The circumstances on which this degree was founded (according to Masonic tradition,) originated at the building of king Solomon's Temple; our three ancient grand masters, viz: Solomon, king of Israel, Hiram, king of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff, at that time formed a resolution to reward all those master Masons who should prove themselves worthy by their fidelity, industry, and skill, by communicating to them the omnific word. This being agreed upon, it then became necessary to agree at what time, and under what circumstances, it should be first communicated; this was a point not easily determined; several plans were proposed, and found exceptionable, insomuch, that their deliberations upon this subject continued until a short time prior to the completion of the Temple; when it was proposed by Hiram Abiff, that the word should not be given, until the Temple was completed, and then only in the presence, and by the consent of all three; this plan was adopted, and they bound themselves by solemn oaths to a strict observance of the same. Not long after this agreement, Hiram Abiff went into the sanctum sanctorum, as it was his usual custom at high twelve to of fer up his prayers to the Deity, and draw designs upon the trestle-board, and as he was returning, he was accosted at the entrance of the same by Adoniram, who in a very friendly manner inquired, when he should receive the omnific word. Hiram Abiff replied, 'My worthy friend Adoniram, it is uncertain when, or whether you will ever receive it, for agreeable to arrangements lately entered into by Solomon, king of Israel, Hiram, king of Tyre, and myself, the word cannot be given until the Temple is completed, and then only in the presence of all three.' Adoniram replied, 'Supposing one of you three be removed hence by death, prior to the completion of the Temple, how then shall I expect to receive it.'

Hiram Abiff, pointing down and tapping the floor three times

with his foot, observed, in a very solemn tone, 'When I die, they'll bury it there.**

The following passage from Cross's Chart, page 116, gives an allusion to what is intended to be represented by this council.

'And he set the cherubims within the inner house, and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched one another, in the midst of the house.'

The ark called the glory of Israel, which was set in the middle of the 'holy place, under the wings of the cherubims, was a small chest, or coffer,' &c. The companions being thus arranged, around the altar, the candidate is conducted into the room, or hall; soon after he enters, a companion, in imitation of Hiram Abiff, comes in and kneels at the altar, (called sanctum sanctorum,) and repeats the following prayer:

'Thou, O God, knowest our downsitting and uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off: shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while travelling this vale of tears. Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not; seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass: turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish his day; for there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down, and riseth not up till the heavens shall be no more. Yet, O Lord, have compassion on the children of thy creation; administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation. Amen. So mote it be.'

He rises and passes out of the sanctum sanctorum, under the extended wings of the cherubims. The candidate is directed to walk up to him and accost him as follows: 'Our grand

* It is believed by Masons, that Hiram Abiff had been forewarned of his approaching awful fate, of which we have a detailed account in the master Mason's degree. This history the author had word for word from the mouth of one Mr. Barney, who styles himself the grand lecturer of Masons; and if the history is merely fiction, probably Mr. B., like the author, was duped by some one who made it his business to peddle falsehoods.

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master Hiram Abiff, when shall I expect to receive the master Mason's word?'

H. A. My worthy companion Adoniram, &c.

The same conversation passes, as related in the history of this degree. The candidate personates Adoniram, and the other companion Hiram Abiff.

The obligation of this degree is given in different ways. When the author received his degree, which was in a regular council, the obligation was thus, viz: 'Do you promise, upon the oath of a royal arch Mason, to keep the secrets of this degree? Ans. I do.'

LECTURE.

If A and B wish to examine each other on this degree, they will proceed as follows:

A. Taps the floor three times with his toe, and says, 'Do you know any thing about this?'

B. I know something about it.

A. What do you know about it?

B. I know something about the beginning of it.

B. Then taps the floor three times, and says, 'Do you know any thing about this?'

A. I know something about it.

B. What do you know about it?

A. I know something about the ending of it.

A. What is the beginning?

B. Alpha.

B. What is the ending?

A. Omega.

The grip is given by taking each other by the wrist, (as two children do to make a seat for a third,) that is, A takes hold of the wrist of his left hand with his right; B does the same, and with the left hand, they each take hold of the other's right wrist, so that the four hands form a square.

The words are given by quitting the hold of your own wrist, extending your left arm downwards at the full length, keeping hold of your companion's right wrist;* at the same time, place your right feet together, toe to heel, so as to form two sides of a triangle; looking down at the feet, each in a low tone says, Alas, poor Hiram! [See plate 17, fig. 9.]

The sign of this degree is given by placing the fore-finger of the right hand upon the lips. [See plate 17, fig. 1.] ·

*This is said by Masons to represent a broker square, and is emblematical of the untimely death of Hiram Abiff.