times, till the Israelites became slaves to the Egyptians ; from which bondage they were freed under the conduct of Moses. The same sacred book informs us that Moses was beloved of God, and that the Most High spoke to him on Mount Sinai. To Moses, God communicated his divine law, written on tables of stone; with many promises of a renewed alliance. He also gave him the true pronunciation of his sacred name: and God gave a strict command unto Moses, that no one should pronounce it; so that in process of time the true pronunciation was lost.

"The same divine history particularly informs us of the different movements of the Israelites, until they became possessed of the land of promise, and of the succeeding events, until the Divine Providence was pleased to give the sceptre to David; who, though fully determined to build a temple to the Most High, could never begin it; that honour being reserved for his son.

"Solomon, being the wisest of princes, had fully in remembrance the promises of God to Moses, that some of his successors, in fulness of time, should discover his holy name; and his wisdom inspired him to believe that this could not be accomplished until he had erected and consecratated a temple to the living God, in which he might deposit the precious treasures.

"Accordingly, Solomon began to build, in the fourth year of his reign, agreeably to a plan given to him by David his father, upon the ark of alliance.

"He chose a spot for this purpose, the most beautiful and healthy in all Jerusalem.

"The number of the grand and sublime elected, were at first three, and now consisted of five;

and con

tinued so until the temple was completed and dedicated;

when king Solomon, as a reward for their faithful services, admitted to this degree the twelve grand masters, who had faithfully presided over the twelve tribes; also one other grand master architect. Nine

ancient grand masters, eminent for their virtue, were

་

chosen knights of the royal arch, and shortly afterwards were admitted to the sublime degree of perfection.

"You have been informed in what manner the number of the grand elect was augmented to twenty-seven, which is the cube of three: they consisted of two kings, three knights of the royal arch, twelve commanders of the twelve tribes, nine elected grand masters, and one grand master architect."

This lodge is closed by the mysterious number.

CHAPTER XI.

Perfection, or Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason.

The lodge of perfection, or ultimate degree of ancient masonry, should represent a subterraneous vault painted red, and adorned with many colours, and columns of a flame colour. Behind the master must be a light to shine through a triangular sun; and before him there must be a pedestal appearing to be broken. There ought to be several other lights, arranged numerically, according to the different stages of masonry.

The most perfect grand elect and sublime master in this degree, is to represent Solomon, seated in the east, dressed in royal robes, and having a crown and sceptre

placed on a pedestal before him. The two grand wardens are seated in the west. On the right hand of the most perfect sits the grand treasurer, having a table before him, upon which must be placed some perfumes, with a small silver hod, and a trowel of gold. On his left hand, sits the grand secretary, with a table also before him, on which must be seven loaves of shew bread, with a cup of red wine for libation, and also jewels for the candidates at their reception.

The jewels appertaining to this degree are a crowned compass, extended to ninety degrees; or a quadrant, a sun in the centre; and on the reverse a blazing star, enclosing a triangle, hung to a broad flame-coloured ribbon, of a triangular form, round the neck; and also, a gold ring with this motto, "Virtue unites what death cannot part."

The apron must be flamed with red, a blue ribbon round the edge, and the jewel painted on the flap. The brethren must be dressed in black, with swords in their hands.

Prayer at Opening.

"Almighty and Sovereign Architect of heaven and earth, who by thy divine power dost ultimately search the most secret recesses of thought; purify our hearts by the sacred fire of thy love; guide us by thine unerring hand in the path of virtue, and cast out of thy adorable sanctuary all impiety and perverseness; we beseech thee that our thoughts may be engaged in the grand work of our perfection, which, when attained, will be an ample reward for our labour; let peace and charity link us together in a pleasing union, and may this lodge exhibit a faint resemblance of that happiness

which the elect will enjoy in thy kingdom. Give us a spirit of holy discrimination, by which we may be able to refuse the evil and choose the good: and also that we may not be led astray by those who unworthily as sume the character of the grand elect. Finally be pleased to grant, that all our proceedings may tend to thy glory, and our advancement in righteousness. Bless us and prosper our works, O Lord! Amen."

When a candidate is introduced, after certain solemn forms, the master of the ceremonies says,

"I impress you, my brother, with an ardent zeal for the honour of the Grand Architect of the Universe; to the end that you may live always in his adorable presence with a heart disposed to every thing that is pleas ing to him."

The most perfect then presents the candidate with the bread and wine, saying,

"Eat of this bread with me, and drink of the same cup, that we may learn thereby to succour each other in time of need by a mutual love and participation of what we possess.

He then presents to him a gold ring, saying,

"Receive this ring, and let it be remembered by you as a symbol of the alliance you have now contracted with virtue and the virtuous. You are never, my dear brother, to part with it while you live; nor to bequeath it at your death, except to your wife, your eldest son, or your nearest friend."

When this part of the ceremony is ended, the breth ́ren make a libation, according to ancient usage.

The most perfect then decorates the candidate ac cording to the ornaments of the order, saying,

"I now with the greatest pleasure salute you, my brother, as a grand elect, perfect and sublime mason, which title I now confer on you, and grace you with the symbols thereof. Receive this ribbon, the triangular figure of which is emblematical of the divine triangle. The crown upon your jewel is a symbol of the royal origin of this degree. The compass, extended to ninety degrees, denotes the extensive knowledge of the grand elect. These jewels, suspended on your breast, should make you attentive to your duty and station."

Charge.

"Thus, my venerable brother, by your unblamable conduct, assiduity, constancy and integrity, you have at last attained the title of grand elect, perfect and sublime mason, which is the summit of ancient masonry, and upon your arrival to which, I most sincerely congratulate you.

"I most earnestly recommend to you the strictest care and circumspection in all your conduct, that the sublime mysteries of this degree be not profaned or disgraced.

"As to what remains of completing your knowledge in the ancient state of masonry, you will find it by attending to the following

History.

"When the temple of Jerusalem was finished, the masons, who were employed in constructing that stately edifice, acquired immortal honour. Their order became more uniformly established and regulated than it had been before. Their delicacy in admitting new members of their order, brought it to a degree of res