Part III: THE MASTER MASON DEGREE

Review the symbolism of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees as a whole. What is the test of worth of a Masonic symbol? What is the test of worth of meaning given a Masonic symbol?
Antiquity of Masonic Symbolism. — Why is the age of Ma¬ sonic symbols important? Quote several Masonic authorities. Do we know all the meanings of all Masonic symbols? Why do we study ancient records? What were the “ancient mys¬ teries”? How old is the oldest known? Were they all essen¬ tially the same? Name some ancient gods. How did the ancient trinity differ from ours ? How may secret worship have begun ? Were they similar to Masonry? What, anciently, was initia¬ tion? What Masonic similarity is there to the Mithraic Mys¬ tery? Did they use legends? What was the legend of Osiris? Has it Masonic similarities? Has it Christian similarities? Tell some similar legends to other lands. Summarise the learning of the ancient mysteries. What is Gould’s conclusion?
Third Degree Symbols. — What does the lodge symbolise in the first two degrees? In the Third Degree? Why is the Master Mason’s Degree especially solemn? Why does it call for especial reverence? What Temple do we all build? What is the foundation for the idea that the body is a Temple? What is light in the Entered Apprentice Degree? Fellow Craft De¬ gree? Master Mason Degree? How does the symbolism of the square and compasses differ in each of the three degrees?
188 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
Give another explanation from that of the ritual for their posi¬ tions in the three degrees.
Discalceation. — How does it differ in the Entered Apprentice and Master Mason Degrees? Give instances of the antiquity of the custom. What is it that we appeal to in each of the three degrees ?
Circumambulation. — Is it an ancient symbol? Explain some possible origins. What is the symbolism of its direction? What is the symbolism of its reversal in the Master Mason Degree?
Working Tools. — What are they? In America? In Eng¬ land? From what is the trowel derived?
Broached Thurnal. — Where was it once used? When dis¬ carded? Why?
Deity and Immortality. — What is the sixth sense ? What does it reveal to us? Do men’s ideas of God change from age to age? Why? Is it God or man which changes? Was an idol a god or a symbol? Who feared the use of human effigy for God? Why? What symbols does Masonry use for God?
Hiramic Legend. — Is it similar to ancient mystery legends? Is Abif a surname? How does the Bible translate it? How do we translate it? What does Hiram mean? What is Pike’s idea of it? Is it Christian? Has the legend an astronomical significance? What has this to do with the number of the Fellow Craft team? What was the ancient idea of the trinity? The modern idea? How does Masonry use them? Is there a Biblical story similar to the Hiramic legend? What myth is similar? How old is the legend? How do we know?
Three Ruffians. — Have any ancient gods similar names? Of what nation? Give one explanation of the symbolism of the three ruffians.
Low Twelve. — Had the number 12 an ancient meaning? What? What other meaning attaches to twelve? What is thirteen? Why is it “unlucky”?
Lion of the Tribe of Judah. — What is the literal meaning of the words? What is the symbolic meaning? Is it Christian or Jewish or both? What curious Egyptian picture shows a lion symbol? Of what?
Five Points of Fellowship. — Are they connected with ancient architecture? What is a Pentalpha? Was it a humane as well as a builder’s significance? What change is made in the symbol by elevating one point? Two points? What are the
APPENDIX
189
English five points ? When did our change in them take place ? Which do you consider correct? What is the ancient meaning of the winged foot? What is the ancient meaning of two clasped hands? Does a symbolic interpretation of the Hiramic legend deny its actual truth?
Lost Word. — Is the “lost word” an actual lost syllable, or is it a symbol? What did “the Word” mean to the Jews? How does St. John use this meaning? Was this idea only a Jewish one ? Define the Greek word “Logos.” What modern word do we get from it? Is the power of speech a wonder? Why is it? Explain the Masonic Symbolism of the search for “the word.” Why do we receive only the substitute word? Will we ever re¬ ceive the true word? Has this symbolism any bearing on the age of Masonry?
Marble Monument. — Is the monitorial explanation satisfac¬ tory? What Egyptian legend may have given rise to our use of this symbol? What did Apuleius say? When? What is the symbolism of the urn? Is there a better explanation than that given in the Monitor?
Setting Maul. — Of what a symbol? Is it ancient? Give sev¬ eral illustrations.
Acacia. — How did the ancient Jews use it? What is the real acacia? In what Egyptian legend is it used? What famous objects were made of its wood? Do any Mysteries use plants as symbols of immortality? What mysteries? What plants?
Death. — What does Masonry teach of it? What does Pike say of it? Omar? Bryant?
Resurrection. — Give some theories as to the resurrection? Does Masonry teach of them? All of them? What does Masonry teach of a future life?
Immortality. — How does Masonry teach it? Do we exact a belief in it? Why do you believe in it?
Pot of Incense. — How used in Solomon’s Temple? What did the Jews mean by it? Why is it a symbol of the best offering to God?
Beehive. — Is hurry important in operative Masonry? Why? In Speculative Masonry? Why is labour held to be honour¬ able? What is the symbolism of the bee? The hive? What makes Masonry live?
