Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Part 8

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The three pillars here represented were explained in a preceding degree, and there represented Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Here they represent our three ancient Grand Masters: S. K. of I., H. K. of T., and H. A.; the pillar Wisdom, S. K. of I., by whose wisdom the Temple was erected, that superb model of excellence which has so honored and exalted his name; the pillar Strength, H. K. of T., who strengthened K. S. in his great and important undertaking; and the pillar Beauty, H. A., the W. S.

of the tribe of Naphtali, by whose cunning workmans.h.i.+p the Temple was so beautified and adorned.

There were employed in its building 3 Grand Masters, 3,300 Masters or overseers of the work, 80,000 Fellow Crafts, and 70,000 Entered Apprentices or bearers of burdens. All these were cla.s.sed and arranged in such manner, by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither envy, discord nor confusion was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellows.h.i.+p which prevailed among the workmen, except in one notable instance.

In front of the magnificent porch were placed the two celebrated pillars--one on the left hand, and one on the right hand. They are supposed to have been placed there as a memorial to the children of Israel of the happy deliverance of their forefathers from Egyptian bondage, and in commemoration of those two miraculous pillars of fire and of cloud. The pillar of fire gave light to the children of Israel and facilitated their march. The cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and his host and r.e.t.a.r.ded their pursuit. King Solomon, therefore, ordered these pillars placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most conspicuous place, that the children of Israel might have that happy event continually before their eyes in going to and returning from divine wors.h.i.+p.

The Three Steps.

The Three Steps usually delineated upon the Master's Carpet are emblematical of the three princ.i.p.al stages of human life: Youth, Manhood and Age. In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge; in Manhood, as Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to G.o.d, our neighbor and ourselves, so that in Age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

The Pot of Incense.

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to Deity; and as this glows with fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow with grat.i.tude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy.

The Beehive.

The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves.

When we take a survey of Nature, we view man in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies languis.h.i.+ng for days, months and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather. It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all created beings; but as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, thereby enjoying better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friends.h.i.+p. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the n.o.blest part of the work of G.o.d; and he who will so demean himself as not to endeavor to add to the common stock of knowledge may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.

The Book of Const.i.tutions.

The Book of Const.i.tutions guarded by the Tiler's Sword reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words and actions, particularly when before the enemies of Masonry, ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues, silence and circ.u.mspection.

The Sword.

The Sword pointing to a Naked Heart demonstrates that justice will sooner or later overtake us; and although our thoughts, words and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men, yet that--

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All Seeing Eye whom the Sun, Moon and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even Comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human Heart, and will reward us according to our merits.

The Anchor and the Ark.

The Anchor and the Ark are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematical of that Divine Ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.

Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid.

This was an invention of our ancient friend and brother Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa and Europe, was initiated into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things and more especially in Geometry, or Masonry. On this subject he drew out many problems and theorems; and among the most distinguished he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart, he called Eureka, in the Grecian language signifying "I have found it;" and upon the erection of which he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences.

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The Hour-Gla.s.s.

The Hour-gla.s.s is an emblem of human life. Behold how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close! We cannot without astonishment behold the little particles which are contained in this machine--how they pa.s.s away almost imperceptibly; and yet, to our surprise, in the short s.p.a.ce of an hour they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man! To-day he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; to-morrow blossoms, and bears his blus.h.i.+ng honors thick upon him; the next day comes a frost which nips the shoot; and when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth.

The Scythe.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity. Behold what havoc the Scythe of Time makes among the human race! If by chance we should escape the numerous ills incident to childhood and youth, and with health and vigor arrive at the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring Scythe of Time, and be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us.

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Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death, which, without revelation, is dark and gloomy; but we are suddenly revived by the ever-green and ever-living Sprig of Faith which strengthens us, with confidence and composure, to look forward to a blessed immortality; and we doubt not that, on the glorious morn of the Resurrection, our bodies will rise and become as incorruptible as our souls.

Then let us imitate the good man in his virtuous and amiable conduct, in his unfeigned piety to G.o.d, in his inflexible fidelity to his trust, that we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious and celestial lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

Lecture.

Charge.

My Brother--Your zeal for the inst.i.tution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the mysteries, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem. You are now bound, by duty, honor and grat.i.tude to be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the Order.

In the character of a Master Mason you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate, and by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the Order, intrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

Your virtue, honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed in you.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES.

Grand Honors.

The public Grand Honors (not funeral) are given by raising the hands above and a little in front of the head, and clapping them three times together, then letting them fall to the side--repeating this action twice, making three times.

The private Grand Honors are made by 3x3, but not in the same way as the public Grand Honors.

Reception of Visitors.