just, prudent, discreet and merciful. Go salute the Junior and Senior
Wardens as a Provost and Judge, and return to the Lodge for further
instruction.

SECOND SECTION.--Question--What did you perceive in the middle
chamber? Answer--A curtain, behind which was suspended a small ebony
box containing the plans for the construction of the temple.

Q. What else did you see? A. A triangle enclosing the letters G. A.

Q. What is their meaning and use? A. Grand Architect, and are designed
to make us remember him in all our decisions and actions.

Q. Did you perceive anything more? A. I saw the letters I. H. S. with
the sprig of cassia.

Q. What is meant thereby? A. Imitate Hiram's Silence, and Justice,
Humanity and Secrecy, which are designed to teach Provost and Judge,
that while their decisions are just, they should be tempered with
humanity, or mercy, and that all differences which may arise among the
craft, should be kept secret from the world.

Q. What was the intention of Solomon in instituting this degree? A. To
strengthen the means of preserving order among such a vast number of
workmen; the duty of Provosts and Judges being, to decide all
differences that might arise among the brethren.

Q. Who was the first that was made Provost and Judge? A. Joabert being
honored with the intimate confidence of King Solomon, received this
new mark of distinction. Solomon first created Tito, Adoniram, and
Abda, his father, Provosts and Judges, and gave them orders to
initiate Joabert into the mysteries of this degree, and to give him
all the keys of the temple, which were inclosed in a small ivory box
suspended in the Sanctum Sanctorum, under a rich canopy. When Joabert
was first admitted into this sacred place, he was struck with awe, and
involuntarily found himself in a kneeling posture, and said, Beroke;
Solomon observing him, said Kumi, which signifies to rise.

Q. Whence came you as a Provost and Judge? A. I came and am going
everywhere.

CLOSING.--Thrice Illustrious Master knocks three (Marshal rises) and
says, "Brother Grand Marshal, the last as well as the first care of
Provost and Judge?" Answer--To see that the middle chamber is duly
tyled.--"Attend to your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about
to close this Lodge of Provosts and Judges by four and one." Marshal
reports. Thrice Illustrious strikes four. Wardens rise, and Master
says, "Brother Senior Warden, what is the hour?" Ans.--Break of day,
8, 2 and 7