Section 4

These three senses are peculiarly essential to Masons, i.e., to see the Signs, hear the Words, and feel the Grips.
TASTING
Is the sense by which we distinguish sweet from sour, bitter from salt, &c, and enables us to make a proper distinction in the choice of our food*
SMELLING
Is the sense by which we distinguish sweet, sour, aromatic, and fcetid or offensive odours, Which convey different impressions to the mind ; and the design of the G.\A. \0. \T. \U. \ is manifest in having located the organ of smell in the nostrils, the channels through which the air is continually passing.
The inconceivable wisdom of the Almighty Being is displayed in the five senses. The structure of the mind, and all the active powers of the soul present a vast and boundless field for philosophical investigation, which far exceeds human inquiry;
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and are peculiar mysteries, known only to Nature and to Nature's God, to whom we are indebted for I every blessing we enjoy. This theme is therefore peculiarly worthy of attention.
The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences are — Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Geome- try, Astronomy, and Music.
GRAMMAR
Embraces the whole science of language, and teaches us to express our ideas in appropriate words.
LOGIC
Is the art of correct thinking, and directs our inquiries after truth, by conceiving of things clearly and distinctly, thereby preventing us from being misled by similitude or sophistry.
RHETORIC
Is the art of speaking eloquently, in order to
E lease, instruct, persuade, and command ; and is y no means a common or an easy attainment.
ARITHMETIC
Is the science of numbers, and teaches us to compute or calculate correctly with expedition and ease.
GEOMETRY
Is the science of extension or magnitude, ab» stractedly considered, and treats of lines, surfaces, and solids; as all extension is distinguished by length, breadth, and thickness. A geometrical point has no parts, neither length, breadth, nor thickness, and is therefore indivisible. A line is
36 Reflected Rays of Light.
length without breadth, and a superficies is length and breadth without thickness. The point is the termination of the line, the line is the termination of the superficies, and the superficies the termina- tion of a body.
By this science, which is the foundation of architecture, and the root of mathematics, man is enabled to measure any place or distance, ac- cessible or inaccessible* if it can only be seen. By it geographers show us the magnitude of the earth, the extent of seas, empires, and provinces, &c. ; and by it astronomers are enabled to measure the distance, motions, and magnitudes of the heavenly bodies, and regulate the duration of times, seasons, years, and cycles.. Geometry is particularly recommended to the attention of Masons, not only as a study of lines, superficies, and solids, but as a method of reasoning and deduction in the investigation of truth, and may be considered as a kind of natural logic. The con- templation of this science, in a moral and compre- hensive view, fills the mind with rapture. The flowers, the animals, the mountains, and every particle of matter which surround us, open a sublime field for inquiry, and proves the wisdom Of God, and the existence of a First Cause. " I read His awful name, emblazoned high,
With golden letters, on the Ulumiri *d sky ;
Nor less the mystic characters I see
Wrought in each flower, inscribed on every tree;
In every leaf that trembles on the breeze,
I hear the voice of God among the trees."
ASTRONOMY
Is a mixed mathematical science, and the most sublime that has ever been cultivated by man. It
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treats of the celestial bodies, and affords an in- teresting theme for instruction and contemplation, I kindling the mind to praise, love, and adore the Supreme Creator.
%i How distant some of the nocturnal suns ! So distant, says the sage, 'twere not absurd To doubt if beams, set out at Nature j birth) Are yet arrived at this so foreign world ; Though nothing half so rapid as their flighty An eye of awe and wonder let me roll. And roll for ever. Who can satiate sight In such a scene, in such an ocean wide Of deep astonishment? Where depth , height,
breadth, Are lost in their extremes ; and where, to count The thick-sown glories in this field offij-e, Perhaps a seraptis computation fail si*
MUSIC
Is the science of harmonious sounds, and is the effect of vibration, propagated like light, from atom to atom, and depending on the reflection of surrounding bodies and the density of the air.
" Of all the arts beneath the heaven
That man has found, or God has given, ■None draws the soul so sweet azuay, As Music's melting, mystic lay ; Slight emblem of the bliss above, It soothes the spirit all to love"
THE CHARGE.
Being now advanced to the Second Degree of Masonry, we congratulate you on your preferment. As you increase in knowledge, you will improve in social intercourse. In your new character, it is
38 Reflected Rays of Light
expected that you will conform to the principles of the Order, by steadily persevering in the prac- tice of every commendable virtue. You are not to palliate or aggravate the offences of your Brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our rules, you are to judge with candour, admonish with friendship, and reprehenc^ with justice. The study of the liberal arts, which tends to polish and adorn the mind, is earnestly recom- mended to your consideration, especially the science of Geometry, which is enriched with use- ful knowledge ; while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more im- portant truths of morality, which is the basis of our art. We exhort you to strive, like a skilful Brother, to sxcel in everything that is good and great ; and may you improve your intellectual faculties, and qualify yourself to become a useful member of society, and an ornament to the Craft.
