Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Expatiation On The Mysteries Of Masonry In Malling Abbey Lodge,
EXPATIATION ON THE MYSTERIES OF MASONRY IN MALLING ABBEY LODGE ,
No . 1 , 003 . ( Continued from vol . xvii ., page 441 . J In interpreting the legend of the third degree , it is necessary to refer to the tracing board of the F . C . degree . For the instruction which may be
derived from both of these is continuous . All the circumstances connected Avith the building of Soloman ' s Temple , particularised in the lectures , and delineated on the tracing board of the second degree , have a symbolical meaning .
They would not otherwise have any place in Freemasonry . Beautiful and gorgeous as the temple was , it was but a material fabric ; ancl the most minute description of its perfect structure ancl elaborate decoration , if we clo not go beyond it
can teach nothing that the speculative Mason has to learn . It was but a figure of another temple , raised by the hand of the Great Architect of the Universe . From the besfinnins : He had drawn the plan , estimated the cost , determined upon the
foundation , and prepared for the superstructure . Tracings of some portions of the plan were given , from time to time , by his inspiration ; and ceremonies have been introduced into Masonry , in
different ages , for the purpose of illustrating , or of perpetuating a remembrance of those revelations . In the Tabernacle and afterwards in the Temple of Solomon , the design was more fully disclosed , and a more elaborate plan was prepared ; and
therefore a description of the Temple fitly occupies , i prominent place in the symbolism of the F . C . degree . The figurative meaning of the building of the Temple is twofold ; first , with reference to every
Mason , and , secondly , to the entire Fraternity , la the former it relates to the advancement of the individual in moral and social virtue ; in the latter , to the edification ancl union of the community . Thus each Mason is taught to look npon himself
as a living stone in the Temple , whose Builder and Maker is God . For this lie must be prepared , as were the stones for the Temple of Solomon . They were all made ready before they were brought thither . Even so must each one of us be made fit
for the Master ' s use . We must be hewn out of the quarry of corrupt nature by the hand of God ; hammered out and polished , often by the troubles and afflictions of life ; made ready by the operations of heavenly grace , brought into shape by the
cultivation of virtue , and by the mortification of our corrupt desires , tried by the square of Gnd's Word , and by the compasses of our OAvn own selfconvincing conscience . The Temple itself is composed of many such stones , knit together by the
cement of brotherly love ; each taking his proper place , disturbed by no envy or discontent , each supporting , and supported by others , preserving order and harmony , strengthened by the bonds of unity and peace , and by the practice of brotherly
kindness , relief and truth . We have now to consider the particulars of the legend of the third degree , and in order that we may understand it we must refer to that part of the volume of the Sacred Law which forms the
NeAV Testament . We have nothing to do with any questions of controversial theology ; we meet here as Masons , our object is to decypher the hieroglyphical language in which the mysteries of Masonry are communicated to us , and to seek for
light in our researches wherever it can be obtained . Our ceremonies are all symbolical , our legends are all allegorical ; ancl there will be little profit in observing the one or repeating the other unless we investigate their hidden meaning .
( In the report of this Expatiation , the legend is necessarily omitted ; but it is well known to every Master Mason ) . The period in the history of man to which the F . C . degree more particularly refers , is that which
is comprehended between the time of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt , and the birth of Christ . Its teaching includes the moral law , ancl its tracing board represents the building of the Temple . Everywhere the Israelites , their
laws , their history , ancl their works , are brought prominently before us . The FelloAV Crafts thus became associated in our minds with the Jewish
people . The Jewish nation , including the rulers ancl the common people , may be represented by the number fifteen . The tribes of Israel were twelve ; which number therefore denotes the people . The
estates of their rulers , in the time of Christ , were three , viz .: the Chief Priests , Elders , and Scribes . During the Mosaic dispensation the Israelites had held a high position ; they were of a privileged race , and were under the immediate protection of
God . They had the knowledge of His revealed Word , but it was only the knowledge which belonged to the second degree . They were but FelloAV Crafts ; yet amongst Fellow Crafts they
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Expatiation On The Mysteries Of Masonry In Malling Abbey Lodge,
EXPATIATION ON THE MYSTERIES OF MASONRY IN MALLING ABBEY LODGE ,
No . 1 , 003 . ( Continued from vol . xvii ., page 441 . J In interpreting the legend of the third degree , it is necessary to refer to the tracing board of the F . C . degree . For the instruction which may be
derived from both of these is continuous . All the circumstances connected Avith the building of Soloman ' s Temple , particularised in the lectures , and delineated on the tracing board of the second degree , have a symbolical meaning .
