Q. What did you next discover?  A. The Worshipful Master approaching me a second time from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or white apron, which, he said, he hoped I would continue to wear with honor to myself, and satisfaction and advantage to the brethren.

Q. What were you next presented with?  A. The working tools of a Master Mason.

Q. What are they?  A. All the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the Trowel.

Q. How explained?  A. The Trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites a building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purposes of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best work, or best agree.

Q. What were you next presented with?  A. Three precious jewels.

Q. What are they?  A. Humanity, Friendship, and Brotherly Love.

Q. How were you then disposed of?  A. I was conducted out of the Lodge, and invested of what I had been divested, and returned again in due season.

* * * * *

SECOND SECTION.

Question—­Did you ever return to the sanctum sanctorum, or holy of holies, of King Solomon’s Temple?  Answer—­I did.

Q. Was there anything in particular took place on your return?  A. There was, viz., I was accosted by three ruffians, who demanded of me the Master Mason’s word.

Q. Did you ever give it to them?  A. I did not, but bid them wait, with time and patience, till the Grand Lodge assembled at Jerusalem, and then, if they were found worthy, they should receive it, otherwise they could not.

Q. In what manner was you accosted?  A. In attempting to retire at the South gate, I was accosted by one of them, who demanded of me the Master Mason’s word, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge across my breast, on which I fled to the West gate, where I was accosted by the second with more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a severe blow with the Square across my breast; on which I attempted to make my escape at the East gate, where I was accosted by the third with still more violence, and, on my refusing to comply with his request, he gave me a violent blow with the common gavel on the forehead, and brought me to the floor.

Q. Whom did you represent at that time?  A. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, who was slain at the building of King Solomon’s Temple.

Q. Was his death premeditated?  A. It was—­by fifteen Fellow Crafts, who conspired to extort from him the Master Mason’s word; twelve of whom recanted, but the other three were base enough to carry their atrocious designs into execution.