the ninth arch, a parcel of stone and mortar suddenly fell in and extinguished my light, and I immediately saw a triangular plate of gold, richly adorned with precious stones, the brilliancy of which struck me with admiration and astonishment.  Again I gave the signal, and was assisted in reascending.  Having related to my two companions the scene which I had witnessed, they expressed a desire to witness the same; they also concluded to go down together, by means of a ladder of ropes, which they did, and shortly after returned with the golden plate, upon which we saw certain characters, of the meaning of which we were then ignorant.

Q. What followed?  A. We repaired to the apartment of King Solomon, the King of Tyre, with him, and said, “Most Potent, we obeyed your commands and present you with the fruits of our labors, and solicit the honor of being made acquainted with the inscription on this cubic stone and this golden triangle.”  Upon beholding it, the two Kings raised their hands, and exclaimed “Gibulum ishtov.”  The Kings then examined the sacred characters with attention, and Solomon thus addressed us:  “My brethren, your request cannot now be granted.  God has bestowed upon you a particular favor, in permitting you to discover the most precious jewel of masonry.  The promise which God made to some of the ancient patriarchs, that in fulness of time his name should be discovered, is now accomplished.  As a reward for your zeal, constancy, and fidelity, I should now constitute you Knights of the Ninth Arch, and I promise you an explanation of the mysterious characters on the golden plate, when it is fixed in the place designed for it, and I will then confer on you the most sublime and mysterious degree of Perfection.”

Q. What followed?  A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies to conduct us to the south-west, and from thence to approach the altar, by three times three steps, and there to take upon ourselves the obligation of this degree.

Q. Repeat that obligation?  A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further promise never to be concerned in the initiation of any brother in this degree, unless he manifests a charitable disposition for Masonry, and a zeal for the brethren, and also obtains permission, under the hands and seal of the first regular officers of a Lodge of Perfection.  I further promise that I will not debauch any female related to a companion of this degree, either by blood or marriage, knowing her to be such, under penalty of being crushed under the ruins of a subterraneous temple.  So help, etc.

Q. What followed?  A. The Most Potent gave me the signs, token and words of this degree.

Q. Give me the sign?  A. (Made by kneeling on the left knee, the right hand on the back, the left raised above the head, the palm upward, the body leaning forward, alluding to the penalty.)

Q. Give me the token?  A. (Being in the last mentioned position token is made by raising each other from the same, by interlacing the fingers of the left hand.)