Captain of the Host goes and opens the door, and says–Come forth! you are at liberty to return! for Cyrus has issued his proclamation to build a second Temple at Jerusalem.
Principal Sojourner (who is with the candidates.)–Will you read the proclamation?
Captain of the Host reads the first three verses of the first chapter of Ezra, as follows:
“Now in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying:
PROCLAMATION
“Thus saith Cyrus, King of Persia, the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, which is in Jerusalem.”
Captain of the Host–What say you to the proclamation? Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem?
Principal Sojourner (consulting candidates.)–Yes, we are willing to go, but we have no pass-word whereby to make ourselves known to the brethren when we get there. What shall we say to them?
Captain of the Host reads verses 13 and 14 of the third chapter of Exodus:
“And Moses said unto God, Behold! when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you, end they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say to them?
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“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
We were directed to use the words, “I AM THAT I AM,” as a pass-word.
Principal Sojourner–We will go up. Companions, you will follow me; our password is, I AM THAT I AM.
As they enter the Chapter, they again pass under the Living Arch.
Principal Sojourner–Stoop low, brethren. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
On one side of the hall or Chapter, the Living Arch is formed, as before described; on the other side is what is called the rugged road. This is generally made of blocks and logs of wood, old chairs, benches, &c.
The companions who form the Living Arch press harder on the candidates each time they go through, and they now go through three times. While passing through, the Principal Sojourner says:
Principal Sojourner–This is the way many great and good men have travelled before you, never deeming it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the fraternity. I have often travelled this road from Babylon to Jerusalem, and generally find it rough and rugged. However, I think I never saw it much smoother than it is at the present time.
The candidates, after passing the Living Arch, stumble over the rugged road, and arrive again at the entrance of the arch.
Principal Sojourner–Companions, here is a very difficult and dangerous place ahead, which lies directly in our way. Before we attempt to pass it, we must kneel down and pray. (Reads Psalm cxii. )
“Lord, I cry unto thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice.
“Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
‘Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity.
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil.
“Mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
“Keep me from the snare which they have laid before me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
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“Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.”
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
