Four Times Respectable College of Saint Andrew of Scotland

are only tests that prudence prescribes for us to learn to know the subjects whom we desire to bring to our interior. There are few, Sir, among the masons who have known you who can hope for the same favor as you. Quit your arms and your Masonic decorations; suspend them, as well as the notes, and do not resume them except by the order of your Superiors. Remember the holy obligations that you have just taken, and approach me so that I may consecrate you Knight Novice of God and of his temple. Kneel down. -- then the Grand Prior presses his dagger to his heart and says to him: -- In the name of the living God, by the power that I have received from the Grand Chapter of the order, I consecrate you and receive you as a Knight of the Temple; may God bless you, and sustain you in the career of virtue and honor. If you become a perjurer, be assured that I will pierce your heart with this instrument of punishment, and then turn it upon my own to punish myself for having admitted a traitor among us. -- Then he gives the new initiate the word, which is Hugues de Paganis Hugh of Payens, founder of the Knights Templar. The response is Godefroy d'Adhemard de St. Omer Godfrey de Saint-Omer, co-founder of the Knights Templar. The sign is to raise the left arm suddenly, the fist closed, the thumb raised, and to pretend to strike the brother to whom the sign is given. The response is to make the same movement, always with the left hand, and to seize with the full hand the thumb of the brother who gives the sign, and who exits the attouchement the secret handshake/grip by taking it mutually.

The Grand Prior then gives a speech in which he traces the history of the order from its origin until its destruction, and depicts the tragic and unhappy end of the last Grand Master and of the knights who perished with him, etc., etc., etc.

Germany, 2nd Grade: Professed Knight.

The chapter is draped in white with red crosses and is lit by 13 candles or large white wax torches. The chapter is formed and presided over as follows: The Grand Master, or in his absence, the National Grand Prior, presides. The officers are arranged there as in the grade of Novice. The throne is draped in white, as are the seats of the members, who must number 13. All must be in a white tunic with a cloak of the same color. The cross of the order is cut from scarlet cloth and applied to the left side of the cloak and the tunic. The attendees are dressed in short attire and boots, the sword at the side, and the small red cross applied to the left side, with an ordinary hat and a red plume. Behind the throne and above the head of the Grand Master is a flaming star and the letter G; on the altar, the Magisterial sword and the Gospel. To the right is suspended the cuirass of the Grand Master; to the left, his wooden lance and his helmet.

The weapons of all the members of the chapter are arranged like those of the Grand Master; they have the sword at their side, the helmet or hats with feathers on their heads. There is no longer any question in this chapter of anything related to the Blue Lodges, nor of any kind of cord, but only an enameled red cross with 8 points suspended from a large white moiré ribbon worn as a sash. Such are the only decorations of the Professed Knights. The carpet that covers the floor represents the New Jerusalem, where one sees the Ark of the Covenant, the table of the law, the altar of perfumes, and the bronze basin. The New Jerusalem has twelve gates; a large torch is placed at each of the gates, and the 13th, which must be larger, is in the middle, in a space destined for this effect, and where the great light will be placed that must illuminate the New Jerusalem without the aid of the Sun in the future world.

The Grand Master strikes a loud blow with the pommel of his sword, which he holds in his hand, upon his desk. All the Knights place their hand on their sword, the point high, and the Grand Master says:

-- Gentlemen Commanders, Grand Crosses, and knights, let us thank the Eternal for allowing us to work --