aasr

HOLDEN CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT
under
The Supreme Council 33̊
of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite
for Australia

8° Intendant of the Building

Prologue

The colour of the drapes in this degree are
red, symbol of zeal.

The VSL is opened at 2 Chronicles 3 “Then Solomon began to build the House of The Lord at Jerusalem. ---" and he reared up the pillars before the Temple, one on the right hand and one on the left, and called the name of that on the right hand Jakin, and that on the left Boaz”
The degree shows the candidate not as a worker but as a supervisor.

Work on the Temple proceeds, but the absence of Hiram Abif is still apparent, by the lack of one capable of handling the varied work of final beautification. Accordingly five brethren are selected to undertake individually various specific parts of the final stage. Adoniram is appointed Chief Architect. You will note that in recognition of his now exalted position, he is placed on the dais and plays a part in the ceremony of closing.

The five pointed star on the apron is a symbol of man himself, standing upright with outstretched arms and legs and exhibits the immortal principle within him as well as alluding both to the five points of fellowship, as well as the five points of felicity which are explained by the Thrice Potent Master. It is a reminder of zeal, of wholehearted devotion to duty and service

 

 

Epilogue

The teachings of this degree are particularly applicable to our everyday working life, they may be summed up as “Do your job and do not exploit either employer or employee”. Strive for perfection in everything you undertake, as every mistake, every piece of poorly finished work, no matter how small, will detract from the quality and excellence of the ultimate structure.

Humility is stressed. We are reminded that by our work we live, that our works live on when we are called hence. This is not always easy to realise, our daily tasks may seem very unimportant in the great world of affairs but if we consider that a very minute error may render a precision instrument unreliable, we must realise that in such a delicately constructed and balanced Universe, open before our eyes for all to see, even the smallest effort may have its place. Every error, carelessness or neglect may be significant.

The penalty of the Obligation…… “may our common Father so deal with me gently or harshly as I deal gently or harshly with my Brother” is but a paraphrase of Matthew 6, 12, part of the Lords Prayer, “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.
In conclusion we are reminded that unless we are charitable and benevolent we cannot be contented.

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