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PROVOST AND JUDGE.

Opening.—­Thrice Illustrious knocks three.  Marshal rises.  Thrice Illustrious says, “Brother Grand Marshal, are we all Provosts and Judges?” Marshal.  We are.

Thrice Illustrious.  Your place?  M. In the North.

T. I. Your business there?  M. To see that the middle chamber is duly tyled.

Thrice Illustrious says, “Attend to your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open this Lodge of Provost and Judge.” (Grand Marshal obeys.) Thrice Illustrious strikes four.  Wardens rise.  “Brother Junior Warden, where is the Master placed?” Answer.—­Everywhere.

Q. Why so?  A. To superintend the workmen, direct the work, and render justice to every man.

Q. What is the hour?  A. Break of day, eight, two and seven.  Thrice Illustrious strikes five.—­Brethren rise.  Thrice Illustrious says, “It is then time to begin our labors; give notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Provost and Judge, by four and one.” (Signs given, Master strikes four and one—­Senior Warden, four and one—­Junior Warden, four and one, and Marshal, four and one; the brethren all strike four and one, with their hands, and the Master declares the Lodge open.)

Reception.—­Master of Ceremonies conducts candidate to the door, and knocks four and one, which is answered from within by Senior Warden, and Thrice Illustrious and Senior Warden says, “While the Provosts and Judges are engaged in right, an alarm is heard at the inner door of the Lodge,” etc.  A golden key is placed on the Bible.

Lecture.—­Question—­Are you a Provost and Judge?  A. I am, and render justice to all men without distinction.

Q. Where were you received?  A. In the middle chamber.

Q. How did you gain admission there?  A. By four and one distinct knocks.

Q. To what do they allude?  A. To the qualifications of a Provost and Judge, to wit:  impartiality, justice, prudence, discretion and mercy; of which the five lights in the middle chamber are also emblematical.

Q. How were these knocks answered?  A. By four and one from within.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. I was asked by what further right, etc.

Q. Your answer?  A. By the right of a pass.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. Wait until the Thrice Illustrious is informed of your request, and his answer returned.

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

Q. What was that form?  A. I was conducted by the Master of Ceremonies to the south-west corner of the middle chamber, between the Wardens, and caused to kneel on my right knee and say Beroke.

Q. What answer was given to that?  A. The Thrice Illustrious said Kumi.

Q. What do these words signify?  A. The first signifies to kneel, the last, to rise.