be wears a purple robe,
apron, and turban. After having satisfied the Grand Council that they
are true brethren, and stated their object in coming to Jerusalem, the
candidates are directed to commence the labor of removing the rubbish
of the old temple preparatory to laying the foundation of the new. For
the purpose of performing this part of the ceremony, there is in or
near the Chapter a narrow kind of closet, the only entrance to which
is through a scuttle at the top; there is placed over this scuttle
whatever rubbish is at hand, bits of board, brick bats, etc., and
among them the keystone. After the candidates are furnished with the
tools (pick-axe, spade, and crow), they are directed to this place,
and remove the rubbish till they discover the keystone. This they
convey to the Grand Council, as stated in the Lecture. After the Grand
Council have examined it, they pronounce it to be the work of the
Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and direct them to return and prosecute
their researches, not doubting that they will make many important
discoveries. The candidates return and let down one of their number by
a rope; he finds three squares, is drawn out, and all proceed with
them to the Grand Council. The Grand Council inspect them, and
pronounce them to be the three ancient jewels that belonged to the
three ancient Grand Masters, Solomon, Hiram and Hiram Abiff. The
candidates then return to the vault and let down another of their
number. Here, let it be remarked, some Chapters, for the purpose of
lightening the labor of the candidates, call in the aid of machinery.
A pulley is suspended over the vault, and the candidate is EXALTED
from the bottom at the tail of a snatch block; the one last let down
find at the bottom a small chest or box, upon which he gives the
signal to be drawn out; he no sooner discovers the box than the air in
the vault, in the language of the Lecture, "becomes exceedingly
offensive." This is strictly true; for at the moment he takes up the
box and is preparing to ascend, fire is communicated to a quantity of
gunpowder at his feet, so that by the time he arrives at the top, he
is so completely suffocated with the fumes of the powder, that he is
almost deprived of the power of respiration or motion. The box is
carried to the Grand Council and pronounced to be the ark of the
covenant. It is opened, and a Bible taken out, and some passages read
from it. [See Lecture.] One word respecting the representation o