SECTION in.

This section illustrates certain hieroglypbical 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 tlie 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. Josbfhus 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 ax, hammer, or any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was
MASTEK MASON. 203
building. It is said to have been supported by fourteen hundred and fifty-three columns, and two thousand nine hundred and six pUasters, all hewn from l;he finest Parian marble.
It was sjrmbolicaUy supported, also, by three columns — Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty.
In the British and other mysteries, these three pillars represented the great emblematical Triad of Deity, as with ns they refer to the three principal officers of the Lodge. It is a fact that, in Britain, the Adytum or Lodge was actually supported by throe stones or pillars, which were supposed to convey a regenerating purity to the aspirant, after having endured the ceremony of initiation in all its accustomed formalities. The delivery from between them was termed a new birth. The corresponding pillars of the Hindoo my- thology were also known by the names of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty, and placed in the East, West, and South, crowned with three human heads. They jointly referred to the Creator, who was said to have planned the Great Work by his infinite Wisdom, exe- cuted it by his Strength, and to have adorned it with all its Beauty and usefulness for the benefit of man. These united powers were not overlooked in the mysteries; for we find them represented in the solemn ceremony of initiation by the three presiding Brahmins or Hierophants. The chief Brahmin sat in the East, high exalted on a briUiaut throne, clad in a flowing robe of azure, thickly sparkled with golden stars, and bearing in his hand a magical rod; thus symbolizing Bbahma, the creator of the world. His two compeers, clad in robes of equal magnificence, occupied corresponding situa- tions of distinction. The representative of Vishnu (the setting Bun) was placed on on exalted throne in the West; and he who personated SrvA, the meridian sun, occupied a splendid throne in the South.
There were employed in its building three Grand Masters; thiee tliousand and three hun-
S06 GENERAL AHIMAN EEZON.
drc'l Masters or Overseers of the work; eightj 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 Solomon, that neither envy, discord, nor confusion, were suflered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good-feUowshlp which prevailed among the workmen.
In front of the magnificent poi'ch 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 march; and the cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and his host, and retarded their pursuit. King Solomon, therefore, ordered these pillars to be placed at tlie entrance of the Temple, as the most con- spicuous part, that the children of Israel might have that happy event continually before their eyes, in going to and returning from divine worship.
MASTER MASON. 20j
KING SOLOMON'S TElIPIiE.
The placo chosen for Ihe erection of tliis magnificent stmctnrf (vna Mount Moriah, a lofty hill, situated in the north-easterly p "i" the citj of Jerusalem, having Mount Zion on the south-west, Mount Acra on the west, and Mount Olives on the east The summit of this mountain was unequal, and its sides irregular; but it was a favorite object of the Jews to level and extend it The plan and model of the Temple was in the same fonu as the Taber- nacle of Moses, but was of much larger dimensions.
King Solomon commenced the erection of the Temple in the year B. c. 1011, aboiit 480 years after the Exodus and the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness; and it was finished B. u. 1004, having occupied seven years and six months in the building.
The foundations were laid at a profound depth, and consisted ol stones of immense size and great durability. They were clo.sclj mortised into the rock, so as to fonn a secui-e basis for the substan- tial erection of the sacred edifice.
The building does not apjiear to have been so remarkable for ita magnitude, as for the magnificence of its ornaments and the value of its materials. The porch was 120 cubits, or 210 feet high, and the rest of the building was in height but 30 cubits, or 52 J feet; so that the form of the whole house was thus: — It was situated due east and west, the holy of holies being to the westward, and the porch or entrance toward the east The whole length, from east to west, was 70 cubits, or 122.J feet. The breadth, exclusive of the Bide chambers, was 20 cubits, or 35 feet; the height of the holy plat« and the holy of holies was 30 cubits, or 52 J feet, and the porch stood at the eastern end, like a lofty steeple, 120 cubits, or 210 feet high. In fact, as Lightfoot remarks, the Temple much resembled a modern church, with this difference, that the steeple, which was placed over the porch, was situated nt the east end.
