THE LODGE OF PERFECTION:  COMPRISING THE ELEVEN INEFFABLE DEGREES OF MASONRY.

In these several degrees some name of God is used, as the distinguishing word.  Each name, however, is only a mode of pronouncing the Hebrew word Jehovah.  The later Jews have a superstitious fear of pronouncing that name.  Whenever it occurs in the Hebrew Text, they substitute the word Adonai in its place.  To those who read the original language of the Old Testament, it is known, that while the consonants of the Hebrew word remain, the vowel points may be so changed as to afford several different pronunciations.  In the different degrees of Ineffable Masonry, the four consonants (Jod, He, Vau, He) of the name Jehovah are differently pointed, so as to furnish a word for each degree.  In the degree of Perfection, the candidate is sworn not to pronounce the word but once during his life, hence it is termed ineffable, or unutterable.  The ordinary mode of giving it in that degree consists in simply repeating the names of its letters, “Jod, He, Vau, He.”  On receiving that degree, the candidate is told that he is to become acquainted with the true pronunciation of the ineffable name of God, as it was revealed to Enoch.  He is then taught to pronounce the word “Ya-ho”—­sounding the a like a in wall.  When written in Masonic manuscripts, this word is spelled “Ja-hoh.”

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SECRET MASTER.

Opening.—­The Master strikes five.  At this signal the Grand Marshal rises, and the Master addresses him:  Master.  Your place in the Lodge?  Answer:  In the North, Most Powerful.

M. Your business there?  A. To see that the Sanctum Sanctorum is duly guarded.

M. Please to attend to your duty, and inform the guards that we are about to open a Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number.  A. It is done.

M. How are we guarded?  A. By seven Secret Masters stationed before the veil of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Master strikes six.  The Inspector rises.  Master.  Brother Adoniram, are you a Secret Master?  Inspector.  I have passed from the square to the compass.

M. What is the hour?  I. The dawn of day has driven away darkness, and the great light begins to shine in this Lodge.

The Master strikes seven.  The brethren rise.  Master.  If the great light is the token of the dawn of day, and we are all Secret Masters, it is time to begin our labors; give notice that I am about to open a Lodge of Secret Masters by the mysterious number.  The Inspector obeys.  The signs of the degrees from Entered Apprentice to Royal Arch, inclusive, are given with that of silence, which belongs to this degree.  The Master places the two forefingers of his right hand on his lips.  This is answered by the brethren with the two forefingers of the left.  All clap hands seven times.