Freemasonry Illustrated 1 — The complete Ritual of the first three masonic degrees and capitular degrees

 

By: Jonathan Blanchard. Illustrator: Doesburg. Distributor: Lulu. $34.99. 538 pages. Paperback CQ. Vol. 1. 2017 (1916).

Jonathan Blanchard (1811–1892) was an American pastor, educator, social reformer, and abolitionist. He took on the presidency of Wheaton College (Illinois) from 1860 to 1882 and was instrumental in ensuring its growth and constantly fought for universal co-education and of reform through strong public education open to all. He was also involved with Anti-Slavery and with Anti-Masonry. His position against Masonry and against secret societies emerged after a Covington, Kentucky lodge refused aid to a widow of a long-time member. Jacob O. Doesburg was Past Master of Unity Lodge No 191 Holland, Mich. and he probably was the person who provided the rituals. His name is associated with that of J. Blanchard on several works. The nature of their association, a Mason working with an anti-Mason, is yet to explain.

In light of J. Blanchard background, the three-volumes of Free-Masonry offer us important sources of information. The information is divided into two main themes: rituals and anti-masonic arguments.  The anti-masonic arguments may turn many pro-masonic readers away at once. However, this would prevent an attentive analysis of the rituals themselves that are of significant historical value at the time of the evolution of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR). Second, an important aspect of Freemasonry being that of nurturing critical thinking, the arguments raised by J. Blanchard, heavily drawing from quotes from Masonic authorities, deserve to be studied carefully and, rather than rejected, counter-argued. This would represent an exercise in the art of Rhetoric, one of the seven liberal arts.

Volume 1 includes a general presentation of Freemasonry, the first three masonic degrees and the capitular degrees; Volume 2, a general presentation of the AASR and its first 18 degrees. Volume 3, the degrees 19 to 33rd and a synoptic chapter of illustrations of Volumes 2 and 3. The three volumes provide together 481 illustrations pertaining to Freemasonry.

 

Contents

 

  • The accuracy of this Exposition attested
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Chapter I. – Historical sketch of Freemasonry
    • False claims to antiquity
    • It caricatures the death and resurrection of Christ
    • Masonic authors admit the modern date of its organization
    • Grand Master Parvin ridicules its pretensions to antiquity
    • Origin of the name Freemason
    • Rapid spread of the Order from the London Lodge
    • It falls before Morgan Anti-Masonry
    • Its partial recovery
    • The spirit of God has lifted a standard against It
  • Chapter II. The professed and real character of Freemasonry
    • Professed Character
      • A Beautiful System of Morality Veiled in Allegory
      • Comprehends every Branch of Useful Knowledge and Learning
      • It Governs the Passions – Gives Comfort and Satisfaction
      • A Universal Religion
      • Its Religion Declared to be “Pure Theism”
      • Its members not required to believe the Bible
      • Not required to believe in future rewards and punishments
      • Its morality declared not that of Christianity, but Lex Naturae
    • Real Character
      • A Christless Religion
      • Degrees declared intensely Christian are intensely Anti-Christian
      • It divides and subverts the Christian Church
      • Its government purely Despotic
      • Its power of taxation unlimited
      • It demands the absolute surrender of Free-will
      • “The power of a Master in his Lodge is absolute”
      • The influence of the Lodge as secret training-school appalling
      • A political and religious evil demanding a like remedy
  • Chapter III. – How a local Lodge is organized
    • Only Master Masons and not less than 8 can organize a Lodge
    • The Master and Wardens constitute a Lodge under dispensation
    • The Grand Master can make Masons at sight
    • The Master and Wardens constitute a perpetual Triumvirate
    • Members belong to a Lodge as Dogs belong to Masters
  • Chapter IV. – Titles and Duties of the Officers of a Lodge
    • Plan of Lodge Room for a Blue Lodge
  • Chapter V. – Entered Apprentice Degree – Opening Ceremonies
    • Calling the Lodge to Order
    • Clothing the Lodge to Order
    • Tyling the Lodge to Order
    • Purging the Lodge to Order
    • Sign of an Entered Apprentice