Around the north and south sides and the west end were I ailt chambeis of three stories, each stoiy being 5 cubits in height, ot 15 cubits, 26 feet d inches in all — and these were united to the out- side wall of the house.
The windows, which were used for ventillation rather 'ban foi light which was derived trom the sacred candlesticks, were placed in the wall of tlie Temple that was above the roof of the side cham- bers But Ihat part which included the holy of holies was withoul
208 GENERAL AHIMAN REZON.
ftny aperture whatever, to which Solomon alludes in the passage "The IjOed said that He would dwell in the thick darkness."
The Temple was divided, internally, into three parts — the porch, the sanctuaiy, and the holy of holies; the breadth of all these was of course the same, namely, 20 cubits, or 35 feet, but they differed in length. The porch was 17 feet 6 inches in length, the sanctuary 70 feet, and the holy of holies 35, or, in the Hebrew measure, 10, 40, and 20 cubits. The entrance from the porch into the sanctuary was through a wide door of olive posts and leaves of fir; but the door between the sanctuary and the holy of holies was composed entirely of olive-wood. These doors were always open, and the aperture closed by a suspended curtain. The partition between the sanctuary and the holy of holies partly consisted of an open net- work, so that the incense daily offered in the former place might be diffused through the interstices into the latter.
In the sanctuary were placed the golden candlestick, the table of shew-bread, and the altar of incense. The holy of holies con- tained nothing but the ark of the covenant, which included the tables of the law.
The frame-work of the Temple consisted of massive stone, but it was wainscoted with cedar, which was covered with gold. The boards within the Temple were ornamented with carved work, skill- ftdly representing cherubim, palm-leaves, and flowers. The ceUing was supported by beams of cedar-wood, which, with that used in the wainscoting, was supplied by the workmen of Hibam, King of Tyre, from the forest of Lebanon. The floor was throughout made of cedar, but boarded over with planks of fir.
The Temple, thus constructed, was surrounded by various courts and high walls, and thus occupied the entire summit of Mount Moriah. The first of the courts was the Court of the Gentiles, beyond which Gentiles were prohibited from passing. Within this, and separated from it by a low wall, was the Court of the Children of Israel, and inside of that, separated from it by another wall, was (he Court of the Priests, in which was placed the altar of bunt offerings. From this court there was an ascent of twelve steps to the porch of the Temple, before which stood the two pillars of JiCHiN and BoAZ.
For the erection of this magnificent structure, besides the sums annually appropriated by Solomon, his father, DAvm, had left on« hundred thousand talents of gold and a million talents of silver aqml to nearly four thousand millions of dollars.
MASTER MASON. 209
Tho year after the Temple vas finished, it was dedicated wlti Ihose solemn ceremonies which are alluded to in this degree. Thj dedicatory ceremonies commenced on Friday, the 30th of Octobor. and lasted for fourteen days, terminating on Thursday, the 12th ot Ko-vember, although the peop'.e were not dismissed until the follow- ing Saturday. Seven days of this festiT dedication exclusively, and the remaining seven to the Feast ol Tabomacles, which followed.
In this section are also explained a variety of appropriate emblems, with which the skillful brother will not fail to make himself familiarly acquainted, and they are thus explained:
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 industriously to occupy our minds in the at- tainment of useful knowledge; in Manhood, as Fellow-Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to God, 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 in the hope of a glorious immortality.
Tho morning is the youth of the day; youth is vigorous till noon; then comes the age of man; to which succeeds the evening of old age; sunset follows tlie evening or death of the day. Frugality ii a gicat revenue, but no where greati>r thEin in this case.
?10 GENERAL AHIMAN EEZOS.
THE rOT OF INCENSE
Is an emtlem of a pure heart, whicli is alwaj'S an aceeptable sacrifice to the Deity; and as tliis glows with fervent heat, so should our hearta continually glow with gratitude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence, for the man- ifold blessings and comforts we enjoy.
