n; we are the descendants of those noble families of
Giblemites, who wrought so hard at the building of the first temple,
were present at its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, by him carried away
captive to Babylon, where we remained servants to him and his sons
till the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, by whose order we were
liberated, and are now returned to assist in rebuilding the house of
the Lord, without expectation of fee or reward.

Q. What further was demanded, of you? A. The pass-word, "I am, that I
am." After giving which, the Master of the Veil, assured of his full
confidence in us as worthy brethren, commended us for our zeal and
gave us the token and words to enable us to pass the second Veil.

Q. What are they? A. The token is an imitation of that which Moses was
commanded to exhibit to the children of Israel, casting his rod upon
the ground it became a serpent, and putting forth his hand and taking
it again by the tail, it became a rod in his hand. The words are
these, "SHEM, HAM, and JAPHETH."

Q. What followed? A. We were conducted to the second Veil, where the
same questions were asked, and answers returned as before, with the
addition of the pass-words and token given at the first Veil.

Q. What followed? A. The Master of the second Veil told us that we
must be true and lawful brethren to pass thus far, but further we
could not go without his pass and token, which he accordingly gave to
us.

Q. What are they? A. The words are SHEM, JAPHETH, and ADONIRAM; the
token is putting the hand in the bosom, plucking it out again, in
imitation of the second sign which Moses was directed to make to the
Israelites, when putting his hand into his bosom and taking it out
again, it became leprous as snow.

Q. How were you then disposed of? A. We were conducted onwards to the
third Veil, when the same questions were asked, and answers returned
as before, with the addition of the token and words last received.

Q. What followed? A. The Master of the third Veil then gave us the
sign, words, and signet, to enable us to pass the fourth Veil, to the
presence of the Grand Council.

Q. What are the words, sign, and signet? A. The words are JAPHETH,
SHEM, NOAH; the sign, pouring water upon the ground, in imitation of
Moses, who poured water upon the ground and it became blood; the
signet is called the signet of truth, and is Zerrubbabel. It alludes
to this passage, "In that day I will take thee, O Zerrubbabel, my