Pillar Clubs

The following article is presented with the compliments of the
HOLDEN RESEARCH CIRCLE.

The article may be freely used for masonic purposes only.

For all other purposes the approval of the
Circle President, W Bro Graeme Love
must be obtained.

THE "NINE WORTHIES"
or
"EXCELLENT MASTERS"
1792-1813

CREATION of the "Excellent Masters"

With regard to the maintenance of uniformity of ritual and ceremonial, and to ensure supervision of Craft procedure in general, certain brethren were chosen by the Antients Grand Lodge for that very purpose. Resolutions were made in the Antients "Grand Lodge of Royal Arch Masons" and confirmed on 5 November 1783. The three "Chiefs" presiding at the meeting were Laurence Dermott ("Deputy Grand Master of Masons"), James Read (Snr Grd Warden), The Worshipful John McCormick (past Master of Lodge No.6).

".. Masters and Past Masters only ought to be admitted Masters of the Royal Arch.."

Extracts from 5 Nov 1783 Resolutions

".. All the Regular Royal Archmen shall be recorded in a particular Book for that purpose. The Book to be called - SEPER ENHOLAH RABIIM, ie, The Register of Excellent Masters..."

" The General Grand Chapter shall once in every year when duly Congregated in conjunction with the Right Worshipful Grand (Craft) Officers for the time being, Make choice of a certain number of the Most Excellent Masters amongst themselves, which number shall not exceed Nine persons... To perform any of the secret ceremonies relative to the Royal Arch, the Installation of Grand Officers or Processions, etc, etc. In order that the Ancient Landmarks may be faithfully preserved, and handed down pure and undefiled to Our posterity for ever. "

Application of a Worthy in a Craft Lodge, example only

Royal Cambrian Lodge No.135, Newport, Monmouthshire, 1811

"... a Nine Worthy brother do attend this lodge to give Instruction and for which this lodge engages to defray his expenses from London and back, and to pay him two guineas per week, as long as he remains with this lodge.."

9 Worthies Their Jewel, as illustrated at left:
LEFT - Facing side of Jewel -
Inscription reads "One of the Nine Worthies"
RIGHT - Obverse side -
Inscription reads "SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT"
(Translation - Let There Be Light and There Was Light)

Challenge: How many masonic symbols can you spot, especially on the Obverse side?

All Material taken from: "Freemasonry in London from 1785" by Roy Wells, 1984
This volume contains excellent material and is worthy, itself, to be on your shelf.

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