En: Clausen´s commentaries
Note: This material was scanned into text files for the sole purpose of convenient electronic research. This material is NOT intended as a reproduction of the original volumes. However close the material is to becoming a reproduced work, it should ONLY be regarded as a textual reference. Scanned at Phoenixmasonry by Ralph W. Omholt, PM in May 2007.
Source: Phoenixmasonry
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Clausen´s commentaries on "Morals and Dogma"
Table of contents
Preface ...............................................................xvii
What Is the Scottish Rite? ...................................... 1
Our Historical Roots ............................................. 9
Secret Master-Fourth Degree ............................... 19
Perfect Master-Fifth Degree ................................. 25
Intimate Secretary-Sixth Degree ........................... 31
Provost and Judge-Seventh Degree....................... 39
Intendant of the Building-Eighth Degree ............... 45
Elu of the Nine-Ninth Degree .............................. 51
Elu of the Fifteen-Tenth Degree ........................... 57
Elu of the Twelve-Eleventh Degree....................... 63
Master Architect-Twelfth Degree .......................... 69
Royal Arch of Solomon-Thirteenth Degree............. 75
Perfect Elu-Fourteenth Degree ............................. 81
Knight of the East, of the Sword or
of the Eagle-Fifteenth Degree............................ 89
Prince of Jerusalem-Sixteenth Degree .................... 95
Knight of the East and West-Seventeenth Degree ...101
Knight Rose Croix-Eighteenth Degree ...................107
Pontiff-Nineteenth Degree ................................... 115
Master of the Symbolic Lodge-Twentieth Degree ....121
Noachite, or Prussian Knight-Twenty-first Degree ..127
Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus
Twenty-second Degree ....................................... 133
Chief of the Tabernacle-Twenty-third Degree .........139
Prince of the Tabernacle-Twenty-fourth Degree ......145
Knight of the Brazen Serpent-Twenty-fifth Degree..151
Prince of Mercy-Twenty-sixth Degree .................... 159
Knight Commander of the Temple
Twenty-seventh Degree .....................................165
Knight of the Sun, Adept-Twenty-eighth Degree ....171
Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew
Twenty-ninth Degree ......................................... 177
Knight Kadosh or Knight of the White and
Black Eagle-Thirtieth Degree .............................183
Inspector Inquisitor-Thirty-first Degree .................. 195
Master of the Royal Secret-Thirty-second Degree .... 203
Illustrations
House of the Temple ............................................................. v
Henry C. Clausen, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander ..............................................ix
Map of Early Days................................................................. 6
Fourth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ............. ..... 19, 23
Plate ......................................... .... 21
Fifth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ........ 25, 29
Plate........... 27
Sixth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................ 31, 35
Plate .............................................. 33
Seventh Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ..................39, 43
Plate .............................................. 41
Eighth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ..................45, 49
Plate .............................................. 47
Ninth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................ 51, 55
Plate .............................................. 53
Tenth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................57, 61
Plate .............................................. 59
Eleventh Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................ 63, 67
Plate .............................................. 65
Twelfth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................ 69, 73
Plate .............................................. 71
Thirteenth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron .................. 75, 79
Plate ........................................... ... 77
Fourteenth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ..................81, 85
Plate .............................................. 83
Fifteenth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron, Girdle .......89, 93
Plate .............................................. 91
Sixteenth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ................95, 99
Plate .............................................. 97
Seventeenth Degree Symbol, Cordons, Apron ...........101, 105
Plate ..............................................103
Eighteenth Degree Svmbol, Collars, Apron s......107, 110, 111
Plate ............ .. . ...................... .....109
Nineteenth Degree Svmbol, Cordon, Apron, etc. ......115, 119
Plate . ........... .... .... ... ........... .....117
Twentieth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron. .... ........ 121, 125
Plate ..............................................123
Twenty-first Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ...............127, 131
Plate ........ .....................................129
Twenty-second Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ...............133, 137
Plate ..............................................135
Twenty-third Degree Symbol, Belt, Apron ..................139, 143
Plate ..............................................141
Twenty-fourth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron, etc....... 145, 149
Plate ..............................................147
Twenty-fifth Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron ......151, 154, 155
Plate ..............................................153
Twenty-sixth Degree Symbol, Order, Apron ...............159, 163
Plate ..............................................161
Twenty-seventh Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron, etc. ........165, 169
Pla to .............................................. 167
Twenty-eighth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ...............171, 175
Plate ..............................................173
Twenty-ninth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron ...............177, 181
Plate ..............................................179
Thirtieth Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron, etc. ........183, 187
Plate ..............................................185
Thirty-first Degree Symbol, Collar, Apron, etc. ........195, 199
Plate ..............................................197
Thirty-second Degree Symbol, Cordon, Apron, Girdle,
etc. .........................203, 207, 208, 209
Plate ..............................................205
Illustrations for the Commentaries were conceived and designed by Brother Robert E. Bartlett, 33°.
