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After a series of changes and events, of which an account may be found in the history of the temple, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, with his forces, took possession of Jerusalem, and having made captive Jehoiachim the king of Judah, elevated his uncle Zedekiah to the throne, after binding him by a solemn oath neither to make innovations in the government, nor to take part with the Egyptians in their wars against Babylon.

At the end of eight years, Zedekiah violated his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, by forming a treaty offensive and defensive with the Egyptians; thinking that jointly they could subdue the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar immediately marched and ravaged Zedekiah's country, seized his castle and fortress, and proceeded to the siege of Jerusalem. Pharaoh, learning how Zedekiah was pressed, advanced to his relief, with a view of raising the siege. Nebuchadnezzar, having intimation thereof, would not wait his approach, but proceeded to give him battle, and in one contest drove him out of Syria. This circumstance suspended the siege.

In the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, the king of Babylon again besieged Jerusalem, with a large army, and for a a year and a half exerted all his strength to conquer it; but the city did not yield, though enfeebled by famine and pestilence.

In the eleventh year the siege went on vigorously; the Babylonians completed their works, having raised towers all round the city so as to drive the invaded party from its walls. The place, though a prey to plague and famine, was obstinately defended during the space of a year and a half. But at length, want of provisions and forces compelled its surrender, and it was accordingly delivered, at midnight, to the officers of Nebuchadnez

zar.

Zedekiah, seeing the troops enter the temple, absconded by a narrow pass to the desert, with his officers and friends: but advice of his escape being given to the Babylonians, they pursued them early in the morning,

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 conducted 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 or ders 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 Maj

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 approbation 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 recommeud 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 neg Lect: but zeal, fidelity, and affection, will be the distinishing 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 researches. 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
And pillar'd strength arose,
When beauty tinged the glowing scene,
And faith her mansion chose,

Exulting bands the fabric view'd ;
Mysterious pow'rs adored,

And high the triple union stood,
That gave the Mystic Word.

Pale Envy, withered at the sight,
And frowning o'er the pile,
Call'd Murder up from realms of night,
To blast the glorious toil.

With ruffian outrage join'd in woe,
They form the league abhorr'd;
And wounded Science felt the blow,
That crush'd the Mystic Word.

Concealment, from sequester'd cave,
On sable pinions flew :
And o'er the sacrilegious grave,
Her veil impervious threw.

Th' associate band in solemn state,
The awful loss deplored;
And Wisdom mourn'd the ruthless fate,
That 'whelm'd the Mystic Word.

At length through Time's expanded sphere,
Fair Science speeds her way;
And warm'd by Truth's refulgence clear,
Reflects the kindred ray.

A second fabric's towering height,
Proclaims the sign restored;

From whose foundation-brought to light,
Is drawn the Mystic Word.

To depths obscure the favour'd Trine,
A dreary course engage;

Till through the Arch, the ray divine,
Illumes the sacred page!

From the wide wonders of this blaze,
Our ancient Signs, restored;

The Royal Arch alone displays
The long lost Mystic Word.

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