be in a confined situation, as the only light permitted is from the moon. The members of this degree wear their swords, apron and gloves trimmed with yellow, and their Jewels pendant by a black ribbon to a button of their waistcoats. The form is trian

gular and an arrow with its point towards the earth is the symbol. The members should be ranged on each side forming an avenue. The grand Commander in the front facing the moon.

The Chapter opened by the G. C. striking thrice with the blade of his sword and returning it to the scabbard. He then raises his hands towards the moon, the brethren doing the same, and, in this posture, declares that the Chapter is lighted. The Knights. examine the drawing until the candidate is properly prepared for introduction. He is to be uncovered, without a sword, and to wear a white apron and gloves. The drawing is to be divided into two apartments. The ground of one is blue, a silver moon and golden stars are to be depicted on it. The other is black, with a triangle and a golden arrow delineated.

he knight of Introduction, who precedes the candidate, strikes thriee; and the Knight of Defence, whose department it is to take care of the avenues, announces him by one on the inside, opens the door and demands the secret of the order, which is delivered and reported to the Grand Commander; who replies.The worthy knight is at liberty to enter, if he be alone; but if accompanied, it remains for him to be acquainted with the motives that induce his companion to wish for admittance. This is answered, that it is a master who is desirous of being admitted a Prussian Mason.-G. C. Let him enter and be examined. The Knights draw their swords and present the points to the candidate.

G. C. I declare, brave knights, that he is worthy of your countenance, Give me your assent, (which is done). Brother Noodle, will you renounce pride all the days of your life.

Noodle. I promise so to do.

G. C. Example is far superior to precept, commence your career with an act of humility.

Noodle is led to the Feet of the Grand Commander, by three reverences on his left knee, and being prostrate before him, is commanded to kiss the pommel of his sword. Before he is permitted to rise, the Knight of Eloquence addresses him on the subject of vanity and draws his conclusions on the evil consequences attending it from the example of Peleg and Solomon.

G. C. Do you promise upon the faith of a mason, to keep the secrets with which I shall entrust you, on the conditions, first, that you will never reveal to any of the children of Adam, the mysteries of our order :-second, that you will associate with us in future: third, that you will never suffer at the peril of your life any man to wear the Jewel of this order, unless he makes himself known to you as a Prussian Mason.

Noodle.-I engage myself to fulfil the prescribed conditions. G. C. Knight of Eloquence, you are at liberty to make known the history of our excellent order.

K. E. To every Prussian Mason be it known, notwithstanding. the recent vengeance which the Deity had taken upon mankind for their iniquities by causing a universal deluge, notwithstanding the Deity had given the rainbow as a sign of reconciliation, vouchsafing that favour had declared, that the world should not be again destroyed by waters, that the descendants of Noah, from their want of faith in the divine prediction, being apprehensive of a second deluge, said:-Let us build a city whose top may reach the heavens, and let us make a name lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth.-To accomplish their designs, they began to erect a high tower in the plain of Shinar; but this enterprize being displeasing in the eyes of their maker, as tending to frustrate or delay the execution of his design, that mankind should not always continue together, he obliged them to discontinue the project, by confounding their language, so that one could not understand another. From this circumstance, the city took its name of Babel, which signifies confusion: and a dispersion of the people and a planting of nations ensued. It was on the night of the full moon that the Lord worked this wonder, in remembrance of which, the Noahites hold their lodges at this season. The architect was named Peleg. At least, it was he who gave the idea of this building. As a punishment for his contumacy and the presumption of his brethren, he was deprived his speech; and to avoid the outrages of his companions, who considered him as the cause of the failure of their design, he travelled into countries remote from Shinar, and from thence only by moonlight, as he was fearful of massacre if his person were recognized. His place of retirement was Prussia, where, having erected a triangular dwelling, he, by humiliation and contrition for the part he had taken in the plain of Shinar, obtained remission for his sins and had his speech restored to him. This dwelling of Peleg's was discovered fifteen cubits deep from the surface of the earth, in the year 553. In it was found a stone of white marble, on which was inscribed the particulars I have related in the Hebrew tongue, and adjacent was the following epitaph :-Here repose the ashes of the Grand Architect of the Tower of Babel. The Lord had pity on him because he became humble.

Thus we communicate our grand secret to you, unknown to every one but ourselves. We entrust it to you with pleasure. Misfortune to you, if you are weak enough to transcribe it. Be circumspect and for that purpose, practise humility after the example of our grand architect.

The knights sheath their swords and Noodle is invested with his. The Jewel is tied to the button of his waistcoat. His apron

and gloves are decorated with yellow borders, and he is entrusted with the sign, grip, word and pass-word.po to zinй 0.0 The ceremony is concluded by the G. C.'s observing, that the lodge is obscured and that it is time to retire. A table lighted with candles is introduced, and, if a supper be provided, it is to consist wholly of vegetables. 4- teploi 1odt va ཕྱི་༩༥འོ།

100 bipe. Sitem

Q. Who are you.

Catechism.

