The Venerable Master is called “Most Puissant;” the Wardens, and the twenty-one other brethren, are called “Respectable Ancients.”  If there are more brethren present, they are styled “Respectable Knights,” and are placed north and south, behind the small canopies.

The first canopy, at the right side of the Puissant, is always vacant for the candidate.  All the brethren are clothed in white, with a zone of gold ’round the waist, long white beards and golden crowns on their heads.  The Knights, in their ordinary habits, wear a broad, white ribbon from the right shoulder to the left hip, with the jewel suspended thereto.  They also wear a cross of the order, suspended by a black ribbon, ’round their necks.  The Most Puissant has his right hand on the large Bible on the pedestal with seven seals.  The draft (or carpet) of the Council, is an heptagon in a circle—­over the angles are these letters, B. D. S. P. H. F. In the centre, a man clothed in a white robe, with a girdle of gold ’round his waist—­his right hand extended and surrounded with seven stars—­he has a long white beard, his head surrounded with a glory, and a two-edged sword in his mouth—­with seven candlesticks ’round him, and over them the following letters:  H. D. P. I. P. R. C.

The jewel is an heptagon of silver—­at each angle, a star of gold and one of these letters B. D. S. P. H. G. S. in the centre.  A lamb on a book with seven seals—­on the reverse, the same letters in the angles, and in the centre, a two-edged sword between a balance.

The apron is white, lined with red, bordered with yellow, or gold; on the flap is painted a two-edged sword, surrounded with the seven holy letters—­or the apron may have the plan of the draft painted on it.

To open the council.—­The Most Puissant, with his right hand on the Bible sealed with seven seals, demands, “Venerable Knights Princes, what is your duty?” A.  “To know if we are secure.”  Most Puissant.  “See that we are so.”  A.  “Most Puissant, we are in perfect security.”  The Most Puissant strikes seven times, and says, “Respectable Knights Princes, the Grand Council of Knights of the East and West is open; I claim your attention to the business thereof.”  A.  “We promise obedience to the Most Puissant’s commands.”  They rise and salute him, when he returns the compliment, and requests them to be seated.

Reception.—­The candidate must be in an antechamber, which must be hung with red, and lighted with seven lights, where he is clothed with a white robe, as an emblem of the purity of his life and manners.  The Master of Ceremonies brings him barefooted to the Council Chamber door, on which he knocks seven times, which is answered by the Most Puissant, who desires the youngest Knight to go to the door, and demand who knocks.  The master of Ceremonies answers, “It is a valiant brother and Most Excellent Prince of Jerusalem, who requests to be admitted to