part in 6 pieces; total 12 pieces. The F. Cs. carried

the broken cube to S. K. I., who in conjunction with H. K. T. directed that they should je placed along with the jewels of the Craft, on a cubic stone encrusted with gold, in the centre of a deep cavern within the foundations of the temple, and further ordered, that the door of this mysterious court should be built up with large stones, in order that no one in future should be able to gain admission into this mysterious apartment. At the re- building of the temple, however, three F. Cs. lately returned from Babylon, in the course of their labours inadvertently stumbled upon this mysterious recess. They discovered the fractured cube, and carried the pieces to Z. J. H., who recognized in the four pieces the XXXX., and accordingly advanced the F. Cs. to a new order in Masonry for having accomplished this discovery — Til tier.
CUB— CYP. 477
CUBIT. A measure of length employed by the ancients equal to the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Among different nations the length of the cubit differed. The cubit of the Romans was aboiit 171 inches; that of the Hebrews 22 inches, but its length «s now generally stated at 18 English inches.
CURIOSITY. Freemasonry has in all ages excited the curiosity of mankind ; and curiosity is one of the most prevailing passions in the human breast. The mind of man is kept in a perpetual thirst after knowledge, nor can he bear to be ignorant of what he thinks others know.
CYPHER. It is not customary in Freemasonry to write in cypher, neither is there any law commanding it to be done, although there is a very ancient cypher extant taken from the Square and Triangle. This is also called the Ammonian writing of the ancient Egyptian priests. In the year 1808, Bro. J. G. Bruman, Director of the Academy of Commerce and Professor of the Mathematics at Mannheim, published a programme of a Pangraphia or universal writing, and at the same time an Arithmetical Krypto-graphic, which was to be extremely useful in Freemasonry ; but so far as we know this work has never appeared. — Gadicke.
CYPHER WRITING. The system of cypher writing has been found so convenient as a depository of ineffable secrets, that it has descended down to our own times, and various methods have been prescribed for its use, any of which will answer the intended purpose ; for the in- terpretation is absolutely impracticable without a key. The simplest kind of cypher consists of a simple trans- position of the letters of the alphabet, and appears to have been one of the earliest specimens of this kind ot secret communication which was used in modern times. Its mystery, however, is perfect ; and the places of the several letters may be so varied as to preclude the possi- bility of detection.
abcdefghij kirn no pq r s t u vwxy z
478 CYR— DAN.
With this key the cypher n serr naq npprcgrq ziifba, will be found to contain the words — " A Free and accepted Mason ;" but if the key be varied thus : —
abcdefghijklm zyxwvu tsrqpo n
the same words will stand — z uivv zmw zxxvkgvw nzhhn And the key will admit of variations ad infinitum Sometimes the mystery was increased by the juiictioi of four or five words into one. On this plan the abov expression would constitute the forminable word, zuivv- zmwzxxvkgvwnzhlm.
CYRUS. This prince was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah, two hundred years before he was born, as the restorer of the temple at Jerusalem. And accordingly, after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon were accomplished, it pleased the Lord to direct him to issue the following proclamation. 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, (he is the God) which is in Jerusa- lem.
DANCING. Dancing is not a masonic accomplish- ment, although it usually accompanied the rites of the spurious Freemasonry. The idolatrous Jews made it a part of the worship which they paid to the golden calf. The Amalekites danced after their victory at Ziklag, and Job makes it part of the character of the prosperous wicked (that is, of those who, placing all their happiness in the enjoyments of sense, forget God and religion), that their children dance. The dancing of the profligate Herodias's daughter pleased Herod so highly, that he promised to give her whatever she asked, and accordingly, at her desire, and in compliment to her, he commanded John the Baptist to be beheaded in prison. Notwith- standing this, some Provincial Grand Masters instead of taking the brethren at their provincial meetings to rhurch, as in the good old times of Inwood, Harris, and
DAR— DAV. 479
Oliver, for the purpose of invoking the blessing of God on their labours, lead them to a ball in full masonic cos- tume, as the gentry of old used to exhibit their servants find retainers at an assize or county meeting in blue coats and badges ; whence instead of a praying institution as Masonry is, it becomes a dancing institution, which it decidedly is not. — Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
DARKNESS. The darkness of Masonry is invested with a pure and dignified reference, because it is attached to a system of truth. It places before the mind a series of the most awful and impressive images. It points to the darkness of death and the obscurity of the grave, as the forerunners of a more brilliant and never-fading light which follows at the resurrection of the just. Figure to yourselves the beauty and strict propriety of this reference, ye who have been raised to the third degree of Masonry. Were your minds enveloped in the shades of that darkness? So shall you again be involved in the darkness of the grave, when death has drawn his sable curtain round you. Did you rise to a splendid scene of intellectual brightness? So, if you are obedient to the precepts of Masonry and the dictates of religion, shall you rejoice on the resurrection morn, when the clouds of error and imperfection are separated from your mind, and you behold with unveiled eye the glories which issue from the expanse of heaven, the everlasting splendours of the throne of God !
DARKNESS VISIBLE. The light of a Master Mason is darkness visible, serving only to express that gloom which rests on the prospect of futurity. It is that mysterious veil which the Eureka of human reason can- not penetrate, unless assisted by that light -which is from above.
DAVID. The uninterrupted prosperity which David enjoyed, inspired him with a design of building a sump- tuous temple for the worship of the Deity, deeming it in a high degree criminal to permit the ark of God to remain in a tabernacle at a time when he resided in a palace, constructed and ornamented with the utmost profusion of elegance and splendour. And to thu
480 DAY.
was furl her incited by an ancient prediction of Moses But David as yet was ignorant of the place where the Temple of the Lord was to be erected; for it still remained in the possession of the Jebusites, and on that spot Araunah had established his threshing floor. At this period Mount Moriah exhibited a picturesque appear- ance, being covered by groves of olive trees; and for this reason it was called " the field of the wood." After David had made the above determination, the Lord directed Nathan the prophet to communicate to him, "Thus saitii the Lord, shalt thou build me an house for to dwell in. Whe thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fati.'srs, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will estab- lish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever I will be bis father, and he shall be my son."
DAY AND NIGHT. The sun is the monarch of the day, whicii is the state of light. The moon of the night, or the state of darkness. The rays of the sun falling on the atmosphere, are refracted and diffused over the whole of that hemisphere of the earth immediately under his orb ; while those rays of that vast luminary which, because of the earth's small ness in comparison of the sun, are diffused on all sides beyond the earth, falling on the opaque disc of the moon, are reflected back on what may be called the lower hemisphere, or that part of tho earth which is opposite to the part which is illuminated by the sun ; and as the earth completes a revolution on its own axis in about twenty-four hours, consequently each hemisphere has alternate day and night. — Adam Clarke.
DAY'S WORK. The day's work closed when the sun set in the west. All the expressions used in scripture about hired servants imply that they were hired by the day. This is still the case in the east, where not only labourers, but mechanics, whether they work for a house- holder or for a master in their own craft, are paid by the day, and regularly expect their day's wages when the sun goes down. It has never come to our knowledge that they work at any trade after sunset, even in winter
DEA— DEC. 481
DEACON. The duties attached to the office of a deacon are, " to convey messages, to obey commands, and to assist at initiations, and in the general practice of the rites and ceremonies of the Order." The jewel of their office is a dove, as an emblem of peace, and charac- teristic of their duties.
DEATH. The heathen nations, before the coming of Christ, wanted the blessing of revelation, and knew nothing of the destination of man after he was laid in the silent tomb. One of their own poets tells us this : "Alas," says he, " when the plants and flowers of the garden have perished, they revive again, and bloom the succeeding year ; but we, mighty, wise, and powerful men, when once we die, remain insensible in the hollow tomb and sleep a long and endless sleep — a sleep from which we never shall be awakened." Seneca said, "post mortem nihil est" Virgil describes death as an "iron sleep, and an eternal night." (En. x. 745.) But so inconsistent were the heathen philosophers upon these abstruse subjects, which they had received only from dark and uncertain tradition, that in the sixth book of the Eneid, the same poet describes with great minuteness the places of reward and punishment which are assigned to mankind after death, as the consequence of their personal responsibility. — Bishop Mant.
DECLARATION. E.very candidate, previous to his admission, must subscribe his name at full length to a declaration of the following import, viz. : — " To the Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Officers, and Members of
the Lodge of , No. — . I, , being a free
man, and of the full age of twenty-one years, do declare, that unbiassed by the improper solicitation of friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motive, I freely and voluntarily offer myself a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry ; that I am prompted by a favour- able opinion conceived of the institution, and a desire of knowledge, and that I will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the Order. Witness my hand this day of . Witness.—
Constitution**
4:82 DEC— DED.
DECLARING OFF. When a brother teases to visit a Lodge, and to pay his monthly subscriptions, he thereby declares himself off the lodge. When a brother requires to leave the lodge for a few minutes, either at labour or at the banquet, he must request leave to do so. Many brethren whose bad conduct is brought before the lodge, and who are afraid that they will be excluded or expelled, take this means of declaring off. We also make use of this expression when any lodge has ceased to assemble for a length of time. A Freemasons' lodge, or assembly of the brethren, is properly tyled when none but brethren are present, arid when no stranger can gain admittance. — Gadicke.
DECORATIONS. In disposing of the furniture and decorations of a lodge, great discrimination is required ; and very frequently the imposing appearance which a lodge ought to present to the eye, is lost for want of due attention to these preliminary arrangements. The expert Mason will be convinced that the walls of a lodge room ought neither to be absolutely naked nor too much decorated. A chaste disposal of symbolical ornaments in the right places, and according to propriety, relieves the dulness and vacuity of a blank space ; and though biit sparingly used, will produce a striking impression and contribute to the general beauty and solemnity of the scene.
DEDICATION. From the building of the first temple at Jerusalem to the Babylonish captivity, the lodges of Freemasons were dedicated to King Solomon, from thence to the advent of Christ to Zerubbabel, who built the second temple, and from that time till the final destruc- tion of the temple by Titus, they were dedicated to St. John the Baptist. But /owing to the losses which were sustained by that memorable occurrence, Freemasonry declined ; many lodges were broken up, and the brethren were afraid to meet without an acknowledged head. At a secret meeting of the Craft, holden in the city of Benjamin, this circumstance was much regretted, and they deputed seven brethren to solicit St. John the Evangelist, who was at that time Bishop of Ephesus, to accept the office of Grand Master. He replied tc the
DEF— DEG. 483
deputation, that though well stricken in years, having been in his youth initiated into Masonry, he would acquiesce in their request, thus completing by his learn- ing what the other St. John had begun by his zeal; and thus drew what Freemasons cull a line — parallel ; ever since which, the lodges in all Christian countries have been dedicated to the two St. Johns. — York Lectures.
DEFAMATION. To defame our brother, or suffer him to be defamed, without interesting ourselves for the preservation of his name and character, there is scarce the shadow of an excuse to be found. Defamation is always wicked. Slander and evil speaking are the pests of civil society, are the disgrace of every degree of reli- gious profession, and the poisonous bane of all brotherly love. Defamation is never absolutely, or indeed at all, necessary ; for suppose your brother has faults, are you obliged, because you speak of him, to discover them? has he no good qualities 'I sure all have some good ones ; make them then, though ever so few, the subject of your conversation, if ye must talk of him ; and if he has no good qualities, speak not of him at all. — luwood.
DEGREE. A degree, as the word implies, is merely a grade or step, or preparation, as one grade is but pre- paratory to another higher, and so on in progression to the " ne plus ultra." A degree sometimes, but not in Freemasonry, means a class or order.
DEGREES. Why are there degrees in Freemasonry? The reason why this question is asked by the men of the world, is because the} are men and not schoolboys who are initiated, and becau&e the whole of the Order could be communicated to them at one time. But still there are degrees, or steps, and truly for this simple reason, as there is no art or science which can be communicated at one time, so neither can Freemasonry ; and although they are men of mature age who are initiated, yet they require to be proved step by step. Freemasonry is a science which requires both time and experience, and more time than many Masons, especially government officers or tradesmen, can devote to it ; the only time they in fact can appropriate to this purpose being their hours of recreation. It is, therefore, good that it is com-
484 DEM— DEP.
m unicu ted by degrees. Those degrees are cormmmfcated in the lodge at the end of certain determinate periods, or immediately after each other, according to the regulations of the lodge, or the cardidate's power of comprehension. — Gadicke.
DEMIT. A Mason is said to demit from the Order when he withdraws from all connection with it. In the egulations of the Grand Lodge, dated 25th November, 1723, it was provided, that if the Master of a lodge is deposed, or demits, the Senior Warden shall fill the chair until the next appointment of officers.
DEMOCRACY. Symbolical Masonry, under whatever form it may be propounded, is a Catholic institution, democratic in its form and government, and universal in its operation. This is demonstrable from any of the definitions of the Order ; from the free election of its chief magistrate, and the inferior governors of every pri.ate lodge, annually and by universal suffrage, and from the reputed form and extent of its lodges. If it were deprived of any of the above attributes it would be no longer Freemasonry; and all its beneficial effects upon the mind and manners of men, would be scattered to the winds of heaven.
