Part 29 (2/2)
Q. What followed? A. I was asked, ”Who comes there?”
Q. Your answer? A. A Knight of the Ninth Arch, who is desirous of being admitted into the sacred vault and arriving at perfection.
Q. What followed? A. The pa.s.s was demanded, which I gave and was ordered to wait until the Most Perfect in the East had been informed of my request and his answer returned.
Q. What was his answer? A. Let him be introduced in ancient form.
Q. What was that form? A. I was conducted to the west and placed between the Wardens, and having made the sign of admiration, was thus interrogated by the Most Perfect: ”My Brother, what is your desire? A.
To be made a Perfect Grand Elect and Sublime Mason.”
Q. What followed? A. The Most Perfect said, ”Before I can initiate you, you must satisfy us that you are well skilled in Masonry, otherwise you must be sent back until you are better qualified,”
whereupon I was thus examined:
Q. Are you a Mason? A. My brethren all know me as such.
Q. Give me the sign, token and word? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you a Fellow Craft? A. I have seen the letter G and know the pa.s.s.
Q. Give me the sign, token and word? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you a Master Mason? A. I have seen the sprig of ca.s.sia, and know what it means.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you a Secret Master? A. I have pa.s.sed from the square to the compa.s.s opened to seven degrees.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you a Perfect Master? A. I have seen the tomb of our respectable Master, Hiram Abiff, and have, in company with my brethren, shed tears at the same.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you an Intimate Secretary? A. My curiosity is satisfied, but it nearly cost me my life.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you a Provost and Judge? A. I am, and render justice to all men, without distinction.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you an Intendant of the Buildings? A. I have made the five steps of exactness, I penetrated the inmost part of the temple, and have seen the great light in which were three mysterious characters, J. J. J.
Q. Give me the sign, token and words? A. (Given.)
Q. Are you an Elected Knight? A. One cavern received me, one lamp gave me light, and one fountain refreshed me.
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