As Moses was commanded to pull the shoes from off his feet, on Mount Horeb, because the ground on which he trod was sanctified by the presence of Divinity, so ehould a Mason advance to the Third Stage of Masonry, in the naked 2>aths of Truth, with steps of inno- cence, virtue, and humility.
THE THIRD,
OE
MASTER MASONS' DEGREE,
Represents man saved from the Grave of Ini- quity, and raised to Salvation, by faith and the grace of God. In this Degree we look beyond the narrow limits of this world to that celestial sphere —
" Where high the heavenly temple stands ', The house of God not made with hands"
By a proper study of this Degree, we are taught to
11 Contemplate when the sun declines, Our death with deep reflection ; And when again he rising shines , Our day of resurrection"
40 Reflected Rays of Light.
OPENING PRAYER.
Oh, thou all-seeing and omnipresent God, from everlasting to everlasting, we pray thee to direct ns how to know and serve thee aright, and bow before thy throne of grace, for the forgiveness of our sins, that we may obtain fellowship with thee, and promote the honour and glory of thy most holy name. Amen, so mote it be.
THE SANCTUM SANCTORUM.
A Master Mason's Lodge duly opened, repre- sents the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, of King Solomon's Temple, where not even kings are allowed to enter unless duly initiated, and raised to that high and sublime privilege, by the help of God, his good name, and the united aid of square and compasses, which represent
Virtue, Morality, .Friendship, and Love.
Having entered, in due form, a Master's Lodge, that beautiful passage of scripture (Eccl. xii. 1-7)) representing the infirmities of old age, should aJ-
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ways be remembered as an appropriate introduction to the sublime ceremonies of this Degree, and the lessons taught by our emblematic death, and re- surrection to life eternal.
THE SYMBOLIC JEWELS
Of a Master Mason are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. These he should wear as an adornment to his mind— Morality being practical virtue, and the duty of life ; Friendship is per- sonal kindness, which should extend beyond the circle of private connections to universal philan- thropy ; and Brotherly Love is the purest emana- tion of earthly friendship.
THE WORKING TOOLS
Are the Skirret, the Pencil, Compasses, and all the implements of Masonry, especially
THE TROWEL,
Which emblematically teaches us to spread the cement of brotherly love, unite in one bond of social union, and diffuse the principle of universal benevolence to every member of the human family.
THE SKIRRET
Is emblematical of the straight and undeviating line of conduct, which directs us in the path which leads to immortality as revealed to us in the volume of the Sacred Law.
THE PENCIL
Reminds us that our words and actions are re- corded by the Almighty Architect, to whom we must give an account of them, whenever it is his pleasure to call on us to do so.
42 Reflected Rays of Light.
THE COMPASSES
Peculiarly belong to this Degree, as when pro- perly extended, they embrace all the tenets of the Order, limit our desires, and keep our passions within due bounds, so that we may, as Master Masons, lead a life of physical as well as moral and intellectual integrity.
HIRAM ABIFF.
Before proceeding further with the M.M. Degree, it will be necessary to give an outline of the his- torical, or rather allegorical, legend on which the most important part of this Degree is founded, as it is intended to symbolise our faith in the resur- rection of the body, and the immortality of the soul, arid gives an instance of firmness and fidelity to our duty in contrast with the cunning and de- ceitful passions which are so pernicious and de- structive to all who indulge in them. To assume the story to be literally a historical fact instead of an allegory, would be to rob the impressive cere- mony of its beauty, and weaken the effect which is intended to be produced by it on the mind.
The Bible informs us that a person, of the name of Hiram, was employed at the building of King Solomon's Temple (i Kings vii. 13; 2 Chron. ii. 13-14) ; but neither the Bible, nor any other authority, except Masonic tradition, gives any further information respecting him, not even of his death ; how it occurred, when, or where. Ac- cording to the Masonic legend, it was the custom of Hiram, as Grand Master of the work, to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum every day at high twelve (when the workmen were called from labour to refreshment), to offer up prayers, and adore the
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God in whom he put his trust. The Temple at length being nearly finished, and the Craftsmen not having obtained the Master's Word, which was only known to King Solomon, Hiram King of Tyre, and Hiram AbifT, fifteen of them conspired to extort it from him, or take his life, they being determined to have the Word by any means, so as to enable them to travel into foreign countries, and obtain employment. Twelve of them, how- ever, repented, and confessed to King Solomon what they had conspired to do. It does not, how- ever, appear that Solomon took any active steps to prevent the murder of Hiram, for we are told that when he arrived at the Temple, all was in confusion, and, on making inquiry as to the cause, he was informed that the Grand Master, Hiram AbifT, was missing, and that there were no plans on the trestle board for them to work by. Recol- lecting what had been confessed to him that morn- ing, and knowing that Hiram had always been punctual and regular, he began to fear that some mischief had been done to him ; he then ordered the roll to be called, when three were found to be missing (namely, Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum). Solomon immediately caused an embargo to be laid on all the shipping, so as to prevent their escape to a foreign country, and ordered fifteen Fellow Crafts to be sent in search of the ruffians, and that if they could not be found, the twelve who had confessed were to be considered as the murderers, and suffer accordingly. Those who had been sent west, on coming near the coast of Joppa, heard voices issuing from a cavern in the rocks, and on listening, discovered that the desperadoes had been unable to obtain a passage to Ethiopia, or escape from their own gountrv.