DEPORTMENT. Since many of our forms and operations are necessarily secreted from common inspec- tion, the generality of mankind will make up their opinion of the society from the deportment of its mem- bers. This ought to serve as a very powerful call to every one of us, uniformly and openly to display those qualities and virtues so strongly inculcated and warmly recommended in the lodge. To little purpose shall we commend the institution, and boast the excellence of its principles and purposes, if our lives give not corroborative evidence to our assertions, and prove not the propriety of our encomiums. If we appear neither wiser nor better than the uninitiated, the world will begin to suspect the efficacy of our tenets ; and if no good effects are apparent, they will doubt whether any are produced. — Harris.
DEPTH. The depth of a lodge is figuratively said to from the surface ro the centre.
DEP— DIA. 485
DEPUTY GRAND MASTER. This officer is to be appointed annually by the Grand Master, on the day of his installation, and, if present, is to be immediately installed according to ancient usage. He must have been master of some regular lodge. In the absence of the Grand Master, the Deputy possesses all his powers and privileges. — Constitutions.
DESIGN. The initiation into the first or entered apprentice's degree was made to partake, in a slighter proportion, of those trials of physical and moral courage for which the admission into the ancient and chiefly Egyptian mysteries were famous. The second or Fel- lowcraft's, was rendered interesting by those scientific instructions and philosophical lectures which charac- terized later parts of the mysteries ; though both degrees were made to tend to the glory of that God who had given such wonderful faculties to them and to the wel- fare of their fellow-creatures. Thus instructed in morals and science, the third or Master Mason's degree led them to that great truth which the sublimest part of even the heathen mysteries, though it too seldom succeeded, was intended to teach, and the faithful believer was assured of a future life and immortality beyond the grave. And, whereas, the heathens had taught this only by the appli cation of a fable to their purpose, the wisdom of the pious Grand Mason of the Israelitish Masons took advantage of a real circumstance which would more forcibly impress the sublime truths he intended to inculcate upon the minds of all brethren. Such is a brief outline, intelligible, I trust, to the members of the Ord^r, of the design of that beautiful system which, then estab- lished, has long been the admiration of the world, and has stood the test of ages amid every persecution. — Archdeacon Mant.
DIAGRAMS. The three most perfect of all geomet- rical diagrams, are the equilateral triangle, the square, and the equal hexagon. To this we may add an observa- tion, for which we are indebted to our Grand Master Pythagoras, that there exists no other regular equilateral forms, whose multiples are competent to fill up and oecirpy the whole space about a given centre which eau 41
i86 DIA— DIF.
only be effected by six equilateral triangles, four squares and three equal hexagons. — Hemming.
DIAMOND OF THE DESERT. Sir Walter Scott, in. one of those splendid tales of fiction which have immortalized his name, describes a small spot of verdure amidst an arid waste, which was figuratively denominated the Diamond of the Desert. Amongst Irishmen, too long estranged by political feuds and sectarian conten- tions, Freemasonry may be esteemed as the moral Dia- mond of the Desert, within whose hallowed precincts are united men of worth of every class, holding the most antagonistic principles — united by a mysterious and unrevealable bond — joined by a tie of brotherhood which tends to the subjugation of prejudice, the development of charity, and the masterdom of those absurd and irreli- gious antipathies, which array in hostility creatures ol the same God, for all of whom, without distinction, the great sacrifice of Calvary has been consummated. — CTtyan.
DIDACTICAL. The fourth section of the first lecture is called didactical or perceptive. The assertion is fully made out, that morality is the great subject with which Freemasonry is conversant. Hence it follows, that the virtuous Mason, after he has enlightened his own mind oy those sage and moral precepts, is the more ready to vmlighten and enlarge the understanding of others. — \Jf.mming.
DIFFERENCES. All differences or complaints that cannot be accommodated privately, or in some regular lodge, shall be reduced into writing and delivered to the Grand Secretary, who shall lay them before the Grand Master, or the proper board or committee appointed by the Grand Lodge. When all parties shall have been sum- luoaed to attend thereon, and the case shall have been investigated, such order and adjudication may be made as shall be authorised by the laws and regulations of Masonry. — Const it ut ions.
DIFFUSION. An ancient masonic tradition relates that our G. M. King Solo.non, struck with the universal
DIR— DIS. 487
harmony produced by the admirable arrangements which had been adopted amongst the workmen, conceived an idea of forming an universal bond of brotherly love, which should unite all nations in the pursuit of virtue and science. For this purpose, he admitted into his system those illustrious sages who visited Jerusalem from every part of the globe, and allowed them to participate in his mysteries. And hence, when they returned home they diffused Freemasonry over the whole face of the earth.
DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES. The Grand Direc- tor of Ceremonies is annually appointed by the Grand Master on the day of his installation. He must be a Master Mason, and punctually attend all the ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Grand Lodge.
DISCIPLINE. At the building of the temple the hours of labour and rest and refreshment were distinctly regulated, and enforced with such strictness that every brother who absented himself from his work, even for the shortest period, was punished by a heavy fine deducted from his wages, because he violated the unity of labour, by which a correct result could be alone accomplished. The precise hours of commencing work and calling oil to refreshment, were stipulated in their general contracts, and conducted by known signals and reports, and they were not allowed to exceed them by a single minute. This perfect system of discipline is worthy of imitation amongst the Masons of the present day, if they wish to attain the same excellence in the moral edifice which the Craft is intended to raise.
DISCLOSING. The means devised for promoting the welfare of Freei-iasonry are the secrecy, the language, and the government of the Lodge. Secrecy is wisely adopted to begin and continue Masonry, because it is necessary. If the lodge should work in public, who in a short time could be its members? Besides secrecy is, of itself, a virtue ; and is taught as such in the lodge, and taught effectually. Men should be able to keep their own secrets, and should never violate the confidence of ethers. Masonic secrecy is a mysterious thing, but &n
4:88 DIS.
indisputable fact. The most tattling man, if he be a Mason, keeps this one secret ; there is no risk of him. — Enrage, punish, expel — he never tells. Mad, drunk, or crazy— -he never tells. Does he talk in his sleep ? It is not ab« >ut Masonry. Bribe him in his wants, tempt him in his pleasures, threaten him or torture him, he is martyr here — but he never tells. — Blanchard.
DISCOVERY. At the building of the Second Tern pie, the foundations were first opened and cleared from the accumulation of rubbish, that a level site might be piocured for the commencement of the building. While engaged in excavations for this purpose, three fortunate sojourners are said to have discovered an avenue supported by seven pair of pillars, . perfect and entire, which from their situation had escaped the fury of the flames that had consumed the temple, and the desolation of war which had destroyed the city. This secret vault, which had been built by Solomon, as a secure depository for certain valuable secrets, that would have inevitably been lost without some such expedient for their preserva- tion, communicated by a subterranean passage with the king's palace ; but at the destruction of Jerusalem, the entrance having been closed by the rubbish of falling buildings, it had been now discovered by the appearance of a key-stone amongst the foundations of the Sanctum Sanctorum. A careful inspection was then made, and the invaluable secrets were placed in safe custody.
DISPENSATION. Is an instrument which legalizes un act or ceremony, such as opening a lodge without a warrant, forming a masonic procession, &c., which would be illegal without it. The power of granting dispensa- tions is very properly vested in the Grand and Provincial Grand Masters 01 their deputies, who are the best judges an what occasions it ought to be exercised.
DISPUTES. The candidate at his initiation was for- mally exhorted that he is never to invest himself with the badge of a Mason should there be any brother in the lodge with whom he is at variance, or against whom he entertains any animosity. In such case it is expected that ho will invite the brother to withdraw, in order that
DIS— DIU. 489
the difference between them may be amicably settled ; which, if happily effected, they are then at liberty to clothe themselves, and work with that love and harmony which ought always to characterize the Free and Accepted Mason. But if, unfortunately, the differences be of such a nature as cannot be so speedily adjusted, it were better that one or both should retire, than, by their presence, they should disturb the harmony of the lodge.
DISSOLVED LODGES. If the majority of any lodge should determine to quit the society, the constitu- tion, or power of assembling, remains with the rest of its members who adhere to their allegiance. If all the members of a lodge withdraw themselves, their consti- tution ceases and becomes extinct ; and all the authority thereby granted or enjoyed reverts to the Grand Lodge. — Constitutions.
DISTRESS. The sign of distress is said, in the book of Raziel, to be derived from the expulsion of Adam from the Garden of Eden. He communicated it, along with the divine mysteries he had learned there, to his son Loth ; Loth communicated them to Enoch ; Enoch to Methusalem ; Methusalem to Lamech ; Lamech to Noah ; Noah to Sem ; Sem to Abraham ; Abraham to Isaac ; Isaac to Jacob; Jacob to Levy; Levy to Kelhoth; Kelhoth to Amram ; Amram to Moses ; Moses to Joshua ; Joshua to the Elders ; the Elders to the Prophets ; the Prophets to the Wise Men ; and then from one to the other down to Solomon. The sign of distress is very little different from that of the Freemasons. — Rosenberg.
DIURNAL PROGRESS. The sun rises in the three stages of its diurnal progress, first in the east to open the day, and dispenses life and nourishment to the whole creation. This is well represented by the Worshipful Master, who is placed in the east to open the lodge, and who imparts light, knowledge, and instruction, to all under his direction. When it arrives at its greatest alti- tude in the south, where its beams are most piercing and the cool shade most refreshing, it is then also well rep- resented by the Junior Warden, who is placed in the south to observe its approach to meridian, and at the
DIV— DOC.
houi of noon to call the brethren from labour to refresh- ment. Still pursuing its course to the west, the sun at length closes the day, and lulls alJ nature to repose ; it is then fitly represented by the Senior Warden, who is placed in the west to close the lodge by command of the Worshipful Master, after having rendered to every onu the just reward of his labour, thus enabling them • enjoy that repose which is the genuine fruit of honest industry. — Hemming.
DIVINE LIGHTS. To the Tetragrammaton aloae no effect or action can be attributed, nor is it derived from any. Therefore, all except this venerable name are applied to other things in Holy Writ ; from which con- sideration, as almost every Cabalist assumes that the Divine Lights or Sephiroth are emanations of the First Cause, and appertaining to it, like flames to the fire, or rays to the sun ; or if the divinity of the Lord is infused into them, then by this mode the philosophers and Cabalists agree, since by giving this appellation to those lights, it is given to the First Cause, which is infused and shines in them. — Manasseh Ben Israel.
DIVISIONS. If the Master of a lodge allows a habit of debate to become prevalent amongst the brethren, and members, fond of displaying their rhetorical powers, meet with encouragement from the chair, it is an evil which carries ruin in its train; divisions disunite the brethren; parties are formed by a systematic canvass to carry improper motions into effect, and mutual distrust is the mildest consequence to be expected; for every division leaves a certain portion of the members discon- tented. In the warmth of debate, strong and objection- able phrases and reflections may be indiscreetly used, which leave a thorn rankling in the bosom of those afc whom they are levelled ; and in the end the minority are certain to relax in their attendance, if not to with- draw themselves altogether from an institution where their counsels are rejected, and their opinions treated with contempt.
DOCTRINES. The three degrees blend doctrine, morality, and science, tradition and history, into a urand
DOR— DOU. 491
and beautiful system, which, if studied with attention and practised with sincerity, will inspire a holy confi- dence that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the king of terrors beneath our feet, and lift our eyes to the bright Morning Star, whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient to the holy Word of God. There is, indeed, scarcely a point of duty or morality which man has been presumed to owe to God, his neighboui, or himself, under the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, or the Christian dispensations, which, in the con- struction of our symbolical system, has been untouched. The forms and ceremonies, secrets and landmarks, the types and allegories of Freemasonry, present copious subjects of investigation, which cannot be easily ex- hausted. The nature of the lodge, its form, dimensions, and support ; its ground, situation, and covering ; its ornaments, furniture, and jewels, all unite their aid to form a perfect code of moral and theological philosophy, which, while "it fascinates the understanding, improve* the mind, until it becomes polished like the perfect Ashlar, and can only be tried by the square of God's word, and the unerring compass of conscience.
DORIC. The Doric is the second of the five orders of architecture, and is that between the Tuscan and the Ionic. It is the most natural and best proportioned of all the orders ; all its parts being founded on the natural position of solid bodies.
DORMER. The dormer is the window that givea light to the entrance into the Sanctum Sanctorum.
DOUBLE CUBE. The heathen deities were many 01 them represented by a cubical stone. Pausanins informs us that a cube was the symbol of Mercury, because, like the cube, he represented Truth. In Arabia a black stone in the form of a double cube, was reputed to be possessed of many occult virtues. Apollo was sometimes wor- shipped under the symbol of a square stone, and it is recorded that when a fatal pestilence raged at Delphi, the oracle was consulted as to the means proper to be adopted for the purpose of arresting its progress, and it commanded that the cube should be doubled. This was
192 DOU— DRE.
understood by the priest to refer to the altar, which waa of a cubical form. They obeyed the injunction, increas- ing the altitude of the altar to its prescribed dimensions, like the pedestal in a Masons' lodge, and the pestilence ceased.
