THIRTY AND OFFICER’S GUIDE OPENING AND CLOSING …the-eye.eu/public/Books/Occult_Library/Freemasonry... · before passing through the encampment, intro-duces all visitors and conducts

THIRTY - SECOND DEGREEAND

OFFICER’SGUIDE

THE WORK WITH COMPLETEOPENINGAND CLOSING

CEREMONIES

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTEDSCOTTISHRITE

EZRA A. COOK PUBLICATIONS, INC.P.O.BOX 796 CHICAGO 5, ILL.

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HOUSE ARRANGEMENT

(EAST)

Commander-in-CbiefGrand Minister of State Grand CbancetlorTreasurer Secretary

Grand Hospitater(ALTAR)

Grand Master of Ceremonies1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant

0Grand StandardBearer

(THEENCAMP-

MENT)

Captainof tbe Guards

InsideSentinel

Outside Sentinel

(WEST)

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OFFICER’S GUIDEFORTHE CONSISTORY

(A body of thirty-second degree Masons as-sembled in a regularly called meeting is styled“session,” and the body is termed a “Consistory”and the membersare known as “Sublime Princessof the Royal Secret.”)

The officers of a Consktoryare as follows:

Illustrious Commander-in-ChiefIllustrious First Lieutenant CommanderIllustrious Second Lieutenant CommanderIllustrious Grand Minister of StateIllustrious Grand ChancellorIllustrious Grand TreasurerIllustrious Grand Secretaryillustrious Grand HospitalerIllustrious Grand StandardBearerIllustrious Grand Master of CeremoniesIllustrious Grand Captain of the GuardsIllustrious Grand Sentinels (2 or more)Illustrious Grand StandardBearers of the Corps

(around the pentagon) 5Illustrious Grand Commandersof ihe Corps

(around the nonagon) 9

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The Officers are situatedas follows:The Commander-in-Chief, in the East, on a

throne elevated by seven (7) steps. The FirstLieutenant Commander, in the North, slightlyWest of the Altar, elevated by three (3) sleps.The Second Lieutenant Commander,in the South,slightly West of the altar, and also elevated by

three (3) steps. The Grand Minister of State,in the East, on the floor, to the right of theCommander-in-Chief. The Grand Chancellor, inthe East, on the floor to the left of the Coin-mander-iri-Chief. The Grand Secretary, in theSoutheast, to the left of the Commanderin-Chief,a little Westward. The Grand Treasurer, in theNortheast, to the right of the Commander-in-Chief, a little Westwad. The Grand Hospitaler,in the East, right front of the Commander-in-Chief. The Grand Master of Ceremonies, just~Vest of the altar, inside of the railing that di-vides the Consistory from the encampment TheGrand Standard Bearer, in the West, diiectly infront of the encampment. The Captain of theGuards in the extreme West, just beyond theencampment. The Grand Sentinels, one insideand the other outside of the door of the Consis-tory roon,.

The Officers duties in brief are as follows:The Commander-in-Chiel, the head officer, pre-

sides and has full chargeof the assemblage. TheFirst and Second Lieutenants assist him incarrying out the duties of his office and theyinvestigate all applicants. The Grand Ministerof State is the orator. He delivers all lecturesduring initiation. The Grand Chancellor acts asbusiness and financial supervisor for the Com-mander-in-Chief and the Consistory, assistingboth the Secretary and Treasurer. The GrandTreasurer and Secretray perform the customaryduties of their office as their titles imply. TheGrand Hospitaler offers up prayer, looks out forthe sick and needy collects alms (charity).The Grand Standard Bearer takes charge of theStandard (banner) of the Order; seeing tbat itis preserved and transmitted to his successor inoffice or the Consistory. The Grand Master ofCeremonies instructs all Sublime Princes how toenter or leave a Consistory Sanctuaryafter andbefore passing through the encampment, intro-duces all visitors and conducts tbe candidateduring initiation. He is the ritualist of tbebody. Tbe Grand Captain of the Guards bascharge of the Camp; collects the watch-word of

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the day and instructs members how to getthrough the camp. The Sentinels and Campofficers are under his supervision. The GrandSentinels guard the Consistory from without.The Standard Bearers of the Corps illustratethe respective degrees of their standards to thecandidates. The Comnianders of the Corps ex-plains the respective degrees over which theycommandto the candidates.

