SECTION I.

The first section of the second degree accurately elucidates Ihe mode of introduction into that particular class, and in- )«tructs the diligent Craftsman how to proceed in the proper •rrangement of the ceremonies used on the occasion. It (.lualifies him to judge of their importance, and convinces him •*f the necessity of strictly adhering to every established 4'sage of the Order. Here he is intrusted with particular t»sst8, to enable him to prove his title to the privileges of this •Vlany duties, which cement in the firmest union well-informed brethren, are illustrated in this section; and an oppqrtunity IS given to make sucli advances in Masonry as will always distinguish the abilities of those who have arrived at prefer- ment.
The Square is an important emblem in this degree. The Fellow-Craft is instructed, on his entrance, that this symbol should be the rule and guide of his conduct with all mankiml, but especially with a brother Mason.
The following passage of Scripture is rehearsed in this degree:
"Thus he shewed me: and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou ? and I said, A plumb-
118
GENERAL AHLMAN EEZON.
line. Then said the Lord, Behold. I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel ; I will not again pass by them any more." — Aiios vii. 7, 8.
Or the following Ode may be sung:
AxB — What Fairy-lUce Music
Coine, Cvaftsmeii, as-seinbled, our pleasure to share,
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Who work by the Plumb, and i-emember the Square;
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While trav'Ung, in love, on the Lev- el of time,
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Sweet hope shall liglit on to a far bet-ter clime.
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FELLOW-CEAFT
119
Well seek, in our labors, the Spirit Divine, Our Temple to bless, and our hearts to refine; And thus to our altar a tribute we'll bring, While, joined in true friendship, our anthem we sing
See Order and Beauty rise gently to view, Each Brotlier a column, so perfect and truel When Order shall cease, and when temples decay, May each fairer columns immortal surTcy.
The three J JJ allude to the three * * *, which are the Ailentive Ear, ilie Inst, udive Tongue, and the Faithful Breast.
THE SYMBOLICAL JEWELS.
TnE three vthtues — Hymbolically clesiRnnted "ihe three Precious Jewels of a Fellow-Craft" — are, if considered from the true point of \-iew, of no mean importance, and ai-e well worthy to be styled "Jewels."
Silence, Secrecy, and Fidelity — nghtly nuderstood — are snpremo rirtues. In silence, the Divine Thought moves through the Eter- nities, creating and adorning; filling the material world with fonci of beauty an the elements of ever-pxpanding perfection.
Ill silence and secrecy, Nature also perfiing her niysterioug latora, and create.s that inspiring grandeur an 1 Uoonjicg loveliness irhioh over attracts the attention and charms Clie vision ot man.
'20 GENERAL AlIIMAN REZON.
The hnman mind, too, ■withdrawn into silence and secreoy, fcj atterUion, and meditation, elaborates those grand thoughts — clothed with creative energies— by which man, through Philosophy, Sci- ence, and Art, becomes the sovereign of the material warld, p-nd demonstrates his close relationship to the unseen and immortal Powers.
Let, then, the Fellow-Craft wear these precious jewels proudly; for they are worthy of his love. Let the attentive ear gather up all those lessons of wisdom which Nature, History, and the World are perpetually proclaiming; and, retiring into the Divine Silence, let the adept study them with solemn earnestness. Let Fidelity — loyalty to Truth and Virtue — having its root in the deep recesses of the faithful heart, bind him eternally to the Good, the P.eautifal, and the True, which will crown him with joy on earth, and make him illustrious when he shall be admitted to the "Inner Chamber" of the Temple on high.
The Working-Tools of a Fellow-Craft are the Plumb, the Square, and the Level.
The Plumb is an instrument made use of by Operative Masons, to try perpendiculars; the Square, to square their work; and the Level, to prove horizontals : but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes: — the Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our ac- tions by the Square of Virtue, and ever remem- bering that we are traveling upon the Level of Time, to " that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns." * * •
FEIXOW-CKAIT. 121
The symbols of thosp. irustmments used by architects are tmknown to coiiui.on observers, who merely see in them the simple Square, the Level, and the Plumb; but Free and Accepted Masons recognizo tiem as emblems of certain moral principles and religious duties, which, if followed out as they should be, would render all men valuable members of society. The Square, as an emblem of mo- rality, teaches us to square our lives and actions by the unerring laws of God's Word, and to regulate our conduct according to the doctrine laid down by our divine Creator; to preserve a lively faith in his Holy Gospel, which, in the most impressive manner, teaches vs to live in brotherly love with all mankind. The Level is an emblem of equality; and reminds us that, in the sight of God, all men aie equal; that He causes the sun to shine on the poor man's cottage, as well as on the king's palace; with Him there is no distinction, unless we so far forget our duty as to neglect and dis- obey the divine commands. The Plumb, signifying uprightness, reminds us to observe justice and equity in all our dealings on earth: so that, through the great mercy of God, we may hope to obtain an entrance into the Grand Lodge above, held in that temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
SECTION n.
