CHAPTER VI.

Observations on the Degree of Elected Knights, called a Chapter.

This chapter represents the audience chamber of Solomon, and is to be decorated with white and red hangings; the red with white flames.

There are nine lights in the east, and eight in the west. The master represents Solomon, seated in the east, with a table before him, covered with black, and is styled Most Potent.

There is only one warden, in the west, who represents Stockin, with seven brethren round him. All the brethren must be dressed in black, and their hats flapped, with a broad black ribbon from the left shoulder to the right hip, on the lower part of which are nine red roses, four on each side, and one at the bottom, to which is suspended a poniard. The aprons are white, lined with black, speckled with blood; on the flap, a bloody. arm with a poniard, and on the area a bloody arm holding by the hair a bloody head.

History of this Degree.

In the reign of Solomon, several of the workmen had been guilty of some crime of an enormous nature, and made their escape from Jerusalem. A great assembly of masters had sat in consultation on the best means of discovering and apprehending them. Their deliberations were interrupted by the entrance of a stranger, who demanded to speak to the king in private. Upon being admitted, he acquainted Solomon that he had dis

covered where Akirop, one of the traitors, lay concealed; and offered to conduct those whom the king should please to appoint, to go with him. This being communicated to the brethren, one and all requested to be partakers in the vengeance due to the villain. Solomon checked their ardour, declaring that only nine should undertake the task; and, to avoid giving any offence, ordered all their names to be put into an urn, and that the first nine that should be drawn, should be the persons to accompany the stranger.

At break of day, Joabert, Stockin, and seven others, conducted by the stranger, travelled onwards, through a dreary country. On the way, Joabert found means to learn from the stranger, that the villain they were in quest of had hidden himself in a cavern not far from the place where they then were; he soon found the cavern, and entered it alone, where, by the light of the lamp, he discovered the villain asleep, with a poniard at his feet. Enflamed at the sight, and actuated by an impatient zeal, he immediately seized the poniard, and stabbed him, first in the head, aud then in the heart: he had only time to cry, Vengeance is taken, and expir ed. When the other eight arrived and had refreshed themselves at the spring, Joabert severed the head from the body, and taking it in one hand and his poniard in the other, he with his brethren returned to Jerusalem. Solomon was at first very much offended, that Joabert had put it out of his power to take vengeance himself, in presence of and as a warning to the rest of the workmen, to be faithful to their trust; but, by proper intercession, was again reconciled.

Joabert became highly favoured of Solomon, who conferred upon him and his eight companions the title of Elected Knights.

The chapter is closed by eight and one.

CHAPTER VII.

Observations on the Degree of Elected Grand Master, or Illustrious Elected of Fifteen.

This lodge represents Solomon's apartment, and is to be decorated in the same manner as that of the Nine Elect. There are two wardens; the senior is called inspector.

This lodge should consist of only fifteen members; but should there be more at a time of reception, they must attend in the antichamber.

The apron peculiar to this degree is white, and bordered with black; and on the flap three heads or spikes in form of a triangle; the jewel is the same as that of the Nine Elect, only on that part of the black ribbon which crosses the breast, there should be the same device as upon the apron.

History of this Degree.

About six months after the execution of the traitor, mentioned in the preceding degree of Elected Knights, Bengabee, an intendant of Solomon, in the country of Cheth, which was tributary to him, caused diligent inquiry to be made if any person had lately taken shelter in those parts, who might be supposed to have fled from

Jerusalem he published at the same time a particular description of all those traitors who had made their escape; shortly after, he received information that sev eral persons answering his description had lately arrived there, and believing themselves perfectly secure had begun to work in the quarry of Bendaca.

As soon as Solomon was made acquainted with this circumstance, he wrote to Maacha, king of Cheth, to assist in apprehending them, and to cause them to be delivered to persons that he should appoint, to secure them, and have them brought to Jerusalem, to receive. the punishment due to their crimes.

Solomon then elected fifteen masters, in whom he could place the highest confidence, and among whom were those who had been in the cavern, and sent them in quest of the villains, and gave them an escort of troops. Five days were spent in the search, when Terbal, who bore Solomon's letter to Morika and Eleham, discoverod them cutting stone in the quarry; they immediately scized them, and bound them in chains. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were imprisoned in the tower of Achizer, and the next morning a punishment was inflicted on them adequate to their crimes. Lodge is closed by three times five.

CHAPTER VIII.

Illustrious Knights, or Sublime Knights Elected.

This lodge is called a grand chapter; Solomon presides, and of course is to be decorated with a sceptre.

In place of two wardens, there are a grand inspector and grand master of ceremonies.

The jewel worn in this lodge is a sword, intended to represent a sword of justice, hung to a large black rib-. bon; on the part crossing the breast, must be an inflamed heart; which is also to be painted on the flap of the apron. The chapter is illuminated by twelve lights.

History of this Degree.

After vengeance had been fully taken on the traitors mentioned in the foregoing degrees, Solomon instituted this, both as a reward for the zeal and integrity of the grand masters elect of fifteen, and also by their preferment to make room for raising other worthy brethren from the lower degrees to that of grand master elect of fifteen. He accordingly appointed twelve of the fifteen, chosen by ballot, to constitute a grand chapter of illustrious knights, and gave them command over the twelve tribes. He expressed a particular regard for this order, and shewed them the precious things in the tabernacle.

Here follow the names of the twelve illustrious knights, with the tribes over which they respectively presided:

1. Joabert, who presided over the tribe of Judah.