MOST EXCELLENT MASTER'S

DEGREE.

NONE but those who have been inducted into the Oriental Chair of Solomon, by the unanimous suffrages of their brethren, can be admitted to this degree of masonry.

When the temple of Jerusalem was finished, and the cap-stone celebrated, with great joy, King Solomon admitted to this degree, only those who had proved themselves worthy, by their virtue, skill, and inflexible fidelity to the craft. The duties incumbent on a Most Excellent Master are such, that he should have a perfect knowledge of all the preceding degrees.

The following Psalm is read at opening.

PSALM xxiv.

"The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.-Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath elean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation

of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob: Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be

ye

lift

ed up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory. Selah."

The following Psalm is read during the ceremony of receiving a candidate in this degree.

PSALM CXXII.

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good."

The following Song is sung with solemn ceremony.