[375] The ligament to bind the Illuminati and Freemasonry together was supplied by Knigge in the grades of the second class. _Cf._ Engel, _op. cit._, p. 115. [376] Apparently these grades were never worked out. See Forestier, p. 250. [377] Forestier devotes more than forty well-packed pages to a discussion of this phase of the subject. _Ibid._, pp. 251–294. [378] _Der ächte Illuminat_, p. 14. Pages 17–37, _ibid._, contains the description of this grade as revised by Knigge. [379] _Ibid._, pp. 39–78. [380] _Ibid._, pp. 82–138. [381] Knigge had, of course, to provide a new ritual and code for these grades. These have not been preserved. They were doubtless similar to those of other Masonic systems, in their Blue Lodge features. “La Franc-Maçonnerie bleue étant le sol commun où poussaient les végétations luxuriantes et diverses des hauts grades et le terrain où tous les Franc-Maçons pouvaient se rencontrer, les différents Systèmes, préoccupés d’établir leur authenticité et aussi pour ne pas dérouter les transfuges des autres sectes, avaient soin de respecter les formes et les usages traditionnels. La Franc-Maçonnerie Illuminée obéit vraisemblablement aux mêmes considérations.” (Forestier, _op. cit._, p. 262.) [382] Forestier, _op. cit._, p. 272. _Der ächte Illuminat_, pp. 139–212, contains the ritual and statutes of this grade. [383] The initiatory rites of this grade were followed by a banquet, which in turn was concluded by a ceremony fashioned after the pattern of the Christian Eucharist. Bread and wine were given to the members, and an effort was made to throw an atmosphere of great solemnity about the observance. _Cf._ Forestier, pp. 278 _et seq._ Christian enemies of the order took special umbrage at this ceremony. [384] The Chapter was placed under obligation to see that Blue Lodges, not to exceed thirty all told, were established in all the important centers of its district. They had also to see that the Order of the Illuminati secretly obtained a preponderating influence in the lodges of other systems, to reform them if possible, or, failing in this, to ruin them. A Prefect, or Local Superior, who furnished regular reports to his superiors, presided over the Chapter. _Cf._ Forestier, pp. 279–281. [385] The members of this class were usually referred to as Epopts, and their immediate superiors as Hierophants. These superiors were technically known as Deans. _Ibid._, pp. 287, 281. [386] Their admission to the rank was further conditioned upon their advancement in Masonry and the effectiveness of their service in the lower grades of the Illuminati. _Cf. ibid._, p. 281. [387] The rites of initiation into this grade expressed a growing tendency in the direction of sacerdotal pomp. _Cf. ibid._, pp. 283–286.