The illustrious knights gave an account to Solomon, every day, of the work that was done in the temple by their respective tribes, and received their pay. This chapter is closed by twelve.

CHAPTER IX.

Observations on the Degree of Grand Master Architects.

This chapter is painted white, with red flames; by which is signified the purity of heart and zeal that should be the characteristic of every grand master architect. It must have in it a delineation of the five or ders of architecture; together with a representation of the north star, with seven small stars round it, which signify, that as the north star is a guide to mariners, so ought virtue to be the guide of grand master architects. The Jewel is a gold medal, on both sides of which are engraved the five orders of architecture, suspended by a broad, dark, stone-coloured ribben, from the left shoulder to the right hip.

Every grand master architect must be furnished with. a case of mathematical instruments.

Address to a Candidate on his Admission to this Degree.

BROTHER,

"I have elevated you to this degree from an expectation that you will so apply yourself to geometry,

to which you are now devoted, as will procure you knowledge sufficient to take away the veil from before your eyes, which yet remains there, and enable you to arrive at the perfect and sublime degree,"

History.

Solomon established this degree with à view of forming a school of architecture for the instruction of the brethren employed in the temple of God, and animating them to arrive at perfection in the royal art. He was a prince equally famed for his justice, as for his wisdom and foresight; he was therefore desirous of rewarding the talents and virtues of the faithful, in order to make them perfect, and fit to approach the throne of God. He accordingly cast his eyes upon the chiefs of the twelve tribes, as persons extremely proper to fulfil the promise made to Enoch, to Moses and to David, that with great zeal, in fulness of time, the bowels of the earth should be penetrated.

This chapter is closed by one and two.

CHAPTER X.

Observations on the Degree of Knights of the Ninth Arck.

To form a lodge of this degree, five persons at least must be present.

1. The most potent grand master, representing Solomon, in the east, seated in a chair of state, under a rich canopy, with a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand. He is dressed in royal robes of yellow, and an

ermined vestment of blue satin, reaching to the elbows; a broad purple ribbon from the right shoulder to the left hip, to which is hung a triangle of gold,

2d. The grand warden, representing the king of Tyre, on his left hand, seated as a stranger, clothed in a purple robe, and a yellow vestment.

3d. The grand inspector, representing G-, in the west, with a drawn sword in his hand.

4th. The grand treasurer, representing Joabert, in the north, with a golden key to his fifth button-hole, and upon it the letters I. V. I. L. Juvenis verbum intre

Leonis.

5th. The grand secretary, representing Stockin, in the south.

The four last mentioned officers to be ornamented with the same ribbon and jewel as the M. P. and to sit covered. The three last to have robes of blue without vestments,

No person can be admitted to this degree without having previously taken all the preceding degrees.

66

History and Charge of this Degree.

MY WORTHY BROTHER,

"It is my intention at this time to give you a clearer account, than you have yet been acquainted with, of masonry; of which at present you barely know the elements.

"In doing this it will be necessary to explain to you some circumstances of very remote antiquity.

"Enoch, the son of Jared, was the sixth son in descent from Adam, and lived in the fear and love of his Maker.

"Enoch, being inspired by the Most High, and in

commemoration of a wonderful vision, built a temple -under ground, and dedicated the same to God. Methuselah, the son of Enoch, constructed the building, without being acquainted with his father's motives.

"This happened in that part of the world which was afterwards called the land of Canaan, and since known by the name of the Holy Land.

"Enoch caused a triangular plate of gold to be made, each side of which was a cubit long; he enriched it with the most precious stones, and encrusted the plate upon a stone of agate, of the same form. He then engraved upon it the ineffable characters, and placed it on a triangular pedestal of white marble, which he deposited in the deepest arch.

"When Enoch's temple was completed, he made a door of stone, and put a ring of iron therein, by which it might be occasionally raised; and placed it over the opening of the arch, that the matters enclosed therein might be preserved from the universal destruction impending. And none but Enoch knew of the treasure which the arches contained.

"And behold the wickedness of mankind increased more and became grievous in the sight of the Lord, and God threatened to destroy the whole world. Enoch, perceiving that the knowledge of the arts was likely to be lost in the general destruction, and being desirous of preserving the principles of the sciences, for the posterity of those whom God should be pleased to spare, built two great pillars on the top of the highest mountain, the one of brass, to withstand water, the other of marble, to withstand fire; and he engraved on the marble pillar, hieroglyphics, signifying that there was a most precious treasure concealed in the arches under

ground, which he had dedicated to God. And he en graved on the pillar of brass the principles of the liberal arts, particularly of masonry.

"Methuselah was the father of Lamech, who was the father of Noah, who was a pious and good man, and beloved by God. And the Lord spake unto Noah, saying, 'Behold I will punish the sins of mankind with a general deluge; therefore build an ark, capable of containing thyself and family, as also a pair of every living creature upon earth, and those only shall be saved from the general destruction, which I am about to inflict for the iniquities of the people.'

"And God gave unto Noah a plan by which the ark was to be constructed. Noah was one hundred years in building the ark; he was six hundred years old when it was finished, and his son Seth was ninety nine. His father Lamech had died a short time before, aged 777 years. There was not at this time any of the ancient patriarchs living save Methuselah the grandfather of Noah, who was about 969 years old, and it is supposed that he perished in the general ruin.

"The ark being finished, Noah, agreeable to the instructions he had received from the Most High, went into it with his family, and took with him such things as he was commanded.

"The flood took place in the year of the world 1656, and destroyed most of the superb monuments of antiquity. The marble pillar of Enoch fell in the general destruction; but by divine permission, the pillar of brass withstood the water, by which means the ancient state of the liberal arts, and particularly masonry, has been handed down to us.

"We learn from holy writ, the history of succeeding