ritten and read from left to right.
After the ceremonies are ended, the High Priest informs the
candidates, in many or few words, according to his ability, that this
degree owes its origin to Zerrubbabel and his associates, who rebuilt
the temple by order of Cyrus, King of Persia. He informs them that the
discovery of the secret vault and the inestimable treasures, with the
long lost WORD, actually took place in the manner represented in
conferring this degree, and that it is the circumstance upon which the
degree is principally founded. The ceremony of closing a Chapter is
precisely the same as at opening, to the raising of the living arch.
The companions join hands by threes, in the same manner, and say in
concert, "As we three did agree the sacred word to keep, as we three
did agree the sacred word to search, so we three do agree to close
this royal arch." They then break without giving the word, as the High
Priest reads the following prayer:

"By the wisdom of the Supreme High Priest may we be directed, by
His strength may we be enabled, and by the beauty of virtue may we
be incited to perform the obligations here enjoined upon us; to
keep inviolable the mysteries here unfolded to us, and invariably
to practice all those duties out of the Chapter, which are
inculcated in it. (Response.) So mote it be. Amen."

The High Priest then declares the Chapter closed in due form.

* * * * *

KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS.

At the sound of the trumpet the line is formed. Master of Calvary to
the Sir Knight Warden, "When a Council of Knights of the Red Cross is
about to be formed and opened, what is the first care?" Warden--"To
see the Council chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Please to attend to
that part of your duty, see that the sentinels are at their respective
posts, and inform the Captain of the Guards that we are about to open
a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business."
W.--"The sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council
chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Are all present Knights of the Red
Cross?" W.--"They are." M. C.--"Attention, Sir Knights, count
yourselves from right to left--right files handle sword--draw
sword--carry sword--right files to the left double--second division
forward, march, halt--right about face!" Sir Knight Master of
Infantry, accompanied by the sword-bearer and Warden--"Please inform
the Sovereign Master that the lines a