Silence. — Is the Book of Constitutions and the Tiler’s Sword a new or old symbol ? What was the ancient philosophic teach-
190 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
ing about silence ? Who was Harpocrates ? What did he teach ?
All-Seeing Eye. — Whence came this symbol? Has it a warn¬ ing? How do we use it?
Anchor and Ark. — Which ark is meant ? Was there a deluge legend before that of the Old Testament? What did it teach? How was the ark used in Egyptian funerals? In the Greek mythology ? What do we read in it ? Who first used the anchor as a symW of hope?
Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid. — Who was Euclid? When was the symbol first used Masonically ? What other names have we for it? What is it? Do we know all its symbolism? Will we ever fully understand it ?
Geometrical Figures. — Which ones especially please us? What did Plato teach of geometry? Why was it more im¬ portant in ancient times than now? Was the square especially significant? To the Chinese? The Greeks? The Egyptians? Explain the relation of the right square to the Egyptian trinity. How did it come to be a symbol of perfection.
Hour Glass. — Is this a real Masonic symbol?
Scythe. — Had it anciently a symbolism? How did it come to its present significance?
Coffin. — Was the chest used in the ancient mysteries? How?
Conclusion. — Did the operative Masons understand these symbols? Did they understand them as we do? Do all Specu¬ lative Masons understand them? Do you understand them?
INDEX
Acacia, the, i6i.
Akin’s Georgia Manual, 99. All-seeing eye, 147, 170.
Allegory, 15, 22.
Anchor, the, 170.
Ancient mysteries, the, 133. Anderson’s Book of Constitu¬ tions, iy2.
Antiquity of Masonic symbol¬ ism, 132.
Apron, the, 48.
Architecture, the five orders in, 121.
Ark, the, 170.
Aum, 139.
Bacchus, 138.
Bacon’s Wisdom of the An¬ cients, 16.
Baxter, Mrs. Lucy, 109.
Beauty, 56.
Beehive, the, 168.
Bel, 153.
Bible, the, 44.
Black, 52.
Blue, 53.
Blue Masonry, the chisel ab¬ sent in, 33.
Boaz and Jachin, 105.
Book of Wisdom, 58.
Brace, C. L., 69.
Brace’s Gesta Christi, 6g. “Bright Mason,” a, 97.
Broached thurnel, the, 146. “Brotherly love,” 68, 143.
191
Bunyan’s Pilgrim's Progress,
i6.
Bryant, William Cullen, 164.
Cabiric Mysteries, 161.
Cable tow, 39.
Cardinal virtues, 86.
Chalk, 89.
Character, modesty of true, 37‘
Charcoal, 89.
Chisel, the, 33.
Cicero, 135.
Clay, 89.
Circumambulation, 41, 144. Clarke, Adam, 143.
Code of the Masonic Law, 76. Coffin, the, 177.
Colours, 52-53.
Compasses, the, 48, 142, 145. Confucius, 175.
Cornish, F. W., 49.
Coulton, George Gordon, 48. Covering of the Lodge, 59. Cumberland, Bishop of Peter¬ borough, no.
Death, 162.
Deity, 147.
Dignity of Man, 43.
Dinsmore, Charles Allen, 166. Discalceation, 40, 143. Distressed, relief of, 70. Dudley’s Naology, 25.
Due guard, 39.
192 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
East, the, 42.
Egypt, mysteries of, 136.
Emulation working, 33.
Enfield, 122.
English Monitors, 121.
Entered Apprentice Degree, 13, 26; represents youth, 99.
Erica, the, 162.
Euclid, forty-seventh problem of, 172.
Eureka, the word, 172.
Fellow Craft Degree, 97; can¬ didate regarded as a seeker after knowledge, 102; jewels of, 104; represents manhood, 99; wages of, 127.
Fellowship, five points of, 155.
Five Senses, the, 119.
Freeman, Edward A., 48.
Freemasonry, more ancient than Golden Fleece, 51 ; more honourable than the Star and Garter, 51.
G, the letter, 122.
G. A. O. T. U., 149.
Gauge, the twenty- four inch,
32.
Gavel, the common, 32.
Geometrical figures, 173.
Geometry, 124.
Globes, the, 106.
Gloves, 53.
Gothe, 21.
Gould, Robert Freke, 18, 132, 140, 178.
Great Lights, the Three, 61.
Greece, mysteries of, 138.
Guard, due, 39.
Hemming, Dr., 121.
High hills, 54.
Hiramic Legend, 147, 149. Horsley, J. W., 104.
Hour glass, the, 176.
Hughan, William James, 132.
Immortality, 147, 166.
Incense, pot of burning, 167. India, mysteries of, 138. Initiation, 24.
Isis, 137.
Jachin and Boaz, 105.
Jacob’s Ladder, 82.
Jah, 153.
Jameson, Mrs., 171. Jehoshaphat, valley of, 55. Jehudi, Solomon, 107.
Jewels, of a Fellow Craft, 104; of a Lodge, 74.
Judah, lion of the tribe of,
154.
Keller, Helen, 119.
Key, the, 34.
Kip’s Catacombs of Rome,
171.