44 Reflected Rays of Light.
Jubela was first heard to exclaim, " Oh that my throat had been cut across, or my tongue torn out by the root, and my body buried in the sands of the sea at low water, mark, ere I had been, ac- cessary to the death of our Grand Master ! "
Jubelo next exclaimed, " Oh that my heart had been torn from my breast, and my body given to the wild beasts of the field and the vultures of the air, ere I had conspired to take the life of so good a man !!"
Jubelum, in his despair, cried, "Oh that my body had been severed in two, my bowels torn out, burnt to ashes, and scattered by the winds of heaven, so that there might not remain the least trace or remembrance of so vile a wretch as I, who struck the fatal blow, and caused the death of our Grand Master Hiram AbifT ! ! ! " On hearing these exclamations, the searchers rushed suddenly upon them, took them prisoners, and conveyed them to Jerusalem, where they confessed their guilt, and were executed, each according to the sentence passed from his own lips. . Fifteen Craftsmen were again assembled, and, clothed in white aprons and gloves in token of innocence, were sent, three East, three West, three North, three South, and three in and about the Temple, to search for the body of Hiram, which was discovered in an accidental manner, by one who became wearied and sat down to rest on the brow of a hill. On rising, he caught hold of a sprig of cassia, which easily gave way, and showed that the earth had been recently moved. He called for his com- panions, who came to his assistance, and dis- covered the body of their Master very indecently interred. With due respect they again covered the bedy, and hastened to acquaint King Solomon,
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who, on hearing the melancholy intelligence, raised his hands, and exclaimed "Oh Lord my God, is there no help for the widow's son," and dropped them in such a manner as indicated the grief into which he was thrown. Immediately recovering himself, he commanded the body to be raised and conveyed to Jerusalem, to be interred in a sepul- chre, as near the Sanctum Sanctorum as the Jewish law would permit, in honour of his rank and ex- alted talents.
THE THRE3 RUFFIANS
In the foregoing allegory are typical of Deceit, (or the devil,) Avarice, and Death, who invaded man's original innocent state, and laid him pros- trate in the grave of spiritual death.
The law came to his aid, but failed to raise his corruptible nature.
Idolatry offered her assistance, but also proved a slip, and failed to effect his moral resurrection.
At length the Gospel, '* marked with the seal of high Divinity,'' descended from heaven, and pro- nounced the omnific word, which raised him from a spiritual death to everlasting life, robbed death of its sting, and swallowed it up in victory (Isaiah xxv. 8; 1 Cor. xv. 54-57). Thus a Master Mason represents man, saved from the grave of ini- quity and corruption, and raised to the sphere of righteousness and salvation, where peace and inno- cence for ever dwell, in the realms of a boundless eternity.
THE MONUMENT Erected to the memory of Hiram was a breken column of white marble supporting a book, with a virgin weeping over them, an m*n in hei left
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hand, and a sprig of acacia in her right Time standing behind her with his ringers entwined in the ringlets of the virgin's hair.
THE BROKEN COLUMN
Is emblematical of the frailty of man, and all things human. " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun" (Eccl. chap. iii.).
THE OPEN BOOK
Is emblematical of the revealed will of God, and the Book of Nature, open for our investiga- tion. " See through this air, this ocean, and this earthy All matter quick, and bursting into birth"
THE VIRGIN WEEPING OVER THEM
Beautifully illustrates the melancholy contem- plation that " Thy doom is written, dust thou art, and shalt to dust return ;" for no sooner do we begin to live, than Death begins to follow us, borne on the wings of Time, whose scythe is ever cutting short our string of moments ; even now his fingers are entwined in our vitals, and will soon cut the brittle thread of life.
" How loved, how valued once, avails thee not, To whom related, or by whom begot ; A heap of dust alone remains for thee, ' Tis all ihou art ! and all the proud shall be."
THE SPRIG OF ACACIA,
With its graceful drooping leaves, like the weep- ing willow, is an emblem of tender Sympathy and never-dying Affection, and being an evergreen, is
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also emblematical of the immortal Soul that never dies ; and this thought is calculated, in the hope of a glorious immortality, to dispel the gloomy con- templation and fear of death.