    • Catechetical exercises from Lecture
    • Uninitiated persons called Cowan or Dogs. Note 6
    • None can leave the Lodge without Master’s permission. Note 10
    • “The Lodge of the Holy St. John of Jerusalem.” Note 11
    • “It is the Obligation which makes the Mason.” Note 12
    • “The W. Master himself is a representative of the sun.” Note 13
    • Sign of an Entered Apprentice
    • Opening prayers
  • Analysis of Chapter V
    • A System of Sworn Obedience to Superiors
    • Each Officer Lords it over those next below him
    • Freemasonry a Historic Falsehood
  • Chapter VI – Fellow Craft Degree – Opening Ceremonies
    • Passing from First to Second Degree
    • The Due Guard a Reminder of Sacred Engagements. Note 19
    • Due Guard and Sign of a Fellow Craft
  • Chapter VII – Master Mason’s Degree – Opening Ceremonies
    • Form of passing from Second to Third Degree
    • None but Master Masons are Members of a Lodge. Notes 20 and 21
    • Purging the Lodge
    • Catechetical Exercises, Termed Lecture
    • Due Guard of a Master Mason
    • Sign and Grand Hailing Sign of a Master Mason
    • Admission of visitors
    • Test Oath administered to visitors
    • Order of Business
    • Reading petitions and reports of committees
    • Balloting on Candidates – different methods
  • Analysis of Opening ceremonies 2nd and 3rd Degrees
    • Freemasonry kills laws without repealing them
    • Freemasonry proved a heathen religion
    • Discipline enforced by incessant appeals to terror
    • Practices tricks to put its victims off their guard
  • Chapter VIII – Entered Apprentice Degree – Initiation
    • Reducing the Lodge from Third to First Degree
    • Questions to Candidate
    • Candidate “comes seeking the new birth.” Note 28
    • Preparation of Candidate for First Degree
    • Masonic admission that the Candidate is stripped. Note 30
    • Admission that Candidate is barefoot, hoodwinked, etc. Notes 31, 32, 33
    • Personal advantage the allurement to become a Mason. Note 34
    • Lodges Dedicated to the Saints John. Note 38
    • Rite of Induction or Shock of Entrance
    • Masonic admission that Candidate’s breast is pierced. Note 42
    • Initiatory Prayer by Worshipful Master
    • Rite of Circumambulation
    • Circumambulation a part of Sun Worship. Note 43
    • Scripture Reading
    • Mason must be Free by Birth. Note 45
    • Darkness suggests a “Profane,” Light a Freemason. Note 46
    • No mutilated Men in this Benevolent Institution. Note 50
    • Covenant of the Lodge before administering the Oath
    • Masonry a Royal Art. Note 53
    • An Affirmation not equivalent to an Oath in Masonry. Note 54
    • Rite of Secrecy or Entered Apprentice’s Obligation
    • Accuracy of this Obligation proved by Notes 55–59
    • Pierson confirms the correctness of the penalty. Note 60
    • The Life of the Lodge depends on secret keeping. Note 61
    • Shock of Enlightenment or Rite of Illumination
    • The Shock of Enlightenment, Name for Divine Truth. Note 64
    • Entered Apprentice Step
    • Entered Apprentice Grip
    • Rite of Investiture – Lambskin Apron
    • The Apron the distinguishing badge of a Mason. Nods 68
    • A metallic deposit requested its object. Note 70
    • The Working Tools of an Entered Apprentice
    • Working Tools sanctified to the purification of the heart
  • CHAPTER IX. – Entered Apprentice Degree–Lecture
    • Candidate must first be prepared in his Heart. Note 75
    • Masonry to purify Candidate’s evil nature. Note 77
    • Must believe in a God to make the Oath Binding. Note 79
    • The lambskin Apron teaches purity of life and conduct. Note 81
    • Instructions in building Moral and Masonic edifice. Note 82
    • High Places always considered Holy. Note 84
    • The covering of the Lodge
    • Reach Heaven by the aid of the theological ladder. Note 84
    • The Furniture of a Lodge
    • Raise themselves out of the world to find divine truth. Note 86
    • The Bible merely an Article of Furniture. Note 88
    • The Bible only the “symbol of the Will of God. “ Note 89
    • A Universal Religion. The Star of Bethlehem “too sectarian”
    • Has Lights because it is an Ancient religious custom. Note 91
    • The Jewels of a Lodge
    • The Bible put on a Level with the Koran. Note 93
    • “The Floor of the Lodge is Holy Ground.” Note 95
    • Lodges situated East and West – Heathen Temples were. Note 96
    • The Point within a Circle – Its Abominable Allusion. Note 98
    • “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.”
