Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason: together with the Ceremony of Installation, Laying Corner Stones, Dedications, Masonic Burial, Etc. — John Shaqi
Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason: together with the Ceremony of Installation, Laying Corner Stones, Dedications, Masonic Burial, Etc.Thornburgh, George
Religion
Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason: together with the Ceremony of Installation, Laying Corner Stones, Dedications, Masonic Burial, Etc.
Thornburgh, George
Freemasonry -- Rituals
This section illustrates certain hieroglyphical emblems, and inculcates
many useful and impressive moral lessons. It also details many
particulars relative to the building of the Temple at Jerusalem.
King Solomon's Temple.
This magnificent structure was founded in the fourth year of the reign
of Solomon, on the second day of the month Zif, being the second month
of the sacred year. It was located on Mt. Moriah, near the place where
Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac, and where David met and
appeased the destroying angel. Josephus informs us that, though more
than seven years were occupied in building it, yet, during the whole
term it did not rain in the day time, that the workmen might not be
obstructed in their labor. From sacred history we also learn that there
was not the sound of ax, hammer or any tool of iron heard in the house
while it was building. It is said to have been supported by 1,453
columns and 2,906 pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble. It
was symbolically supported, also, by three pillars.
[Illustration]
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 workmanship 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 classed 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
fellowship 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 retarded 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 worship.
The Three Steps.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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