DOUBTS. It is a good rule in all doubtful matters to suspend our opinion at least till positive proof is obtained on which to found it. Until we have fully ascertained the real state of the case, let us always be willing to put the fairest construction it will admit ; and even to hope the best of a thing when appearances are against it. Where doubt hesitates, let candour prompt ; and where justice balances, let mercy prevail. Eveu where we find ourselves obliged to blame the principle* of a certain sect or party, let us not be so uncharitable as to confound all its adherents and followers under one general and indiscriminate censure. Especially let us not charge them with such consequences of their tenets as they disavow. — Harris.
DOVE. This bird was the diluvian messenger of peace, and hovered over the retreating waters like a celes- tial harbinger of safety. Thus a lunette floating on the surface of the ocean, attended by a dove with an olive branch in its mouth, and encircled by a rainbow, form a striking and expressive symbol which needs no explana- tion. If Freemasonry has allowed this bird to occupy a high situation amongst its hallowed symbols, the reasons for such an appropriation are fully competent to justify the proceeding. The dove was an agent at the creation, at the deluge, and at the baptism of Christ.
DRESS. At the revival in 1717, it was directed — and, that there might be no mistake about the matter, the canon was inserted by Anderson and Desaguliers in the earliest code of lectures known, — that the symbolical clothing of a Master Mason was — " skull-cap and jacket yellow, and nether garments blue." After the middle of the century, he was said to be "clothed in the old colours, viz., purple, crimson, and blue :" and the reason assigned for it was, " because they are royal, and such as the ancient kings arid princes used to wear;" and we arw
DUA— DUP. 493
Informed by sacred history that the veil of the Temple was composed of those colours ; and therefore they were considered peculiarly appropriate to a professor of a " royal art." The actual dress of a Master Mason was, however, a full suit of black, with white neckcloth, apron, gloves, and stockings ; the buckles being of silver, and the jewels being suspended from a white ribbon by way of collar. This disposition prevailed until the Union in L813, when it was ordered that in future the Grand Offi- cers should be distinguished by purple, the Grand Stew- ards by crimson, and the Master Mason by blue, thus reverting to " the old colours " of our ancient brethren.
DUAD. The duad, representing the number 2, an- swers to the geometrical line, which, consisting of length without breadth, is bounded by two extreme points. It signifies darkness, fortitude, harmony and justice, because of its equal parts, and the moon because she is forked.
DUPLICATION. The duplication of a cube is the finding the side of a cube that shall be double in solidity to a given cube, which is a famous problem cultivated by the geometricians two thousand years ago. It was first proposed by the oracle of Apollo at Delphos, which being consulted about the manner of stopping a plague then raging at Athens, returned for answer, that the plague should cease when Apollo's altar, which was cubi- cal, should be doubled. Upon this they applied them- selves in good earnest to seek the duplication of the cube, which was afterwards called the Delian problem. The problem is only to be solved by finding two mean pro- portionals between the side of the cube, and double that side ; the first whereof will be the side of the cube doubled, as was observed by Hippocrates Chrus. Leav- ing the consideration of the various methods which have been employed to accomplish the solution of this very important problem, it remains for me to add, that the solution of the cube's duplication constitutes the apex of the Temple ; and renders a parallelipipidon, contain- ing 16 linear units, equal to 15 linear units ; thus bring ing the number 16 or •"PCTS Messiah ; the great name Jah comprising the first two letters of the Tetragrammaton or ineffable name of Deity f^rr. — Tijhr.
494 DUT— EAV.
DUTY. Freemasonry requires you to be a good and loyal subject; true to your queen ; just to your country : peaceable, honest, industrious; temperate in all things, good members of society ; kind to your wives and fami- lies ; courteous to your friends and neighbours ; anxious to do good to all men ; to love the brotherhood, to fear God, to honour the queen ; and whilst you practise the weightier matters required by the law of justice, judg- ment, and equity, to forget not life eternal by Jesus Christ, the only sure foundation of all your hopes here, and of your eternal happiness hereafter. — Percy.
EAGLE. The eagle formed a constituent part of the cherubic symbol. It was referred to the prophet Daniel because he spake with angels, and received visions which relate to all time ; and to St. John, who in his gospel treats of Christ's divinity, and soars to heaven like an eagle, in the Book of Revelation.
EAR OF CORN. Some old Masons appear to think that the introduction of this symbol into Freemasonry was intended to perpetuate a remembrance of the tran- sit over the river Jordan by the armies of Israel, when they entered the land of Canaan for the first time, under the command of Joshua. This event, so important in the Jewish history, having taken place at the celebration of the passover, when the promised land was covered with fields of ripe corn, the "ear" was assumed a? a symbol of that plenty which gladdened their hearts after a period of forty years in the wilderness, where they had been fed with manna only, and eagerly longed for a change of food.
EAST. The pedestal, with the volume of the Sacred ^aw, is placed in the eastern part of the lodge, to signify that as the sun rises in the east to open and enliven the day, so is the W. M. placed in the east to open the lodge, and to employ and instruct the brethren in Ma- sonry.
EAVESDROPPER. In the lectures used at the revival of Masonry in 1717, the following punishment was inflicted on a cowan. "To be placed under the
EBA— EDI. 495
eaves of the house in rainy weather, till the water runs in at his shoulders and out at his shoes.'' The French rather extend this punishment. " On le met sous une goutiiere, une ponipe, ou une fontaine, jusqu'a ce qu'ii soit mouille depuis la tete jusqu'aux pieds." Hence a listener is called an eavesdropper.
EBAL. The following was introduced into the lectures of Masonry by our brethren of the last century. Moses commanded Israel that as soon as they had passed the Jordan, they should go to Schechem, and divide into two bodies, each composed of six tribes ; one placed on, that is adjacent to, Ebal ; the other on, that is adjacent to, Gemini. The six tribes on or at Gerizim, were to pro- nounce blessings on those who should faithfully observe the law ; and the six on Mount Ebal were to pronounce curses against those who should violate it. This Joshua executed. Moses enjoined them to erect an altar of unhewn stones on Mount Ebal, and to plaster them over that the law might be written on the altar. — Calmct.
EDEN. When God created the first man he placed him in the Garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it. Horticulture or gardening is the first kind of employ- ment on record, arid that in which man was engaged while in a state of perfection and innocence. Though the garden may be supposed to produce all things spon- taneously, as the whole vegetable surface of the earth certainly did at the creation, yet dressing and tilling were afterwards necessary to maintain the different kinds of plants and vegetables in their perfection, and to repress luxuriance. Even in a state of innocence we cannot conceive it possible that man could have been happy if inactive. God gave him work to do, and his employment contributed to his happiness ; for the structure of hia body, as well as of his mind, plainly proves that he was never intended for a merely contemplative life. — Adam Clarke.
EDICT OF CYRUS. No sooner was the prescribed term of the Israelitish captivity completed, than the Babylonian monarchs were expelled, according to the voice of prophecy ; and, the anger of the Lord appeased,
496 ELE
lie stirred up the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia and Babylon, by communicating to him the Great Secret, to issue a proclamation for the building of the Temple. The people were liberated, the holy utensils restored to the number of five thousand four hundred, which had escaped destruction ; and the tribes who consented to return, under their respective princes and chieftains, were led triumphantly into the promised land by Zerubbabel, the prince, Jeshua the priest, and Haggai the prophet.
ELECTING OFFICERS. In most lodges the election of officers takes place upon, or near to, St. John's Day, when either new officers are chosen, or the old ones are re-elected. He who aspires to fill any of the chief offices of the lodge must not only possess the necessary masonic knowledge to enable him to assist in carrying on the lodge work with order and harmony, but he must be a man whose general knowledge, skill, and experience, has gained him the esteem and confidence of his brethren ; rank, titles or riches should never be taken into account, unless the possessor is also endowed with the former qualifications ; nor, on the other hand, should any brother be elected whose situation in life would not allow him to devote the necessary time to the duties of the lodge without injury to himself, his family, or connections. Should the election have fallen upon any brother who feels himself unable to perform the important duties which would devolve upon him, it is his duty immediately to decline the proffered honour. The welfare of the lodge should be his sole object, and if he feels that he is not able to promote that object so well as he ought to do as an officer, it is much more creditable to him to continue to do his utmost as a private member.
ELECTION. Every lodge shall annually elect it Master and Treasurer by ballot, such Master having been regularly appointed, and having served as Warden of a warranted lodge ; and at the ne> t meeting after his election, when the minutes are confirmed, he shall be installed into the chair according to ancient usage ; after which he is to appoint his Wardens and other officers. — Constitutions.
ELE— END. 497
ELEMENTS. The three elements, water, fire, and air, signify three F. Cs., which conduct us, and are so necessary for our preservation, that our life is at an end the moment they quit the body. Diseases are generally caused by a revolution in these elements. The force o* one being increased appears to destroy the body. If the element of fire becomes unnaturally strong, it causes inflammation and fever. If it be the element of watei which increases in strength, other diseases, equally dan gerous, are brought on. When death takes place, the three elements are again represented by the burning taper, the basin of water, and towels, which are generally placed beside a dead body, and which also represent the three wicked F. Cs., who have destroyed their master. — Rosenberg.
EMBLEMS. Freemasonry being confessedly an alle- gorical system, all its points, parts, and secrets, must partake in common of its emblematical constiuction. Every doctrine and ceremony has its mystical reference — every landmark its legitimate explanation. But there are often more important antitypes than those which are commonly assigned ; and though they do not appear on the surface, are nevertheless worthy of our most serious consideration. Hence arises the necessity in these times of scientific and philosophical research, of maintaining Freemasonry in its proper rank, by investigating the tendency of its numerous details, that we may correctly ascertain whether their import be uniform, and their typical reference valuable.
EMERGENCY. A lodge of emergency may, at any time, be called by the authority of the Master, or, in bis absence, by the senior Warden, but on no pretence without such authority first given. The particular reason of calling a lodge of emergency shall be expressed in the summons, and afterwards recorded in the minutes ; and no business but that so expressed shall be entered uposi at such meeting. — Constitutions.
ENDLESS SERPENT. The serpent was symbolical of the divine wisdom, power, and creative energy ; and of immortality and regeneration, from the shedding of '
493 ENJ— ENS.
his skin ; and of eternity, when in the act of biting his own tail. Besides these various symbolizations, we are informed that the Egyptians represented the world by a circle intersected by two diameters perpendicular to each other. — Dean.
ENJOYMENT. Freemasons are allowed the privilege »f enjoying themselves with innocent mirth, treating one another according to ability, but avoiding all excess, or forcing any brother to eat or drink beyond his inclina- tion, or hindering him from going when his occasions call him, or doing or saying anything offensive, or that may forbid an easy and free conversation ; for that wrould blast our harmony, and defeat our laudable purposes. — Ancient Charges.
ENOCH. The degeneracy of mankind became so great before the flood, and their perversions of pure antediluvian Masonry so grievous, that, according to our traditions, Enoch feared the genuine secrets would be lost, and swallowed up in the predicted deluge. To prevent which, he hid the grand secret, engraven on a white oriental porphyry stone, in the bowrels of the earth ; and being apprehensive that the morality and science which had been embodied in Freemasonry with such care would be absorbed in the general destruction, to preserve the principles of the science, he built two pillars near the spot where they were concealed, with an inscription hi hieroglyphics, importing that near it was a precious treasure, which had been dedicated to God.
ENSIGNS. On this subject we might refer to the Talmudists, who have gone so far as to define the colours and the figures or arms of the very ensigns. They say, on that of Judah, a lion was painted with this inscription . — " Rise, Lord, let thine enemies be dispersed, and let those that hate thee flee before thee." They gave to Issachar an ass, to Zebulun a ship, to Reuben a river (others give Reuben the figure of a man) ; to Simeon a sword, to Gad a lion, to Ephraim an unicorn ; an ox to Manasseh, a wolf to Benjamin, and a serpent to Dan, though the others give him an eagle. In short they pretended that the ensign of Asher was a handful of corn. *nd that of Napthali a stag. — Adwn Cfarkr.
ENT— EQU. 499
ENTERED APPRENTICE. Our brethren of the eighteenth century seldom advanced beyond the first degree ; few were passed, and fewer still were raised to the third. The Master's degree appears to have been much less comprehensive than at present; and for some years after the revival of Masonry, the third degree was unapproachable to those who lived at a distance frou London; for by the laws of the Grand Lodge it wu ordered, that "Apprentices must be admitted Fellowcrafts and Masters only here (in Grand Lodge), unless by a dispensation from the Grand Master."
ENTERING. The lodge when revealed to an entering Mason, discovers to him the representation of the world ; in which, from the wonders of nature, we are led to contemplate the Great Original, and worship him for his mighty works; and we are thereby also moved to exercise those moral and social virtues which become mankind as the servants of the Great Architect of the world, in whose image we were formed in the beginning. — Hutchimon.
