Q. What was his answer?  A. Introduce him in due and ancient form.

Q. What was that form?  A. I was conducted to the West by the Master of
Ceremonies and interrogated by the Master, “What is your request?”

Q. Your answer?  A. To receive the degree of Perfect Master.

Q. What was then said to you by the Master?  A. Before you can be admitted to this privilege, it will be necessary for you to join the funeral procession of Hiram Abiff.

Q. What followed?  A. I joined in the procession, which moved four times ’round the Lodge, the brethren singing a funeral ode; when we arrived at the grave, the procession moved in an inverted order—­the coffin was lowered with a green rope, and the sprigs of cassia thrown into the grave.

Q. What followed?  A. The Master resumed his station, and the procession moved to the east.

Q. What followed?  A. When he directed the Grand Marshal to inform King Solomon that the tomb of Hiram Abiff was completed, and request him to examine the same.

Q. What followed?  A. Solomon entered and proceeded with the procession to the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and having examined the same and read the inscription J. M. B., he made a sign of admiration, and said in the joy of his heart, “It is accomplished and complete;” the brethren all making the same sign.

Q. What followed?  A. The brethren resumed their places, and the Master directed the Master of Ceremonies to cause me to approach the east by four times four steps from the compass extended from an angle of seven to that of sixty degrees, and take the obligation of a Perfect Master.

Q. Repeat that obligation.  A. Obligation.—­“1st point, Secrecy. 2d.  Obey orders and decrees of Council of Princes of Jerusalem, under penalty of all the former degrees; also, under penalty of being smitten on the right temple with a common gavel or setting maul.  So help,” etc.

Q. What did the Master then communicate to you?  A. He said, “It is my desire to draw you,” etc., and then gave me the signs, words, tokens and history of this degree.

Q. Give me the signs.  A. 1st sign—­Place the palm of the right hand on the right temple, at the same time stepping back with the right foot, then bring up the right foot to its first position and let the right arm fall perpendicularly on the right side (alluding to the penalty).  Second sign is that of admiration.—­Raise the hands and eyes to heaven, let the arms fall crossed upon the belly, looking downwards.

Q. Give me the pass-word.  A. (Accassia.)

Q. To what does the word allude, etc.  Give me the token and mysterious word.  A. Token is that of the Mark Master, given on the five points of fellowship; the mysterious word Jeva (pronounced Je-vau).

Q. What was then done?  A. The Master invested me with the jewel and apron of this degree, and informed me that my jewel was designed to remind me, that, as a perfect Master, I should measure my conduct by the exact rule of equity.