Chapter 25

There is another triangle, on which is engraved S. B. and N., of which you have had an explanation in a preceding degree. This triangle designs the connection of the brethren in virtue. The solemn promise they have made to love each other; to help, succor, and keep inviolably secret, their mysteries of the perfection proposed, in all their enterprises. It is said in that degree, that "You have entered the Third Heaven, that means you have entered the place where pure truth resides, since she abandoned the earth to monsters who persecuted her."

The end of the degree of Perfection is a preparation to come more clearly to the knowledge of true happiness, in becoming a true Mason, enlightened by the celestial luminary of truth, in renouncing, voluntarily, all adorations but those that are made to one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, great, good, and merciful. End of Brother Truth's harangue.

Father Adam then says to the candidate, "My dear son, what you have heard from the mouth of Truth is an abridgment of all the consequences of all the degrees you have gone through, in order to come to the knowledge of the holy truth, contracted in your last engagements. Do you persist in your demand of coming to the holy brother, and is that what you desire, with a clear heart?--answer me." The candidate answers, "I persist." Then Father Adam says, "Brother Truth, as the candidate persists, approach with him to the sanctuary, in order that he may take a solemn obligation to follow our laws, principles, and morals, and to attach himself to us forever." Then the candidate falls on his knees, and Father Adam takes his hands between his own, and the candidate repeats the following obligation three times:

OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., promise, in the face of God, and between the hands of my Sovereign, and in presence of all the brethren now present, never to take arms against my country, directly or indirectly, in any conspiracy against the Government thereof. I promise never to reveal any of the degrees of the Knight of the Sun, which is now on the point of being intrusted to me, to any person or persons whatsoever, without being duly qualified to receive the same; and never to give my consent to any one to be admitted into our mysteries, only after the most scrupulous circumspection, and full knowledge of his life and conversation; and who has given at all times full proof of his zeal and fervent attachment for the order, and a submission at all times to the tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. I promise never to confer the degree of the Knights of the Sun without having a permission in writing from the Grand Council of Princes of the Royal Secret, or from the Grand Inspector or his deputy, known by their titles and authority. I promise also and swear, that I will not assist any, through my means, to form or raise a Lodge of the Sublime Orders, in this country, "without proper authority." I promise and swear to redouble my zeal for all my brethren, Knights, and Princes, that are present or absent; and if I fail in this my obligation, I consent for all my brethren, when they are convinced of my infidelity, to seize me, and thrust my tongue through with a red-hot iron; to pluck out both my eyes, and to deprive me of smelling and hearing; to cut off both my hands, and to expose me in that condition in the field, to be devoured by the voracious animals; and if none can be found, I wish the lightning of heaven might execute on me the same vengeance. O God, maintain me in right and equity. Amen. Amen. Amen.

After the obligation is three times repeated, Father Adam raises the candidate, and gives him one kiss on his forehead, being the seat of the soul. He then decorates him with the collar and jewel of the order, and gives him the following sign, token and word:--SIGN: Place the right hand flat upon the heart, the thumb forming a square. The answer, raise the hand, and with the index point to heaven. This is to show that there is but one God, the source of all truth. TOKEN: Take in your hands those of your brother, and press them gently. Some Knights, in addition to this, kiss the forehead of the brother, saying "Alpha," to which he answers, "Omega." SACRED WORD: "Adonai." This word is answered by "Albra," or "Abbraak," which is rendered "a king without reproach." Some contend that this word should be written "Abrah." PASS-WORD:--"Stibium" (antimony). By this is intended as among the Hermetic Philosophers, "the primitive matter whence all things are formed." To this pass-word some add the following: "Helios," "Mene," "Tetragrammaton."

After these are given, the candidate goes 'round and gives them to every one, which brings him back to Father Adam. He then sits down with the rest of the brethren, and then Brother Truth gives the following explanation of the Philosophical Lodge:

SUN.--The sun represents the unity of the Eternal Supreme, the only grand work of philosophy.

3. S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. signify the "Stiletto, Sidech, Solo," or the residence of the Sovereign Master of all things.

THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks show us the three degrees of fire.

FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles represent the four elements.

SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets design the seven colors that appear in their original state, from whence we have so many different artificial ones.

SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims represent the seven metals, viz., gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin and quicksilver.

CONCEPTION IN THE MOON.--The conception, or woman, rising in the moon, demonstrates the purity that matter subsists of, in order to remain in its pure state unmixed with any other body, from which must come a new king, and a revolution or fulness of time filled with glory whose name is Albra.

HOLY SPIRIT.--The Holy Spirit, under the symbol of a dove, is the image of the Universal Spirit, that gives light to all in the three states of nature; and on the animal, vegetable and mineral.

ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE.--The entrance of the temple is represented to you by a body, because the grand work of nature is complete as gold, potable and fixed.

