f condemnation against Christ, at the High Priest's Caiphas,
Herod, and Pilate. It was from the last that he was led to that most
violent and excruciating death. The said three blows with the square,
gauge, and gavel are symbols of the blow on the cheek, the
flagellation, and the crown of thorns. The brethren assembled around
the tomb of Hiram, is a representation of the disciples lamenting the
death of Christ on the cross. The Master's word, which is said to be
lost, since the death of Hiram Abiff, is the same that Christ
pronounced on the cross, and which the Jews did not comprehend, "Eli,
Eli, lama sabacthani," "my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!
have pity on and forgive my enemies."--Instead of which words were
substituted, M. B. N. (Mac-be-nac), which, in Arabian, signifies, "The
son of the widow is dead." The false brethren represent Judas
Iscariot, who sold Christ. The red collar worn by the Grand Elect
Perfect and Sublime Masons, calls to remembrance the blood of Christ.
The sprig of cassia is the figure of the cross, because of this wood
was the cross made. The captivity of the Grand Elect and Sublime
Masons (i.e., by the Chaldeans), shows us the persecution of the
Christian religion under the Roman emperors, and its liberty under
Constantine the Great. It also calls to our remembrance the
persecution of the Templars, and the situation of Jacques De Molay,
who, lying in irons nearly seven years, at the end of which our worthy
Grand Master was burnt alive with his four companions, on the eleventh
of March, 1314, creating pity and tears in the people, who saw him die
with firmness and heroic constancy, sealing his innocence with his
blood. My dear brother, in passing to the degree of Perfect Master, in
which you shed tears at the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and in some other
degrees, has not your heart been led to revenge? Has not the crime of
Jubelum Akirop been represented in the most hideous light?--Would it
be unjust to compare the conduct of Philip the Fair to his, and the
infamous accusers of the Templars, to the two ruffians who were
accomplices with Akirop? Do they not kindle in your heart an equal
aversion? The different stages you have traveled, and the time you
have taken in learning these historical events, no doubt, will lead
you to make the proper applications; and by the degree of Master Elect
and Kadosh, you are properly disposed to fulfil all your engagements,
and to bear an implacable hatred to