ENTRANCE. In America, " after the lodge has been regularly opened in the third degree, the work is intro- duced on the entrance of the candidate by the reading of that beautiful and exquisitely touching portion of the penitential hymn of King Solomon, called the Ecclesiastes (xii. 1 — 7). Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, &c. In the course of the ceremony there is a prayer of deep devotion and pathos composed from some of the most sublime and affecting passages of that splendid sacred drama of Araby, the Book of Job. This prayer includes a portion of the funeral service of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is full of tenderness and beauty." — Stone.
ENVY. None shall discover envy at the prosperity of a brother, nor supplant him, or put him out of his work, if he be capable to finish the same, for no man can finish another's work so much to the lord's profit, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the designs and draughts of him that began it. — Ancient Charges.
EQUALITY. lu no society is this more practised
500 EQU— ESS.
than in the Order of Freemasons, for we are all bretlnen, and it is said that amongst biethren there must be the most perfect equality. But this word may be misunder- stood: we are not all equal in the lodge, inasmuch as some are appointed to rule and govern, so it is the duty of others cheerfully and promptly to obey, and all are equally eligible to be elected to those offices, having first duly performed our duties as private members, and thus enabled to fill them with credit to ourselves and satis- faction to the Craft. We are not all equal by creation with respect to our mental faculties, and more especially we are not all equal in the labour which we have, 01 ought to have, bestowed upon cultivating those mental faculties to the utmost possible extent. But we ought all of us to be equally zealous in the discharge of our duties as men and Masons, and should all prove ourselves to be perfectly equal in the zeal of our fraternal affection to each other. To be equal to each other in brotherly love, is the principal thing which ought to be understood in our equality. We dare not for one moment lose sight of the rank or station which each individual brother tills in society, yet there may be at the same time a perfect equality amongst men of the most opposite social ranks in the desire to promote every useful work; and this equality will produce the most beneficial effect upon the human heart. Any Mason who would dare to attempt, among the brethren, to claim the precedence which his conventional position in society may give him, would disgrace the philosophy of the Order, and by so doing lay a sacrilegious hand upon that sacred bond by which we are indissolubly united to each other. — Gadicke.
EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE. In an old code of lectures I find the following explanation of this figure. An equilateral triangle is perfect friendship. The base of a triangle may be as a duty, the perpendicular aa the sincerity of performance, the hypothenuse as the advantage arising from the performance. If the duty of sincerity flow equally, the advantage will flow equally.
ESSENES. Amongst the Jews in Judea an 1 in Syria; some centuries both before and after the birth of Christ,
ESS— EST. 501
it is well known that there were three distinct sects — Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. This third was the oldest sect, and they were now and then called Thera- peutics. The Essenes laudably distinguished themselves in many respects from the other two sects, inasmuch as they were less numerous, and proceeded on their way peaceably, noiselessly, and without ostentation, or forcible attempts at proselytism ; for which reason they were much less known than the other sects. Fidelity to their princes or rulers, lawful order, adherence unto truth, virtue, sobriety, humility, and strict secrecy, were the chief principles of their code of action.. To the punctual performance of those and other similar duties, viz., the strictest maintenance of the secrets of their society ; of justice and of humanity every one pledged himself when he was admitted a member, by a most solemn oath. It was only by being of mature age, and going through a three years' probation, during which they were obliged to lead a temperate, chaste, moral, virtuous, and, in many respects, a severely self-mortified life, that they were enabled to gain admission into the Order, when they received a white dress or apron and a small hatchet (dolabella), as the signs of their admission. — Gadicke.
ESSENTIAL SECRETS. The essential secrets of Masonry consist of nothing more than the signs, grips, passwords, and tokens, essential to the preservation of the society from the inroads of impostors ; together with certain symbolical emblems, the technical terms apper- taining to which served as a sort of universal language, by which the members of the Fraternity could distinguish each other, in all places and countries where lodges were instituted. — Stone.
ESTABLISHED. Solomon erected his pillars in thb porch of the temple, which he designed should be a memorial to the Jews as they entered the holy place, to warm their minds with confidence and faith, by this record of the promises made by the Lord unto his father David, and which were repeated unto him in a vision, in which the voice of God proclaimed (1 Kings, ix. 5), "I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel foi ever." — Hutchinson.
502 SST— EX A.
ESTABLISHED RELIGION. A cheerful compliance with the established religion of the country in which they live, is earnestly recommended in the assemblies of Masons ; and this universal conformity, notwithstanding private sentiment and opinion, is the art practised by them, which effects the laudable purpose of conciliating true friendship among men of every persuasion, while it proves the cement of general union. — Preston.
EUCLID. An old MS. on Masonry says, " Euclid was the pupil of Abraham, and in his time the river Nile overflowed so far^ that many of the dwellings of the people of Egypt were destroyed. Euclid instructed them in the art of making mighty walls and ditches, to stop the progress of the water; and by geometry, measured out the land, and divided it into partitions, so that each man might ascertain his own property." The MS. is incorrect in making Euclid contemporary with Abraham ; but it truly adds that he gave to Masonry th* name of Geometry.
EVIDENCES. It is not to be presumed that we are a set of men professing religious principles contrary to the revelations and doctrines of the Son of God, reverenc- ing a deity by the denomination of the God of Nature, and denying that mediation which is graciously offered to all true believers. The members of our society at this day, in the third stage of Masonry, confess themselves to be Christians. The veil of the temple is rent, the builder is smitten, and we are raised from the tomb of transgres- sion. Our authorized lectures furnish us such a series of evidences in support of this opinion, as can scarcely be found in the details of any other human institution ; for Freemasonry, as now practised, is a speculative, and not an operative institution, although it is admitted that both these might be blended in ancient times. The evidences of the above fact run through the entire system, and are equally conspicuous in every degree. — Hutchimon.
EXALTED. This word applies to the ceremony and the position to which the candidate is elevated when he receives the degree of the Koyal Arch ; for it is declared to be indescribably more august, sublime, and important
EXA— EXE. 503
than all which precede it, and is the summit and perfection of ancient Masonry.
EXAMINATION. If a stranger apply to you in tho character of a Mason, you are cautiously to examine him in such a method as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be imposed upon by an ignorant false pretender whom you are to reject with contempt and derision, an beware of giving him any hints of knowledge. But if you discover him to be a true and genuine brother, you are to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or elso direct him how he may be relieved. — Ancient Charges.
EXAMPLE. Nothing is more apt to attract the eyes and enliven the countenanee than light, especially that which shines in a dark place; so nothing can more excite che observation, engage the attention, or gladden the nearts of beholders, than a fair, bright, excellent charac- ter, appearing in the midst of a dissolute and corrupt generation. And as all luminous bodies, in proportion to their own brightness, diffuse their light around them, and at a distance enlighten other bodies ; so in a moral and religious sense, a good example is a light shining in darkness, spreading its influence every way, diffusing instruction and knowledge — motives to reform, and en- couragement to virtue. — Harris.
EXCLUSION. No lodge shall exclude any member without giving him due notice of the charge preferred against him, and of the time appointed for its considera- tion. The name of every brother excluded, together with the cause of his exclusion, shall be sent to the Grand Secretary; and if a country lodge, also to the Provincial Grand Master, or his deputy. — Constitutions.
EXEMPTION. The Masons who were selected to build the temple of Solomon, were declared free, and were exempted, together with their descendants, from imposts, duties and taxes. They had also the privilege to bear arms. At the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, the posterity of these Masons were car ried into the captivity with the ancient Jews. But the
50'
good will of Cyrus gave them permission to erest a second temple, having set them at liberty for that pur- pose. It is from this epoch that we bear the name of Free and Accepted Masons.— York Lectures.
EXPENSES. The whole expense of building the Temple of Solomon was so prodigious, as gives reason to think that the talents whereby the sum is reckoned, were another sort if talents of a far less value than the Mosaic talents: for what is said to be given by Davids and contributed by the princes toward the building of the temple at Jerusalem, if valued by these talents, exceeded the value of 800,000,000^. of our money, which was enough to have built all that temple of solid silver.— Prideaux.
EXPERIENCE. The process of a Mason's experience is gradual, from the rough stone in the north east angle of the lodge, to the perfect aspirant, standing on the five points of fellowship. His progress, however, can only be matured by serious reflection and mental assiduity, without which he will never understand the typical refer- ences contained in the degrees he has received, or their tendency to dignify his nature, and make him a wiser and a better man. Still these steps, sublime though they be, are only preparatory to something infinitely more striking, and more directly applicable to the great dispensation on which all our hopes of happiness, both in this world and a better, are suspended. Red Masonry displays the direct prophecies of the Messiah, the star of Jacob, Shiloh, the corner-stone, Moses at the bush, &c In Military Masonry, all these prophecies are fulfilled, and the Christian system clearly developed; while in the Rose Croix, it is displayed in all its comely and per- fect proportions.
EXPULSION. A Mason offending against any law or regulation of the Craft, to the breach of which no specific- penalty is attached, shall, at the discretion of the Grand Lodge, or any of its delegated authorities, or of a Pro- vincial Grand Master, be subject to admonition, fine, or suspension. If fine be the punishment awarded, it shall be, for the first offence, not less than one pound, noi more than five pounds ; for a second offence of a similai
EXT— EYE. 505
nature, within three years, it shall be not less than two nor more than ten pounds ; and if a brother shall refuse to pay the fine, or be guilty of a third offence within three years of the second offence, he shall be expelled from the Craft. — Constitutions.
EXTENT. A Mason's Lodge is said to extend from East to West, in breadth between North and South, in depth from the surface to the center of the earth, and even as high as the heavens, to show the universality of the science, and that a Mason's charity should know no bounds save those of prudence. — Hemming.
EXTERNAL. The external preparation oi a candi- date, which takes place in a convenient room adjoining the lodge, is too well known to need explanation ; and if not, it is a landmark which cannot be inserted here.
EYE. The Eye of God is in every place, for the purpose of taking a strict and impartial cognizance of all human actions. This expressive emblem will remind you that the Deity is watching over all mankind, and will weigh in the balance of truth, every action, thought, and word.
EYE OF PROVIDENCE. A symbol of the W. M. As the eye of the Great Architect of heaven and earth is incessantly upon all his works, so should the eye of the W. M. be upon every thing which passes in his lodge. — Gadicke.
EYESIGHT. He who has been temporarily deprived of his. sight is reduced to the condition of a new born babe, or of one of those unfortunate individuals whose natural infirmity renders the presence of a conductoi indispensably necessary ; but when there are no outward objects to distract his attention, it is then that with the eye of reflection he probes into the deepest and darkest recesses of his own heart, and discovers his natural im- perfections and impurities much more readily than he could possibly have done had he not been deprived of his sight. This short deprivation of sight has kindled in his heart a spark of the brightest and the purest flame
506 EZR— FAI.
" The people which sat in darkness saw a great light," (Mat. iv. 16). We must further admit that those who have been deprived of their sight, and who have hopes of being restored to it, strive most industriously and dili- gently to obtain it ; that they have no greater desire, and that they will most readily pledge themselves to do all that can be required of them, in order to obtain that inestimable blessing.
A man who has been deprived of his sight may be introduced into places where he is surrounded by the strangest and the rarest objects, without a possibility of his becoming a traitor. At the same time, those who are in possession of their sight cannot feel the care ol their guides so much as those who are hoodwinked, and who feel that without the constant attention of their conductors, they would be much more helpless than they now are ; but however many proofs of attention and care they may receive, there is still something left *to wish for ; and to the question, What is your chief desire, the answer will ever assuredly be, "Light" — Gadickc.
EZRA. Ezra, or Esdras, the famous Jewish high priest and reformer, was of a sacerdotal family, by some thought to be the son of Jeraiah, the high priest, who was put to death at Riblatha by Nebuchadnezzar, after the capture of Jerusalem ; but as Calmet thinks only his grandson or great-grandson. It is believed that the first return of Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem, was with Zerubbabel, in the beginning of Cyrus's reign, A. M. 3468, of which he himself wrrote the history. He was very skilful in the law, and zealous for God's service ; and had doubtless a great share in all the transactions of his time. — Calmet.
FAITH. Faith is the foundation of justice, the bond of amity, and chief support of society ; we live and walk by faith ; by it we have an acknowledgment of a superior being, have access to the throne of grace, are justified, accepted, and finally received. A true Christian faith is the evidence of things not seen, the substance of things hoped for ; this maintained, and well answered by walk- ing according to our masonic profession, will turn faith into a vision, and bring us to that blessed mansion above, where the just exist in perfect bliss to all eternity ; where
FAB— FAN. 507
we shall bo eternally happy with God, the grand gt-»me- trician of the universe, whose Son died for us, and r jse again that we might be justified through faith in his most precious blood. — Lectures.
FABRIC. The masonic system exhibits a stupendous and beautiful fabric, founded on universal piety. To rule and direct our passions, to have faith and hope in Gods and charity towards man, I consider as the objects of what is termed speculative Masonry. — Jones.
FALL OF MAN. When our first parents transgressed by eating the forbidden fruit, they saw what they had never seen before, that they were stripped of their excel- lence ; that they had lost their innocence ; and that they had fallen into a state of indigence and danger. They were expelled from the garden of Eden, the ground was cursed for their sakes, and they were condemned to eat their bread by the sweat of their brow. Out of this melancholy defection from purity and peace, a portion of the Royal Arch Degree has been constructed.
