Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

128 PRINCE OP THE TAnERNACLL
UE SQUARE.
TIlE TRIANGLE :—With the letter
Yod in the center, suspended in the
East, is an emblem of the DeIty and
of equity, because its sides are equal
and it is the first perfect figure that
can be formed with straight lines.
5,—
Upon the altar is an emblem of
rectitude of intention anti action,
and obedIence to constituted authority.
The CouIaaafi.
.st’
THE COMPASSES.
Squarq.
Of command of the motion of the
heavenly bodies, of harmony and of
eternity.
Note 374.——with great propriety, therefore. is the square put into the
bands of the worshipf~il Master. In order that he may keep the brethren
within the square of the ancient charges of Freemasonry This symbol
must at all times. and in all places. be regarded as a great light, and ti~
genuine Freemasun Is nut oniy reminded by this light to do his duty to
his brethren, but to all mankind.—Gadicks.‘ ‘—Maeoys Encyclopudia and
Dictionary of Freemasonry, Article Square.
Mote 375.—”One of the most prominent objects used as emhlems In
Masonry It lies on the Open word that surmotiata the altar in the
center of the lodge. Its ~lute being towards the west. Its position Is
made to represent a gradation. Its lesson is limiting or clrcumaerIhIng
the passions—s sublime inculcation. In ihe third degree It ploys a still
more prominent part It teaches to the worshipful Master at his Inatsliatlun
flhst he should limit his desires to his station. ihst rising to
eminence by merit, he may Wee respected and dIe regretted ‘—Mania’s
Maaeaic Dictionary, Article Compass.
INITIATIoN. 129
TI-SE THREE LIGHTS:”—On the Eaht, West and
~uutlI of the ahlar, represent the summer solstice, and
tIt(’ vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
TIlE TWO COLUMNS :—Represent those erected by
Enoch to perpetuate the history of the times before the
fitiod.
~J
THE
phicity.
Plumb.
PLUMn.”’
Is a symbol of decision, firmness and independence;
of truth and straight forward s.im-
Note IYS.—”Zhree. Everywhere among the ancients the number
three was deemed the most sacred of numbers. A reverence for its mystical
virtues is to he found even among the Chinese, who say that numhers
begin at one and are made perfect at three, and hence they denote
the multiplicIty of any object by repeating the character which
stands for it three times. In the phIlosophy of Plato. it was the Image
ef Ihe Supreme Being, because It includes in Itself the properties of the
Owo first numbers, and because, 55 Aristotle says, it contains within
Itself a beginnIng, a middle, and an end. The Pythagoreana called It
perfect harmony, So sacred was this number deemed by the ancients
that we Sod it designating some of the attributes of almost all the
gods. The thunder-bolt of Jove was three-forked; Ibe sceptre of Neptune
was a Indent, Cerberbus. the dog of Pluto. was three-headed; there
were three Fates and three Furies; the sun had three names. Apollo. Sol,
and Liber: and the moon three also, Ditini. Luna, and Hecate. In all
Incantations Ibree was a favorite number, for, as virgil says, ‘numero
Deus impari gsudet.~ God delights in an odd number. ‘—Mackey’s Eney.
olopadia of Freemasonry, Article Three,
Note 37v—’In the scriptures the Plumb-Line is emblematic of regular
rule; hence, to destroy by line and plummet, as In Amos vIl., Is understood,
a regular and systematic desiruction. Such had nearly been the
fate of the Masonic institution in the UnIted States, consequent upon
political antI-Masonry. 1526-1536. —MolTise Masonic Dictionary, Article
Plumb-Line.