fall loose and
nerveless against their sides. This sign is said by Masons to
represent the sign of astonishment, made by the Queen of Sheba, on
first viewing Solomon's Temple. The Most Excellent Master now resumes
his seat and says, "Brethren, attend to giving the signs." The Most
Excellent Master then gives all the signs from an Entered Apprentice
Mason up to the degree of Most Excellent Master; in which they all
join and imitate him. M. E. M.--"Brother Senior Warden, you will
please to inform Brother Junior, and request him to inform the
brethren that it is my will and pleasure that this Lodge of Most
Excellent Master Masons be now opened for dispatch of business,
strictly forbidding all private committees, or profane language,
whereby the harmony of the same may be interrupted, while engaged in
their lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the by-laws enjoin,
or a majority of the brethren may see cause to inflict." S.
W.--"Brother Junior, it is the will and pleasure of the Most Excellent
Master, that this Lodge of Most Excellent Master Masons be now opened
for dispatch of business, strictly prohibiting all private committees,
or profane language, whereby the harmony of the same may be
interrupted, while engaged in their lawful pursuits, under no less
penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren may see
cause to inflict." J. W.--"Brethren, you have heard the Most Excellent
Master's will and pleasure, as communicated to me by Brother
Senior--so let it be done."

* * * * *

CEREMONIES OF INITIATION.

The Lodge being now opened and ready for the reception of candidates,
the Senior Deacon repairs to the preparation room, where the candidate
is in waiting, takes off his coat, puts a cable-tow six times around
his body, and in this situation conducts him to the door of the Lodge,
against which he gives six distinct knocks, which are answered by the
same number by the Junior Deacon from within; the Senior Deacon then
gives one knock, and the Junior Deacon answers by giving one more; the
door is then partly opened by the Junior Deacon, who says, "Who comes
there?" Senior Deacon--"A worthy brother, who has been regularly
initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason; passed to the degree of
Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason; advanced
to the honorary degree of a Mark Master Mason; presided in the chair
as Past Master; and now wishes for further light