Q.--Your answer? A. Several I. of B.'s, I. K.'s, and Grand Master
Architects solicit the honor of being admitted into the secret vault
under the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Q. What was then said to you? A. I was told to wait until the Most
Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned.
Q. What was his answer? A. My brethren, your request cannot now be
granted.
Q. What followed? A. We were conducted back to the anti-chamber, when
the nine masters entered and thus addressed us: "My brethren, our Most
Potent Master requests Grand Master Architects, Joabert, Stokin, and
Gibulum to attend in the audience chamber," whereupon we were
introduced into the presence of Solomon, who thus addressed us: "My
brethren, you know that in digging for a foundation for the temple, we
found the ruins of an ancient edifice. Among the ruins, we have
already discovered much treasure which has been deposited in the
secret vault. Are you willing to make further researches among the
ancient ruins, and report to us your discoveries?"
Q. What was your answer. A. We are.
Q. What followed? A. We were conducted to the ruins, and commenced our
labors. Among the rubbish we discovered a large iron ring, fixed in a
cubic stone, which we raised with much difficulty. Upon examining the
same, we discovered an inscription, of the meaning of which we were
ignorant. Beneath the stone, a deep and dismal cavern appeared.
Q. Did you enter that cavern? A. I did.
Q. In what manner? A. A rope was fastened 'round my body, and
descending, I found myself in an arched vault, in the floor of which
was a secret opening, through which I also descended, and in like
manner through a third; being in third vault, I found there was an
opening for descending still further, but being afraid of pursuing my
search, I gave a signal and was hoisted by my two companions. I then
recounted to them what I had seen, and proposed to them to descend by
turns, which they refused; upon this I determined to descend again,
and told them that through every arch I passed, I would gently shake
the rope. In this manner I descended from arch to arch, until I was
lowered into the sixth arch, when, finding there was still another
opening, my heart failed me, and giving the signal, I was again pulled
up. I acquainted my two companions with the particulars of my second
descent, and now earnestly urged that one of them should go down, as I
was very much fatigued; but, terrified at my relation, they both
refused. I then received fresh courage, went down a third time,
taking a lighted flambeau in my hand. When I had descended into the
ninth arch, a parcel of stone and mortar suddenly fell in and
extinguished my light, and I immediately saw a triangular plate of
gold, richly adorned with precious stones, the brilliancy of which
struck me with admiration and astonishment. Again I gave the signal,
and was assisted in reascending. Having related to my two companions
the scene which I had witnessed, they expressed a desire to witness
the same; they also concluded to go down together, by means of a
ladder of ropes, which they did, and shortly after returned with the
golden plate, upon which we saw certain characters, of the meaning of
which we were then ignorant.
Q. What followed? A. We repaired to the apartment of King Solomon, the
King of Tyre, with him, and said, "Most Potent, we obeyed your
commands and present you with the fruits of our labors, and solicit
the honor of being made acquainted with the inscription on this cubic
stone and this golden triangle." Upon beholding it, the two Kings
raised their hands, and exclaimed "Gibulum ishtov." The Kings then
examined the sacred characters with attention, and Solomon thus
addressed us: "My brethren, your request cannot now be granted. God
has bestowed upon you a particular favor, in permitting you to
discover the most precious jewel of masonry. The promise which God
made to some of the ancient patriarchs, that in fulness of time his
name should be discovered, is now accomplished. As a reward for your
zeal, constancy, and fidelity, I should now constitute you Knights of
the Ninth Arch, and I promise you an explanation of the mysterious
characters on the golden plate, when it is fixed in the place designed
for it, and I will then confer on you the most sublime and mysterious
degree of Perfection."
Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies
to conduct us to the south-west, and from thence to approach the
altar, by three times three steps, and there to take upon ourselves
the obligation of this degree.
Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further
promise never to be concerned in the initiation of any brother in this
degree, unless he manifests a charitable disposition for Masonry, and
a zeal for the brethren, and also obtains permission, under the hands
and seal of the first regular officers of a Lodge of Perfection. I
further promise that I will not debauch any female related to a
companion of this degree, either by blood or marriage, knowing her to
be such, under penalty of being crushed under the ruins of a
subterraneous temple. So help, etc.
Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, token and
words of this degree.
Q. Give me the sign? A. (Made by kneeling on the left knee, the right
hand on the back, the left raised above the head, the palm upward, the
body leaning forward, alluding to the penalty.)
Q. Give me the token? A. (Being in the last mentioned position token
is made by raising each other from the same, by interlacing the
fingers of the left hand.)
Q. How many pass-words are there? A. One for each arch.
Q. Give them to me? A. 1st, Jov; 2d, Jeho; 3d, Juha; 4th, Havah; 5th,
Elgibbor; 6th, Adonai; 7th, Joken; 8th, Eloah; 9th, Elzeboath.
Q. Give me the grand word? A. Gibulum ishtov.
Q. What does that signify? A. Gibulum is a good man.
Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the jewel, apron
and gloves of this degree, and directed to salute the Senior Warden as
a Knight of the Ninth Arch, and return to the east for further
instruction.
