Los defensores del amateurismo

your hand for naught ‘?—to sit here in inactivity’? And you, Knights, what is it you thus thoughtlessly do? Was it for this you have been redeemed from captivity’? Let the time that has past suffice for having been spent in sighs and tears. No longer waste your time in idleness. Shame on you, to be thus inactive, while the grass and weeds are growing over the foundation of the House of Jehovah, and the reptiles are polluting the sacred ruins. Arouse!

G. M.—You well know, 0 Pontiff, how great was the ardor of these Illustrious Knights in former days. When they left Babylon they were full of zeal. You yourself were a witness of t;heir ex-ploits. They then overcame all opposition, and surmounted every obstacle. But alas! in vain did Solomiel and his workmen work with expedition, while their enemies were continually on the alert to surprise them. In vain did these Knight-Masons labor with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other, ready either for work or for combat with their enemies. Counselors hired against us have frustrated our best intentioned designs, and we are contin-ually harassed in our work by the cabals of our foes, who are sus-tained by civil power. Our will is to be act;ive in the prosecution of our duties as Masons, but we are circumvented, and nothing is left to us but; vain sighs and tears, instead of confidence and joy.

H. P.—I come, in the name of Jehovah, to declare to you his will. Arm yourself with strength, Zerubbabel—arm yourselves with strength and faith, all of you who hear me. Set about the work of re-edification in earnest. Do not despair of success. Be en-couraged to persevere; for it is so prophesied. The Sovereign Grand

Architect is on your side. If Jehovah is for us, we need not care who is against us.

J. W.—Sovereign Master, inspiring are the words we have just listened to. They impart new life and vigor. The reign of tyranny we believe to be past. This is the second year of the reign of the King now seated on the Throne of Nations. He is noble, generous,

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and a worthy successor of the great Cyrus. He was in alliance with us before he ascended the throne, and he cannot have forgotten our ancient friendship, nor will he be deaf to our complaints.

S. W.—Sovereign Master, we must do more. Our petitions will have little efficacy if expressed in writing only. Your presence will give to them greater weight. Deign, then, yourself to be our am-bassador. Resources shall not be wanting. There is not one of us but will cheerfully and liberally contribute all the means that may be necessary for the purpose.

H. P.—Joy! for the people you have saved from captivity will rejoice indeed, when you lead and direct them in the great work of re-edification. To you alone will belong that glory. You will be the angle which will bind the building. In you will be found the heart to dare and the hand to do. From you will proceed the Masters and Intendants of the work.

G. M.—Generous brethren and beloved Knights, your request and your counsels have determined me, and I depart according to your advice and desire; but it is expedient that four of your prin-cipal Knights should accompany me, as much for the majesty of your embassy as for its security against its adversaries which will not suffer us to proceed on our expedition without opposition. I pray you, therefore, to allow to march with me the Illustrious Knights I may select to aid me with their arms and their counsel.

I propose—

(Namesthe candidate and three other Knights, in all making four, besides Zerubbabel)

Knights distinguished for their talents and constancy during the events that have so oppressed our hearts. Do you assent that they be ass6~diated with me in this embassy’?

The Knights give the sign of assent.

Draw near,then [iutming the Knights selected] that you may take upon yourselves the engagements ap pertaining to your new func-tions, and give to this Council assurance that they can rely on your devotion in the important enterprise we are about to undertake.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies now causes the four Knights selected to kneel at the overthrown altar, and also causes them to put the points of their swords, which they ho]d in their hands, on the altar. He then dictates the following~

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OBLIGATION

______ in the presence of the Knights here assembled, do

promise and swear upon my sword to be faithful to the secrets of the embassy I am about to engage in, and to devote myself faith-fully to its performance.

M. of C.—Rise, my brethren, and prepare.

~. M.—Brother Knights, we will at once arm and prepare our-selves for our journey. Sovereign Grand High Priest, deign to come and occupy my place during my absence.

The Grand Righ Priest approaches the East, and the Sovereign Prince Grand Master gives him the gavel, saying:

Receive this sceptre of the Masons. It cannot be deposited in bett;er or safer hands.

Grand High Priest receives the gavel, and occupies the East.

H. P.—Go, illustrious and brave Knights. May a luminous East enlighten your departure, and announce your auspicious return.

G.M.—Let; nothing more prevent us from proceeding on our mission. Let us now put on our armor and depart instantly.

The Sovereign Prince Grand Master draws his sword, and directs his companions to do the same. They now appear before the altar and give the salute.

G. M.—Attention, Knights! Right face! Forward march! Col-umn right!

The Sovereign Prince Grand Master takes the lead, and marches into the inner room or armory.

G. M.—Put on this armor, brethren, in order that we may be prepared for our dangerous and thorny mission.

As soon as all are ready, he says:

Now follow me. Be on the alert, for foes will endeavor to sur-prise us.

The Sovereign Prince Grand Master and companions now go forth, and while traversing the Second Apartment are accosted by the enemy.

Enemy—Who goes there’?

G.M.—We are travelers on our way to Persia.

Enemy—Are you not workmen of the Temple?

