He therefore invited them into a small apartment in the Temple, locked the door, and left them to meditate in silence, telling them that whenever they settled their difficulties and agreed to live in peace, they would be liberated, and until that time they would be shut up in total darkness, and kept on bread and

water.

The next day king Solomon went in to see them, and inquired if they had agreed.

They informed him they had not, neither was there a probability they would.

King Solomon again left them, and on the next day went in as before, and received a like answer.

On the third day he went in, when they informed him they had agreed.

King Solomon advancing towards them, holding in each hand a lighted taper, said, 'If you can agree in the dark, you can in the light,' bowing at the same time and giving this sign, [See plate 25, fig. 4.] which is the sign of the degree. The watchword and word of caution of this degree is agreed.'

This is an honorary degree, and is said, by masons, to be of great utility to mariners in passing up the Mediterranean sea. According to masonic tradition, vessels passing up this sea are often brought to by the guns of the Aborigines, who, in hordes, infest the coast, and narrow passes, so that, unless there is some person on board who has taken this degree, the vessel is detained and not allowed to pass; otherwise it has permission to pass without molestation.

The obligation of this degree is as follows:

I. A. B. in presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, do hereby and hereon, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition to my former obligations, that I will not communicate the secrets of this degree to any person, except it be to a true and lawful companion royal arch mason. I furthermore promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and summonses, handed, sent, or thrown to me from a worthy brother of the Mediterranean pass. I furthermore promise and swear, that I will not give the signs of distress, belonging to this degree, unless I am in real distress. I furthermore promise and swear, that should I ever see the sign of distress given by a worthy brother of the Mediterranean pass, I will fly to his relief, and extricate him from distress if in my power, and I will endeavor to extricate him in all cases, even if it is certain that I sacrifice my own life in the attempt to all of which do I solemnly promise and swear, with a firm and steady purpose to keep and perform the same, binding myself under no less penalty, than to be bound hand and foot, and cast into the sea. So help me God, and keep me stedfast in the due performance of the same.

After the candidate has taken the obligation, the following passage of scripture is read to him. Isaiah, chap. viii. from the first to the end, beginning thus:

"Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash

baz. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz," &c. The chapter being read, the words and signs are explained. The grand-word is "Mahershalalhashbaz;" the pass-word is "Immanuel."

Signs.-The first sign is made as follows:- -take hold of the collar of your coat with both hands, throw it back as though you was about to strip it off, then raise the hand and interlace the fingers back of the neck. [See plate 25, fig. 5.]

Another sign is made by making the motion with your body and arms as though you was in the act of bailing out a boat, then partly straighten up, and cross the arms on the back, the right arm resting in the left hand as though your back was in great pain. [See plate 25, fig. 6.]

ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS.

I shall preface this degree with some extracts from Cross's Templar's Chart and Hieroglyphic Monitor,' page 9.

The order of knights of the red cross has been known ana conferred in several parts of Europe by various titles; the present was given to it on account of the red cross which they bore in their banners when they took the field. The incidents upon which the order was founded, occurred in the reign of Darius king of Persia, and it is more particularly connected with Symbolic Masonry than any other order of knighthood. Their assemblies are called councils; their sashes are green, decorated with a sword and trowel, and trimmed with scarlet. The jewel of the presiding officer is a triple triangle, with a green collar trimmed with scarlet. The officers necessary to organize a regular council are a sovereign master, chancellor, master of the palace, prelate, master of finances, master of dispatches, master of cavalry, master of infantry, standard bearer, sword bearer, and warder, and customarily a sentinel. The preparatory degrees necessary to be taken previous to being created a sir knight of the red cross, are as follows, viz: entered apprentice, fellow craft, master mason, mark master, past master, most excellent master, royal arch, royal master, and select master.*

Five hundred and thirty-five years before the birth of our Savior, the foundation of the second temple was laid at Jerusalem; at which time those peculiar circumstances occurred which gave rise to the royal arch degree. After the death of Cyrus, the enemies of the Jews found means to prevent the progress of their glorious undertaking, and the work ceased for several years.

When Darius the son of Hystaspes, a noble prince, had es

* The two last are not urged in all councils.