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GRAND ELECT MASON. 171
ninth arch or vault was immediately under the Holy
of Holies of the Temple. In that apartment King
Solomon held his private conferences with King
Hiram and Hiram Abiff. After the death of Hiram
AbifF, the two kings ceased to visit it, resolving* not
to do so until they should select one to fill his place
and that, until that time, they would make known
the sacred name to no one. After Adoniram, Joabert,
and Stolkin had discovered the cube of agate and
the mysterious name, and had delivered it to King
Solomon, the two kings determined to deposit it in
the secret vault, permit the three Masters who dis-
covered it to be present, make known to them the
true pronunciation of the ineffable word, constitute
the last degree of Ancient Craft Masonry, and term
it Grand Elect Mason.
The cube of agate was so deposited.
Afterward the twelve Princes of Ameth, the nine
Elect, and the Chief Architect were admitted to this
degree. The secret vault was thereafter called Sa-
cred Vault, and was originally built by Hiram Abiff,
and none but Grand Elect Masons knew of its existence,
or knew other than the substituted word.
The Temple was completed in the year 3000—six,
years, six months, and ten days after King Solomon
had laid the first corner-stone ; and its completion
was celebrated with great pomp and splendid mag-
nificence.
Subsequently, while the Temple was being dedi
;