Master. Brother Adoniram, what is the hour? Answer. The end of day.
Master. What remains to do? Adoniram--To practice virtue, fly from vice, and remain in silence.
Master. Since there remains nothing to do but to practice virtue and fly vice, let us enter again into silence, that the will of God may be accomplished. The signs are given, and seven blows struck as at opening.
Master. I declare this Lodge duly closed.
OPENING.--Right Worshipful and Respectable Master strikes two, upon which Grand Marshal rises, and Master says, "Brother Grand Marshal, are we all Perfect Masters?" Answer--We are, Right Worshipful and Respectable.
Q. Your place in the Lodge? A. In the North, Right Worshipful and Respectable.
Q. Your business there? A. To see that the Lodge is duly tyled.
Q. Please to attend to your duty and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters. (Grand Marshal reports.) Right Worshipful and Respectable Master knocks three, upon which the Warden and the Master of Ceremonies in the South rise. Master says, "Brother Stokin, are you a Perfect Master?" Answer--I have seen the tomb of our respectable Master, Hiram Abiff, and have in company with my brethren shed tears at the same.
Master then knocks four, upon which all the brethren rise. Master says, "If it is four, it is time to set the workmen to labor. Give notice that I am going to open a Lodge of Perfect Masters by four times four." (Senior Warden reports to brethren.) Signs given of former degrees, together with those of this degree. Master knocks four, Stokin four, Master of Ceremonies four, and Grand Marshal four--then all the brethren strike four times four with their hands. Then Master declares the Lodge open, and orders the Marshal to inform the Tyler.
RECEPTION.--The candidate has a green cord put 'round his neck and is led by the Master of Ceremonies to the door, who knocks four, which is repeated by the Warden and answered by the Master. The Senior Warden says, "While the craft are engaged in lamenting the death of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff," an alarm is heard at the inner door of the Lodge.
LECTURE.--Question--Are you a Perfect Master? Answer--I have seen the tomb of Hiram Abiff, and have in company with my brethren, shed tears at the same.