    • Points of Entrance–Guttural, Pectoral, Manual, Pedal, referring to Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice
    • Masons to be temperate lest they tell Masonic Secrets. Note 90
    • The Virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice fastened on the outward frame of a Mason. Note 99.
    • The penalties of the Three Degrees given by Mackey. Note 100
    • Charge to Candidate, Entered Apprentice Degree
    • Treason and rebellion not Masonic crimes though proved. Note 102
  • Analysis – Entered Apprentice Degree
    • Freemasonry is “A lie all over”
    • Antiquity does not justify, folly and crime
    • Great and good men do not endorse the lodge
    • No Lodge of the Two Saints John at Jerusalem
    • Masonic Lodge organized in 1717 in Apple Tree Tavern, London
    • Gods of wood and stone – Gauge, gavel, square, level and plumb
    • Lodge penalties would not scare if known to be counterfeit
  • Chapter X – Entered Apprentice Degree – Closing Ceremonies
    • “The social hour at High Twelve.” Note 103
    • The Wages of a Freemason are Light and Knowledge. Note 104
  • Chapter XI – Fellow Craft Degree – Initiation
    • The Middle Chamber Lodge. Note 105
    • “It is particularly devoted to Science.” Note 106
    • Due Guard and Sign of a Fellow Craft
    • Preparation of Candidate, Fellow Craft Degree
    • A Fellow Craft has no privileges outside his own Lodge. Note 107
    • Rite of Induction or Shock of Entrance – on Angle of Square
    • Rite of Circumambulation
    • Scripture Reading Ode
    • Fellow Craft Pass
    • Fellow Craft Step
    • Covenant of the Lodge – Assurance before taking the Oath
    • Powerful Obligations to be obedient and keep secrets. Note 111
    • “An Obligation is an essential part of a Degree.” Note 112
    • Rite of Secrecy or Fellow Craft Obligation
    • Masons “must yield private judgment.” Note 114
    • Disobedient expelled with public marks of ignominy. Note 115
    • Shock of Enlightenment or Rite of Illumination
    • Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft
    • Real Grip of a Fellow Craft
    • The Working Tools of a Fellow Craft
    • Preparation for second section
    • Operative Masonry – Speculative Masonry
    • Secret keeping the groundwork of all masonic degrees. Note 120
    • Masonic Science
    • The Globes
    • Winding Stairs – A magnificent philosophical myth. Note 122
    • Order in Architecture
    • Antiquity of Architecture
    • The Five Senses; Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling, Tasting
    • Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music
    • The Origin of the Password Shibboleth
    • Token or Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft
    • Real Grip of a Fellow Craft
    • Mason Ever in search of Truth but never to find it. Note 123
    • The Jewels of a Fellow Graft
    • Charge of a Fellow Craft
  • CHAPTER XII – Fellow Craft Degree – Lecture
    • Fellow Craft Penalty. Note 126
    • “The Square is the symbol of the Divine Essence.” Note 127
    • Masons conceal the art of keeping secrets. Note 129
  • Analysis Fellow Craft Degree
    • The Fellow Craft Degree like the Entered Apprentice
    • Sense of duty leads men to expose the Lodge
    • Christless religion reaffirmed
    • More false pretences
    • Freemasons are not scholarly men
    • The York and Scottish Rites principal masonic systems
  • Chapter XIII – Master Mason’s Degree – Initiation
    • Purging the Lodge
    • This Degree symbolizes Resurrection and Immortality. Note 131
    • Due Guard of a Master Mason
    • Sign of a Master Mason
    • The Tragedy of the Degree (Murder-Play) intimated. Note 132
    • Preparation of Candidate, Master Mason’s Degree
    • “Raised from the Grave of Iniquity” – “Redeemed.” Note 134
    • Rite of Induction or Shock of Entrance
    • Rite of Circumambulation
