Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-08-15
From the Crystal.
The Three First Degrees in Masonry.

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The three degrees into which Masonry is
divided, seems to have an obvious and apt CO.
incidence with the three progressive states of /
mankind, from the creation to the end of |
time. The first is emblatical of mans
state of nature, from the FIRST disobedience to |
the time of Gods Covenant with Abraham, |
and the establishment OF the Jewish Econo-
my. The second, from that period to the
end of the last full and perfect Revelation
from heaven to Mankind, made by our great
Redeemer The third comprehending the
glorious interval of the Christian dispense
ton down to the consummation of all things
The state of darkness or obscarity of the
First degree strongly figures out the dark
ness Of chaos before mans creation or the
night into which his glorious faculties were
plunged by the fall and consequent upon
his original transgression. 1t is also forci-
bly, emblemlatical of the darkness of the womb
antecedent to mans natural birth and the
pain inflicted at his entrance aptly represents
his pangs and bitter sensations, on his entrance
into the Lodge of this chequered life. Like a
woeful benigbted traveller, found in dreary
| and hopeless desert, his INDECENT condition
| suggests to him the forlorn and helpless sit.
uation of man in state of nature; teaches
him the value of mutual good offices and
| directs him to extend that relief afterwards
| to others, which he then so much wants
himself, by comforting the afflicted, feeding
the hungry, and covering the naked with
garment. lie is brought to the light Of the
world, and the light of knowledge, by the
help of others. His investiture is strongly
significant Of the frstT clothing ofthe human
race, and marks the modestt purpose Of prim-
tive dress.
His tools are the rough implements,of unin-
structed genius, and the rude emblems of
the simplest moral truths, pointing out the
hard labor which human industry must un-
dergo, when unassisted by the cunning and
compendious devices of cultivated art. His
Lodge is described to him as al universal
wilderness, wherein he cautiously associates
with his human brothers upon the highest Of
hills, or in the lowest of valleys; the green
grass its pavement the cloudy canopy Of
heaven its covering. Thus he is taught to
consider this whole terrestrial globe as a
Lodge, and is thereby instructed to look up
on all mankind as his brethren, and to GRASP
the whole human race to his heart with the
arms Of universal benevoienee and compas
sion. Hence, also, he learns to view tht
whole earth as one Temple Of the Deity, with
its length due east and west marked out by
the line of the Zodiac, and thet Giants course
of the Sun and Moon therein; and to con
template every human heart as an Altar bur
ming with the incense Of alteration to th'
Grand Architect of the universe. As thu
darkeness of heathenism, or natural religion
preceded the divine revelation vouchsafed t
the faVorite people of God SO, by our ini
tiation into the second degree, we adyanc
still further into the dawn figured out by tn
Mosaic dispehsation which preceded tn
dox fHa ,Or-
tate is brought to light to behold and har
die tools Of a more artificial and artistic col
struction, and emblatic of sublimer NOR;
truth. By these, he learns to reduce rud
matter into.due from, and rude manners int
the more bolished shape of moral and reliI
ious recitude, becoming thereby more ha
monious cornerstone Of symmetry in Il
structure of human society, until he b;
made glorified corner stone of the Tenn p
God made without hands, eternal in I'll
Heavens.
He learns to apply the Square Of Justice
all his actions the Level of Humanity an
Benevolence to all his Brother Man: and
the Plumb Line of Fortitude, to support hin
self through all the dangers and difficult,
of this, our fallen feeble state. Here instei
of the casual Lodge as before like the vagral
tabernacle in the wilderness, he first becom
acquainted with the construction OF the 81
rious Temple of King Solomon, whose ma
nifcent proportions were dictated by the 0
acular instruction of God, and are fguratil
of celestial perfection.
The Third degree brings the Masonic i
qairer into state representing the merida
light cf the last and fullest revelation fro
| heaven to man upon earth, by the etern
Son of God, through whose resurrection al
ascension, he is raised from darkness al
death to the certainty life and immortalt
Such is the Masonic economy. Such a
: the outlines of that system, which is just
S compared to an equilateral triangle, the pc
? feet emblem of universal harmony, and Il
= sublinest symbol of the incomprehensible
} Deity, whose radiant throne may all hel
s after encircle with songs and choral hallel
: jabs foreVermore.
;, *Gen. 3, o. tGsn. g. tPalms 10, 5.