download PDF version - Global Grey

SECEET MASTER.
Ix the grey dawn of morning, even before the sun
rising over Mount Olivet flushed with crimson the
walls of the Temple, the chosen few, awe-stricken and
grave, had assembled. The light from the seven-branch
candlestick in the East was reflected back from the
golden floor, from the brazen laver of water, with
hyssop and napkins, but fell somberly on the heavy
drapings of the sack-cloth on the walls. Amidst the
prayers and exhortations, and the solemn chanting of
the Levites, the seven entered into a mystic bond, and
the duty of secrecy and silence was laid upon them.
And then the doors of cedar and olive wood heavily
carved and gilded were opened, the veils of blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and richly embroidered white linen
were drawn aside, and the mysteries of the Holy of
Holies revealed to them.
None but the Priests and Levites had entered the
Sanctum Sanctorum since the Sacred Ark had been
brought thither, and now as the Seven Secret Sentinels
put off their shoes and washed their feet, and stepped
over the golden threshold, they stood in silence blinded
with the light that burst upon them. The spreading
wings of the Cherubim covered the Ark of the Cove-
nant, but from all sides the walls glittered with gold
and precious stones.
31