Q. What was then said to you? A. I was told to wait until the Most Potent had been informed of my request, and his answer returned.
Q. What was his answer? A. My brethren, your request cannot now be granted.
Q. What followed? A. We were conducted back to the anti-chamber, when the nine masters entered and thus addressed us: "My brethren, our Most Potent Master requests Grand Master Architects, Joabert, Stokin, and Gibulum to attend in the audience chamber," whereupon we were introduced into the presence of Solomon, who thus addressed us: "My brethren, you know that in digging for a foundation for the temple, we found the ruins of an ancient edifice. Among the ruins, we have already discovered much treasure which has been deposited in the secret vault. Are you willing to make further researches among the ancient ruins, and report to us your discoveries?"
Q. What was your answer. A. We are.
Q. What followed? A. We were conducted to the ruins, and commenced our labors. Among the rubbish we discovered a large iron ring, fixed in a cubic stone, which we raised with much difficulty. Upon examining the same, we discovered an inscription, of the meaning of which we were ignorant. Beneath the stone, a deep and dismal cavern appeared.
Q. Did you enter that cavern? A. I did.
Q. In what manner? A. A rope was fastened 'round my body, and descending, I found myself in an arched vault, in the floor of which was a secret opening, through which I also descended, and in like manner through a third; being in third vault, I found there was an opening for descending still further, but being afraid of pursuing my search, I gave a signal and was hoisted by my two companions. I then recounted to them what I had seen, and proposed to them to descend by turns, which they refused; upon this I determined to descend again, and told them that through every arch I passed, I would gently shake the rope. In this manner I descended from arch to arch, until I was lowered into the sixth arch, when, finding there was still another opening, my heart failed me, and giving the signal, I was again pulled up. I acquainted my two companions with the particulars of my second descent, and now earnestly urged that one of them should go down, as I was very much fatigued; but, terrified at my relation, they both refused. I then received fresh courage, went down a third time, taking a lighted flambeau in my hand. When I had descended into the ninth arch, a parcel of stone and mortar suddenly fell in and extinguished my light, and I immediately saw a triangular plate of gold, richly adorned with precious stones, the brilliancy of which struck me with admiration and astonishment. Again I gave the signal, and was assisted in reascending. Having related to my two companions the scene which I had witnessed, they expressed a desire to witness the same; they also concluded to go down together, by means of a ladder of ropes, which they did, and shortly after returned with the golden plate, upon which we saw certain characters, of the meaning of which we were then ignorant.
Q. What followed? A. We repaired to the apartment of King Solomon, the King of Tyre, with him, and said, "Most Potent, we obeyed your commands and present you with the fruits of our labors, and solicit the honor of being made acquainted with the inscription on this cubic stone and this golden triangle." Upon beholding it, the two Kings raised their hands, and exclaimed "Gibulum ishtov." The Kings then examined the sacred characters with attention, and Solomon thus addressed us: "My brethren, your request cannot now be granted. God has bestowed upon you a particular favor, in permitting you to discover the most precious jewel of masonry. The promise which God made to some of the ancient patriarchs, that in fulness of time his name should be discovered, is now accomplished. As a reward for your zeal, constancy, and fidelity, I should now constitute you Knights of the Ninth Arch, and I promise you an explanation of the mysterious characters on the golden plate, when it is fixed in the place designed for it, and I will then confer on you the most sublime and mysterious degree of Perfection."
Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent directed the Master of Ceremonies to conduct us to the south-west, and from thence to approach the altar, by three times three steps, and there to take upon ourselves the obligation of this degree.
Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as Perfect Master.) I further promise never to be concerned in the initiation of any brother in this degree, unless he manifests a charitable disposition for Masonry, and a zeal for the brethren, and also obtains permission, under the hands and seal of the first regular officers of a Lodge of Perfection. I further promise that I will not debauch any female related to a companion of this degree, either by blood or marriage, knowing her to be such, under penalty of being crushed under the ruins of a subterraneous temple. So help, etc.