Q. What signifies the river across the globe? A. It represents the utility of our passions, which are necessary to man in the course of his life, as water is necessary to render the earth fertile; as the sun draws up the water, which being purified, falls on the earth and gives verdure.
Q. What signifies the cross, surrounded by two serpents, on the top of the globe? A. It represents to us not to repeat the vulgar prejudices; to be prudent, and to know the bottom of the heart. In matters of religion to be always prepared; not to be of the sentiments with sots, idiots, and the lovers of the mysteries of religion; to avoid such, and not in the least to hold any conversation with them.
Q. What signifies the book, with the word Bible written in it? A. As the Bible is differently interpreted by the different sects who divide the different parts of the earth: Thus the true sons of light, or children of truth, ought to doubt of everything at present, as mysterious or metaphysics: Thus all the decisions of theology and philosophy, teach not to admit that which is not demonstrated as clearly as that 2 and 2 are equal to 4; and on the whole to adore God, and him only; to love him better than yourself; and always to have a confidence on the bounties and promises of our Creator. Amen. Amen. Amen.
To Close the Council.—Question (by Father Adam): Brother Truth, what progress have men made on earth to come to true happiness? Answer (by Brother Truth): Men have always fallen on the vulgar prejudices, which are nothing but falsehood; very few have struggled, and less have knocked at the door of this holy place, to attain the full light of real truth, which we all ought to acquire.
Then says Father Adam, "My dear children, depart and go among men, endeavor to inspire them with the desire of knowing holy truth, the pure source of all perfection." Father Adam then puts his right hand on his left breast; when all the brethren raise the first finger of the right hand, and then the Council of the Knights of the Sun is closed by seven knocks.
PRINCES OF JERUSALEM.
Prerogatives of the Princes.—Princes of Jerusalem have a right to inspect all Lodges or Councils of an inferior degree, and can revoke and annul all the work done in such Councils or Lodges, if the same shall be inconsistent with the regulations of Masonry.
In countries where there are no Grand Lodges, they have power to confer the blue degrees. They are the supreme judges of all transactions in the lower degrees; and no appeal can be made to the Supreme Councils of the upper degrees, until an opinion has been given by the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and the result of their opinion has been made known.
A Prince of Jerusalem who visits an inferior Lodge or Council, ought to present himself in the dress and ornaments of this degree. When his approach is announced, the presiding officer must send a Prince of Jerusalem to examine him, and if he reports in his favor, the arch of steel is to be formed, and he is conducted beneath it to his seat on the left of the presiding officer. An entry of his name and rank is made on the records, that he may henceforward receive our honors without any examination.