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select master
CHAPTER XI
the masonic manual
robert macoy
THIS degree is the summit and perfection of ancient Masonry; and
without which the history of the Royal Arch Degree can hardly be aid to be
complete. It rationally accounts for the concealment and preservation of
those essentials of the craft, which were brought to light at the erection
of the second temple; and which lay
concealed from the Masonic eye for four hundred and seventy years. Many
particulars relative to those few who were selected, for their superior
skill, to complete an important part of king Solomon's temple, are
explained. And here, too, is exemplified an instance of justice and
mercy by our ancient patron, towards one of the craft, who was led
to disobey his commands by an over-zealous attachment for the
institution. It ends with a description of a particular circumstance,
which characterizes the degree.
The officers and stations of a Council of Select Masters are as
follows:
Thrice Illustrious Grand Master, as K. S., in the East; Deputy
Illustrious as H., K. T. on the right, in the East; Principal Conductor of
the Work, as H. A., on the left; Treasurer, in the North; Recoder, in the
South; Grand Captain of the Guards, as Adoniram, in the West Grand
Marshal; Grand Steward, as Achizar (Ahishar), at the Door.
May the Supreme Grand Master graciously preside over all our counsels,
and direct us in all such things as he will be pleased to approve and
bless. May our profession as Masons be the rule of our conduct as men. May
our secret retreat ever continue to be the resort of the just and
merciful; the seat of the moral virtues, and the home of the
select.
So mote it be.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of
Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken
of thee, O city of God. Seiah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to
them that know me. Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was
born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in
her; and the Highest himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count,
when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As
well the singers, as the players on instruments, shall be there: all my
springs are in thee. - PSALM lxxxvii.
* * * * * * * *
The following passages of Scripture are introduced and explained:
So king Solomon was king over all Israel. Azariah, the son of Nathan,
was over the officers; and Zabud, the son of Nathan, was principal
officer, and the king's friend; and Ahishar was over the household; and
Adoniram, the son of Abda, was over the tribute. - I KINGS iv. 1-5-6.
 And the king
commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones,
to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's
builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and
stones to build the house. - I Kings v. 17-18.
And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's
son, of the tribe of Napthali; and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker of brass; and he
was filled with wisdom and understanding, and cunning to work all works in
brass. - I KINGS vii. 13-14.
The ancients of Gebal, and the wise men thereof, were in thee thy
caulkers; all the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee, to
occupy thy merchandise." - EZEKIEL xxvii. 9.
 And it came to pass,
when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book,
until they were finlished, that Moses commanded the Levites which bare the
ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and
put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your GOD, that
it may be there for a witness against thee. - DEUT. xxxi.
24-26.* * *
 And Moses said, This
is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of the manna, to be
kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have
fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of
Egypt. And Moses salid unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept
for your generations.As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up
before the Testimony to be kept. - EXODUS xvi. 32-34
* * * * * * * *
And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the
testimony, to be kept for a token. - NUMBERS xvii. 10.* * * * *
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation, to
speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking to him from off
the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the
two cherubims: and he spake unto him. - NUMBERS vii.
89.* * * *
And look that thou make them after their pattern which was shewed thee
in the mount. - EXODUS xxv 40.
* * * * * * * *
COMPANTON: - Having attained to this degree you have passed the
circle of perfection in ancient Masonry. In the capacity of Select
Master you must be sensible that your obligations are increased in
proportion to your privileges. Let it be your constant care to prove
yourself worthy of the confidence reposed in you, and of the high honor conferred, in admitting
you to this select degree. Let uprightness and integrity attend your
steps; let justice and mercy mark your conduct; let
fervency and zeal stimulate you in the discharge of the
various duties incumbent upon you; but suffer not an idle or impertinent
curiosity to lead you astray, or betray you into danger. Be
deaf to every insinuation which would have a tendency to weaken
your resolution, or tempt you to an act of disobedience. Be
voluntarily dumb and blind, when the exercise of those
faculties would endanger the peace of your mind, or the probity of your
conduct; and let silence and secrecy, those cardinal virtues
of a Select Master, on all necessary occasions, be scrupulously observed.
By a steady adherence to the important instructions contained in this
degree, you will merit the approbation of the select number with whom you
are associated, and will enjoy the high satisfaction of having acted well
your part in the important enterprise in which you are engaged; and, after
having wrought your regular hours, may be admitted to participate
in all the privileges of a Select Master.
