The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

54 THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY
El Shaddai of the Egyptian Set. These four Gods
of the four quarters were, first, the brothers, and,
secondly, the children of Horus ; in Egyptian,
Amsta, Hapi, Taumutf, and Kabhsnuf ; in
Mexican, Acatl, Tecpatl, Calli, and Tochtli ; the
four Bacabs of the Mayas ; the Man, Lion, Ox,
and Eagle of the R.A.C., and Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John of the Christians.
That the Operative Masons have seven so-called
degrees now is because they have converted their
Initiate, Apprentice, and Master's degrees into
seven ; but this is of quite a comparatively recent
date. The Initiates and Apprentices were called
" Companions," and a few of the higher class
were "Masters." Bro. Dr. Carr has stated that
the reasons for much of the Speculative Cere-
monies can be seen in the Operative Rituals, while
the Operative Ceremonies get no elucidation from
the Speculative Ritual, and he specially draws
attention to the obligation in the First Degree.
The reason for this is obvious. The Operative
Masons or " Companions " were initiated in part
of the old Ceremonies and Rituals only,
so that
they were bound by Oath to keep the secrets of,
and know the reasons for, the peculiar and dis-
tinctive construction of the old Temples, and they
never violated their obligations ;
Masons have no Esoteric Eschatological
but the Operative
rites at
all. These were never taught them, yet these