ; may they light the steps of the Neophyte 
towards the Temple of Truth, under the direction of 
the 111. Bro. to whose hands I now confide this Gavel, 
symbol of the power of office ; may prudence, zeal, 
and justice be his innate monitors, to guide his every 



292 

action towards good, and the prosperity of our An- 
cient and Primitive Kite. 

[G. M. gives the Gavel to the Junior Knight. The Grand 
Junior M. of C. lights the three candles.] 

Illustrious Brother Junior Knight, what is the 
meaning of your three lights ? 

Junior Knight. — They represent the brightness of 
the flame of virtue, unceasingly reminding us that 
virtue is the support of our Ancient and Primitive 
Rite; and that, without virtue there would be no 
happiness on earth ; the Divine Light of Truth, and 
the honor of a true Freemason, which, kept pure and 
unstained, will ever shine with radiant splendor. 

[Music Plays. — The Grand Master and the assisting Grand 
OflQcers now proceed to the desk of the Illustrious Senior Knight 
in the southwest angle of the room, where are three candles, as 
at the Junior Knight's desk.] 

Orand Master. — Omnipotent Father of Light and 
Love ; fruitful source of knowledge, virtue and hap- 
piness; cast Thine all-seeing eye upon this. Thy ser- 
vant, whose lights we are now about to kindle, and 
to whom we now confide this Gavel. Grant that the 
flame of zeal for our dearly beloved Institution may 
ever burn with unquenchable brightness within his 
breast, and that he may never use the Gavel but with 
discretion, wisdom and deliberate judgment ; so may 
his labors tend towards the propagation and benefit 
of our Ancient and Primitive Rite. 

[G. M. gives the Gavel to the Senior Knight. The Grand 
Junior M. of C. lights the three candles.] 

111. Bro. Senior Knight, what is the meaning of 
your lights ? 

Senior Knight. — They represent Faith in our sab- 
lime Institution, Hope in a glorious immortality, and 
Charity to all mankind. 

[Music Plays. — The Grand Master and the Grand Officers now 
proceed to the Orient.] 



293 

Grand Master. — Here, in the east of the Sanctuary, 
cast the rays of Thy Goodness, we beseech Thee, oh 
Jehovah, with a triple brightness, upon this, the 
chief officer, standing at the apex of the triangle in 
this Orient ; may he tend to the elevation of Masonry, 
and the dignity of our Rite ; and may this Gavel, 
wielded by his hand, with confidence and impartial- 
ity, be ever reverentially respected by the brothers. 
[G. M. gives Gavel to the Most Wise. The three candles are 
lighted.] 

Most Wise, what is the meaning of your lights ? 

M. W. — They are symbolical of the three-fold 
luminous essence of the Supreme Architect of the 
World — Wisdom, Justice and Patriotism, which we, 
members of the Ancient Rite, are enjoined to propa- 
gate among our fellow men. 

Grand Master. — Sovereign Deputy Grand Master, 
place upon the Altar the Sacred Book of Laws, the 
Sword, symbol of honor, and the Myrtle, emblem of 
initiation. 

[The Deputy Grand Master places the Sacred writings upon 
the Altar, then the Sword, and the branch of Myrtle on the Book.] 

Dep. Gr. Master. — III. Brethren : behold, I place 
upon the Altar the Sacred Book of Laws, the guide 
of our conduct, the silent, but holy witness of our 
Masonic vows; may the inspired writings here de- 
posited, ever admonish us to persevere in the propa- 
gation of our beloved Rite ; and may our every ac- 
tion be as pure and unsullied as the bright blade of 
the Sword of honor, which, with the Myrtle, emblem 
of initiation, I now place in this ; may 

they long remain with honor in your care, my dear 
Brethren, as a sacred charge. 

[The Grand Master and other Grand Officers form around the 
Altar. The Grand Master burns a perfume, and carries it in a 
censer around the Hall.] 



294 

Gr. Mas. Gen. — Behold, I consecrate this hall to 
Universal Benevolence and to the service of Freema- 
sonry, as practiced by the votaries of the Ancient 
Rite, by the purification of fire. 

May no impurities enter here. Amen. — [All re- 
spond.] 

May peace prevail. Amen. — [All respond.] 

May all the social virtues unite us. Amen. — [All 
respond.] 

May charity flow forth from this Amen, — 

[All respond.] 

May the blessin^^s of truth, patriotism, love and. 
charit}^ prevail in and around this Amen. — 

[All respond.] 

May the brethren observe and practice all these, so 
that our Ancient Rite shall be honored and respected 
by the profane, and become a blessing to humanity. 
Amen.— [J.^^ respond.] 

[The Grrand Master remains at the East while the Grand 
Orator takes a vase of water and sprinkles the different parts of 
the hall.] 

Gd. Orator. — Be purified, and be ever as pure as the 
undefiled water which I now use, in accordance with 
the ancient customs of our venerated Rite. The 
consecration by water is of the highest antiquity ; it 
was used by the Chaldeans and Egyptians, and is the 
origin of the '' Lustral Waters of the Greeks;" and 
teaches us, that to be purified, man must rid himself 
of his evil intentions. 

[The Grand Master strikes ! ! ! which is repeated by the 
Senior and Junior Knights. All rise.] 

Gr. Mas. — Gr. Orator and Prelate, assemble the 
Brethren composing this body, in a triangular form 
about the Altar, there to pronounce the obligation of 
Fraternal Union, viz : 

[The Grand Prelate forms the members in due position ; the 
Most "Wise q.t the East, the Senior Knight at the South west, an4 



295 

the Junior Knight at the North west Angles. All kneel and ex- 
tend the right hand towards the Altar, and the left hand upon 
the heart.] 

To the Glory of the Sublime Architect of the Universe. 
In the name of the Sovereign Sanctuary of Egyptian 
Masonic Rite of Memjyhis, in and for the Continent of 
America. Salutation on all points of the Triangle. 
Respect to the Order on a J' good luorks and undertak. 
ings. 

Ill the name of the Supreme Architect of the 
World, I do most solemnly promise on my faith and 
honor, as a true Freemason, ever to recognize and 
uphold this Body, as a duly and regularly consti- 
tuted Masonic body, accoi ding to the Warrant re- 
ceived b}^ them ; to obt>y its By-Laws, Rules and 
Regulations ; also the Laws, Rules and Regulations 

of the Mystic Temple for the Valley of , and 

the Degrees emanating from the Sovereign Sanctuary 
of America, sitting in the Valley of America ; to 
this we sacredly pledge ourselves ; and may God 
keep us pure and truthful. Amen. 
G. M. — Let us sing the 

DEDICATION ODE. 

Glorious God ! on Thee we call ; 
Father, Friend, and Judge of all; 
Holy Saviour, heavenly king. 
Homage to Thy throne we bring! 
In the wonders all around, 
Ever is Thy spirit found, 
And of each good thing we see, 
All the good is born in Thee ! 
Thine the beauteous skill that lurks 
Everywhere in Nature's works — 
Thine is Art, with all its worth. 
Thine each masterpiece on earth ! 
Yea — and foremost in the van, 
Springs from Thee the Mind of Man ; 
On its light, for this is Thine, 
Shed abroad the love divine, 



296 

Lo, our God ! Thy children here 

From all realms are gathered near. 

Wisely gathered, gathering still— 

For ' 'peace on earth, tow'rds men good will ! 

May we, with fraternal mind, 
Bless our Brothers of mankind ! 
May we, through redeeming love, 
Be the blest of God above ! 

Dep. Gr, Mast. — Doth not wisdom cry ; and under- 
standing put forth her voice ? 

She crieth at the gates ; at the entry of the city ; 
at the coming in at the doors. 

Unto you, O men, I call ; and my voice is to the 
sons of men. 

O ye simple, understand wisdom ; and ye fools, be 
ye of an understanding heart. 

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and 
the opening of my lips shall be right things. 

For my mouth shall speak truth ; and wickedness 
is an abomination to my lips. 

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness ; 
there is nothing fro ward or perverse in them. 

They are all plain to him who understandeth ; and 
right to them that find knowledge. 

Receive my instruction, and not silver ; and knowl- 
edge rather than choice gold. 

For wisdom is better than rubies ; and all the 
things that may be desired are not to be compared 
with it. 

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out 
knowledge of witty inventions. 

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and ar- 
rogance ; and the evil way and froward mouth do I 
hate. 

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I have un- 
derstanding ; I have strength, 



297 

Riches and honor are with me ; yea, durable 
riches and righteousness. 

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His 
way, before His works of old. 

I was set up from everlasting ; from the beginning; 
or ever the earth was. 

When he prepared the heavens, I was there ; when 
he seta compass upon the face of the deep. 

Then I was by him, as o*e brought up with him ; 
and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before 
him. 

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ; and 
my delights were with the sons of men. 

Now, therefore, hearken unto me, O ye children, 
for blessed are they that keep my ways. 

Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. 
Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily 
at my crates, waiting at the post of my doors. 

For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall ob- 
tain favor of the Lord. 

Gr. Mast. — To your appointed places, Brethren. 
[All resume stations] 

Brother Guard of the Tower, a[)proach the Orient. 
[He does so.] 

The safetj' of this Temple is henceforth confided to 
your care. I deliver you the key. Be especially 
cautious to admit none but Masons worthy of the 
name. And you, officers and members, who com- 
pose this Body, bear this in mind, that any brother 
presenting himself for admission, must be clad in the 
proper insignia ap[)ertaining to his highest IMasonic 
grade. All must observe the most strict decorum. 
The most scrupulous attention should be given to all 
the ceremonies; and profound silence must be ob- 
served. 

o* 



298 

The Presiding Officer should remember, that on 
him, to a very great extent, depends the welfare of 
his . His first care should be to banish any 

rudeness in either manners or language ; to call 
around him brothers of acknowledged ability, there- 
with to be enabled to conduct the work according to 
the requirements of our Ancient Rite. 

If a brother fail in his duty, and is guilty of a 
fault, reprimand him, not too harshly; but strive to 
lead him back to the path of rectitude. 

The true Freemason should lift his heart directly 
to the Master of all ; to that Infinite and Incompre- 
hensible Power, which, in his inmost heart, speaks 
for the good and just ; testifying to the feelings, em- 
bracing and subduing the spirit. 

Enlightened by Wisdom and Truth, the Mason 
diffuses the light like a man of wealth and judgment ; 
he bestows his treasures upon those who are really 
in need, and not upon the sche^mer, the flatterer or 
egotist 

True Masons respect all forms of worship; tolerate 
all opinions ; fraternize with all men ; are charitable 
to all unfortunates; self-sacrificing; thinking, speak- 
ing and acting well to others. 

The officers in this work should chiefly occupy 
themselves in demonstrating by their example and 
instruction, that the moral perfection of man is the 
chief aim of our institution. The practice of virtue 
hastens its advancement, and that science enlighten- 
ing the spirit, leads to that happiness to which di- 
vine wisdom destines us. The Mason nobly forgives 
offences and injuries. 

