CHAPEL. In every convenient place the architect of a lodge should contrive secret crypta or closets. They are of indispensable utility, but in practice are not suffi ciently attended to in this country. On the cOntinen they are numerous, and are dignified with the name of chapels. They ought to be seven in number ; 1, a room for visitors; 2, the Tyler's room ; added to which there ought to be 3, a vestry where the ornaments, furniture, jewels and other regalia are deposited. This is called the Treasury or Tyler's conclave, because these things are under his especial charge, and a communication is generally made to this apartment from the Tyler's room. There ought to he 4, a chapel for prepara tions, hung with black, and having only one small lamp placed high up near the ceiling; 5, a chapel for the dead furnished with a table, on which are a lamp, and emblems of mortality ; 6, the master's conclave, where the records, the warrant, the minutes and every written document are kept. To this room the W. M. retires when the lodge is called from labour to refreshment, and at other times when his presence in the lodge is not essential ; and here he examines the visitors, for which purpose a communication is formed between his conclave and the visitor's chapel. It is furnished with blue, and here he transacts the lodge business with his secretary. The Ark of the Covenant is also deposited
in this apartment. None of these closets should exceed 12 feet square, and may be of smaller dimensions according to circumstances. In the middle of the hall there should be 7, a moveable trap-door in the floor, 7 feet long and 3 feet in depth, the use of which is known to none but perfect Masons, who have passed through all the sym bolical degrees.
Upon each of the pillars of King Solo mon's temple was placed a chapiter or symbolical orna ment, five cubits in height, composed of network, chains, pomegranates, and lily work or opening flowers cast in the same material of which the pillars were formed. Like the Palladium of Troy they appear to have been esseu tial to the well-being of the structure. Thus, at the time when the temple was abandoned by Jehovah he is represented as standing magnificently upon the altar, ,ind commanding the angel of destruction to strike the heads or chapiters of these two pillars, and the total ruin not only of the temple but of Jerusalem and the entire system of Jewish polity should ensue (Amos, ix. 1). As their destruction was thus comprehensive and significant, so was their erection symbolical of the magnitude and splendour of the Jewish nation under Solomon. And this reference was embodied in their names.