Ronaynes Handbook Of Freemasonry 21

Ronaynes Handbook Of Freemasonry 21

"The form of a Lodge is an oblong rectangle ex-

tending from East to West between North and South,

forming the earth, Heavens and from the surface

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH.

 

 

 

 

H

 

 

 

 

 

 

w

 

 

 

 

►

 

 

H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H

 

 

 

 

SOUTH.

 

 

 

 

 

to the center. It is said to be thus extensrve, that de-

notes the universality of Masonry and that as Masons,

Christians should be equally extensive.

 

"Supports: Masonry may be said to be meta-

phorically supported by three great pillars, called Wis-

 

 

 

 

dom, Strength and Beauty; because, Lt is necessary

that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to

support, and beauty to adorn all great and important

undertakings. They are represented by the three prin-

cipal officers of the Lodge, Worshipful Master, Senior

and Junior Wardens.*

 

 

 

* App. note B., page 266.

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

HAND BOOK OF FREEMASONRY.

 

 

 

"The Worshipful Master represents the pillar of

wisdom, it being supposed that he has wisdom to open

and govern his Lodge, set the Craft to work and give

them proper instructions. The Senior Warden repre-

sents the pillar of strength, it being his duty to assist

the Worshipful Master in opening and closing his

Lodge, pay the Craft their wages, if any be due, so

that none may go away dissatisfied, harmony being

the strength and support of all institutions, especially

ours. The Junior Warden represents the pillar of

beauty, it being his duty to observe the sun at meridian

height, the beauty and glory of the day.

 

"Covering: The covering of a Lodge is the

clouded canopy, or starry decked heaven, where all

good Masons hope at last, to arrive by the aid of a

 

 

 

 

ladder called Jacob's Ladder having three principal

rounds denominated faith, hope and charity, teaching

faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity to all

mankind. But the greatest of these is charity; for

faith may be lost in sight, hope ends in fruition, but

charity extends beyond the grave to the boundless

realms of eternity.

 

"Furniture : The furniture of a Lodge is the

Holy Bible, Square and Compasses. The Bible* we

dedicate to the service of God, the Square to the Mas-

 

 

 

• App. note C, page 266.

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

and the Compasses to the Craft. The Bible we

dedicate to the service of God because it is His in-

estimable gift to man and on it we obligate a newly

admitted brother. The Square to the Master because

it is the proper Masonic emblem of his offices and by

it he is constantly reminded of the duty he owes to

the Lodge over which he has been called to preside

and the Compasses to the Craft who by due attention

to their use are taught to circumscribe their desires

and keep their passions within due bounds with all

mankind but more especially with our Brethren in Free-

masonry.

 

"Ornaments: The ornaments of a Lodge are the

Mosaic pavement, the indented tessel, and the blazing

 

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

HAND BOOK 01? FREEMASONRY.

 

 

 

star. The Mosaic pavement is a representation of the

ground floor of King Solomon's Temple; the indented

tessel, of that beautiful tesselated border or skirting

which surrounded it, with the blazing star in the cen-

ter. The Mosaic pavement is emblematical of human

life, checkered with good and evil; the indented tessel

which surrounds it, of those manifold blessings and

comforts which surround us in this life, and which we

hope to enjoy by a faithful reliance on Divine Provi-

dence, which is hieroglyphically represented by the

blazing star in the center.

 

"Lights: A Lodge has three lights* situated in

the East, West, and South, there is none in the

North, because of the situation of King Solomon's

Temple, which was placed so far North of the ecliptic

 

 

 

 

that neither sun nor moon at meridian height could

dart any rays into the North portion thereof (?) The

North therefore, we Masonically term a place of dark-

ness.

 

"Jewels: A Lodge has six jewels, three im-

 

 

 

 

• "Standard Monitor," Cook, p. 16.

 

• App. note D., page 267.

 

 

 

WORK ON THE FIRST DEGREE.

 

 

 

movable and three movable. The immovable jewels

are the Square, Level and Plumb. The Square teaches

morality; the Level, equality; and the Plumb, recti-

tude of life, and are worn by the three principal officers of the Lodge, the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. The movable jewels are the rough ashler, perfect ashler, and trestle-board.