"The 33rd degree rite is one of the latest among many attempts to construct a chain of degrees to bind together, tax, and govern lodges of the world. The Covent Garden Grand Lodge, formed at the Appletree Tavern, London, in 1717, was such an attempt. Four decayed lodges of working Masons, accustomed to initiate their apprentices, journeymen, and masters in a night's drinking carousal, met at that tavern in February, and on the 24th of June, following, formed the first Grand Lodge, and assumed
(usurped) power to charter, tax and govern Masons of the world, by declaring "irregular", all lodges not chartered by themselves. And, as they could withdraw such charters as were given by themselves, and so destroy or cast out of Masonry all lodges so charted, their despotism was complete, over all those who were chartered by them. This usurpation and impostion was successful.
Such an attempt to seize universal dominion, is this
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of 33 degrees, of which E. Junius Edwards, Commander in Chief of the Grand Consistory of Minnesota, says: Nov. 12, 1885: "all the Supreme Councils of the World have finally adopted this schedule."
We have seen from its history, given by its own authors, that this "
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite," is not "
ancient," but
modern; not "acepted," but invented; not "Scottish," but French; and so one continuous falsehood. But its most revolting features are yet to be drawn.
Destroying records is confessing crime. Its writers complain that the early English lodge records were destroyed; doubtless lest their secret proceedings should be brought into courts. But the Charleston Supreme Council destroyed its proceedings, for more than half a century. From 1801 to 1860 no records exist."
Scotch Rite
Masonry Illustrated
The Complete Ritual of the
Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite
Pages 27,28,34