The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-05-24

distinctly understood, | will quote from
the "New Masonic Trestle. Board" a work
published by the Masonic fraternity, not
especially for Masons. but rather as a work
for the information of the public.
1.-The badge of Mason is lambskin.
He, therefore, who wears this as the badge
of Mason, is continually reminded of
that purity Of hte which is so essentially
necessary to his gaining admission into
the Celestial Lodge above, where the Su-
preme Architect Of the Universe presideS." :"
The lamb in all ages has been deemed
ian emblem of innocence, and on this ac-
count has been chosen as the badge of
Masonry. The emblems or symbols of
Masonry, with which the public are most
familiar, are the Bible, the Compass, the
Square, the Gavel, the Plumb. and the
Guage. In regard to the use of these
symbols by the Masonic fraternity, we gied
the following:
"The plumb is an instrument made use
Of by operative Masons 10 try perpcndic-
uars; the square to square their work, and
the level to prove horizontalS. But we as
Free and Accepted MaSons, are taught to
make use Of them for more noble and glO-
rious purposes. The plumb admonishes
US to walk uprightly in our several sta
tions before God and man, squaring our
actions by the square of virtue, and ever
remembering that we are travelling upon
the level Of time, to that undiscovered
country from whose bourn no traveller re-
turns The rule or twcnty-iour inch
guage is an instrument made use of by
operative MaSOuS, tD measure and lay out
their work; but we, as Free aud Accepted
..,a -, ,.,s-, :, ! :..ss.,k r r. u;
the more noble aud glorious purpose of
dividing our time 1t being divided into
twenty-fOur equal parts is emhlcmatical
of the twenty.tour hours Of the day, which
we are taught to divide into three parts,
whereby we find part for the service Of
| God and distressed worthy brother,
part for our usual vocations, and part for
rcfreShment and sleep. The common
, gavcl is an instrument made use Of by OPP
erative MaSonS to break off the rough and
SupcriluouS parts Of stones, the better to
tit them for the builders use but we, as
Free and Accepted MaSonS, are taught to
to make Use of it for the more noble and
! glorious purpose of divcsting our hearts
and consciencrS of all the vices and su-
pcriluitcs of life, thereby fitting onr
minds as living stones, for that spiritual
building, that house not made with hands,
eternal iH the heavens.
! From the quotations that have made
from the "New Masonic Trestle Board. ="
YOU will understand what meant by
speculative Masonry.
Operative Masonry was an association
of practical architects or builders, banded
together for mutual benefit, and perfrc
ton Of their art, and to whom had been
granted certain privileges by the ruling
authorities, by which they were enabled
To protect the secrets Of their ant To be
Il member OF this fraternity secured GER
tain advantages and immuniteS, not only
in regard to art, but in social life, that
soon made it an institution of influence
and power, the benefits of which many
desired to avail themselves Of The mys-
tcricS Of the art and secret principles of
the order, MasonS consider to have found
their fullest expression in the building of
Soomon's Temple. In that temple they
consider that the Divine and human clr-
mcttS were 50 united as to bring to per.
iection that structure, that was so long
the admiration Of the Eastern world.
Speculative Masonry, according to n
Masonic author--" Is moral order, insti-
tutcd by virtuouS men, with the praise
worthy design of recalling to our relucIn
brance the most sublime truths, in the
midst Of the most innocent and social
lplcaSurcs, founded on Liberalitv, Broth
erly Love and Charity. 1t is a beautiful
system Of morality, vcilcd in alegory and
illustrated by symbols Truth i, its cen
tre-the point whence its radii liverge-
pointing out to its diSciprs>~a correct
knowledge of the Great Architect of thr
! Universe, and the moral laws which He
has ordained for their government"
This Morality, Charity and Brotherly
Love is founded on the teachings of the
Bible !; and these principles are taught,
illustrated and brought to mind by EN-.
blems and symbols. The implements OF
AIT and principles of architecture, things
with which most are familiar, are made to
suggest and enforce our obligation to be
governed by these principles of Charity,
Brotherly Love and Librralitv.
Although cunning hands and stout arms
are not now directed in G,Shioning the
various parts Of the building under the
supervision of a Masonic Warden, as du-
ring the operative period of Masonry,
still by form and ceremony they show
their connection with the past, and that
they do not now ignore the implements OF
art. Gathered abou: the corner stone of
the public building, with ceremonies be.
longing to the order, they place their sig
net upon it.
1t Is with speculative Masonry that we
have to do, as it is only this feature of it
that is now known as FreemaSonrv. The
society is perpeiuas,;9 q and continued
through initiatory rites, signs, and pass.
words, which are known only to the in.
tiated. And all who enter are required
to take solemn obligation that they will
under no circumstances divulyc or make
known any of the mysteries or secrets OF
the order, except in the manner prescribed
by the constitution of the order So >ol-
cinn and binding are these obligations,
that but few have BECOME so reckless or
depraved as to violate them.
whatsoever from love Of knowledge,
interest, or curiosity" say the Masonic
constitutions, desires to be Free Mason
is to know that, as his foundation and
great corner stone, he is to believe firmly
in the Eternal God, and to pay that wor.
ship which is due to Him as the great
Architect of the Universe. a Free Mason
is obliged by his tenure to obey the moral
law and if he rightly understand the
royal art, he cannot tread in the irrelig-
iour paths of the unhappy libertne or
stupid atheist" One other quotation will
place the subject before US in clear light ::
"The principal point, or feature of Ma,
sonry is three-fold, and comprises the ex-
alted virtues of Brothcrly Love, Relief,
and Truth-which are the tenets of Ma
sons profession" They are explained as
follows: by the exercise of Brotherly
Love, we are taught to regard the whole
human species as one family-the high
and low, rich and poor; who, as created