Brethren, you have inaugurated a Temple ; each 
of you contributing according to his means; the Rite 
will do ^QU justice ; your good iptentions are fully 



299 

appreciated. Forget not your duty to brothers less 
advanced ; give them the example of Masonic virtue 
and duty faithfully performed. To your equals in 
dignity, manifest all that traternity includes in its 
most extended sense. This task will be easy to those 
whose hearts are penetrated by the true principles of 
Masonry, as taught in the Ancient and Primitive 
Rite. 

Brethren, now give 3^our attention to the Mason- 
ic Decalogue. 

Dp. Gr. Rep. — Hate superstition ; adore God, who 
in creating thee a being, free, intelligent and capable 
of virtue, has made thee the arbiter of thine own des- 
tiny. 

Gr. Archivist or Secmtary. — Listen to the voice of 
reason, which cries to thee, all men are equal ; all 
are members of one family; be tolerant, just and 
good. 

QjYind Orator. — Let all thy actions be directed to 
utility and goodness; Judge of them beforehand; if 
any of thy meditated actions be of doubtful character, 
abstain from them. 

Grand Master of Ceremonies. — Practice virtue ; 
it is the charm of existence ; it consists in mutual 
benefits. 

Grand Prelate. — Now that thy felicity is insepara- 
ble from that of thy fellow-beings ; do to them as 
thou wouldst wish them to do urito thee; let thy 
devotion to humanity involve, if necessary, even the 
sacrifice of thy life. 

Grand Captain of Gu'xrd. — The moral law is uni- 
versal ; let its sacred text be graven on the hearts of 
men; whosoever transgresses it shall unfailingly be 
punished. 

Qrand Treasurer. — The just man, strong in his 



300 

approving conscience, is beyond the reach of misfor- 
tune and persecution ; his trust is in the justice of 
the Supreme Being. 

Deputy Grand Represemtative. — The wicked un- 
dergo punishment without ceasing; no "Lethean 
Waters " can extinguish the fires of remorse. 

Deputy Grand Master. — Forget not, thy soul is 
not material, and, therefore, cannot perish as does the 
body, which dissolves into its component elements ; 
beware of staining it with vice. 

Grand Guard of Tower. — Remember unceasingl}^ 
that thy felicity is of thy own creation, and that 
thy place is at the head of created beings. 

Grand Master. — And no'^, by virtue of the High 
Masonic dignity with which I am empowered, in 
the name of the Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
versity, and under the auspices of the Sovereign 
Sanctuary of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- 
phis, in and for the Continent of America, sitting in 
the Valley of America, I declare this Temple duly 
consecrated to the service of true and pure Free- 
masonry ; to Justice, Wisdom, Patriotism, Faith, 
Hope, Charity, Virtue, Truth, and Honor, and Uni- 
versal Benevolence. 

May the whole Fraternity be Benevolent, Toler-^ 
ant and Just. Bless our Works. Make the walls of 
this Sanctuary, Salvation ! and its Arch Praise ! 
May the brothers meet in Unity ! work in Love ! 
and part in Harmony ! May Fidelity guard the gate 
of our Sanctuary ; Faith promote our duties ; Hope 
inspire our labors; and Charit}^ diffuse the blessings 
of our Ancient Rite; may Virtue and Honor distin- 
guish the Brethren; and Masonry be honored 
throughqut the world. 



301 

Illusfcrious Brethren : join me in rejoicing on this 
happy occasion. 

[All give battery ! ! ! raise their hands, and say :] 

In the name of the Most Hiojh, prosperity to this 
Temple of Masonry. 

[All give battery ! ! ! — ! ! ! — ! ! ! raise their hands, saying]: 

To Th}^ honor we do this, Ahnighty Father; to 
Thee we commend the whole Masonic family ; bless 
them. O God ! 

Grand Master. — Let the chain of union be formed, 
and the grasp of Masonic faith encircle the Temple, 
from the august Orient to the columns in the West. 

[The chain is formed. R. H. over as in R. C. Chap.] 

Father of Nature ! God of Love ! Source of all 
Perfection! We, Thy children, assembled in this 
Temple (which we have consecrated to Thy Name, 
and the service of Sublime Masonry,) testify our 
boundless gratitude for the signal favors Thou hast 
lavished upon us ; continue to shed, we implore Thee, 
Merciful Father, over all Masons, the beneficence of 
Th}^ Divine Love ! Bless this Sanctuary, and the 
culture of that Mystic Science, which, in the end, 
willre-uuite all Thy children in Thy Glorious Sanc- 
tuary above. Amen 1 

All. — So mote it be. Glory to Thee, Oh Lord.&c. 



PUBLIC FUNERAL CEREMONIES. 
Geand Eulogist, (45°.) 

No Mason can be interred with the formalities of 
the Ancient and Priraitive Rite, unless he has re- 
ceived the Degree of Kt. Rose-Croix. 

The Chapter, Senate, or Council, of which the de- 
ceased was a member, must be opened in Ancient and 
Primitive form, and when in procession, shall be 
under the immediate charge of its Presiding Officer ; 
strict decorum must be observed, and none can leave 
the cortege without his consent. 

Order of Funeral Procession. 

The Symbolic Lodge to which the Deceased Brother Be- ' 

LONGED. (Sentinel, with Sword Revers-ed, 

Preceding the R C Chapter. 

S. K. W. J K. W. 

Banner of the 

Knights Rose-Croix. Chapter. Knights Rose Croix. 

Gd. of T. Chaplain. Capt. of Gd. 

Orator with Bible. 

arch. 

Treasurer. Conductor. M. W. Organist. Archivist. 

Marshal. 

Sentinel of Senate. 

S. K. L J K. J. 







Banner of the. 










Senate. 






Knights. 






Knights. 


G. 


of 


S. Arch. 

Orator witb Bible. 


C. 


of G. 


Recorder. 




SUB. G. COMMANDER. 




Treasurer. 



Marshal. 

Sentinel of Council. 

First Mystagogue. Second Mystagogue. 

Standard Bearer. 
G. OF Sanc. Archivist with Bible. Orator. 

Gr. Expert, Secretary. Treasurer. Swobd Bearer. 



303 

Sub. Dai. 

Pall Brarers. (The Corpse ) Pall Bearers. 

With the Insignia of his Highest Deg. 

The Family Mourners. 

If the deceased is a member of the 90th Degree, 
the two bodies, or tlie members thereof, walk in the 
rear of the Sublime Council. Should the Grand 
Master of Light, his Dep. Rep. or a Gr. Rep. or M. 
111. S. G. Master be present, they will immediately 
precede the body, supported by their Grand officers. 

[On arriving at the grave the Most Wise, or highest actual 
presiding officer, stands at the head, the Senior Knight at the 
foot, the Orator Prelate at the right, and the Junior Knight 
Warden at the left.] 

Orator or * Prelate says : " I am the resurrection 
and the life," saith the Lord ; " He that be- 
lieveth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live ; 
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never 
die." All say Amen. So mote it be, so mote it be. 

M. W. — Sir Knight Senior Warden, For what rea- 
son is this grave prepared ? 

R. S. W. — Respect for the dead. Because the 
body is the dwelling and sanctuary of the soul; 
because the Grand Architect of the Universe made 
man in his own image, and because our mortal mem- 
bers are the fit instruments of an immortal mind. 
The four sides of the grave are indicative of the 
virtues which should adorn the person of every sub- 
lime Mason, and which we thus explain : Reverence, 
Truth, Justice and Purity, and are opposed to the 
vices of the ruffians who would destroy Masonry, 
namely : Ignorance, Falsehood, Envy and Egotism. 
The Sprig of acacia or myrtle, is the vivifying life 
that pervades all nature, and the urn implies the in- 
tellectual treasure, or immortal soul the body of man 
contains. 



304 

M. W. — What now remains to be done ? 

R. S. W. — To deposit the remains of our lamented 
Brother in its final resting place. 

M. Tf.— Let it be done. 

[The body is now lowered by the Sir Knights into the grave.] 

M. W. — Sir Kaight Orator or Prelate, Let the 
eulogy be pronounced. 

Prelate or Orator. — Even as the acacia bends be- 
fore the tempest, and falls into the waters which 
murmur at its feet, so has fallen our beloved Sir 
Knight. Sorrow darkens our countenances, and our 
eyes are dimmed with tears, foi vve have lost a bright 
light ; the Masters are plunged in sorrow ; the crafts- 
men lament, and even among the prolane the voice 
of grief is heard ! is no more. 

All say. — No more ! no more ! ! no more ! ! ! 

Eternal and immutable Being, whose presence fills 
immensity. Thine omnipotence, operating throughout 
nature, brings about changes without number. But 
nothing is lost, nothing anninilated ; each atom re- 
mains and constitutes a part of the great whole. 
Thou hast created all men to be happy, and hast 
therefore bestowed upon them an intelligent mind, 
whose innate faculties are the evidence of its immor- 
tality, and, if well employed, capable of rendering 
them more and more perfect, and more fit to appreci- 
ate Thy greatness and enjoy Thy blessings. Thy 
infinite wisdom has so ordained nature that nothing 
in the universe can be lost, and our souls are not 
more subject to annihilation than our bodies, whose 
elements only suffer decomposition after death in 
ordec that they may re-assume their primitive con- 
dition. 

Thanks to Thee, Supreme Being, for the con- 
doling ideas that Thou hast given us respecting th^ 



305 

future existence of our souls, whereby Thou dost mit- 
igate the grief we feel in the presence of the dead. 

Ma}^ our Illustrious Brother who has been taken 
from us, rest in peace; and his soul rise in glorious 
immortality. Let nature assume her empire over his 
inanimate remains, and may his immortal soul enjoy 
the happiness which his virtues have deserved. 
Amen. 

All sai/. — So mote it be. 

M. W. — B]"ethren, sing. 

Ode. 

Brother, thou hast gone before us, 
To the sphere wheuce none return 

Still, fond memory shadows o'er us. 
Kind remembrance of thy form. 

As we mmgle with emotion. 

In our solemn, mystic rites, 
Thy freed spirit's calm devotion, 

Rises where pure love invites. 

When, on bended knee, each brother 

Lifts his soul to God above. 
Oft may memory's shadow hover, 

To refresh each soul with love. 

May his bright example aid us 

Mason's duty to fulfill; 
And when death in dust hath laid us. 

May Truth brightly guide us still. 

M. W. — Sir Knights and Brethren : to the will and 
by the action of the Eternal of all ages — past, pres- 
ent, and to come — do we owe our origin and being ; 
and when our earthly pilgrimage has ended, to that 
Parent source of all Creation must we return. 

We are but infants in His mighty hands — the 
clay which, by the master skill, is moulded into 
forms of beauty and delight, the blank scrolls on 
which may be engrossed the golden words of Wisdom 
or the senseless murmurings of the profane, 



306 

We are but the creatures of His will How then 
shall we presume to define, as with a line and rule, 
the extent of His power, His attributes of love, jus- 
tice, wrath or wisdom. 

We are but atoms in creation's plan, our world it- 
self a mere speck in the immense regions of bound- 
less space, and our very Universe but one among 
countless thousands. 

