mercy. It is ancient as the corner-stone of Moham-
med's Temple of Mecca; as secret as the Moslem that 
bound the tribes of Arabia to Allah or their god; as
a honorable as the Christian, and the tenets to which it 
is dedicated when once assumed cannot be eschewed or 
cast aloof. We know no retrogression; justice is our 
escutcheon; Charity beyond reason we do not expect; 
virtue must be regarded for its peerless worth and mo-
rality observed for the general good of all. We require
absolute secrecy and desire all our disciples to hold an
interest in our noble cause and a just observance of the
tenets of our faith.  Let these preliminary teachings be
deeply graven upon your hearts, Thev are priceless 
when well observed and attributes that cannot be 
bought with paltry, sordid gold.   Bv the existence of
Allah and the creed of Mohammed; by the legendary
sanctity of our Tabernaele at Mecca, we greet you, and
in-commemoration of the Arab's faith in puritv and in-
nocence, we accept your answers as sincere, and vou will
now be permitted to proceed in the rites and ceremo-
nies of the,mystic Shrine. The Oriental Guide and es-
cort will now conduct you onward, while you will rev-
erently lend an attentive ear to our preparatory service.
Gong, music, verse. Candidates proceed. 
Grand Potentate.-Who is he who hath professed 
to have conversed in person with the Supreme and 
maketh himself mightiest of his Mohammed, the Proph-
et of the Arab's creed? 
Gong, music and short verse. 
Chief Rabban.-Who but Mohammed mingled his 
religion with his Hourii and said: Are not these the
true sources of happiness?