FALL OF WATER. There is a certain emblem in the degree of a Fellowcraft which is said to derive its origin from the waters of Jordan, which were held up while the Israelites passed over, and which would natur- ally fall with great violence when the whole host ha reached the opposite shore.
FANATICISM. Fanaticism, or a fanatic, dare not be permitted among Freemasons. We should unanimously strive to obtain that object for which the rules of the Order so powerfully work, and thus there can be no disputes or persecutions among us for diversity of opinion. Every Freemason prays to God in the way his religion teaches him, and he is encouraged so to do in the lodge. If we did not allow the wild dreams of imagination, or the still wilder ones of superstition, to have any effect upon our ideas of God and of godly things, all persecu- tion for difference of religious opinions would fall oi themselves. Of fanaticism of whole lodges against each other for a difference in their rituals and systems, there were formerly too many traces ; but they have happily
508 FEA— FEE.
for many years entirely ceased. Religious fanaticism cannot have any place in a Freemasons' lodge, for the members of every sect of the Christian Church have an equal right in the Order. If a Roman Catholic is at the head of the lodge to-day, and a Lutheran or a member of the Reformed Church to-morrow, it is scarcely remarked by the brethren. — Gadicke.
FEAR GOD, HONOUR THE KING. It is the inval- uable distinction of this free country, that such a just and unrestrained intercourse of opinions exist, as will not permit any number of men to frequent any dangerous 01 disguised society ; and that it is impossible any profligate doctrines could be tolerated for a moment in a lodge meeting under regular authority, because its foundation stone is, fear God, honour the king. — Earl of Moira.
FEASTS. At regular and appropriate seasons, con- vivial meetings of the Craft are held for the purpose of social intercourse. Temperance, harmony, and joy should always characterize these assemblies. On the continent and in the United States, an annual feast is held on the anniversary of St. John the Baptist, June 24. That every one may strive to give mirth and happiness to his brother, the Grand Lodge of England, at the quar- terly meeting on the festival of St John the Evangelist, in 1720, adopted the following regulation: "That, in future, the new Grand Master should be named and proposed to the Grand Lodge some time before the feast ; and if approved, and present, he shall be saluted as Grand Master elect."
FEELING. Feeling is that sense by which we are enabled to distinguish the different qualities of bodies, such as hardness and softness, heat and cold, roughnes and smoothness, figure, solidity, motion, and extension; all of which, by means of corresponding sensations oi touch, are presented to the mind as real external quali- ties, and the conception or De'ief of them invariably connected with these corresponding sensations by an original principle of nature, which far transcends oni inquiry. — Old Lectures.
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FEES. No lodge shall make a Mason for a less consid- eration than three guineas, exclusive of the registering fee, nor on any pretence remit or defer the payment of any part of this sum; the member who proposes any candidate must be responsible to the lodge for all the fees payable on account of his initiation. All monies payable for register fees, certificates, or quarterage, shall be deposited in the hands of the Master, to be kep distinct from the funds of the lodge ; and shall be remitted with proper lists, at least once a year if in the country, and twice a year if in London. — Constitutions.
FEES OF HONOUR. Every brother on his appoint- ment or reappointment to either of the following offices, shall pay these sums : — The Deputy Grand Master, having served the office of Steward, ten guineas, if not, thirty guineas ; the Grand Wardens eight guineas each ; Grand Treasurer five guineas ; Grand Registrar, Secretary, and Deacons, three guineas each; Grand Director of Cere- monies, Superintendent of Works, and Sword Bearer, two guineas each ; a Provincial Grand Master twenty guineas, and if he have not served the office of Grand Steward, twenty guineas more; and a Deputy Provin- cial Grand Master pays two guineas for registering his name in the books of the Grand Lodge.
FELLOWCRAFT. The second, or Fellowcraft's de- gree, is rendered interesting by those scientific instruc- tions and philosophical lectures which characterize later parts of the mysteries ; though both of these degrees were made to tend to the glory of that God who had given such wonderful faculties to them, and to the welfare of their fellow-creatures. — Archdeacon Mant.
FEMALES. The only reason why ladies cannot be present in an open lodge of Freemasons, is that their mysteries, being symbolical of labour as performed by man, could not in that case be shared by women ; no honest-hearted man could for a moment believe thai in mind she was inferior ; if a man existed who thought so, let him ask from whom he first imbibed lessons of piety, virtue, and honour. But if ladies could not share our labour of work, there was no reason why they should noi enjoy our labour of love. — Cruccfix. 43
510 FES— FIE.
FESTIVALS. The two festivals set apart by Masons of the United States are those of St. John the Baptist, June 24, and St. John the Evangelist, December 27. The annual festival of the Masons of England is celebrated on the Wednesday following St. George's day, April 23, he being their patron saint. The Grand Lodge of Scot- land, for a similar reason, celebrate St. Andrew's day, November 30.
FIDELITY. Joining the right hands is a pledge of fidelity ; for Valerius Maxemus tells us that the ancients had a moral deity whom they called Fides, a goddess of honesty or fidelity, and adds, when they promised any- thing of old, they gave their hand upon it, as we do now, and therefore she is represented as giving her hand, and sometimes as only two hands conjoined. Chartarius more fully describes this by observing that the proper residence of faith or fidelity was thought by the ancients to be in the right hand. — Calcott.
FIDUCIAL. The fiducial sign shows us if we pros- trate ourselves with our face to the earth, we thus throw ourselves on the mercy of our Creator and Judge, looking forward with humble confidence to his holy promises, by which alone we hope to pass through the Ark of our redemption into the mansion of eternal bliss and glory to the presence of Him who is the great I Am, the Alpha ind Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First ind the Last.
FIERY CLOUD. This pillar, or column, which appeared as a cloud by day and a fire by night, was a symbol of the divine presence. This was the Shekinah, or divine dwelling place, and was a continual proof of the presence and protection of God. Whether there was more than one pillar is not clearly determined by the text. If there was but one, it certainly assumed three different appearances, for the performance of three very important offices. 1. In the day time for the purpose of pointing out the way, a column or pillar of a cloud was all that was requisite. 2. At night, to prevent that confusion wh'ch must otherwise have taken place, the pillar of cloud became a pillar of fire, not to direct their
FIN— FIR. 51]
journeyings, for they seldom travelled by night, but tc give light to every part of the Israelitish camp. 3. In such a scorching, barren, thirsty desert, something further was necessary tiian a light and guide. It appears that this cloud had two sides, one dark, and the other luminous. The luminous side gave light to the whole camp of Israel during the night of passage ; and the dark side turned towards the pursuing Egyptians, and pre- vented them from receiving any benefit from the light. — Adam Clarke.
FINES. A lodge which has been convicted of any breach of masonic law, shall, at the discretion of the Grand Lodge, be subject, for the first offence, to a fine of riot less than one pound nor more than five pounds ; for a second offence of a similar nature, within three years, it shall be not less than two nor more than ten pounds ; and if the lodge shall refuse to pay the fine, or be guilty of a third offence within three years of the second offence, the lodge shall be erased and its constitu- tion forfeited. All fines levied shall be applied to the general charity — Constitutions.
FIRE. Fire and light were the uniform tokens of th • appearances of the Deity. Sometimes shining with a mild and gentle radiance, like the inferior luminaries of a Masons' lodge, and at others flaming fiercely amidst clouds and darkness, thunderings and noise. To Adam he manifested himself in the Shekinah, which kept the gates of Paradise; to Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, the Deity appeared in a flame of fire. Nor were the appearances changed when he visited Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. T«. Moses in the bush, arid to the Israelites in the wilderness fire was his constant symbol.
FIRST DEGREE. In this lecture virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours, and the beauties 01 morality are strictly enforced. Here we are taught such wise and useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of knowledge and philosophy; and these are imprinted on the memory b} lively and sensible images, well calculated to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the duties of lilt;.
512 FIR— F1V.
The whole is a regular system of morality, conceived in a strain of interesting allegory, which readily unfolds its beauties to the candid and industrious inquirer. — Preston.
FIRST PARENTS. The first parents of mankind were instructed by the Almighty, as to his existence and attributes, and after their fall were further informed ot the redemption which was to be perfected by Christ, and, as a sign of their belief, were commanded to offer sacrifices to God. It is also highly probable that sym- bolical actions should have been instituted by them in memory of their penitence, reverence, sympathy, fatigue, and faith, and that these might be transmitted to pos- terity.— Archdeacon Muni.
FIRST PRINCIPLES. In the formation of all human societies, there are first principles, which constitute the basis of union. This holds true in all cases. If, there- fore, we desire to arrive at simple matters of fact, and form a correct judgment, as it regards the soundness of those fundamental principles, adapted as the basis of such union, or the true objects contemplated in the organization of any society, this is the time when truth appears with the least incumbrance, and the motive of action is seen under the least disguise. In most cases where moral, benevolent, or humane establishments have been formed, these two points are clearly developed. — Town.
FIVE. We say that a regular lodge consists of seven Masters, and also of five. The last number is derived from the five senses, inasmuch as the persons who are united to form a lodge should be as perfect as a whole, and work together with as much unanimity as a single man, who is endowed with five healthy senses. — Gadicke.
FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP. The five points of fellowship were thus illustrated in the lectures used by the Athol Masons of the last century: — "When the necessities of a brother call for my support, I will be ever ready to lend him a helping hand to save him from sinking if I find him worthy thereof. 2. Indolence shall not cause my footsteps to halt, nor wrath to turn them
FIX— FLO. 513
aside, but forgetting every selfish consideration, I will be ever swift of foot to save, help, and execute benevo- lence to a fellow-creature in distress, but more particu- larly to a brother Mason. 3. When I offer up my ejaculations to Almighty God, I will remember my brother's welfare, even as my own; for as the voice of babes and sucklings ascend to the throne of grace, so most assuredly will the breathings of a fervent heart ascend to the mansions of bliss. 4. A brother's secret, delivered to me as such, I will keep as 1 would my own, because, if I betray the trust which has been reposed in me, I might do him an irreparable injury; it would be like the villainy of an assassin, who lurks in darkness to stab his adversary when unarmed and least prepared to meet an enemy. 5. A brother's character 1 will support in his absence, as I would in his presence. I will nor revile him myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, il it is in my power to prevent it. Thus by the five point? of fellowship, we are linked together in one indivisible chain of sincere affection, brotherly love, relief, ana truth."
FIXED LIGHTS. The fixed lights of a lodge were formerly represented by " three windows, supposed to be in every room where a lodge is held ; referring to the cardinal points of the compass, according to the antique rules of Masonry." There was one in the east, another in the west, and another in the south, to light the m^n to, at, and from labour ; but there was none in the north,$ because the sun darts no rays from thence. These con- stitute the symbolical situations of the three chief officers.
FLOATS. At the building of the temple, everything was prepared with the greatest nicety, the stones were all hewn in the quarries, and there squared, fashioned marked and numbered ; and the timber being cut in the forests, was there framed, carved, marked and numbered also; so that when brought to Jerusalem, there was nothing left to be done but the arrangement of its differ- ent parts. The materials being thus prepared, were car- ried on floats down to Joppa, and thence conveyed to Jerusalem on carriages of curious mechanism provided foi
514 FLO— FOR.
the purpose, there to be put together according to the plan of the architect. — Archdeacon Mant.
FLOOR. In a symbolical lodge of Blue Masons, the first object which deserves attention is the mosaic floor on which we tread; it is intended to convey to our minds the viscissitudes of human affairs, chequered with a strange contrariety of events. To-day elated with the smiles of prosperity, to-morrow depressed by the frowns of misfortune. The precariousness of our situation in this world should teach us punctuality, to walk uprightly and firmly upon the broad basis of virtue and religion, and to give assistance to our unfortunate fellow-creatures who are in distress; lest, on some capricious turn of for- tune's wheel, we may become dependent on those who before looked up to us as their benefactors. — Dale/to.
FLOOR-CLOTH. In former times, it was not custom- ary to use a floor-cloth, but the necessary figures were drawn upon the floor with chalk or charcoal, which, when done with, were washed off, This custom was in use here and there till about 1760. Many lodges now use solid bodies for their floor-cloths, and not paintings. Every good Mason knows what they represent, and what i floor-cloth is. The border by which it is surrounded is
FOOT. Indolence should not persuade the foot to halt, or wrath to turn our steps out of the way ; but for- getting injuries and selfish feelings, and remembering that man was born for the aid of his generation, and not for his DWII enjoyments only, but to do that which is good; we hould be swift to have mercy, to save, to strengthen, and execute benevolence. — Old Lectures.
FOREIGN BRETHREN. Brethren under the cori- titution of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, as well as of foreign grand lodges, may be relieved by the Fund of Benevolence, on the production of certificates from their respective grand lodges, and satisfactory proof of their identity and distress. — Constitutions.