Klein, Sidney T., 67, 175.
Legends of the Temple, 147. Lesser Lights, the Three, 62. Letter G, the, 123.
Level, the, 80.
Liberal arts and sciences, the seven, 122.
Light, 73.
Lights, the Three Great Lights, 61 ; the Three Lesser Lights, 62.
Lily-work, 108.
Lines, parallel lines, 84.
Hale, 38.
INDEX
Lion of the tribe of Judah, IS4.
Lodge, covering of the, 59; definition of a, 54; jewels of the, 74; meaning of, 24; of¬ ficers of, 1 18; ornaments of the, 60 ; situation of, 83.
Lolus, the, 162.
Lost word, the, 157.
Love, Brotherly, 68.
Low twelve, 154.
Low vales, 54.
Mackey, Dr., 100, 117, 123.
Man, dignity of, 43.
Marble monument, 160.
Mason, etymology of the word,
19.
Masonry, definition of, 21 ; etymology of the word, 19; operative and speculative, no.
Master Mason Degree, 131.
Master Mason, represents old age, 99.
Maul, the setting, 161.
Metaphors, 15.
Mistletoe, the, 162.
Mithras, mysteries of, 140.
Modesty of true character, 37.
Moller, George, 122.
Monument, the marble, 160.
Moon, the, 62.
Moore, George Fleming, 29.
Morality, 22.
Morals and Dogma, 68.
Mortar, untempered, 56.
Myrtle, the, 162.
Mysteries, of Egypt, 136; of Greece, 138; of India, 138; of Mithras, 140; teachings of the, summarised, 139 ; the
193
ancient, 133; the Cabiric, 161.
Nature, 64.
Network, the, 109.
Northeast corner, 89.
Numbers, science of, 115.
Officers of the Lodge, 118. Oliver, Dr. George, 40, 121,
145.
Om, 139, 153.
Om£|,r Khayyam, 163.
Order of the Garter, 48.
Order of the Golden Fleece, 48.
Operative and speculative masonry, no.
Ornaments of the Lodge, 60. Osiris, 136.
Parallel lines, 84.
Pausanias, no.
Pencil, the, 145.
Pentalpha, the, 156.
Perfect youth, 75.
Pike, General Albert, 13, 26, 148, 178 Plato, 174.
Plumb, the, 82.
Pomegranate, the, no.
Pot of Incense, 147, 167. Preparation of the candidate, 26.
Proclus, 174.
Pythagoras, 116, 143, 174.
Questions for discussion, 181.
Ravenscroft, W., 109.
Relief of distressed, 70.
194 SYMBOLISM OF THE THREE DEGREES
Resurrection, the, 164.
Rhea, 138.
Right-angled triangle, the, i73i 174.
Ritual, memorising the, 17. Roman Eagle, the, 48.
Royal Arch degree, 159.
Royal Tradition, 112.
Ruffians, the Three, 153. Rylands, W. H., 13.
Saints John’s Days, 84. Secrecy, 28.
Senses, the five, 119.
Setting maul, the, 161.
Seven liberal arts and sciences, 122.
Silence, 169.
Simpson, William, 132.
Skirret, the, 145.
Solomon, 105.
Solomon’s Temple, 34. Songhurst, W. J., 39. Speculative and operative masonry, iio.
Speculative freemasonry, de¬ velopment of, 23.
Speth, George William, 132, 146, 173.
Science of numbers, 115.
Scott, Leader, 109.
Scottish Rite Degrees, 65. Scythe, the, 48, 176.
Square, the, 48, 79, 142. Stairs, the winding, 115. Statius, Achilles, no.
Strength, 56, 59.
Steps, the Three, 117. Stukeley, Dr. William, 14.
Sun, the, 62.
Symbolism, 14; antiquity of masonic, 132.
Symbols, 22 ; third degree, 140 ;
tool, 29.
System, 22.
Temple, a, 18.
Temple, legends of the, 147. Third degree symbols, 140. Three Grand Masters, 147. Three Ruffians, the, 153.
Three steps, the, 117,
Thurnel, the broached, 146. Tile, 38.
Tiler, 38.
Tool symbols, 29.
Tools, working, 104, 145.
Tow, cable, the, 39.
Toy, Dr. Crawford H., 58. Tradition, royal, 112.
Triangle, the, 147.
Trinity, the, 135.
Trowel, the, 145.
Truth, 71.
Twelve, low, 154.
Twenty- four inch gauge, the,
32.
Tyler, 38.
“Universality,” 108. Untempered mortar, 56. Upright, 41.
Valley of Jehoshaphat, 55. Virtues, cardinal, 86. Vitruvius, 116.
Wages of a Fellow Craft, 127.
West, the, 43.
“What came we here to do,” 92.
“Whence came you,” 91. White, 52.
INDEX
195
Williams, Henry Smith, 31. Winding Stairs, the, 115. Winged foot, the, 157.
Wisdom, 56.
Woodford, Rev. A. F. A., 176.
Word, the lost, 157. Working tools, see “Tools.”
Yarker, John, 146.
Youth, perfect, 75.
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