There are two kinds of Masonry, Operative and Speculative.
Operative Masons physically build structures which architects plan with the aid of geometry. The origins of Masonry began milleniums ago because of the need to create shelter from inclement weather.
By Speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, maintain secrecy, and promote brotherhood. As you learned earlier there were eighty thousand Fellows of the Craft. These were under the direction of the Operative Grand Master Hiram Abif. On the evening of the sixth day their work was inspected, and all who had proved themselves worthy were invested with signs, grips, and words, to enable them to gain admission into the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.
While being conducted to the place representing the middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple, you will discover various objects. First are the two bronze pillars. The one on the left, called Boaz, denotes strength. The other on the right, called Jachin, denotes establishment. Together they allude to the promise of God to David to establish his kingdom.
In the entered apprentice degree the book of Ruth tells about using a shoe as symbol of confirmation. The book of Ruth also tells of a great landowner named Boaz and a widow he would take as a wife named Ruth. There were the great-great grandparents of Solomon, so a direct connection can be made.
These pillars were cast in the clay ground on the banks of the River Jordan about sixty miles north and east of Jerusalem between Succoth and Zar-e-da-tha. The area was chosen because of the special clay found in that area which worked especially well for casting metal.
The casting was done by craftsmen, or fellows of the craft, under the direction of Hiram of Tyre. Tyre was a region of Lebanon by the Mediterranean Sea. The columns were cast hollow to serve as repositories for the archives.
The pillars were each eighteen cubits high and topped with chapiters of five cubits, making them in all twenty-three cubits in height. (or about 35 feet) Biblical scholars estimate that each pillar weighed between sixteen and twenty tons, which reinforces their symbolic representation of the phrase: He establishes with strength. Chapiters are the ornamentation on top of the pillar which distinguishes them from the other styles. The chapiters were adorned with lilywork, network and 200 pomegranates.
The lily, by its white purity denotes peace; the network denotes unity; the pomegranate denotes plenty because of its abundance of seed.
The pillars were topped with globes representing the terrestrial and celestial spheres.
The description of the pillars comes directly from the book of Kings.
In first Chronicles we learn that the brass used to make the twin pillars had been attained by King David from the land of Zobah as part of the spoils of war. King David was, of course, Solomon's father, and is the same David who preceeded his career as a great soldier with his victory over Goliath.
TELL OF BEING IN ISRAEL
After passing the pillars, we discover a flight of winding stairs consisting of three, five and seven steps.
The number three alludes to the first three degrees of Masonry and, also, to the three principal officers of the Lodge.
The junior warden is represented by the plumb, and represents the beauty of Masonry.
The senior warden is represented by the level, and represents strength.
The worthipful master is represented by the square, and represents wisdom.
The three steps also allude to the three principal points of the sun referred to in our opening ritual.
The sun rises in the east to open the day; it reaches meridian height at noon, and sets in the west to close the day.
The three steps are also comparable to the life of man; in the eastern part of man, we rise from infancy to young men with some skills; in manhood we reach our meridian skills--ever enhanced by experience, and in the western part of life we serve as mentors and advisors.
Let us take those three steps
The number five alludes to the five orders in architecture.
Architecture is the science of moving the ideas of a creative mind into a visible set of patterns
which allow craftsmen to form a beautiful and complete building.
The origins of which date back to the need to create shelter from inclement weather.
The different eras of ancient design are often identified by the chapiters on top of the columns.
The five orders are thus classed: the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.
The five orders of ancient masonry are often identifiable by the chapiters on the tops of columns, and are thus classified: the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.
The three original orders of architecture most revered by Masons are: the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.
The Corinthian, being the most graceful, represents Beauty;
the Doric, being the most massive, represents Strength;
the Ionic combines the grace of the Corinthian with the strength of the Doric, represents Wisdom. xxxxx
The number five also alludes to the five senses of human nature: Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling and Tasting.
The first are prerequisits to being allowed into the middle chamber as a fellowcraft. Before passing through the chambers the wardens mus hear the word, "Shibboleth;" See the sign (given); and feel the grip.
Let us take these five steps.
The number seven alludes to the seven liberal arts and sciences. Grammer, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy. Of these, Geometry is most revered by Masons.
Grammar is the science which teaches us how to express our ideas in appropriate words and adorn those words with Rhetoric; while Logic instructs us how to think and reason, and use correct language to express the our thoughts.
Arithmetic, which is the science to aid the pursuit of our daily vocations.
By the science of Geometry, the architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs;
With music we hear the voice which soothes the infant in a mother's arms, or we hear the fife and drum, and possibly the bagpipe aiding soldiers marching into battle, or maybe we hear the stirring strains of a national anthems, or we may be singing hymns of gratitude to our creator.
Astronomy is the science that inspired curious ancients to read the wisdom, strength and beauty of stars, thereby allowing humans to plan for the next year's labors.
Let us take those seven steps.
