dered
their business for a time. As the two kings were on one occasion
consulting on business of the craft, application was made to them by
several I's of B., I. K.'s and Grand Master Architects, soliciting the
honor of being admitted to the secret vault, to whom Solomon replied,
"My brethren, your request cannot now be granted." Some days
afterwards Solomon sent for the three Grand Master Architects,
Gibulum, Joabert and Stokin, and directed them to go and search among
the ancient ruins, in hopes of discovering more treasure. They
departed, and one of them, viz., Gibulum, in working with a pickaxe
among the rubbish, discovered a large iron ring fixed in a cubic
stone. On removing this stone, a cavern was discovered. Gibulum
offered to descend. A rope being fastened 'round his body, and in
this manner he descended thrice, and discovered the golden triangle of
Enoch, as was represented in the ceremony of your initiation. They
then carried the stone and triangle to King Solomon, when the same
circumstances occurred, which took place when you presented the same
to us. The two Kings then informed the three Knights that they were
ignorant of the true pronunciation of the mysterious word until that
time, and that this word being handed down through a succession of
ages, had been much corrupted. The two Kings, accompanied by the three
Knights, descended with the sacred treasure into the secret vault.
They encrusted the golden plate upon the pedestal of the pillar of
beauty, and the brilliancy of the plate was sufficient to enlighten
the place. The secret vault was afterwards called the sacred vault.
Whenever the Lodge of Perfection was holden, nine Knights of the Ninth
Arch tiled the nine arches which led to the sacred vault; the most
ancient stood in the arch next to the anti-chamber of the vault, and
so on in regular progression, the youngest taking his station in the
first arch, which was near the apartment of Solomon. We were suffered
to pass without giving the pass-words of the different arches. There
were living at that time several ancient masters, who, excited by
jealousy at the honors conferred upon the twenty-five brethren,
deputed some of their number to wait upon Solomon, and request that
they might participate in those honors. The King answered that the
twenty-five masters were justly entitled to the honors conferred on
them, for their zeal and fidelity. Go, said he, in peace, you may one
day be rewarded according