OPENING CEREMONY

Commander-in-Chief: (OneRap). Sub-lime Princes, come to order. Officers,take your posts.

Commander-in-Chief: (Raps twice withpommel of sword). Valient Captain ofthe Guards, see that the Sentinels arestationed and advise them I am about toopen this Consistory,and to allow noneto approach who hath not the word orsign of a Sublime Prince of the RoyalSecret.

(Captain of Guards comes to attention, sat-utes the Commander-sn-Chiefwith his swordsharply and makes a snappy right-about-facetowards the Inside Sentinel and communicatestime order.)

Captain of the Guards: Sublime PrinceSentinel, the Ill. Commander-in-Chief or-ders that the Consistory is about to beopenedand none be allowed to approachwho hath not the word and sign of aSublime Prince of the Royal Secret.

(The Inside Sentinel conies to attention, andreplies as follows:)

Inside Sentinel: Sublime Prince Cap-tain of the Guards, the Ill. Commander-in-Chief’s orders shall be carriedout.

(The Inside Sentimid then gives the properraps on the door and communicates the ordersto the Outside Sentinel. Raps are exchangedand the Inside Sentinel says to the Captain ofthe Guards:)

Inside Sentinel: Sublime Prince Cap-tain of the Guards, we are secureagainstintrusion.

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Captain of the Guards: Ill. Commander-in-Chief, the Sentinels are stationed andduly instructed; we are secure againstintrusion.

Commander-in-Chief: (Raps twice withpommel of sword; both officers rise andstandat attention with swords.)

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime Princes,First and Second Lieutenants, it is notenough for us to be protected, we mustalso be certain that none but friends aregatheredunder our colors. Approach theEast and communicate to me the secretword of a Sublime Prince of the RoyalSecret.

(Both officers salute, leave stations and ad-vance to the base of the throne, each on hisrespective side and stands at attentio;i. TheFirst Lieutenant mounts the throne and whir-pers the word to the Ill Commander-in-Chiefand returns to the floor where he remainsuntil the Secord Lieutenant does the same.Both remain still until the Ill. Commander-in-

Chief speaks as follows:)

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Commander-in-Chief: Sublime PrincesFirst and Second Lieutenants, since youare in possessionof the word, visit yourrespective Camps and satisfy yourselvesthat no enemy or spy has intruded him-self among us. Attention, SublimePrinces! (****). (All rise and stand atattention.)

(The First and SecondLieutenants startingat the right and left of the Ill. Commander-in-Chief, respectively, collect the pass from all.All without the pass are reported to the Com-mander-in-Chief as they are come to; investedor excused as the ease may be. After theygive the word they take their seat. The FirstLieutenant takes it from the Standard Bearersof the Corps, and the Second Lieutenant takesit from the Commandersof the Corps. Onetakes it from the Captain of the Guards whilethe other takes it from the Inside Sentinelwho has in the meantime taken it from theOutside Sentmel. By way of right and left ofthe Camp they both return to their stationsand, both standing, report as follows:)

Second Lieutenant: Sublime PrinceFirst Lieutenant, there are no spies orenemiesin my camp.

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(All without the pass are reported to theComnmander-i,i-Chief as they are come to; in-s.estedor excusedas the casemay be.)First Lieutenant: Ill. Commander-in-

Chief, there are no spies or enemiesamongus. We havemet none but friendsand brethren who are ready to act assoonas the signal is given.

(Both Lieutenantsremainstanding.)

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: S u b I i m ePrince First Lieutenant, at what hour dowe act?

First Lieutenant: At the fifth hourafter sunset.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: For whatreasoncan we not act before?

First Lieutenant: Because if our ac-tions were premature,our enemies mightlearn our plans and defeat our purposefor the regenerationof humanity.

Inside Sentinel: (at this point the In-side Sentinelpoundson the floor with thehilt of his swords 5 times, loudly, like theboomingof cannon.)

