Sovereign Grand Inspector General
The number of Inspectors of a Kingdom or Republic is not to exceed nine. They claim jurisdiction over all the ineffable and sublime degrees, and in reality form an aristocratic body, with power to appoint their own successors, and act as “Sovereigns of Masonry.”
Decorations of the Place of Meeting.—The hangings are purple, embroidered with skeletons, death’s-heads, and cross-bones. Before the canopy is a transparent delta (equilateral triangle). In the middle of the room is a grand triangular pedestal, near which is seen a skeleton holding in his left hand the standard of the order, and in his right hand a poniard in the attitude of striking. Above the door, or place of entrance, is the motto of the order, “Deus meumque jus.” In the East is a chandelier of five branches; in the South is one of two branches; in the West is one of three; and in the North a single one.
Officers and Titles.—The assembly is termed “Supreme Council.” The first officer, “Thrice Puissant Sovereign Grand Master.” He represents Frederick II. The second officer is termed “Sovereign Lieutenant Commander.” Besides these there is a “Treasurer of the Holy Empire;” an “Illustrious Grand Secretary of the Holy Empire;” an “Illustrious Master of Ceremonies;” and an “Illustrious Captain of the Guards”—in all, seven officers.
Dress.—The Thrice Puissant Sovereign wears a crimson robe, bordered with white—a crown on his head, and a sword in his hand. The Lieutenant Commander wears a ducal crown.
Sash.—The sash is black, edged with gold, from left to right; at the bottom a rose of red, white and green. On the part crossing the breast is a delta, with rays traversed by a poniard, and in the midst the figure “33.”
Jewel.—A black double-headed eagle holding a sword. His beak, claws, and sword are of gold. [Pass-words, signs, etc., as may from time to time be agreed upon.]
The End
Footnotes
1 A person wishing to become a Mason must get some one who is a Mason to present his petition to a Lodge, when, if there are no serious objections, it will be entered on the minutes, and a committee of two or three appointed to inquire into his character, and report to the next regular communication. The following is the form of a petition used by a candidate; but a worthy candidate will not be rejected for the want of formality in his petition.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Lodge No. ——, of Free and Accepted Masons.
The subscriber, residing in ——, of lawful age, and by occupation a ——, begs leave to state that, unbiassed by friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, he freely and voluntarily offers himself a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry, and that he is prompt to solicit this privilege by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to his fellow-creatures. Should his petition be granted, he will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity.
(Signed) A. B.
2 In many Lodges this is put in the form of a question, thus: “Are you willing to take an obligation upon you that does not affect your politics or religion?” The promise “to conform,” made before entering the Lodge, the “assurance that the oath is not to interfere with their political or religious principles” and the manner the obligation is administered, only two or three words being repeated at a time, consequently not fully understood, are among the reasons which have led many great and good men to take oaths incompatible with the laws of God and our country.
3 Literally a rope several yards in length, but mystically three miles; so that a Master Mason must go on a brother Master Mason’s errand whenever required, the distance of three miles, should he have to go barefoot and bareheaded. In the degrees of knighthood the distance is forty miles.
4 In some Lodges the Master takes the candidate by the Master’s grip and says, “Brother, you will please rise,” assisting him.
5 There is much diversity of opinion among Masons respecting this word; some insist that Giblem is the right word; others, that Gibelum is the right word; the latter word was rejected, because it was used by “Jachin and Boaz.”
6 This charge is frequently omitted when conferring the degree on a candidate, but never when really installing a Master of a Lodge.
7 Here the brethren divest themselves of their jewels, sashes, aprons, etc.
8 The ark, which had been carried by two brethren in the procession, is here placed on the altar.
9 At these words the candidate is received into the procession.
10 Here all kneel in a circle around the altar.
11 At the words, “For He is good,” the Most Excellent Master, who is High Priest of the Chapter, kneels and joins hands with the rest; they all then repeat in concert the words, “For He is good, for His mercy endureth forever” six times, each time bowing their heads low towards the floor.
12 There is a great difference in the manner of giving the Royal Arch word in the different Chapters. Sometimes it is given at the opening, as above stated; sometimes they commence with the word God, each one pronouncing a letter of it in succession, until they have each pronounced every letter of the word, then the word Jehovah, a syllable at a time, and then the word Jahbuhlun as described. There are also Chapters in which the latter word is not known, and there are others in which the word is not given at all at opening.
13 This clause is sometimes made a distinct point in the obligation in the following form, viz.: Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will vote for a companion Royal Arch Mason before any other of equal qualifications; and in some Chapters both are left out of the obligation.
14 In some Chapters this is administered: All the secrets of a companion without exception.
15 This is frequently represented in this manner: When the person reading comes to that part where it says, “God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said,” etc., he stops reading, and a person behind the bushes calls out, “Moses, Moses.” The conductor answers, “Here am I.” The person behind the bush then says, “Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standeth is holy ground (his shoes are then slipped off). Moreover, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” The person first reading then says, “And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” At these words the bandage is placed over the candidate’s eyes.
16 By this tremendous imprecation, the candidate, of his “own free will and accord,” volunteers (in case of a violation) to come forth to the resurrection of damnation and receive the sentence, “Depart thou accursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
17 See the Apocryphal books, 1 Esdras, chapters iii. and iv.
18 Diplomas of this degree, “In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity,” recommend the bearer as a true and faithful soldier of Jesus Christ.