the seven stars? A. The seven qualities which Masons
should be possessed of: Friendship, Union, Submission, Discretion,
Fidelity, Prudence and Temperance.

Q. Why should a Mason be possessed of these qualities? A. Friendship,
is a virtue that should reign among brothers; Union, is the foundation
of society; Submission, to the laws, regulations, and decrees of the
Lodge, without murmuring; Discretion, that a Mason should always be on
his guard, and never suffer himself to be surprised; Fidelity, in
observing strictly our obligations; Prudence, to conduct ourselves in
such a manner that the profane, though jealous, may never be able to
censure our conduct; and Temperance, to avoid all excesses that may
injure either body or soul.

Q. What signifies the seven candlesticks, with their seven letters? A.
seven crimes, which Masons should always avoid, viz.: Hatred, Discord,
Pride, Indiscretion, Perfidy, Rashness, and Calumny.

Q. What are the reasons that Masons should particularly avoid these
crimes? A. Because they are incompatible with the principles and
qualities of a good Mason, who should avoid doing an injury to a
brother, even should he be ill-treated by him, and to unite in himself
all the qualities of a good and upright man. Discord, is contrary to
the very principles of society; Pride, prevents the exercise of
humanity; Indiscretion, is fatal to Masonry; Perfidy, should be
execrated by every honest man; Rashness, may lead us into unpleasant
and disagreeable dilemmas; and Calumny, the worst of all, should be
shunned as a vice which saps the very foundation of friendship and
society.

Q. What signifies the two-edged sword? A. It expresses the superiority
of this degree over all others that precede it.

Q. Are there any higher degrees than this? A. Yes; there are several.

Q. What signifies the book with seven seals, which none but one can
open? A. A Lodge, or Council, of Masons, which the Most Puissant alone
has a right to convene and open.

Q. What is enclosed in the first seal? A. One bow, one arrow, and one
crown.

Q. What in the second? A. A two-edged sword.

Q. What in the third? A. A balance.

Q. What in the fourth? A. Death's head.

Q. What in the fifth? A. A cloth stained with blood.

Q. What in the sixth? A. The power to darken the sun, and tinge the
moon with blood.

Q. What in the seventh? A. Seven trumpets and perfumes.

Q. Explain these things to me? A. The bow, arrow, and crown, signi