GLOBE.--The globe represents the matter in the primeval state; that is to say, complete.

CADUCEUS.--The caduceus represents the double mercury that you must extract from the matter; that is to say, the mercury fixed, and from thence is extracted gold and silver.

STIBIUM.--The word stibium signifies the antimony, from whence, by the philosophical fire, is taken an alkali which we empty in our grand work. End of the philosophical explanation. Then Father Adam explains the

MORAL LODGE.

SUN.--The sun represents the divinity of the Eternal; for as there is but one Sun to light and invigorate the earth, so there is but one God, to whom we ought to pay our greatest adoration.

3 S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. are initials of the words Scienta, Sapientia, Sanctitas, and teach you that science, adorned with wisdom, creates a holy man.

THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks are the image of the life of man, considered in youth, manhood, and old age, and happy are those that have been enlightened in these ages, by the light of truth.

FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles show us the four principal duties that create our tranquil life, viz.: Fraternal love among men in general, and particularly among brethren, and in the same degree with us. Secondly. In not having anything but for the use and advantage of a brother. Thirdly. Doubting of every matter that cannot be demonstrated to you clearly, by which an attempt might be made to insinuate mysteries in matters of religion, and hereby lead you away from the holy truth. Fourthly. Never do anything to another that you would not have done unto you. The last precept, well understood and followed on all occasions, is the true happiness of philosophy.

SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets represent the seven principal passions of man.

SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims are the images of the delights of life: namely, by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, tranquility, and health.

CONCEPTION.--The conception in the moon shows the purity of matter, and that nothing can be impure to the eyes of the Supreme.

HOLY SPIRIT.--The Spirit is the figure of our soul, which is only the breath of the Eternal, and which cannot be soiled by the works of the body.

TEMPLE.--The temple represents our body, which we are obliged to preserve by our natural feelings.

FIGURE OF A MAN.--The figure is in the entrance of the temple, which bears a lamb in his arms, and teaches us to be attentive to our wants, as a shepherd takes care of his sheep; to be charitable, and never let slip the present opportunity of doing good, to labor honestly, and to live in this day as if it were our last.

COLUMNS OF JACHIN AND BOAZ.--The columns of J. and B. are the symbols of the strength of our souls in bearing equally misfortunes, as well as success in life.

SEVEN STEPS OF THE TEMPLE.--The seven steps of the temple are the figures of the seven degrees which we must pass before we arrive to the knowledge of the true God.

GLOBE.--The globe represents the world which we inhabit.

LUX EX TENEBRIS.--The device of "Lux ex tenebris" teacheth, that when man is enlightened by reason, he is able to penetrate the darkness and obscurity which ignorance and superstition spread abroad.

RIVER.--The river across the globe represents the utility of the passions that are necessary to man in the course of his life, as water is requisite to the earth in order to replenish the plants thereof.

CROSS SURROUNDED.--The cross surrounded by two serpents signifies that we must watch the vulgar prejudices, to be very prudent in giving any of our knowledge and secrets in matters, especially in religion. End of the moral explanation.

LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Knight of the Sun? Answer--I have mounted the seven principal steps of Masonry; I have penetrated into the bowels of the earth, and among the ancient ruins of Enoch found the most grand and precious treasures of the Masons. I have seen, contemplated, and admired the great, mysterious, and formidable name engraved on the triangle; I have broken the pillar of beauty, and thrown down the two columns that supported it.

Q. Pray tell me what is that mysterious and formidable name? A. I cannot unfold the sacred characters in this manner, but substitute in its place the grand word of [represented by the Hebrew consonants Jod, He, Vau, He.]

Q. What do you understand by throwing down the columns that sustained the pillar of beauty. A. Two reasons.--First. When the temple was destroyed by Nebuzaradan, general of the army of Nebuchadnezzar, I was one that helped to defend the Delta on which was engraved the ineffable name; and I broke down the columns of beauty, in order that it should not be profaned by the infidels. Second. As I have deserved, by my travel and labor, the beauty of the great "Adonai" (Lord), the mysteries of Masonry, in passing the seven principal degrees.

Q. What signifies the seven planets? A. The lights of the celestial globe and also their influence, by which every matter exists on the surface of the earth or globe.

Q. From what is the terrestrial globe formed? A. From the matter which is formed by the concord of the four elements, designed by the four triangles, that are in regard to them as the four greater planets.

Q. What are the names of the seven planets? A. Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn.

Q. Which are the four elements? A. Air, fire, earth, and water.

Q. What influence have the seven planets on the four elements? A. Three general matters of which all bodies are composed--life, spirit, and body; otherwise, salt, sulphur and mercury.

Q. What is life or salt? A. The life given by the Eternal Supreme, or the planets, the agents of nature.

Q. What is the spirit or sulphur? A. A fixed matter, subject to several productions.

Q. What is the body or mercury? A. Matter conducted or refined to its form by the union of salt and sulphur, or the agreement of the three governors of nature.

