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Morals & Dogma of Freemasonry - 10. ILLUSTRIOUS ELECT OF FIFTEEN - Albert Pike (1871) - HQ Full Book
Published 2 years, 7 months ago
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Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: Unlocking the Secret Wisdom of Freemasonry - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 10: ILLUSTRIOUS ELECT OF FIFTEEN (Quindecim Electi – 10th Degree, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry)
In Chapter 10 of Morals and Dogma, Albert Pike explores the symbolic, moral, and historical dimensions of the 10th degree of the Scottish Rite: Illustrious Elect of Fifteen, also known as Quindecim Electi. This degree continues the narrative of retribution and justice initiated in the 9th degree (Elu of the Nine), where the Masonic seeker is symbolically involved in the pursuit of the murderers of Master Hiram Abiff.
Historical and Symbolic Background
The 10th degree builds upon the legend of the Temple and the avenging of Hiram's murder. While the 9th degree focused on the capture of one of the murderers, this degree symbolizes the pursuit and punishment of the remaining two. The story revolves around the dispatching of fifteen elect knights by King Solomon to seek out and bring justice to the remaining fugitives. Pike delves into this mythos not as literal history but as rich allegory. The fugitives represent not just physical wrongdoers, but internal vices—moral failures, cowardice, treachery, and unbridled passions. Thus, the journey of the fifteen is a metaphor for the Masonic journey of internal purification, the eradication of corrupt tendencies, and the pursuit of higher virtue.
The Allegory of the Fifteen
The Illustrious Elect of Fifteen represents a group of chosen individuals who embody vigilance, courage, and a resolute commitment to justice. Their mission is not fueled by vengeance but rather by a profound sense of moral duty. Pike insists that this allegory should be understood as the soul’s endeavor to confront and overcome the darker aspects of human nature. In particular, the lesson centers on justice tempered with mercy, and on the importance of acting with honor and dignity even when confronting evil. The elect knights act as agents of divine justice—not fanatics or avengers. Their moral superiority lies in their self-control and the purity of their motive.
Justice as a Moral Ideal
A significant portion of this chapter is devoted to the philosophical nature of justice, which Pike holds as one of the loftiest virtues of a Mason. He asserts that justice is not mere retribution; rather, it is the balanced administration of law and the protection of the innocent. Pike draws heavily from classical and Enlightenment sources, emphasizing that justice must arise from conscience and reason, not emotion or revenge. Justice, in Pike’s framework, must be intellectual and spiritual, grounded in universal moral law. He writes with strong conviction that the pursuit of justice requires courage, insight, and the willingness to stand alone in the face of moral cowardice. The Elect of Fifteen are presented as ideal types—models for the Masonic aspirant who seeks to live a life of moral clarity.
Moral Vigilance and the Battle Within
Pike continually returns to the theme of internal vigilance. The enemies pursued by the fifteen elect knights are symbolic of our own vices. Laziness, arrogance, envy, and falsehood are portrayed as insidious forces that must be hunted down and rooted out. The journey is not just geographical but psychological and spiritual. The degree emphasizes the importance of self-examination. Every Mason, Pike writes, must be ready to scrutinize his own motives, judge his own actions, and render justice upon himself where necessary. Just as the fugitives of the legend tried to hide in foreign lands, so too do our darker impulses try to evade the light of reason and truth.
Symbolism and Ritual Elements
The ritual of the 10th degree contains various rich symbols which Pike interprets esoterically. The number fifteen itself i
Chapter 10: ILLUSTRIOUS ELECT OF FIFTEEN (Quindecim Electi – 10th Degree, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry)
In Chapter 10 of Morals and Dogma, Albert Pike explores the symbolic, moral, and historical dimensions of the 10th degree of the Scottish Rite: Illustrious Elect of Fifteen, also known as Quindecim Electi. This degree continues the narrative of retribution and justice initiated in the 9th degree (Elu of the Nine), where the Masonic seeker is symbolically involved in the pursuit of the murderers of Master Hiram Abiff.
Historical and Symbolic Background
The 10th degree builds upon the legend of the Temple and the avenging of Hiram's murder. While the 9th degree focused on the capture of one of the murderers, this degree symbolizes the pursuit and punishment of the remaining two. The story revolves around the dispatching of fifteen elect knights by King Solomon to seek out and bring justice to the remaining fugitives. Pike delves into this mythos not as literal history but as rich allegory. The fugitives represent not just physical wrongdoers, but internal vices—moral failures, cowardice, treachery, and unbridled passions. Thus, the journey of the fifteen is a metaphor for the Masonic journey of internal purification, the eradication of corrupt tendencies, and the pursuit of higher virtue.
The Allegory of the Fifteen
The Illustrious Elect of Fifteen represents a group of chosen individuals who embody vigilance, courage, and a resolute commitment to justice. Their mission is not fueled by vengeance but rather by a profound sense of moral duty. Pike insists that this allegory should be understood as the soul’s endeavor to confront and overcome the darker aspects of human nature. In particular, the lesson centers on justice tempered with mercy, and on the importance of acting with honor and dignity even when confronting evil. The elect knights act as agents of divine justice—not fanatics or avengers. Their moral superiority lies in their self-control and the purity of their motive.
Justice as a Moral Ideal
A significant portion of this chapter is devoted to the philosophical nature of justice, which Pike holds as one of the loftiest virtues of a Mason. He asserts that justice is not mere retribution; rather, it is the balanced administration of law and the protection of the innocent. Pike draws heavily from classical and Enlightenment sources, emphasizing that justice must arise from conscience and reason, not emotion or revenge. Justice, in Pike’s framework, must be intellectual and spiritual, grounded in universal moral law. He writes with strong conviction that the pursuit of justice requires courage, insight, and the willingness to stand alone in the face of moral cowardice. The Elect of Fifteen are presented as ideal types—models for the Masonic aspirant who seeks to live a life of moral clarity.
Moral Vigilance and the Battle Within
Pike continually returns to the theme of internal vigilance. The enemies pursued by the fifteen elect knights are symbolic of our own vices. Laziness, arrogance, envy, and falsehood are portrayed as insidious forces that must be hunted down and rooted out. The journey is not just geographical but psychological and spiritual. The degree emphasizes the importance of self-examination. Every Mason, Pike writes, must be ready to scrutinize his own motives, judge his own actions, and render justice upon himself where necessary. Just as the fugitives of the legend tried to hide in foreign lands, so too do our darker impulses try to evade the light of reason and truth.
Symbolism and Ritual Elements
The ritual of the 10th degree contains various rich symbols which Pike interprets esoterically. The number fifteen itself i