“And the Lord said unto Moses, Put now thine hand into thy
p. 238
bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow,” &c.
Principal Sojourner–Companions, we will pass on, and make an alarm at the Third Veil. (Stamps nine times.)
Master of the Third Veil–Who comes there? Who dares approach this Third Veil of our sacred Tabernacle?
Principal Sojourner–Three weary sojourners from Babylon, who have come to assist in the rebuilding of the house of the Lord, without the hope of fee or reward.
Master of Third Veil–How do you expect to enter?
Principal Sojourner–By the words, sign, and word of exhortation of the Master of the Second Veil.
Master of Third Veil–Give them.
Principal Sojourner–Shem, Japhet, and Adoniram. (Thrusts his hand into his bosom as Master of Second Veil had done.)
Master of Third Veil–They are right. You can enter the Third Veil.
The candidates enter.
Master of Third Veil (to candidates.)–Three Most Excellent Masters you must have been, or thus far you could not have come. But you cannot go farther without my words, signs, and word of exhortation. My words are, Haggai, Joshua, and Zerubbabel. My sign is this: (holds out a tumbler of water, and pours out a little on the floor.) It is in imitation of one given by God to Moses, when he commanded him to pour water upon the dry land, and it became blood. My word of exhortation is explanatory of this sign, and is found in the writings of Moses, viz., the fourth chapter of Exodus:
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe in the two former signs, thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land; and the water shall become blood upon the dry land.”
Master of Third Veil–I also present you with the Signet of Truth, which is that of Zerubbabel. (Presents a triangular piece of metal, with ZER-UBBA-BEL engraved on it.)
Principal Sojourner (to candidates.)–Companions, we have now passed the Third Veil: let us make an alarm at the Fourth. (Stamps as before.)
Royal Arch Captain–Who comes there? Who dares approach the Fourth Veil of our sacred Tabernacle, where incense burns, day and night, upon the holy altar? Who are you, and what are your intentions?
Principal Sojourner–Three weary sojourners from Babylon, who have come up thus far to aid and assist in the noble and
p. 239
glorious work of rebuilding the house of the Lord, without the hope of fee or reward.
Royal Arch Captain–How do you expect to enter this Fourth Veil of our sacred Tabernacle?
Principal Sojourner–By the words, sign, and word of exhortation of the Master of the Third Veil.
Royal Arch Captain–Give them.
Principal Sojourner–Haggai, Joshua, and Zerubbabel (Pours a little water from a tumbler, or cup, upon the floor, foe the sign.)
Royal Arch Captain–They are right. You have my permission to enter the Fourth Veil.
The Veils are now drawn aside, and the candidates enter amid a dazzling light, and behold the High Priest, King, and Scribe sitting in Grand Council. The light is usually made by igniting gum camphor in an urn upon the altar
Royal Arch Captain–Three Most Excellent Masters you must have been, or thus far you could not have come. I will present you to the Grand Council. (Stamps his foot nine times.)
High Priest–Who comes here?
Principal Sojourner–Three weary sojourners from Babylon, who have come up thus far to aid and assist in rebuilding the house of the Lord, without the hope of fee or reward.
High Priest–Have you the signet of Zerubbabel?
Principal Sojourner–We have. (Presents the signet given him by Master of Third Veil.)
High Priest takes it, and reads from the second chapter of Haggai:
“In that day will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee a signet: for I have chosen thee.”
High Priest (to King, showing him the signet.)–Companion, are you satisfied that this is the signet of Zerubbabel?
King (taking the signet, and scrutinizing it.)–I am satisfied. Most Excellent, that it is.
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.