THE BEE-niTE
[s an 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 sitting down contented while our fellow-crea- tures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without incon- venience 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 against the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or shelter- ing himself from the inclemencies of the weather
MASTER MASON. 211
ft might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independ- ent of all other beings; but as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protectior and security, as they tliertby enjoy better oppor- tunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship. 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 endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, maybe deemed a drone in the hive of Nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection aa Masons.
the book of constitutions, guarded by the tiler's sword, Reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words, and actions, particularly when before the enemies of Masonry — ever bearing in remembrance those truly Ma- fiouic virtues, silence and circumspection.
THE SWORD, POINTING TO A NAKED HEART,
Demonstrates that justice will sooner or latei overtake us; and although our thoughts, words,
•■^13 GENERAL AHTMAN EEZON.
and actions may be hidden from the eyes of man yet that
ALL-SEEING EYE,
whom the Stjn, Moon, and Staes obey, and under whose watchful care even Comets perform theii stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost re- cesses of the human heart, and will reward ui according to our merits.
THE ANCHOR AND ARK
Are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematical of that divine Ark which safely wafts us over this tem- pestuous sea of troubles, and that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary shall find rest.
THE FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM OF BtTCLH).
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 the several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things
MASTER MASON. 213
and more especially in Geometry, or Masonry On this subject he drew out many problems and theorems: and, among the most distinguished. he erected this, which, in the joy of his heart he called Eureka, in the Grecian language sig- r.ifying I have found it; and upon the discovery of which he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences.
THE nOUR-GLASS
Is an emblem of human life. Behold ! how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our Uvea are drawing to a close ! "We cannot without as- tonishment 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 ex- hausted ! Thus wastes man. To-day, he puts forth the tender leaves of Hope ; to-morrow, blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; the next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot; and when he thinks his great- ness is sliU aspiring, he falls like autumr. leaves, to enrich our mother-earth.
214
GENERAL AHIMAN BEZOX.
THE SCYTHE
Is an emblem of Time, which c its tho brittle thread of hfe, and launches us into eternity .Behold! 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 vigor arrive to the years of manhood; yet, withal, we must soon be cut down by the all-devourhig scythe of Time, and be gathered into the laud where our fathers have gone before us.
Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon tlie solemn thought of death, which, with- out revelation, is dark and gloomy; but we are
MASTER MASON. 215
suddenly revived by the ever-green and ever- living spriff of Faith in the merits of the Lion of the tribe of Judah ; which strengthens us, with confidence and composure, to look forward to a 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 from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the f .ipremo Architect of the Universe presides.
il6 GENERAL AHTMAN BEZON.
CHAEGE TO THE CANDIDATE.
Brother : Your zeal for our institution, the progress you have made in our mysteries, and your steady conformity to our useful regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object for this peculiar mark of our favor.
Duty and honor now alike bind you to be faithful to every trust; to support the dignity of your character on all occasions; and strenuously to enforce, by precept and example, a steady obedience to the tenets of Freemasonry. Ex- emplary conduct, on your part, will convince the world that merit is the just title to our privileges, and that on you our favors have not been undeservedly bestowed.
In this respectable character, you are author- ized to correct the irregularities of your less informed brethren ; to fortify their minds with resolution against the snares of the insidious, and to guard them against every allurement to vicious practices. To preserve unsuUied the reputation of the Fraternity ought to be your constant care; and, therefore, it becomes your province to caution the inexperienced against a
MASTER MASON. 217
breach of fidelity. To your inferiors ia rank or office, you are to recommend obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affa- bility ; to your superiors, kindness and conde- scension. Universal obedience you are zealously to inculcate; and by the regularity of your own conduct, endeavor to remove every aspersion against this venerable institution. Our ancient landmarks you are carefully to preserve, and not suffer them on any pretense to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from our estabhshed customs.
Tour honor and reputation are concerned in supportingwith dignity the respectable 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 imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and worthy of the confidence we have reposed in you.
