Chapter IV: Preface: To the Third Edition (2)

The study of the liberal arts, that valuable branch of education which tends so effectually to polish and adorn the mind, is earnestly recommended to your consideration, especially the science of Geometry, which is established as the basis of our art. Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous terms, being of a divine and moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of morality.

Your past behavior and regular deportment have merited the honor which we have conferred, and in your new character it is expected that you will conform to the principles of the Institution by steadily persevering in the practice of every commendable virtue.

Such is the nature of your engagements as a Fellow Craft, and to these duties you are bound by the most sacred ties.

MASTER MASON.

FIRST SECTION.

Reception.

The Compasses are peculiarly dedicated to this degree, and as a Master Mason you are taught that between their extreme points are contained the most important tenets of Freemasonry--Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love.

Perambulation.

The following passage of Scripture is introduced:

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 grinding 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 grasshopper 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 silver 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 to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. xii, 1-7.)

Presentation of Working Tools.

The Working Tools of a Master Mason are all the implements of Masonry, especially the Trowel.

The Trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection--that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.

My brother, you have been

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SECOND SECTION.

The lodge represents the Craft at refreshment at the building of K. S.'s Temple.

Address.

Character and habits of the builder.

Altar.

South, West, East.

Hill west of * * *

* * *

K. S.--"What is the cause of confusion?"

H. K. T.--"* * *"

First and Second Search.

During Second Search. 12 F. C. (Ordered Confine).

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Choose from the bands * * * Those traveling in a * * *

Third Search.

* * *

Fourth Search. * * * Acacia and voices. Capture--Sentence.--W. W. F. T.

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F. C. Released.

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Procession.

Funeral Dirge.

1. Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound!
Mine ears attend the cry:
"Ye living men come view the ground
Where you must shortly lie.

2. "Princes! this clay must be your bed,
In spite of all your towers;
The tall, the wise, the reverend head,
Must lie as low as ours."

3. Great God! is this our certain doom!
And are we still secure,
Still walking downward to the tomb,
And yet prepared no more?

4. Grant us the power of quick'ning grace,
To fit our souls to fly.
Then, when we drop this dying flesh,
We'll rise above the sky.

Pleyel's Hymn.

Solemn strikes the fun'ral chime,
Notes of our departing time;
As we journey here below
Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Mortals, now indulge a tear,
For mortality is here!
See how wide her trophies wave
O'er the slumbers of the grave!

Here another guest we bring!
Seraphs of celestial wing,
To our fun'ral altar come,
Waft our friend and brother home.

Lord of all! below--above--
Fill our hearts with truth and love;
When dissolves our earthly tie
Take us to Thy Lodge on high.

The following Prayer is used at the raising of a brother to the degree of 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 traveling through this vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee; Thou hast appointed 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 till the heavens 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 salvation. Amen!

Response: So mote it be!

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That we should be ever ready to go on foot, and even barefoot,
on a worthy M. M.'s errand, should his necessities require it,
and we be no better provided.

That we should ever remember our brethren in our devotions to
Deity.

That the secrets of a worthy M. M., when communicated to us as
such, should be as secure and inviolate in our breasts as they
were in his before communication.

That we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support
a falling brother, and aid him on all lawful occasions.

That we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel in the ear
of a brother, and warn him of approaching danger.

* * *

It has been the practice of all ages to erect monuments to the
memory of exalted worth.

THIRD SECTION.

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.

King Solomon's Temple.

This magnificent structure was founded in 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 Mt. 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, though 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 building. It is said to have been supported by 1,453 columns and 2,906 pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble. It was symbolically supported, also, by three pillars.

The three pillars here represented were explained in a preceding degree, and there represented Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Here they represent our three ancient Grand Masters: S. K. of I., H. K. of T., and H. A.; the pillar Wisdom, S. K. of I., by whose wisdom the Temple was erected, that superb model of excellence which has so honored and exalted his name; the pillar Strength, H. K. of T., who strengthened K. S. in his great and important undertaking; and the pillar Beauty, H. A., the W. S. of the tribe of Naphtali, by whose cunning workmanship the Temple was so beautified and adorned.

There were employed in its building 3 Grand Masters, 3,300 Masters or overseers of the work, 80,000 Fellow Crafts, and 70,000 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 was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the workmen, except in one notable instance.

* * *

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 those two miraculous pillars of fire and of cloud. The pillar of fire gave light to the children of Israel and facilitated their march. The cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and his host and retarded their pursuit. King Solomon, therefore, ordered these pillars placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most conspicuous place, that the children of Israel might have that happy event continually before their eyes in going to and returning from divine worship.

