Ventura Valley Scottish Rite
Degrees 4th - 32nd
on the following pages are from the book,
" A Bridge to Light" by Ill. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°.
Copyright 1988, 1995, 2006 by the
Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry,
Southern Jurisdiction of the USA.
Chapter of Rose Croix
16th Degree - Prince of Jerusalem
The apron is of crimson, lined and edged
with the color saffron. On the flap is an equal balance, held by a hand
of justice. In the middle of the apron is a representation of the
Second Temple, on one side of which is a sword lying across a buckler,
and on the other, a square and a triangle. On the left and right sides
are the Phoenician letters equivalent to the Greek letters Alpha
and Theta. The colors, crimson bordered with that
of the dawn (saffron), are symbolic of faith in the justice and
beneficence of God, and of the dawn of hope for the persecuted,
proscribed and oppressed. The equal balance, held by the hand of
justice, is a symbol of righteousness and impartiality in judgement and
of that equilibrium which the Deity maintains throughout the universe.
The square and triangle are the appropriate emblems of your Masonic
character. Masons, in this and higher degrees, wear the apron in order
that they may never forget that they attained their high rank and
dignity by means of Masonic labor; and that, remembering their first
estate, they may be courteous and kind, as well as just, to the
brethren of the lower degrees.
The cordon is a watered saffron-colored ribbon, four inches broad, bordered with gold. It is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. On it are embroidered a balance, a hand of justice holding a sword, a poniard, five stars, and two small crowns. At the end hangs a small silver trowel. The cordon of this degree symbolizes, by its colors, the dawn and light. Many symbols are embroidered on the cordon. The balance is a symbol of judicial impartiality. The hand holding the sword of justice is an emblem of that stern severity which is sometimes necessary to repress crime. The poniard or dagger represents that with which Ehud slew the oppressor Eglon, King of Moab (See Judges 3:15-28). The five stars represent the first five Princes of Jerusalem. The two crowns, promised by the Prophet to Zerubbabel and Jeshua, are symbols of civil and religious authorities. The trowel is a symbol of the Mason-builders of the Temple.
The jewel is a medal of gold. On one side is engraved a hand, holding an equal balance, symbolizing the justice and mercy of God, held in equipoise by His single will and infinite wisdom. On the other is a double-edged, cross-hilted sword, with one star over the point and two on each side. The sword stands upright, hilt downward. On one side of the stars is the letter 'D', and on the other, the letter 'Z', the initials of Darius and Zerubbabel.
DUTIES
To direct and aid those who labor to build the Symbolic Temple.
Judge equitably and fairly.
Provide aid of whatever kind to fellow Princes of Jerusalem.
Keep faith in the justice and beneficence of God.
Press forward with hope for the persecuted and oppressed.
LESSONS
Build Temples of the Living God in our Hearts by following Masonic
Truth - justice, equity, morality, wisdom, labor, fidelity, brotherhood
- to achieve immortality.
FOR REFLECTION
Will you leave a noble heritage to those who follow you in this world?
IMPORTANT SYMBOLS
The color saffron, the Seal of Solomon, the colors white, blue, red,
violet, five steps to the throne, the scales or balance.