Having thus given a general summaiT of tlie Lectures
restricted to the three Degrees of the Order, and made such
remarks on each Degree as might illustrate the subjects
treated, little farther can be wanted to encourage the zealous
10
218 GENEEAL AHUIAN EEZON.
Mason to persevere in liis researches. lie who has traced the Art in a regular progress, from tlie commencement of the First to the conclusion of the Third Degree, according to tlie plan here laid down, must have amassed an ample store of knowledge, and will reflect with pleasure on the good effects of his past diligence and attention. By apply- ing the improvements he has made to the general advantage of society, he will secure to himself the veneration of Masoni and the approbation of all good men.
LODGE JEWELS.
JUNIOB WAKDEN. TBEABTIBEE.
BENIOB PEAOON.
0>^
JTJNIOE DEACON.
SENIOB WAEDEN.
^
SECltETARy.
MASTEKS OP CEKEMONIES. TILEK.
48 219
OFFICEES' CLOTHING AND JEWELS.
SUBOBDINATE LODGE.
The Collar must be blue, (of velvet, silk, or merino,) Irimmed (rith material of same color, bordered with silver lace. They may be ornamented with embroidery or stars. The Jewel is to be sus- pended from the point of the Collar.
The Apron is white lambskin, square at the comers — 13x15 in., with flap triangular shape, 5 inches deep at the point, lined and bordered with blue. On the flap is delineated an eye, irradiated on the area the square and compass and the letter G, irradiated, with flat Masonic tags suspended on either side from under the flap. See illustration p. 173.
Past Master v
Master
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Secretary
Senior Deacon
Junior Deacon
Stewards
Chaplain
Marshal
Organist
M's of Ceremonies
Tiler
JEWELS (silver),
)a compass opened on a quarter circle, sun in the center.* a square a level, a plumb, cross keys, cross pens.
square and compass, sun m the center, square and compass, quar. moon in center a cornucopia, an open Bible, cross batons. a lyre.
cross swords. a sword, sabre shape.
* TUd jewel soaj be male of sold, tod iDclooed iQ e wrratli.
GBAND LODGE JEWELS.
GK. SWOKD BEAKEE.
GE. STEWAEDS.
QBAUD MASTEE. DEP. OE. MASTEE. SEN. GE. WAEDEN.
JUN. OE. WAEDEN. GB. TKEASUREE. GE. SECRKTAEY.
OK. M.\nSHAL. GE. STAND. BE.UiEB.
GE. DEACONS.
OB. FUBSUIVANT.
GK. liECTTJBEB.
6K. T TTUR.
GEAND LODGE.
The CoiiAES of a Grand Lodge shonld be made of royal pnrplc silk velvet, enriched with gold embroidery, trimmed with gold lace, and lined with purple silk. The Jewel is to be suspended from tha point of the Collar.
The Apkon is white lambskin, 13x15 in., square at the corners, trimmed with purple and gold, and flat Masonic tags. The Apron and Collar should be made to correspond in richness to the grade of the officer for whom they were intended.
The Jewels of a Grand Lodge are made of gold (or yellow met&l), and suspended in a circle or wreath.
Grand Master wears ( a compass opened on a quarter circle
( sun in the center.
Past Grand Master " the same, with triangle.
Deputy Grand Master " a square.
Senior Grand Warden " a level.
Junior Grand Warden " a plumb.
Grand Treasurer " cross keys.
Grand Secretary " cross pens.
Grand Chaplains " the Holy Bible.
Grand Marshal ' a scroll and sword crossed.
G. Standard Bearer ' a plate, representing a banner.
Grand Sword Bearer " a straight sword.
Grand Stewards • a cornucopia.
Grand Deacons " a dove, bearing an olive branch.
Grand Fursuiiant a sword and trumpet CTOSsed.
Grand Tiler " cross sworda
ANCIENT CEREMONIES.
These Ceremonirs should be carefully studied aud well nuderstood by every Master of a Lodge. They include the ceremonies of Opening and Closing Lodges; Form of Peti- tion, and Directions for Organizing Ludges; Cousecrutiug, Dedicating, and Constituting new Lodges; Installing Officers of Grand and Subordinate Lodges; Grand Visitations; An- nual Festivals; Laying Foundation Stones; Dedication of Masonic Halls; Sorrow Lodges; Funeral Services; Procea- sions, etc., etc.