t
is not." M. O.--"Where did you get it?" Cond.--"I picked it up in the
quarry." M. O.--"Picked it up in the quarry? this explains the matter;
what! been loitering away your time this whole week, and now brought
up another man's work to impose upon the Grand Overseers! this
deserves the severest punishment. [Motions the candidate to stand.]
Brother Junior and Senior Overseers, here is work brought up for
inspection which demands a council." The Junior, Senior, and Master
Overseers then assemble in council. M. O., presenting the stone--"Did
a Fellow Craft present this to you for inspection, Brother Junior?" J.
O.--"A Fellow Craft came to my office and presented this stone for
inspection; I examined it, and found it was neither an oblong nor a
square, neither, had it the regular mark of the craft upon it; but on
account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to reject it,
and ordered it to the Senior Overseer at the West gate for further
inspection." M. O.--"Brother Senior, was this stone presented to you
for inspection?" S. O.--"It was; I know of no use for it in the
Temple; I tried it with the square, and observed it was neither an
oblong nor a square, neither had it the regular mark of the craft upon
it; but on account of its singular form and beauty, I was unwilling to
reject it, and, therefore, directed it to the Master Overseer at the
East gate for further inspection." M. O.--"It was also presented to me
for inspection, but I do not know of any use which it can be in the
building." S. O.--"I know of no use for it." J. O.--"I know of no use
for it." M. O.--"Brother Senior, what shall we do with it?" S.
O.--"Heave it over among the rubbish." The Master and Senior Overseers
then take the stone between them, and after waving it backward and
forward four times, they heave it over in such a manner that the one
letting go while the stone is arriving at the highest point, it brings
the stone in a quarterly direction over the other's left shoulder; the
Junior Overseer, being stationed in a suitable position, at this
moment receives the stone, and carries it away into the preparation
room. R. W. M.--"Brother Senior Warden, assemble the crafts to receive
wages." At this command the brethren all arise, and form a procession
single file; the candidate is placed at the head of the procession,
and when stationed, is told that "the last shall be first, and the
first last." The procession being formed, they commence singing