t of the Buildings," where you
saw a "blazing star," a large candlestick with seven branches, with
altars, vases, and purification, and a great brazen sea.

BLAZING STAR.--By the expression of PURIFICATION you are to understand
that you are to be cleansed from impiety and prejudice before you can
acquire more of the sublime knowledge in passing the other degrees, to
be able to support the brilliant light of reason, enlightened by
truth, of which the blazing star is the figure.

CANDLESTICK WITH SEVEN BRANCHES.--By the candlestick with seven
branches you are to remember the mysterious number of the seven
Masters who were named to succeed one; and from that time it was
resolved that seven Knights of Masonry, united together, were able to
initiate into Masonry, and show them the seven gifts of the Eternal,
which we shall give you a perfect knowledge of, when you have been
purified in the Brazen Sea.

BRAZEN SEA.--You have passed from the Secret and Perfect Master to the
Intimate Secretary, Provost and Judge, and Intendant of the Buildings.
In these degrees they have shown you an ebony box, a key suspended, a
balance, and an inflamed urn.

EBONY BOX.--The ebony box shows you with what scrupulous attention you
are to keep the secrets that have been confided to you, and which you
are to reserve in the closet of your heart, of which the box is an
emblem. And were you to reflect on the black color of said box, it
would teach you to cover your secrets with a thick veil, in such a
manner that the profane cowans cannot possibly have any knowledge
thereof.

KEY.--The key demonstrates that you have already obtained a key to our
knowledge, and part of our mysteries; and if you behave with equity,
fervor, and zeal to your brothers, you will arrive shortly to the
knowledge and meaning of our society, and this indicates the reason of
the balance.

INFLAMED URN.--By the inflamed urn you are to understand, that as far
as you come to the knowledge of the Royal and Sublime Art, you must,
by your behavior, leave behind you, in the minds of your brethren and
the vulgar, a high idea of your virtue, equal to the perfume of the
burning urn.

TWO KINGS.--In the degree of Intimate Secretary, you have seen and
heard two kings who were entering into their new alliance and
reciprocal promise, and of the perfection of their grand enterprise.
They spoke of the death of Hiram Abiff, our Excellent Master. You saw
guards, as a man who was overse