Q. What signifies the three S. S. S.?  A. Sanctitas, Scientia, and Syrentia, which signify the science accompanied with wisdom, and make men holy.

Q. What signifies the three candlesticks?  A. It represents the course of life, considered in youth, manhood, and old age.

Q. Has it any other meaning?  A. Yes, the triple light that shines among us, in order to take men out of darkness and ignorance into which they are plunged, and to bring them to virtue, truth, and happiness, a symbol of our perfection.

Q. What signifies the four triangles that are in the great circles?  A. They are the emblems of the four principal views of the life of tranquility, etc.  First.  Fraternal love to all mankind in general, more particularly for our brethren, who are more attached to us, and who with honor have seen the wretchedness of the vulgar.  Second.  To be cautious among us of things, and not to demonstrate them clearly to any who are not proper to receive them; and to be likewise cautious in giving credit to any matter, however artfully it may be disguised, without a self-conviction in the heart.  Third.  To cast from us every matter which we perceive we may ever repent of doing, taking care of this moral precept, “To do to every one of your fellow creatures no more than you would choose to be done to.”  Fourth.  We ought always to confide in our Creator’s bounty, and to pray without ceasing, that all our necessities might be relieved as it seems best to him for our advantage; to wait for his blessings patiently in this life; to be persuaded of his sublime decrees, that whatever might fall, contrary to our wishes, will be attended with good consequences; to take his chastisements patiently, and be assured that the end of everything has been done by him for the best, and will certainly lead us to eternal happiness hereafter.

Q. Explain the signification of the seven planets which are enclosed in a triangle, that forms the rays of the exterior circles, and are enclosed in the grand triangle.  A. The seven planets, according to philosophy, represent the seven principal passions of the life of man; those passions are very useful when they are used in moderation, for which the Almighty gave them to us, but grow fatal and destroy the body when let loose:  and, therefore, it is our particular duty to subdue them.

Q. Explain the seven passions to us.  A. 1st.  The propagation of species. 2d.  Ambition of acquiring riches. 3d.  Ambition to acquire glory in the arts and sciences among men in general. 4th.  Superiority in civil life. 5th.  Joys and pleasures of society. 6th.  Amusements and gaieties of life. 7th.  Religion.

Q. Which is the greatest sin of all that man can commit, and render him odious to God and man?  A. Suicide and homicide.

Q. What signifies the seven cherubims whose names are written in the circle called the “First Heaven?” A. They represent the corporeal delights of this life, which the Eternal gave to man when he created him, and are, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, tranquility, and thought.