Part II: FELLOW CRAFT DEGREE

Why is it desirable that ceremonies be brief? Can we learn all of a degree while experiencing it? Have all Masonic sym¬ bols just one meaning? Is this an advantage, and why? How do the “mysteries” differ from the “secrets” of Freemasonry? Explain the method of teaching in Masonry. Does it appeal to all minds? Why? What does the lodge represent in Masonic symbolism? Why is the Fellow Craft Degree so little under¬ stood? Why misunderstood ? What part of life does the degree illuminate? What relation does it bear to Entered Apprentice Degree and Master Mason Degree? Compare preparations for the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees. What sym¬ bolism refers to prenatal conditions? Is there any part of life from conception to resurrection not represented in Masonic sym¬ bolism ? What is the first important lesson given the candidate ? Why are moral teachings essential? Why especially essential to Masonic training? Explain the symbolism of the human body as a Temple of God. What lesson is taught when the candidate is placed in the N. E. Corner? How is a candidate for the Fellow Craft Degree to be regarded? Why are the moral lessons of the Entered Apprentice Degree repeated? In what way does the general purpose of the Fellow Craft Degree differ from the Entered Apprentice? What is the great theme of the Fellow Craft Degree?
Jewels of a Fellow Craft, — Name them. What do they typify?
Working Tools of a Fellow Craft. — What are they? How applied by operative Masons? How by Freemasons? Why appropriate to a Fellow Craft? Has the Masonical application of the square an ancient counterpart?
Boas and Jackin. — Why were the pillars placed? Where? Have they another than the ritual meaning ? Explain the moral significance of the names. What is the symbolical signifi¬ cance ?
Globes. — How do we know the idea of globes is modern? What does the Bible say? Are the Brazen Pillars Egyptian?
186 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
Why do we think so? What is the relation between lily- work, Egyptian lotus buds and our globes? Give another possible explanation of the globes.
Lily-work. — What was the Egyptian symbol of peace?
Net Work. — Symbol of what? Why? Does it bear on the antiquity of Masonry? What do you know of the Dionysian Architects ?
Pomegranate. — Is it an odd symbol? Is it well understood? Why is it a symbol of plenty? What did ancient writers say of it?
Operative and Speculative Masonry. — Discuss non-operative Masonry and Speculative Masonry. Were operative Masons originally Speculative? How did they become so? What may have been the original object of secrecy? How did non-Masons get into ancient lodges? What several kinds of lodges resulted? How recently?
Royal Tradition. — Is this serious or humorous? Is it laughed at? Why? What other tradition is ridiculed? What reasons have you for thinking Masonic antiquity is not a myth? How could operative builders become philosophers? Why would great temple builders be friendly to kings? Why would rulers consider them as equals?
Winding Stairs. — Of what symbol? Why a good symbol? How many steps? What was JAH to the Hebrews? What was its numerical equivalent? Why were ancient temples ap¬ proached by an odd number of steps. What in the Fellow Craft Degree does this remind you of?
Science of Numbers. — What was this anciently ? What great Hebrew book developed from it ? How do our 3, 5 and 7 steps confirm the antiquity of Masonry?
Three Steps. — What do they signify? How does our society correspond with society in general?
Officers of the Lodge. — What practical symbolism do they bear ? Do their obligations teach civic duty ? What duty ?
Five Senses. — Why used as symbols on the stairs? Which are most important to Masons? What mental powers do the senses serve? What is the importance of imagination? Reason? Are these symbols in English work ? Why not ?
Five Orders in Architecture. — Does this reference instruct in the antiquity of Masonry? Do students of ancient peoples find architecture important ? How ?
Seven Liberal Arts. — Do they include all knowledge? Did
APPENDIX
187
they ever? What do you read from this of the antiquity of Masonry? What were the trivium and quadrivium? What do they mean ?
Letter G. — In what lodges should it not be used ? What other symbols could be universally used in place of it?
Geometry. — What is the common definition? Masonic defini¬ tion? Was it important to operative Masons? Why? Why important to us? Why did it become anciently a symbol of moral perfection? Is that its meaning to-day? How does the ancient symbolism bear on the age of Masonry?
Wages of a Fellow Craft. — What were they? Of what are they the symbols? Can you explain how such symbols might have come to be used?