SECTION II.

This section illustrates certain hieroglyphical emblems, and inculcates many useful and impressive moral lessons. It also details many particulars relative to the building of the Temple at Jerusalem.
This magnificent structure was founded in
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the fourth year of the reign of SoLoMoN, on the second day of the month Zif, being the second month of the sacred year. It was located on Mount Moriah, near the place where ABRAHAM was about to offer up his son Isaac, and where DaviD met and appeased the destroying angel. JosEPHUS informs us, that although more than seven years were occupied in building it, yet, during the whole term, it did not rain in the day time, that the workmen might not be obstructed in their labor. From sacred history we also learn, that there was not the sound of axe, ham- mer, or any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was building. It is said to have been supported by fourteen hundred and fifty-three columns, and two thousand nine hundred and six pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble.
blems, essons. uilding
led in on the second ited on ,RAHAM d where g angel. pre than r it, yet, the day structed we also NXE, ham- e house hve been fty-three dred and st Parian
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MASTER MASON’S DEGREE—SECTION II, 127
It was symbolically supported, also, by three columns—WISDOM, STRENGTH and Beauty. **
There were employed in its building three Grand Masters ; three thousand and three hun- dred Masters or Overseers of the work ; eighty thousand Fellow Crafts ; and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices, or bearers of burdens. All these were classed and arranged in such manner, by the wisdom of f£oLomon,
that
| | |
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128 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
neither envy, discord, nor confusion, was suf- fered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the workmen.
In front of the magnificent porch, were placed the two celebrated pillars—one on the left hand and one on the right hand. They are supposed to have been placed there as a memorial to the children of Israel, of the happy deliverance of their forefathers from Egyptian bondage, and in commemoration of the miraculous pillars of fire and cloud. The pillar of fire gave light to the Israelites and facilitated their - arch, and the cloud proved darkness to PHARAOH and his host, and retarded their pursuit. King So1o- MON, therefore, ordered these pillars to be placed at the entrance of the temple, as the most conspicuous part, that the children of Israel might have that happy event continually before their eyes, in going to and returning from divine wership. .
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MASTER MASON’S DEGREE—SECTION U1, i29 | 1 2 In this section are also explained a variety of appro- 1 1s suf i | priate emblems, with which the skillful brother will not | v A good & | fail to make himself familiarly acquainted, and they are | i rkmen. es thus explained ; i placed 3 | ft hand | : is } 1pposed . | | q ul to the | . | 4 rance of | a H e, and in a urs of fire o ! ; ht to the | | q and the | { and his hb ing SoLoO- | De hrs to be ' ble, as the | | hildren of : | | ontinually 3 | THE THREE STEPS, | ‘ hrning from _ Usually delineated upon the Master’s carpet, | ; | are emblematical of the three principal stages of | a human life, viz: Youth, Manhood and Age. In | i Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought indus- ' oe * * triously to occupy our minds in the attainment Bi of useful knowledge ; in Manhood, as Fellow | |
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fo ee ee ep ere eye or
130 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL,
Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to Gop, our neighbor, and ourselves ; that so, in Age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflec- tion consequent on a well-spent life, and die tn the hope of a glorious immortality.
THE POT OF INCENSE Is an emblem of a pure heart, which 1s always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity ; and, as this glows with fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence, for the manifold blessings and comforts we en- joy. THE BEE HIVE
Is ai emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven, to the lowest rep- tile of the dust. It teaches us, that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones ; never sit- ting down contented while our feilow-creaturcs around us are in want, especially when it 1s in
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MASTER MASON’S DEGREE-—SECTION II, 331
our power to relieve them, without inconveni- ence to ourselves.
When we take a survey of nature, we view man in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brute creation ; he lies languishing for days, months and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding “zainst the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth, to have made man independent of all other beings ; but as depen- dence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they thereby en- joy better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship. Thus was mai formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of Gop; «.1 he that will so demean himself, as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and un- derstanding, may Le deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.
| |
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i [ | 132 THE FREEM
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THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS, GUARDED BY THE |
: TILER’S SWORD,
\\ Reminds us that we should be eve!
ded in our thoughts, |
watchful and guar words and actions, particularly when
before the enemies of Masonry ; ever
| pearing in remembrance those truly
Masonic virtues, silence and ceren”’
spection.