Preface
There is need for a more modern discussion of the actions and thoughts of Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma and for a concise interpretation of its significance. The monumental work was published in 1871, over 100 years ago. It was an inspired and classical compilation of Pike's own research and the writings of others, but that now should be related to our language and style and setting in time. The changes since 1871 have been prodigious. Heraclitus was ever so correct when he wrote some 500 years before Christ that nothing is permanent except change.
Mankind has progressed or retrogressed to our current and critical problems. These involve the things with which the Scottish Rite deals-human behavior. For example, how can we contain our population explosion, end the threats of war and nuclear holocausts, forefend against world famine, control the misery of physical disease and mental sickness, stop pollution of our bodies and environment, improve the lot of our poor in home and purse?
There is also the problem of whether civilization, even with knowledge, will act to save itself. Walter Lipmann wrote perceptively that not only is "the supreme question before mankind how our culture can save itself from catastrophe but also that we must do more than find the answers." We must discover also how men can "make themselves willing to save themselves."
Truly, ways must be found to motivate men to be not only able, but willing. We must activate the knowledge. Even if there are at hand the physical, biological and behavioral technologies adequate for the purpose, people still must be persuaded to use them. In other words, how do we induce members of our culture to work for survival?
Physical and biological technology has not supplied the answers. The problems with which we are now confronted so demonstrate. Religions have moved from threats of hellfire to an emphasis on God's love. Governments have turned away from compulsions to inducements. Where, then, shall we look?
The answer to this question will be found, I think, in the remarkable discovery of William James, father of modern American psychological science. He was at one time professor of anatomy, psychology and philosophy at Harvard University- combining body, mind and soul-one of this country's most profound thinkers. He gave us a great guide in these words: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that we have learned we can alter our lives by altering our attitudes of mind."
The answer, therefore, is not more miracles of science and technology but an inspired application of Masonic teachings that will alter our lives for the better. This is the world-of-tomorrow potential breakthrough. We must return to a faith in man himself-to the concept that he has within himself the requisite corrective capacities.
Russell Conwell (1843-1925), founder of Temple University, gave the most popular lecture ever delivered in the United States, "Acres of Diamonds," over 5,000 times. It produced over $6 million for charitable purposes. The simple lesson overflows with human interest and inspires people to practice the principle of self-reliance. It tells how our weary search through the highways and byways of the world for fame and fortune brings us back finally to a surprising discovery in our own backyards.
How, then, can Masonry release man's inner capacities? This volume attempts to give a glimpse of where the answers can be found. It is designed as a valuable teaching tool that will heighten perception and awareness toward living in Socrates' famous phrase, "the examined life." Morals and Dogma, combined with our rituals, provides Initiates, members and students with spiritual lessons of tremendous value, philosophies of the ages and down-to-earth basic truths that can enrich and activate human behavior.
