Part 5 (2/2)

”How do you expect to pa.s.s the outer door?”

”By the * * * and * * * of a F. C.”

”Give them.”

”What does this * * * denote?”

”Plenty.”

”How is it represented?”

”By a sheaf of corn suspended near a waterfall.”

”How did it originate?”

”It originated in consequence of a quarrel that long existed between Jephtha, judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites. The Ephraimites were a wicked, stubborn and rebellious people, whom Jephtha strove to subdue by lenient means, but all to no avail. They became highly incensed because they were not called to share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, raised an exceeding great army, crossed over the river Jordan, came down upon Jephtha and gave him battle. Jephtha, being apprised of their approach, called out the mighty men of Gilead and put the Ephraimites to flight. And to make his victory secure, he placed guards at all the pa.s.ses on the river Jordan, giving them this pa.s.sword: s.h.i.+bboleth. The Ephraimites, being of a different tribe and dialect, could not p.r.o.nounce the word s.h.i.+bboleth, but called it Sibboleth, which trifling defect proved them enemies, and there fell at that time forty and two thousand.”

”The * * * and * * * with the explanation are correct. You have my permission to pa.s.s the outer door.”

This brings us to the inner door of the M. C., which we find partly open but more strictly tiled by the S. W. We will see if we can gain admission.

”Who comes here?”

”A young F. C., on his way to the M. C., to have his name enrolled among the workmen, and to be taught the wages of a F. C.”

”How do you expect to pa.s.s the inner door?”

”By the true * * * and * * * of a F. C.”

”Give them.”

”They are correct. You have my permission to pa.s.s the inner door!”

This brings us into the M. C. W. M., this young F. C. has come up to the M. C. to have his name enrolled among the workmen and be taught the wages of a F. C.

W. M.: ”I congratulate you upon your arrival into the M. C. You have been admitted for the sake of the letter G. you see suspended over the Master's station, which ent.i.tles you to the enrolling of your name among the workmen and to be taught the wages of a F. C. Brother Secretary, you will enroll the brother's name. The wages of a F. C. are C., W. and O.

The C. of nourishment, W. of refreshment and O. of joy. I will also instruct you in the three P. J. They are a L. E., an I. T., and a F. B.

A. L. E., that you will ever be attentive to lessons from the I. T., and a F. B. should serve as a faithful repository for all the secrets of the Fraternity that may be entrusted to your care.”

The letter G. has a very significant meaning. It is the initial of Geometry, the first and n.o.blest of sciences, and the basis on which the superstructure of Freemasonry 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 compose 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 s.p.a.cious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, notwithstanding, still survives. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Tools and implements of architecture and symbolic emblems most expressive have been selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths, and thus through a succession of ages have been transmitted unimpaired the most excellent tenets of our inst.i.tution.

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