D, POINTING TO A NAKED HEART, es that justice will sooner
Demonstrat or later overtake us 5 and although our thoughts, and actions may be ridden from yet that ALL-‘SEEING EYE,
THE SWOR
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words the eyes of man,
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nia Re SES
de eo ee nr a a a ———- ———;
MASTER MASON’S DEGREE—SECTION II. i
wl Ge
— 1 | ‘ HE | whom the Sun, Moon and Srars obey, and | under whose watchful care, even CoMETs per-
avet | form their stupendous revolutions, pervades the sts, inmost recesses of the human Heart, and will yhen | reward us according to: se’ merits,
ever THE ANCHOR AND ARK
truly Are emblems of a well-
pre | \ grounded fofe, and a \
well-spent life. They=
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|
| “ART, | | are emblematical of that divine Ark, | a soon’ | which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea | ¥ gh our | "of troubles, and that Azchor which shall safely | may be | | moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked yet that | cease from troubling, and the weary shall find
THE FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM OF EUCLID
This was an invention of our ancient friend | | and brother, the great PYTHAGORAS, who, in his
travels through Asia, Africa and Europe, was initiated into sev- eral orders of priesthood, and | ot raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, ‘This wise phi-
ghee i Be | THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
lusopher enriched his mind abundantly in a gen- | eral knowledge of things, and more especially | in Geometry, or Masonry. On this subject he | drew out many problems and theorems ; and | | ay ~~ the most distinguished, he erected this, | whici;, ” the joy of his heart, he called Zure‘a, in the Grecian language, signifying, J have found | it; and upon the discovery of which he is said | to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Ma- sons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences. | |
RS CIE pica ae nia Stree ee
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THE HOUR-GLASS
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Is an emblem of human life. Behold! how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close! We cannot without astonishraent behold the little particles which are contained in this machine ;—how they pass | away almost imperceptibly ! and yet, to our : surprise, in the short space of an hour they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man! To-day, he | | puts forth the tender leaves of hope; to-mor- 4 iL | | row, blossoms, and bears his blushing honors Me) thick upon him; the next day comes a frost
| which nips the shoot; and when he thinks ns |
|
SR ibe SPER Hierro texav, erieieeee Niele ES nas te: r- Ss hee
Tie encaraieen —]$—$—— eC
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CSS SN Pa SS aaa i = MASTER MASON’S DEGREE—SECTION II, 135 |
| greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn
| Ber | leaves, to enrich our mother earth, | sially | | | ct he | | - and | | THE SCYTHE | { this, | Is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle + ured; | thread of life, and launches us into eternity. found | Behold ! what havoc the scythe of time makes is said among the human race! If by chance we should es Ma | | escape the numerous evils incident to childhood jences. | | and youth, and with health and vigor arrive to : | | the years of manhood; yet, withal, we must soon | | be cut down by the all-devouring scythe of time, 1 sneer | and be gathered into the land where our fathers q ta Wed have gone before us. ' without | PS which | hey pass | , to our they are 9-day, he | ; to-mor- | g honors | hg a frost |
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136 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
. rg sill i Cas! 0
Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death, which, with- out revelation, is dark and gloomy ; but we are suddenly revived by the ever-grecn and ever liv- ing sprig of Faith in the merits of the Lion of the tribe of Judah ; which strengthens us, with confidence and composure, to look forward toa blessed immortality ; and doubt not, but in the glorious morn of the resurrection, our bodies will rise, and become as incorruptible as our souls.
Then let us imitate the good man in his vir- tuous and amiable conduct; in his unfeigned piety to God; in his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us fron: this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious and cceles- tial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect
of the universe presides.
yblems ly with- we are over liv- Lion of | us, with | ard to 4 t in the ydies will Yr souls.
in his vil- |
unfeigned |
) his trust;
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5 from: this
and celes-
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MASTER MASON’S DEGREE—SECTION II. 137 .
CHARGE TO THE NEWLY RAISED CANDIDATE.
BROTHER,—Your zeal for the institution of Free Masonry, the progress you have already made, and your conformity to our general regu- lations, have pointed you out as a fit object of esteem and favor. In the character of a master mason you are henceforth authorized to correct the errors and ir.egularities of your younger brethren, and guard them against a breach of fidelity. To improve the morals and correct the manners of men in society ought to be your con- stant care. You are to inculcate universal bene- volence, and by the regularity of your own behaviour, afford the best example for the con- duct of others. ‘The ancient landmarks of the order you are to preserve sacred and inviolable, and never suffer an infringement of our customs, or a deviation from established usages.