Q. What are those three governors of nature? A. Animal, vegetable and mineral.

Q. What is animal? A. We understand in this, life--all that is divine and amiable.

Q. Which of the elements serve for his productions? A. All the four are necessary, among which, nevertheless, air and fire are predominant; and it is those that render the animal the perfection of the three governments, which man is elevated to by one-fourth of the breath of the Divine Spirit, when he receives his soul.

Q. What is the vegetable? A. All that seems attached to the earth reigns on the surface.

Q. Of what is it composed? A. Of a generative fire, formed into a body whilst it remains in the earth, and is purified by its moisture and becomes vegetable, and receives life by air and water; whereby the four elements, though different, co-operate jointly and separately.

Q. What is the mineral? A. All that is generated and secreted in the earth.

Q. What do we understand by this name? A. That which we call metals and demi-metals and minerals.

Q. What is it that composes the minerals? A. The air penetrating by the celestial influence into the earth, meets with a body, which, by its softness, fixes, congeals, and renders the mineral matter more or less perfect.

Q. Which are the perfect metals? A. Gold and silver.

Q. Which are the imperfect metals? A. Brass, lead, tin, iron and quicksilver.

Q. How come we by the knowledge of these things? A. By frequent observations and the experiments made in natural philosophy, which have decided to a certainty that nature gives a perfection to all things, if she has time to complete her operations.

Q. Can art bring metal to perfection so fully as nature? A. Yes; but in order to do this, you must have an exact knowledge of nature.

Q. What will assist you to bring forth this knowledge? A. A matter brought to perfection, this has been sought for under the name of the philosopher's stone.

Q. What does the globe represent? A. An information of philosophers, for the benefit of the art in this work.

Q. What signify the words, "Lux ex tenebris?" A. That is the depth of darkness you ought to retire from, in order to gain the true light.

Q. What signifies the cross on the globe? A. The cross is the emblem of the true elected.

Q. What represent the three candlesticks? A. The three degrees of fire, which the artist must have knowledge to give, in order to procure the matters from which it proceeds.

Q. What signifies the word Stibium? A. It signifies antimony, or the first matter of all things.

Q. What signify the seven degrees? A. The different effectual degrees of Masonry which you must pass to come to the Sublime Degree of Knights of the Sun.

Q. What signify the divers attributes in those degrees? A. First. The Bible, or God's law, which we ought to follow. Second. The compass teaches us to do nothing unjust. Third. The square conducts us equal to the same end. 4th. The level demonstrates to us, all that is just and equitable. Fifth. The perpendicular, to be upright and subdue the veil of prejudice. Sixth. The tressle-board is the image of our reason, where the functions are combined to effect, compare and think. Seventh. The rough-stone is the resemblance of our vices, which we ought to reform. Eighth. The cubic stone is our passions, which we ought to surmount. Ninth. The columns signify strength in all things. Tenth. The blazing star teaches that our hearts ought to be as a clear sun, among those that are troubled with the things of this life. Eleventh. The key teaches to have a watchful eye over those who are contrary to reason. Twelfth. The box teaches to keep our secrets inviolably. Thirteenth. The urn learns us that we ought to be as delicious perfumes. Fourteenth. The brazen sea, that we ought to purify ourselves, and destroy vice. Fifteenth. The circles on the triangles demonstrate the immensity of the divinity under the symbol of truth. Sixteenth. The poniard teacheth the step of the elected, many are called, but few are chosen to the sublime knowledge of pure truth. Seventeenth. The word albra signifies a king full of glory and without blot. Eighteenth. The word Adonai signifies Sovereign Creator of all things. Nineteenth. The seven cherubims are the symbols of the delights of life, known by seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, smelling, tranquility, and thought.

Q. What represents the sun? A. It is an emblem of Divinity, which we ought to regard as the image of God. This immense body represents the infinity of God's wonderful will, as the only source of light and good. The heat of the sun produces the rule of the seasons, recruits nature, takes darkness from the winter, in order that the deliciousness of spring might succeed. End of the physical lecture.

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GENERAL LECTURE IN THIS DEGREE.

Question--From whence came you? Answer--From the centre of the earth.

Q. How have you come from thence? A. By reflection, and the study of nature.

Q. Who has taught you this? A. Men in general who are blind, and lead others in their blindness.

Q. What do you understand by this blindness? A. I do not understand it to be privy to their mysteries; but I understand under the name of blindness, those who cease to be ardent, after they have been privy to the light of the spirit of reason.

Q. Who are those? A. Those who, through the prejudices of superstition and fanaticism, render their services to ignorance.

Q. What do you understand by fanaticism? A. The zeal of all particular sects which are spread over the earth, who commit crimes by making offerings to fraud and falsehood.