What we are now, so once was this poor frail em- 
blem of humanity — what he is now, shalt thou be ere 
many more years have sped their way into Eternity. 
Within this frame once beat a heart, as proud and 
joyous, or as humble as your own, and these limbs 
were endowed with the full strength of proud, ex- 
ultant manhood. 

From this now silent Brother once issued words of 
eloquence, love, devotion and friendship — and now, 
behold! Is this the end of all this beauty, glory, 
strength and intellect — this silent, lifeless form ? 

Believe it not, my brethren. Death is but the end 
of this earthly life; beyond its portal lies the land of 
immortality, where, fresh from the turmoils of this 
life, purified from all mortal passions, the enfran- 
chised spirit ascends to the mansions of the blest, 
and rejoices evermore in the glorious light which 
emanates from the throne of the Eternal. 

Shrink not, then, from these emblems of the grave, 
and death; what are they but the broken fragments 
of that mould in which the work of perfection has 
been cast and completed by the Great Artificer! 

Captain of Guard now says: I now deposit with 
our departed Brother this wreath of Cypress, the em- 
blem of Death and of Eternity. Attention, Sir 
Knights; draw swords. 

[All draw and extend them over the grave, with hats in left 
hand, as 90*^.] 



307 
Prayer. 

Omnipotent! Omniscient! and Omnipresent! God 
of Heaven and Earth, Thou hast been pleased to call 
from his earthly career the spirit ol our dear Brother, 
whose mortal part we now consign to the bosom of 
our common mother — Earth. Grant, we beseech 
Thee, that Thou, all Powerful, may receive it as pure 
and virtuous as it was first sent ^y Thee to pass its 
short probation upon earth. Pity and love those 
who are left behind. Look with benign mercy upon 
the widow and the orphans, who have to struggle 
with the toils, troubles and tribulations of this tran- 
sitory existence. 

Bless our Rite and all the iiuman family, and grant 
that in Thy name. Omnipotent Beiug ! we may 
arise, and may the remembrance of the sprig of 
acacia which was found on the temporary grave of 
him who was truly the most excellent of Masons, 
and who parted with his life sooner than betray his 
trust, ever stimulate his successors to imitate his 
glorious example, that virtue may enshrine our be- 
loved Rite, and exalt our intellectual parts ; and 
when Death, the grand leveler of all human great- 
ness, hath drawn his sable curtain around us, when 
the last arrow of our mortal enemy hath been dis- 
patched, and the bow of this mighty conqueror broken 
by the iron arm of time; when Thou declarest, oh 
Lord ! that time shall be no more, and when, by this 
victory, Thou hath subdued all things to Thyself, 
then, oh God ! may we receive the reward of our vir- 
tue by acquiring the possession of an immortal in- 
heritance in those heavenly mansions veiled from 
mortal eye, where every secret ot Masonry will be 
opened, never to be closed. Then, we pray Thee, 
S, A. 0. T. U. welcome us into Thy Celestial Sane- 



308 

tuary, where peace, knowledge, and the fullness of 
all that is good, eternally reigns, world without end ! 
Amen. 

Response. — So mote it be, 

M. W. — Death has inflicted a painful blow upon 
our family by taking away from us a Brother whom 
we loved. A secret emotion which I cannot repress, 
agitates me as I stand at the head of this open grave 
and think how he was so intimately associated with 
our work that it is with difl^iculty that I can per- 
suade myself that his spirit has gone to his Creator, 
and that his manly form is now returning to the dust 
from whence it came. 

I know the mournful duty that devolves upon me, 
as I mingle my sorrows with yours. 

Since the Sublime Architect of the World has 
called us into existence, it must, in the order of his 
plans, be a blessing, and since he has allotted to it a 
term, we cannot, without contradiction, pronounce 
this term an evil; I would not hesitate to affirm that 
the fear of death has been implanted in us as a con- 
servative instinct ; but it lessens as we advance in 
years, and as we feel the bitterness of time and of 
experience. 

Such is the language of reason, but the heart says 
more ; to suffer for our own or others is the lot of 
every well-constituted being whose heart is not steel- 
ed against natural affections and the sentiments of 
friendship. The common lesson of experience teaches 
us, that in life evil predominates over good. 

Think not, my brothers, that I wish to spread 
among you the gloomy doctrine which exaggerates 
the evil of existence and deprives us of the energy 
necessary for the fulfillment of its duties. Where- 
fore should I calumniate life in presence df the tomb 



309 

of a Brother who so nobly employed it ; why deny 
the existence of hap})iness when we have in memoiy 
the image of our Illustrious Brother, who to his latest 
day united it with wisdom, fortitude and probity. 
What I wish to prove or rather to recall is : that 
whatever the duration of our earthl}^ journey, it is 
unworthy of a true Mason to dread its inevitable end. 
Be he fortunate or otherwise, the man void of re- 
proach knows not the terrors of death ; the weak 
alone fear to contemplate their last abode ; the wicked 
only need fear to die. But though Death is no evil 
to the virtuous man, how fearful it is to those loving 
friends who lose the cherished objects of their affec- 
tions. Alas! amid the fugitive consolations which 
remain to us ; amidst our sorrows, like flowers in the 
desert, what treasure is more precious to us, more en- 
viable than those affectionate and tender sentiments 
which double our joys, and alleviate our grief. Who 
could support an existence deprived of this inexpress- 
ible charm. Immortality itself would seem worth- 
less at such a price — for is not friendship the sweet- 
est consolation, the brightest ornament, the loveliest 
flower of life ? 

Friendship! my brethren, in pronouncing its sa- 
cred name at the head of this open grave, I feel the 
chords ot my heart unloosened, the firmness which 
my duty demands seems about to leave me. 

A dark cloud covers my sight, and the universal 
gloom that surrounds me seems to have entered into 
the deepest recesses of my soul. Yes, dear and faith- 
ful friend whom we have lost, and who will never 
pass from our memory ; thy brothers cannot feel that 
thou art gone from among them forever ; everything 
reminds them of thee ; eveiy step we take in the 
Temple reminds us of thy footsteps, the very walls 



310 

speak to us of thee ; and this solemn moment, where, 
according to the Rite that was sacred in thine eyes, 
we are about to pronounce our last farewell, methinks 
thy honored shade rises from the tomb to gather the 
tribute of our tears, and to receive, amid the incense 
of flowers, the homage which Friendship renders to 
thy virtue. 

M. W. — Sir Knights Senior and Junior Warden.% 
Announce in your Valleys that we are about to burn 
sacred perfumes, and to cast flowers upon the grave 
of our brother. 

[First and Second Officers make above announcement. M. 
W. burns the perfume and says :] 

May the soul of our Illustrious Brother re-ascend 
toward the skies, 

[The M. W., followed by the Fh'st and Second Officers, pass 
around the grave three times, each time throwing flowers 
therein, and burning perfume.] 

Join me in forming the chain of union, [same as in 
R. C] Let us link closely this sacred chain, and let 
friendship console us for the only real sorrow which 
she can inflict upon virtuous hearts. 

[They form chain. Afterwards all take their places, and the 
M. W. extending his hand over the grave, says, with motion of 
casting into the grave :] 

Brother, adieu forever. 

S, Kt. W. — Brother, adieu forever. 

J. Kt. W. — Brother, adieu forever, 

M. W. — We shall follow in the course ordained by 
nature, and may we one day be mourned as thou art. 

[A punch bowl of colored water is brought to the M. W. 
M. W. dips his hand in the Lustral Water and sprinkles the 
grave ] 

You have just heard the last honors to an Illustri- 
ous Brother, whose memory will never perish in our 
hearts, and you have satisfed at once a debt of friend- 
ship and of gratitude ; but you will stray from the 



311 

spirit of aQ order and from the object of Masonry, if 
grief drives from your heai't one of the most consol- 
ing truths that can awaken our meditations. Sorrow 
lias its allusions, as have all the sentiments of the 
human heart ; when we meet beside the remains of 
those who were dear, we grieve in fact but for our- 
selves, for they whom we loved are only relieved by 
death from the evils that are inseparable to human 
life ; and when they have fulfilled their earthly 
duties, they enjoy in the bosom of eternal rest, the 
price which Divine Justice awards to virtue. 

If this truth be applicable to all men, how cor- 
dially we should welcome it in our Temples. 

The true Mason, who pays his ultimate tribute to 
Nature, accomplishes the great and last ordeal of his 
initiation, and the darkness of the tomb has no terror 
to him and is only a change to the mansion of eternal 
light and everlasting peace. 

Illustrious Officers and Brothers, unite with us in 
the most solemn acclamations in celebration of the 
triumph of virtue, which has been gained by the 
Illustrious Brother. 

[The Brethren give the battery ! ! ! — ! ! ! — ! ! ! Raise hands 
! ! ! Battery !!!—!!!—!!! Raise hands ! ! !] 

Sublime Architect of the Universe : Father of 
Nature : Eternal source of all perfection and of all 
virtue. 

We, Thy servants, are here assembled to pay the 
last tribute of respect to a departed Brother. May 
this solemn occasion teach us the importance of being 
ever watchful,for we know not when the silent mes- 
senger may come. And when we are called, may it 
find us prepared to enter Thy everlasting Chapter, 
where sin and death are unknown, and where we may 
meet those who have gone before, and with them 



312 

enjoy that eternal rest Thou hast promised to all thy 
children. Amen. 

[After tlie CeremoDy the procession returns to the Asylum in 
reverse order.] 



QUARREL BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND 
SOUTHERN JURISDICTION. 



As there has always been a desire oa the })art of 
Masons, especially Scotch Rite, or A. & A. Masons, 
to know how the quarrel between the Northern and 
Southern Jurisdictions originated, I append here a 
copy of the Real and Fraudulent Charter or Commis- 
sion of Representation, which was handed me during 
the struoorle of 18G-lr to 1866.— Author. 



314 

To the Masons of the A. (^ A. Rite : 

I offer the following reason for my repudiation of 
the Sup.'. Council of the U. S. of America, etc., etc 
Late of N.'. Jurisdiction, late Sup.'. Council of the 
State of New York, late of (again) the N.'. Jurisdic- 
tion. 

HARRY J. SEYMOUR, 

Gi\ Master Oen, of the A. and P. '. Bite of Memphis. 
Member of the Sup.-. Council of the 33^ of the 
Gr. Orient of Italy. 

Gkand Okient de Feance. — [No. 1. 

No 11 206 1 SUPREME CONSEIL POUR LA FRANCE 
^* ' I ET LES POSSESSIONS FRANCAISES, 

CorrespondanceJ q, ^^ p^^j^^ ^^ 3 geptembre, 1862. [E. V.) 

Cabinet 

du 

Grand Maitre 



tSeal of the"! 
G.-. Orient. J 

A nil.', et T:. C.\ F. '. H. J. Seymour, Souv.-. 
Grand Lisp:. General; Grand Maitre des 
Ceremonies au 8up.\ Conseil de I Etat de New 
York, (33^ du Rite Ecos:. A.', et A:) 



Addresse 

au 

Grand Orient 

de France, 

Rue Cadet, 16, 

Paris. 

