Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

70 FELLOW CRAFT'S DEGREE.
The fire senses are next introduced. Hearing, seeing,
feeling, smelling, and tasting. They are each treated in a
neat and scholar-like manner, With a handsome definition.
At the conclusion of the notice of feeling, it is added, in a
different type, " These three senses, hearing, seeing, an
feeling, are most revered by Masons." Add tasting.
Without ceremony, the Chart, like the Monitor, the Manual,
Preston, and Book of Constitutions of South Carolina,
&c. passes from the five senses to treat—
" Of the seven liberal arts and sciences; which are
grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and
astronomy."
This enumeration shows the antiquity of Masonry; for,
having always a desire for the best things, as well as the best
men, of all ages, it undoubtedly chose the seven most-liberal
and honourable of the arts and sciences of the age in
which the selection was made; and some years have now
elapsed since, in the estimate of the learned world, natural
philosophy and chemistry would have found a place among
the liberal arts and sciences.
This is honourable tq the antiquity of the institution,
without reproach to its discernment; and we are not to infer
hence, that the study of natural philosophy and chemistry
is neglected by the fraternity; or because these sciences
have no place of honour in the books of the craft, that,
therefore, they are omitted in the instructions of the lodge
room.
Each of these seven liberal arts and sciences has a section
devoted to it " Geometry, the first and noblest of
sciences, the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry
is erected," receives that portion of attention to which its
superior masonic importance entitles it.
" GEOMETRY. (Mas. Chart, p. 31.)
" Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes
in general, where length, breadth, and thickness, are
considered, from a point to a line, from a line to a superfi-