and surrounded them near Jericho, where they were bound and carried before the king, who ordered his wives and children to be put to death in his sight, and then ordered Zedekiah's eyes to be put out, and himself con ducted in chains to Babylon. After this victory, Nebuchadnezzar despatched his principal officer, Nebuzaradan, to Jerusalem, to ransack and burn both palace and temple, to raze the city to the ground, and conduct the captive inhabitants to Babylon; this order he accordingly executed. Among the captives were the following persons of eminence: Seraiah, the high priest; Zephaniah, next in rank; the secretary to the king three principal keepers of the temple,seven of the king's chosen friends, and other persons of distinction. In the seventieth year of the captivity of the Jews, and the first of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, he issued his famous edict, purporting that the God adored by the Israelites was the eternal being through whose bounty he enjoyed the regal dignity; and that he had found himself honourably mentioned by the prophets of ancient date, as the person who should cause Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and restore the Hebrews to their former state of grandeur and independency; he, therefore, gave orders for the release of the captives, with his permission to return to their own native country, to rebuild the city and the house of the Lord. The principal people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with the priests and Levites, immediately departed for Jerusalem and commenced the undertaking; but many of the Jews determined to remain in Babylon, rather than relinquish the possessions they had obtained in that city. Charge to a newly exalted Companion. "Worthy Companion,-By the consent and assistance of the members of this chapter, you are now exalted to the sublime and honourable degree of a Royal Arch Ma son. Having attained this degree, you have arrived at the summit and perfection of ancient Masonry: and are consequently entitled to a full explanation of the mysteries of the order. "The rites and mysteries developed in this degree have been handed down through a chosen few, unchanged by time, and uncontrolled by prejudice; and we expect and trust they will be regarded by you with the same veneration, and transmitted with the same scrupulous purity to your successors. "No one can reflect on the ceremonies of gaining admission into this place, without being forcibly struck with the important lessons which they teach. "Here we are necessarily led to contemplate with gratitude and admiration, the sacred source from whence all earthly comforts flow; here we find additional inducements to continue steadfast and immoveable in the discharge of our respective duties; and here we are bound, by the most solemn ties, to promote each other's welfare, and correct each other's failings, by advice, admonition, and reproof. "As it is our most earnest desire, and a duty we owe to our companions of this order, that the admission of every candidate into this chapter should be attended by the ap-. probation of the most scrutinizing eye, we hope always to possess the satisfaction of finding none among us, but such as will promote, to the utmost of their power, the great end of our institution. By paying due attention to this determination, we expect you will never recommend any candidate to this chapter, whose abilities and knowledge of the foregoing degrees you connot freely vouch for, and whom you do not firmly and confidently believe will fully conform to the principles of our order, and fulfil the obligations of a royal arch Mason. While such are our members, we may expect to be united in one object, without lukewarmness, inattention, or neglect: but zeal, fidelity, and affection, will be the distinguishing characteristics of our society, and that satisfac tion, harmony, and peace may be enjoyed at our meetings, which no other society can afford. Closing. The chapter is closed with solemn ceremonies; and the following prayer is rehearsed, by the most excellent high priest: "By the wisdom of the Supreme High Priest may we be directed, by his strength may we be enabled, and by the beauty of virtue may we be incited, to perform the obligations here enjoined on us; to keep inviolably the mysteries here unfolded to us; and invariably to practise all those duties out of the chapter, which are inculcated in it," Reponse. So mote it be.—Amen. After these observations, little more can be wanted to encourage the zealous mason to persevere in his research es. Whoever has traced the art in regular progression from the commencement of the first, to the conclusion of the seventh degree, according to the plan here laid down, will have amassed an ample store of useful learning; and must reflect with pleasure on the good effects of his past diligence and attention: while, by applying the whole to the general advantage of society, he will observe method in the proper distribution of what he has acquired, and secure to himself the veneration of Masons, and approbation of all good men. ROYAL ARCH ODES. WHEN Orient wisdom beam'd serene Exulting bands the fabric view'd ; And high the triple union stood, Pale Envy, withered at the sight, With ruffian outrage join'd in woe, Concealment, from sequester'd cave, Th' associate band in solemn state, And Wisdom mourn'd the ruthless fate, At length through Time's expanded sphere, A second fabric's towering height, From whose foundation-brought to light, To depths obscure the favour'd Trine, Till through the Arch, the ray divine, From the wide wonders of this blaze, The Royal Arch alone displays Hymn-to be sung at the Consecration of a Lodge. UNTO thee great God belong, Whilst in yonder regions bright, Warm'd by thy benignant grace, Charity became her guest. There the naked, raiment found; Still to us, O God, dispense |