Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

HEAVENLY ORDER OF THE; MASONIC DEGREES. 2Q1
" Not only are the several masonic lectures replete," says
Mr. T., u with moral and religious instructions, but their
very order is a source of improvement. The first degree in
Masonry naturally suggests the state' of moral darkness
consequent upon the fall of Adam. The second degree is
emblematical of a state of improvement and trial. [This
is the degree in which the seven liberal arts and sciences are
taught] Having diligently persevered in the use of means,
the third degree prefigures the life of the good man in his
pilgrimage state, (p. 77.) Advancing to the fourth degree,
he is greatly encouraged to persevere in the ways of
well doing even to the end; having a NAME [the same that
was on the golden triangle of glorious memory] which no
man knows save him that receives it (p. 78.) Hence opens
the fifth degree, where [mirabile dictu!] he discovers his
election to% and his glorified station in, the kingdom of his
Father, (p. 79,) Next the sixth degree is conferred, in
which the riches of Divine grace are opened in boundless
prospect (p. 79.) In the seventh degree, the good man [ter
quater que beatus] is truly filled with heartfelt gratitude,
(p. 80.) In the eighth he beholds, that all the heavenly sojourners
will be admitted within the veil of God's presence,
where they will become kings and priests before the throne
of his glory for ever, (p.81.) [In lingua Latino, fienttegeset
sacerdotes apud solium gloriae in aeternum.] Hence, in advancing
to the ineffable degrees, the pious heart is filled with
joy. Here is viewed the consummation of the great plan
of human redemption, where every saint will be filled with
the fulness of God for ever and ever" (pp. 81, 82.)
M O fortunati nimiuni, sua si bona ndrunt,"
MMOM !—2 Qtorgie, 458.
" If such useful instruction, 19 says Mr. T., " may be
drawn from the order of the degrees^ how great must it be
from the system itself!"
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