nd returns; as he enters the door, his conductor says to him,
"Brother, we are now in a place representing the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, or
HOLY OF HOLIES, of King Solomon's Temple. It was the custom of our
Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, every day at high twelve, when the crafts
were from labor to refreshment, to enter into the sanctum sanctorum
and offer up his devotions to the ever living God. Let us, in
imitation of him, kneel and pray." They then kneel, and the conductor
says the following prayer:

"Thou, O God, knowest our downsitting and uprising, and
understandest our thoughts afar off; shield and defend us from the
evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials
and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through
this vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and
full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down; he
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are
determined, the number of his months are with Thee: Thou hast
appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him, that he
may rest till he shall accomplish his day. For there is hope of a
tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the
tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth
away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters
fail from the sea, and flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth
down and riseth not up till the heavens shall be no more. Yet, O
Lord! have compassion on the children of Thy creation; administer
unto them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an
everlasting salvation. Amen. So mote it be."

They then rise, and the conductor says to the candidate, "Brother, in
further imitation of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, let us retire at
the South gate." They then advance to the Junior Warden (who
represents JUBELA, one of the ruffians), who exclaims, "Who comes
here?" [The room is dark, or the candidate hoodwinked.] The conductor
answers, "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff." "Our Grand Master, Hiram
Abiff!" exclaims the ruffian, "he is the very man I wanted to see
(seizing the candidate by the throat at the same time, and jerking him
about with violence); give me the Master Mason's word, or I'll take
your life." The conductor replies, "I cannot give it now, but if you
will wait till the Grand Lodge assembles at Jerusalem, if you are
worthy, you shall then receive it, otherwi