Reception.—­The candidate, being hoodwinked, is led by the Master of Ceremonies to the door—­the alarm is given—­the door is opened without any ceremony, and the candidate is led to the east, and thus addressed:  Most Equitable.—­“What is your desire?” Candidate.—­“I come to prefer the complaints of the people of Israel against the Samaritans, who have refused to pay the tribute imposed on them for defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the temple.”  M. E. (who represents Zerubbabel).—­“I have no power over the Samaritans; they are subject to King Darius, who is at Babylon; it is to him that such complaints must be preferred; but as we are all interested in this thing, I will arm you, and cause you to be accompanied by four Knights, that you may more easily surmount any difficulty which may present itself in your journey to the court of the King of Persia.”  The bandage is now removed from the eyes of the candidate; he is armed with a sword and buckler, and decorated as a Knight of the East.  The four Knights who accompany him are armed in a similar manner.  They commence their journey, and are attacked by some armed ruffians, whom they repulse.  They arrive at the door of the cabinet of Darius.  The candidate enters with one of the Knights, and thus addresses the King:—­“Mighty King! the Samaritans refuse to pay the tribute imposed on them by Cyrus, King of Persia, for defraying the expenses of the sacrifices which are offered in the temple which we have rebuilt; the people of Israel entreat that you will compel the Samaritans to perform their duty.”  Darius.—­“Your request is just and equitable; I order that the Samaritans shall immediately pay the tribute imposed on them.  My Chief Minister shall deliver to you my decree for this purpose.  Go in Peace!” The candidate retires; the Chief Minister follows, and delivers the decree to him.  After surmounting various obstacles, candidate is met on his return by the Knights with lighted torches, and is thus conducted with triumph into the presence of Zerubbabel, and says:—­“I deliver to you the decree of Darius, King of Persia, which we have obtained after defeating our enemies, and encountering many dangers in our journey.”  Most Equitable reads the decree as follows:—­“We, Darius, ‘King of Kings!’ willing to favor and protect our people at Jerusalem, after the example of our illustrious predecessor, King Cyrus, do will and ordain that the Samaritans, against whom complaints have been made, shall punctually pay the tribute money which they owe for the sacrifices of the temple—­otherwise they shall receive the punishment due to their disobedience.  Given at Shushan, the palace, this fourth day of the second month, in the year 3534, and of our reign the third, under the seal of our faithful Darius. [L.  S.]” M. E.—­“The people of Jerusalem are under the greatest obligations to you for the zeal and courage displayed by you in surmounting the obstacles which you encountered in your journey; as a reward we shall confer on you the mysteries of the degree of Prince of Jerusalem.  Are you willing to take an obligation, binding you to an exact observance of our laws, and a careful concealment of our mysteries?” Candidate.—­“I am.”  M. E.—­“Kneel before the altar for that purpose.”