CHAPTER XII.

THE FIVE PILLARS IN THE LODGE-ROOM.
The Voice of Masonry on pages 567, 8 and 9 had this to say about these pillars: "In the city of the Sun. Heliopolis, in ancient Egypt, there was erected, about 2,700 years before our era, a temple to Amun-Iia, the Sun-God. Before this temple there stood two immense columns, dedicated to Osiris the sun and Isis the moon. The pillar of Osiris was eighteen cubits high, referring to the highest point of the inundation of the river Nile. The height of the pillar of Isis was twelve cubits to de- note the twelve signs of the Zodiac through which the sun passes. These two columns are symbolic of the whole existence of mankind, and the old and continuous struggle between light and darkness in which the right triumphs. Here then was the sim emblematic of activ- ity and life, and the moon symbolic of sleep and death; and these two upright columns of unequal size were placed in pairs before the temple to signal the final vic- tory of light over darkness, right over wrong, righteous- ness over evil.
"* * * The two deities, Osiris and Isis, sun and moon, produce, govern and nourish ever3^thing con- nected with the visible universe. * * * rpj^g ^^^ jg the father, the moon the mother of all things. * * *
"The larger column in the East is near the Master of the lodge, who stands in the East and represents the sun.
71
He rises and sets his men to work. * * * ^jj^j ^\^q Senior Warden who stands on the West represents Isis paying men their wages."
In the mysteries of Osiris and Isis the bull, Apis, to which divine honors were paid, played an important part. He is symbolic of the generative power in na- ture, as the cow is symbolic of the productive power.
The three smaller columns are thus described on the same pages: "The Corinthian is one of the five col- umns of Freemasonry, the beauty of the lodge. It is the column indicative of the loveliness, the poetry and splendor of the luxuriant city of Corinth in rich and ancient Greece. It is splendid in art and culture as the old Corinthian cit}^ with her avenues of marble and bronze, her gardens and groves, innumerable fountains and temples. The Corinthian column is placed in the south of the lodge. It may aptly be termed the jewel of light, belonging to the Junior Warden. It is set in the eyes and the care of the youthful Junior Warden to perpetually remind him of his responsibility in bringing the initiate from darkness into light, unto an apprecia- tion and understanding of the beauty of the principles and teachings of the Worshipful Craft of Free and Ac- cepted Masons.
"The Doric is another of the great columns of Free- Masonry, the strength of the lodge. It is the middle pillar of the lodge and its attributes are gracefulness and strength. A massive column, without the ornamenta- tion of the Corinthian, yet gracefuUv constructed. The Doric column, strong and enduring, is the chief o.f those marble creations which made CTreece famous.
While the Corinthian column is beauty, the Doric column is symbolic of strength. It takes its name from
72
Dorus, a mythological god, said to have erected a temple, or caused one to be constructed, dedicated to Juno. The Greeks did not then know the proper proportion of a col- umn but they were muscular people and would naturally make a strong column; moreover, they sought to make all their creations picturesque, being lovers of art, and so it was the purpose of their masons to construct a col- umn which should not only be strong but graceful, hand- some and endnring. And it is said, to carry out such ideas, they found that the measure of a man's foot was about one-sixth part of his lieight, and upon such calcu- lations they made a column six times the height of the foot of it. So that the Doric column has the proportion_ tlie strength and the grace, relatively speaking, of the body of a man. The Dorians lived in the southern part of Greece and were a very hardy people, claiming to be descendants of the inighty Tlercules, the historical pre- decessor of Samson.
The Dorians and Spartans were masters in the south of Greece, and there, where great trees grew and flour- ished, they took the trunks of the oak and the olive as the fir*t support of their houses. Afterwards came the knowledge of carving their columns out of marble and then they wrought the massive and graceful Dorian temples. But the chief feature of the Dorian column is strength, and therefore it is placed in the west of the lodges, because strength is the characteristic of tlia Senior Warden. And strength in masonic symbolism is more than the power of Hercules and Samson; it is the everlasting moral strength and towering power of right; it is the upl)uilding, uplifting and soaring might of truth: it is the spiritual brilliancy and universal lus- ter of light. In the city of Acropolis, in Greece, de-
73
voted to art seieneo and philosophy, upon a mountain there stood a temph^, a Doric temple, named the Pan- Ihenon. It was the first sight which met the gaze of a traveler going towards Greece and it had withstood the assaults of time for more than two thousand years. It is an example of great strength with the grace of Gre- cian architecture with which we as Freemasons are made acquainted through the symbolism of the Doric column,
The Ionic is the last and most important of the throe Grecian columns. It is one of the richest jewels of Ma- sonic symbolism and the column of the Worshipful Mas- ter of the lodge. The Ionic column is said to have been copied from a temple built to Bacchus. The architects of the Ionic column lived in Ionia, Greece, and they were celebrated for their learning and refinement.