III-. F.-. 

Nous avons la faveur de repondre a la Communication que 
vous nous avez adressee dans le but d'ttablir des relations fra- 
ternelles entre le Sup.-. Conseil des.-. G.*. G. '. Insp.-. Generaux, 
33 Degre du Rite Ecossais, ancien et accepte. . scant a New 
York, et le Grand Orient de France, ?up.-. Conseil pour la 
France et les possessions Francaises scant a Paris. 

C'est avec une vive satisfaction, 111 •. et T.*. C*. F.-. que nous 
verrions s'etablir des liens etroits entre ces deux puissances Ma- 
conniques, par la nomination de Mutuale Garants d'Amitie. 

Nous acceptons apres examen des pouvoirs que vous nous 
avez montres a cet effet, d'etre le Representant du Supreme ( on- 
seil de FEtat de New York, pres du Grand Orient de France, et 
nous proposons comme representant du Grand Orient de France 



315 

pres le dit Sup.-. Conseil rill.'. F.*. J. Crane, Grand Maitre de 
la Grande Loge du Rite de York. 

Ces designations Provisoires acceptees par nous en principe, 
seront soumises a la ratification du Sup.' Conseil de I'Etat de 
New York; elles deviendront definitives des que I'agrement 
de cette puissance nous sera parvenu, et elles seront ensuite 
ofliciellment notifices a qui de Droit. 

Nous reposons avec confiance. 111.', et T.*. C.'. F. . sur 
vos soins et diligences pour la prompte realisation de ces projets 
qui ne peuvent qu'ajouter a k gloire, etalaprosperitede I'Ordre 
en General 

Agreez 111.- et T.'. C F I'assurance de notre haute et af- 
fectueuse consideration. 

Le Giaud Maitre adjoint de I'Ordre Macounique en France. 

HEUILLANT. 

Va et approve le Marechal de France Grand Maitre De 
I'Ordre Maconnique en France. 

MAGNAN. 



No. 11 206, 
of Correspondence 

Oflace of the 
Grand Master 



True Translation. — [No. 2.] 

1 GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE, 
SUPREME COUNCIL FOR FRANCE 
AND THE FRENCH POSSESSIONS. 

Orient of Paris, Sept. 3, 1862. 



Address of the 

Grand Orient 

Rue Cadet, 

16, Paris 



III.'. Bro.*. 



To the 111.-, and Most Dear Brother H J. 
Seymour, Sov.' Grand Ins.\ Oen .; 
Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Sup. '. 
Council of the State of New York, (33.-. 
Deg •. A.- and A.\ Scottish Rite.) 



We have the favor to respond to the Communication which 
you have addressed to us, with the view of establishing Frater- 
nal rela ions between the Sup. '. Council of Grand Inspectors 
General, 33d Degree, A.', and A •. Scottish Rite, sitting at New 
York, and the Grand Orient of France, Sup • Council for 
France and the French Possessions, sitting at Paris, It is with 
great satisfaction, 111. . and most dear Brother, that we would 
see established, strict bonds between these two Masonic Powers 
by the nomination of mutual guarantees of friendship 



8ie 

We accept, after the examination of tlie Powers you have 
shown us, to this eifect of being the Representative of the Su- 
preme Council, of the State of JSew York, and we propose, as 
Represec'tative of the Grand Orient of France, to the said 
Sup.-. Council, the 111*. Brother J. Crane, Grand Master of 
the Grand Lodge of the York Rite. 

These Provincial designations accepted by us in the begin- 
ning, shall be subject to the ratification of the Sup. •. Council of 
the State of Neic York, they shall become definitive when the 
agreement of that Power shall have Teached us, and shall be 
oflicially notified to whom it may concern 

We trust, with confidence, 111,*: and most dear Brother, to 
your care and diligence for the prompt realization of these pro- 
jects, which cannot fail to add to the glory and prosperity of the 
Order in general. 

Accept, 111. . and dear Brother, the assurance of our high 
and affectionate consideration. 

(Signatures.) The Grand Master adjoint of the 

Order in France, 

HEUILLA.NT. 
Seen and approved by us — 

THE MARSHAL OF FRANCE. 
Grand Master of the Order in France, 
MAGNAN. 



Fraudulent Translation. 

By the Sub. •. Council, formerly presided over by H. C At- 
wood, Edmund B. Hays, and at present by Simon W. Rob- 
inson. 

GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE. 



Copy No. 11,206, 
of Correspondence. 



SUPREVIE COUNCIL FOR FRANCE 
AND ITS POSSESSIONS 



Qrfni Master. ^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^''^''^' September 3d, 1862, V. E 



Address of the Gr. 

Orient Rue 

Cadet, No. 16. 



To the III. \ and Most Dear Brother H J 
Seymour, Sov. . Or •. Ins • Gen. ' ; 
Grand Master of Ceremonies of the iSvb . 
Council of the Umted States, 33 Beg. •. 
Anc. ■, and Ace '. Scottish Rite — Sitting 
J in the Valley of New York. 
III.*, Bro. . : 

We have the favor to answer the Communication which you 
have addressed to us, with the view of establishing fraternal re- 



317 

lations between llie Supreme Coimcil of Sovereign Grand In- 
spectors General, 33d Degree U. S A., sitting in the Valley of 
New York and the Grand Orient of France, Supreme Council 
of France, and the French Possessions sitting at Paris. 

It is with the greatest satisfaction, Illustrious and most dear 
Brother, that we would see strict bonds established between 
these two Masonic Powers, by the nomination of Mutual Guar- 
antees of Friendship. 

We accept after the examination of Powers which you have 
shown us, to this effect, of being the Representative of the Su- 
preme Council U. S. A., to the Grand Orient of France, and we 
propose, as Representative of the Grand Orient of France to 
the said Supreme Council the 111.-. Bro. • John J. Crane, M. 
W Grand' Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New 
York. 

These Provincial Designations accepted by us, in the begin- 
ning, shall be subject to the ratification of the Supreme Council 
U. S A\ they shall have become definitive when the agreement 
of that Power shall have reached us, and they shall then be 
oflliciall}^ notified to whom it may concern. 

We trust, with confiden e 111 •. and most dear Brother, to 
your care and diligence for the prompt realization of these 
projects, which cannot fail to add to the glory and prosperity of 
the Order in general. 

Accept, 111. •. and dear Brother, the assurance of our high and 
affectionate consideration. 

Le Grand Master adjoint of the Masonic 
Order in France, 

HEUILLA.NT. 

Examined and approved by us — 

THE MARSHAL OF FRANCE. 

Grand Master of the Masonic Order in 
France, 

MAGNAN. 



I certify that the Document. No. 1, is a true Copy of th« 
Original, now in my possession ; which, with other letters and 
acknowledgments, are open for the inspection of any Masons 
interested . 

HARRY J. SEYMOUR. 

153 Canal Street, Neic Torlc. 



ROSE-CROIX CIliPTKR ODES. 



The following Odes are used during the conferring 
of Degrees in a Kose-Croix Chapter: 

Opening Ode. 

Air, Hebron, L. M. 

Almighty God, whose Sovereign power, 
Sustains thy creatures every hour; 
We would invoke thy presence here, 
To guide our thoughts, our hearts to cheer. 

Bless thou our solemn myst'ries here, 
And fill each heart with holy fear. 
Lead us aright to learn thy will. 
And ev'ry duty to fulfill. 



Closing Ode, No. 1. 

Air, Home, Sweet Home. 

Again round our Altar assembled we join. 
In singing a parting song ere we resign, 
The pleasures of social enjoyment and peace. 
Where love unrestrained bids all discords cease. 

Home, home, sweet, sweet home. 

May ev'ry dear brother find peace at his home 

Fond mem'ry will aid us, though absence is pain, 
Until we assemble in c )nclave again; 
For link'd in a chain, and a bond that's divine. 
We each with the other, kind efforts combine. 

Home, home, sweet, sweet home, 

May ev'ry dear brother find peace at his home. 



Discreet Master's Ode, No. 1. 

Air. Sicily. 

Brother, thou hast gone before us. 
To the sphere where none returp ; 



319 

Still fond niem'ry shadows o'er us, 
Kind remcmbraDce of thy form 

As we mingle, with emotion, 
In our solemn mystic rites, 

Thy freed spirit's calm devotion, 
Rises where pure love invites. 

When on bended knee, each brother 
Lifts his soul to God above ; 

Oft may mem'ry's shadow hover, 
To refresh our souls with love. 



DiscKEET Master's Ode, No. 2. 

Air, Wilmot. 

Brother, thou hast gone before, 

To a peaceful state of rest, 
Where no pangs of sorrow roll. 

O'er thy calm and tranquil breast. 

Hope inspires our anxious minds. 
That thy change is one of gain ; 

And we trust thy form to meet. 
Freed from care, from grief and pain. 



Sublime Master's Ode, No. 1. 

Air, Sicily. 

Guided by the light eternal. 

In our hearts with truth enshrined; 
Bright the vii tues, ever vernal. 

Which adorned great Hiram's mind. 

May his bright example aid us, 

Every duty to fulfill. 
And when death in dust has laid us, 

May truth brightly guide us still. 



Sublime Masters, No. 2. 

Air, Old Hundred, L. M. 

Unto the solemn, silent tomb, 
We've borne our brother's cold remains ; 



320 

To rest 'mid solitude and gloom, 

Where darkness deep in grandeur reigns. 

His spirit pure has gone where light, 
In bright effulgence meets his view ; 

Amid the holy seraphs bright, 
Where living scenes are ever new. 



Closing Ode, No. 2. 

Air, lion. 

In peace our labors closing. 

Ere, brothers, we depart, 
Your voices raise in singing. 

One song before we part. 
One song of joyous gladness, 

To him who rules our days. 
And soothes our ev'ry sadness. 

By love's congenial rays. 



Sacred Arch Ode, No. 1. 

Air, Sakara. 

Almighty Father, heavenly King. 

Before thy sacred name we bend, 
Accept the praises which we sing, 
And to our humble prayer attend. 
All hail, great Architect divine, 
This universal frame is thine. 

On thy Omnipotence we rest. 

Secure of thy protection here, 
And hope hereafter to be blest. 
When we have left this world of care; 
All hail groat Architect divine. 
This universal frame is thine. 

Grant us great God, thy powerful aid, 
To guide thr ugh this vale of tears ; 
For when thy goodness is displayed, 
Peace soothes the mind and pleasures cease. 
All hail great Architect divine, 
Thiis uijiversal frame is thine. 



321 

Sacred Arch. Exultation Ode. 

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, 

The sacred word is found, 
Tho' long concealed in secret arch, 

Beneath the sacred mound. 
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, 

The sacred word is found. 
Exult with heart and voice. 

Let praise and joy abound. 



