body dissected, bowels taken out, heart cut in pieces, and the whole thrown to the wild beasts of the field!'

Solomon raises the candidate, and says, 'I receive you an intimate secretary, on your promise to be faithful to the order in which you have just now entered. We hope, brother, that your fidelity will be proof to every trial; and that this sword, with which we arm you, will defend you from the attacks of those, who may try to extort from you those secrets which we are now about to confer upon you.'

The grip in this degree is that of a mark master, given on the five points.

The pass-words are, 'Joabert,' and 'Zerbel.'

6

The mysterious word is Jova.'

The first sign is to clinch the right hand, then draw it from the left shoulder to the right hip. The second is to cross the arms, then let them fall on the right hip.

.Grip Join right hands, and reverse them thrice, repeating at each time one of these words, 'Berith,'' Neder,' 'Shelemoth.' [See plate 27, fig. 3.]

HISTORY.

Solomon had agreed with the king of Tyre, in return for the materials taken from Mount Lebanon, and those drawn from the quarries of Tyre, made use of in constructing the temple, (in part payment of which, he had already furnished him with a measure of oil, honey and wheat,) to have given him a province in Galilea, of thirty cities, immediately after the temple was completed.

A year had elapsed before this was complied with on the part of Solomon; and when Hiram went to visit this newly acquired territory, he found the lands poor, the people rude, uncultivated, and of bad morals; and that the keeping of it would be attended with more expense than profit. He therefore went in person to Solomon, to complain of the deceit. Being arrived, he made his entry through the guards in the court, and went hastily to the king's apartment.

The countenance of the king of Tyre was so expressive of anger, as he entered, that one of Solomon's favorites, named Joabert, perceived it, and, apprehensive of the consequence, followed him to the door to listen. Hiram observing him, ran and seized upon him, and delivered him into the custody of the guards; however, by the intercession of Solomon, (who represented that Joabert was, of all those about the temple, most attached to him, and that his intentions could not have been evil,) Hiram agreed to pardon him: and before they parted,

renewed their former friendship, and concluded a treaty of perpetual alliance, which was signed by them, and to which Joabert was intimate secretary.

This lodge is closed by three times nine.

PROVOST AND JUDGE.

This lodge is adorned with red, and lighted by five great lights; one in each corner, and one in the centre. The master is placed in the east, under a blue canopy, surrounded with stars, and is styled, thrice illustrious. He represents Tito, Prince Harodim, the eldest of the perfect masters, and intimate secretary, first grand warden, and inspector of the three hundred architects; whose office was, to draw plans for the workmen.

Opening.-Master. Brother wardens, are we well tyled? A. Thrice illustrious, we are. Mast. Where is your master placed? A. Everywhere. M. Why so? A. To superintend the workmen, direct the work, and render justice to every man. Q. What is the hour? A. Break of day,-eight o'clock,-two and seven. Master knocks five quick knocks-separate—which is repeated by the wardens. Master. It is break of day,-eight o'clock,-two and seven; it is time to proceed to work. This is repeated by the wardens. But the four hands four and one: master says, The lodge is opened.'

Reception. The master of ceremonies leads the candidate to the door, and knocks four and one, which is repeated by the wardens and master from within. Master orders a brother to see who is there. After the brother has inquired, he says, 'A brother who wishes to be passed to the degree of provost and judge.' Master sends word to master of ceremonies to examine him well, and then introduce him in ancient form. Master of ceremonies leads him, and places him between the wardens. Senior warden orders him to kneel and say, 'Chivi,' and puts a naked sword into his hand and on his left shoulder. Master says, 'Ky,' and senior warden, raising candidate, leads him seven times round the lodge; each time he passes the master, he gives a sign, (beginning with entered apprentice ;) he is then led to the altar, and there addressed by the master. [See Monitor.] I now intrust you with the key of the place, where is kept the body and heart of Hiram Abiff, as also the box in which is kept the plans of the temple; and you are now to give us assurance that you will never discover the place where the

Dody is interred.' He promises, and takes the following obliga

tion :

Obligation. 1st, Secrecy. 2d, I will justly and impartially regulate all matters of difference between brethren; I will be just and equitable to all the world, as I am constituted by this lodge to render justice. 3d, I will pay due obedience to the mandate of the grand council of princes of Jerusalem, and govern myself by their regulations." Penalty-that of all the former degrees. Candidate rises, and the master gives him a blow with the sceptre on each shoulder, saying, 'By the power with which I am invested, I constitute you a provost and judge over all the works and workmen of the temple, and I decorate you, in this character, with the golden key, suspended by a red ribbon, which you are to wear in the form of a collar; this apron is trimmed with the same color; the red denotes the order of the Mason, and the pocket in the centre is to carry your plans for the construction of the temple.

