Q. What did the Master then communicate to you?  A. He addressed me thus:  “My brother, I receive you an Intimate Secretary, on your having promised to be faithful,” etc., and then gave me the signs, words, and tokens of this degree.

Q. Give me the signs?  A. The first alludes to the penalty made by clenching the right hand, and drawing it from the left shoulder to the right hip.  The second is the one made at opening by guards.

Q. Give me the token?  A. Made by joining right hands, and turning them downwards thrice, saying, the first time, Berith—­the second time, Nedir—­and the third time, Shelemoth.

Q. Give me the pass-words?  A. Joabert, response Terbel.  The first is the name of the listener; the second, of the captain of the guards.

Q. Give me the mysterious word?  A. Jeva (pronounced Je-vau).

Q. What was then done to you?  A. I was invested with the jewel and apron of this degree, and was thus addressed by the Master:  “The color of your ribbon is intended to remind you of the blood of Hiram Abiff, the last drop of which he chose to spill, rather than betray his trust; may you be equally faithful.  The triple triangle is emblematical of the three theological virtues, faith, hope and charity; it is also emblematical of the three masons who were present at the opening of the first lodge of Intimate Secretaries, to wit:  Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre, and Joabert, a favorite of King Solomon.”

Q. What then followed?  A. I was ordered to salute the King of Tyre as an Intimate Secretary, and attend to the instruction of this degree.

Q. To what does the three times nine allude in this degree?  A. To the twenty-seven lamps with which the hall of audience was enlightened.

Q. What is signified by the letter J which you perceive in the clouds?  A. It is the initial of the ineffable name as known by us.

Q. What is represented by the door?  A. The door by which they entered from the palace.

Q. Why was the hall of audience furnished with black hangings strewed with tears?  A. To represent the grief of Solomon, for the unhappy fate of Hiram Abiff.

Q. What is meant by the A and the two P’s in the triangle?  A. Alliance, promise and perfection.

Q. Give me the history of this degree.  A. Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees, and fir trees, etc.

Closing.—­Master knocks nine (Marshal rises) and says, “Brother Grand Marshal, the last as well as the first care of an Intimate Secretary?  To see that the hall of audience is duly guarded.  Your place, etc.  How are we guarded, etc.  Brother Captain of the guards, we are about to close this Lodge of Intimate Secretaries, repair to your station,” etc. (Upon this, guards all make sign as at opening, and leave the room.) Then Solomon strikes twice nine, and Hiram rises—­signs reversed.  Solomon knocks three times nine, and declares Lodge closed.