    • Scripture Reading – Description of an Old Man
    • “The Sublime and Awful Ceremonies.” Note 137
    • Ode, Master Mason’s Degree
    • Covenant of the Lodge – Pledge to Candidate about the Oath
    • Obligation, Master Mason’s Degree
    • A Good Mason will not get drunk and tell the secrets. Note 138
    • “Severe Penalties” for disobeying “a Due Summons” Note 139
    • Grand Master Hiram a votary of Bacchus. Note 140
    • Confirmation in reference to clandestine masons. Note 141
    • Confirmation in reference to atheists, madmen and fools. Note 142
    • Confirmation of the Oath in regard to female relatives. Note 143
    • Confirmation of the penalty of the Degree. Note 144
    • Shock of enlightenment, Master Mason’s Degree
    • Due-Guard and Sign of a blaster Mason
    • Pass Grip of a Master Mason
    • Working Tools of a Master Mason
    • Explanation of the Trowel – The Master’s Emblem. Note 145
    • Legend of Temple Builder borrowed from the Mysteries. Note 146
    • “The Road of Peril” to “the Holy of Holies.” Note 147
    • “All the elements of sublime tragedy.” Note 149
    • Playing murder, in six scenes
    • “A notable example of fortitude.” Note 150
    • “An acacia bloomed over his grave.” Note 152
    • “Masonic history of the acacia incommunicable.” Note 153
    • “Many allusions to Joppa.” Note 154
    • The Ruffians go “into the clefts of the rocks.” Note 155
    • Masonry a philosophical development of Sun Worship. Note 156
    • A wayfaring man just landed at Joppa. Note 158
    • “In the Initiation of Life and Death * * Innocence mast for a Time Lie in the Grave.” Note 159
    • The Temple Builder – Triumph of Death and the Grave. Note 160
    • The Masonic Religion started on Mt. Calvary, B. C. Note 161
    • “Weary Brother” “site down to rest and refresh.” Note 161
    • The Ancient Mysteries, truly masonic institutions. Note 164
    • “Violent death and subsequent restoration to life.” Note 164
    • Searching for the “Secret Word of Masonry.” Note 165
    • Strict Obedience to the Obligations – Free from Sin. Note 166
    • Grand Hailing Sign of Distress – Third Degree
    • Funeral Dirge at Raising
    • Prayer at Mock Resurrection of Candidate as Hiram Abiff
    • “Five Points of Fellowship” – Benevolent Code. Note 169
    • Strong Grip of a Master Mason or Lion’s Paw
    • Five Points of Fellowship
    • Pass Grip of a Master Mason
    • The Tragedy of the Degree based on Masonic Tradition. Note 172
    • Lecture by the Worshipful Master
    • Twelve Fellow Crafts represent the companions of Isla. Note 173
    • Rev. Jonathan Nye’s monument to the memory of Hiram. Note 174
    • “Osiris and the Tyrian Architect are one.” Note 175
    • The Masonic Doctrine of the Trinity. Note 176
    • An E. A. Lodge the ground floor of the Temple, Note 178
    • Fellow Craft Lodge the middle chamber of the Temple. Note 179
    • Master Mason’s Lodge the Sanctum Sanctorum. Note 180
    • The Three Steps – The Pot of Incense
    • The Bee Hive
    • The Book of Constitutions, guarded by the Tyler’s Sword
    • The Sword pointing to a Naked Heart
    • The All-Seeing Eye
    • The Anchor and Ark – symbol of “the second birth.” Note 188
    • The Forty seventh Problem of Euclid – The Hour Glass
    • The Scythe
    • The Setting Maul, Spade, Coffin and Sprig of Acacia. Note 192
    • The Setting Maul, “significant of the stroke of death.” Note 193
    • “The Myth of the Tyrian is perpetually repeated.” Note 194
    • “Complete in Morality, with the stay of Religion added. Note 196
    • Nothing more “which the Soul of Man requires.” Note 196
    • Unclaimed Rights promptly forfeited. Note 199
  • CHAPTER XIV. – Master Mason’s Degree – Lecture
    • The Rite of the Wanderer or the Symbolic Pilgrimage; Note 201
    • “That Veil of Mystery – that awful Secrecy.” Note 202