The Three Steps.

The Three Steps usually delineated upon the Master's Carpet are emblematical of the three principal stages of human life: Youth, Manhood and Age. In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously 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 neighbor and ourselves, so that in Age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

The Pot of Incense.

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to 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 enjoy.

The Beehive.

The Beehive 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, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience 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 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 created beings; but as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, thereby enjoying better opportunities 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 who will so demean himself as not to endeavor to add to the common stock of knowledge may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.

The Book of Constitutions.

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 Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection.

The Sword.

The Sword pointing to a Naked Heart demonstrates that justice will sooner or later overtake us; and although our thoughts, words and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men, yet that--

All Seeing Eye whom the Sun, Moon and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even Comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human Heart, and will reward us according to our merits.

The Anchor and the Ark.

The Anchor and the 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 tempestuous sea of troubles, and that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.

Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid.

This was an invention of our ancient friend and brother Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa and Europe, was initiated into several orders of priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things 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 signifying "I have found it;" and upon the erection of which he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. It teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences.

The Hour-Glass.

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 astonishment 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-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 greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth.

The Scythe.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life 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 ills incident to childhood and youth, and with health and vigor arrive at 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 have gone before us.

Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death, which, without revelation, is dark and gloomy; but we are suddenly revived by the ever-green and ever-living Sprig of Faith which strengthens us, with confidence and composure, to look forward to a blessed immortality; and we doubt not that, on 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 virtuous 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 Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

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Lecture.

* * *

Charge.

My Brother--Your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the mysteries, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem. You are now bound, by duty, honor and gratitude 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 authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate, and by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the Order, intrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

Your virtue, honor and reputation are concerned 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 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 merit the confidence that we have reposed in you.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES.

Grand Honors.

The public Grand Honors (not funeral) are given by raising the hands above and a little in front of the head, and clapping them three times together, then letting them fall to the side--repeating this action twice, making three times.

The private Grand Honors are made by 3x3, but not in the same way as the public Grand Honors.

Reception of Visitors.

The reception of visitors with the honor due to their rank is an ancient custom of the fraternity which should never be omitted. It is an act of great discourtesy to a visiting officer to omit his formal reception by the Lodge, and in an official visitation the visiting officer should ordinarily require it. On the occasion of visits not official it will be found to greatly increase a true fraternal feeling when courtesy is properly shown.

I.--Grand Lodge.

When a visit from the Grand Lodge is expected, the Master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for the use of the Grand Lodge, where the same can be opened in the proper form. On being notified that the Grand Lodge is opened and prepared for the visitation, the Master, the Lodge being opened on the third degree, will send a committee, headed, if possible, by a Past Master, with the Masters of Ceremony with their rods, the Deacons with their rods, and the Marshal, to escort the Grand Lodge. A procession is formed in the following order:

Marshal.
Masters of Ceremony.
Committee.
Deacons.
The Grand Lodge.

On arriving at the door, the Grand Marshal will announce:

"The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F. and A. M. of the State of Arkansas."

The procession enters, the Masters of Ceremony and Deacons halt inside the door and cross their rods, the committee proceed, followed by the Grand Lodge in the inverse order of their rank. When the Grand Master arrives in front of the altar, he halts, and the Grand Lodge filing to the right and left form a line across the hall. The committee then introduce The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas. The Grand Master then advances to the East, and the Master receives him according to ancient usages, with the private Grand Honors of Masonry, and resigns to him the chair and the gavel, each other Grand Officer taking his station in place of the corresponding officer of the Lodge, and the brethren are seated.

The Grand Master, at his pleasure, resigns the chair to the Master, whereupon the other Grand Officers resign their respective stations to the proper officers of the Lodge, and repair to the East, and take seats on the right of the Grand Master.

The Grand Lodge should retire before the Lodge is closed. When the Grand Master announces his intention to retire, the Lodge is called up, the Grand Honors are given, and the Masters of Ceremony and Deacons repair to the door and cross their rods, the Marshal conducts the procession of the Grand Lodge to the door, and salutes as the procession passes him.

II.--The Grand Master.

When a visit from the Grand Master is expected, the Master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for his use and that of his suite. When the Grand Master's visit is announced, the Master sends the Marshal, Deacons, Masters of Ceremony, and one of the oldest members (a Past Master, if practicable) bearing the Book of Constitutions, to escort him to the Lodge Room. A procession is formed in the following order:

Marshal.
Masters of Ceremony.
Suite.
Brother with the Book of Constitutions.
Grand Master.
Deacons.