Knights of Jerusalem. Ode No. 1 

Go forth to the mount, bring the olive branch home. 
And rejoice for the day of our freedom is come; 
Brings- myrtle and palm, bring the bough of each tree, 
That is worthy to wave o'er the tents of the free. 
From that time when the moon upon Ajalon's vale, 
Looking motionless down, saw the kings of the earth, 
In the presence of God's mighty champion grow pale. 
Oh never had Judah an hour of such mirth. 
From that day when the footsteps of Israel shone, 
With a light not their own, thro' the Jordan's deep tide, 
And whose waters shrink back as the Ark glided on, 
Oh, never had Judah an hour of such pride. 



R. C. Ode No. 1. 

Air, Bounding Billows. 

Darkest shades of night dispelling, 
Light effulgent fills the mind ; 

Holy love withm us dwelling. 
Boundless love for all mankind. 



R. C. Ode No. 2. Faith. 

Air, Romberg. L. M. 

By Faith our souls are onward led, 
By it a steady course we steer; 

By Faith our drooping souls are fed. 
Renewed and strengthened by its cheer. 



322 

By Faith we pass this vale of tears. 
Safe and secure, tho igh oft distregs'd. 

By Faith disarmed of all our fears, 
We go rejoicing to our rest 



K C. Ode No. 3. Hope. (L. M.) 

Sweet Hope, thy peaceful influence lend, 
No more to grieve for sorrows past; 

In all our thoughts, thy influence lend, 
That we may safe arrive at last 

Lord, upon thee our hopes we stay, 

To lead us on to thy abode; 
Assured thy love will far o'erpay, 

Our hardest toil upoQ the road. 



R. C. Ode No. 4. Charity. (L. M.) 

Sweet Balm of peace, thy fervid glow. 
Within our hearts a sacred spark. 

Makes us to feel another's woe. 
Revives the soul, when all is dark. 

To thee we turn, our sorrowmg need. 
Imploring thy bright influence here; 

When sorrows lower, we humbly plead, 
That thou wilt guide and banish fear. 



Knights of the Sword. Ode No. 1. 

Air, Adeste Fideles. 

Our voices united, 

Our solemn vows plighted, 
In union our hearts with true love are enshrined ; 

Rich is the treasure. 

Yielding us pleasure ; 
In purpose united, true pleasure we find. 

Around and above us, 

Are spirits who love us, 
Whose aim is to guard and to guide by a nod ; 

Potent their power, 

O'er us they lower. 
In love's silken bondage, to drive us to God. 



323 

Amid each commotion, 

On life's troubled ocean, 
Our souls towards perfection and purity sped. 

Goodness and mercy, 

Shun controversy, 
And here to secure it, we onward are led. 



Knights of Sacred Vault. Ode No. 1. 

Fallen is thy throne, oh Israel, 

Silence is o'er thy plains, 
Thy dwellings all lie desolate, 

Thy children weep in chains 
Where are the dews that fed thee, 

On Etham's barren shore, 
That lire from heaven that led thee, 

Now lights thy path no more. 

Lord, thou didst love Jerusalem, 

Once she was all thine own; 
Her love thy fairest heritage, 

Her power thy glory's throne: 
Till evil came and blighted, 

Thy long lov'd Olive tree; 
And Salem's shrines were lighted 

For other gods than thee 



Knights of the Orient. Ode No. 1. 

Come not, O Lord, in the dread robe of splendor, 
Thou wor'st on the Mount m the day of thine ire; 

Come veil'd in those shadows, deep, awful, but tender, 
Which mercy flings over thy features of Are. 

Oh, Lord tho i reraemberest the night when the nation. 
Stood fronting her foe by the red rolling stream ; 

On Egypt thy pillar frown'd dark de olation, 
While Israel bask'd all night in its beam. 

And so when the dread clouds of anger en old thee, 
From us, in thy mercy, the dark side remove ; 

While shrouded in terrors the guilty behold thee, 
Qh^ turn upon us the mild light of thy love. 



FORMS OF PETITIONS, &C. 



[Form ISo. 1. — Official Letter for Archivist. The Seal should al- 
ways be affixed to all Official Masonic Correspondence ] 

DIXIT DEUS, ESTO LUX! 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
verse: 

Egyptian Bite of Memphis in and for the Continent of America. 
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. 
Masonic office of 90*^ Archivist of 

Rose Croix Chapter No. . . sitting in the valley of 

State of 

Illustrious Brother and Dear Sir : 



[Form No. 2 — Petition for Member ship. '\ 

The undersigned being a Master Mason, in good standing, 
and having an exalted opinion of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis, does hereby declare upon his honor, as a Mason, 
that he has no selfish or sinister motives in making this appli- 
cation to be admitted into Rose- Croix Chapter, No , sit 

ting in the valley of of the State of 

He further stages that he is now a member of 

Lodge No ....of the S^ate of and has taken 

Degrees in Misonry, and will, if elected in 

said Rose-Croix Chapter, conduct himself as a worthy 
Mason should do, and ob3y all ttie Laws, Rules and Edicts of 

the Order, and the By-Laws of so far as the 

same shall come to his knowledge. 

Re'ers to Signed, 

Vouched for by 

This day of A. L. 587 

Received, filed and referred to a comnaittee consisting of 

Sir Knights 90^ 90^ 90°, 

who were ordered to report at the next regular meeting. 

QC, Archivist. 

Dated 187.. 



325 

The committee to whom the foregoing application and 
petition was referred, would respectfully report that they have 
carefully inquired into the character and Masonic standing of 

Bro , before named, and find him a worthy 

Mason, and hereby and hereon report .favorable, 

and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the 
subject. 

90^) 

90°, V Committee. 

90'', ) 

This.. day of A. D. 187.. 



[Form No. 3. — Summons.'] 

DIXIT DEUS, ESTO LUX ! 

To THE Glory op the Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
verse : 

Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis in and for the Continent 

of America. 
" Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.'' 

Masonic Oflice of Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Grand Master for 
the Continent of America 

Postoffice address, lock box 220, Jackson, Mich. 
Illustrious Brother and Dear Sir : 

Whereas, At the Annual Meeting of the Sov. *. Sane*, 
for the Continent of America, held in Jackson, on the 27th 
day of June, A. D. 1871, a resolution was adopted to authorize 
the Grand Master to convene the Grand Body hereafter at such 
place a?, in his discretion and in force of circumstances, 
should direct; and 

Whereas, By an amendment of Article 4, Section 10, of 
the Constitution of this Or.ler, passed at the Annual Meeting 
of the S)V.\ Sinctuary, June, 1871, it was directed that the 
meetings of this B )dy should be thereafter held quadrieanially, 
the first of which should be held on the third Monday in June, 
1874; 

Therefore, Be it known, that I, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, 
Grand Master, by virtue of the power and authority in me 
vested, do hereby order and direct that the said quadriennial 
meeting of the Sov.v Sinctuary for the Continent of America, 

be held at in the city on 

the day of .next, at o'clock, for the purpose of 

choosing officers for the ensuing term, and the transaction of 



326 

such other business as may lawfully come before the said 
Body. Hereof fail not, under penalty of a violation of your 
obligation . 

Done in our Sanctuary, where abide Peace, Tolerance, 

Truth, and the fullness of all that is good, this day of the 

Egyptian month. answering to the. . . .day of the month 

of A. L. 587.. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Chapter, at the Valley 

of this day of Vulgar, or Christian Era, 

187.. 

[L. 8.] 96°, M.-. W.-. 

95°, Secretary ^ or Archivist. 

To the of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis 

for the Continent of America, and the Most Wise 

96°. 

Being, by force of circumstances, unable to meet with the 

Bodv in A. D. 187. . according to the command of the 

above summons, I therefore authorize and empower 

Illustrious Brother 9°, 

To represent me as an Officer and Member of the 

in said meeting, and to do every act and thing agreeable to the 
Constitution and Laws of the said Body, and the craft, as fully 
and completely as I myself could do if personally present. 

Given under my hand, at . .in the State of 

this dayof A.D.187.. 

95°. 



[Form No. 4. — Form of Reeordfor a Rose- Croix Chapter.^ 

State of County of 

Valley of . 

At a Communication of 

Roae-Croix No.... , sitting within the Valley aforesaid, 

this day of answering to the Egyptian 

Month , year of True Light 000,000,000, E.-. V. *. 

18 , held at our Asylum, there were present: 

Respectable Sir Knight 95°, M. •. W. •. 

Respectable Sir Knight 95"^, Senior Warden. 

Respectable Sir Knight 95°, Junior Warden. 

Together with Sir Knights 90°, Treasurer; 

90°, Secretary; 90°, Orator; 

90°, Prelate; 90°, Conductor; 

90°, Captain of the Guard ; , 

90«. Guard of the Tower ; 90°, Sentinel. 



327 

With Sir Knights 90*» 90«, 90^ 

Members of this Chapter and Sir Knights 9 ^ 9. . . . *^, 

Visiting Brethren. (If any of the chairs are filled by substitutes, 
let this so appear on the minutes.) 

The Chapter was opened in due form by the M.'. W. ". and 
Brethren. 

The minutes of the last Conclave were read for information 
and corrected by Sir Knight for 

The regular order of business was then taken up. (Here let a 
full record of everything of a public nature be entered ) The 
Chapter was about to close, when the fraternal box was passed 

and the sum of paid over to the Archivist. 

Receipts dollars; Disbursements, 

dollars. 

There being no further business, the Chapter was closed in 
due and usual form, in peace and harmony. 

95^ M W. 

(Attest :) . . . .Archivist. 

[N. B — This form may be used for the record of all working 
bodies in this Rite according to the facts. ] 



[Form No 5, Senate Petition ] 

To the Grand Master Calvin C. Burt, g6° , and to the Sublivie Patri- 
archs composing the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian Ma- 
sonic Rite of Memphis, for the Continent of America, sttting in 
the Valley oj America. 

The Petition of the Undersigned Respectfully Showeth : 

That your petitioners, having the most exalted opinion of 
the exercise of Benevolence, the study of the Sciences, of 
Philosophy, of Virtue, and Theosophy as taught by the Ma- 
sonic Degrees of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis; and, 
that they are Masons in good standing, having the propagation 
of the Order, and the general good of humanity at heart, which 
can be better consummated by having a legularly constituted 
Senate in the vicinity of their immediate residences The pe- 
titioners are therefore anxious to commence and carry on their 
Masonic labors under the sanction of a Senate ( barter rom the 
Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian Masonic Hite of Memphis 
for America, sitting in the Valley of Amer ca and of the Mys 
tic Temple — ^'overeign Grand Council General — Princes of 

Memphis, 90th Degree, for the State of by 

^he name and title of . . Senate of Hermetiq 



328 

Philosophers, No in the Valley of 

And your petitioners propose the following to be the first 
officers of said. Senate, viz : 

Brother. to be M. •. W. '. Sublime Grand Commander. 

" to be Senior Knight Interpreter. 

" to be Junior Knight Interpreter. 

^' to be Knight Recorder. 

" to be Knight of Finance. 

" to be Knight Archivist. 

" to be Knight Orator. 

" to be Knight Marshal. 

" to be Knight of Introduction. 

" to be Knight Accompanier. 

