The Francken Manuscript 1783
Henry Andrew Francken
The Francken Manuscript 1783
Henry Andrew Francken
This is a complete typescript of the rituals of all twenty-five degrees of Etienne (Stephen) Morin’s Masonic Rite which became the foundation of the Ancient and Accepted (Scottish) Rite. Soon after the development of ‘Ecossais’ Masonry in France, Morin was appointed ‘Grand Inspector in all parts of the New World’ by the Council of the Grand and Sovereign Lodge of St. Jean de Jerusalem in either Bordeaux or Paris. Morin, who had access to many high grade rituals, then apparently created a set of Masonic regulations called the ‘Constitutions of 1762’ to assist him in establishing High-Grade Masonry in the New World; he also organized these ‘haut grades’ into a Masonic rite. Armed with his patent, Morin traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, and between 1762 and 1767 conferred his rite upon H. A. Francken, whom he also appointed Deputy Inspector-General in 1769. Francken wrote out the rituals in at least three manuscripts-the most complete set being the 1783 manuscript. In 1767 Francken authorized a ‘Lodge of Perfection’ in Albany, New York, and the seeds of Scottish Rite Masonry were planted on the East Coast. By 1800 some fifty men had been appointed Deputy Inspectors, and several resolved to establish a governing body of the Rite. A document, known as the ‘Constitutions of 1786’ authorized an increase from Morin’s 25-degree system to one of 33 degrees. On May 31, 1801, the first Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was organized in Charleston, South Carolina, which survives today as the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, (Mother Council of the World) A\A\S\R\, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA. This is a complete copy of Francken’s best manuscript, and is the single most important document relating to the Ancient and Accepted (Scottish) Rite, because it is the lineal predecessor of the Rite. The rituals of this manuscript represent their authentic form at the birth of Scottish Rite, before they were modified by Carson, Gourgas, Yates, Pike, etc. To whatever extent the rituals may have changed in any jurisdiction, all owe their existence to the rituals of this magnificent document. CONTENTS: The 7 classes of antient and Modern Masonry; Laws and regulations for a Lodge of Perfection; Statutes and Regulations for a Lodge of Perfection; Further Instructions for a Lodge of Perfection; 4th Degree, Secret Master; 5th Degree, Perfect Master; 6th Degree, Intimate Secretary by Curiosity; 7th Degree, Provost and Judge; 8th Degree, Intendant of the Buildings; 9th Degree, Master Elected of Nine; 10th Degree, Illustrious Elected of Fifteen; 11th Degree, Sublime Knights Elected; 12th Degree, Grand Master Architect; 13th Degree, Knights of the Royal Secret; 14th Degree, Perfection; 15th Degree, Knights of the East; 16th Degree, Princes of Jerusalem; 17th Degree, Knights of East and West; 18th Degree, Knights of White Eagle or Pelican; 19th Degree, Grand Pontif; 20th Degree, Sovereign Prince of Masonry or Master ad Vitam; 21st Degree, Prussian Knight or Noachite; 22nd Degree, Knights of the Royal Ax; 23rd Degree, Knights of the Sun; 24th Degree, Knights of Kadoch and the Ne plus ultra of Masonry; 25th Degree, The Royal Secret.; Form of submission to be signed by all those who are initiated. This document is a reproduction of an invaluable Masonic manuscript, not an expose, and is the single most important source of information on the early Scottish Rite rituals in existence.
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