FORM. The form of the lodge should be au oblong
FOR. 515
square (,' !,) should reach from east to west, and from north to south ; up to the clouds aud to the centre of the earth. The limits of its influence are not formed by four straight lines, or by two squares placed opposite to each other, but are extended to the utmost bounds of the habitable globe. The 1 their workplaces the form of a long square. But if the brethren are assembled in a long square, let them lift up their spirits to the contemplation of the Most High, admire him in the wonders of nature, and extend, as far as in them lies, good and perfect gifts into every clime. — Gadicke.
FORTITUDE. By fortitude we are taught to resist temptation, and encounter danger with spirit and resolu- tion. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice; and he who possesses it, is seldom shaken, and never overthrown, by the storms that surround him.
FORTY. The two perfect numbers, four and ten, being multiplied into each other, produce the number forty, which was also sacred, and bore a reference to the number seven. Thus the probation of our first parents in the garden of Eden, as is generally supposed was forty years ; the deluge was occasioned by a rain of forty days and nights, of which event Noah had seven days notice ; and the waters remained upon the face of the earth forty days. The days of embalming the dead were forty, and of mourning seventy. The concealment of Moses in the land of Midian was forty years, and he was on the mount forty days and nights. Jesus Christ fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness, to prepare for his ministry ; and was tempted of the devil forty days ; and the same term elapsed between his resurrection and ascension.
FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM. As this figure de pends on the connexion of several lines, angles and tri angles, which form the whole, so Freemasonry depends on the unanimity and integrity of its members, the inflexi- bility of their charitable pursuits, and the immutability of the principles upon which the society is established The position is clear, and therefore in a synthetical sense, we demonstrate that some of our brethren from their
516 FOU.
exalted situation -in life, may be considered as standing on the basis of earthly bliss, emblematic of the greatei square which subtends the right angle. Others whom Providence hath blessed with means to tread on the flowery meads of affluence, are descriptive of the squares which stand on the sides that form the right angle. The several triangles inscribed within the squares are applica- ble to those happy beings who enjoy every social comfort, and never exceed the bounds of mediocrity. Those who have the heartfelt satisfaction of administering to the wants of the indigent and industrious, may be compared to the angles which surround and support the figure ; whilst the lines which form it, remind us of those unfortunate brethren who, by a series of inevitable events, are in- capable of providing the common necessaries of life, until aided by a cheerful and ready assistance. — Old Lectures.
FOUNDATION. The masonic days proper for laying the foundation-stone of a Masons' lodge, are from the 15th of April to the 15th of May ; and the 18th of April has been pronounced peculiarly auspicious, because nothing can be more consonant with reason and proprie- ty, than to commence a building in the early spring, that the workmen may have the whole summer before them to complete the undertaking advantageously, in order that they may celebrate the cape stone with confidence and joy.
FOUR. The number four was frequently blended and mixed up with the number seven, and was esteemed to possess similar properties. It signified universality among the Cabalists and Pythagoreans, and formed the holy tetragrammaton of the Jews. This is observable not only in the quadruple cherubic form at the gate of Eden, the four rivers of paradise, and the four artificial ones round the tabernacle; the services of which were conducted by four priests — Moses, Aaron, Eleazar, aiid Ithamar; the four chariots and angelic messengers in the vision of Zechariah, and the four visions and the four beasts of Daniel, but even our Saviour's prophecy from the Mount of Olives was so constructed as to COD rain four synchronisms.
FOU— FRE. 517
FOUR DEGREES. Ancient "Masonry consists of ur degrees; the three first of which are, that of the Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the sublime degree of Master; and a brother being well versed in these degrees, and otherwise qualified, as hereafter will be expressed, is eligible to be admitted to the fourth degree, the Holy Royal Arch. — A)iiman Rezon.
FREE. A word that is often heard among us, but which is circumscribed by the same bounds as the free- dom of social life. In our assemblies we have nothing resembling the freedom to act every one according to the dictates of his own capiice, but we are free, or at least, each of us ought to be free, from the dominion of pride, of prejudice, of passion, and of other follies of human nature. Free from the madness of refusing obedience either to the law of the land or the Craft.— Gadicke.
FREEBORN. No candidate can be admitted into Freemasonry, or share in its occult mysteries, unless he be a free man, of mature age, sound judgment, and strict morality. Nor can any one, although he have been initiated, continue to act as a Mason, or practise the rites of the Order, if he be temporarily deprived of his liberty, or freedom of will. So essential is it to Free- masonry, that its members should be perfectly free in all their actions, thoughts and designs.
FREEMASON. The explanations of this word, which say the same thing in nearly every living language, are very various. Originally the name was only Mason, but the privileges which were granted unto certain real architects and artists, induced them to adopt the title of Freemasons, to distinguish themselves from those who were merely operative masons. Others again say that Masons should labour free and unconstrained. He who is free from prejudice, and understands how to regulate his life and actions by the working tools of an operative mason, can well explain the meaning of the word Free- mason. We may also reasonably suppose that many distinguished persons, who were neither architects nor artists, have been admitted into the Fraternity, and that
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those persons were afterwards exclusively called Free and Accepted Masons; which title they have propagated. — Gadicke.
FREEMASONRY. Masonry,according to the general acceptation of the term, is an art founded on the princi- ples of geometry, and directed to the service and con- venience of mankind. But Freemasonry, embracing a wider range and having a nobler object in view, namely, the cultivation and improvement of the human mind, may with more propriety be called a science, inasmuch as availing itself of the terms of the former, it inculcates the principles of the purest morality, though its lessons are for the most part veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. — Hemming.
FRIENDSHIP. Friendship is traced through the circle of private connections to the grand system of universal benevolence, which no limits can circumscribe, as its influence extends to every branch of the human race. On this general plan the universality of the system of Masonry is established. Were friendship confined to the spot of our nativity, its operation would be partial, and imply a kind of enmity to other nations. Where the interests of one country interfere with those of another, nature dictates an adherence to the welfare of our own immediate connections; but such interference apart, the true Mason is a citizen of the world, and his philanthropy extends to all the human race. Unin- fluenced by local prejudices, he knows no preference in virtue but according to its degree, from whatever country or clime it may spring. — Preston.
FRUITS. What are the fruits of Masonry ? It has ofteii been effectual to save life and property; it has often relieved distress; it constantly teaches the igno- rant; it daily wipes rivers of tears from the eye of distress; it has often reconciled the most jarring inter- ests; it has often converted the bitterest foes into the dearest friends. — Inwood.
FUNERAL. The public are frequently astonished at beholding a large funeral procession, and cannot conceive
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how the deceased, who lived in a slate of comparative obscurity, could have had so many friends, amongst whom some are of the highest rank in society, and from those friends, one of them advances to the brink of the grave, and addresses the assembled multitude upon life, death, and immortality, in such a touching and feeling
•t ' O O
manner, that brethren, relations, and spectators, are bathed in tears. He who can flatter himself that he will have such a funeral, and that he is worthy of it, can go down to the grave in peace, certain that he will receive the reward of all his labours from the Great Architect of the Universe. — Gadicke.
FURNITURE. The furniture of a Masons' lodge ought to be disposed with the same scrupulous exactness as the furniture of the tabernacle which Moses made ac- cording to the pattern which the Deity shewed him in the mount. The tracing-board should be placed on the Master's pedestal, underneath the bible, square and com- passes; the first great light being displayed in Ruth. This is for the first degree. The book of constitutions is placed before the Past Master ; the globes in the west : the rough ashlar in the north-east, the perfect ashlar in the north-west, while the Master Masons should take their station in the south-west, and Past Masters in the south-east ; the Secretary in the north, and the Treasurer in the corner of Amorites.
G. The situation of this letter, when alone, is well known to all Freemasons. It cannot allude to the name of God alone in the German lodges, or it could not be found in the situation in foreign lodges. It has a closer affinity to Geometry, which is so necessary to an Archi- tect, and geometrical certainty and truth is everywhere necessary. — Gadickc.
GEOMETRY. Among the mathematical science* geometry is the one which has the most especial reference to architecture, and we can, therefore, under the name of geometry, understand the whole art of Freemasonry. In Anderson's Book of Constitutions, Freemasonry ia frequently called geometry, and of the latter he saith, that the whole being of me Order is comprehended in
520 GHI— GLO.
it. Freemasons therefore ought to im*ke themselves intimately acquainted with geometry. It is not abso- lutely necessary to be able to delineate geometrical figures but it is necessary to be able to deduce all our actions, works, or resolutions from geometrical principles — Gadicke.
GHIBLIM. The Ghiblimites were expert operativ Masons, who understood the science of geometrical pro- portion in its practical references, and were cemented in their lodges by the morality of its detached and component parts.
GIRDLE. The girdle, in ancient times, was an uni- versally received emblem of truth and passive duty. Elijah the Tishbite and John the Baptist, were both girded with an apron of (white) leather. It was said of Jesus Christ, that his girdle should represent equally righteousness and fidelity. And in conformity with these authorities, his principal disciples exhorted the Christian converts to gird up the loins of their minds, to be sober and hope to the end, and to stand firm in the faith, having their loins girt about with truth.
GIRLS' SCHOOL. This charity was instituted on the 25th of March, 1788, by the late Chevalier Bartholo- mew Ruspini, for the purpose of maintaining, clothing and educating, an unlimited number of the female chil- dren and orphans of reduced brethren, belonging to the ancient and honourable society of Free and Accepted Masons, and of protecting and preserving them from the dangers and misfortunes to which distressed young fe- males are peculiarly exposed ; with the further view of training them up in the knowledge and love of virtue, in the habits of industry necessary to their condition, and of impressing on their minds a due sense of subordination, true humility, and the principles and practice of all social, moral, and religious duties. This charitj is sup- ported by voluntary contributions.
GLOBE OF FIRE. In the last century some fanciful brethren referred the circle and point to the cherubic form which was placed at the gate of paradise, to prevent
GLO— GOL. 521
the return of our first parents to that region of nevei ending happiness and delight, after their fall from purity and rectitude, in the attempt to acquire forbidden knowledge. The "fire unfolding itself," or globe of fire described by the prophet Ezekiel, represented the Deity, and the living creatures on one side, and wheels on the other, denoted his power and goodness.
GLOBES. The terrestrial and celestial globes are the noblest instruments for giving the most distinct idea of any problem or proposition, as well as for enabling us to solve it. Contemplating these bodies, Masons are inspired with a due reverence for the Deity and his works ; and are induced to apply with diligence and attention to astronomy, geography, navigation, and all the arts de- pendent on them, by which society has been so much benefited. — Preston.
GLORY IN THE CENTRE. When in the lodge we elevate our thoughts to the Deity, our eyes involuntarily rest on the glory in the centre ; then with hearts over- flowing with gratitude and love, we bow reverentially before the All-seeing eye of God, which the sun, moon, and stars obey ; conscious that it pervades their inmost recesses, and tries our thoughts, words and actions, by the unerring touchstone of truth and eternal justice.
GLOVES. The operative Mason cannot use gloves at his woik. but we can, and that too, of the purest white, at ours, thereby intimating that every action of a Mason ought to be pure and spotless. — Gadicke.
GOLDEN CANDLESTICK. This utensil was made by Moses for the service of the Temple. It consisted wholly of pure gold, and had seven branches ; that is, three on each side, and one in the centre. These branches were at equal distances, and each one was adorned with flowers like lilies, gold knobs after the form of an apple, and similar ones resembling an almond. Upon the extremities of the branches were seven golden lamps, which were fed wun pure olive oil, and lighted every evening by the priests on duty. The candlestick wap placed in the Holv Place, and served to illuminate the 44
522 tfOL— GOO.
altar of incense and the table of shew-bread, which stood in the same chamber. — Calmet.
GOLDEN FLEECE. The masonic apron is said to be more ancient than the badge of any other honourable institution. It was used before the Greeks or Romans had a name. The Argonautic expedition is generally believed to be only a figurative account of the deluge; and the apron is unquestionably older than that event ; it was therefore worn before the establishment of the spurious Freemasonry. We are certain from undeniable authority, that the apron was the first species of clothing with which mankind were acquainted, and was adopted before the expulsion of our progenitors from the garden of Eden. When they had violated the original compact, their eyes were opened to a sense of guilt and shame, and they saw that they were naked. Decency suggested the necessary expedient of covering themselves with aprons. It is therefore said with great propriety, thai " the apron is more ancient than the golden fleece 01 Roman eagle."
GOLDEN RULE. Freemasonry recommends tne prac- tice of the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you, not so much to preserve the peace and order of civil society, (which notwithstanding it cannot fail to do) as to inspire in our own bosoms, a love of virtue and good will to man.
GOOD MASON. The good Mason is an example to his neighbours, and his name and character are proverbial. Those who are younger venerate him, his companions love hkn, his superiors extol him. In his family he is high without severity, and condescending without mean- ness ; his commands are gentle — indeed his wishes are his commands ; for all are equally ready to answer his desires. To his wife he is the tender husband, not the usurping lord ; to his children he is the kind, the provi- dential father, not the domineering tyrant ; to his ser- vants he is equally the friend as the superior. Thus ruling, he is obeyed with cheerfulness; and thus his home, whether a cottage or a palace, is, while he is present, the habitation of peace ; when there he leave.-
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it with reluctance, and when absent his return is expected with a pleasing avidity. — Inwood.
