ed to be some ancient jewels, but the air becoming offensive, he
pulled the rope in his left hand, and was immediately drawn out. We
then repaired to the Grand Council, made our report, and presented the
articles found, which they pronounced the jewels of our three ancient
Grand Masters, Solomon, Hiram, and Hiram Abiff. They commended us
highly for our zeal and fidelity, assured us that it was a fortunate
discovery, that it would probably lead to still more important ones,
and that our disinterested perseverance should not go unrewarded. They
directed us to repair again to the place, and make what further
discoveries lay in our power.

Q. What followed? A. We again returned to the place, and let down one
of our companions as before. The sun having now reached its meridian
height, darted its rays to the inmost recesses of the vault, and
enabled him to discover a small chest or box, curiously wrought; but
the air becoming exceedingly offensive, he gave the sign, and was
immediately drawn out. We immediately repaired to the Grand Council
and presented our discovery. On examination, the Grand Council
pronounced it to be the ARK OF THE COVENANT, which was deposited in
the vault by our ancient Grand Master for safe keeping. On inspecting
it more closely, they found a key with which they opened it. The High
Priest then took from it a book, which he opened, and read as follows:

Gen. i. 1-3. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was
upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the
face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there
was light."

Deut. xxxi. 24-26. "And it came to pass when Moses had made an end
of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were
finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of
the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law and
put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your
God, that it may be there for a witness against thee."

Ex. xxv. 21. "And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above, upon the
ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give
thee."

He then declared it to be the book of the law upon which the Grand
Council, in an ecstasy of joy, exclaimed three times, "Long lost, now
found, holiness to the Lord;" at the same time drawing their hands
across their foreheads.

Q. What further was