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MORALS & DOGMA OF FREEMASONRY - 9. ELECT OF NINE: Pursuit of Justice, Truth & Moral Accountability - Albert Pike
Published 2 years, 9 months ago
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MORALS & DOGMA OF FREEMASONRY - 9. ELECT OF NINE: The Pursuit of Justice, Truth & Moral Accountability.
Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: Unlocking the Secrets of Freemasonry.
Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871) is one of the most significant and widely studied texts in Masonic philosophy. This work, written by one of the most influential figures in the history of Freemasonry, serves as a guidebook for members of the Scottish Rite and a deep philosophical exploration of the moral, ethical, and esoteric teachings of the fraternity.
Chapter 9 of Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma, titled “Elect of Nine”, delves into the 9th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. This degree is steeped in themes of justice, revenge, moral introspection, and the pursuit of truth, tracing its symbolic lineage to the biblical legend of the assassination of Hiram Abiff, the master builder of Solomon’s Temple.
At the core of this chapter is the idea of righteous judgment—the concept that justice, while often sought outwardly, must begin as an internal moral process. The Elect of Nine degree historically symbolizes the aftermath of the murder of Hiram Abiff, where King Solomon selects nine of his most trusted companions to track down and punish the murderers. This tale acts as both the narrative and symbolic foundation of the degree.
Pike begins the chapter by describing the legendary backdrop of the degree, emphasizing the zeal and determination of the nine elect to execute justice. This is not simply about vengeance, but about restoring moral order. The nine are “elect,” meaning they have been chosen—not just by Solomon, but metaphorically by the ideals of duty and truth. Pike stresses that this election represents the personal calling of every Freemason to rise above moral passivity and actively engage in the defense of virtue and truth.
The most dramatic element of the chapter is the tale of punishment for wrongdoers. One of the assassins of Hiram, identified as Abairam or Abiram, is found hiding in a cave and is executed by one of the elect. The symbolic dagger used to carry out the execution becomes a central image in the ritual, representing the power of moral action but also the danger of untempered justice.
Pike, however, does not allow the reader to rest comfortably in the narrative of revenge. He uses the story to probe deeper philosophical concerns: What is justice? Who has the right to execute it? How do we know our motivations are pure? These questions begin to shift the chapter from a historical or ritual explanation to a rich philosophical exploration.
A major theme in this chapter is self-examination. Pike insists that before one can be truly Elect—chosen to root out evil—he must have already examined and conquered the evil within himself. This echoes the Delphic maxim, “Know thyself.” The real “enemy” is not simply a literal assassin hiding in a cave, but the corruption, cowardice, or egotism hiding in our own hearts. The Elect of Nine must be a man of conscience, who acts out of principle, not out of passion or vengeance.
Throughout the chapter, Pike draws upon an eclectic array of sources—Scripture, classical philosophy, and Eastern mysticism—to illustrate his points. He invokes the teachings of Zoroaster, Socrates, and the Hebrew prophets to stress the universality of moral struggle. This cross-cultural breadth is typical of Pike, who often presents Freemasonry as the heir to an ancient and global moral wisdom.
Another layer of the degree is secrecy and discretion. The Elect of Nine, being a small chosen circle, reflects the idea that truth is often the province of the few, and that moral courage requires stepping away from the
Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: Unlocking the Secrets of Freemasonry.
Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871) is one of the most significant and widely studied texts in Masonic philosophy. This work, written by one of the most influential figures in the history of Freemasonry, serves as a guidebook for members of the Scottish Rite and a deep philosophical exploration of the moral, ethical, and esoteric teachings of the fraternity.
Chapter 9 of Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma, titled “Elect of Nine”, delves into the 9th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. This degree is steeped in themes of justice, revenge, moral introspection, and the pursuit of truth, tracing its symbolic lineage to the biblical legend of the assassination of Hiram Abiff, the master builder of Solomon’s Temple.
At the core of this chapter is the idea of righteous judgment—the concept that justice, while often sought outwardly, must begin as an internal moral process. The Elect of Nine degree historically symbolizes the aftermath of the murder of Hiram Abiff, where King Solomon selects nine of his most trusted companions to track down and punish the murderers. This tale acts as both the narrative and symbolic foundation of the degree.
Pike begins the chapter by describing the legendary backdrop of the degree, emphasizing the zeal and determination of the nine elect to execute justice. This is not simply about vengeance, but about restoring moral order. The nine are “elect,” meaning they have been chosen—not just by Solomon, but metaphorically by the ideals of duty and truth. Pike stresses that this election represents the personal calling of every Freemason to rise above moral passivity and actively engage in the defense of virtue and truth.
The most dramatic element of the chapter is the tale of punishment for wrongdoers. One of the assassins of Hiram, identified as Abairam or Abiram, is found hiding in a cave and is executed by one of the elect. The symbolic dagger used to carry out the execution becomes a central image in the ritual, representing the power of moral action but also the danger of untempered justice.
Pike, however, does not allow the reader to rest comfortably in the narrative of revenge. He uses the story to probe deeper philosophical concerns: What is justice? Who has the right to execute it? How do we know our motivations are pure? These questions begin to shift the chapter from a historical or ritual explanation to a rich philosophical exploration.
A major theme in this chapter is self-examination. Pike insists that before one can be truly Elect—chosen to root out evil—he must have already examined and conquered the evil within himself. This echoes the Delphic maxim, “Know thyself.” The real “enemy” is not simply a literal assassin hiding in a cave, but the corruption, cowardice, or egotism hiding in our own hearts. The Elect of Nine must be a man of conscience, who acts out of principle, not out of passion or vengeance.
Throughout the chapter, Pike draws upon an eclectic array of sources—Scripture, classical philosophy, and Eastern mysticism—to illustrate his points. He invokes the teachings of Zoroaster, Socrates, and the Hebrew prophets to stress the universality of moral struggle. This cross-cultural breadth is typical of Pike, who often presents Freemasonry as the heir to an ancient and global moral wisdom.
Another layer of the degree is secrecy and discretion. The Elect of Nine, being a small chosen circle, reflects the idea that truth is often the province of the few, and that moral courage requires stepping away from the