The second section of this degree has reference to the origin of the Institution, and views Masonry under two denominations — Operativr and Speculative. These are separately considered, and the principles on which both are rounded, particularly explained. Their affinity is pointed out by allegorical figures and typical representations. The period stipulated for rewarding merit is fixed, and the inimit- able moral to which that circnmstance alludes is explained; the creation of the world is described, and many other par- ticulars recited, all of which have been carefully preserved among Masons, and transmitted from one age to another by oral tradition.
Circumstances of great importance to the Fraternity are nero particularized, and many traditional tenets and cnstoms
122 GENEKAIi AHIMAN BEZON.
foiitrmcd by sacred and profane record. The celestial and terrestrial globes are considered with a minute accuracy; and here the accomplished Craftsman may display his talents to advantage in the elucidation of the Orders of Architecture, the Senses of human nature, and the liberal Arts and Sci- BKCES, which are severally classed in a regular arrangement. In short, this section contains a store of valuable knowledge, founded on reason and sacred record, both entertaining and Instructive.
OPERATIVB MASONRY.
We work in Speculative Masonry, but our ancient brethren wrought in both Operative and Speculative.* They worked at the building of King Solomon's temple, and many other sacred and Masonic edifices.
By Operative Masonry, we allude to a proper apphcation of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive figure, strength, and beauty, and whence will result a due pro- portion and a just correspondence in all its parts. It furnishes us with dwellings and convenient shelters from the vicissitudes and inclemencies of seasons; and while it displays the efiects of
• Freemasonry 1b to be considerea as divided Into two parts— the Ojurativf and SpeciL'ative; and tlieee are again subdlTided—that Is, Craft Mascnry— Into three distinct branches; the Manual, the Instrumental, and the ScientiUc. Tbo "Manual consists of such parts of business as are performed by hand-labor alonft. Dr by the help of some simple instruments, the uses whereof are not to be (earned by any problems or rules of art, but by labor ind practice only; and this is more particularly applicable to the brethren of the first degree, called E?Uered Apprentiea.
FELLOW-CKaPT. 123
hiimaD wisdom, as well in the choice as in the ari'angement of the sundry materials of wliich an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry is implanted in man, for the best, most salutary, and beneficent pui'poses.
SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
By Speculative Masonry, we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion, as to lay us under obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the con- templative to view, with reverence and admira- tion, the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of his Divine Creator.
MASONEY, OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVE.
For a considerable time previous to the building of Solomon's Tomplp. the Societies of Sidonian Architects and Builders had become celebrated throughout the ancient world. A company of these masons and architects, under the superintendence of Hiram. the Widow's Son, was sent by the King of Tyre to Solomon, to assist in the erection of that stately edifice. At this period com- mences the histoi-y of Masonry among the Jews. Thus introduced into Judea, it flemished greatly under the protection of Solomoh and some cf hii; successors; but it w is alao, in the coiuse of yeui^
121 GENEIIAL AHIMAN EEZON.
subject to bitter persecutions, gross misrepresentations, and fierce denunciations. The exclusive and stern Hebrews were slow to appreciate fully its catholic and benign spirit, and its great valuo OS an industrial agent.
Even at this period, we have reason to beliove, the Sidonian Ordei wna not entirely an operative society, but rather was a mixed body, consisting of both operative and speculative Masons. In the form- ation of its rituals, it had drawn largely on the Kites of the Oiphio, Cabirian, and Isianic Mysteries. The speculative chaiucter finallj triumphed over the operative, and the ancient Order of Hiram waa transformed into the Order of the Essen, or Breast-plate, or the Essenian Brotherhood.
At an early period the Sidonian Masons had planted their socia- ties in Borne, and in the reign of Numa Pompiuus were highly fevored by that monarch. These societies were there known under the name of Colleges of Builders and Artificers. After Christianity had subdued the pagan world, these "Colleges of Builders," or societies of Operative Masons, were engaged in erecting cathedrals, churches, and other public edifices, and continued, in unbroken succession, down to A. D. 1717. In 1459 they held a general con- tention of the Crafts at Batisbon, and decided to Institute a Grand Lodge at Strasburg, and that the architect of that cathedral, for the time being, should be, ex officio, Grand Master.
These Lodges also preserved the ancient rituals, which gave them a speculative or philosophical character; and thus we find that the history of the Order of Operative Masons in Europe reproduces that of Sidonian Masonry in ancient Judea. As that Order culmi- nated in the Essenian Brotherhood, so the Order of Operative waa in 1717 transformed into that of Speculative Masonry.
That Speculative Masonry is the offspring of the ancient corpora- tions of.Builders and Masons, there cannot be a doubt. It possesses all the venerable forms of those old societies, then- rituals, and theu' language of signs and symbols. The instruments of the buUder's art — the Gavel, Tweuty-four-inch Guage, Trowel, Level, Plumb, Square, Compasses, Spade, Setting-Maul, etc. — ^it retains, aiiJ applies them to moral uses. They have become the most sig- nificant and instructive of emblems. All Freemasons are famUiai with their symbolical interpretations, and appreciate their beauty and the force of their teaching. The Free or Speculative Mason ia also a builder, but not of material edifices. He is, or should be^ the cunstructer of a Temple, more glorious than that of Solomon—
FELLOW-CRAFT. 125
t Temple of Virtue, of Honor, of Charity, Purity, anil Knowledge and these implements of the Operative Mason's art, in their em- blematic use, indicate the labors he is to execute, the dangers he is vo encounter, and the preparations he is to make in the great work Df uprearing that spiritual fabric wherein his soul may find peace for eveiTuore.
