The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARbut as a Master Mason he istaught the last, themost important, and the most necessary of truths,that having been faithful to all his trusts, he is atlast to die, and to receive the reward of his fidelity.It was the single object of all the ancient rites andmysteries, practiced in the very bosom of pagandarkness, shining as a solitary beacon to all thatsurrounding gloom, and cheering the philosopherin his weary pilgrimage of life, to teach the immortalityof the soul. This is still the great design ofthe Third Degree of Masonry.Capitular Degrees.MARK MASTER.Mark Master is the fourth degree of the Americanrite. The traditions of the degree make itof great historical importance, as we are informedthat at the building of the temple each OperativeMason was distinguished by his mark, and the disorderand confusion that might otherwise have attendedso immense an undertaking was completelyprevented. Not less useful is it in its symbolicalsignification. It teaches us that we should dischargeall the duties of our several stations withprecision and punctuality; that the work of ourhands and the thoughts of our hearts should begood and true, not sinful and defective, not unfinishedand imperfect, but such as the Great Overseerand Judge of heaven and earth will see fit toapprove as a worthy oblation from his creatures.It holds forth to the desponding the encouragingthought that although our motives may sometimesbe misinterpreted by our erring fellow-mortals,our attainments be underrated and our reputations87