Duty, honor and gratitude, now bind you to your trust, let no motive, therefore, ever make you swerve from your duty, but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that cele-
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138 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
brated artist, whom you have once represented. Endeavor in a word, to convince the world thai merit has been your title to our privileges, and that on you our favors have not becn undeser- vedly bestowed.
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ANCIENT CEREMONIES. |
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These ceremonies should be carefully studied, and well :inderstood by every Master of a Lodge. They treat of the government of our society, the | disposition of our rulers, and illustrate their re- quisite qualifications. They include the form of Petition and directions for organizing -Lodges ; Consecrating, Dedicating and Constituting new Lodges; Installing officers of subordinate Lodges; | Laying Foundation-stones, Dedication of Masonic Halls, Funeral Services, etc.
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140 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL,
ILLUSTRATION OF THE CEREMONIES OF CONSECRATING, DEDICATING, AND CONSTITUTING A LODGE.
I.—CONSECRATION.
The ceremony of consecrating religious edifices to the sacred purposes for which they are intended, by mystic rites, has been transmitted to us from the remotest anti- quity,
‘* History,” says Dudley, ‘‘ both ancient and modern, tells us that extraordinary rites, called rites of consecra- tion or dedication, have been performed by people of all ages and nations, on the occasion of the first application of altars or temples, or places, to religious uses.”
Thus Moses consecrated the tabernacle, Solomon the first temple, and the returned exiles from Babylon the second.
Among the Pagans, ceremonies of the most magnifi- cent nature were often used in setting apart their gorgeous temples to the purposes of worship.
A masonic lodge is, in imitation of these ancient exam- ples, consecrated with mystic ceremonies to the sacred purposes for which it has been constructed. By this act it is set apart for a holy object, the cultivation of the great tenets of a Mason’s profession, and becomes, or should
| een, |
ces to the by mystic otest anti-
id modern, € consecra- ople of all application
gi”?
olomon the Babylon the
pst magnifi- eir gorgeous
cient exam- » the sacred Ry this act
1 of the great e, or should
ANCIENT CEREMONIES, 14i
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| become, in the mind of the conscientious mason, invested ae _ with a peculiar reverence, as a place, where, as he passes a | over its threshold, he should feel the application of the
command given to Moses, ‘‘ Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground,”
} | On this occasion a small box or chest is to be used as the symbol of the lodge. It is placed in the centre of the room, and is a representation of the Ark of the Covenant which was deposited in the holy of holies of the ancient temple.
In the course of the ceremony this symbolized lodge is sprinkled with Corn, Heine and Ov, which are the ma- | sonic elements of consecration, being to the mason sym- bolic of the many gifts and blessings for which we are indebted to the bounty of T.G.A.O.T.U.; for the first is emblematic in masonic symbolism of //ca/th and Plenty, the second of Foy and Cheerfulness, and the third of Com- _ fort and Consolation.
The ancient altars were thus consecrated by the offer- ings of barley cake, and libations of wis. and oil, and the
jewish ritual gives ample directions ior a similar cere- | mony.
The rite of masonic consecration is accompanied by a prayer in which the lodge is solemnly consecrated ‘‘ ¢o ‘ie honor and glory of God.”
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142 THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
wy ew
II,--DEDICATION,
The ceremony of dedicating a lodge imn. _.itely fol- lows that of its consecration. This, too, isa very ancient ceremony, and finds its prototype in the religious ceremo-
{
Oh ny
nies of antiquity. | |
Every temple among the Pagans was dedicated to some particular deity, oftentimes to the conjoint worship of several, while the Jews dedicated their religious edi- fices to the one supreme Jehovah. Thus David dedicated with solemn ceremonies the altar which he erected on the threshing floor of Araunah (or Ornan) the Jebusite, after the cessation of the plague which had aff’ 1 his peo- ple; and Calmet conjectures that he comp. ~— the thir- tieth psalm on this occasion. The Jews extended this ceremony of dedication even to their private houses ; and Clarke tells us, in reference to a passage on this subject
| in the book of Deuteronomy, that ‘‘it was a custom in | Israel to dedicate a new house to God with prayer, praise and thanksgiving ; and this was done in order to secure : the divine presence and blessing; for no pious or sensi- ai ble man could imagine he could dwell safely in a house = that was not under the immediate protection of God.”
