After examining the Key, he proceeds to read, by the aid of it, the characters on the four sides of the Ark.
High Priest (reading first side.)–Deposited in the year three thousand. Second side–By Solomon, King of Israel. Third side–Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. Fourth side–For the good of Masonry, generally, but the Jewish nation in particular.1
High Priest (to candidates.)–Companions, here are three mysterious words, in a triangular form, upon the Ark, which, when first found, were covered with three squares, the jewels of our three ancient Grand Masters; and from this circumstance, we supposed it to be the long-lost Master Mason’s word; and, on applying our Key to it, it proved our suspicions to be correct. It is the name of Deity in three languages, viz., Chaldaic, Hebrew, and Syriac, which is the long-lost Master Mason’s word, or Logos, and has now become the Grand Omnific Royal Arch word.
It is the divine Logos, or Word, to which reference is had in John (i. 1-5):
“In the beginning was the word (Logos), and the word was with God, and the word was God; the same was in the beginning with God: all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made; in him was life, and the life was the light of men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”
This word was anciently written only in these sacred characters, and thus preserved from one generation to another. It was lost by the death of Hiram Abiff, was found again at the building of the Temple, and will now be given to you; and you will re-member the manner you receive it, and that you have sworn never to give it to others except in that particular manner.
The candidates, instructed by the Principal Sojourner, now learn the Grand Omnific Royal Arch Word, as follows:
Each one takes hold with his right hand of the right wrist of his companion on the left, and with his left hand takes hold of the left wrist of his companion on the right. Each one then
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places his right foot forward with the hollow in front, so that the toe touches the heel of his companion on the right. This is called “three times three;” that is, three right feet forming a triangle, three left hands forming a triangle, and three right hands forming a triangle. They balance in the same manner, and then, with hands raised, repeat the words Jah-buh-lun, Jehovah, G-o-d, at low breath, as described before. (See pp. 224-25, Fig. 32.)1
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The signs of this Degree are now given to the candidates, as follows:
First, raise the right hand to the forehead, the hand and arm horizontal, the thumb toward the forehead; draw it briskly across the forehead, and drop it perpendicularly by the side. This constitutes the duegard and sign of this Degree, and refers not only to the penalty of the obligation, but alludes also to the manner in which the brother who descended into the vault, and found the Ark, found his hands involuntarily placed, to protect
FIG. 36. ROYAL ARCH DUEGARD AND SIGN.
FIG. 37. ROYAL ARCH GRAND HAILING SIGN.1
his head from the rays of the meridian sun. (See Fig. 36.) This sign must be given to the High Priest, upon entering and retiring from a Chapter.
High Priest (placing crowns upon the heads of candidates.)–Companions, you are now invested with all the important secrets
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of this Degree, and crowned and received as worthy Companions Royal Arch Masons.
The High Priest then reads to them from a book the charge in this Degree, informing them that the Degree owes its origin to Zerubbabel and his associates, who rebuilt the Temple by order of Cyrus, King of Persia. He likewise informs them that the discovery of the secret vault and the inestimable treasures, with the long-lost word, actually took place in the manner represented in conferring this Degree, and that it is the circumstance upon which the Degree is principally founded.
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
