Editor’s Note: This article is an examination of the lessons of the taught in the “Princes of Jerusalem” whose body and degree was first explored by Brother Hon. James Kring, 32° KCCH in the March 2024 installment of the “Voice of The Orient.”
In the 16th Degree, we are too admonished to build temples of the Living God in our hearts by adhering to the fundamental masonic truth of justice, equity, morality, wisdom, labor, fidelity, and brotherhood. This means that once our time on Earth is completed, we leave behind a legacy in which our families, friends, and Brethren can take pride. As a Prince of Jerusalem, our duty is made clear. We must uphold our Brethren (as well as the entire human family) in their fallen fortunes, thereby serving as an example for all to follow. We gently remind our brethren of the duties inculcated in our Lodges. Therefore, we no longer need a formal Council of Princes of Jerusalem. All Scottish Rite Masons are that Council. We maintain those Landmarks which have held true for millennia. When there are times we inevitably fail to uphold that truth, we do not treat this single failure as the totality of our manhood. Instead, we are men, creations of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, made in His image. Our fallen nature is inherent in us. As Princes of Jerusalem, we acknowledge this truth and judge our Brethren’s conduct accordingly, understanding that our Brethren are fallible men too. Someday, we too may find ourselves in a similar predicament.
How do we then reconcile the duties of a Prince ofJerusalem with the rest of our Masonry? Historically, Princes of Jerusalem served as a trial commission for the Scottish Rite’s first fifteen degrees. While a formal council’s time is passed, perhaps we Jerusalem Princes can serve Masonic jurisprudence in another less formal manner. We can work to ensure amity amongst the Brethren during the most contentious of times Masonic trials are an irreplaceable means to both regulate and ensure the integrity of our beloved Craft. Nonetheless, Scottish Rite Masons need to remember their role as a Prince of Jerusalem. We must dispassionately and objectively assess all facts, judge according to the law and not according to our opinion, ever remembering that God calls us to practice mercy, not vengeance. If we can become true Princes of Jerusalem, perhaps we can avoid internecine disputes within our respective lodges.
The Council function may be gone, yet the lessons are more relevant than ever. Mortal men make mistakes, and our Father in Heaven calls upon us to be merciful. Not all infractions need a full Lodge trial but, neither can we ignore egregious conduct. As Princes of Jerusalem, we can thus slow the path towards truly un-Masonic conduct by reminding us of our promise to whisper good counsel in a Brother’s ear. We can thus stand witness or resolving conflict in humanity that typically expects divine perfection from imperfect and mortal creations. We must strive to leave immortal examples of nobility, justice, and equity, casting aside our emotional and illogical responses to wrongs and differences. Rather, let us practice lives dedicated to the fundamental Masonic Truth of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. As Princes of Jerusalem, that is our prime duty as a servant of the Great Architect of the Universe.
Arturo De Hoyas, Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition (Washington D.C,, Masonic Publishing), 237.,
Freemasonry’s Royal Secret: The Franken Manuscript (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society).
Masonic Formulas and Rituals (Washington, D.C.: Scottish Rite Research Society)
Rex Hutchins, A Bridge to Light: A Study in Masonic Ritual & Philosophy 4th Ed. (Washington, D.C.: Supreme Council, 33˚, 2010).
This article was published in the August 2024 edition of the Voice of the Orient.
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