Fellowcraft Section 2
How many kinds of Masonry are there?
Two – Operative and Speculative.
What is meant by operative Masonry?
By operative Masonry we allude to a proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence structure will derive figure, strength, and beauty and whence will result a due proportion and a just correspondence in all parts. It furnishes us with dwellings and convenient shelter from the vicissitudes and inclemencies of the seasons; and while it displays the effects of human wisdom, as well as in the choice as in the arrangement of the sundry materials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry is planted in man for the best, more salutary and beneficent purposes.
What is meant by 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 the Deity which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of the creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfections of his Divine Creator.
Have you ever worked as a Mason?
I have as a speculative Mason only, but our ancient brethren worked both operative and speculative Masonry.
How long did they work before they received wages?
Six days.
Did they not work on the seventh?
They did not.
Why not?
Because in six days God created the heavens and the Earth, and rested upon the seventh day; the seventh, therefore, our ancient brethren created as a day of rest from their labors, thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of the creation and to adore their great creator.
Where were you received and recorded as a Fellow Craft?
In a place representing the middle chamber of King Solomon’s Temple.
Did you observe anything that particularly attracted your attention on your passage?
I did.
What?
Two great pillars; one on the right hand and one on the left hand.
What is the one on the left hand?
BOAZ
What does that denote?
Strength
What is the one on the right hand?
JACHIN
What does that denote?
Establishment
To what do they collectively allude?
To the promise of God to David, that he would establish his kingdom in strength.
Where were these cast?
In the clay grounds on the banks of Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, where all vessels of Hiram Abiff were cast by Hiram Abiff.
Who was Hiram Abiff?
The widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali
Where they cast hollow or solid?
Hollow.
Why so?
The better to serve as a safe deposit for the archives of Masonry against all conflagrations and inundations.
How high were they?
Thirty – five cubits each.
How were they adorned?
With chapiters of five cubits, making in all forty cubits in height.
How were they adorned?
With lily-work, network, and pomegranates.
What do they denote?
Peace, Unity, and Plenty
Why so?
The lily by its purity, and the retired situation in which it grows, denoted peace; the network, by the intimate connections of the parts, denotes unity; the pomegranate, by the exuberance of their seed, denote plenty.
How were they further adorned? What are their uses? What do they further denote?
With globes on their tops representing the terrestrial celestial spheres. These globes are too artificial spherical bodies on the convex surface of which are represented the countries, seas, and various parts of the earth, the face of the heavens the planetary revolutions and other participants. The sphere with the parts of the earth delineated on his surface is called the terrestrial globe and that with the constellations and other heavenly bodies the celestial deal globe.
The principal use of the globes, besides serving as maps to distinguish the outward parts of the earth and the situation of the fixed stars is to illustrate and explain the phenomenon arising from the annual revolution and the diurnal rotation of the earth around its own axis. They are the noblest instruments for improving the mind and giving it the most distinct idea of any problem or proposition, as well as enabling it to solve the same.
Contemplating these bodies, we are inspired with a due reverence for the deity and his works, and are induced to encourage the study of astronomy geometry, navigation and the arts dependent on them, by which society has been so much benefited. The globes also denote the universality of Masonry.
After passing the porch, where did you next arrive?
At a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five and seven steps.
To what does the number three allude?
To the first three degrees of Masonry, and also to the three principal officers of the Lodge.
To what does the number five allude?
To the five orders of Architecture.
What is meant by order of Architecture?
By Order of Architecture is meant a system of all members, proportions, and ornaments. Of columns and pilasters. Or it is a regular arrangement of the projecting parts of a building, which united with those of a column, form a beautiful, perfect and complete work.
How are these orders classified?
The five orders are thus classed: The Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. The Tuscan is the most simple and solid of the five orders. It was invented in Tuscany, whence it derived its name. Its column is seven diameters high and it capital, base and entablature have but few moldings. The simplicity of the construction of this column renders it eligible where ornament would be superfluous.
