to your merits. Upon this, one of the
deputies with an unbecoming warmth, observed to his companions, "What
occasion have we for a higher degree? We know the word has been
changed, we can travel as masters, and receive pay as such." Solomon
mildly replied, "Those whom I have advanced to the degree of
perfection, have wrought in the ancient ruins, and though the
undertaking was difficult and dangerous, they penetrated the bowels of
the earth, and brought thence treasures to enrich and adorn the Temple
of God. Go in peace, wait with patience, and aspire to perfection by
good works." The deputies returned and reported their reception to the
masters. These masters, vexed at the refusal, unanimously determined
to go to the ancient ruins, and search under ground, with a view of
arrogating the merit necessary for the accomplishment of their
desires. They departed the next morning, and raising the cubic stone
descended into the cavern with a ladder of ropes, by the light of
torches, where no sooner had the last descended, than the nine arches
fell in upon them. Solomon hearing of this accident, sent Gibulum,
Joabert and Stokin to inform themselves more particularly of the
matter. They departed at break of day, and upon their arrival at the
place, could discover no remains of the arches, nor could they learn
that one single one of all those who had descended escaped the
destruction. They examined the place with diligence, but found nothing
except a few pieces of marble, on which were inscribed certain
hieroglyphics; these they carried to Solomon, and related what they
had seen. King Solomon examining these hieroglyphics, discovered that
these pieces of marble were part of one of the pillars of Enoch.
Solomon ordered these pieces of marble to be carefully put together
and deposited in the sacred vault.

Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the mysterious characters
of this degree, which were engraved on the triangle of Enoch.

CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rising), "the last
as well as the first care," etc. Most Potent knocks eight, and Junior
Warden rises. "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?" A. "The
setting of the sun." Most Potent knocks three times three, and
companions all rise. "Brother Junior Warden, give notice," etc. Signs.

Most Potent knocks three times three, Junior Warden three times three,
and Companions three times three, with their hands, and Most Potent
declares Chapter close