1st K. T. In the prison of Babylon; his thumbs have been cut off, his eyes put out, his body bound in fetters of brass, and conveyed captive to a strange land, as the penalty of perjury. C. G. What is the hour?

1st K. T. It is the time of the third watch.

C. G. Companions, since it is the time of the third watch, let us repair to the holy altar, and offer our fervent aspirations to Deity, for his protecting care and favor. They then assemble round the altar, kneel on the left knee, the right elbow on the right knee, the head bowing on the right hand in imitation of secret prayer. After remaining so a few moments, companion Gedaliah says, 'Let us arise.' They arise, make the signs, from super-excellent master to entered apprentice, companion Gedaliah then raps ten, the 1st and 2d keepers do the same, and the council is closed.

DEGREE OF ARK AND DOVE.

This degree, though short, can boast of as ancient and honorable a pedigree (if masonic tradition be true,) as any other. It cannot legally be conferred on any but royal arch Masons; upon them (if they are found worthy,) it is conferred as an honorary degree.

THE OBLIGATION. Do you solemnly promise, as a royal arch Mason, that vou will keep the secrets of this degree?' Can. I do.

HISTORY.

Masonic tradition informs us, that the circumstances upon which this degree was founded took place in the ark in which Noah and his family were preserved from the deluge. Noah, in order to ascertain if the flood had begun to subside, opened the window of his ark, and put out a dove, knowing that it would return and if the flood had subsided, would probably bring back some sign of vegetation.

The dove left the ark, and contrary to Noah's expectations, did not return for many days: he almost despaired seeing it again.

One day, however, as he was standing in the window of his ark, he saw something at a very great distance, moving just above the surface of the water, and as it came nearer to the ark, he discovered it to be the dove; in the great joy of his heart, he raised his hand to an angle of forty-five degrees, and exclaimed, Lo, she cometh !'

If you wish to make yourself known to a brother of this degree, raise the hand as in the plate, and say, Lo, she cometh !

KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

This is called an honorary degree, and may be conferred by one Mason on another; but it is generally done in a lodge or chapter, after other regular business is finished.

The presiding officer represents Constantine, and is seated in the east, with a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand. The conductor represents one of Constantine's noblemen, the rest of the brethren, or sir knights, represent the common people, Constantine's subjects.

The candidate is brought in: each and every one goes at work, in imitation of so many tinkers, shoe-makers, joiners, tailors, &c. The conductor takes the candidate by the arm, and opens the door without any ceremony, and both walk up the hall to the east, and introduce themselves to Constantine, as follows:

Cond. Your majesty's most humble servants, [bowing very low,] we have long observed it has pleased your majesty to show your favor to the common people, while we, the nobility, have been neglected. We should like to know the reason. for crimes, we may be punished, make amends, and receive your majesty's favor.

If

Con. None can expect to receive my favor but the knights of Constantinople.

Cond. Ah! the knights of Constantinople.

They turn, and walk off. The conductor observes, as he passes the brethren, who are all this time very busily at work, 'These are the common people, they are beneath our notice; it would be degrading for us, the nobility, to condescend to speak to them. Our sovereign says, None can receive his favor, but the knights of Constantinople. Let us return, and request him to confer that degree on us.

They return, walking arm in arm, to the east.

Cond. Will your majesty confer the degree of knights of Constantinople upon us, your humble servants?

Con. I confer it on no man.

Cond. Where then can we expect to obtain it?

Con. From those laboring people you just observed to be our inferiors; the knights of Constantinople.

Cond. Ah! from the knights of Constantinople.

They then go to the brethren who are at work, and inquire, Are you the knights of Constantinople?'

Com. Peo. We are the knights of Constantinople.

Cond. Will you confer that degree on us?

Com. Peo. O yes, O yes, O yes, (reply three or four voices,) if you are willing to take an obligation.

The candidate is now hoodwinked, kneels down, and takes the following oath.

'I, A. B., in the presence of Almighty God, and these sir knights of Constantinople, do solemnly and sincerely swear, in addition to my former obligations, that I will not confer this degree upon any person, unless he be a worthy master Mason.

I furthermore promise and swear, that I will not confer this degree of knights of Constantinople, upon any person, unless he shall acknowledge that all men are equal; to all of which do I solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever binding myself under no less penalty than to have a dagger thrust through my body, should I violate this my oath and obligation of a knight of Constantinople. So help me God, and keep me stedfast to keep and perform the same.'

Kisses the book.

As soon as he has received the oath, all the brethren surround him, and strike him in the sides, breast, and back, with the end of the thumb, [See plate 25, fig. 3,] asking him 'Are all men equal?' If the candidate says, they are, the bandage is taken off; if he says, they are not, they continue to pound him until they have expelled his aristocratical principles.

The sign in plate 25, fig. 3, alludes to the penalty. Hold the hand as though you had a dagger; your thumb against the guard.

HISTORY.

According to Masonic tradition, this degree was instituted by Constantine the Great. The circumstances upon which it is founded, are as follows:

Constantine saw that the nobility had so completely got the power of controlling the common people, that his kingdom was likely to be endangered; and in order to remedy this very great evil, and bring the nobility to a proper level with the common people, he instituted this degree, and conferred it upon some of his common people; he then engaged that he would not confer it again on any man; but whosoever received it, must receive it from the common people.

He also agreed that he would not associate with, or show his favor to, any but the knights of Constantinople. And he gave them orders to put any person to instant death, who received the degree, and would not acknowledge all men to be equal. Soon after this arrangement, the nobility saw the sovereign had

withdrawn his confidence and favor, and two of them appeared before him, and addressed him thus :

Nobility. Your majesty's most humble servants. We have long observed that it has pleased your majesty to show your favor to the common people, while we, the nobility, have been neglected. We should like to know the reason: if for crime, we may be punished, and receive your majesty's favor.

Constantine replied, 'None can expect to receive my favor but the knights of Constantinople.'

The nobility went away; but knowing they could not live without the favor and friendship of their sovereign, returned and requested him to confer that degree on them: he replied, 'I confer it on no man.' 'How,' said they, shall we expect to receive it?'

6

Constantine replied, 'From that class of people you unjustly call your inferiors, the knights of Constantinople.'

They went away and received the degree from the common people, as described in the fore part of this degree.