A Hostile Reception

plan

After his oath-binding and preparation, the hoodwinked, semi-naked candidate is led to the Chapter door by a conductor, who is assigned to lead him through his travel. This specially selected guide will be at his side for the duration of his initiation and will lead the initiate into what can only be described for him as a journey into the unknown. Here the humbled candidate places himself in the control of the conductor/guide for direction, thus once again putting his trust in man.

Informed sources within the Royal Arch Purple Chapter would estimate that 5 to 10% of the Order, truly profess Christ although this figure would be a lot higher in the Independent Orange. The average initiate into the Arch Purple is therefore normally in no better a spiritual state than the guide leading him. These conductors most of whom, bear no testimony of sins forgiven are no better than modern day Pharisees, whom Christ rebuked: “Woe unto you, ye blind guides” (Matthew 23:16).

Our Saviour described such ambassadors of empty religion as “blind leaders of the blind,” and declared, “if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

THE PROFANE

The guide then knocks three times on the Chapter door seeking entry. The time-honoured response from within the Arch Purple assembly defies normal belief: “What profane, or unworthy person or persons are these, coming here to disturb the peace and harmony of this, our Royal Arch Purple Chapter meeting dedicated by us unto God, and Brother Joshua?”

Like all the mysteries, those outside the Order are looked upon as profane and unworthy. The implication for any child of God allowing himself to be labelled with such a depraved title must surely undermine the regenerating work of Christ in his life. Moreover it must damage his testimony before his fellow Royal Arch Purple men.

The Chapter door is guarded by a person called a “Tyler” whose responsibility it is to protect the meeting. This practice is in keeping with the model of all the ancient mysteries. The ‘Master’s Carpet’ explains: “Initiations into the Ancient Mysteries were performed in caverns, and the entrance was guarded by a janitor armed with a drawn sword to prevent unlawful intrusion” (‘Christ the Christian and Freemasonry’ p. 87). Not surprisingly, the Arch Purple ‘Tyler’ is also armed with a sword.

The guide replies to the question from within the Chapter room: “They are not profane, nor unworthy at all, but friends with a brother, and a brother with friends, seeking admission into this, your Royal Arch Purple Chapter meeting, dedicated by you unto God and Brother Joshua.” Here the reason for their worthiness and acceptance is the correct response of the guides, and their Royal Arch Purple membership.

The English word ‘profane’ is derived from the Latin word ‘profanis’, meaning ‘before or outside the temple, hence not holy, not clean, debased and unworthy, a thing to be avoided for it would contaminate the holy and clean ones’.

One can nearly hear an apologist for the Order saying this is not what is meant by the Royal Arch Purple. Nevertheless in their recent publication (p. 192) the Royal Arch Purple Chapter unashamedly declare: “When greeted by the word ‘profane’ it may leave some people at a loss to understand the meaning. It is not a word which is in common or everyday use. In the context in which it is used here it means the uninitiated, in a religious sense it means a ‘heathen’ or one ‘outside the temple’.” This amazing statement reveals the spurious nature of the Royal Arch Purple Order.

This sinful esoteric practice is not exclusive to the Royal Arch Purple but is shared with most secret societies and occult groups throughout the globe. Leading modern historian and scholar of Freemasonry, thirty-third degree Mason, Albert Mackey explains in a ‘Manual of the Lodge’ (p. 20): “There he [the man to be initiated] stands, without our portals, on the threshold of his new Masonic life, in darkness, helplessness and ignorance. Having been wandering amid the errors, and covered over with the pollutions of the outer and profane world. He comes inquiringly to our doors, seeking the new birth, and asking a withdrawal of the veil” (‘Deadly Deception’ p. 135).

Such a practice, again, has originated from the ancient mysteries. According to Mackey, the Ancient Mysteries commenced ceremonies of the greater initiation by the solemn form of “Depart hence ye profane.”

‘Profane’, of course is a scriptural word used to define an unregenerate person, a child of darkness. Imagine the scene of a blindfolded, bare breasted, bare-legged child of God being led to the door of a room full of largely unsaved men, then subjecting himself to the position of an unworthy sinner in need of light.

As we turn to God’s Word, one cannot help but see history repeating itself. In the book of Ezekiel we learn how the clergy of that day were absorbed in such sin and hypocrisy: “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed the difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them” (Ezekiel 22: 26).

There is no ambiguity with God as regards what is, and who is, profane. Scripture clearly describes the profane. Esau is given as an example of a ‘profane’ person in Scripture. Hebrews 12: 16 says: “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” As most believers know Esau became the focus of God’s wrath. Romans 9:13 states: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

The Royal Arch Purple conceals its vulgar teaching beneath a facade of neo-religious terminology. This language, which often appears ambiguous, is common to all secret societies and is known as esoteric (or hidden) teaching. An example is seen as follows:

Q. “Where are you from?
A. The outer Camp of Israel [the profane world].
Q. Where are you going?
A. To the inner lines [the elect].
Q. How do you intend to get there?
A. By the benefit of a password.
Q. Have you that password?
A. I have.
Q. Will you give it to me?
A. I will, if you begin – Shib – Bo – Leth.

