OPENING.--Most Illustrious Master knocks nine.--Marshal rises.
Master says, "Are we all Intimate Secretaries?" Answer--We are, Most
Illustrious.
Q. Your place? A. In the anti-chamber at the head of the guards.
Q. Your business there? A. To see that the hall of audience is duly
guarded.
Q. How are we guarded? A. By Perfect Masters.
The Most Illustrious says, "I appoint Brother ----, Lieutenant of the
Guards, to aid you in the execution of your duty. Repair to your
station and see that none approach without permission." The guards
then fall on their right knees, cross their hands in such a manner
that their thumbs touch their temples, and repeat in a low voice, Jeva
(pron. Je-vau), thrice, and then retire. Solomon then strikes twice
nine, upon which Hiram rises; they make signs of former degrees with
twenty signs of this degree. Most Illustrious strikes three times nine
and declares Lodge open. A triple triangle is placed on a Bible.
LECTURE.--Question--Are you an intimate Secretary? Answer--I am.
Q. How were you received? A. By curiosity.
Q. Explain that. A. Being placed among the guards in the anti-chamber,
a brother, representing the King of Tyre, hastily made his way through
the guards, with a countenance expressive of anger, and entered the
hall of audience, leaving the door partly open; curiosity led me to
the door to observe what passed within.
Q. Was you perceived by them? A. I was. Hiram, King of Tyre, hearing
the noise I made, suddenly turned his head and discovered me. He
exclaimed to Solomon, "My brother, there is a listener." Solomon
replied, "It is impossible, since the guards are without."
Q. What followed? A. Hiram, without replying, rushed to the door, and
dragging me into the Lodge, exclaimed, "Here he is." Solomon inquired,
"What shall we do with him?" Hiram laid his hand on his sword, and
answered, "Let him be delivered into the custody of the guards, that
we may determine what punishment we shall inflict upon him, for this
offence." Solomon then struck on the table which stood before him,
whereupon the guards entered, and saluting the Lodge, received this
order from him: "Take this prisoner, secure him, and let him be
forthcoming when called for."
Q. Were those Guards Intimate Secretaries or Perfect Masters? A. Of
that I was then ignorant, but I am now convinced that I was the first
that was made an Intimate Secretary.
Q. What followed? A. I was conducted out of the hall of audience, and
detained in the custody of the guards, until a second alarm from
within caused them to return with me into the hall; when, the guards
taking their seats around me, I was thus addressed by Solomon: "I
have, by my entreaties, prevailed upon my worthy ally, Hiram, King of
Tyre, whom your vain curiosity had offended, to pardon you, and
receive you into favor, etc.; are you willing to take an obligation to
that effect?" which question I answered in the affirmative, and then
received at the altar the obligation of this degree.
Q. Repeat the obligation (same as Perfect Master). A. Under penalty of
having my body quartered. So help me, etc.
Q. What did the Master then communicate to you? A. He addressed me
thus: "My brother, I receive you an Intimate Secretary, on your having
promised to be faithful," etc., and then gave me the signs, words, and
tokens of this degree.
Q. Give me the signs? A. The first alludes to the penalty made by
clenching the right hand, and drawing it from the left shoulder to the
right hip. The second is the one made at opening by guards.
Q. Give me the token? A. Made by joining right hands, and turning them
downwards thrice, saying, the first time, Berith--the second time,
Nedir--and the third time, Shelemoth.
Q. Give me the pass-words? A. Joabert, response Terbel. The first is
the name of the listener; the second, of the captain of the guards.
Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jeva (pronounced Je-vau).
Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the jewel and
apron of this degree, and was thus addressed by the Master: "The color
of your ribbon is intended to remind you of the blood of Hiram Abiff,
the last drop of which he chose to spill, rather than betray his
trust; may you be equally faithful. The triple triangle is
emblematical of the three theological virtues, faith, hope and
charity; it is also emblematical of the three masons who were present
at the opening of the first lodge of Intimate Secretaries, to wit:
Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre, and Joabert, a favorite
of King Solomon."
Q. What then followed? A. I was ordered to salute the King of Tyre as
an Intimate Secretary, and attend to the instruction of this degree.
Q. To what does the three times nine allude in this degree? A. To the
twenty-seven lamps with which the hall of audience was enlightened.
Q. What is signified by the letter J which you perceive in the clouds?
A. It is the initial of the ineffable name as known by us.
Q. What is represented by the door? A. The door by which they entered
from the palace.
Q. Why was the hall of audience furnished with black hangings strewed
with tears? A. To represent the grief of Solomon, for the unhappy fate
of Hiram Abiff.
Q. What is meant by the A and the two P's in the triangle? A.
Alliance, promise and perfection.
Q. Give me the history of this degree. A. Hiram gave Solomon cedar
trees, and fir trees, etc.
CLOSING.--Master knocks nine (Marshal rises) and says, "Brother Grand
Marshal, the last as well as the first care of an Intimate Secretary?
To see that the hall of audience is duly guarded. Your place, etc. How
are we guarded, etc. Brother Captain of the guards, we are about to
close this Lodge of Intimate Secretaries, repair to your station,"
etc. (Upon this, guards all make sign as at opening, and leave the
room.) Then Solomon strikes twice nine, and Hiram rises--signs
reversed. Solomon knocks three times nine, and declares Lodge closed.
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