followed? A. We repaired to the apartment of King Solomon, the
King of Tyre, with him, and said, "Most Potent, we obeyed your
commands and present you with the fruits of our labors, and solicit
the honor of being made acquainted with the inscription on this cubic
stone and this golden triangle." Upon beholding it, the two Kings
raised their hands, and exclaimed "Gibulum ishtov." The Kings then
examined the sacred characters with attention, and Solomon thus
addressed us: "My brethren, your request cannot now be granted. God
has bestowed upon you a particular favor, in permitting you to
discover the most precious jewel of masonry. The promise which God
made to some of the ancient patriarchs, that in fulness of time his
name should be discovered, is now accomplished. As a reward for your
zeal, constancy, and fidelity, I should now constitute you Knights of
the Ninth Arch, and I promise you an explanation of the mysterious
characters on the golden plate, when it is fixed in the place designed
for it, and I will then confer on you the most sublime and mysterious
degree of Perfection."

Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies
to conduct us to the south-west, and from thence to approach the
altar, by three times three steps, and there to take upon ourselves
the obligation of this degree.

Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further
promise never to be concerned in the initiation of any brother in this
degree, unless he manifests a charitable disposition for Masonry, and
a zeal for the brethren, and also obtains permission, under the hands
and seal of the first regular officers of a Lodge of Perfection. I
further promise that I will not debauch any female related to a
companion of this degree, either by blood or marriage, knowing her to
be such, under penalty of being crushed under the ruins of a
subterraneous temple. So help, etc.

Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, token and
words of this degree.

Q. Give me the sign? A. (Made by kneeling on the left knee, the right
hand on the back, the left raised above the head, the palm upward, the
body leaning forward, alluding to the penalty.)

Q. Give me the token? A. (Being in the last mentioned position token
is made by raising each other from the same, by interlacing the
fingers of the left hand.)

Q. How many pass-words are there? A. One for each arch.

Q. Give them to me? A. 1st, Jov; 2d, Jeho; 3d,