This section also refers to the origin of the Jewish Sab- bath, as well as to the manner in which it was kept by our ancient bretiiren.
In six days God created the heaven and the earth, and rested upon the seventh day; the seventh, therefore, our ancient brethren conse- crated as a day of rest from their labors, thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of creation, and to adore their great Creator.
The six days of creation are technically known among Freema- sons as the "Grand Architect's Six Periods.'' These important periods in the world's histoiy may be more particularly illustrated as follows:
Before the Almighty was pleased to command this vast world into existence, the elements and materials of creation lay blended together without distinction or form. Darkness was on the face of the great deep, and the spirit ol God moved on the surface of the waters. The Almighty, as an example to man, that aU things of moment should be done \\'ith due deliberation, was pleased to be six days in commanding it from chaos to perfection. The fir^ instance of his supreme power was made manifest by commanding light; and being pleased with this new operation, he distingmshed it by name, calling the light day, and the darkness he caUed niohi &nd. in order to keep this same framed matter within just limits,
126
GENERAL AHIMAN EEZON.
the sec(md day was employed in laying the foundations for tht heavens, which he callej firmament, designed to keep the waters thai were within the clouds, and those beneath them, asunder. On the third day, he commanded those waters within due limits, and dry land appeared, which he called eaeth; and the mighty congre- gated waters he called sea. The earth being yet irregular and barren, God spoke the word, and it was immediately coTered with a beautiful carpet of grass, designed as pasture for the brute crea- tion. Trees, shrubs, and flowers of all sorts, succeeded in full growth, maturity, and perfection. On the fourth day, the two grand luminaries, the sun and moon, were created; the sun to rule the day, and the moon to govern the night. And the sacred hi .to- rian informs us that they were ordained for signs, seasons, days, and years. The Almighty was also pleased to bespangle the ethe- real concave of heaven with a multitude of stars, that man, whom he intended to make, might contemplate thereon, and justly admire his majesty and glory. On the fifth gay, he caused the waters to bring forth a variety of fish for our use; and, in order to imprint on the mind of man a reverential awe of his divine omnipotence, he created the other inhabitants of the mighty deep, which multi- plied exceedingly after their kind. On the same day, the Almighty caused the birds to fly in the air, that man might delight his eyes and ears — with some for their beautiful plumage, and others for their melodious notes.
On the siaih day, he created the beasts of the field and the rep- tiles which crawl on the earth. And here we may plainly perceive the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, made manifest throughout the whole of his proceed- ings. He produced what effects he pleased without the aid of their natural causes— such as giving light to the woftd before he created the sun and moon, and making the earth fruitful without the influ- ence of the heavenly bodies. He did not create the beasts of the Deld until he had provided sufficient herbage for their suppoi-t; neither did he create man until he had furnished him with a dwell- ing, and every thing requisite for life and pleasure. Then, to dig- nify the work of his hands still more, he made man, who came into tlio world with greater pomp than any creature which preceded him. They came but with a single command. God spake the word, and it was done. But at the formation of man, we are told, there was a consultation, in which God said. Let us make man. He was im- mediately t'onned out ol the dust of the earth. The breath of life
FELLOW-CRAFT. 127
was blown into Lis niwstrils, and man became a living sonL In thJs one creature, there is a combination of every thing throughout tho whole creation — such as the quality and substance of an animate being, the life of plants, the senses of beasts: but, above all, the nnclerstanding of angels; formed after the immediate image of God, thereby intimating to him that integrity and uprightness should ever influence him to adore his Creator, who has so liberally be- stowed on him the faculty of sp;eoh, and further endued him with that noble instinct called keasun. The Almighty, as his last and best gift to man, created woman. Under his forming hand, the creature grew — man-like, but of different sex — so lovely fair, that what seemed fair in all the world, seemed now mean: all in her summed up — in her contained. On she came, led by her Heavenly Maker, though unseen, yet guided by his voice, adorned with all that heaven could bestow to make her amiable.
" Grace was In all her Btepa, heaven In her eye. In every gesture dignity and love."
The Almighty, having iinished the sixth day's work, rested on the seventh. He blessed, hallowed, and sanctified it He thereby taught man to work industriously six days, but strictly commanded him to rest on the seventh, the better to contemplate on the beau- tiful works of creation — to adore him as their Creator— to go into his sanctuaries, and ofler up praises for life and eveiy blessing ho BO amply enjoys at his bountiful hands.
©Ite iiUatiS at tlu ^orclt.
For he east two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece; and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about —