THE DAY SET APART FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE CAPE-STONE OF THE TEMPLE. THE CAPE-STONE, or, as it would more correctly be called, the cope-stone, (but the former word has been consecrated to us by universal masonic usage,) is the topmost stone of a building. To bring it forth, therefore, and to place it in its destined position, is significative that the building is completed, which event is celebrated, even by the operative masons of the present day, with great signs of rejoicing. Flags are hoisted on the top of every edifice by the builders engaged in its construction, as soon as they have reached the topmost post, and thus finished their labors. This is the "celebration of the cape-stone "-the celebration of the completion of the building-when their tools are laid aside, and rest and refreshment succeed for a time to labor. This is the event in the history of the temple which is commemorated in this degree. The day set apart for the celebration of the cape-stone of the temple, is the day devoted to rejoicing and thanksgiving for the completion of that glorious structure. Masonic teachers have not agreed in determining what was the particular stone referred to in this degree. A few suppose it to have represented the last and highest stone placed in the temple. If this were the case, the Mark Master's keystone would be very improperly made use of on this occasion, for it by no means represents the highest stone of the temple. A majority of scholars have, however, adopted the more consistent theory that the keystone was appropriately used in this degree, and that it was deposited on the day of the completion of the temple in the place for which it was intended, all of which relates to a mystery not unfolded in this degree, but reserved for that of Select Master. In either case it was a cape-stone-in one, the capestone of the whole temple; in the other, only of an important part of it. In my own recollection, a promise of secrecy was exacted of all Most Excellent Masters respecting the place where the keystone was deposited, and, although this usage has now very generally been abandoned, I have the most satisfactory reasons for knowing that such a promise constituted a part of the original OB. of the degree. BRINGING FORTH THE ARK OF THE COVENANT PREVIOUS to the building of the temple, David had brought the ark of the covenant from the house of Obęd-edom to his palace on Mount Zion, where it remained until the temple was completed. As soon as Solomon had finished his work, he assembled the people, with their rulers and elders, at Jerusalem, that they might dedicate it with appropriate ceremonies. The ark was then taken from the palace of David and removed to the temple. The king himself and all the people and Levites went before, rendering the ground moist, says Josephus, with sacrifices and drink offerings, and the blood of a great number of oblations, and burning an immense quantity of incense, and thus with singing and dancing was it carried into the temple. But when it was to be transferred to the holy of holies, the rest of the multitude departed, and only those priests who bore it by its staves entered within the sacred place, and set it between the two cherubim, which, embrac ing it between their wings, covered it as with a dome. It is this bringing of the ark into the temple with shouting and praise, and depositing it in the holy spot where it was thenceforth to remain, that is commemorated by a portion of the ceremonies of the Most Excellent Master's degree. Το him who hath governed our hearts un - di- vi - ded Let's send forth our voi · сев to praise his great name. Companions assemble By the ANCIENT OF DAYS, Ceremonies. There is no more occasion for level or plumb-line, Now those that are worthy, Our toils who have shar'd, Have our approbation, Have gained our good will. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA We accept and receive them, Most Excellent Masters, Among worthy craftsmen, wherever assembled, |