CHARGE. Companion, 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 the high honor conferred on you, 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 on 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 you be admitted to participate in all the privileges of a select master.' [Cross's Chart, p. 121.]

SUPER-EXCELLENT MASTER.

This degree is said to be founded on circumstances which took place at the destruction of the Temple, by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The first we heard of it was in 1825; at which time it was annexed to several of the councils of select masters, in Massachusetts. The officers are stationed differently from those of the select master's degree. The first officer represents Zedekiah, the last king of Israel. He is seated in the east, and styled most excellent king. The second officer represents Gedaliah, is styled companion, and is seated in the west. The third officer is called the 1st keeper of the Temple, and is seated on the right of the companion Gedaliah. The fourth is called 2d keeper of the Temple, and is seated on the left of the companion Gedaliah. The fifth is called the 3d keeper of the Temple, and is seated at the door, within the hall, to guard the sanctuary. There are three officers, called heralds, whose stations are without the hall; with bugles in their hands, and whose duty it is to bring intelligence. There are three other officers, called royal guards, whose duty it is to attend upon the king.

FORM OF INITIATION.

The candidate is hoodwinked, taken into the hall, and seated, before opening the council. The king is absent, the business consequently devolves on the second officer, companion Gedaliah, who calls the council to order with one rap of the gavel, and addresses the first keeper of the Temple as follows:

Com. Ged. Companion 1st keeper of the Temple, are all present, super-excellent masters?

1st K. T. They are.

C. G. As a super-excellent master keeper of the Temple, let it be your first duty and last care, to see the sanctuary duly guarded.

1st K. T. duly guarded?

Companion 3d keeper of the Temple, are we

3d K. T. Companion 1st keeper of the Temple, we are duly guarded; the sanctuary is secure.

1st K. T. Companion Gedaliah, the sanctuary is duly guarded.

C. G. Where is the king?

1st K. T. In one of the apartments of the Temple.

C. G. What is the hour?

1st K. T. It is the time of the second watch.

The companion Gedaliah then gives three raps with the gavel, the companions all rise, and Gedaliah thus speaksCompanions, since it is the time of the second watch, let us repair to the holy altar, and there offer up our fervent aspirations to Deity, that he would be pleased to vouchsafe to us, as heretofore, his protecting care and favor.' They assemble round the altar, kneel on the left knee, the right elbow resting on the right knee, and the forehead leaning on the right hand, in imitation of silent devotion. After remaining in this position a short time, companion Gedaliah says, ' Companions, let us arise and attend to giving the signs.'

The signs are then given, from the entered apprentice degree, to the super-excellent master, inclusive. After these are given, companion Gedaliɛh says ;— -Let each repair to his station.' The first herald sounds.

The 3d keeper of the Temple announces his approach by saying, 'a herald!'

The 1st keeper then exclaims, a herald approaches.'

The herald then advances and makes the following procla

mation.

'Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, approaches with innumerable forces, and fills the city; they are formidable and victorious, approaching the king's palace, and within a few furlongs of the Temple; and everywhere is unhallowed ravage and de*astation.

The 2d herald sounds his approach, and announces, in the same manner, and gives the same intelligence as the first. The 3d herald sounds.

The 3d keeper of the Temple says, a herald!' and this herald is immediately followed by the king with the royal guards, one on each side, and one in front.

The 1st keeper announces the approach of the king, by saying, 'The king approaches.'

