Four Times Respectable College of Saint Andrew of Scotland

Functions of the 7th Chamber

The 7 blows are answered by the Brother who is on guard inside, dressed in a mourning cassock. He gives the words and password, and is introduced, performing the signs and steps of a Master. He is examined; then the same Brother asks him the following questions.

Q: — Do you recognize this spectacle?
A: — It is the tomb of Hiram.
Q: — What fruit do you derive from it?
A: — Horror for Vices, sorrow for the loss of the Master, and greater love for Virtue.
Q: — Do you swear on this tomb to devote your days to honoring his memory, under the vengeful aspect given here, to avenge his ashes if it should be proven that his death was the result of treason, provided, however, that you do so through legitimate means?
A: — Yes, without a doubt.

Then he is made to kneel, one hand on the tomb, and he says:

Third Obligation

— I swear fidelity to God, to my Sovereign, to the Master, to my Brothers, and implacable hatred to traitors. —
He is then told: = Look at the center of this star: the initial letter of the name of the Most High. It is in His presence that you have just committed yourself; tremble at the thought of perjuring yourself. =

He is raised, and two Brothers, placing two naked swords upon his chest, lead him to the door of the College, where he strikes 9 blows.

Reception

At the blows from outside, the Grand Inspector acknowledges by striking, which is answered by the eight officers. Upon the order of the Honorable Master, he goes to the door, strikes 9 blows, opens the door slightly, and asks the questions, to which the guide gives the responses as follows:

R: As soon as one knocks from the outside, it cannot be a Scotsman, because they are all supposed to have

notice from the head of the enclosure.

Q: — Who is there?
A: — An Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason who asks for the final lights after having received the fourth, which is that of the Knight of the East and the Sword.
Q: — Do you vouch for him?
A: — Yes.
Q: — Is he instructed?
A: — Sufficiently.
Q: — How old is he?
A: — Already fifteen years.
Q: — Does he know how to write?
A: — Yes.
Q: — Is he strong?
A: — Yes.
Q: — Is he resigned?
A: — Yes.
Q: — Let him give the word and password?
A: — He gives them, then he is told: = Enter. =

Immediately they open for him. The Inspector, in silence, leads him all the way around via the outer circuit and brings him back to the bottom, facing the closed Grand Curtain. There, with his hands crossed, he is made to kneel before the blocks and place his head upon them, and he raises the axes as if to strike down. At the blow of the mallet, they are raised; the Curtain opens and reveals the Honorable Master on his throne, who says to him: = My Brother, the contempt you have just shown for Life, which you have so gloriously demonstrated before all the Brothers, proves that you are worthy of us. Your submission spares you from other more difficult trials; here cease all the prepared and artificial complaints of which your Reception is composed. =