Q. Where did the Prince of Jerusalem travel?  A. From Jerusalem to Babylon.

Q. Why?  A. The Samaritans having refused to pay the tribute imposed on them for defraying the expense of the sacrifices offered to God in the temple, an embassy was dispatched to Babylon, to obtain justice of King Darius.

Q. How many Knights constituted this embassy?  A. Five.

Q. Did they encounter any difficulty in their journey?  A. They did.  The Samaritans, against whom they were to prefer a complaint, armed themselves and attacked the ambassadors, but were defeated.

Q. What did they obtain from Darius?  A. A decree ordering the Samaritans to pay the tribute, or suffer punishment.

Q. How were the ambassadors received on their return to Jerusalem?  A. At some distance from the city they were met by the people, who accompanied them to the temple singing songs of joy.  On reaching the temple and making their report, and presenting the decree of Darius, they were constituted Princes of Jerusalem.

Q. How were they habited as Princes of Jerusalem?  A. In cloth of gold.

Q. What were their decorations?  A. A yellow sash trimmed with gold from right to left; to which was attached a golden medal, on which was engraved a balance, a sword, five stars, and the letters D. Z.

Q. What is signified by the five stars on the sash?  A. They are emblematic of the five Knights who journeyed from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Q. What is the age of a Prince of Jerusalem?  A. Five times fifteen.

Close.—­Most Equitable.  “Most Enlightened Junior and Senior Wardens, announce to your respective columns that I am about to close this Grand Council by five times fifteen.”  Each Warden strikes five; all rise and the notice is given.  M. E.  “Attention, Princes of Jerusalem?  (The signs are given.  The Most Equitable strikes five times fifteen, which is repeated by the Wardens.) Be just, merciful and wise!  I declare this Grand Council duly closed.”

* * * * *

KNIGHTS OF THE EAST AND WEST.

Form of the grand council.—­The Grand Council of Knights of the East and West, must be hung with red and sprinkled with gold stars.  In the east of the Council Chamber must be a canopy, elevated by seven steps, supported by four lions and four eagles, and between them an angel, or seraphim, with six wings.  On one side of the throne there must be a transparent painting of the sun, and, on the other side, one of the moon; below them is stretched a rainbow.  In the east there must be a basin with perfume, and a basin of water, and a human skull.  On the south side there must be six small canopies, and on the north side five, elevated by three steps, for the Venerable Ancients, and opposite the throne, in the west, are two canopies, elevated by five steps, for the two Venerable Wardens, who act in this Council as Grand Officers, or Wardens.  A full Grand Council must be composed of twenty-four Knights.  On the pedestal there must be a large Bible, with seven seals suspended therefrom.