OPENING.--Most Perfect knocks three (Grand Marshal rises), "Are we
all," etc. Most Perfect knocks five, and Junior Warden rises. Most
Perfect says, "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?" Ans. "High
twelve."
Q. What do you understand by high twelve? A. That the sun has gained
its meridian height, and darts its rays with greatest force on this
Lodge. Most Perfect says, "It is then time that we should profit by
its light." Most Perfect knocks seven, and Senior Warden rises, and
Most Perfect says, "Venerable Brother Senior Warden, what brings you
here?" A. My love of Masonry, my obligation, and a desire for
perfection.
Q. What are the proper qualities for acquiring it? A. Frequent
innocence and benevolence.
Q. How are you to conduct in this place? A. With the most profound
respect.
Q. Why is it that men of all conditions assembled in this place are
called brethren, and are all equal? A. Because the ineffable name puts
us in mind that there is one being superior to us all.
Q. Why is respect paid to the triangle? A. Because it contains the
name of the Grand Architect of the universe. Most Perfect knocks nine,
and brethren all rise. Most Perfect says, "Brother Senior Warden, give
notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Perfect Grand Elect and
Sublime Masons, by the mysterious number 3, 5, 7 and 9. Senior Warden
obeys. Signs of former degrees given, then the Most Perfect knocks
three, and all the brethren give the first sign of this degree. Most
Perfect knocks three, and then third sign. Most Perfect knocks three,
five, seven and nine, Senior Warden the same, Junior Warden the same,
and then all the brethren with their hands, & Most Perfect declares
Lodge open.
NOTE.--Behind the Master is the burning bush, in which is a
transparent triangle, with five Hebrew letters signifying "God" placed
therein. In the west is the pillar of beauty. The pedestal appearing
to be broken is a part of the pillar of Enoch, the pieces of which
were found among the ruins, and carefully put together. The Lodge is
adorned with vases of gold and silver, urns, etc., which were found
among the ruins. The lights are thus arranged: three in the west,
behind the Junior Warden; five in the East, behind the Senior Warden;
seven in the south, and nine behind the Master. The brethren are
seated in a triangular form around the altar.
LECTURE.--Question--What are you? Ans. I am three times three, the
Perfect's number of eighty-one, according to our mysterious numbers.
Q. Explain that? A. I am a Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason; my
trials are finished, and it is now time I should reap the fruits of my
labor.
Q. Where were you made a Grand Elect Mason? A. In a place not
enlightened by the sun nor moon.
Q. Where was that place situated? A. Under the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Q. How did you gain admission? A. By the nine pass-words of Knights of
the Ninth Arch, which brought me to the door of the ante-chamber
leading to the sacred vaults, where I gave three distinct knocks.
Q. How were they answered? A. By three from within.
Q. What was said to you? A. Who comes there?
Q. Your answer? A. A Knight of the Ninth Arch, who wishes to be
admitted into the sacred vault.
Q. What was then said to you? A. I was directed to give the pass; when
I did I was permitted to pass to the second door of the ante-chamber,
where I gave three and five knocks, which were answered by three and
five and seven from within, and the pass-word demanded as before,
which I gave, and was permitted to pass to the door of the sacred
vault, where I gave three, five and seven and nine distinct knocks.
(NOTE.--These knocks are answered from within by the Junior and Senior
Wardens, and Most Perfect; and Most Perfect says, "Brother Junior
Warden, see who knocks there in the manner of a Perfect Grand Elect
and Sublime Mason.")
Q. To what do these knocks allude? A. The three knocks signify the age
of the Entered Apprentice, and the number of the Grand Marshal
Architects who penetrated the bowels of the earth. The five allude to
the age of the Fellow Craft and the number of the Grand Elect Perfect
and Sublime Masters who placed the sacred treasure upon the pedestal
of beauty.
Q. What are their names? A. Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, Gibulum,
Joabert, and Stokin. The seven allude to the age of the Master Mason,
and to Enoch who was the seventh from Adam. The nine represent the age
of the Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason, and the nine guards of
the arches.
Q. How were these knocks answered? A. By three, five, seven and nine
from within.