Probably more buildings of modern times are con- structed after the Ionic style than any other order of architecture. The st3'le is simple and elegant, a fine form in a beautiful dress, and it is placed in the east of the lodge because it is a symbol of wisdom.
In the south the Master became acquainted with the lieauty of the Corinthian column, typical of the classical beauty of the women and art of lovely Greece; in the Avest the Master pondered upon the strength of the Doric column, representing the matchless skill of the incom- parable athletes, the men and warriors of splendid G reece ; but the philosophy and wisdom of that gorgeous and poetical nation is fittingly shown by the perfection of the Ionic column. It is a jewel of philosophy and wisdom and it belongs in the east as a helpmate of the A¥orshipful Master, to remind him of his responsibility to be guided by philosophy, and his duty to be governed bv wisdom."
CHAPTEE XIII.
THE BLAZING STAR.
The blaziiio- star is one of the most conspicuous em- blems in the lodge. It refers to Sirius or the dog-star. The floods of the Xile in ancient times, like the overflow of the ^lississippi in our days, caused often serious dam- age, carrying off cattle, homes and people. The inunda- tion lasted ten or twelve weeks and often longer. The overflowing left behind a debris which fertilized the land, but at first the people did not know the time of the annual return of the overflow. They observed from one year to another that the overflowing was always pre- ceded by an Ethesian (annual) Avind, which blowing from the north to south drove the vapors towards the source of the Xile and brought the rainfall which caused the ovt-rfiov. About this time they saw in the morning one of the most brilliant stars ascending the horizon a little before sunrise. That star became the public mark, on which everyone was to keep a watchful eye, not to miss the instant to retire to higher grounds. As it was seen but a very short time above the horizon towards the dawn of day, which becoming brighter every instant made it disappear, the star seemed to show itself to the Egyptians merely to warn them of the overflowino' which soon followed.
75
They gave this star two names having a natural rela- tion to the helps they borrowed therefrom. It warned them of the danger ; whereupon they called it Thaaut or Tayaut, the dog; they called it also the barker the monitor-Anubis. The warning given by the dog-star being their most important concern, the Egyptians from its rising, anciently dated their year and the whole series of their feasts. The Masons, too, date Iheir 'New Year from the rising of the dog-star and count the years from the creation of Adam. To them this star is the symbol of prudence.
The "dog-days'^ from July to September owe their name to this ancient custom of Egypt.
TPIE GROSS.
The cross in the lodge- room is not the sign of salvation through Christ but a pagan emblem — the Nilometer of ancient Egypt. The annual overflow of the Nile caused the fertility of the soil and the more extensive the inundation the greater the fertility. The height of the v/ater was measured by a watermark consisting of an upright pole and a cross-bar, arranged in such a way that the cross-bar was raised by the water but could not move downward. As the overflow of the Nile was considered the Salvation of Egypt, the Nilometer, having the form of a cross or rather the letter T (tan), came to be looked upon with veneration and occult powers were attributed to it. It became an amulet and was the symbol of fecundity for which it stands in the lodge.
The letters J.N.K.J. i. e., Jesus Nazarenus Eex Jud- aeorum, in the lodge ritual do not signify Jesus of Naz- areth King of Jews, but, "Igne Natura Eenovatur
76
Integra" — "by fire nature is renewed/' or they represent the elements, Earth, Fire, Air and Water.
SQUARE AXD COMPASS.
The inundation of the Xile naurally ol)literated tlio landmarlcs, which consisted principally of the holes dug in the eartli at certain distances forming the boundary line of each estate or division of property. These holes ])eing filled with the alluvial soil brought down from the mountains of p]thiopia, when the waters receded, the whole country presented a level surface, and nothing but the practical assistance of geometry could possibly deter- mine the amount and locality of private possessions. The survey was preceeded by a great festival in honor of Osiris and Tsis. The Xilometer (cross) was carried in procession, and also tiie square and compass, the instru- ments in the survey of the land. As the inundation lasted about three months it gave ample time for the festival.
The square and compass were tlie Egyptian emblems of justice, because by tlieir use as instruments in the science of ceon^etry every one had "his old land-mark'' restored to him.
The compass represents also the male generative prin- ciple, the square, the female productive principle.
OTJTER EMBF larS AS EXPLVTXEO IX ^'ODD-FELLOAVS TEXT- BOOK AYD MANUAL.'"
The Ejjc. — As Odd-Fellows, let us always remember those expressive words, that can not be too deeply im- printed on our minds,"Thou, God. seest me I'' For the eye of the Lord is in every place, l)cholding the evil and the good.