GOSPEL. The Royal Order of Masonry, however secret from its most early foundation to the present moment, has nothing belonging to it, but what is so far from giving birth or growth to the commission of any thing inconsistent with the strictest parts of our holy religion, whether it respects our duty to God or man, that every part of it, ij duly followed, has a direct ten- dency to enforce and to encourage the performance of every one of its most holy precepts ; and, " the precepts of the Gospel are universally the principles of Masonry.' — Inwood.
GOVERNMENT. It is well to give rules for the good government of a lodge ; but the best teacher is ex- perience. Points of minor importance, both in discipline and doctrine, are of constant occurrence, which have no precedent, and must be regulated by the judgment of the Master. And on these trifling matters, the welfare am* prosperity of a lodge frequently depend.
GRACE. When brother Masons are assembled at the banquet table, where it is their duty to crave a blessing, how joyfully do they hear the words
' 0 source of the purest light ! 0 Lord of Glory ! Great, incomprehensibly great, are thy handy works ; Thon gavest to us at the building of the Temple
Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty !
Thou gavest to us vitality, pleasure, meat, and drink ! To thee, therefore, be glory, honour, praise, and thanks.
After the meal the Chaplain again lifts his voice :
" God be praised ! Thou hast thought on us this day also ; Be praised for this day's blessings ;
Oh ! protect us fatherly, according to thy grace and power, In happiness and in sorrow, in all our ways, And bless this night."
Gadicke.
GRADES OF RANK. Many persons have endea- voured to substantiate their objections to the institution of Freemasonry from the admitted dogma that its mem- bers meet on & level ; whence they conclude that the system abolishes all human distinctions, and promises to
524 GRA.
disorganise society, and reduce it to its primitive fie- ments. Bat it does no such thing. There is, hi fact, no other institution where the grades of rank are better defined and preserved. The W. M. sits in tb« east. For what purpose is he placed there? "Why, to rule and govern his lodge. And he is invested with power even to despotism, should he consider it safe to use it, and the Wardens are his assistants, not his equals. Each has a -particular duty assigned to him, and beyond that, he has no right to interfere. The r ixt grade are the Dea- cons. And what is their duty ? Not, surely, to rank in equality with the Master and Wardens, but to peifbrm the part of inferiors in office, to carry messages and com- mands. It is their province to attend on the Mastei, and to assist the Wardens in the active duties of the lodge, such as the reception of candidates into the differ- ent degrees of Masonry, and the immediate practice ol our rites This is the business of the Deacons ; and by its punctual discharge, the office becomes a stepping- stone to further preferment : for as it is incumbent on a brother to serve the office of a Warden, before he is eligible for the chair of a lodge, so it would be well ii the office of a Deacon were preparatory to that of a Warden. The Treasurer, the Secretary, the Stewards, the Inner Guard, and the Tyler, have all their respec- tive duties to perform, and rank to support ; while the brethren are bound to obey the will and pleasure of the W. M.
GRAMMAR. Grammar teaches the proper arrange- ment of words, according to the idiom or dialect of any peculiar people, and that excellency of pronunciation, which enables us to speak or write a language with accuracy, agreeably to reason and coirect usage.- — Preston.
G. A. O. T. U., celebrated in the lectures of Masonry is the same Jehovah who declared his name to Moses at the burning bush, appeared on earth at the time and in the place, which had been foretold oy the Jewish prophets, divested of his external splendour ; attested the truth of his mission by the most stupendous miracles, and terminated his efficacious atonement by a public
GRA. 525
ascension into the cloudy pillar, or Shekinah, which hovered over the Mount of Olives ; and the consecutive steps of this great scheme have been embodied in the sys- tem of Freemasonry. It can therefore be shown, that the historical landmarks consist of certain prominent facts recorded in the Jewish scriptures, which have been received in all ages, both before and after the advent of Christ, as typical of the Redeemer of man, and of him only.
GRAND ARCHITECT. This Most High Being ought to be duly revered by every brother as the Great Architect of heaven and earth, and his name ought never to be spoken but with the greatest humility and rever- ence. It is not improper, when we are always speaking of Masonry, to call God the Great Architect of heaven and earth, as we also call him the Lord of lords and King ol kings. Every one, even those who are not Freemasons, cull him the Creator of heaven and of earth. He has created everything that we can see ; and it is certain that he has created many things which we have not power to see ; and when the brethren strive to adorn his greatest work — when they assist in carrying on the spiritual tem- ple in the manner he has ordained — they most assuredly fulfil his holy law. — Gadicke.
GRAND EAST. Wherever the superior body of the masonic institutions is situated, that place is called the Grand East (Grande Orient) ; London, York, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Vienna, and Amsterdam, are all Grand Easts in masonic language. Every state in America has a Grand East, and every other place where there is a governing Grand Lodge, is called by Masons the Grand East. The East with Masons has a peculiar meaning. It is well known that the sciences first rose in the East, and that the resplendent orb of light from that quarter proclaims the glory of the day. "And behold the Glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East, and his voice was like the noise of many waters; the earth shined with his glory. The East Gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened ; and no man shall enter by it, because the Glory of the God of Israel hath entered by it. It is for the Prince." — DaJchn.
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GRAND LODGE. This governing body consists of a Grand Master with a full staff of purple officers, the Grand Stewards for the year, and the Masters, Past Mas- ters, and Wardens, of every warranted lodge. In the Grand Lodge, besides the power of enacting laws and regulations for the government of the Craft, and of alter- ing, repealing, and abrogating them, provided that they continue to preserve the ancient landmarks of the Order, the Grand Lodge has also the inherent power of investi- gating, regulating, and deciding, all matters relative to the Craft or to particular lodges, or to individual brothers, which it may exercise either by itself or by such dele- gated authority as, in its wisdom and discretion, it may appoint; but in the Grand Lodge alone resides the power of erasing lodges, and expelling brethren from the Craft, a power which it ought not to delegate to any subordinate authority in England. — Constitutions.
GRAND MASTER. This chief officer is generally a person of the highest rank. He is nominated at the quarterly communication in December, and the election takes place in the month of March following. If the Grand Master should die during his mastership, or by sickness, absence, or otherwise, be rendered incapable of discharging the duties of his office, the Deputy Grand Master, or, in his absence, the Grand Wardens, shall assemble the Grand Lodge immediately, to record the event, which Grand Lodge shall appoint three of its members to invite the last preceding Grand Master to act as Grand Master till a new election take place; if he decline to act, then the last but one, and so on ; but if no former Grand Master be found, the deputy, or the grand officer next in rank and seniority, shall proceed as principal. If there be a Pro-Grand Master at the time when a vacancy occurs in the Grand Mastership, such Pro-Grand Master shall forthwith act as Grand Master until a new election take place at the usual period. — Constitutions.
GRAND OFFICERS. None of the grand officers can be removed, unless for reasons which appear sufficient to the Grand Lodge ; but, should the Grand Master be dissatisfied with the conduct of any of his grand officers.
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ne may submit the case to the Grand Lodge ; and should it appear to the majority of the brethren present that the complaint be well founded, he may displace such grand officer, and nominate another. — Constitutions.
GRAND OFFICERS' CLUB. As its name imports none but grand officers are eligible for members; but there is no ballot for admission, it being held that all who are considered worthy of elevation in the Order, have a natural claim to enter, although it is well under- stood that there is no compulsion to join the club, and that several grand officers do not avail themselves of the opportunity. The Grand Master sometimes honours the club with his presence.
GRAND STEWARDS' LODGE. This lodge has no number, but is registered in the books of the Grand Lodge, and placed in the printed lists, at the head of all other lodges, and ranks accordingly. It is represented in the Grand Lodge by its Master, Past Masters, and Wardens. Being constituted as a Master Masons' lodge, it has no power of making, passing, or raising Masons.
GRAND WARDENS. The Grand Wardens are ap- pointed by the Grand Master annually, on the day of his installation, and if present, are to be immediately in- stalled. These officers should have regularly served the office of Master of a lodge. They cannot act as War- dens of a private lodge while they continue Grand Wardens. When the actual Grand Wardens are in the lodge no others can supply their places ; but in their absence the senior Past Grand Wardens present shall act pro tempore. If no Past Grand Wardens be present, the Grand Master may direct any Master of a lodge to act as Grand Warden for that occasion. — Constitutions.
GRAVE. The Grecian graves were always marked by a shrub called nod-oe. or a garland of herbs. In honour of the dead they threw boughs and leaves upon the grave ; as Euripides says they did to Polyxena when she died ; for in latter times if a man had won a race or the like, they had a custom to bedeck his valiant corpse with boughs and leaves of myrtle, as in Euripides. Elect, v.
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510. Whether there was any allusion to the golden bough of Virgil in all this I will not say.
GRAVITY. In a good lodge silence and gravity are recommendations during the hours appropriated to labor. The ordinary business is of too serious a nature to admit of any disturbances; and hence the ancient charges direct that no brother shall behave himself ludicrously or jestingly while the lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn ; nor use any unbecoming language upon any pretence whatever; but to pay due reverence to the Masters, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to wor- ship. Even the noise of moving the seats or the feet is to be avoided as much as possible ; and for this reason sand is not allowed to be strewed on the floor; nor 'are the brethren permitted to lepve the lodge during the solemn ceremonies, lest the noise thus made should dis- turb the proceedings. The effect of an initiation would be entirely destroyed by any interruption of this kind, and it is easy to understand that the same kind of dis- turbance would be calculated to distract the attention of the brethren during the delivery of lectures.
GREAT LIGHTS. The Freemasons are enlightened by great and small lights. The Bible, the square, and the compasses, belong to the first ; and the sun, the moon, and the Master Mason, or the stars, to the second. The great lights are immortal, and neither limited by time nor space ; the small ones are limited by both. The Bible rules and governs our faith ; the square our actions ; and the compasses keep us in a bond of union with all mankind, especially with a brother Mason. Or with other words, the Bible directs us to elevate our spirits to a reasonable and rational faith ; the square teaches so to discipline our minds as to make them correspond with a pure and prompt obedience to the laws of our native land; and the compasses teach us so to cultivate our understandings as to enable us to live in the bonds of social arid fraternal union with all mankind, whatever may be their peculiar views on religious or political Bubj ects. — Gadicke.
GRIP AND SIGN. In rude times, says a masonic
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writer in Anieiica, when men, ignorant of chirography, impressed the seal of their parchments with the tooth in their head for a signature, it was usual for Master Masons to give their apprentice a grip or sign, by which he should make himself known to any Mason as a regular E. A. P. to the trade; and another when he had com- pleted his apprenticeship, and passed on to the rank of a journeyman, or F. C. ; and a third when, by assiduity and skill, he had become himself a master of the work, took buildings to rear, hired Fellowcrafts or journeymen, and received apprentices. The word, the sign, and the grip, in those days, were the certificate of the Craft to its regularly taught members.
GUIDE. At our introduction into Masonry, we seek for an able guide to conduct us from this dark state of human life into light, and when arrived at that desired point, we are struck with the symbolic representations before us ; and under promise of fidelity we begin our career in this secret society of Free and Accepted Masons. We emerge gradually from the lowest vale, and by study arrive at the highest degree of the occult science, or to the greatest mental perfection. — Huscnbeth.
GUTTURAL. The guttural sign alludes to temper ance, which demands a cautious habit of restraint, as may be necessary to preserve us from the risk of violating our obligation and incurring its penalty. — Hemming.
HAGAR. Abraham was exceedingly attached to the son of Hagar the Egyptian bond-woman, and as he grew up, the affections of his father increased so inordi- nately that he earnestly intreated the Lord that Ishmael might be the child of promise. But the request was denied, as being inconsistent with the divine purposes ; for children cannot inherit a free and noble spirit except they be born of a free woman.
1IAGGAI. This holy prophet and principal of the Sanhedrim, or Royal Chapter, was born during the Babylonish captivity, and returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. He exhorted them to resume the work of the Temple, when it had been interrupted
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nearly fourteen years, in consequence of the iiitrigjes of the Samaritans, and other obstructions excited to defeat •she edict of Cyrus. The prophet represents the people as more ready to build and adorn their own dwellings man to labour in the service of God. He tells them that the unfruitful seasons they had experienced were entirely owing to this cause. He then encourages them with promises of future blessings ; and predicts the important revelations that should precede the final advent of the Messiah, when the kingdoms of the world should become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ.
HAMMER. With this small working tool the Master of a lodge governs the most numerous meetings. The blow of the Master's hammer commands industry, silence, or the close of labour, and every brother respects or honours its sound. In so far the hammer is a symbol of the power of the Master. The hammer must never be lost sight of at the meeting of the lodge ; and should the Master be unavoidably compelled to leave the lodge-room, he must deliver it to his Deputy or Past Master, or some other skilful brother. The Wardens do not govern the lodge with their hammers, they only direct attention by them to the commands of the W. M. — Gadicke.
HAND. When the calamities of our brother call for our aid we should not withdraw the hand that might sustain him from sinking ; but that we should render him those services, which, not encumbering or injuring our families or fortunes, charity or religion may dictate for the saving of our fellow-creature. — Old Lectures.
