Part 8 (1/2)

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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 workmans.h.i.+p 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 cla.s.sed 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 fellows.h.i.+p 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 r.e.t.a.r.ded 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 wors.h.i.+p.

The Three Steps.

The Three Steps usually delineated upon the Master's Carpet are emblematical of the three princ.i.p.al 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 G.o.d, 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 grat.i.tude 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 languis.h.i.+ng 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 friends.h.i.+p. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the n.o.blest part of the work of G.o.d; 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 Const.i.tutions.

The Book of Const.i.tutions 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 circ.u.mspection.

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--

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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.