78
We may also, in this connection, remind ourselves that '•'a wholesome tongue is a tree of life;" that the secrets we have promised to keep inviolate will never be divulg- ed, except hy a man devoid of the principles of Jionor.
The Heart and Band. — The command of our law is that we visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan. What our hands find to do in these respects, therefore, we should do cheerfully, with the whole heart; not grudgingly and unwillingly. True friendship goes out with alacrity to the service recpiired of it : and heart and hand should go forth in concert in the cause cf sufTeriug humanity; they must not be divided in their euergies.
The Coffin, Skull, and (U'oss-lloncs. — The decree of Heaven is ''Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return."" We all a^vait the inevitable hour. What is our life? Jt is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little tiuie. aiul then vanisheth away. Where are the myriads of the human family that have lived and figured on earth ? 'J'luy all sleep with their fathers, and the ])laces that once knew them shall know them no more for ever. Oh. let us rellect — let us seriously meditate, my brother, on these monitors of 'Svhat we are sure to be. and wluit we' uuiy soon l>ecome.'"
Tlic Bec-IIivc. — Tb.e industrious man seldom suffers the aooiiy of want. Even though his labors yield him but a trifle, he is rontent in the knowledge that he is doing what he can to support himself. The idler is an unhappy wretch who drags out a miserable existence. AVbile the sleep of the lal)orer is sweet and refreshing that of the idler is restless and unsatisfying. No man can be happy unemployed. No matter how rich he may be
79
he must Avork if he would not be miserable. This is a law of nature — it can not be successfully resisted. As members of this order, we must laboii^ my brother — if not necessarily for ourselves, then for our fellows.
The Links and Axe. — "Friendship, Love, and Truth,*' the motto of our Order — how trite it has become — and how little it is understood and practiced by many who make large professions ! Yet what is it ? Friendship, Love and Truth, extended towards man by his brother universally, would make of this world a comparative par- adise. It would turn aside half the ills that "flesh is heir to," and produce an amount of happiness that would astonish mankind itself. Friendship, Love Truth, my brother, is no unmeaning expression. Practice them, and you at least will derive consolation from them. Do not imitate the theorizers, who preach our motto through their presses and from their ros- trums, and who have none of its life and spirit ; but go out among your brethren, and make them feel that you at least are no vainglorious boaster, whose thought is only for the loaves and fishes. Perform the offices of Friendship, Love, and Truth — do not merely talk about them.
The Lamh. — Innocence is one of the loveliest quali- fies which adorns human nature. The corrupt laugh at and affect to despise it, but in their hearts they honor it. The temperate, the chaste, the benevolent, and the charitable are beloved by the most abandoned wretches that disgrace humanity. Innocence of wrong-doing commends itself to all, and he who evinces it in his life and conduct may command the confidence of the whole world.
80
The Bundle of Sticks. —''In union is strength/' is a common axiom. We must be united in this cause of Odd-Fellowship, not only in our corporate capacity. but in our dkkds. A single individual, if he labor with a will, may accomplish much in the field of fra- ternity; but a host, united in solid phalanx in the serv- ice of Benevolence, may revolutionize the world. If the two hundred tliousand (this was years ago) Odd-Fellows we boast of in numbers Avere to go loi'th NOAV, and put into practice what they profess — if they would labor ^^ith one heart and (^ne ]nind in tlie bigliways and byways of life — how soon might their influence pervade the earrh (•]-usliing, A\'ithering, anniliila'ting the demands of Av- r.ricc, and Fust, and Pride, and raising man to the hii>h and holy estate for vrhich his blaster designed him! Brother, forget not your obligations. Wait not for ('thcrs, but do your part, though you may be but one r^'id in the bundle.
Quiver and Arrows.— \^ the marksnum prides him- self on the certainty of his aim, so should we, in a higher and more noble sense, study to make our gen- erous deeds sure. We niust j^erform our good offices at random, l)ut so regulate and direct them as to ren- der them serviceable at the proper time, and place, and circumstance. Thus, unlike the Indian, who desires his l)ow and arrows buried with him, that he may pos- sess them in tlie happy hunting-grounds where the Great Spirit dwells, let us hope that the odor of our benevolent actions shall precede us, and trust that the influence of those actions shall be felt and realized after all that is moi'tal of us shall have perished.
81
81
Moses' Bod. — As "the great lawgiver of the Jews'* received his authority and was directed by the Al- iniglity, so may you, my brother, by the same author- ity and direction, go forth as a leader in the cause of the oppressed. Lender such guidance you may smite with power and effect the high, tliick walls of Preju- dice which shut man away from his fellow; you may protect him from the enemies which would enslave and crush him, by teaching him to follow the example and practice the precepts which the Jewish leader exhibited and inculcated.