    • Freemasonry and the Ancient Mysteries identical. Note 204
    • Secrecy has a mystic binding, almost supernatural force. Note 206
    • Three pillars “convey a regenerating purity.” Note 212
  • CHAPTER XV. – Master Mason’s Degree – Closing Ceremonies
    • The Junior Warden represents Hiram Abiff. Note 213
    • The Senior Warden represents Hiram, King of Tyre. Note 214
    • Analysis Master Mason’s Degree
    • Blue Lodge Masonry called Universal Masonry
    • Higher degrees invented because lower degrees sold
    • Nobles of the mystic shrine wear about the signs of the unspeakable Turk
    • First three degrees teach regeneration, enlightenment and resurrection
    • Lodge Oaths
    • The penalties of the three degrees
    • A double-acting caricature of Christ and Christianity
    • The “Initiation” of Jesuitism
    • Caricatures of Christianity
    • Makes knowing infidels or senseless dupes
    • Caricature of Christ raising the dead
  • CHAPTER XVI— Mark Master’s Degree— Opening Ceremonies
    • Purging and clothing the Lodge
    • The Officers all Royal Arch Masons. Note 217
    • Tyling the Lodge
    • Mark Master’s Degree Teaches Temple Regulations. Note 219
    • Due Guard and Sign of a Mark Master
    • Grand Hailing Sign of a Mark Master
    • Heave Over or Principal Sign of a Mark Master
    • Opening Charge
    • Rejecting Christ Necessary in Scripture Quotations. Note 220
    • Substitution of the Keystone for the Lord Jesus. Note 221
    • Lodges of Mark Masters Dedicated to Hiram Abiff. Note 222
  • CHAPTER XVII— Mark Master’s Degree — Initiation
    • “The Design of all Masonry is the Search after Truth.’’ Note 224
    • Craftsmen from the Quarries
    • “Good Work, True Work, Square Work.” Note 225
    • Mark Masters the Higher Class of Fellow Crafts. Note 227
    • The Type of a Good and Faithful Servant. Note 229
    • The Mark of the Craft. Notes 232, 233 and 235
    • Heaving away the Keystone
    • Mark Master’s Song
    • The Lodge the Mason’s Vineyard — His Wages Truth. Note 238
    • The Penalty of an Impostor
    • Reprimand for Demanding Wages not Due
    • Playing Sabbath
    • Preparation of Candidate Mark Master’s Degree
    • Right of Induction— Indenting Chisel at Left Breast
    • Rite of Circumambulation
    • Rite of Secrecy — Mark Master’s Obligation
    • Importance of the Keystone or Mark Master’s Mark. Notes 244–247
    • Pass Grip of a Mark Master
    • Real Grip of a Mark Master
    • Mark Master’s Working Tools
    • The White Stone of Revelation a Keystone. Note 255
    • Masonic Explanation of the Keystone
    • Masonic use of the parable of the Vineyard Laborers. Note 258
  • CHAPTER XVIII— Mark Master’s Degree— Lecture
    • An Honorary Degree. Note 259
  • CHAPTER XIX — Mark Master’s Degree — Closing Ceremonies
    • Prayer at closing a Mark Master’s Lodge
    • Analysis Mark Master’s Lodge
    • Invented by French Priests
    • Free Masonry a stupendous falsehood
    • Christ’s name stricken out of the Bible
  • CHAPTER XX— Past Master’s Degree-Initiation
    • Opening Prayer
    • This Degree an honorary inconsistency. Note 263
    • Its Honors a Sham. Note 266
    • Rite of Secrecy— Obligation of a Past Master
    • Due Guard of a Past Master
    • Sign of a Past Master
    • Grip of a Past Master
    • Candidate “said to be inducted into the oriental chair.” Note 269
    • Installation Ode
    • Charge to Candidate, Past Master’s Degree
    • Closing prayer Past Master’s Degree
  • CHAPTER XXI— Past Master’s Degree— Lecture
    • Analysis Past Master’s Degree
    • [Use of Christless prayers]
    • An honorary degree
    • Defiling the temple of God
  • CHAP. XXII— Most Excellent Master’s Deg. — Opening Ceremonies
    • Opening psalm
    • Balancing most Excellent Master’s Degree
  • CHAP. XXIII — Most Excellent Master’s Degree — Initiation
    • Rite of circumambulation