The Doric, which is plain and natural, is the most ancient, and was invented by the Greeks. Its column is eight diameters high, and has seldom any ornaments on base or capital except moldings; though the frieze is distinguished by triglyphs and metopes, and triglyphs compose the ornaments of the frienze. The solid composition of this order gives it a preference in structures where strength and a noble simplicity are chiefly required. The Doric is the best proportioned of all orders. The several parts of which it is composed are founded on the natural position of solid bodies. In its first invention it was more simple than in its present state. In after times, when it was constructed, in its primitive and simple form, the name of Tuscan was conferred upon it. Hence the Tuscan precedes the Doric in rank, on account of its resemblance to that pillar in its original state, the Ionic bears a kind of mean proportion between the more solid and delicate orders. Its column is nine diameters high, its capital is adorned with volutes and its corners have dentals. There is both delicacy and ingenuity displayed in this pillar, the invention of which is attributed to the Ionians, as the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus was of this order. It is said to have been formed after the model of an agreeable young woman of an elegant shape, dressed in her hair, as a contrast to the Doric order, which was formed after a strange, robust man. The Corinthian, the richest of the five orders, is deemed a masterpiece of art. Its column is ten diameters high and its capital is adorned with two rows of leaves, and eight volutes, which sustain the abacus. The frieze is ornamented with curious devices, the corners with dentals and modillions. This order is used in stately and superb structures. It was invented at Corinth, by Callimachus, who is said to have taken the hint of the capital of this pillar from the following remarkable circumstance: Accidentally passing by the tomb of a young lady, he perceived a basket of toys, covered with a tile, placed over an acanthus root, having been left there by her nurse. As the branches grew up, they encompassed the basket, till, arriving at the tile, they met with an obstruction and bent downward, set about imitating the figure; the vase of the capital he made to represent the basket, the abacus the tile, and the volutes the bending leaves. The Composite is compounded of the other orders, and was contrived by the Romans. Its capital has the two rows of leaves of the quarter-round, as the Tuscan and Doric order, is ten diameters high and its corners has dentals, or simple modillions. This pillar is generally found in buildings where strength, elegance, and beauty are displayed.
Which of these are most revered by Masons?
The ancient and original orders.
What are they?
They are the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, which were invented by the Greeks. To these the Romans have added two; the Tuscan, which they made plainer than the Doric; and the Composite, which was more ornamental, if not more beautiful than the Corinthian.
The first three orders alone however, show invention and particular character and essentially differ from each other; the two others have nothing but what is borrowed, and differ only accidentally. The Tuscan is the Doric in its earliest state, and the Composite, the Corinthian enriched with the Ionic. To the Greeks, therefore, and not to the Romans, we are indebted for what is great, judicious, and distinct in architecture.
To what does the number five further allude?
To the five senses of human nature: hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and taste. Hearing is that since by which we distinguish sounds and are capable of enjoying all the agreeable charms of music By it we are enabled to enjoy the pleasure of society and reciprocally, to communicate to each other our thoughts and intentions, our purposes and desires, while thus our reason is capable of exerting its upmost power and energy. The wise and beneficent Author of Nature intended, by the formation of this sense that we should be social creatures, and receive the greatest and most important part of our knowledge by the information of others. For these purposes we are endowed with hearing, that, by a proper exertion of our natural powers our happiness may be complete. Seeing is that since by which we distinguish object and in an instant of time without change of place or situation, view armies in battle array figures of the most stately structures, and all the agreeable variety displayed in the landscape of nature by this since we find our way in the pathless ocean, transverse the globe of earth, determine its figures and dimensions, and delineate any region or quarter of it, by it we measure the planetary orbs and make new discoveries in the sphere of the fixed stars. Nay more by it we perceive the tempers and dissipations, the passions and affections of our fellow creatures when they wish most to conceal them; so that though the tongue may be taught to lie and dissemble, the countenance would display hypocrisy to the discerning eye. In fine, the rays of light which administer to this sense are the astonishing parts of the animated creation, and render the eye a peculiar object of admiration. Of all the faculties sight is the noblest. The structure of the eye and it's appurtenances evinces admirable contrivances of nature for performing all its various external and internal motions; while the variety displayed in the eyes of different animals, suited to their several ways of life clearly demonstrates this organ to be the masterpiece of nature's work, Feeling is that since by which we distinguish the different qualities of bodies such as heat and cold, hardness and softness, roughness and smoothness, figure, solidity, motion and extension. These three senses, hearing, seeing and feeling is most revered by Masons, because by the sense of hearing we distinguish the word; by that of seeing, we perceive the sign; and by that of feeling we receive the grip whereby one MASON may know another in the dark as well as in the light.
