Through the Key Hole - RoseCroix.org.au

28
THE QUARRY MASON
Bernard E Jones—Freemasons’ Guide & Compendium
Masons worked in quarries, where not only did they “get” the stone,
but roughly hewed and scappled it, sometimes,, no doubt. Carrying
the shaping and dressing through all its stages, so that the stones
could be taken to the site and there built in without further tooling.
The hewers used axes of cunning shape suggested by local experience.
These axes were made and maintained by the blacksmith,
and quite a good finish could be obtained by their use –even shallow
ornament was cut with them—but in course of time there developed
a higher grade of craftsman who used finer tools, chisels and the
like, with which to produce the deeper and more elaborate carved
and moulded work in freestone found in churches etc.
Another class of mason was the layer or setter who worked, of
course, on the building site and at an early period was regarded by
the cutter and shaper as having a status quite inferior to his own,
but that idea gave way as the centuries passed although evidence
of it was to remain in the old Constitutions and is possibly reflected
in today’s speculative Freemason’s ritual, in which the trowel, the
layer’s chief tool, has quite a subsidiary place.
Apprenticeship among Masons must have existed in early medieval
times, but there is no record of it earlier than 1356 in the London
Masons’ Regulations. In 1430, in the reign of Henry VI, was
passed an ordinance confirming the ancient form and custom of
putting and taking of apprentices, used and contained in the City of
London.
About 1530, a seven-years apprenticeship was fixed for the whole
kingdom a regulation not always observed, because we find the
rough masons of Norwich complaining in 1512 that apprentices
were redeeming their bonds at four years and even less, and that
other masons were not being apprenticed at all.
An apprentice out of his time and fully accepted as a craftsman was
a fellow or a master in English practice, but it does not follow that
the apprentice always came into the enjoyment and
148
Half the truck drivers were Masons, which provided more volunteer
labour, and the other half showed an interest in the craft. It’s an
unusual way of attracting members, but it’s not improper.
The sponsoring lodge is Nation Lodge No. 566 located in Spencerville,
Just north of Prescott, West of Highway 416. It was constituted
in 1920 in the St. Lawrence District and carries the same
name as the nearby river, a tributary of the Ottawa. The quarry site
is west of Highway 416 on the farm of John Hunter, District Deputy
Grand Master for the St. Lawrence District in 2000-2001.
The quarry degree is a personal thing for John. “It’s work and it’s
fun” he says “ This is the first one, but I see it as a way to bring
together the Frontenac, St Lawrence and Eastern Districts”. He
adds “ And the two Ottawas”.
The site has a sense of history. John is the sixth generation of
Hunters to be on this land. He got it from a cousin. His original
homestead, two miles west, was sold two years ago. Much of this
place has remained natural. The family taps 1,200 maple trees and
the fluctuating price of fuel oil does not affect his product. Forty
gallons of sap still reduce to a gallon of syrup, with evaporators
fired by wood.
The quarry which has been mined for 15 years takes a small back
portion of the property.
The quarry road is also the “sweet” road, leading to the sugar
shack and rustic diner. Half a mile into the bush stands a cook
shack. Kids who have read about Paul Bunyan will recognise the
type. We stop there to check in and re-stoke. And a killer breakfast
it is. Lots of bacon and sausages, pancakes smothered in butter
and drowned in maple syrup, and pork and beans woodsman style.
Lots of coffee and tea. Should you still be hungry, toast is available,
but toast is a la carte.
Just down the road is a checkpoint with firm but friendly guards.
Only friends pass. Then to the 20 acre quarry area. It’s as bleak as
a moonscape. We meet in the centre of 30 foot deep pit covering
several acres.