Ans. “The rough Ashlar is a stone in its rough and natural state; the perfect Ashlar is also a stone made ready by the working tool of the Fellow Craft to be adjusted in the building; and the Trestle-board is for the master workman to draw his plans and designs upon.”
“What do they represent?”
Ans. “The rough Ashlar represents man in his rude and imperfect state by nature; the perfect Ashlar also represents man in that state of perfection to which we all hope to arrive by means of a virtuous life and education, our own endeavors, and the blessing of God. In erecting our temporal building we pursue the plans and designs laid down by the master workman on his Trestle-board; but in erecting our spiritual building we pursue the plans and designs laid down by the supreme Geometrician of the universe, in the book of life, which we Masonically term our spiritual Trestle-board.”
“Who did you serve?”
Ans. “My Master.”
“How long?”
Ans. “Six days.”
“What did you serve him with?”
Ans. “Freedom, fervency, and zeal.”
“What do they represent?”
Ans. “Chalk, charcoal, and earth.”
“Why so?”
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Ans. “There is nothing freer than chalk, the slightest touch of which leaves a trace behind; nothing more fervent than heated charcoal, it will melt the most obdurate metals; nothing more zealous than the earth to bring forth.”
“How is your lodge situated?”
Ans. “Due east and west.”
“Why so?”
Ans. “Because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.’
“A second reason?”
Ans. “The gospel was first preached in the east, and is spreading to the west.”
“A third reason?”
Ans. “The liberal arts and sciences began in the east and are extending to the west.”
“A fourth reason?”
Ans. “Because all Churches and Chapels are, or ought to be, so situated.”
“Why are all Churches and Chapels so situated?”
Ans. “Because king Solomon’s temple was so situated.”
“Why was king Solomon’s temple so situated?”
Ans. “Because Moses, after conducting the children of Israel through the Red Sea, by Divine command erected a tabernacle to God, and placed it due east and west; which was to commemorate, to the latest posterity, that miraculous east wind that wrought their deliverance; and this was an exact model of king Solomon’s temple. Since which time every well regulated and governed lodge is, or ought to be, so situated.”
“To whom did our ancient brethren dedicate their lodges?”
Ans. “To king Solomon.”
“Why so?”
Ans. ”Because king Solomon was our most ancient Grand Master.”
“To whom do modern Masons dedicate their lodges?”
Ans. “To St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.”
“Why so?”
Ans. “Because they were the two most ancient Christian patrons of Masonry; and since their time, in every well regulated & governed lodge there has been a certain point
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within a circle, which circle is bounded on the east and the west by two perpendicular and parallel lines, representing the anniversary of St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who were two perfect parallels, as well in Masonry as Christianity; on the vertex of which rests the book of the Holy Scriptures, supporting Jacob’s ladder, which is said to reach the watery clouds; and in passing round this circle we naturally touch on both these perpendicular parallel lines, as well as the hook of the Holy Scriptures, and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed he cannot materially err.”
[Thus ends the first degree of Masonry, and the reader who has read and paid attention to it knows more of Masonry than any Entered Apprentice Mason in christendom, and more of this degree than one hundredth part of the Master Masons, or even Royal Arch Masons; for very few ever attempt to learn the lectures, or even the obligations; they merely receive the degrees, and there stop, with the exception of a few who are fascinated with the idea of holding an office; they sometimes endeavor to qualify themselves to discharge the duties which devolve upon them in their respective offices. The offices of secretary and treasurer are by some considered the most important in the lodge, particularly where there is much business done.]
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
