New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
THE BOOK OF GOLD.
A MASONIC DOCUMENT GUARDED IN THE
WASHINGTON SCOTTISH RITE
TEMPLE

Washington, May q (SpeciaD-One OF the curious
articles sacredly guarded in the Holy House OF the
Temple of the Scottish Rite Of Free Masonry in
Washington, the official residence OF the Grand
Commander, is the Book OF Gold. The Holy House
is being enlarged to more than twice its orig
nal size and this fact revives the interest in this
ponderous volume of peculiar binding. locked with
a heavy gold clasp. There is but one key, and that
is always In the possession OF the Grand Com
mander The most secret records Of the doings OF
the Supreme Council and the recommendations and
nominations OF the Grand Commander between
It's covers.
The quaint patents issued 20 the late great Com
mander General Albert Pike. by the Grand Lodge
OF the Royal Order at Edinburgh within Its
cred covers The documents dated October 4,
1871 and OF the restoration OF the order the 64th
year This was just before the late Robert St.
Clair Erskine Earl OF Rossyn. became chief Of
this venerable select society OF Masons. These ex
tracts will prove interesting to Masonic readers:
In the name Of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
Council Deputy Grand Master and Governor q
The High and hS 10. orders g Sir r. NJ Of
Senior Grand an" Warden ard and Sir william junior
S SaaSs waFe s fpd od age E 5e
knight Of the Order OF the r. s. - y; c; =, 81 send
thority vested in MS from time immemoral. we DO
hereby grant unto you and the rest OF me Hight
Gep OF r. anf NJ and Of the IN the
United States OF America, full power, warrant and
authority to hold Chapter In washington or else
as you and they shall behave as becometh worthy
brethren OF the said order.
power warrant and authority to depose or dis
place from his or their office any oflcer or ON
dignity to your Worship. or to fine. mulct or
arnerce them. any Of them. for the same, with
or asking the consent or appreciation OF the breth-
rem for doing, unless you shall OF your own free
will prefer 10 do so.
And we. further. strictly require Of the brethren
in general your Provincial Grand Officers as well
as others. to respect. acknowledge and OBEY you
the said Sir Albert and pay v you due respect s9 be
Chapter or Chapters In your Province
The ritual OF this Royal Order is founded upon
the blue degrees-E A.. F. c. and VI. Nor the
ST. Johns Masonry. it is called in Scotland
General Pixies manuscript on the esoteric SYM
bos of the three lodges of Blue Masonry Is dedi-
CA ted TO the Royal Order Of Scotland There arc
only two copies and the author ordered that no
more shall ever be made. One Of these copies Is
kept In the secret vault OF the Holy House for the
perusa and study of Masonic scholars. ana the
other was sent by private hand as a gift to his
friend Robert Freke Gould, the foremost Masonic
historian in England Those who knew Generai
pixies peculiar fitness for such undertaking.
how he brought his poetic feeling and singular WIS
| dom to bear upon Masonic sym5olisrn-can imagine
| what an invaluable treatise this Is. Generai f'Se
was looked upon by all the Masonic dienitaries anu
| students OF Great Britain as not only the neau vi
| the Scottish Rite, but the most Thoroughly IN
formed Master Mason and ablest writer on 'ne
blue degrees in the United States he gave Gou -
| Freemasonry the most exhaustive WORK Oh 'nSs
sort ever published and as an ackIow VIZ ne aun
his Indebtedness to him Gould copied WITH ms o~
! hand for General Pike the rarest and most lmpof-
tant Masonic manuscript in the British Museum