The Dove. — The messenger of Peace and Good-will of Promise and of Hope, what lot more happy — more desirable — than thine I ''Like a tree planted by the rivers, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, thy leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever thou doest shall prosper." Brother, be not wearied in thy progress. Go forth ever in the cause of Friendship — bear ever the olive-branch of Peace to the o])pressed.
The Brazen Serpent. — But whilst thou shouldst be harndess as the dove, thou shouldst also be wise as the serpent. Suffer no man — brother though he profess to be — to deceive thee ])y false tokens. All are not Odd-Fellows who take the name. All are not thy co- laborers who claim to be so. He who is selfish, or ava- ricious, or uncharitable, is not thy l)rother. Reform him. if thou canst, but discover not to him thy secrets. Do thy own ^^'ork — make not liini thy partner in it.
The Ark of the Covenant. — The ark of the covenant contained the sublimest instructions ever given to man. On these all just laws have been founded. On these have our laws been built. As those sacred deposits were the object of respect and reverence by the Jews, so likewise.
85
87
my brother, honor thou the teachings thus far impressed on thy mindj and act in conformity with the lessons thou hast learned.
The Scales and Suwrd. — Let us weigh well and truly our conduct and our actions, and suffer the bal- ance to be a just one. The spirit of Justice will not permit us to impose false balances. If we have erred, therefore, we must not screen ourselves, but repent. Nor should we screen other delinquents, however much our sympathy may be excited in their behalf. He is most merciful who enforces justice on the evil-doer, for it is for the general good; better one suffer than many.
The Horn of Plenty. — If thou art or shouldst become blessed with abundance, be thankful, not in words merely, but in deeds. If thou hast plenty and to spare and wouldst be happy, give of thy abundance in the cause of Benevolence. So shalt thou greatly aid in carrying out the noble designs of this Fraternity.
The Bible. — What you have been told concerning the sacrecl deposits of the ark of the covenant, might be appropriately repeated here. The Word of God, the Book of books, is the source of all true wisdom. Divine and human. It is a "lamp to our feet, a light to our path," and contains unerring directions and counsel for every phase, circumstance, and condition of life, Study it, my brother.
8un, Moon, and Seven Stars. — The sun is the em- blem of power and vigor; the moon and stars are not only subordinate to it, but dependent upon it. Truth if our great light. If we, in the course of our pilgrim- age here on earth, realize its power in our hearts, per- mit it to control our actions, and in our turn reflect its
88
strength upon others' hearts, Ave shall be the noblest benefactors that ever blessed humanity. We must, as Odd-Fellows, be sincere!}' wedded to Truth. For our union with her shall survive, not only earth, but Time, the conqueror of Death.
The Budding-Rod. — And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. Speak unto the cliildren of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers, twelve rods : write thou every man's name upon his rod. And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi : for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the tes- timony, where I will meet with you. And it shall come to pass that the man's rod whom I shall choose shall blossom : and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake unto the chil- dren of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Closes laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Closes went into the tabernacle of witness; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
The globe is the field of our labor. We should not pause in our efforts until the whole world shall be made happy. AYe should carry our Benevolence and Friend- ship into every corner of the wide earth, and into the remotest islands of the sea.
•90
92
The IIour-Glass and Scythe. — AVhile we have been thus pursuing this journey, Avhich has brought us at length to the goal we set out -to reach, the sands of our life have been falling, and we are nearer the "bourne whence no traveler return?."' Old Time, with his unerring scythe, is on our track — we can not escape him. Let us now impress this truth — let us exgrave IT on our hearts — that there is not a moment to waste ; ^.hat, in the brief prohation allotted to us here on earth, the good or ilj ice accomplish is all of us that shall live among men/'
The Altar of Incense. — Let tliy offerings, brother, be submitted in all simplicity and purity of heart. Imitate the patriarchs. Worship thy ^faker in spirit and in trnth. Call on him frequently — thou hast need of his -uidanee. Approach his altar in the spirit of humility and of love, and ask jiis l)lessings. not only on thyself, hut on thy neighbor. So shalt thou find favor in his -ii'ht. and insure his countenance and support.
The Patriarch's Ten f.— The patriarchs of old, who dwelt in tents, whose cjnjdoynu lit was that of shepherds, and who passed their lives in the inculcation of the so- cial virtues, were a happy because they were a good peo- ])le. Brother, imitate their pure exam])le, and thou shalt hnd the contentment Avhich they so richly enjoyed.
The Three P-Z/rtr*.-.— Brother, have 'Taith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind. ^The greatest of these is Charity:' for our Faith may be lost in sight; Hope ends in fruition; Init Charity extends beyond the grave, through the lioundless realms of eter- nity." The chief pillar of the temple we have reared is therefore Charity, licmember. then, that on this mainly depends our superstructure, and fail not, faint not in the practice of this Godlike virtue.