William T. Still in his book ‘New World Order’ reveals the Masonic source of this password stating: “In the second degree, or ‘fellowcraft degree’, the candidate enters the lodge by the benefit of the secret password ‘Shibboleth’ and takes additional oaths” (p. 103).

For more information, please William Schnoebelen’s enlightening book Masonry Beyond the Light

SWORD PRICK

As the Royal Arch Purple candidate enters the Chapter room, a sword or other sharp object is pressed into his bare breast. The Protestant Truth Society booklet of 1925 revealed: “The oath taken, the candidate is branded with the Seal of the Lodge upon his bare chest – the seal, if a metal one, having been previously heated for the impression.” The reason for such an action is explained during the Royal Arch Purple lecture.

Q. “How were you admitted? Or upon what?
A. On the point of a sword, spear, or some other warlike instrument pointed to my naked left breast.
Q. Why to your naked left breast?
A. Because it was nearest my heart.
Q. Did you feel anything?
A. Three sharp pricks to my naked left breast.
Q. What did these three sharp pricks to your naked left breast signify?
A. As they were a prick to my flesh in the meantime, so may they be a sting to my conscience hereafter, if ever I should divulge anything I had received or was about to receive.”

The significance of this practice is solemnly outlined during the Masonic first degree initiation, when the candidate is told: “At your entrance into the Lodge, this sword was presented to your naked left breast, so that had you rashly attempted to rush forward, you would have been accessory to your own death by stabbing. Not so with the brother who held it; as he would have only remained firm to his duty” (Masonic Manual p. 9).

We learn in the ‘Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium’ that by the candidate enduring such a reception, “There is brought home to him the seriousness of the step which he proposes to take, and he is reminded of the responsibility that will rest on him to guard the secrets about to be entrusted to him” (p. 273).

Describing the Arch Purple ceremony, Tony Gray, in his book ‘The Orange Order’ reveals that, a certain Frank A. Preble from Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.A., whilst being initiated was “burned on the breast with a branding iron, which gave him wounds which were raw for some ten days afterwards.”

This offensive practice is common to all occult bodies and is designed to intimidate the disorientated candidate, filling him with great fear. Its prime aim is to protect and secure the sinful selfish secrets and mysteries of this objectionable Order. Nevertheless, the Bible says, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Former Wiccan Witch high priest and thirty-second degree Freemason, William J Schnoebelen in comparing the remarkable similarities between Freemasonry and the initiation into witchcraft, exposes the satanic home of this practice. He states that both groups “Challenge the candidate by piercing their naked chest with a sharp instrument (witches use a sword, Masons, the point of a compass).”

In the ‘History of Initiation’ by Oliver, we find the origins of this ancient practice in the Persian mysteries where the initiates were met by the point of the sword being pressed into their left breast.

UNEXPECTED BANG

The blindfolded candidate is further disturbed by a loud and unexpected bang. This surprise can take many forms and often differs from area to area. One Chapter may fire a blank round from a gun at the initiate, another may smash a set of cymbals, another may simply drop the poles of the lodge’s banner on the floor beside him and others use different means. Regardless of the method or the means the aim of the Chapter is always to unsettle the unsuspecting candidate and reduce him to a vulnerable condition. From a medical perspective this behaviour is highly dangerous, but from a spiritual standpoint this performance is deeply offensive. The Chapter seems to justify this foul practice, in its lecture, by claiming Divine approval:

Q.”What did you hear?
A. A loud report, as of a cannon-gun, or some other small piece of musketry.
Q. What did this loud report signify?
A. The Lord thundering down his wrath upon the children of Israel for their disobedience unto him.”

The disoriented candidate is then forced to his knees, where he is required to ‘pray for his own deliverance’.

Whilst the Chapter offers its candidate nothing more than fear, devious threats, and subtle intimidation, the Lord comes to give men peace, love and joy. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Lodges Examined by the Bible by John R. Rice

Topics

red_dot The History of the Orange Order
red_dot The Royal Arch Purple oath
red_dot Properly Prepared
red_dot A hostile reception
red_dot The Five Points of Fellowship
red_dot Riding the goat
red_dot The Orange Order Blood Curdling Penalties
red_dot Mystical enlightenment
red_dot A false hope
red_dot Symbolism

Appendices

Royal Arch Purple push-back

Evangelical Truth response to Former Independent Orange Grand Master’s attack on Behind Closed Doors.
Biblical response to Rev. Ron Johnstone (Royal Arch Purple spokesman): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Grand Chaplain to the Grand Orange Lodge of England JRG Harvey book in response to Behind Closed Doors: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Evangelical Truth debate with Independent Orange Institution

Ulster Christian review of Behind Closed Doors
The response of George Dawson (Imperial Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution).
Readers response (including the author of ‘Behind Closed Doors’ – Paul Malcomson).
Second response of George Dawson (Imperial Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution).
Evangelical Truth reply to George Dawson

For more information read Freemasonry: The Invisible Cult by Jack Harris