Sir --------
Acting Pref.

Commendations,
Sir Knights Comp'ns.

The officers and council all in their places. The Most Illustrious
Prefect addresses the Most Worthy Provost thus: "Most Worshipful
Provost, what is the o'clock?" Most Worshipful Provost says, rising
and facing the east, at the same time raising his mark in his right
hand, "Most Illustrious Prefect, it is now the first hour of the day,
the time when our Lord suffered and the veil of the temple was rent
asunder, when darkness and consternation was spread over the earth,
when the confusion of the old covenant was made light in the new in
the temple of the cross. It is, Most Illustrious Prefect, the third
watch, when the implements of Masonry were broken--when the flame,
which led the wise men of the east, reappeared--when the cubic stone
was broken, and the word was given." Most Illustrious Prefect says to
Worthy Herald, "It is my will that this house of God be closed, and
the remembrance of those solemn and sacred events, be here
commemorated: make this; Worthy Herald, known to the Most Worshipful
Provost, in due and ancient form." The Worthy Herald bows and
approaches the Most Worshipful Provost, where he bows thrice, faces
about and gives a blast with his horn, and after the Knights have
filed out by threes without the door, except the worthy Senior
Inductor, he does his errand, viz.:--"Most Worshipful Provost, it is
the sovereign will of Count Albertus, of Pergamus, that this house of
God be closed, and that those solemn and sacred events in the new
covenant be here commemorated: you will observe this." The Worthy
Herald bows, and the Most Worshipful Provost rises and addresses the
Worthy Senior Inductor thus: "It is the will of the Most Illustrious
Prefect that here now be opened a Council of Knights of the Cross:
what therein becomes your duty?" Worthy Senior Inductor says, "To
receive the commands of my superiors in the order, and pay obedience
thereto--to conduct and instruct my ignorant pass-brethren; and to
revere, and inculcate reverence in others, for the Most Holy and
Almighty God." The Most Worshipful Provost rises fiercely and says,
"By what right do you claim this duty?" Worthy S. Inductor says, "By
the right of a sign, and the mark of a sign." Most Worshipful Provost
says, "Will you give me a sign?" Worthy Sen. "I could if I should."
The Most Worshipful Provost then partly extends both arms, pointing
downwards to an angle of 39