The master then addresses the candidate as follows:

'Respectable brother,—It gives me joy, that I am now about to recompense your zeal and attachment to the institution of Masonry, by appointing you provost and judge, over all the works of this lodge: and, as we are well assured of your prudence and discretion, we, without the least hesitation, intrust you with a most important secret. We expect you will do your duty in the degree to which you will now be elevated, as you have done in those already taken.'

Sign.-Place the two first fingers of the right hand on the side of the nose. The answer to this sign is made by placing the first finger of the right hand on the tip of the nose, and the thumb of the same hand under the chin. [See plate 27, fig. 4.] *

Token.-Lock the little fingers of right hands, and give seven light blows with the thumbs of right hands, on the palms of the same.

Pass-word.-Tito. Ordinary words, Geometros, Xinchen, Ky, Civi, Jova, Hiram, Stokin, Architect. In some lodges, the following words are used, viz: Geometros, Xinchen, Yzirie, Ivah, Hiram, Sto.kin.

INTENDANT OF THE BUILDINGS, OR MASTER IN ISRAEL.

Signs, words, &c.-First sign, viz: that of surprise. Place the thumbs on the temples, the hands opened, and resting on the forehead, so as to form a square-step backward two paces -step forward two paces-lower the hands till they touch the eyelids, and say, 'Benchorim.' In some lodges, the sign of surprise very nearly coincides with one of the same name which is given in the most excellent master's degree.

Second sign. That of admiration. Interlace the fingers, turn the palmis upward above the head, let the hands fall on the wrist, (being still interlaced,) look upward and say, 'Achard,' (or Hakar,) [See plate 27, fig. 5.]

Third sign. That of grief, (as given by two at the same time.) Place the right hand on the heart, the left on the left hip, balance thrice with the knees-one says, ' Ky,' the other replies, Jea.' Instead of these words, the learned substitute the words' Chai,' and ' Jah,' (signifying the Lord liveth.)

Token.―The brethren strike a light blow with the right hand over the heart, pass hands to the middle of the fore-arm, placing left hands on the elbow; this is repeated thrice, one saying Jakinai and the other Judah.

NOTE. This token has variations in different lodges.
Pass-word, Judah.' Sacred word, Jakinai.'

ELECTED KNIGHTS OF NINE.

This chapter represents the audience chamber of Solomon, and is to be decorated with white and red hangings-the red with white flames.

There are nine lights in the east, and eight in the west. The master represents Solomon, seated in the east, with a table before him, covered with black, and is styled, most potent.

There is only one warden, in the west, who represents Stockin, with seven brethren round him. All the brethren must be dressed in black, and their hats flapped, with a broad black ribbon from the left shoulder to the right hip; on the lower part of which, are nine red roses, four on each side, and one at the bottom, to which is suspended a poniard. The aprons are white, lined with black, speckled with blood; on the flap, a

bloody arm with a poniard; and on the area, a bloody arm holding by the hair a bloody head.

Near to the lodge is a small dark place, representing a cavern, in which is placed a lamp, a place representing a spring, with a bason to hold water, and a table, on which are laid a poniard, and a representation of a bloody head, as just severed from the body. Near the table a large stone to sit on, and below the lamp, in capital letters, VENGEANCE.

Reception.-Master of ceremonies leads the candidate to the door, and knocks eight and one. The master orders the candidate to be admitted. He is conducted to the west, and placed behind Stokin. M. What do you wish? A. To be admitted an elected knight. Q. Have you courage enough to revenge the death of your master, Hiram Abiff? A. I have. Q. If you have, you shall be shown where one of his murderers is concealed a stranger has shown the place to me, and if you have fortitude, follow the stranger. The candidate is blinded, led to the cavern, and seated on the stone. The master of ceremonies says, 'Be of good courage, I am going to leave you, but shall not be long absent; and after I am gone, you must take the bandage from your eyes, and drink some of the water you wi!l find, before I return.' Candidate is left alone, and the door is shut. The master of ceremonies returns, and orders him to take the poniard in his right hand, and the head in his left; and he thus goes alone to the door of the lodge, where he knocks eight and one. Master of ceremonies within, says, 'What do you wish?' A. An intendant of the buildings demands to enter the chapter. Q. Have you finished your time, and satisfied your, master? A. I have had the honor of performing a feat for the honor of the craft, which will, I hope, entitle me to this degree. Master of ceremonies repeats to Stokin, who repeats to the master, and he orders the candidate to be admitted. He advances, by eight quick and one slow, steps, holding the poniard elevated, as if to strike. The ninth step brings him to the altar, where he falls on his knees. Master observes him, and says, 'Wretch, what have you done? Do you not know that by this rash act, you have deprived me of the pleasure of devoting the villain to condign punishment? Stokin, let him be put immediately to death.' At this word, all the brethren, falling on their knees, intercede for the candidate, observing to the master, that his offence arose from zeal, and not from any intention of depriving the master of the pleasure of punishing the villain. This pacifies him, and he orders Stokin to stop, and tell the candidate, that he shall be pardoned this second time, but beware of the third.' Stokin takes the head and poniard

W