Closing.—­The Knights all rise, stand in circle, interlace their fingers, and say, “Sepulchrum.”  Prelate then says, “Gloria patri, et filio, et spiritus sancto;” [i.e., Glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.] Brethren answer, “Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper et in secula seculorum; [i.e., As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, world without end.] Amen.”

Benediction.—­“Blessed be thou, O Lord, our God!  Great first cause and Governor of all things; thou createst the world with thy bountiful hand, and sustained it by thy wisdom, by thy goodness, and by thy mercy!  It cometh to pass that seed time and harvest never fall!  It is Thou that givest every good and perfect gift!  Blessed be thy name forever and ever!”

To examine a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre; he holds up the first finger of the right hand, Knight holds up the second; you then hold up the third, and he shuts up his first; this signifies three persons in one God.

* * * * *

THE HOLY AND THRICE ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF THE CROSS, CALLED A COUNCIL.

       C F
     M C
   S C
     A O P

St. Albert, to every Knight Companion of the Holy and Thrice Illustrious Order of the Cross:  Be it known unto you, that with regard to unquestionable vouchers, we have confirmed the Induction of the Knight Templar Mason into the Councils of the said Order of Knighthood, and herein do warrant him as a worthy and Illustrious Companion, thereof; and hoping and confiding that he will ever so demean himself as to conduct to the glory of I. H. S., the Most Holy and Almighty God, and to the honor of his Mark, we do recommend and submit him to the confidence of all those throughout the world, who can truly and deservedly say, “I am a Christian;” and that no unwarrantable benefits shall arise from this Diploma, and we charge all concerned cautiously and prudently to mark the bearer on the mystic letters therein contained, and to regard only the result, in its application and privileges.

Done out of Council, at ——­, in the county of ——­, and State of ——­, on this ——­ day of ——.

Sir --------
Sovereign Prefect.

Sir --------
Acting Pref.

  Commendations,
  Sir Knights Comp’ns.

The officers and council all in their places.  The Most Illustrious Prefect addresses the Most Worthy Provost thus:  “Most Worshipful Provost, what is the o’clock?” Most Worshipful Provost says, rising and facing the east, at the same time raising his mark in his right hand, “Most Illustrious Prefect, it is now the first hour of the day, the time when our Lord suffered and the veil of the temple was rent asunder, when darkness and consternation was spread over the earth, when the confusion of the old covenant was made light in the new in the temple of the cross.  It is, Most Illustrious Prefect,