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: S u b I i m ePrince Second Lieutenant, what’s thehour?

Second Lieutenant: Ill Commander-in-Chief, the gun has just fired and tells usthat five hours have elapsed since sunset.

Commander-in-Chief: Then the hourhas come and all is ready in both yourCamps. Sublime Princes First and SecondLieutenants, inform your brave Com-panions that I shall proceed to performmy duty.

First Lieutenant: (Raps twice). Val-iant Companions of my camp, the Ill.Commander-in-Chief hereby informs youthat he is about to proceed to performhis duty; observe the Ill. Commander-in-Chief.

(All officers and nmemn.bcrs on the right orNorth side of the hail, and Commanders ofthe Corps, arise and standat attention.)

Second Lieutenant: (Rapstwice). Val-iant Companions of my camp, the Ill.Commander-in-Chief hereby informs you

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that he is about to proceed to performhis duty; observe the Ill. Commander-in-Chief.

(All officers and members on the left orSouth side of the hall, and the StandardBearers of the Corps, arise and stands at at-tention.)

Commander-in-Chief: 0 r d e r SublimePrinces,fall in.

(All officers, except the Com,nander~in~.Chief,descendto the floor and they and the inenibersform a continuous line all around the hall,leaving an opening at the head for the Com-mander-in-Chief

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime Princes,Draw Swords, Present Arms, C a r r ySwords, Return Swords! All together,Sublime Princes,let’s give the signs.

(Here the sign.r are given, including the

thirty-second.)Commander-in-Chief: 0 r d e r Sublime

Princes,forward, march.(Here the Scottish Rite March is performed,

bringing all closer towards the East14

Commander-in-Chief: Halt, SublimePrinces. While our Grand Hospitalerpreparesthe altar of incense, join me inadoration to our Supreme Grand Archi-tect of the Universe, then let’s form thatindossoluable chain and offer the neededsupplication to Almighty God.

(The Grand Hospitaler prepares the Altarby opening the Bible at the 8th chapter of2nd Kings: lights the incense. A hymn isSung. . The Ill Coniinander-in.-Chief leaves histhrone and conies forward and fills the placeleft open for hini; the chain is formed and theHospitaler, at the altar, offers prayer. As thelast Amen is said the chain is broken, all rise,replacehats and give the battery.

All together:* ~ Laus Deo ! * ****

Laus Doe! * **** Laus Deo!Ill. Commander-in-Chief: Spes Mea In

Deo Est.

All together: My Hope Is In God.

(All return to ther seatsand stations.)

Commander-in-Chief: (One r a p withhilt of sword). “Salix.”

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First Lieutenant: (One rap with hiltof sword). “Noni.”

Second Lieutenant: (One rap with hiltof sword). “Tengu.”

(Comnianderin-Chief gives one rap and allare seated,gives two raps andsays:)Commander-in-Chief:Sublime Pr i n c e

Captain of th~ Guards, advance and re-ceive the Watch-wordof the day.

(The Captain of the Guards advances to thethrone and receives the word of the day fromthe Commander-in-Chief. Beginning at the leftof the Commander-in-Chief, he communicatesthe word to each person prese,it. As he giveseach the ‘word, each in return giies hini theProper answer. When all have been investedhe returns to hi.r post and says:)Captain of the Guards: Ill. Commander-

in-Chief, each Sublime Prince is in pos-sessionof the Watch-word of the day.

Commander-in-Chief: Thank you, Sub-lime Prince Captain of the Guards.(Onerap.)

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: (Two raps).Sublime Prince Master of Ceremoniesare you a Sublime Prince of the RoyalSecret? I

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Master of Ceremonies: I have passedfrom the Squareto the Compasses.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief:beenAnnointed?

Have you

Master of Ceremonies: The oils havetouchedme from the trowels.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: From whencehave you come?

Master of Ceremonies: From Judea.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: How old areyou?

Master of Ceremonies: A century ormore.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: Then you area Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.

Masterof Ceremonies: I have Libertyand practiceEquality.

