satisfied with the manner of paying the workmen, for we find those who have done nothing, and even the candidate just received, is paid just as much as we, who have borne the heat and burden of the day.”  Master says, “It is perfectly right.”  Brother—­“It cannot be right—­it is very unreasonable.”  Master—­“Hear what the law says on the subject.”  He then reads the following parable—­Matt.  XX. 1-16.  “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.  And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto them, ’Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will give you.’  And they went their way.  Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, ’Why stand ye here all the day idle?’ They say unto him, ’Because no man hath hired us.’  He saith unto them, ’Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.’  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, ’Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.’  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more, and they likewise received every man a penny.  And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, ’These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.’  But he answered one of them and said, ’Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst thou not agree with me for a penny?  Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?  Is thine eye evil because I am good?  So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen.’” The brethren then declare themselves satisfied; the signs are given from Mark Master down to the Entered Apprentice, and the Master declares the Lodge closed.

* * * * *

LECTURE ON THE FOURTH DEGREE OF MASONRY, OR MARK MASTER’S DEGREE.

FIRST SECTION.

Question—­Are you a Mark Master Mason?  Answer—­I am; try me.

Q. By what will you be tried?  A. By the engraving chisel and mallet.

Q. Why by the engraving chisel and mallet?  A. Because they are the proper masonic implements of this degree.

Q. On what was the degree founded?  A. On a certain keystone which belonged to the principal arch of King Solomon’s Temple.

Q. Who formed this keystone?  A. Our worthy Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.