itt eapetiats Steers . z . — 3 Panaracer ee vant
According to the learned Seldan, there was a distinc- tion among the Jews between consecration and dedica- | tion ; for sacred things were both consecrated and | dedicated, while profane things, such as private dwelling- nouses, were only dedicated. Dedication was therefore
ele tee
y fol- ncient syemo-
‘ted to vorship yus edi- licated 1 on the te, after his peo- the thir- ded this ses 5 and 5 subject stom in pry praise to secure or sensi-
a house
God.”
a distinc- dedica- ated and dwelling- therefore
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ee
ANCIENT CEREMONIES,
a less sacred ceremony than consecration, This distine- tion has also been preserved among Christians, many of whom, and in the early ages all of whom, consecrated their churches to the worship of God, but dedicated them to, or placed them under the especial patronage of, some particular Saint
A similar tiactice was introduced into masonic institu- tions by formerly dedicating lodges to King Solomon, and subsequently -o either of the two Saints John, as the patrons of inasonry ; there is, however, neither historical proof nor any other authentic evidence that either of the Saints Jj »hn was c« freemason. The most rational mode, therefore, of dedicating freemasons’ lodges is to dedicate them ¢o_freemesonry, without any addition of patrons or of Saints.
By these acts cf consecration and of dedication the lodge is set apart as something sacred, in which to culti- vate the principles of freemasonry
III.—CONSTITUTION
The consecration and dedication may be considered as the religious formularies which give a sacred character to the lodge, and by which it is to be distinguished from a profane association, intended only for the cultivation of good fellowship.
The ceremony of constitution which immediately fol- lows, is of a legal character. It is intended to give
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144. THE FREEMASON’S MANUAL.
legality to the lodge, and constitutional authority to all its acts. It is of course dependent on the preceding cere monies, for no lodge can be rightfully constituted until it has been consecrated and dedicated.
The two preliminary ceremonies xefer to the Alace ; the latter to the persons assembled,
The lodge is consecrated and dedicated as a place wherein the science of freemasonry is to be cultivated ; by its constitution the members then present and their successors are authorized to cultivate that science in the lega! and acknowledged mode. ‘
The ceremony of constitution is a simple one, and con- sists merely in the enunciation of the fact by the Grand Master, or his special proxy under his authority, as re- presenting the Grand Lodge, which body alone can give this legal character to an assembly of masons.
The Grand Master (or his proxy) constitutes the lodge ‘fin the name of the Most Wershipful the Grand Lodge.”
By this ceremony the lodge is taken out of its inchoate and temporary condition as a lodge under dispensation, and is placed among the pe ‘manent and registered lodges of the jurisdiction,
After the ceremony of constitu.ton follows the Zmstal- lation and Investiture of Officers, whereby the officers chosen are duly invested with the power to exercise the functions confided to them.
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ANCIENT CEREMONIES, 145
CEREMONIES.
The lodge being opened, the Grand Master and Grand Officers having assembled in a convenient room and opened a Grand Lodge, the new lodge sends to the
_ Grand Master the following message :
“M,. W. Sir,
“The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Officers and BPOtHLON Of. ck ee ess lodge are now assembied Bye fi og kn and have instructed me to inform you that under the dispensation which you were pleased to grant them, bearing date the........ GRVOT 65 .. AL. 58.., authorizing them to form and open a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in CAO iis Kaqtene dis Ms yccesx ....., they have regularly assembled and. conducted the business of masonry according to the best of their abilities ; that their proceedings having received the approbation of the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge, they have obtained a warrant of constitution, and are desir- ous that their lodge should be consecrated, dedi- cated and constituted, their Worshipful Master installed, and their Wardens and other officers invested, agreeably to the ancient usages and cus- toms of the fraternity, for which purpose they are now assembled and await your pleasure.”
SS ae ee a
146 THE FREFEMASON’S MANUAL, |
The Grand Lodge now moves in procession to the hall of the new lodge, the lodge receives them with the grand honors, the officers resigning their seats to the Grand
Lodge Officers.