CHAPTER III.

Observations 6n the Degree of Intimate Secretar^f.

THE lodge of I. S, is furnished with black hang-
ings, and represents the hall of audience of Solo-
mon. It should be enlightened with twenty-seven
lights, in three candlesticks of nine branches each,,
placed K W.-andS,.

This lodge consists of two persons only ; wh«
represent S. and H. K. of T. They are covered
with blue mantles, lined with ermine, with crowns
on their heads, sceptres^ in their hands, and seated
St a table, on which are placed two naked swords^,
a roll of parchment, and a death^s head.

All the rest of the brethren are considered only
as perfect masters, and are termed the guards.'
They should have white aprons, lined and em*
broidered with a blood colour, with strings of the
same ; and ribbons of the same colour round 4hah9

Z3

570 PKttMASdfK^ MONiroit^

fiecks^ to which must be sttdpended, hangiiig Oft
the brea«t^ a solid triaBgle.

Charge to a new made Intimate Secretartfm

^« My Brother^

*' I receive 3^00 an Intimate Secretary, on yoor
promise to be faithful to the order in whieh you
have just now entered. We hope, brother, that
your fidelity wil^l be proof to every trial ; and that
this sword, with whicii we arm you, will defend '
you from the attacks of those, who may try to
extort from you those secrets which we are now
about to coitfer upon you.''

History^

Solomon h$d agreed with the king of Tyre, ia
return for the materials taken from Mount Leba*
non, and those drawn from the quarries of Tyre,
made use of in constructing the temple (in part
payment of which, he had already furnished him
with a measure of oil,, honey and wheat) tio have
given him a province in Galilea, of thirty citie^
immediately after the tempk was eompieted»

A year had elapsed before thia was <;omplied
with on the part of Sdomon ; and when Hiram
went to visit this newly acquired territory, hit
found the lands poor, the pe<^Ie rude, uncultivat-
•d, and of bad joorals ; and that ibis keeping «l

tR££MAS^N'S MONITOIt. 271

it would be attended with more expense than pro-
fit. He therefore went in person to Solomon^ to
complain of the deceit. Being arri^^ed^ he made
his entry through the guards in the court, and went
hastily to the king's apartment.

The countenance of the king of Tyre was so
expressive of anger, as he entered, one of Solo-
tton's favourites, named Joabert, perceived it, and,,
apprehensive of the consequence, followed him to
the door to listen. H. observing him, ran and
jeized upon him, and delivered him into the custo*
dy of the guards ; however, by the intercession of
Solomon (who represented that Joabcrt was, of all
those about the temple, most attached to him, and
that his intentions could not have been evil) Hi-
ram agreed to pardon him ; and before they part*
ed, renewed their former friendship, and concluded
H treaty of perpetual alliance, which waa signed
by them, and ta which Joabert was Intimate Se^

cretary.

This lodge is cloeed by S times 9*