G.M.—We are.

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160 SIXTEENTH DEGREE SIXTEENTH DEGREE 161 Enemy—Then you cannot pass here unless you pay tribute to

us.

IG M~,~—We are Freemasons. We pay tribute to the Grand

Arch-~itect of-the Universe alone. We put our trust in Him. Forward!

An attack—the encmy are repulsed.

G. M.—Courage, my brethren! Remember, our cause is just.

Be armed with faith and hope, and we shall conquer.

They advance, and are agnin accosted by enemies.

Enemy—Who goes there’?

G. M.—We are from the Temple, on our way to the court of Darius.

Enemy—My friends, here is a chance for booty. The Masons have great I;reasures—let us rob them.

Another attack—the enemy are beaten.

G.M.—My brethren, we have again triumphed over our enemies.

The God of Battles is with us.

They now proceed until they arrive at the Third Apartment. As soon as the Grand Master leaves the main room, the members prepare the apartment for the return of the ambassadors. On the arrival of the Grand Master and companions at the court of Darius, Zerubbabel knocks + ~

Usher [Opening the door.] —Who are you, and what is your errand’?

G. M.—A deputation of Knights of the East desire an audience with King Darius.

Usher [C7osingthe door.] —A deputation of Knights of the East desire an audience of your Majesty.

Darius.—Let the Knights of the East enter.

UsEer throws the door wide open. Grand Master and companions enter.

When they reach the center of the room they will make an obeisance.

G. M.—O King, the Jewish people whom I have the honor to govern, wishing to testify to you their joy at the advancement of your august majesty to the throne, have deputed me, with the illus-trious Knights, my companions, to tender to you their congratula-tions on your ascension to the throne of all the East. You have their sincere wishes for your health and happiness. In consequence of the kindness and benevolence with which you formerly favored me, they have been induced to hope that, in choosing me as their representative, you would be pleased the more graciously to receive

what I have to communicate in their behalf; and I myself am happy, while paying you their tribute of respect, to have the opportunity to acquit myself also of what is due to our former friendship.

Darius—Zerubbabel, your people have not misjudged. They could not have selected an agent to act for them that could pos-sibly have been more acceptable to me than thou art.

We notice with pleasure that you have not forgotten our ancient ties of affection and friendship, and Darius will not, on his part, forget those ties which were dear to him while yet in private life.

Worthy Knights, be seated.

-Grand Master and companions are seated.

Darius—Your arrival among us is very opportune, to enable -you to participate in the feast w& give this day to the grandees of our kingdom, and to this we invite you and your associates. Pre-vions to which we wish you to pronounce your opinion on a certain question that shall be propounded for discnssion.

Satrap of Assyria, do you state the question, and the reward we have promised to him who shall answer it in the most satisfactory manner.

The Satrap rises, makes an obeisance to the King, and turning towards the assembly, says:

S atrap of A.—The King of Kings, wishing to dispense his favors with a liberal hand, has deigned to promise the second place near his august majesty, the privilege of being clothed in purple,

wear-ing a golden baldric, and bewear-ing seated on a golden throne, to him who shall be able in the most satisfactory manner to resolve the question: “What is that which holds the most powerful sway over mortals’?”

The Satrap now turns to Darius.

Can it be possible that a question like this can for one moment be a subject of doubt or deliberation to any one who adverts to thee, thou Son of the Sun’? You have this day, composing your court, one hundred and twenty-seven potentates of the most dis-tant nations. Peace and war are in your hands. The life and death of your subjects depend upon your will. A word from your lips is a decree to all the earth. All we possess belongs to you. Our very persons are yours. The universal world has no master but you.

There cannot be a more potent than Darius, King of all the East—

Sovereign of Sovereigns. Therefore I say, “The King Darius.”

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All applaud except Zerubbabel and his companions. The Satrap of Media now rises and makes his obeisance to the King.

Satrap of Media—What remains for me to say, 0 King’? Shall I dare to differ in opinion from the Satrap of Assyria, who has received the plaudits of your whole court’? He contends there is nothing greater than yourself. 0 King! I acknowledge your great-ness—the ec7at of your name, the splendor of your throne, the mag-nitude of your power, and the grandeur of your riches.

But greater than all this is the empire of Beauty! This softens the heart of the most ferocious, gains over judges the most severe, and triumphs over masters the most imperious. Deprived of for.

tune, it needs it not. If devoid of worldly rank and dignity, it rises above all. All stations of life are subject to it. The power of the gods of the earth, though respected and feared, is as nothing in comparison with the power of beauty.

All applaud more loudly than before, except Zerubbabel and his com-panions. After a ~vhile Zerubbabel rises.

G. M.—Wliat is this, 0 Darius, I hear in your court’? It is al-ready corrupted by flattery and effeminacy’? Reject! reject with indignation those sentiments of yourself that have just been uttered.

Strength and power reside in kii=gs. Beauty has its influence, but it is the mark of wisdom to acknowledge the empire of Truth.

Truth is omnipotent—greater than any transitory throne—more endurable than any frail, decaying beauty. These are both of short

duration, but truth lives forever.