* * * * *
SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history and charge of this
degree? Ans. My worthy brother, it is my intention, at this time, to
give you a clearer account of certain historical traditions, etc. (to
the words "favored with a mystical vision"), when the Almighty thus
designed to speak to him, as thou art desirous to know my name,
attend, and it shall be revealed unto thee. Upon this, a mountain
seemed to rise to the heavens, and Enoch was transferred to the top
thereof, where he beheld a triangular plate of gold most brilliantly
enlightened, and upon which were some characters which he received a
strict injunction never to pronounce. Presently he seemed to be
lowered perpendicularly into the bowels of the earth through nine
arches, in the ninth or deepest of which he saw the same brilliant
plate which was shown to him in the mountain. In digging for a
foundation they discovered an ancient edifice, among which they found
a considerable quantity of treasure, such as vases of gold and silver,
urns, marble, jasper, and agate columns, and precious stones. All
these treasures were collected and carried to Solomon, who upon
deliberation concluded that they were the ruins of some ancient
temple, erected before the flood, and possibly to the service of
Idolatry. He, therefore, determined to build the temple in another
place, lest it should be polluted. Solomon caused a cavern to be
constructed under the temple, to which he gave the name of secret
vault. He erected in this vault a large pillar of white marble, to
support the Sanctum Sanctorum, and which, by inspiration, he called
the pillar of beauty, from the beauty of the ark which it sustained.
There was a long, narrow descent through nine arches from the palace
of Solomon to this vault. To this place he was accustomed to retire
with Hiram of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, when he had occasion to enter
upon important business. There were none else, then living, qualified
to enter this vault. One of their number being removed, disordered
their business for a time. As the two kings were on one occasion
consulting on business of the craft, application was made to them by
several I's of B., I. K.'s and Grand Master Architects, soliciting the
honor of being admitted to the secret vault, to whom Solomon replied,
"My brethren, your request cannot now be granted." Some days
afterwards Solomon sent for the three Grand Master Architects,
Gibulum, Joabert and Stokin, and directed them to go and search among
the ancient ruins, in hopes of discovering more treasure. They
departed, and one of them, viz., Gibulum, in working with a pickaxe
among the rubbish, discovered a large iron ring fixed in a cubic
stone. On removing this stone, a cavern was discovered. Gibulum
offered to descend. A rope being fastened 'round his body, and in
this manner he descended thrice, and discovered the golden triangle of
Enoch, as was represented in the ceremony of your initiation. They
then carried the stone and triangle to King Solomon, when the same
circumstances occurred, which took place when you presented the same
to us. The two Kings then informed the three Knights that they were
ignorant of the true pronunciation of the mysterious word until that
time, and that this word being handed down through a succession of
ages, had been much corrupted. The two Kings, accompanied by the three
Knights, descended with the sacred treasure into the secret vault.
They encrusted the golden plate upon the pedestal of the pillar of
beauty, and the brilliancy of the plate was sufficient to enlighten
the place. The secret vault was afterwards called the sacred vault.
Whenever the Lodge of Perfection was holden, nine Knights of the Ninth
Arch tiled the nine arches which led to the sacred vault; the most
ancient stood in the arch next to the anti-chamber of the vault, and
so on in regular progression, the youngest taking his station in the
first arch, which was near the apartment of Solomon. We were suffered
to pass without giving the pass-words of the different arches. There
were living at that time several ancient masters, who, excited by
jealousy at the honors conferred upon the twenty-five brethren,
deputed some of their number to wait upon Solomon, and request that
they might participate in those honors. The King answered that the
twenty-five masters were justly entitled to the honors conferred on
them, for their zeal and fidelity. Go, said he, in peace, you may one
day be rewarded according to your merits. Upon this, one of the
deputies with an unbecoming warmth, observed to his companions, "What
occasion have we for a higher degree? We know the word has been
changed, we can travel as masters, and receive pay as such." Solomon
mildly replied, "Those whom I have advanced to the degree of
perfection, have wrought in the ancient ruins, and though the
undertaking was difficult and dangerous, they penetrated the bowels of
the earth, and brought thence treasures to enrich and adorn the Temple
of God. Go in peace, wait with patience, and aspire to perfection by
good works." The deputies returned and reported their reception to the
masters. These masters, vexed at the refusal, unanimously determined
to go to the ancient ruins, and search under ground, with a view of
arrogating the merit necessary for the accomplishment of their
desires. They departed the next morning, and raising the cubic stone
descended into the cavern with a ladder of ropes, by the light of
torches, where no sooner had the last descended, than the nine arches
fell in upon them. Solomon hearing of this accident, sent Gibulum,
Joabert and Stokin to inform themselves more particularly of the
matter. They departed at break of day, and upon their arrival at the
place, could discover no remains of the arches, nor could they learn
that one single one of all those who had descended escaped the
destruction. They examined the place with diligence, but found nothing
except a few pieces of marble, on which were inscribed certain
hieroglyphics; these they carried to Solomon, and related what they
had seen. King Solomon examining these hieroglyphics, discovered that
these pieces of marble were part of one of the pillars of Enoch.
Solomon ordered these pieces of marble to be carefully put together
and deposited in the sacred vault.
Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the mysterious characters
of this degree, which were engraved on the triangle of Enoch.
CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rising), "the last
as well as the first care," etc. Most Potent knocks eight, and Junior
Warden rises. "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?" A. "The
setting of the sun." Most Potent knocks three times three, and
companions all rise. "Brother Junior Warden, give notice," etc. Signs.
Most Potent knocks three times three, Junior Warden three times three,
and Companions three times three, with their hands, and Most Potent
declares Chapter closed.
* * * * *