HARODIM. The mysteries of this Order are peculiar to the institution itself; while the lectures of the Chap- ter include every branch of the masonic system, and represent the art of Masonry in a finished and complete form. Different classes are established, and particular lectures restricted to each class. The lectures are di- vided into sections, and the sections into clauses. The sections are annually assigned by the Chief Harod to a certain number of skilful companions in each class, who are denominated Sectionists ; and they are empowered to distribute the clauses of their respective sections, with
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the approbation of the Chief Harod and General Director, among the private companions of the Chapter, who are denominated Clauseholders. Such companions as by assiduity become possessed of all the sections of the lec- ture, are called Lecturers ; and out of these the General Director is always chosen.
HARPOCRATES. This Egyptian god was unknown to the Greeks till the time of Alexander. They wor- shipped him under the name of Sigalion, and loaded him with many attributes unknown to the ancient Egyptians. He appears as a young man in an Egyptian mitre, hold- ing a cornucopia, lotus, and quiver, accompanied with the poppy and owl, draped in a long robe, head raiment, branch of persea, the finger on the mouth, persea, cornu- copia, lotus, basket on the head. In Stosch, the bust swaddled in a net, persea on the head, globe and serpents on the breast, but the finger on the mouth, and lock of hair distinguish nearly all his figures. — Fosbroke.
HEARING. Hearing is that sense by which we are enabled to distinguish sounds, and are made capable of all the perceptions of harmony and melody, with all the agreeable charms of music ; by it we are enabled to enjoy the pleasures of society; and reciprocally to communi- cate to each other our thoughts and intentions, our purposes and desires, and by means of this sense our reason is capable of exerting its utmost power and energy. — Old Lectures.
HEART. The heart is the seat of the affections, passions and desires; and by the precept given by Solo- mon, to keep our hearts, is meant, that we should diligently preserve our good dispositions, and correct our bad ones. All the actions of a man's life issue and proceed from the heart ; which is the fountain not only of our natural life, but of our mortal too ; so that as a man's heart is, so will his life be : if his heart be kept clean and pure, his life cannot be wicked -and vicious; but il his heart be wicked and vicious, his life cannot bo kept clean and pure. — Bishop Bereridge.
HEIGHT. From the earth to the heavens.
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HELPLESSNESS. As a Mason, your first admission in a state of helplessness was an emblematic representa- tion of the entrance of all men into this their state of mortal existence ; it inculcated the cherishing lessons of natural equality, of mutual dependence. It instructed you in the active principles of universal benevolence and charity, to make them the solace of your own distresses, and to extend relief and consolation to your fellow- creatures in the hour of their affliction. It required you to free the soul from the dominion of pride and prejudice, to look beyond the limits of particular institutions, and to view in every son of Adam a brother of the dust. — Above all it taught you to bend with reverence and resignation to the will of the Grand Architect of the Universe, and to dedicate your heart thus purified from every malignant passion, and prepared for the reception of truth and justice.
HIEROGLYPHICS. Hieroglyphics were used before the discovery of the art of writing, and through paintings of natural or scientific objects were represented invisible things and ideas, which could not have otherwise been delineated. On account of its importance, and the diffi- culty of reading it, it was considered sacred. Hieroglyphic? must always be understood to be pictorial representa- tions, and a symbol can be both a pictorial representation and an action. From what is here said the Freemason w411 be able to perceive which of the Masonic objects he has to consider as hieroglyphics and which as symbols. — Gadicke.
HIGH TWELVE. We have an old tradition, deliv- ered down orally, that it was the duty of Hiram Abiff to superintend the workmen ; and that the reports of th officers were always examined with the most scrupulous exactness. . At the opening of the day, when the sun was rising in the east, it was his constant custom, before the commencement of labour, to enter the temple and offer up his prayers to Jehovah for a blessing on the work. And, in like manner, when the sun set in the west, and the labours of the day were closed, and the workmen had departed, he returned his thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe for the harmonious protection for the day
LODGES MET ON THE HIGHEST HELLS AND LOWEST VALLEYS.
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Not content with this devout expression of his feelings morning and evening, he always went into the temple at the hour of high twelve, when the men were called from labour to refreshment, to inspect the progress of the work, to draw fresh designs upon the tracing-board, if such were necessary, and to perform other scientific labours, never forgetting to consecrate his duties by solemn prayer. These religious customs were faithfully performed for the first six years' in the secret recesses 01 his lodge, and for the last year in the precincts of the Most Holy Place. At length, on the very day appointed for celebrating the cape-stone of the btilding, he retired as usua , according to our tradition, at the hour of high twelve, and did not return alive.
HILARITY. In all Masonic festivals hilarity should be tempered with thoughtfulness and circumspection ; and, although we have no objection, in tht words of an old Masonic song, to
" Crown the bowl, and nil the glass To every virtue, every grace, To the brotherhood resound Health, and let it thrice go round,"
yet we would not forget, in the hours of relaxation, to retain decorum in festivity and innocence in mirth, for, when pleasure is chastened by virtue, its relish will be increased, and its zest improved.
HILLS AND VALLEYS. Before we had the conve- nience of such well-formed lodges, the brethren used to meet on the highest of hills and in the lowest of valleys ; and if they were asked why they met so high, so low, and so very secret, they replied, the better to see and observe all that might ascend or descend ; and in case a cowan should appear, the Tyler might give timely notice to the W. M., by which means the lodge might be closed, and the jewels put by, thereby preventing any unlawful intrusion. — Old York Lectures.
HIRAM. The gavel of the Worshipful Master is so called in England, and on the continent of Europe, in allusion to the perfect order observed by the craftsmen at
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the building of Solomon's Temple, through the admirable skill and supervision of the operative G. M. Hiram.
HIRAM, KING OF TYRE. When Solomon had determined to build a temple at Jerusalem, he sent an embassy to Tyre, requesting Hiram, the king of the Tyrians, would furnish him with workmen to cut down timber at Lebanon, and stone in the quarries of Tyre, for the construction of that holy edifice. He returned an answer to Solomon's communication, which contained the language of amity and esteem. He agreed to extend the fraternal bond of that charity and brotherly love which was common to both the true and spurious Free- masonry, by furnishing cedars and other timber from the forest of Lebanon for the erection of a temple to the living God, and providing the most expert architects in his dominions for its construction, on the simple condition of receiving certain supplies of provisions in exchange ; and he performed his contract with princely munificence and masonic candour. But even this would have been insufficient to produce any satisfactory result, without the presence of a master-mind to animate and direct the proceedings ; and the king of Tyre furnished this Master in the person of his chief architect, Hiram Abiff, by whom the re-anion of speculative and operative masons was to be consummated.
HIRAM ABIFF. This curious and cunning architect was a widow's son, of the tribe of Napthali, but his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass. He waa the most accomplished designer and operator upon earth, whose abilities were not confined to building only, but extended to all kinds of work, whether in gold, silver, brass, or iron ; whether in linen, tapestry, or embroidery ; whether considered as an architect, statuary, founder, or designer, he equally excelled. From his designs, and under his directions, all the rich and splendid furniture of the Temple, and its several appendages, were began, carried on, and finished. — Anderson.
HISTORICAL. The historical portion of the Royal Arch lecture refers to three distinct epochs, namely, to the establishment of the Holy Lodge, the Sacred Lodge and the Grand and Royal Lodge.
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HOLY FIRE. When Nehemiah was appointed to the government of Judea, with full authority to build the walis of Jerusalem, and to finish the Second Temple, he sent to search for the holy fire, which, before the captivity of Babylon, the priests had hidden in a dry and deep pit ; not finding any fire there, but only thick and muddy water, he sprinkled this upon the altar, and pre- sently the wood which had been so sprinkled took fire as soon as the sun began to shine, which miracle coming to the knowledge of the king of Persia, he caused the place to be encompassed with walls where the fire had been hidden, and granted great favours and privileges to the priests. — Calmet.
HOLY GROUND. The lodge is situated on holy ground. The first lodge was consecrated on account of three grand offerings thereon made, which met divine approbation. First, the ready compliance of Abraham to the will of God, in not refusing to offer up his son Isaac as a burnt-offering, when it pleased the Almighty to sub- stitute a more agreeable victim in his stead ; second, the many pious prayers and ejaculations of King David, which actually appeased the wrath of God, and stayed a pestilence which than raged among the people, owing to his inadvertently having had them numbered ; and thirdly, the many thanksgivings, oblations, burnt sacrifices, and costly offerings which Solomon, King of Israel, made at the completion, dedication, and consecration of the tem- ple of Jerusalem, to God's service. These three did then, have since, and I trust ever will, render the ground-work of a Masons' lodge holy.
HOLY OF HOLIES. The innermost and most sacred part of the temple was called the Holy of Holies, and sometimes the Most Holy Place, and was ordained and made on purpose for the reception of the Ark of the Covenant. The whole end and reason of that most sacred place being none other, but to be a tabernacle for it. This place or roon. was of an exact cubic form, as being thirty feet square and thirty feet high. In the centre the ark was placed, upon a stone rising there three fingers breadth above the floor, to be, as it were, a pedestal for it. On the two sidea of it stood two cherubims fifteen
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feet high, one on the one side, the other on the othei side, at equal distances from the centre of the ark and each side wall ; where, having their wings expanded, with two of them they touched the said side walls, and with the other two they did meet, and touch each other exactly over the middle of the ark ; so that the ark stood exactly in the middle between these two cherubims. — Prideaux.
HOLY LODGE. This lodge was opened at the foot ef Mount Horeb, in the Wilderness of Sinai, about two years after the exode of the Israelites from Egypt, on the spot whe,re Moses was first commanded to go down into Egypt, and where he ^as directed to put oft' his shoes from his feet, because the ground was holy. Here the Almighty delivered to him the decalogue with the forms of the tabernacle and the ark, and here he dictated those peculiar forms of civil and religious polity, which, by separating his people from all other nations, he conse- crated Israel a chosen vessel for his service. Over this lodge presided Moses, the great and inspired law-giver ; Aholiab, the curious carver and embroiderer, and Bezaleel the famous architect.
HONEY. Honey was universally used as a symbol of death. The ancients made libations to the dead of honey, wine, and blood. Funeral cakes were placed by the Greeks in the mouths of deceased persons to appease the wrath of Cerberus. Thus Virgil, Melle soporatam et medi- catis frugibus offam. Honava, or round, broad, or thin cakes, with honey, made a part of the funeral offerings, to Hecate, or the Moon.
HOPE. Hope is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast : then let a firm reliance of the Almighty's good- ness animate our endeavours, and enable us to fix our hope within the limits of his most gracious promises, so shall success attend us ; if we believe a thing impossible oir despondency may render it so, but if we persevere to the end, we shall finally overcome all difficulties. — Old
HOREB. This mountain was remarkable for seven
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memorable transactions. The Burning Bush ; the striking of the rock with the rod ©f Moses ; the lifting up ol Moses* hands by Aaron and Hur, which produced the slaughter of the Amalekites ; the delivery of the law ; the forty days abstinence by Moses ; the demolition 01 the two tables of stone on sight of the golden calf; and the supernal vision of Elijah.
HOSPITALITY. The white stone mentioned in the Apocalypse, appears to bear some relation to a particular custom among the ancients, with which they commenced and perpetuated a refined friendship. For this purpose the contracting parties took a small piece of bone, ivory, or stone, and dividing it into equal and similar parts, one of the persons wrote his name on one of these and his friend upon the other, and they made a mutual exchange. This little ticket, or " keepsake," was retained as a sacred pledge and remembrancer of an attachment the most sacred and inviolable, entire and permanent, that could be found. Including the word, sign, and token oi an endeared fraternity, it was the means of ascertaining the heart's affections after many years' absence, and of secur- ing for him a welcome to the privileges, and a share in the endearments of hospitality and love. Of course the token was carefully preserved. Though, in itself, con- sidered of smallest worth, yet as the memorial of a highly esteemed friend, as it renewed those kind emotions oi which he was the object, and called up a history on which the heart delighted to dwell, its value became inestimable, and lest some one else should take the advan- tage of it, the possessor kept it with great privacy, and cautiously concealed from every one the name and mark engraved upon it. — Harris.
HOUR-GLASS. The hour-glass is an emblem of human life. We cannot without astonishment behold the little particles, which the machine contains, pass away almost imperceptibly, and yet, to our surprise, in the short space of an hour all are exhausted. Thus wastes human life. At the end of man's short hour, death strikes the blow, and hurries him off the stage to his long and darksome resting place.
540 HOU— IDE.
HOURS OF WORK. The masters and officers should always be punctual in their attendance, and observe the hour of meeting with scrupulous exactness ; for correct conduct in officers will invariably produce a corresponding accuracy in the brethren. I know nothing which tends more to disgust and sour the mind than the unprofitable employment of waiting impatiently for the attendance of the superior officers, with a probable expectation of being disappointed at last.
HUMANITY. What it is and how variously it can be explained, is not necessary to be stated here. To the Freemason it must be a thing of the heart. All lodges must exercise it towards each other, as also must every brother, not merely in, but also out of the lodge. — Gadicke.