Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

There are nine lights in the east, and eight in the west. The master represents Solomon, seated in the east, with a table before him, covered with black, and is styled, Most Potent.

There is only one warden, in the west, who represents Stockin, with seven brethern round him. All the brethren must be dressed in black, and their hats flapped, with a broad black ribbon from the left shoulder to the right hip, on the lower part of which are nine red roses, four on each side, and one at the bottom, to which is suspended a poinard. The aprons are white, lined with black, speckled with blood; on the flap a bloody arm with a poinard, and on the area a bloody arm holding by the hair a bloody head.

Near to the lodge is a small dark place, representing a cavern, in which is placed a lamp, a place representing a spring, with a bason to hold water, and a table, on which are laid a poinard, and a representation of a bloody head, as just severed from the body. Near the table a large stone to sit on, and below the lamp, in capital letters, VENGEANCE.

History of this Degree.

In the reign of Solomon, several of the workmen had been guilty of some crime of an enormous nature, and made their escape from Jerusalem. A great assembly of masters had sat in consultation on the best means of discovering and ap. prehending them. Their deliberations were inter rupted by the entrance of a stranger, who demanded to speak to the king in private. Upon being admitted, he acquainted Solomon that he had discovered where Akirop, one of the traitors, lay concealed; and offered to conduct those whom the king should please to appoint, to go with him. This being communicated to the brethren, one and all requested to be partakers in the vengeance due to the villain. Solomon checked their ardour, declaring that only nine should undertake the task; and to avoid giving any offence, ordered all their names to be put into an urn, and that the first nine that should be drawn, should be the persons to accompany the stranger.

At break of day, Joabert, Stockin, and seven others, conducted by the stranger, travelled onwards, through a dreary country. On the way, Joabert found means to learn from the stranger, that the villain they were in quest of had hidden himself in a cavern not far from the place where they then were; he soon found the cavern, and entered it alone, where, by the light of the lamp, he discovered the villain asleep, with a poinard at his feet. Enflamed at the sight, and actuated by an impatient zeal, he immediately seized the poinard, and stabbed him, first in the head, and then in the heart: he had only time to cry, Vengeance is taken, and expired. When the other eight arrived and had refreshed themselves at the spring, Joabert severed the head from the body, and, taking it in one hand and his poinard in the other, he, with his brethren, returned to Jerusalem. Solomon was at first very much offended, that Jo. abert had put it out of his power to take vengeance himself, in presence of, and as a warning to, the rest of the workmen to be faithful to their trust; but, by proper intercession, was again reconciled.)

Joabert became highly favoured of Solomon, who conferred upon him, and his eight compa. nions, the title of Elected Knights.

The chapter is closed by eight and one.

-1

:

CHAPTER VII.

Observations on the Degree of Elected Grand Master, or Illustrious Elected of Fifteen.

THIS lodge represents Solomon's apartment, and is to be decorated in the same manner as that of the Nine Elect. There are two wardens; the senior is called Inspector.

a

This lodge should consist of only fifteen mem. bers; but should there be more at a time of reception, they must attend in the antichamber.

The apron peculiar to this degree is white, and bordered with black; and on the flap, three heads or spikes în form of a triangle; the jewel is the same as that of the Nine Elect, only on that part of the black ribbon which crosses the breast, there should be the same device as upon the apron.

History of this Degree.

About six months after the execution of the traitor mentioned in the preceding degree of elected knights, Bengabee, an intendant of Solomon, in the country of Cheth, which was tributary to him, caused diligent inquiry to be made if any person had lately taken shelter in those parts, who might be supposed to have fled from Jerusalem: he published at the same time a particular description of all those traitors who had made their escape: shortly after, he received information that several persons answering his description had lately arrived there, and, believing themselves perfectly secure, had begun to work in the quarry of Bendaca.

As soon as Solomon was made acquainted with this circumstance, he wrote to Maacha, king of Cheth, to assist in apprehending them, and to

« PreviousContinue »