never performed; conduct like this deserves prompt
punishment. The penalty of an impostor is that of having his right
hand chopped off. This young man appears as though he deserved a
better fate, and as though he might be serviceable in the building of
the Temple. Are you a Fellow Craft?" Cand.--"I am." R. W. M.--"Can you
give us any proof of it?" Candidate gives the sign of a Fellow Craft.
R. W. M.--"He is a Fellow Craft. Have you ever been taught how to
receive wages?" Cand.--"I have not." R. W. M.--"This serves, in a
measure, to mitigate his crime. If you are instructed how to receive
wages, will you do better in future, and never again attempt to impose
on the Grand Overseers, and, above all, never attempt to receive wages
for labor which you never performed." Cand.--"I will." R. W. M.--"The
penalty is remitted." The candidate is then taken into the preparation
room and divested of his outward apparel, and all money and valuables,
his breast bare, and a cable-tow four times around his body; in which
condition he is conducted to the door, when the conductor gives four
distinct knocks, upon the hearing of which the Senior Warden says to
the Right Worshipful, "While we are peaceably at work on the fourth
degree of Masonry, the door of our Lodge appears to be alarmed." R. W.
M.--"Brother Junior, see the cause of that alarm." The Junior Warden
then steps to the door and answers the alarm by four knocks, the
conductor and himself each giving another; the door is then partly
opened, and the Junior Warden then asks, "Who comes there?" Cond.--"A
worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated as an Entered
Apprentice, served a proper time as such; passed to the degree of
Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; and now
wishes further light in Masonry, by being advanced to the more
honorable degree of a Mark Master Mason." J. W.--"Is it of his own
free will and accord he makes this request?" Cond.--"It is." J.
W.--"Is he duly and truly prepared?" Cond.--"He is." J. W.--"Has he
wrought in the quarry, and exhibited specimens of his skill in the
preceding degrees?" Cond.--"He has." J. W.--"By what further right or
benefit does he expect to obtain this favor?" Cond.--"By the benefit
of a pass-word." J. W.--"Has he a pass-word?" Cond.--"He has not, but
I have it for him." J. W.--"Give it to me." Conductor whispers in his
ear, "JOPPA." J. W.--"The pass-word is right. You will let him wait
until the Right Worsh