Part I: E. A. DEGREE

What is the relationship of symbols to written language? To thoughts? What is the difference between symbols and figures of speech? What part does symbolism play in Masonry? Why must Masons study symbolism?
Name of the Fraternity. — Why are we “Freemasons”? What is the unit plan of the organisation?
Definition of Masonry. — What is Mackey’s? Explain “sys¬ tem,” “morality,” “allegory,” “symbols,” as used in this defini¬ tion. Do symbols vary in meaning from age to age ? With dif¬ ferent people? Do we know all the Masonic meanings of our symbols? Shall we ever know them all?
Initiation. — What, in brief, is the symbolism of the entire Entered Apprentice Degree? The Fellow Craft Degree? The Master Mason Degree? Of all three together?
The Lodge. — Of what is the “oblong square” a symbol? How did it become such? Does it throw any light on the age of Masonry? Why is initiation a symbol of birth?
Preparation. — Explain the relation of a candidate’s prepara¬ tion to the Aryan race. To other races. Explain the sym¬ bolism of preparation in terms of equality. What is the rela¬ tion between child and man, man and the race? Between indi¬ vidual moral progress and racial social progress?
Secrecy. — What is its value to the profane? To the Master Mason? What is the primary value of secrecy? What is its chief value? What is the symbol of secrecy and why?
Tool Symbols. — Why is the tool important to man? Why is the tool symbol of especial importance to Masons?
Twenty-four-inch Gauge. — Of what a symbol? How differ¬ ent from the Scythe? What does it teach?
Common Gavel. — Of what a symbol? Why? Its lesson?
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182 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
Chisel. — Of what a symbol? Why? In what degree used? In what country used in Blue Lodge work?
Key. — Of what a symbol? When?
Solomon^ s Temple. — Why chosen as a symbol? Is the Temple legend true? Is it fiction? What plausible basis exists for it?
Modesty of True Character. — ^Why no tool of iron in the building of the Temple? Of what is it a symbol with us?
Hale. — Explain the several forms and real meaning of the word. How is it often misunderstood?
Tile, Tiler, Tyler. — Which is the correct spelling? Why? Whence came the symbol ?
Due Guard. — What is the probable origin of the words?
Cable Tow. — How do the Brahman’s use a binding cord? What did a candidate in the ancient mysteries mean when he agreed to “submit to the chain”? From what and to what does the Cable Tow lead a Mason?
Circumambulation. — ^What great truth is taught by it in the lodge? Explain “faith” as used in the Entered Apprentice Degree.
Upright. — How do people of the Orient approach authority? How a Mason? How, therefore, does a Mason approach the East? Explain the symbolism, of the plumb.
Approaching the East. — Why do we consider the East as the source of knowledge? What did the Egyptians signify by “West”? When did modern people take up the same signifi¬ cance ?
Dignity of Man. — How does the Masonic teaching differ from that of certain creeds as to the worth of man?
Bible. — Is it a Masonic symbol? Of what? What other books are similar symbols? When is it proper to use them instead of the Bible? Are Masons required to believe the Bible? What is the Masonic interpretation of Biblical stories? Do any Grand Lodges insist on a literal belief in the inspiration of the Bible? Does the Bible as a symbol increase or decrease differences between men of differing faiths? How?
Apron. — What are “Golden Fleece” ? “Roman Eagle ?” “Star and Garter?” Explain the good and bad points of knighthood and chivalry in the chivalric ages. Contrast with Masonic ideals. What does Masonry teach? Why is the lamb a symbol? Whence came the symbol of the goat? Of what is it a symbol? Is there a Masonic goat? If so, where did we get it?
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183
White.— three colours are symbolic in the Three De¬ grees? Is white as a symbol universal? Of what is it a symbol ? Why ?
Black. — Of what a symbol? Why?
Blue. — What is the origin of “Blue Lodge”? What is the meaning of blue as a Masonic symbol?
Gloves. — Were gloves always symbols? Are they used as a similar symbol to the apron? Where? Do all Grand Lodges sanction the use of gloves by Fellow Crafts?
Definition of a Lodge. — Why symbols are required in a lodge ? Can a lodge exist without these symbols? Without what they stand for? Could a lodge be held without some symbols?
High Hills and Low Vales. — What was the origin of such meeting places? What is the symbolic significance?
Valley of Jehoshaphat. — Whence does the expression come? Has it now a Masonic significance? What was its ancient meaning ?
Untempered Mortar. — How used in Operative Masonry? What is its speculative meaning?
Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. — What great meaning have these three, together? How does perfection in a building de¬ pend on them? Of a universe? Of a character? What did the Greeks think of these three? The Hebrews? Socrates? Aristotle? What does the Bible say of them? What officers do they represent in a lodge? Why?
Covering of a Lodge. — What does “cover” mean? What is its Masonic meaning? Of what is our covering a symbol? Is the symbolic covering always shown on the actual ceiling?
Ornaments of the Lodge. — How do they connect a lodge with the whole earth ? What does indented tessel mean ? What does it symbolise? To what does the Blazing Star allude? What does it represent to Masons? Has it more than one meaning?
Three Great Lights. — What are they? What do they repre¬ sent to Masons? Are they interdependent? Have they but one, or several symbolisms, each ?
Three Lesser Lights. — Name them. Is the Worshipful Master a symbol? Of what? How came the Lesser Lights to be symbols ? Why are these lesser lights ? Has one of them refer¬ ence to Masonic points of the compass?
Nature. — Why has Masonry so many symbols taken from nature? Is nature study important to Masons? Why? How big is the universe?
184 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
Brotherly What is its symbol? From whence came
the symbol ? How is brotherly love different from fidelity ? Is it superior? What was the sacred oil? Who could use it? Of what is it symbolic? What was the dew on Mount Hermon? Why is brotherly love compared to it?
Relief of the Distressed. — Of what is the good Samaritan a symbol ?
Truth. — What is its symbol ? Why do men fear truth ? Who are most afraid of it? Do Masons fear truth? Has God written truth elsewhere than, in sacred books? Is an unsuccessful effort to learn truth without reward?
Square. — Symbolised what? How old is this symbol? How old is it known to be in Masonry?
Level. — What does it teach? What sort of equality does it not teach? What is Masonic equality? What was equality in feudal days?
Plunih. — Is it a natural or a forced symbol ? Of what? How old is it?
Jacob's Ladder. — How did the ladder become a symbol ? Old or young ? How old ? How many rungs has our representation of Jacob’s ladder? What do they represent?
Situation of a Lodge. — Why East and West? Are all lodges so situated? If not, why not?
Point in a Circle. Parallel Lines. — Were the Saints John Masons? Are they symbols? Of what? Why do we honour them? Give another instance of Masonic honour to the poor and lowly. What qualities of a man does Masonry recognise?
Cardinal Virtues. — Who named them long ago? When? Is the list open to criticism? What criticism? Name them. Give their Masonic meaning. How does Masonic faith differ from theological faith? With what does Masonry support and sweeten faith?
Chalk, Charcoal and Clay. — Ancient symbols or modern? Of what? From what do the words “fervency” and “zeal” come?
Northeast Corner. — ^Why are corner stones laid there ? What is Pike’s explanation? Has the practice of standing the En¬ tered Apprentice there a symbolic meaning ? What is it ?
Whence Came You? — Is it a symbol? Is the answer sym¬ bolic? Explain both symbolisms.
What Came We flere to Do? — What difference is there be¬ tween the Masonic answer and that of the Pharisee? Did we
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185
come to do an unselfish task? What does Masonry reform? Should it join reform movements? Why not?