* * * * * * * *
COMPANIONS: - Being about to quit this sacred retreat, to mix again
with the world, let us not forget, amid the cares and vicissitudes of
active life, the bright example of sincere friendship, so
beautifully illustrated in the lives of the founders of this degree. Let us
take the lesson home with us, and may it strengthen the bands of fraternal
love between us; incite our hearts to duty, and our desires to wisdom. Let
us exercise Charity, cherish Hope, walk in Faith. And may that moral
principle, which is the mystic cement of our fellowship remain with and
bless us. So mote it be.
-
The Most Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council, or his
representative; or a Past Master of a subordinate Council, will preside;
and direct the Recorder to read so much of the record as pertains to the
election of the officers. After which he will say:
-
"Companions of -- Council -- Do you remain satisfied with the choice
you have made in the selection of your officers for the ensuing
year?"
-
The answer being in the affirmative, the officers elect are arranged
in due form; when the following declaration is proposed:
"I, A --
B--, do solemnly promise, that I will faithfully, and to the best of my
ability, discharge the duties of the office to which I have been elected; and
that I will strictly conform to the requirements of the by-laws of this
Council, and the regulations of the Grand Council, under which the same
is holden, so far as they may come to m knowledge."
-
The Grand Marshal then presents the Thric Illustrious G. Master elect
for installation, "as a companion well skilled in the Royal Mysteries;
zealous in diffusing the select principles of our fathers, and in whose
integrity and fidelity his brethren repose the highest confidence."
-
The installing officer then addresses him as follows:
THRICE
ILLUSTRIOUS - I feel great satisfaction in receiving you as the Thrice
Illustrious Grand Master of this Council. It is a station highly
honorable to him who diligently and faithfully performs the duties it
devolves upon him. But previously to investing you with the appropriate
jewel of your office, I must require your unequivocal assent to the
following interrogatories;
- Do you solemnly promise that you will use your utmost endeavors to
correct the vices and purify the morals of your brethren; and to
promote the peace, happiness and prosperity of your Council?
- That you will not suffer your Council to be opened when there are
less than nine Select Masters present?
- That you will not suffer any person to pass the circle of
perfection in your Council, in whose integrity, fervency and zeal you
have not entire confidence?
- That you will not acknowledge or hold inter course with any
Council that does not work under some regular and constitutional
authority?
- That you will not admit any visitor into your Council who has not
been regularly and lawfully invested with the degrees conferred
therein, without his having previously been formally healed?
- That you will faithfully observe and support such by-laws as may
be made by your Council, in conformity with the Constitution and
General Regulations of the Grand Council, under whose authority it
works?
- That you will pay due respect and obedience to the Grand Officers,
when duly installed, and sustain them in the discharge of their lawful
duties?
- Do you submit to all these requirements, and promise to observe
and practice them faithfully?
Response: I Do.
 And now, Thrice
Illustrious, with entire confidence in the rectitude of your intentions,
and in the integrity cf your character as a Select Mason, I invest you
with this jewel, the appropriate badge of your office.
Having been
honored with the free suffrages of your Companions, and elevated to the
highest office within their gift, it becomes your duty to set them tin example of
diligence, industry and fidelity: to see that the officers associated with
you faithfully reform their respective duties; and that the interests and
reputation of your Council are not endangered by imprudence or
neglect.
The important trust committed to your charge will call forth your best
exertions, and the exercise of your best faculties. As the representative
of the wise King of Israel, it will be your duty to recite the secret
traditions, to illustrate the moral principles of the Order, to cherish
the worthy, and hold in due veneration the ancient landmarks.
By frequent recurrence to the by-laws of your Council, and the general
regulations of the fraternity, and a consistent observance of the great
principles inculcated in the lectures and charges, you will be enabled to
fulfill the important obligations resting upon you, with honor to
yourself, and with credit to the Craft. And may He, without whose
approving smiles our labors are all in vain, give strength to your
endeavors and support to your exertions.
 A COMPANION - Having
been elected to the second office in this Council, it is with pleasure
that I invest you with this jewel, the badge of your office. The duties of
the important office to which your Companions have elevated you, will require your constant and earnest
attention. You are to occupy the second seat in the Council; and it will
be your duty to aid and support your chief in all the requirements of his
office. In his absence, you will be called upon to preside in Council and
to discharge his duties. Although the representative of a King and
elevated in rank above your Companions, may you never forget that, in all
the duties you owe to GOD, your neighbor, and yourself, you and they stand
upon the same level of equality. Let the bright example of your
illustrious predecessor in the Grand Council at Jerusalem, stimulate you
to the faithful performance of every duty; and when the King of Kings
shall summon you to his immediate presence, from His hand may you receive
a crown of glory, which shall never fade away.
