CHAPTER X.

Remarks on the Third Degree.

FROM this class the rulers of regular bodies of
masons, in the first three degrees, are selected ;
as it is only from those who are capable of giving
instruction, that we can properly expect to receive
it. The lecture of this degree, considered sepa-
rately from the duties and ceremonies appertaining
to the degree of presiding or past-master, is divided
into three sections.

The First Section.

m

The ceremony of initiation into the third degree
is particularly specified in this branch of the lec-
ture, and here many other useful instructions ^ltQ
given.

Such is the importance of this section, thait we
may safely declare^ that the person who is unac;

74 FREEMASON'S MONITOR.

quaintcd with it, is illy qualified to act as a ruler
or governor of the work.

The following passage of scripture is introduced
during the ceremonies.

ECCLESIASTES xii. 1 — 7.

*' Remember now thy Creator in the days of
thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the
years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them ; while the sun, or the light, or
the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the
clouds return after the rain : in the day when the
keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong
men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease
because they are few, and those that look out of
the windows be darkened ; and the doors shall be
shut in the streets, when the sound of the grmding
is low ; and he shall rise up at the voice of the
bird ; and all the daughters of music shall be
brought low: also when they shall be afraid of
that which is high,- and fears shall be in the way,
and the almond-tree shall flourish, and the grass-
hopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail ;
because man goeth to his long home, and the
mourners go about the streets : or ever the silyer
cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or
the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel
broken at the cistern : then shall the dust return

PREEMASON^S MONITOR. 75

to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return
unto God who gate it.'*

The working tools of a master mason, which
are illustrated in this section, are all the imple-
ments of masonry indiscriminately, but more espe*
cially the troweU

The TROWEL is an instrument made use of by
operative masons, to spread the cement which
unites a building into one common mass ; but we,
as free and accepted masons, are taught to make
use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose
of spreading the cement of brotherly love and af-
fection ; that cement which unites us into one
eacred band, or society of friends and brothers,
among whom no contention should ever exist, but
that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who
best can work, or best agree.

The Second Section.

This section recites the historical traditions of
the order, and presents to view a finished picture,
of the utmost consequence to the fraternity. It
exemplifies an instance of virtue, fortitude, and
integrity, seldom equalled, and never excelled, in
the history of man.

(

76 VREKAIASON'S MONITQIU

Prayer at raising a Brother to the Sublime De-
grce of a Master Mason.

Thou, O God ! knowest our down-sitting and
our up-rising, and understandest our thoughts afar
off. Shield and defend us from the evil intentions
of our enemies, and support us under the trials and
afflictions we are destined to endure, while tra-
veiling through this vale of tears* Man that is
born of a woman, is of few days and full of trou-
ble. He Cometh forth as a flower^ and is cut
down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continu-
eth not. Seeing -his days are determined^ the
number of his months are with thee, thou hast ap-
pointed his bounds that he cannot pass ; turn from
him that he may rest, till he shall accomplish his
day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down^ '
that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch
thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth
away ; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where
is* he ? As the waters fail from the sea, and the
flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down^
and riseth not up till the heavens shall be no more.
Yet, O Lord ! have compassion on the children of
thy creation, administer them comfort in time of
trouble, and save them with an everlasting sal-
vation.

Amen, So mote it be.

FHEEMASON^S MONITORt^ 77

The Third Section.

The third section illustrates certain hieroglyphi-
cal emblems^ and inculcates many useful lessons^
to extend knowledge, and promote virtue.

In this branch of the lecture, many particulars-
relative to king .SoIomon^s temple are considered.

The construction of this grand edifice was at-
tended with two remarkable circumstances. From
Josephus we learn,, that although seven years w^re
occupied in building it, yet during the whole term
it rained not in the day time, that the workmen
might not be obstructed in their labour : and from
sacred history it appears^ that there was neither
the sound of the hammer,, nor axe, nor any tool of
iron, heard in the house,, while it was in building.

This famous fabric was supported by fourteen
hundred and fifty-three columns, and two thousand
nine hundred and six pilasters ; all hewn from the
finest Parian marble. There were employed, in
its building three grand masters ; three thousand
and three hundred masters, or overseers of the
work ; eighty thousand fellow crafts ; and seventy
thousand entered apprentices, or bearers of bur-
thens; All these were classed and arranged in such
ft manner by the wisdom of Solomon, that neither

envy, discord nor confusion were suffered to ia^

G 2 -

78 FRLEMASON^S MONITOR.

terrupt that universal peace and tranquillity, which
pervaded the world at this important period.

THE POT OF INCENSE

Is an emblem of a pure heart, which is alwa3rs
an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity ; and, as this
glows with fer\'ent heat, so should our hearts con-
tinually glow with gratitude to the great and be-
neficent Author of our existence, for the manifold
blessings and comforts we enjoy.

THE BEE-HIVE

Is an emblem of industry, and recommends the
practice of that virtue to all created beings, from
the highest seraph in heaven, to the lowest reptile
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 sitting down
contented while our fellow-creatures around us are
in want, when it is in our power to relieve them,
without inconvenience to ourselves.