Therefore, I have summarized into short, capsule forms the successive chapters of Morals and Dogma and then I have authored my own commentary thereon. These summaries and commentaries are designed to increase the participation and input of our members-not to supplant Morals and Dogma-but to stimulate its research as a source of knowledge and inspiration. They are intended as a supplementary aid in a completely new approach and, like concept teaching, present in numerical sequence the basics of each degree structured for self-study, group discussion and lectures. Participants may relate the information to their own personalized experiences. The commentary program thereby lends itself to persons and groups of all ages and backgrounds. It is not intended as a substitute for the degrees nor as a revelation of cabalistic or esoteric hints and allusions, but it does make more explicit the fundamentals. Only serious study and participation in a portrayal of our degrees can reveal how we reshape human behavior.
Moreover, in the classic phrase, Masonry cannot teach; it can only help us learn. This is done in the course of several developmental stages. But if the Initiates become locked or lost in the progress, Masonry can help them break loose and start forward again on the correct path. The earnest and perceptive Scottish Rite seeker of truth can learn from our degrees, for example, the futility of dependence either upon persons or things, or upon approval or disapproval. Independence leads to self-reliance. The truly self-reliant is not subject to adverse manipulation or undue influence. He is in control of himself and enjoys freedom and dignity. This induces, in turn, more effective moral and modern behavior.
In keeping with our view that man has inner capacities that can supply answers to our problems, we use a self-help approach founded upon an intuitive feeling that we can reach the inner self. We will find there a refuge from external evils, just as peace and quiet are found at the eye of a hurricane. There the sun shines and birds fly. Put your trust in your own inherent capacities.
Emerson, in his "Essay on Self-Reliance," points the way:
"A man should learn to watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages."
After Buddha attained his own enlightenment, he said to his followers:
"Be a lamp unto your own feet; do not seek outside yourself."
Jesus expressed the same opinion and said: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, to there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
What is needed first, therefore, is an increase of self-understanding-a discovery of your inner selves and of your own essential natures. Where better can this be learned than through your Scottish Rite? You learn there is no need to lean upon others. You are first-rate, front rank-in the forefront, not second-string. The Scottish Rite Degrees develop full trust in your own innate capacities so that you are never overwhelmed, nor overcome by helplessness, nor the desperate victim of despair. When man has faith in himself he learns to reject unreality. Like Alice in Through the Looking Glass, the mirror reflects competitive unreality in front; but behind is found reality-the folly of competitive success and failure, approval and disapproval. You can learn to be self-reliant, to stand upon your own feet-not dependent leaners upon persons or things outside yourselves. Then, in essence, you shall be free and possess initiative and confidence and live in the present.
Sir William Osler (1849-1919), the great philosopher-physician, when a young man in medical school in Montreal, became sadly discouraged about his future career. Then one day he accidentally read a few words by Carlyle that transformed his life. They struck home like a revelation turning point. Numerous times he repeated them to himself, wrote them down in notebooks and quoted them to his friends. He felt they changed his attitude toward life and were responsible for what turned out to be a most successful and happy career. He became devoted to science and professed a profound religious faith. His tangible achievements included diagnostic wizardry and brilliant research, writing and teaching. When he died in 1919 the Journal of the American Medical Association said: "The years have added to his glory. No one has in any way taken his place as the World's best doctor."
The words of Carlyle that had such great influence in Osler's life were these:
"Our main business in life is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."
Later, those words were the inspiration for Osler's encouraging talks to students when he taught that we should "live in day-tight compartments," not worrying about yesterday's nor tomorrow's happenings.
Our degrees drive home with dramatic impact the teaching of great truths. There you will find your own directive approach and the satisfactions and benefits and
enrichments you will enjoy as a self-reliant human being. As such, your life also will show to the world the behavioral solutions that can cure the ills of our day.
Hence, you are asked to use your mind to the fullest. Think through the meanings of each degree as suggested in these summaries and commentaries. Apply them to yourself. Supplement your studies with further research. Let your actions then bespeak that you are in fact as well as in name a Scottish Rite Mason. Thus, you will discover the true secrets.
And now, "To work, my brethren, yonder sounds the gong!"