 COMPANION: - As the
third officer in the Council, I invest you with this badge. It is your
duty to sound the Silver Trumpet at early dawn and eve of day, when the
sun's first and last beams gild the mountain-tops; to announce high noon,
and proclaim the time of rest and labor. In the absence of either of your
superior officers, you will be required to perform his duties; and, as the
interests of your Council ought never to be permitted to suffer through
the want of intelligence in its
officers.
You will allow me to urge upon you the necessity of being always
qualified and prepared to meet such an emergency, should it ever arise.
Having been admitted to the fellowship of Kings, you will be
frequently reminded that the office of mediator is both honorable
and praiseworthy. Let it, therefore, be your constant care to preserve
harmony and unanimity of sentiment among the members of your Council.
Discountenance whatever may tend to create division and dissension among
the brethren in any of the departments of Masonry; and as the glorious sun
at its meridian dispels the mists and clouds that obscure the horizon, so
may your exertions tend to dissipate the mists of jealousy and discord,
should they ever unfortunately arise in your Council.
 COMPANION: - You have
been elected to a responsible office, and I with pleasure invest you with
this jewel. It is your duty to number and weigh out the Shekels of the
Sanctuary, and to provide for the helpless orphan. The qualities which
should distinguish you are accuracy and fidelity; accuracy in keeping a
fair and true account of the receipts and disbursements; fidelity in
carefully preserving the property and funds of the Council, and in
rendering a just account of the same when required. Your interest in this
Council, your attachment to the craft, and your known integrity of
character, are a sure guaranty that your duties will be faithfully
performed
 COMCPANION: - I now
invest you with this badge of your office. The qualities which should
recommend a Recorder are correctness in recording the proceedings of the
Council; judgment in discriminating between what is proper and that which
is improper to be written; regularity in making the returns to the Grand
Council; integrity in accounting for all moneys that may pass through his
hands, and fidelity in paying the same over to the Grand Treasurer. The
possession of these qualities has designated you as a suitable Companion
for this important office; and I entertain no doubt that you will
discharge all the duties incumbent on you with fidelity aud honor. And
when you shall have completed the record of your transactions here below,
and finished the term of your probation, may you be admitted to the Grand
Council above, and find your name recorded in the book of life eternal.
 A COMPANION: - Having
been elected Cap tain of the Guards, I present you with this implement of
your office. Guard well your post, and suffer none to pass it but the
select, the faithful and the worthy Be ever attentive to the commands of
your chief and always near at hand to see them duly
executed
 COMPANION: - The
duties of your office require but little elucidation. It is your duty, in
connection with the Conductor, to attend to the examination of visitors,
and to take special care that none are permitted to enter but such as have
proved their title to our favor and friendship. I present you with the
implement of your office, in the confident belief that it is intrusted to
competent and faithful hands.
 COMPANION: - You are
appointed Steward (or Sentinel) of this Council; and now invest you with
this badge, and present you with this implement of your ofice. As the
Sword is placed in the hands of the Steward to enable him to guard
the Sanctuary and entrance to the secret passage, with sleepless
vigilance, against intruders, so should it morally serve as a
constant admonition to us to set a guard at the entrance of our thoughts;
to place a watch at the door of our lips; to post a sentinel at the avenue
of our actions; thereby excluding every unworthy thought, word, and deed;
and enabling us to preserve our consciences void of offence towards GOD
and man.
 COMPANIONS: - From the
nature of the constitution of every society, some must rule and
others obey. And while justice and moderation are required of the
officers, in the discharge of their official duties, subordination and
respect for their rulers are equally demanded of the members. The relation
is reciprocal. The interests of both are inseparable; and, without mutual
co-operation the labors of neither can succeed. Let the avenues to your
passions be strictly guarded; let no curious intruder find his way into
the secret recesses of your retirement, to disturb the harmony which
should ever prevail among the select and chosen. In so doing, you will
best secure the prosperity of your Council, the respect of your brethren,
and the commendation of your own consciences.
The Grand Marshal will then proclaim the Council to be regularly
constituted, and its officers duly
installed.
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