en one and two, and Companions one and two, with their
hands.

* * * * *

KNIGHTS OF THE NINTH ARCH.

OPENING.--Most Potent knocks seven. (Grand Marshal rises.) Most Potent
says, "Are we all Knights of the Ninth Arch?" Ans. We are, Most
Potent.--Q. Your place? etc., etc. Most Potent Knocks eight. Junior
Warden rises. Q. What is the hour? A. The rising of the sun. Most
Potent knocks three times three.--Companions rise. Most Potent says,
"If it is the rising of the sun, it is time to commence our labors.
Give notice," etc. Signs of former degrees. Then two kings kneel at
the pedestal, as in the first sign, and raise each other by the token.
Companions do the same. Most Potent knocks three times three, Senior
Warden same, Junior Warden same, and Companions same, and Most Potent
says, "I declare this Chapter open."

LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Knight of the Ninth Arch? Answer--I have
penetrated the bowels of the earth, through nine arches, and have seen
the brilliant triangle.

Q. In what place were you admitted? A. In the audience chamber of King
Solomon.

Q. How did you gain admittance there? A. In company with some
Intendants of the Building, Illustrious Knights, and Grand Master
Architects. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies to the door of
the audience chamber, where he gave three times three distinct knocks.

Q. To what did they allude? A. To the nine arches which led from the
palace of Solomon to the secret vault, and the nine arches of the
temple of Enoch.

Q.--How were they answered? A. By three times three from within.

Q.--What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?"

Q.--Your answer? A. Several I. of B.'s, I. K.'s, and Grand Master
Architects solicit the honor of being admitted into the secret vault
under the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Q. What was then said to you? A. I was told to wait until the Most
Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned.

Q. What was his answer? A. My brethren, your request cannot now be
granted.

Q. What followed? A. We were conducted back to the anti-chamber, when
the nine masters entered and thus addressed us: "My brethren, our Most
Potent Master requests Grand Master Architects, Joabert, Stokin, and
Gibulum to attend in the audience chamber," whereupon we were
introduced into the presence of Solomon, who thus addressed us: "My
brethren, you know that in digging for a foundation for the temple, we
found the