The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols
The following detail of the record shows the scythe of time behind the
weeping virgin, who stands at the broken column and holds a sprig of acacia.
The hourglass stands nearby. This image symbolizes death, and the stone has a
Masonic metaphor engraved on it: "Called from Labor to Refreshment," which
means to be called from the burden of this troublesome earthly life to the
refreshment of the paradise above. The dates were left blank to be filled in when
Charles Mitchell died. The acacia denotes immortality.
The lifted up veil represents the temple of King Solomon. In the left
background there are two bee-hives and a pot of incense placed upon the three
steps which denote youth, manhood, and old age. In the right background there is
the winding staircase leading to the Middle Chamber. Next to the Middle
Chamber, there is a sword pointing to a naked heart. In the foreground, leaning
to the podium stone, are a plumb rule and a level, two of the tools with which the
Master Builder was slain.
The next scene of interest is the Biblical account of the army of Ephraimites
crossing the river Jordan in a hostile manner against Jephtha. The sheaf of corn
(the password "shibboleth") is hanging from a tree, and there is a waterfall (in
other rituals interpreted as a "water-ford"). Two steps and a white lambskin
apron are equally depicted, as well as the columns of the five architectural
orders. The floor is the mosaic pavement. This scene represents the lecture of the
Second Degree.