A. Tell me who you are and I will tell you who i am.
Q. Do you know the children of Noah."

A. I know three of them.

Q. Who are they.

A. I particularize them by their initials S. H. I.

Q. Tell me the words.

A. Begin and I will reply.

Q. Shem Ham.

A. Japhet.

Q. What does this letter signify.

A. The initial letter of the secret word.

Q. Present the signs.

A. The arms extended towards the moon and the face towards

the east.

Q, Why is the face towards the east.

A. Because it is the part in which the moon rises.

Q. Give me the grip.

A. The hand is clenched thrice.

Q. Deliver the pass-word.

A. Peleg.

Q. How do you know the Architect of the Tower of Babel.

"A. I have mentioned him.

Q. Who acquainted you with his history.

A. The Knight of Eloquence.

Q. In what lodge.

A. In a lodge where the moon gave light.

Q. Was this edifice praiseworthy.

A. It was not, as it was never completed.

Q. What is the reason to be assigned.

A. The foundation was laid in pride.

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Q. Is it to initiate the children of Noah that you retain it in

your memory.

A. No; but to avoid the danger which they experienced.
Q. Where were the remains of Peleg deposited,

A. In a tomb.

Q Was he he not considered a reprobate.

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A. No, for the stone on his remains informs us that his Creator

had mercy on him on account of his subsequent humility.
Q. In what manner were you received a Prussian Mason.

A. By three humiliations and by kissing the pommel of the. sword of the Grand Commander.

Q. Why did you submit to these humiliations.

A. As a proof of my obedience to the dictates enjoined in this degree.

Q. Why do knights wear a triangle.

A. In memory of the Temple of Peleg.

Q. Why is the arrow reversed in the centre of it.

A. In remembrance of the remission that took place from his contrition, and that the cup of wrath was turned away from him. G. C. So may it be turned aside from all his successors, and with this sentiment I close the lodge of Noahites.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE OF RED CROSS SWORD OF BABYLON.

First point.

Officers. Cyrus, Mithredath, Senior Prince, Junior Prince, Senior General, Junior General, Eastern Knight, Southern Knight.

Scene. -Babylon, with two towers and a bridge over the river Euphrates.

Cyrus is called most potent sire.

For the solemnities of this order, two apartments are required. One is considered as the council chamber of Cyrus, King of Persia and Babylon. A throne is placed in the east and behind it a transparency, descriptive of a dream of that monarch, lighted with seventy lamps, to represent the seventy years of the captivity of the Jews.

Form of opening.

Cyrus. Brother companions, assist me to open the sovereign chapter of Knights of the Red Cross Sword of Babylon. Princes, Generals, the days of the seventy years for the captivity of the Jews are expired. My intention is to liberate them, and, to that purpose, I will relate to you the particulars of a dream. Interpret the words and assist me with your counsel.

In my sleep, I perceived a lion ready to devour me; and, at a distance, Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, my predecessors, in chains. They were contemplating a GLORY, which masons show as the name of the grand architect of the universe. In the clouds appeared an eagle, from whose beak issued an order to RENDER LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES. I was astonished and confounded. The dream vanished, but my tranquillity is disturbed. Princes, deliberate; assent or dissent to the term of the vision.

They draw their swords and present the points to the air, then to the earth; by which they assent to the will of the king. Then

they lift up the points, which denotes liberty, and let them remain in that position.

Cyrus. Brother companions; the captivity shall be concluded. Princes, Generals, the chapter of Knights of the Red Cross Sword. of Babylon is opened.

Form of Reception.

The candidate, being properly prepared, is brought to the door of the outer tower of Cyrus' Palace and gives the proper report. One of the King's Guards of that tower opens and demands, who comes there?

Zerubbabel.-The first among my equals, a mason of rank, and a royal captive in Babylon.

Guard. What is your desire?

Z. To approach the presence of our sovereign.

G. What is your name?

Z. That is well known. Not one in Babylon, but that knows my name and dignity. (Here Zerubbabel throws aside his outer garment and discovers the rich dress that he usually wore at the court of Cyrus, by which, with his well-known features, he makes himself known to the guard.)

G. What is your age?

Z. Seventy years.

G. What is the nature of your present application?

Z. To remedy the miserable situation of my brethren. G. Attend, whilst I report you to the king and council, Here the Guard knocks as a Knight of the Red Cross Sword, seven distinct or slow, three quick, an interval, and two quick. Answered from within, he reports, that the Prince Zerubbabel solicits an audience of the King. He is commanded, after a pause, to introduce him to the middle tower. The Senior Prince of the Court of Babylon, who now represents Cyrus, the king, comes to him says:-Worthy Prince, for what do you appear before us?

Z. I implore your good will and justice.

S. P. Upon whose account?

Z. My own, and that of my companions, who have been in servitude seventy years.

!

S. P. Signify the extent of the favour you request.

Z. To grant us our liberty, to permit us to return to Judea, and to assist us in rebuilding the Temple of our Creator.

S. P. Since motives so just and honourable have brought you bere, you shall speak to us face to face.

The council chamber door is thrown open, and, upon entering, Zerubbabel kneels before the throne of Cyrus. The king's representative, during the time of his kneeling, delivers the substance of the request, Cyrus says:-Arise, worthy prince, I have long witnessed the weight of your captivity, and am ready to release