The companion Gedaliah gives three raps, and all the companions rise and face the king, as he takes his seat in the east. Companion Gedaliah then addresses his majesty as follows. 'Most excellent king, the council is assembled, the officers stationed, and we await your order.' The king rises and says, 'I proclaim this council of super-excellent masters duly organized.' The king then inquires of the recorder if there is any business before the council. Recorder replies that a candidate [naming the candidate present,] is desirous of taking the degree of super-excellent master. The 1st herald again sounds; the 3d keeper exclaims, 'a herald!' The 1st keeper exclaims,

6

a

herald!' The 3d keeper exclaims, a herald approaches.' The herald then advances and brings the following intelligence. • Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, with battering rams, assaults the Temple, and the courts are filled with carnage.' The king says, 'companion Gedaliah, is there no way of escape?' Gedaliah answers, 'There is none, except by the way of the king's garden, between the walls, by the private entrance, leading out to the plains of Jericho.' The king says—' Let us make our escape.' 'At this moment there is great commotion, running and stamping. After the noise has ceased, a herald sounds. His approach is announced, as above described. Companion Gedaliah inquires, 'What tidings from the king?' The herald replies, The king, and all the men of war fled by night, by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden, and the king went the way towards the plain, and the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king and overtook him on the `plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him; so they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon, to Riblah, and they gave judgment upon him, and they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and they put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.' Then the companion Gedaliah thus addressed the companions; 'The sword of the enemy prevails; our young men are captives, and our old men slaves. In this extremity what remains to be done?-Let us repair to the holy altar, and there pledge our faith, and renew our vows.' They then form a circle round the altar; the candidate is caused to kneel at the altar,—both hands on the holy bible, square and compasses, and take the following obligation.

'I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of the most puissant, most holy, and most merciful Creator, and this council of super-excellent masters, dedicated to him, do hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will not bow down to other gods, nor pay religious adoration to idols. And I promise and swear, that I will not worship the sun, moon, or stars of heaven; but in good faith and conscience to the best of my abilities will serve and worship the only true and living God: And I promise and swear, that I will always hail and conceal the secrets of this degree and never reveal them except it be to a true and lawful companion super-excellent master, or in a legally constituted council of such; and neither unto him nor them till first by strict trial and due examination or lawful information I shall have found nim, or them, as lawfully entitled to the same as I am, or shall

be myself: And I promise and swear, that I will give meat, drink, and lodging to a poor unworthy brother in necessity, will defend him in danger, and vindicate his character, so far as

honor, justice and good faith may warrant. And I promise and swear, that I will not derogate from the character of a super-excellent master now about to be conferred upon me. Το all this I do most solemnly promise and swear, with a fixed and stedfast resolution to keep and perform the same, without any hesitation, equivocation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever; binding myself under no less penalty than to have my thumbs cut off, my eyes put out, my body bound in fetters of brass, and conveyed captive to a strange land. So help me God, and keep me stedfast in this my solemn oath and obligation of a super-excellent master.

At the close of the obligation a herald sounds. The approach of the enemy is announced. They enter with huzzas and shouting, led by the captain of the guard. They seize the candidate, and thrust him with violence out of the hall. The moment he is out, the bandage is torn from his eyes; he is then introduced to companion Gedaliah, who explains the pass-word, signs, and grand-word. The pass-word is, 'Saul, the first king of Israel.' The first sign is made by crossing the arms at right angles in front of the body, the right one uppermost, the fingers clenched, and the thumbs erect. It alludes to the penalty of the obligation. [See plate 28, fig. 2. the same as in the degree of sublime knights elected.] The second sign is made by raising the right hand as high as the eyes, drawing it back over the right shoulder, the elbow raised, and with a quick motion darting it forward in a horizontal direction, the two first fingers open, and extended like a fork, the thumb and other fingers being clenched. It alludes to the penalty of gouging out the eyes of a traitor. The grand-word is, ' Nahod Zabod Bone.

Closing.-Companion Gedaliah says, Companion 1st keeper of the Temple, where do super-excellent masters convene in council?

1st K. T. In a place representing the sanctuary.

C. G. Their first and last care?

1st K. T. To see the sanctuary duly guarded. C. G. Please to attend to that part of your duty.

1st K. T. [Addressing the 3d K. T.] companion 3d keeper, are we duly guarded?

3d K. T. We are duly guarded, and the sanctuary is se

cure.

C. G. Companion 1st keeper, where is the king?