Ill. Commander-in-Chief: This is the

Spirit of Fraternity.

Commander-in-Chief: (* ****) Atten-tion, Sublime Princes, present swords,

1?

(All cometo present.)

Commander-in-Chief:To the Glory ofthe SupremeGrand Architect of the Uni-verse, in the name and under the auspicesof the United SupremeCouncil of AncientAccepted Scottish Rite Masons for theUnited Statesof America, its Tertitoriesand Dependencies,and by the power andauthority in me vestedas Ill. Commander-in-Chief of Consistory, settingin the Valley of , do herebydeclarethis body of Scottish Rite Masonsopen for the advancementof Humanityand the cause of Virtue. Carry Swords,Return Swords. Be seated.

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime PrinceCaptain of the Guards, inform the Sen-tinels that this Consistory is open, andto clear the ReceptionChamber.

Captain of the Guards: Sublime PrinceInside Sentinel, it is the order of the Ill.Commander-in-Chief that this Consistoryis now open and clear the ReceptionChamber,

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(The Inside Sentinel gives the proper rapson the door and informs the Outside Sent~neland closesthe door and tiles it properly.)

Inside Sentinel: Ill. Captain of theGuards, the Outside Sentinel stands in-structed.

Captain of the Guards: Ill. Commander-in-Chief: The Sentinelsstand instructed.

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime Secretary,l)leasecall the Roster of Officers.

(Secretaryreads Roster,)

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.89.

10.

Minutes (Baluster).Communication.Report of Grand Hospitaler.Petitions for Membership.Reports of Committees.Paymentsof Dues.Unfinished Business(Bills, etc.).New Business.Initiation or Instruction.Closing.

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CLOSING CEREMONY

Commander-in-Chief: (Two R a p s).Sublime Prince Captain of the Guards,see that Silence prevails and inform theSentinels that I am about to close thisConsistoryand to permit no instrusion.

Captain of the Guards: Sublime PrinceSentinel, the Ill. Commander-in-Chief in-forms you that he is about to close thisConsistoryand to permit no intrusion.

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime PrinceFirst Lieutenant, at what hour do weend our work?

(The In-side Sentinel giies the proper rapson the door and informs the Outside Sentineland closesthe door and tiles it properly.)

First Lieutenant: At the first hourBigotry and thraldom has ceased, andVirtue has its rightful place in the heartsof men.

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime PrinceSecond Lieutenant, has our purpose beenaccomplished?

SecondLieutenant:mander-in-Chief, butthe sun are makingbarriers of darkness,purposes.

Commander-in-Chief:Grand Hospitaler, pleaseFraternal Assistance;Grand Secretary, pleaseceiptsof the evening.

Not yet, Ill. Com-as the first rays oftheir way over the

so are our aims and

Sublime Princepass the box ofSublime Princeprepare the re-

Commander-in-Chief: (* ****) Order,Sublime Princes, present swords, carry,return swords. Sublime Prince GrandHospitaler, let us adopt the expressivesymbol of our ancient brethren and offerunto Him the perfumes of the purestincense. (Incense is lit and fanned bythe Hospitaler.)

Commander-in-Chief: Sublime PrinceGrand Secretary, please give us the re-ceipts. (with the hilt of his sword heraps onceand says:) Salix”. First Lieut-enant does likewise, “Noni”. SecondLieutenant doesthe same, “Tengu.”

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Grand Hospitaler: Praise God fromWhom all blessingsflow, etc.

Commander-in-Chief: Form the chain,brethren. All together, (Battery) LausDeo, Laus Deo, Laus Deo. Spec Mea InDeo Est.

Commander-in-Chief: In the name ofthe SupremeGrand Architect of the Uni-verse, and in the name of the UnitedSupreme Council, A.A.S.R.N’I:, I now de-clare Consistory sitting in theValley of Closed. (OneRap).

S Cyrus - EzekielM Darius - Daniel

T Xerxes - Habakuk

W Alexander - Zephania

T Philadeiphus - HaggaiF Herod - Zachariab

S Hezekjab - Malachi(Phaol -Chol) (Pharash- Chol)

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