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Grand Tilers of Solomon
This interesting Grade was formerly known under the titles of
"Mason Elect of the Twenty-Seven" or "Select Mason of the 27," and is
found in many different countries, although records are by no means
abundant. There can be little doubt that this Grade and the Grade of
"Select Master" owe their origin to a common source. In his Masonic
Orations, published in 1803, Frederick Dalcho mentions that in
addition to the regular degrees and among those mentioned is "Select
Master of 27." Elsewhere there is mention of "Select Mason of the 27"
indicating that the Grade which we now work as "Grand Tiler of
Solomon" is or very close resemblance to the present-day "Select
Master."
Early evidence of the Grade is contained in History of the Cryptic
Rite, where is reproduced a diploma issued by Moses Cohn to Abraham
Jacobs, dated November 9th, 1790, which in addition to some of the
regular Grades of the Rite of Perfection, mentions the "Select Mason
of Twenty-Seven." There are also other references to such a Grade at
an early date.
The Jamaica Ritual, purporting to have been used by Morin in the West
Indies in the eighteenth century, is yet available for study and
indicates a close adherence to the present working of the Allied
Grade, while at the same time it indicates a direct line to the Select
Master. However, following the trend of thought here introduced, the
origin of the one Grade would be the birth of the other and the two
Grades, while somewhat different today, indicated formerly one Grade.
The Allied Grade merely holds to older working and has not been
amplified and changed by too many hands. It appears to be old work.
Thus, it is evident that the Grade is an American product and these
records are the earliest yet found of its working. The Ritual now used
is identical in both the United States and England, and is a product
of late 19th century American ritualists. The Grade was conferred on
the Earl of Euston, the Grand Master of Allied Masonic Degrees in
England, in 1893 and accordingly it was incorporated under that Grand
Council. The Ritual is of deep interest to those who really understand
early Ritual and the environs in which it was created. Many lessons
may be found in simple and easily explained ceremonies of this period.
The Jewel of the Grade is a black delta, edged with gold, pointed
downward, containing in the center "27" in Hebrew characters. On the
reverse appears the Tetragrammaton in the Kabalistic Order. The Jewel
is suspended from a scarlet ribbon, edged with pale gray, on which is
a hand grasping a sword and surmounted by three crowns.
The Apron of the Grade is of black, with gold border. In the center is
a gold crown, while on the flap in gold, is a hand grasping a sword.
The Sash of the Grade is approximately four inches in width; scarlet
in the center, with pale gray on either side thereof.
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