When we take a survey of nature, ^Ve view
man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent
than the brutal creation ; he lies languishing for
days, months and years, totally incapable of pro-
viding sustenance for himself, of guarding against
the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or shcV-

FREEMASON'S MONITOR. 7i>

tering himself from (he inclemencies of the wea-
ther.

It might have pleased the great Creator- of hea-
ven and earth to have made man independent of
all other beings ; but, as dependence is one of the
strongest bonds of society, mankind were made
dependent on each other for protection and secu-
rity, as they thereby enjoy better opportunities of
fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friend-
ship. Thus was man formed for social and active
life, the noblest part of the work of God ; and he
that will so demean himself as not to be endea-
vouring to add to the common stock of knowledge
and understanding, may be deemed a drone in the
hive of nature, a useless member of society, and
unworthy of our protection as masons.

THE POOK OF CONSTITUTIONS, GUARDED BY

THE TYLER'S SWORD,

Reminds us that we should be ever watchful
and guiarded, in our thoughts, words and actions,
particularly when before the enemies of masonry ;
ever bearing in remembrance those truly masonic
virtues, silencQ and circumspection.

THE SWORD, POINTING TO A NAKED HEART,

Demonstrates that justice will sooner or later
overtake us ; and although oiir thoughts, words.

©a FREEMASON^S MONITORr

and actions, may be hidden from the eyes of man^
yet that .

ALL-SEEING EYE,

Whom the SuN, MoON and Stars obey, and
under whose watchful care even Comets perform
tlieir stupendous revokitions, pervades the inmost
recesses of the human heart, and wuU reward us
according to our merits-

THE ANCHOR AND ARK

Arecmblemsof a well-grounded ^ojoe,nnda well*-
spent life. They are emblematical of that divine
ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous
sea of troubles, and that anchor which shall safely
moor us in a peaceful harbour, where the wicked
cease from troubling, and the weary shall find
rest.

The Forty-seventh Problem oj 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

• TiiEORF.M.] — ^In any rigbt-angkd triangle^ the nqiiare
which is dtscrlbed iipOo the side subtending the right angle,
is equal to the squares described upoa the sides which con-
tain the right Itugle.

Fuclid, lib. i.j>rop. 47*.

FREEMASON'S MONITOR. 81

into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the
sublime degree of a master mason. This wise
philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a ge-
neral knowledge of things, and more especially ia
geometry or masonry ; on this subject he drew
out many problems and theorems, and amongst
the most distinguished, he erected this, which, in
the joy of his heart, he cMed^ Eureka, in the Gre-
cian language signifying, / have found it; and
upon the discovery of which, he i» said to have
aacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches masons to be
general lovers of the arts and sciences*

THE HOUR-GLASS

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 asto-
nishment 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 ten-
der leaves of hope; to-morrow, blossoms, and
bears his blushing honours thick upon him ; the
next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot, and
when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring, h^
falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother
cartbu

82 FREEMASON'S MONITOR,

THE SCYTHE

Is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle
thread of life, and launches us into eternity. — ^Be-
hold ! what havoc the scythe of time makes
among the human race ; if by chance we should
escape the numerous evils incident to childhood
and youth, and with health and vigour arrive to
the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon
be cut down by the all-devouring scythe of time,
and be gathered into the land where our fathers
are gone before us.

THE THREE STEPS,

Usually delineated upon the master's carpet,
are emblematical of the three principal stages of
human life, viz. youth, manhood, and age. In
youth, as entered apprentices, we ought industri-
ously to occupy our minds in the attainment of
useful knowledge : in manhood, as fellow crafts,
we should apply our knowledge to the discharge
of our respective duties to God, our neighbours,
and ourselves ; that so in age, as master masons,
we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on
a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious
immortality.

FREEMASON^S MONITOR, 8^

Charge at Initiation into the Third Degree.
Brother,

Your zeal for the institution of masonrj', the
progress you have made in the mystery, and your
conformity to our regulations, have pointed you
out as a proper object of our favour and esteem.

You are now bound by duty, honour, and gra-
titude, to be faithful to your trust ; to support the
dignity of your character on every occasion ; and
to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to
the tenets of the order.

In the character of a master mason, you are
authorised to correct the errors and irregularities
of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them
against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the re-
putation of the fraternity unsullied, must be your
constant care ; and for this purpose it is your pro-
vince to recommend to your inferiors^ obedience
and submission ; to your equals, courtesy and
affabilit}!^ to your superiors, kindness and con-
descension. Universal benevolence you are al-
ways to inculcate; and, by the regularity of
your own behaviour, afford the best example for
the conduct of others less informed. The ancient
landmarks of the order, entrusted to your care,
you are carefully to preserve ; and never suffer
them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation

84 FREEMASON'S MONITOR.

from the established usages and customs of the
frattrnity.

Your virtue, honour, and reputation, are con-
cerned in supporting with dignity the character
you now bear. Let no motive, therefore,^ make
you swerve from your duty, violate your vows, or
betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imi-
tate the example of that celebrated artist whom
you this evening represent. Thus you will render
yourself deserving of the honour which we have
conferred, and merit the confidence that we have
reposed.