Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

WORKING TOOLS OF A ROYAL ARCH MASON.
Principal Sojourner (to the candidates.)--Follow me.
Each candidate shoulders his working tools and follows the Principal Sojourner, going
single file to a corner of the room where a quantity of blocks or bricks are scattered
around. These they stir up a little, when they come to a ring in a trap-door, which they
pull up, and find it shaped like a keystone of an arch. Each one examines it, and then
looks down the trap, when the Principal Sojourner suggests that it be at once taken up to
the Grand Council. He then leads the candidates back.
High Priest--Companion King, have you further business to lay before this Grand
Council?
King--I have nothing, Most Excellent.
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High Priest (to Scribe.)--Have you any thing, worthy companion?
Scribe--I know of nothing, Most Excellent.
High Priest--I know of nothing, unless the workmen from the ruins have articles for
inspection. The workmen will please come forward and give an account of their labors.
Principal Sojourner--Most Excellent, in pursuance of orders of this Grand Council, we
repaired to the ruins and commenced our labors. After laboring several days, we
discovered what seemed a rock, but on striking it with a crow it gave a hollow sound, and
upon closer examination we discovered in it an iron ring, by help of which we succeeded
in removing it from its place, when we found it to be the keystone of an arch, and through
the aperture there appeared to be an immense vault, curiously arched. We have brought
this keystone up, that it may be examined by the Grand Council.
High Priest--You will present it.
Principal Sojourner presents the keystone, or trap.