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MASTERS ELECTED OF FIFTEEN.

Opening.—­Most Potent knocks five (Grand Marshal rises) and says, “Brother Grand Marshal, are we all Masters Elected of Fifteen?” A. We are, Most Potent.  Q. Your place, etc.?  Your business, etc.?  Please inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Masters Elected of Fifteen.  Most Potent knocks twice five—­Senior Warden rises.  Most Potent knocks three times five.  Brethren rise.  Most Potent says, “Brother Inspector, give notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Masters Elected of Fifteen, by three times five.”  Inspector obeys.  Most Potent knocks three times five, Senior Warden three times five, Junior Warden three times five, and the brethren the same, and the lodge is declared open.

Lecture.—­Question—­Are you a Master Elected of Fifteen?  Answer—­My zeal and works have prepared me that honor.

Q. How were you prepared?  A. A head was placed in my hand, and I was conducted to the door of the Lodge by the Master of Ceremonies who knocked three times five.

Q. How were those knocks answered?  A. By three times five from within.

Q. To what do they allude?  A. The fifteen elected Masters.

Q. What followed?  A. I was asked, “Who comes there?”

Q. Your answer?  A. An Elected Knight who is desirous of joining the other Knights, for the purpose of discovering the other assassins.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. I was told to wait until the Most Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned.

Q. What was his answer?  A. Let him be introduced in due form.

Q. What was that due form?  A. I was conducted to the altar, and caused to make fifteen steps in a triangular form, which brought me again to the altar, when the Most Potent ordered me to kneel, and thus addressed me:  “My brother, the Elected Masters here present, wish me to admit you to this degree; will you take the obligation appertaining to the same?” which being answered in the affirmative, I took the obligation.

Q. Repeat that obligation?  A. (Same as Perfect Master.) Under penalty of having my body cut open perpendicularly, and my head cut off and placed on the highest pinnacle in the world.  So help me, etc.

Q. What did the Most Potent then communicate to you?  A. He gave me the signs, words, and token of this degree.

Q. Give me the signs?  A. (Hold the thumb of the right hand at the bottom of the belly, and move it perpendicularly upwards.) The second sign (that of the Entered Apprentice, with the fingers clenched.)

Q. Give me the token?  A. (Join left hands.)

Q. Give me the pass-word?  A. Eleham.

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

Q. What then followed?  A. I was invested with the apron, gloves and jewels of this degree, and directed to salute the Senior Warden as a Master Elected of Fifteen, and return to the east for further instruction.