(Stair Lecture)
SD - This brings us to the outer door of the Middle Chamber, which we find guarded by the Junior Warden, where it is necessary that we knock to gain admission.
(Knock) (Knock) (Knock)
JW - (JW rises) Who comes here?
SD - A Fellowcraft on his way to the Middle Chamber.
JW - How does he expect to gain admission?
SD - By the pass and token of the pass of a Fellowcraft.
JW - Give me the pass.
SW - Shib-xxx.
JW - What does that denote?
SW - Plenty.
JW - How is it represented?
SD - By a sheaf of corn hanging near a water-ford.
JW - Whence originated this word?
SD - In consequence of a quarrel between Jephthah, Judge of Israel and the Ephraimites, the Ephramites having long been a turbulent and rebellious people, whom Jephthah had sought to subdue by lenient measures, but without effect.
They being highly incensed at not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish War and fraught with vengeance gathered together a mighty army.
Jephthah also gathered together 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 the several passes of Jordan and commanded that if any should attempt to pass that way, to demand of them, say now Shib-xxx, but they being of a different tribe could not frame to pronounce it right and said Sib-xxx.
This trifling defect proved them enemies and cost them their lives and there fell at that time of the Ephramites forty and two thousand, since which time this word has been used as a pass whereby to gain admission into all regular and well governed Lodges of Fellowcrafts.
JW - Give me the token (Given) The pass and token are right, pass the outer door
SD - This brings us to the inner door of the Middle Chamber, which we find guarded by the Senior Warden where it is necessary that we again knock for admission. (Knock) (Knock) (Knock)
SW - (SW rises) Who comes here?
SD - A Fellowcraft on his way to the Middle Chamber.
SW - How does he expect to gain admission?
SD - By the grip and word of a Fellowcraft.
SW - Give me the grip. (Given) What is this?
SD - The grip of a Fellowcraft.
SW - Has it a name?
SD - It has.
SW - Give it me.
SD - I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it.
SW - How will you dispose of it?
SD - Letter and halve it.
SW - Letter it and begin.
SD - Begin you.
SW - Nay, you begin.
SD - x SW - x SD - x SW - x SD - x SW - x SD - x SW - x
SD - xxxxxx
SW - The word is right, pass the inner door.
SD - We next arrive within the place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, where you discover the Worshipful Master who will explain to you the wages of a Fellowcraft. (Knock) (Knock) (Knock)
WM - - (WM rises) Who comes here?
SD - A Fellowcraft desiring to receive his wages.
WM - - My Brother, you have been admitted to the Middle Chamber that you might receive your wages.
At the building of King Solomon's Temple, Fellowcrafts were paid in wages consisting of corn, wine and oil. We, as Speculative Masons only, receive as wages the emblematical corn of nourishment, wine of refreshment and the oil of joy.
Brother Secretary, record the name of Brother ____ ___ as a Fellowcraft, entitling him to wages.
My Brother, I now direct your attention to an emblem , the letter G, which is universally displayed over the Masters chair as you here discover. It is the initial of Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences. It is the basis on which the super structure of Masonry is erected.
(G Lecture not ritual, but part of the degree)
By Geometry we may curiously trace nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses.
By it we discover the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe and view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine.
By it we discover how the planets move in their respective orbits and demonstrate their various revolutions.
By it we account for the return of the 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 are all conducted by the same unerring law of nature.
A survey of Nature and the observation of her beautiful proportions first determined man 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 time and experience have produced works which are the admiration of every age.
The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance and the devastations of war have laid 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 notwithstanding, has still survived.
The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue and the mysteries of Masonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.
Tools and implements of architecture have been selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the memory wise and serious truths.
And thus, through a succession of ages, have been transmitted unimpaired, the excellent tenets of our institution).
(End of Geometry Lecture-back to ritual)
The letter G also alludes to the sacred name of Deity, (Knock) (Knock) (Knock) before whom we should all, from the youngest Entered Apprentice in the northeast corner of the Lodge, to the Worshipful Master who presides in the East, with reverence, most humbly bow.
This my Brother, concludes the ceremony of your being passed to the second degree.
Before advancing to a higher degree, it will be necessary for you to be declared proficient as before, and as I have heretofore informed you, you will find Brethren as ready to impart instruction, as you will be to receive it.
xxxxxGEOMETRY the first and · noblest of sciences is the basis on which the super· structure of Masonry is erected. By Geometry we. may curiously trace Nature, through her various windings, to her most concealed recesses. By it we discover the power, wisdom and goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which connect· this vast machine. By it we discover how the planets move in their respective 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 thru the vast expanse and are all conducted by' the same unerring law of Nature.
A survey of Nature and the observation of her beautiful proportions first determined man 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 time and experience, have produced works which are the admiration of every age.
The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance. and the devastations of· war have laid 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, notwithstanding, has still survived. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue and the mysteries of Masonry are safely edged in the repository of the faithful breast. Tools and implements of architecture have been selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the memory wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, have been transmitted unimpaired the excellent tenets of our institution.