The Marshal announces to Tyler, Tyler to J. D., and J. D.: "The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Arkansas," when the Master calls up the Lodge. The Masters of Ceremony stop inside, and cross their rods, while the others proceed towards the East. On arriving at the altar, the suite open inwards, the Grand Master passes through, and the others, filing to the right and left, form a line across the hall. The private Grand Honors are then given. The Grand Master advances to the East, and the Master receives him, resigns to him the chair and the gavel. The suite take place on the right of the Master, and the Lodge is seated.

The Grand Master may decline to receive the chair and gavel, or at his pleasure may resign the same.

When the Grand Master announces his intention to retire, having previously resigned the chair and gavel to the Master, the Lodge is called up, the Private Grand Honors are given and the Master directs the proper officers to attend for the escort of the Grand Master. The Masters of Ceremony halt at the door, cross their rods, and the other officers escort the Grand Master to his apartment.

III.--The Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Etc.

The form will be the same as for the Grand Master, except that the Book of Constitutions will not be borne before them.

IV.--Other Brethren.

When a brother visits a Lodge for the first time and has been vouched for, the Master will send the Senior Deacon to introduce him. That officer conducts him to the Altar and says:

"Worshipful Master, I have the pleasure of introducing to you Brother ......, of ...... Lodge ......"

The Master calls up the Lodge and says:

"Brother ......, it gives me pleasure to Introduce to you the members of ...... Lodge and to welcome you to a seat among us. We meet on ......, and shall be very glad to welcome you to any of our meetings."

The Senior Deacon conducts the visitor to a seat and the Lodge is seated.

If the visitor is to be examined the W. M. appoints a committee, who retire at the door of the preparation room, the S. D. passing them out. When the committee are ready to report, they make an alarm at the door of the preparation room. The S. D. attends to it, and reports that the examining committee desire admission. The W. M. directs him to admit them. When he goes to the door, if the committee expect to report favorably they will introduce the S. D. to the visitor. The committee then come in and make their report at the altar that they have examined ......, who claims to be a member of ...... Lodge No. ......, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of ...... and find him to be a Master Mason (or, that they are not satisfied to vouch for him as a worthy Mason). The W. M. seats the committee, and asks if there is any objection to the admission of ...... as a visitor. Any member of the Lodge has the right to object to the admission of a visitor, but the grounds of the objection must be stated to the W. M., who shall judge of the sufficiency thereof. If there be no objection, the W. M. directs the S. D. to introduce the brother. The S. D. presents him at the altar and introduces him to the W. M., who in turn introduces him to the Lodge in the form above. No brother should be allowed to visit a lodge for the first time without an introduction. If the visitor is a Past Master, he should be invited to a seat in the East.

Election and Installation.

The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary of a chartered Lodge must be chosen annually by ballot, and by a majority of votes, at the time fixed in the by-laws. The Senior and Junior Deacons and Tyler are appointed by the W. M. A Chaplain and Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony may be appointed also.

If a lodge fails to elect officers at the time appointed, it may at said meeting, or at the next regular meeting thereof, appoint a day for such election, not more than three months from the regular time, and may, without dispensation, elect officers at said appointed time and install them at once.

No member in arrears for dues at the time of the regular election shall be elected or appointed to any office in the Lodge, nor be allowed to vote at such election.

Every voter is eligible to any office except that of Master.

Where a Lodge finds it absolutely necessary to elect a brother W. M., who has not served as Warden, the facts must be reported to the Grand Master, and the Master-elect must not be installed without his dispensation.

When vacancies occur in any of the elective offices of the Lodge, they must be filled by seniority or pro tem. appointments during the remainder of the term. No election can be held to fill them except by dispensation of the Grand Master.

Each Lodge may make its own rule as to whether nominations shall be made or vote without nominations.

No one can be installed by proxy.

Officers re-elected must be installed after each election.

Membership in a Lodge is necessary to eligibility to office except in case of Tyler and Organist.

Any Past Master in good standing of a Blue Lodge can install the officers of a Lodge.

INSTALLATIONS.

Officers of a New Lodge.

The new Lodge having been constituted, etc., the Grand Master says:

G. M.: This Lodge having been constituted, I will now install its officers. Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, collect the official jewels, place them upon the altar, and present Brother ---- ----, who has been elected Worshipful Master.

The Deputy Grand Master now conducts the W. M. elect before the altar, facing the East, and says:

D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I present Brother ---- ----, to be installed Worshipful Master of this Lodge.

G. M.: Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, have you carefully examined the brother, and do you find him qualified to discharge the duties of the office for which he has been chosen?