Duncan's Ritual of Freemasonry.pdf - FatimaMovement

was erected near the ruins of the Temple. This
Tabernacle was an oblong square, enclosed by
four veils, or curtains, and divided into separate
apartments by four cross veils, including the west
end veil or entrance. The veils were parted in the
centre, and guarded by four guards, with drawn
swords.
At the east end of the Tabernacle, Haggai,
Joshua, and Zerubbabel usually sat in grand
council, to examine all who wished to be
employed in the noble and glorious work of
rebuilding the Temple. Since that time, every
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, if properly
formed, represents the Tabernacle erected by our
ancient brethren, near the ruins of King
Solomon's Temple, and our engraving shows the
interior arrangement of a Chapter of the Royal
Arch Degree. 1 (See Fig. 31.)
These three Most Excellent Masters, on their
arrival, were introduced to the Grand Council,
and employed, furnished with tools, and directed
to commence their labors at the northeast corner
of the ruins of the old Temple, and to clear away
and remove the rubbish, in order to lay the
foundation of the new. The Grand Council also
gave them strict orders to preserve whatever
should fall in their way (such as specimens of
ancient architecture, &c.,) and bring it up for their
inspection.
Among the discoveries made by the three Masters
was a secret vault in which they found treasures
of great benefit to the craft, &c. The ceremony of
exalting companions to this Degree, is a
recapitulation of the adventures of these three
Most Excellent Masters, and hence it is that three
candidates are necessary for an initiation.