asons.

Q. Of what form was the ark? A. A solid oblong square.

Q. Of what was it made? A. Of shittim wood covered within and without
with pure gold, surmounted with a golden crown and two cherubims of
gold.

Q. What was the covering of the ark called? A. Propitiatory.

Q. Why so? A. Because God's anger was there appeased.

Q. What did the ark contain? A. The tables of the law which God gave
to Moses.

Q. Of what were they made? A. Of white marble.

Q. Who constructed the ark? A. Bezeleel of the Tribe of Judah, and
Aholiab of the Tribe of Dan, who were filled with the spirit of God in
wisdom and understanding, and in knowledge and in all manner of
workmanship.

Q. What was the name of the Sanctum Sanctorum in Hebrew? A. "Dabir."

Q. What does the word signify? A. Speech.

Q. Why was it so called? A. Because the Divinity resided there in a
peculiar manner, and delivered his oracles.

Q. How many doors were there in the Sanctum Sanctorum? A. Only one on
the east side called "Zizon," or Balustrade. It was covered with
hangings of purple, scarlet, blue, and fine twined linen of cunning
work, embroidered with cherubims, and suspended from four columns.

Q. What did these columns represent? A. The four cardinal points.

Q. Your duty as a Secret Mason? A. To guard the Sanctum Sanctorum, and
sacred furniture of the holy place.

Q. What was that furniture? A. The altar of incense, the two tables of
shew-bread, and the golden candlesticks.

Q. How were they placed? A. The altar of incense stood nearest the
Sanctum Sanctorum, and the tables and candlesticks were placed five on
the north and five on the south side of the holy place.

Q. What is meant by the EYE in our Lodge? A. That Secret Masters
should keep a careful watch over the conduct of the craft in general.

Q. What is your age? A. Three times 27, and accomplished 81.

* * * * *

CLOSING A LODGE OF SECRET MASTERS.--The Master strikes five.--The
Grand Marshal rises.

Master. Brother Grand Marshal, what is the last as well as the first
care of a Lodge of Secret Masters? Answer. To see that the Sanctum
Sanctorum is duly guarded.

Master. Please attend to your duty, and inform the guards that we are
about to close this Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number.
The Grand Marshal obeys, and repeats, "It is done, Most Powerful."
Master strikes six.--Adoniram rises.

Master. Brother Adoniram, what is the hour? An