" to be Knight Captain of the Guard. 

" to be Knigbt Standard Bearer. 

" .... to be Knight Sword Bearer. 

' ' to be Knight Guardian of Sanctuary. 

" to be Knight Sentinel. 

May it, therefore, please the officers of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary, and of the Mystic Temple, to grant our petition, and 
constitute your petitioners into a regular Senate, and we will 
obey all the Statutes, Rules, Regulations, Edicts and (Constitu- 
tions of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis sitting in the 
Valley of America, to which we pledge our honor and truth as 
true Free Masons. 

Name | No. of Degrees taken. | Residence. | Lodge. 



[Form No. 6, Chapter Petition.] 

To the Grand Master Calvin C. Burt, g6^, and to the Sublime Pa- 
triarchs composing the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian Ma- 
sonic Rite op Memphis, for the Continent of America, sitting in the 
Valley of America, 

The Petition of the Undersigned respectfully showeth: 

That your peti'ioners, having the most exalted opinion of 
the exercise of Benevolence, the study of the Sciences, of Phi- 
losophy, of Virtue, and Theosophy, as taught by the Masonic 
Degrees of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis; and, that 
they are Masons in good standing, having the propagation of 
the Order, and the general good of humanity at heart, which 
can be the better consummated by having a regularly constituted 
Chapter in the vicinity of their immedig,te residences, The pe- 



329 

titioners are therefore anxious to commence and carry on tlicii 
Masonic labors under the sanction of a charter for a Chapter 
from the Sovereign Sainctuary of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis for America, sitting in tlie Valley of America, and of 
the Mystic Temple— Sovereign Grand Council General — Princes 

of Memphis, 90th Degree, for the State of by the 

name and title of Chapter of Rose-Croix, No 

in the Valley of 

And your petitioners propose the following to be the first offi- 
cers of said Chapter, viz : 

Brother to be first Most Wise. 

" to be first Sen. Warden. 

" . . to be first Jun. Warden. 

to be first Orator 

" to be first Conductor. 

" . . . .• to be first Tre surer. 

" to be first Archivist or Secretary. 

to be first Captain of the Guard. 

" to be first Guard of the Tower. 

" to be first Organist. 

" to be first Sentinel. 

May it, therefore, please the officers of the Sovereign Sane 
tuary, and of the Mystic Temple, to grant our petition, and con- 
stitute your petitioners into a regular chapter, and Ave will obey 
all the S atutes, Rules Regulations, Edicts and Constitutions of 
the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis sitting in the Valley of 
America — to which we pledge our honor and truth as Freema- 
sons. 

Name. | No. of Degrees taken. | Residence | Lodge. 

[PoRM No 7 ] 

To all Masons ThrougJiout the Globe, Greeting: 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Arcbitect of the Uni- 
verse. 

" Whatsoever ye would that men should do tJ you, do ye even so to them." 

Ill the name and under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
of tM Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, in and for 
tlie Continent of America. 

Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 

To all Masons on the face of the Globe : Union, Prosperity ^ 
Friendship, Fraternity : 



330 

Know ye, that we, the Most Wise, Senior Warden, 
Junior Warden, officers and brethren of Rose-Croix Chap- 
ter No sitting in the Valley of in the 

county of ..and State of 

do hereby certify that our Worthy and Illustrious Broth- 
er and Sir Knight whose name is written 

on the margin hereof, is a of the 

degree in good standing, who, at his own request and by 
consent of this Chapter, has this day dimitted therefrom 
and paid all dues and demands against him to this date, 
and we cordially recommend him to all good, courteous and 
sJ valiant Sir Knights Perfect Pontiffs and Masons generally, 
"S wherever dispersed, to render him such aid, Masonic 
^ Fellowship and assistance as he may require in accord- 
ance with the law and spirit of our beloved Masonic Rite 
;^ and Institution. 

In testimony whereof, we have granted him this certificate, 
done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 

and the fullaess of all that is good, this day of 

the Egyptian Month answering to the 

day of the month of A. L. 587 , Vulgar 

Era 187 

By the MOST WISE. 

Witness our hand and the seal of our Chapter, at the Valley of 

[l, S.J this day of Vulgar, or 

Cbristian Era, 186 

95^ MOST WISE. 

90*^, Archivist. 

[N. B.— This form of dimit will answer for all the Chapters 

or Senates.] 

[Form No. 8. — Dispensation for Chapters and Senates.] 
To all Masons throughout the Globe, Greeting : 

To the Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
verse. 

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." 

In the name and under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary ^ 
of the Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, in and for 
the Continent of America. 

Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 

To all Masons on the face of the Globe : Union, Prosperity, 
Friendship, Fraternity. 
Know ye, that we, the Grand Master of the Ancient Egyp- 



331 

tian Masonic Rite of Memphis, in and for the Continent of 
America, having received a petition from a constitutional num- 
ber of Masons, in Ancient Form, stating that tbey have the 
interests of our beloved Rite at heart, and that they desire to 
propagate and extend its Sublime Teachings, by forming a 

in the Valley of State of 

under our jurisdiction, by the distinctive 

name and title of , No , sitting in 

the Valley of State of : 

Now therefore, we, believing tbat these are good reasons for 
granting the prayer of the said petitioners, do by virtue of the 
powers in us vested, issue this our dispensation, empowering — 

Our 111.-. Brother to act as ; 

Our 111. •. Brother. to act as ; 

Our 111.-. Brother to act as ; 

And Our 111. '. Brother to act as ; 

of a to be holden in th ■ Valley of ...... . ... 

State of by the name and title of 

No ; and we furthermore do authorize the 

said 111.", brethren to confer the several degrees of a 

according to the Constitutions, Ordinances and General Rules 
of the Sov.*. Sanctuary, 95th D. *., and in no other manner. 
And this, our Dispensation, shall continue of force until the 
Sov. •. Sanctuary shall issue a Constitution for the same, or 
until this Dispensation be revoked by up. 

In testimony whereof, we have granted this Dispensation, 
done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 

and the fullness of all that is good, this day of the 

Egyptian Month answering to the 

day of the month of A L. 587 , Vulgar Era 187... 

By the GRAND MASTER. 

Witness our hand and the seal of the Sovereign Sanctuary, at 

[l. s.] the Valley of America this day of 

Vulgar, or Christian Era, 187 

CALVIN C. BURT, 
Orand Master ad Vitem 96*^, B- M'.R.'.of Memphis. 
Grand Secretary, 95^. 



[Form No. 9, Petition for Council ] 

To Calvin C. Burt g6^. Grand Master ad Vitem, and to the Sublime 
Patiiarchs composing the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Egyptian 



332 

M&,sonic Rite of Memphis, for the Continent of America, sitting in 
the Valley of America. 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. 

The Petition of the Undersigned Respectfully Shozveth : 

That your Petitioners, having the most exalted opinion of the 
exercise of Benevolence, the study of the Sciences, of Philoso- 
phy, of Virtue, and Theosophy, as taught by the Masonic De 
grees of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis ; and that they 
are Masons in good standing having the propagation of the Or- 
der, and the general good of humanity at heart which can be 
the better consummated by having a regularly constituted Sov- 
ereign Grand Council General, Princes of Memphis, 94th Degree, 
in the State where they reside. The petitioners are, therefore 
anxious to commence and carry on their Masonic labors under 
the sanction of a charter from the Sovereign Sanctuary of the 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis for America, sittmg in the 
Valley of America, by forming the Sovereign Grand Council 
General, Princes of Memphis, 90th Degree, for the State of 

by the nann e and title of 

Sovereign Grand Council General, Princes of Memphis, 94th 
Degree, in the Valley of 

And your petitioners propose the following to be the first Offi 
cers of said Sovereign Grand Council General, Princes of Mem- 
phis, 94th Degree, viz: 

Brother to be first Sublime Dai, (Gr. Mas. of Light.) 

" to be first 1st Mystagog. 

" to be first 2d Mystagog. 

" to be first Orator. 

" to be first Treasurer. 

" to be first Secretary. 

" to be first Archivist. 

" to be first Grand Expert. 

" to be first Organist. 

" to be first Messenger of Science. 

" to be first Accompanier 

" to be first Standard Bearer 

" to be first Sword Fearer. 

" to be first Guardian Sanctuary. 

••' to be first Sentinel. 

May it, therefore, please the Officers of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary to grant our petition, and constitute your petitioners into 
a regular Sovereig^ Grand Council General, Princes of Mem- 



383 

phis. 90°, and we will obey all the Statutes, Rules, Regulations. 
Edicts, and Constitutions of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- 
phis, sitting in the Valley of America, to which we pledge our 
honor and truth as Freemasons. 



I No. of Degrees Taken. I 
Residence. | Lodge. | No. Blue Lodge 
York Bite. | Scotch Rite. | M.'ui Kite. | 



[Form No. 10.] 
To all Masons Throughout the Olobe, Oreetiiig : 
To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect of the 
Universe : 

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," 
In the name and under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 
of the Ancitnt Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, in and for 
the Continent of A7nerica. 

Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 
To all Masons on the face of the Olobe : Union. Prosperity^ 
Friendship, Fraternity. 

Know ye, that we, 

Reposing confidence in the Integrity, Discretion and 
Masonic Learning of our Worthy and Illustrious Brother 

and Sir Knight , 9 . . deg., 

whose name is written in the margin hereof, lesiding in 

the Valley of State of : 

Have nominated, and do by these appoint and constitute 
him a Grand District Deputy Hepre tentative of the 
Sovereign Sanctuary, sitting in the Valh^y of America. 

And we further more do authorize the said II'.-. Brother 

to organize bodies and confer the several Degrees of the 

Rose-Croix Chapter and Senate of Hermetic Philosophers 

upon worthy Brethren, for the purpose of forming and 

organizing bodie=5 in said district, and also to instruct 

them in the ritual and work accor^Mng to the Constitu- 

."^ tions, Ordinances and General Rules of the Sov.*. Sanc- 

^ tuary, 95th D.-., and in no other manner. And this, our 

Dispensation, shall continue of force until revoked by 

t^ us. 

fn testimony whereof, we have granted him this Cerliflcate, 
done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 

and the fullness of all that is good, this day of 

the Egyptian month answering to the 



334 

day of the month of A. L., 587 , Vulgar Era 

187 . 

Approved by the Grand Master. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sov. Sanctuary, at the 

[L. s.] Valley of this day of 

Vulgar, or Christian Era, 187. . 



Deputy Orand Representative 95° E.:. M:. R.'. of Memphis ^ 
for the State of 

[Form No. 11.] 
To all Masons throughout the Globe, Greeting : 
To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect op the Uni- 
verse 
" Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them " 

Egyptian Masonic Kite of Memphis. 

Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 
To all Free and Accepted Masons : Know ye, that Illus- 
trious Sir Knight whose name is written on 

the margin hereof, has been regularly entered, passed, 
raised and exalted through the degrees of Apprentice, 
Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Discreet Master, Perfect 
Master, Sublime Master, Just Master, Master of Israel, 
Master Elect, Grand Master Elect, Sublime Grand Master 
Elect, and Master of Geometry ; has also been Dubbed 
and Created Knight of the Royal or Sacred Arch. Secret 
Vault, Flaming Sword, of Jerusalem, of the Orient, of 
the Rose Croix, and is now a member of the 18th Degree 
I of the said Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis in good 
."§ standing, and as such we recommend him to all Worthy 
>e Brothers, and er join it upon all Masons to recognize him 
as such, and render him such Masonic aid, assistance, and 
r^ fellowship as he may require. 

In testimony whereof, we have granted him this certificate, 
done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 

and the fullness of all that is good, this day of the 

Egyptian month answering to the day of the 

month of A. L. 587. .., Vulgar Era, 187.... 

By the GRAND MASTER. 
[l. s.] Witness our hand and the seal of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary, at the Valley of America, this day 

of Vulgar, or Christian Era, 187. . .. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 
Grand Master ad Vitem, 96^*, K: M.\ R: of Memphis. 



335 

[No. 12 ] 

To all Masons throug/iout the Globe, Greeting : 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Architfct of thr: Universe. 

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them " 

Faith, Hope, Charity. 

Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis. 

Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 

To all Tree and Accepted Masons : 

Know Ye, That Illustrious Sir Knight 

whose name is written on the margin hereof has been reg- 
larly Entered, Pjissed, Raised and Exalted through the De- 
grees of Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Discreet 
Master, Perfect Master, Sublime Master, Just Master, Mas- 
ter of Isr lel, Master Elect, Grand Master Elect, Sublime 
Grand Mast r Elect and Master of Geometry; has also 
been Dubbed and Created Knight of the Royal or Sacred 
Arch, Secret Vault, Flaming Sword, of Jerusalem, of the 
Orient, of the Rose-Croix, of the Occident, of the Temple 
of Wisdom, of the Key, of the Noachite, of Liban, of the 
Tabernacle, of the Sacrificial Fire, of the Serpent, of the 
Trinitarian, Knight Evangelist, of the White Eagle, of 
Kadosh, of the Black Eagle, of the Royal Mysteries, Knight 
Grand Inspector, of the Red Eagle, Knight Master of An- 
gles, of the Holy City, Adept of Truth, Knight Elect of 
Truth, Chevalier Philalethe, Doctor of Planispheres, Sa- 
vant Sage Hermetic Philosopher, Adept Installator, Con- 
."^ secrator and Eulogist, and is now a member of the 45th 
j5 Degree of the said Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis in 
^ good standing and as such we recommend him to all Wor- 
"^ thy Brothers, and enjoin it upon all Masons to recognize 
him as such, and render him such Masonic aid, assist- 
ance, and fellowship as he may require 

In testimony whereof, -we have granted to him this Certificate, 
done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 

and the fullness of all that is good, this day of the 

Egyptian month answering to the day of the 

month of A. L. 187. ., Vulgar Era ...187.. 

By the Grand Master. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sov. Sanctuary, at the 

Valley of America, this day of Vulgar, or 

Christian Era, 187 . 

CALVIN C BURT, 
[l. S.] Grand Master ad Vitem, g6°, E.\ M.\ R.\ of Memphis. 
Gj'and Secretajy. 



336 

[FoKM iNo. [13.] 

To all Masons Th'oughout the Globe, Greeting : 

To The Glory op the Supreme Architect of the Uni- 
verse : 
" Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." 
Faith, Hope, Charity. 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis. 
Peace. Tolerance, Truth. 
To all Free and Accepted Masons : 

Know Ye, That Illustrious Sir Knight. 

whose name is written on the margin hereof, has been 
regularly Entered, Passed, Raised and Exalted through 
the Degrees of Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, 
Discreet Master, Perfect Master, Sublime Master, Just 
Master, Master of Israel, Master Elect, Grand Master 
Elect, Sublime Grand Master Elect, and Master of Geom- 
etry; has also been dubbed and created Knight of the 
Royal or Sacred Arch, Secret Vault, Flaming Sword of 
Jerusalem, of the Orient, of the Rose-Croix, of the Occi- 
dent, of the Temple of Wisdom, of the Key, of the 
Noachite, of Liban, of the Tabernacle, of the Sacrificial 
Fire, of the Serpent, of the Trinitarian, Knight Evange- 
list, of the White Eagle, of Kadosh, of the Black Eagle, 
of the Royal Mysteries, Knight Grand Inspector, of the 
Red Eagle, Knight Master of Angles, of the Holy City, 
Adept of Truth, Knight Elect of Truth, Chevalier 
Philalethe, Doctor of Planispheres, Savant Sage, Her- 
metic Philosopher, Adept Installator, Consecrator and 
Eulogist, Chevalier Adept of Sirius, Chevalier Adept of 
Babylon, Chevalier of the Rainbow, Chevalier Adept of 
the Seven Stars, Chevalier Commander of the Zodiac, 
Chevalier Barruke, Chevalier of the Luminous Triangle, 
•^ Chevalier of the Zardust, Chevalier of the Luminous 
j| Ring, Chevalier Sublime Magi, Doctor of the Sacred 
^ Vedas, Prince Brahmin Sublime Scalde, Chevalier Scandi- 
^ navian. Prince of the Sacred Name, Prince of the Golden 
Fleece, Prince of the Lyre, Prince of the Labyrinth, 
Prince of the Lybic Chain, Prince of Truth, Prince of 
the Covenant, Prince of the Sanctuary, Prince of the 
Temple of Truth, Commander of the Second Series, Or- 
phic Sage, Sage of Eleu, Sage of the Three Fires, Sage of 
Mithra, Sage of Delphi, Sage of Samothrace, 



337 

Sage of Eleusis, Sage of the Symbols, Sage of 
Wisdom, Sublime Sage of the Mysteries, Priest of the 
Sphynx, Priest of the Phoenix, Priest of the Pyramids, 
Priest of Helliopilis, Priest of Oru, Priest of Memphis, 
Pontifif of Serapis, Pontiff of Isis, Pontiff of the Kneph, 
Pontiff of the MysMc City, Perfect Pontiff, Past ]\[aster of 
the Great Work, and is now a member of the 90th De- 
gree of the said Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis in 
good standing, and as such we recommend him to all 
Worthy Brothers, and enjoin it upon all Masons to recog- 
nize him as such, and render him such Masonic aid, assis- 
tance, and fellowship as he may require. 

In teestimony whereof, we have granted to him this Certifi- 
cate, done in our Sanctuary where abide Peace, Tolerance, 

Truth, and the fullness of all tbat is good, this day of 

the Egyptian month answering to the 

day of the month of A. L. 587, Vulgar 

Era 187 . 

By the Grand Master. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sov. Sanctuary, at the 

[l. s.] Valley of Amciica, this day of 

Vulgar, or Christian Era, 1877. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 

Grand Master ad Vitem 96°, E.-. M. •• R. -. of Memphis. 

[Form No. 14.] 

To all Masons throng /ion t tJic Globe, Greeting : 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Unx- 

VERSE 
•' Whatsoever ye wonkl that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." 

Faith, HorE, Charity. 
Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis. 
Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 
To all Free and Accepted Masons : 

Know Ye, That Illustrious Sir Knight 

whose name is written on the margin hereof, has been 
regularly Entered, Passed, Raised t.nd Exalted through 
the Degrees of Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, 
Discreet Master, Perfect Master, Sublime Master, Just 
IVIaster, INIaster of Israel, Master Elect, Grand Master 
Elect, Sublime Grand Master Elect, and Master of Ge- 
ometry; has also been Dubbed and Created Knight of the 



. 338 

Royal or Sacred Arch, Secret Vault, Flaming Sword, of 
Jerusalem, of the Orient, of the Rose-Croix, of the Occi- 
dent, of the Temple of Wisdom, of the Key, of the 
Noactiite, of Liban, of the Tabernacle, of the Sacrificial 
Fire, of the Serpent, of the Trinitarian, Knight Evan- 
gelist, of the White Eagle, of Kadosh, of the Black 
Eagle, of the Royal Mysteries, Knight Grand Inspector, 
of the Red Eagle, Knight Master of Angels, of the Holy 
City, Adept of Truth, Knight Elect of Truth, Chevalier 
Philalethe, Doctor, of Planispheres, Savant Sage, Her- 
metic Philosopher, Adept Installator, Consecrator and 
Eulogist, Chevalier Adept of Sir! us. Chevalier Adept of 
Babylon, Chevalier of the Rainbow, Chevalier Adept of 
the Seven Stars, Chevalier Commander of the Zodiac, 
Chevalier Barruke, Chevalier of the Luminous Triangle, 
Chevalier of the Zardust, Chevalier of the Luminous 
Ring, Chevalier of the Sublime Magi, Doctor of the 
Sacred Vedas, Prince Brahmin Sublime Scalde, Chevalier 
Scandinavian, Prince of the Sacred Name, Prince of the 
Golden Fleece, Prince of the Lyre, Prince of the La- 
byrinth, Prince of the Lybic Chain, Prince of Truth, 
Prince of the Covenant, Prince of the Sanctuary, Prince 
of the Temple of Truth, Commander of the Second 
Series, Orphic Sage, Sage of Eleu, Sage of the Three 
Fires, Sage of Mithra, Sage of Delphi, Sage of Samotli- 
race, Sage of Eleusis, Sage of the Symbols, Sage of 
Wisdom, Sublime Sage of the Mysteries, Priest of the 
Sphynx, Priest of the Phoenix, Priest of the Pyramids, 
Priest of Helliopilis, Priest of Oru, Priest of Memphis, 
I Pontiff of Serapis, Pontiff of Isis, Pontiff of the 
•g Kneph, Pontiff of the Mystic City, Perfect Pontiff, Past 
^^ Master of the Great Works Patriarch Grand Commander, 
^ Patriarch Grand Generalissimo, Patriarch Grand Cap- 
^ tain General, Patriarch Grand Inspector General, Patri- 
arch Grand Orator and Prince, Sovereign Patriarch 
Grand Defender of Truth, and has been duly elected, 

appointed or installed to the office of 

entitling him thereto, he now residing in the Valley of 

and is now a member of the 95th 

Degree of the said Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis 
in good standing, and as such we recommend him to all 
Worthy Brothers, and enjoin it upon all Masons to recog- 
nize him as such, and render him such Masonic aid, as- 
sistance and fellowship as he may require. 



339 

In testimony whereof, we have granted to him this Certifi- 
cate, done in our Sanctuary, where abide Peace, Tolerance, 

Truth, and the fullness of all that is good, this 

day of the Egyptian month answering to the 

day of the month of ..A L. 587..., Vulgar Era, 187... 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96«, Grand Master. 

[l. s ] Witness our hand and Seal, and the Seal of the Sov. 

Sanctuary, at the Valley of this 

day of the month of Vulgar, or Christian 

Era, 187. . ., and issued by 

CALVIN C. BURT, 

Grand Master ad Vitem, 96*^, E.\ M.'. R.'. of Memj)hi8. 



[No. 15] 

To all Masons throughout the Globe, Greeting : 

To THE Glory of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. 

