Q. What does the word signify? A. Speech.
Q. Why was it so called? A. Because the Divinity resided there in a
peculiar manner, and delivered his oracles.
Q. How many doors were there in the Sanctum Sanctorum? A. Only one on
the east side called "Zizon," or Balustrade. It was covered with
hangings of purple, scarlet, blue, and fine twined linen of cunning
work, embroidered with cherubims, and suspended from four columns.
Q. What did these columns represent? A. The four cardinal points.
Q. Your duty as a Secret Mason? A. To guard the Sanctum Sanctorum, and
sacred furniture of the holy place.
Q. What was that furniture? A. The altar of incense, the two tables of
shew-bread, and the golden candlesticks.
Q. How were they placed? A. The altar of incense stood nearest the
Sanctum Sanctorum, and the tables and candlesticks were placed five on
the north and five on the south side of the holy place.
Q. What is meant by the EYE in our Lodge? A. That Secret Masters
should keep a careful watch over the conduct of the craft in general.
Q. What is your age? A. Three times 27, and accomplished 81.
* * * * *
CLOSING A LODGE OF SECRET MASTERS.--The Master strikes five.--The
Grand Marshal rises.
Master. Brother Grand Marshal, what is the last as well as the first
care of a Lodge of Secret Masters? Answer. To see that the Sanctum
Sanctorum is duly guarded.
Master. Please attend to your duty, and inform the guards that we are
about to close this Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number.
The Grand Marshal obeys, and repeats, "It is done, Most Powerful."
Master strikes six.--Adoniram rises.
Master. Brother Adoniram, what is the hour? Answer. The end of day.
Master. What remains to do? Adoniram--To practice virtue, fly from
vice, and remain in silence.
Master. Since there remains nothing to do but to practice virtue and
fly vice, let us enter again into silence, that the will of God may be
accomplished. The signs are given, and seven blows struck as at
opening.
Master. I declare this Lodge duly closed.
* * * * *