Smelling is that since my which we distinguish odors, the various kinds of which convey a different opinions to the mind. Animal and vegetable bodies, and indeed, most other bodies, while exposed to the air continually send forth his effluvia of vast subtlety, as well in the state of life and growth as in the state of fermentation and putrefaction. These effluvia being drawn into the nostrils along with the air are the means by which all bodies are smelled. Hence it is evident that there is a manifest appearance of design in the great creators having planted the organ of smell in the inside of that canal through which the air continually passes in respiration in the choice of our food. The organ of this sense guards the entrance of the alimentary canal, as that of smelling guards, the entrance of the canal for respiration. From the situation of both these organs, it is plain that they were intended by nature to distinguish wholesome food from that which is nauseous. Everything that enters the stomach must undergo the scrutiny of tasting; and by it we are capable of discerning the changes which the same body undergoes in the different compositions of art, cookery, chemistry, pharmacy etc.
Smelling and tasting are inseparably connected and it is by the unnatural kind of life men commonly lead in society that these senses are rendered less fit to perform their natural offices.
On the mind all our knowledge must depend; what, therefore, can be a more proper subject for the investigation of Masons? By anatomical dissection and observation we become acquainted with the body, but it is by the anatomy of the mind alone we discover its powers and principles.
To sum up the whole of this transcendent measure of God's bounty to man, we shall add that memory, imagination, taste, reasoning, moral perception and all the active powers of the soul present a vast and boundless field for philosophical disquisition which far exceeds human inquiry, and are peculiar mysteries, known only to nature and too nature's God, to whom we are all indebted for creation, preservation and every blessing we enjoy.
Which of these are most revered by Masons?
The first three: hearing, seeing and feeling.
Why so?
Because by the sense of hearing we distinguish the word by that of seeing we perceive the sign, and by that of feeling we receive the grip, whereby one MASON may know another in the dark as well as in the light.
To what does the number seven allude?
To the seven liberal arts and sciences: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy. Grammar teaches the proper arrangement of words according to the idiom or dialect of any particular people, and that excellency or pronunciation which enables us to speak or write a language with accuracy, agreeably to reason and correct usage. Rhetoric teaches us to speak copiously and fluently on any subject, not merely with propriety alone, but with all the advantages of force and elegance; wisely contriving to captivate the hearer by strength of argument and beauty of expression, whether it be to entreat or exhort, to admonish or applaud. Logic teaches us to guide our reason discretionally in the general knowledge of things, and directs our inquiries after truth. It consists of a regular train of argument, whence we infer, deduce and concluded, according to certain premises laid down, admitted or granted; and in it are employed the faculties of conceiving, judging, reasoning and disposing, all of which are naturally led on from one gradation to another, till the point in question is finally determined.
Arithmetic teaches the powers and properties of number, which is variously effected by letters, tables, figures and instruments. By this art, reasons and demonstrations are given for finding out any certain number whose relation or affinity to another is already known or discovered. Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth and thickness are considered, from a point to a line, from a line to a superficies and from a superficies to a solid. A point is a dimensionless figure or an indivisible part of space. A line is a point continued, and a figure of one capacity, namely, length, and breadth. A solid is a figure of three dimensions, namely, length, breadth and thickness. By this science the architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs; the general to arrange his soldiers; the engineer to mark out ground for encampments; the geographer to give us the dimensions of the world and all things therein contained, to delineate the extent of seas and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms and provinces. By it, also, the astronomer is enabled to make his observations, and to fix the durations of times and seasons, years and cycles. In fine, geometry is the foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics. Music teaches the art of forming concords, so as to compose delightful harmony by a mathematical and proportional arrangement of acute, grave and mixed sounds. This art, by a series of experiments, is reduced to a demonstrative science, with respect to tones and the intervals of sound. It inquiries into the nature of concords and discords, and enables us to find out the proportion between them by numbers. Astronomy is that divine art by which we are taught to read the wisdom, strength and beauty of the Almighty Creator in those sacred pages, the celestial hemisphere. Assisted by astronomy, we can observe the motions, measure the distances, comprehend the magnitudes, and calculate the periods and eclipses of the heavenly bodies. By it we learn the use of the globes, the system of the world, and the preliminary law of nature. While we are employed in the study of this science, we must perceive unparalleled instances of wisdom and goodness, and through the whole creation, trace the glorious Author by His works.