DIXIT DEUS, ESTO LUX! 

•'Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." 

In the name and under the Auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary, 

of the Ancient Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis, 

in and for the Continent of America. 



Peace, Tolerance, Truth. 



To all Masons on the face of the Globe :— Union, Pros- 
perity, Friendship, Fraternity. 

Know Ye, That we, the Sovereign Sanctuary, sitting in the 
Valley of America, by virtue of the power and authority in us 
vested, do hereby Declare and Proclaim, That, having received 
a petition from a constitutional number of Masons, trusty and 

true, residing in the Valley of . . . in the State of 

and being also assured that the interests of the Craft will be pro- 
moted by the formation of a in said 

Valley — Therefore, we do herel)y authorize and empower 



340 

Our Illustrious Brother to act as the first. 

^ Our Illustrious Brother to act as the first. 

S Our Illustrious Brother to act as the first. 

< Our Illustrious Brother to act as the first, 

S And Sir Knights Bros to fill the other offices, viz: 

g Sir Knight to be first 

S Sir Knight to be first 

S Sir Knight to be first 

^ Sir Knight . . .to be first 

g Sir Knight to be first 

^ Sir Knight to be first 

o Sir Knight to be first 

Sir Knight to be first 



And we do hereby Declare and Proclaim, That, by virtue of 

these presents, we have this day constituted this a 

No of the General number of this Sanctuary, and No of 

the Special Number of the State of to be holden 

at aforesaid, and do hereby authorize the Sir 

Knights named herein, together with those named in said Peti- 
tion, to become Charter Members of said by the 

distinctive name of No of the State of 

with full power and authority to confer the several Degrees of 
at the place aforesaid, upon Masons in good stand- 
ing according to the Constitutions, Laws, Edicts, By-Laws, 
Regulations and General Statutes of the Egyptian Masonic Rite 
of Memphis, and not otherwise ; also to instate and install, when 

duly elected, the officers of said annually, or before 

the 31st day of December in each year, and transmit this War- 
rant of Constitution, together with the Rituals, Records, Papers 
and Seal thereof, to their successors in oflice, and they to their 
successors, henceforth and forever, according to the printed 
and established Ritual of this Rite, promulgated by the Sover- 
eign Sanctuary and its officers. Provided always, that the offi- 
cers of the said pay to the officers of the So verc^ign 

Sanctuary and to the M3''stic Temple Grand Council, OOth De- 
gree, for said State, due respect and obedience^ and also pay all 
dues due thereto, and in all respects pay due homage to the 
Grand Master for the time being, and otherwise obey the Con- 
stitution, Statutes, Edicts and By-Laws of the Sovereign Sanc- 
tuary sitting in the Valley of America and the Mystic Temple 
of said State; otherwise this Warrant of Constitution shall be 
void and of no effect. 

Given under the hands of the Grand Officers of the Sovereign 



341 

Sanctuary, sitting in the Valley of ATuerica. on the day of 

tlie Egyptian mouth A L. 587 , to wit: 

CALVIN C. JUIRT, 

Craud Master 96®. 
WILLIAM BROWN, 

Dcp. Grand Master 96^. 
W. B. LORD, 

Dcp. Gr. Rep. gs"" for N. Y. 
J. MABBITT BROWN, 

Grand Oiator gs^ . 
In witness whereof, we have granted this Charter, done in our 
Sanctuary, wiiere abide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, and the full- 
ness of all that is good, this day of the Egyptian Month 

answering to the day of the month of 

A L. 587 , Vulgar Era 187 . 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sov. Sanctuary, at the 

Valley of America, this day of Vulgar, or 

Christian Era, 187 . 

Issued by the Grand Master, 

CALVIN C. BURT, 9G«, 

[l. S.] Grand Master ad viter?i' 

Frank E. Mafsh, M. D., 

Grand Secretary, 95^, E.\ M.'. R.\ of Memphis. 



[Form No. 16 ] 
dixit deus, estus lux ! 

to tfte (ilory of the supreme architect of the uni- 
VERSE. 

Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis in find for the Continent of 
America : 

,' Whatsoever ye would do that men should do to you, do yc cvcu so to them." 

Masonic Office of Calvin C. Burt, 96°, Grand 

Master for the Continent of America. 

Post(.lfice Address, Lock Box 220, Jackson, Mich. 

December 23d, 1878 
Esteemed Praters and Sir Knights : 

The attention of the undersigned has recently been called 
to a circular, or ''edict,''' issued by John W. Finch, Grand Mas- 
ter of this State, dated at Adrian, December 11, 1878, in which 



342 

he states that he deems it his duty to caution the brethren in 
this Magonic jurisdiction, against the pretence of Calvin C. 
Burt ; and sagely informs the brethren that there is no such 
recognized Masonic body, as the Egyptian Masonic Rite of 
Memphis. 

What does this overwise Grand Master Finch mean by 
•' recognized ?" By this Grand Lodge ? It is a higher order 
of Masonry. The Grand Lodge has nothing to do with it. 
No more than it has to do with a Royal Arch Chapter, Council 
or Commandery. Nevertheless, the E. M. R. of Memphis has 
within its folds, thousands of the ablest, purest and best Ma- 
sons in the United Slates, and they regard themselves fully 
competent to judge of the propriety or impropriety of uniting 
with the Rite. If this Grand Master Finch can see no beauty 
in the noble and sublime teachings of this Rite, it must be the 
fault of his head and heart, and not the order. He has taken 
its obligations to the 90°, but is not familiar with its lectures 
or work. 

This " edict,'' as this Grand Master Finch calls his circular, 
also states, that he has been notified by the M. W. G. M. of 
the G. L. of New Jersey, that this ''person,''^ Calvin C. Burt, 
is now under charges before that Grand Lodge for defrauding 
the Fraternity of that State. 

If this Grand Master Finch has any such letter, it is not true. 
Certainly, it is false, if the records of the Grand Lodge of 
New Jersey are true. In 1864, fourteen years since, without 
cause, certain charges were preferred against me in the Grand 
Lodge of New Jersey, but in no way connected with the E. 
M. R. of Memphis. I was not then, nor have I ever been a 
member of that Grand Lodge, as it will be seen by the facts 
hereinafter stated, nor was I then a resident of the State of 
New Jersey. I knew nothing of the charges for sometime 
after they were filed. The Grand Lodge proceeded exparte, to 
try me and expel me; and from what? It could only expel 
me from that Grand Lodge, if a member. 

I heard of the action of the Grand Lodge in 18G7, when I 
was a resident of Chicago, Illinois. I sect a petition to that 
Grand Body, asking for a rehearing (a copy of which accom- 
panies this circular;) pointing out the foolishness of the char- 
ges, and that the proceedings of the Grand Lodge were in 
violation of Masonic law, and the Constitution and By-Laws 
of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. The matter was referred 
to a Committee. I did not attend before the Committee, but 
on the 22d of January, 1808, over ten years ago, as appears 



343 

from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge that year, page 383, 
a resolution was passed by that body setting asmle and reversing 
its former action. This reversed its former judgment and dis- 
posed of the whole matter. 

I give the foregoing as a matter of history. Not that I regard 
the action of that Grand Body as of any legal or binding force. 
It was from the beginning void. That body had no right, 
power or authority, under jMasonic law, to entertain the char- 
ges. I was not subject to their jurisdiction. 

I am informed that this same matter has been inquired into 
by a Committee appointed by the i\[. W. of Michigan Lodge 
No. 50, and llie Committee, I am assured, found the foregoing 
facts to be true, and declared me to be a Master Mason in good 
standing. 

This "edict" also states that in the matter of atllliation with 
any Lodge, 1 remain the property of the Grand Lodge of New 
Jersey! Indeed ! I never was a member of that body, it had 
no authority to try me, no jurisdiction over my person, or 
Masonic standing. And such was the final decision of that 
body. How then can I "remain their property!'^ It is ab- 
surd; and shows a vast amount of ignorance somewhere, or a 
willful misrepresentation of facts and conclusions of Masonic 
law. 

This Grand Master Finch also " forbids" all Lodges in this 
jurisdiction to receive or entertain the petition of the said 
Calvin C. Burt, and directs W. M. of Lodges to cause his ''edict" 
to be read in their respective Lodges, in order to protect the 
fraternity against any further imposition. 

How paternal, magnanimous and watchful is our learned 
Masonic Magnate over his "brethren." How fortunate they 
are to have such a " guardian " to snuff treason from afar, and 
"protect " them from further "impositio?i ! " 

I think, however, the Masons in this State, are sufficiently 
intelligent and capable of judging for themselves. If any of 
them desire to join the " Scotch Rite," the E. M. R. of Mem- 
phis, or any other benevolent body, or even the " Independent 
Order of Red Men," the '' edict " of the Grand Master of this 
State will not deter them. 

Is there anything back of this? Oh, yes. A few years 
since I was employed by the Dental Association to defend some 
of its members in a suit brought against them by the Goodyear 
Dental Vulcanite Company. I devoted a great deal of time 
and money. I did not get my pay. I sued and obtained a 
judgment. Among the defendants was this John W. Finch. 



344 

He paid a small amount. Since that time he seems to have 
had no lo^e for me, and he has since made his standing in the 
E M. R of Memphis quite cloudy, so much so that charges 
are now pending against him therein, for gross un-Masonic 
conduct. 

But enough about this Grand Master's "Bull." Whatever 
motives may have prompted it, it is as absurd, ridiculous and 
laughable as the "Pope's Bull against the comet," and as im- 
potent. 

In conclusion, brethren, I will merely add that the Rite is in 
a wonderful flourishing condition, having in this State alone 
over fifty-four working Chapters, and numbering over two 
thousand members, and gaining more daily. And it will be 
sufficient refutation to G. M . Finch's assertion that we are not 
recognized, to say that its membership embraces nearly all of 
the prominent Masons in this State, and several of the other 
States, in fact, wherever it is known or been introduced, of the 
Blue Lodge, the Chapter, Councils and Commanderies, and as 
we revile none, slander none, and have only one object in view, 
viz: that of perfecting humanity, we shall be content with that 
recognition which shall always be our chief desire to make men 
and Masons more virtuous, honest and happy, and live in that 
peace of mind that surpasses riches and worldly fame. 

Done in our Sanctuary, where al)ide Peace, Tolerance, Truth, 
and the fullness of all that is good, this twenty-third day of the 
Egyptian month Pagni, answering to the twenty-third day of 
the month of December, A. L. 5878, Vulgar Era, 1878, True 
Light, 000,000,000. 

Witness our hand and the Seal of the Sovereign Sanctuary, at 
the Valley of Jackson, this twenty-third day of December, Vul- 
gar, or Christian Era, 1878. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 9G^, 
[l,. s.] Grand Master ad Vite.m E.\ AI:. R.\ o/M.'. 

Sanford Hqnt, 95*-^, 

Deputy Grand Secretary. 

All Bros, Secretary: Read this at the first Regular. 

CALVIN C. BURT, 96^, Grand Master, 



H 8^ 89 



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