    • Teaches the resurrection and immortality
    • Rite of Secrecy — Obligation Most Excellent Master’s Degree
    • Due Guard of a Most Excellent Master
    • Sign or Sign of Astonishment
    • Grip of a Most Excellent Master
    • The Cope Stone. Notes 284 and 285
    • Most Excellent Master’s Song— Dedicatory
    • Setting the Keystone
    • Dedicatory Procession
    • Placing the Ark of the Covenant
    • Dedicatory Song
    • Dedicatory Prayer
    • Burning Incenser
    • Charge Most Excellent Master’s Degree
    • Death the Cope Stone. Note 294
  • CHAPTER XXIV— Most Excellent Master’s Degree— Lecture
    • Laboring to erect a spiritual temple in his heart
  • CHAP. XXV. — Most Excellent Master’s Deg. — Closing Ceremonies
    • Scripture Reading — 23rd Psalm
    • Analysis Most Excellent Master’s Degree
    • Invented by Webb the Rite Peddler
    • The Notes present a substitute for Christianity
    • Consists of Prayers and Horse Play— Christ excluded
    • The one source of lodge rites
  • CHAPTER XXVI— Royal Arch Degree — Opening Ceremonies
    • Titles of Officers of the Chapter. Note 299
    • “Holiness to the Lord’’ the Royal Arch Motto. Note 305
    • Diagram of the Chapter
    • Clothing of the Chapter
    • The blasphemous password
    • Symbolical colors of the veils. Note 309
    • Sign of Grand Master First Veil
    • The serpent a symbol of Freemasonry. Note 310
    • Sign of Grand Master Second Veil
    • Search for the Word of Science of Freemasonry. Note 312
    • Sign of Grand Master, Third Veil
    • Charge at Opening on Royal Arch Degree
    • Balancing and giving the Pass by Three Times Three
    • Giving the Grand Omnific Word by Three Times Three
  • CHAPTER XXVII — Royal Arch Degree— Initiation
    • Royal Arch group of candidates duly and truly prepared
    • Candidates received under a living arch and made to stoop low
    • Prayer by Principal Sojourner
    • Rite of Secrecy — Royal Arch Obligation
    • The Burning Bush
    • [The destruction of Jerusalem]
    • [Second Clause]
    • [Proclamation]
    • The “Rough and Rugged Road’’ Illustrated
    • [First Prayer on the Way from Babylon]
    • Second Prayer on the Way from Babylon
    • Third Prayer on the Way from Babylon
    • Arrival of the Three Weary Sojourners at the First Veil
    • “Words” of the Grand Master of the First Veil
    • “Words” of the Grand Master of the Second Veil
    • “Words” and signet of the Grand Master of the Third Veil
    • The working tools of a Royal Arch Mason
    • Arch found, keystone carried to the Grand Council
    • Descending the Arch in search of treasure
    • Second Descent of the Arch— The Ark found
    • Royal Arch Ode
    • The Triangle and Grand Omnific Name
    • Royal Arch Due Guard and Sign
    • Royal Arch Grand Hailing Sign of Distress
    • Key to the Ineffable Characters
    • The Equilateral or Perfect Triangle
    • The Breastplate
    • The Royal Arch Banner
    • Royal Arch Charge to Candidates
    • Royal Arch Closing Prayer
  • CHAPTER XXVIII — Royal Arch Degree— Lecture
    • Royal Arch Degree represents man after death. Note 368
    • Lodge ornaments— Square & Compass, Death’s Head, etc. Note 370
    • The serpent a symbol of regeneration. Note 371
    • The Royal Arch Emblem — The Triple Tau
    • Masonry “still claims to be a system of religion.” Note 379
    • Jah, Bel. On, or Jah-buh-lun. Note 380
    • Analysis Holy Royal Arch Degree
    • Its origin
    • Masonry the Royal Art, because an Ally of Kingcraft
    • Name of the degree
    • The Degree of Priest, King, and Caste
    • Its pre-eminence
    • Men placed “in due form for devotions"
    • First ignores then excludes Christ
    • Women are excluded from the lodge
    • Lodge tends to destroy home and government
  • CHAPTER XXIX — Masonic Secrets and Doctrines Illustrated
  • Appendix
  • Bibliography and Bibliography