Darius—Yes, Zerubbabel; come, and by receiving the reward so justly due you, cause to shine forth the triumph of truth. Re-ceive this order.

Places sash of Prince of Jerusalem on his neck.

Ascend the throne and take your seat at my left hand. Artaban, invest Zerubbabel with a robe of purple.

Satrap of Assyria will invest.

The highest award we can bestow upon you will not be commen-surate with your deserts for having saved us from this snare of corruption. We are infinitely indebted, besides the recompense offered, and in order to attach nearer to our person so precious a friend as thou art, Zerubbabel, we tender you, this moment, the office of Grand Master of our House.

Darius descends from the throne and leads to theThanquet hall. Zerubbabel and his companions follow. The courtiers follow them. When the banquet is over, al] will return to the Council hall, and be seated as before.

Darius—By eating and drinking together, we have renewed and cemented the ties of our ancient friendship. Speak therefore, Zerubbabel, with confidence, and state unreservedly what you have to ask in behalf of your nation.

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M.—Great King, the misfortunes of my people are not un-known to you. Consult the annals of your empire. You will find therein that Cyrus, feeling for our misfortunes, freed us from our chains. He gave us permission to rebuild the wall of our city and the Temple of th~ living God. But, alas! such happy auspices were of short duration. Incessantly persecuted by the hostilities of the Syrians and Samaritans, we were not able to carry on our work save with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other.

Soon after the loss of our potent protector, our labors were totally obstructed by the perfidious acts of our enemies, who de-picted us to you as seditious and dangerous to your government and person. We have in consequence been forced to abandon our works.

Remember, most august King, the vow you formerly made to the sovereign dispenser of crowns, that if you ever obtained the one you now wear, you would advance Lhe rebuilding of the holy Temple, and make restitution of all its treasures. Your wish has been accomplished, but your vow has not been fulfilled. This is the grace I humbly pray for.

Darius—Our promise and our vow shall be fully executed. Ar-taban, deliver to Zerubbabel a copy of the order of Cyrus, and add thereto our own sealed with our seal, addressed to all our governors and officers for the Syrians and Samaritans, expressly forbidding them, under capital pains and penalties to trouble or hinder in ahy way, in time to cpme, the Masons of the Holy Temple in their works.

Artaban prepares the document.

Render to the Masons the precious columns, the vases, the chan-deliers, the ornaments, and other furniture of the Temple, what-ever it may be, and without exception, which still remains in Babylon.

Furnish to Zerubbabel, from our own treasures, all that will be needed for the consecration of the holy edifice. And you, Zerubba-bel, we establish Sovereign Prince of Jerusalem; and we grant the

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title of Prince to the Hebraic Knights who have accompanied you in your embassy. You will instruct them to aid you in your govern-ment.

We give you the power, right and authority to confer the like title upon all those of your Masonic brethren whom you may deem worthy, capable and faithful to the great and glorious cause in which you are engaged.

Go, then, Illustrious Knights, be princes and judges over all the people beyond the river; that is, over all those who acknowledge the law of your God.

All the country you are to rule over shall be completely free.

Our gatherers of tribute shall not come to trouble you, and we take you forever under our royal protection.

G. M.—The God of our fathers be blessed! and you, great King, receive at your feet the protestations of our homage and gratitude.

Zerubbabel and companions kneel.

Darius—Bold Zerubbabel! We cannot permit this homage to ourself—render to your people your devotion. Hasten to return to them; they are, no doubt, anxious lo receive you. Depart, and take with you all those that are willing to follow you. For the time to come, you shall have nothing to fear. Conduct your Ma-sonic works to perfection. Be crowned with glory. Let there be

between you and us an alliance of peace.

Dai,jus embraces Zerubbabel.

Artaban, are the dispatches prepared’?

Artaban gives dispatches to Darius, who delivers them to Zerubbabe]. The various treasures are now presented.

-Dttrius—My friends, depart in peace.

Zerubbabel and companions salute and retire, preceded by two Heralds with trumpets. Darius and his court immediately after will disrobe and pro-ceed to the First Apartment, to participate in the reception. While the mem-bers are preparing the First Apartment, Zerubbabel will halt by the way.

G. M.—My brethren, let us sit and refresh ourselves before pro-ceeding on our journey.

The brethren in the First Apartment prepare for the reception of Zerub-babel, and will represent a street scene, if practicable, with triumphal arches.

The brethren form in parallel lines. As Zerubbabel is about to enter, he is announced by the Heralds, and the Masons cry out: “Welcome! Glory to the Princes!” Zerubbabel passes through the lines until he reaches the High LPriest.

165 U. P.—Welcome, most noble Zerubbabel, and glorions Princes!

The God of our fathers has heard our petition. We welcome you all. Right well have you served your country and your God.

G. M.—Thanks, venerable High Priest, for your welcome. With your permission, my brother knights and myself will retire a while and rest, after which we will return and relate the result of our

G. M.—Thanks, venerable High Priest, for your welcome. With your permission, my brother knights and myself will retire a while and rest, after which we will return and relate the result of our

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