Q. And do you desire to rise from this darkness? A. My desire is to come to the celestial truth, and to travel by the light of the sun.

Q. What represents that body? A. It is the figure of an only God, to whom we ought to pay our adoration. The sun being the emblem of God, we ought to regard it as the image of the Divinity; for that immense body represents wonderfully the infinity of God. He invigorates and produces the seasons, and replenishes nature, by taking the horrors from winter, and produces the delights of spring.

Q. What does the triangle, with the sun in the centre, represent? A. It represents the immensity of the Supreme.

Q. What signifies the three S. S. S.? A. Sanctitas, Scientia, and Syrentia, which signify the science accompanied with wisdom, and make men holy.

Q. What signifies the three candlesticks? A. It represents the course of life, considered in youth, manhood, and old age.

Q. Has it any other meaning? A. Yes, the triple light that shines among us, in order to take men out of darkness and ignorance into which they are plunged, and to bring them to virtue, truth, and happiness, a symbol of our perfection.

Q. What signifies the four triangles that are in the great circles? A. They are the emblems of the four principal views of the life of tranquility, etc. First. Fraternal love to all mankind in general, more particularly for our brethren, who are more attached to us, and who with honor have seen the wretchedness of the vulgar. Second. To be cautious among us of things, and not to demonstrate them clearly to any who are not proper to receive them; and to be likewise cautious in giving credit to any matter, however artfully it may be disguised, without a self-conviction in the heart. Third. To cast from us every matter which we perceive we may ever repent of doing, taking care of this moral precept, "To do to every one of your fellow creatures no more than you would choose to be done to." Fourth. We ought always to confide in our Creator's bounty, and to pray without ceasing, that all our necessities might be relieved as it seems best to him for our advantage; to wait for his blessings patiently in this life; to be persuaded of his sublime decrees, that whatever might fall, contrary to our wishes, will be attended with good consequences; to take his chastisements patiently, and be assured that the end of everything has been done by him for the best, and will certainly lead us to eternal happiness hereafter.

Q. Explain the signification of the seven planets which are enclosed in a triangle, that forms the rays of the exterior circles, and are enclosed in the grand triangle. A. The seven planets, according to philosophy, represent the seven principal passions of the life of man; those passions are very useful when they are used in moderation, for which the Almighty gave them to us, but grow fatal and destroy the body when let loose: and, therefore, it is our particular duty to subdue them.

Q. Explain the seven passions to us. A. 1st. The propagation of species. 2d. Ambition of acquiring riches. 3d. Ambition to acquire glory in the arts and sciences among men in general. 4th. Superiority in civil life. 5th. Joys and pleasures of society. 6th. Amusements and gaieties of life. 7th. Religion.

Q. Which is the greatest sin of all that man can commit, and render him odious to God and man? A. Suicide and homicide.

Q. What signifies the seven cherubims whose names are written in the circle called the "First Heaven?" A. They represent the corporeal delights of this life, which the Eternal gave to man when he created him, and are, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, tranquility, and thought.

Q. What signifies the figure in the moon, which we regard as the figure or image of conception? A. The purity of nature, which procures the holiness of the body; and that there is nothing imperfect in the eyes of the Supreme.

Q. What signifies the figure of the columns? A. They are the emblems of our souls, which is the breath of life proceeding from the All Puissant, and ought not to be soiled by the works of the body, but to be firm as columns.

Q. What does the figure in the porch, which carries a lamb in his arms represent? Ans.--The porch ornamented with the columns of Jachin and Boaz, and surmounted with the grand I, represents our body, over which we ought to have a particular care, in watching our conversation, and also to watch our needs, as the shepherd his flock.

Q. What signify the two letters, I and B, at the porch? A. They signify our entrance in the order of Masonry; also the firmness of the soul, which we ought to possess from hour of our initiation; these we ought to merit, before we can come to the sublime degrees of knowing holy truth, and we ought to preserve them, and be firm in whatever situation we may be in, not knowing whether it may return to our good or evil in the passage of this life.

Q. What signifies the large I in the triangle on the crown of the portico? A. That large I, being the initial of the mysterious name of the Great Architect of the Universe, whose greatness we should always have in our minds, and that our labors ought to be employed to please Him; which we should always have in our view as the sure and only source of our actions.

Q. What signify the seven steps that lead to the entry of the porch? A. They mark the seven degrees in Masonry, which are the principal which we ought to arrive to, in order to come to the knowledge of holy truth.

Q. What does the terrestrial globe represent? A. The world which we inhabit, and wherein Masonry is its principal ornament.

Q. What is the explanation of the great word, Adonai? A. It is the word which God gave to Adam, for him to pray by; a word which our common father never pronounced without trembling.

Q. What signifies "Lux ex tenebris?" A. A man made clear by the light of reason, penetrating this obscurity of ignorance and superstition.