They would not otherwise have any place in Freemasonry . Beautiful and gorgeous as the temple was , it was but a material fabric ; ancl the most minute description of its perfect structure ancl elaborate decoration , if we clo not go beyond it
can teach nothing that the speculative Mason has to learn . It was but a figure of another temple , raised by the hand of the Great Architect of the Universe . From the besfinnins : He had drawn the plan , estimated the cost , determined upon the
foundation , and prepared for the superstructure . Tracings of some portions of the plan were given , from time to time , by his inspiration ; and ceremonies have been introduced into Masonry , in
different ages , for the purpose of illustrating , or of perpetuating a remembrance of those revelations . In the Tabernacle and afterwards in the Temple of Solomon , the design was more fully disclosed , and a more elaborate plan was prepared ; and
therefore a description of the Temple fitly occupies , i prominent place in the symbolism of the F . C . degree . The figurative meaning of the building of the Temple is twofold ; first , with reference to every
Mason , and , secondly , to the entire Fraternity , la the former it relates to the advancement of the individual in moral and social virtue ; in the latter , to the edification ancl union of the community . Thus each Mason is taught to look npon himself
as a living stone in the Temple , whose Builder and Maker is God . For this lie must be prepared , as were the stones for the Temple of Solomon . They were all made ready before they were brought thither . Even so must each one of us be made fit
for the Master ' s use . We must be hewn out of the quarry of corrupt nature by the hand of God ; hammered out and polished , often by the troubles and afflictions of life ; made ready by the operations of heavenly grace , brought into shape by the
cultivation of virtue , and by the mortification of our corrupt desires , tried by the square of Gnd's Word , and by the compasses of our OAvn own selfconvincing conscience . The Temple itself is composed of many such stones , knit together by the
cement of brotherly love ; each taking his proper place , disturbed by no envy or discontent , each supporting , and supported by others , preserving order and harmony , strengthened by the bonds of unity and peace , and by the practice of brotherly
kindness , relief and truth . We have now to consider the particulars of the legend of the third degree , and in order that we may understand it we must refer to that part of the volume of the Sacred Law which forms the
NeAV Testament . We have nothing to do with any questions of controversial theology ; we meet here as Masons , our object is to decypher the hieroglyphical language in which the mysteries of Masonry are communicated to us , and to seek for
light in our researches wherever it can be obtained . Our ceremonies are all symbolical , our legends are all allegorical ; ancl there will be little profit in observing the one or repeating the other unless we investigate their hidden meaning .
( In the report of this Expatiation , the legend is necessarily omitted ; but it is well known to every Master Mason ) . The period in the history of man to which the F . C . degree more particularly refers , is that which
is comprehended between the time of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt , and the birth of Christ . Its teaching includes the moral law , ancl its tracing board represents the building of the Temple . Everywhere the Israelites , their
laws , their history , ancl their works , are brought prominently before us . The FelloAV Crafts thus became associated in our minds with the Jewish
people . The Jewish nation , including the rulers ancl the common people , may be represented by the number fifteen . The tribes of Israel were twelve ; which number therefore denotes the people . The
estates of their rulers , in the time of Christ , were three , viz .: the Chief Priests , Elders , and Scribes . During the Mosaic dispensation the Israelites had held a high position ; they were of a privileged race , and were under the immediate protection of
God . They had the knowledge of His revealed Word , but it was only the knowledge which belonged to the second degree . They were but FelloAV Crafts ; yet amongst Fellow Crafts they