Which of these is most revered by Masons?
Geometry, or the fifth science.
What does Geometry treat of?
Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth and thickness are considered, from a point to a line, from a line to a superficies and from a superficies to a solid. A point is a dimensionless figure or an indivisible part of space. A line is a point continued, and a figure of one capacity, namely, length, and breadth. A solid is a figure of three dimensions, namely, length, breadth and thickness.
What are its advantages?
By this science the architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs; the general to arrange his soldiers; the engineer to mark out ground for encampments; the geographer to give us the dimensions of the world and all things therein contained, to delineate the extent of seas and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms and provinces. By it, also, the astronomer is enabled to make his observations, and to fix the durations of times and seasons, years and cycles. In fine, geometry is the foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics.
After passing the stairs? Where did you next arrive?
At the outer door of the middle chamber, which I found guarded by the Junior Warden, who demanded of me the pass and token of the pass of a Fellow Craft.
Give me the pass?
SHIBBOLETH.
What does it denote?
Plenty.
How is it represented?
By an ear of corn hanging near a Waterford.
From whence originated this word?
In consequences of a quarrel between Jephtha, Judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites. The Ephraimites having long been a turbulent and rebellious people whom Jephtha, sought to overcome by lenient measures, but without effect. They being highly enraged at not being invited to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonites War, gathered together a mighty army; Jephtha also gathered together all the men of Gilead, gave them battle and put them to flight. And in order to make his victory more complete, he placed guards at several passes of Jordan, and commanded that if any should attempt to pass that way, to demand of them say now SHIBBOLETH. But they, being of a different tribe, could not frame to pronounce it right and said, SIBBOLETH. This they did proving themselves enemies, and it cost them their lives. And there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. Since which time this word has been adopted as a regular word to gain admission into all regular and well-governed Lodges of Fellow Crafts.
After passing the outer door, where did you next arrive?
At the inner door of the middle chamber, which I found guarded by the Senior Warden, who demanded of me the grip and word of a Fellow Craft.
Give me the grip?
(Grip Given.)
After passing the inner door, where did you next arrive?
Within the middle chamber, where I found the Worshipful Master, who was pleased to explain to me the various objects which had attracted my attention to an emblem or letter “G”, universally displayed over the Master’s chair. He informed me that it was the initial of geometry.
What explanation did the Worshipful Master give you of geometry?
Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences, is the basis on which the substructure of Masonry is erected. By geometry, we may curiously tract Nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses. By it we discover the power, the wisdom and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine. By it we discover how planets move in their different orbits and demonstrate their various revolutions. By it we account for the return of seasons and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and all conducted by the same unerring law of nature.
A survey of nature, and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined men to imitate the Divine plan, and study symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans which he laid down, being improved by experience and time, have produced words which are the admiration of every age.
The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war have lain waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, not-withstanding, has still survived. The attentive ear receives the sound from instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Masonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and implements of architecture are selected by the fraternity to imprint on the memory wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, are transmitted unimpaired the excellent tenants of our institution.
What further explanation did the Worshipful Master give you for the letter G?
He informed me that it alluded to the sacred name of Deity, before whom we should all, from the youngest Entered Apprentice in the North East corner to the Worshipful Master who presides in the East, with reverence most humbly bow.