CHAPTER XI.

REMARKS ON THE FOURTH, OR MARK MASTER MASON'S DEGREE.

THIS degree of masonry was not less useful in its original institution, nor has it proved less beneficial to mankind, than those which precede it.

By the influence of this degree, each operative mason, at the erection of the temple of Solomon, was known and distinguished by the Senior Grand Warden.

By its effects, the disorder and confusion that might otherwise have attended so immense an undertaking were completely prevented; and not only the craftsmen themselves, who were eighty thousand in number, but every part of their workmanship, was discriminated with the greatest nicety, and the utmost facility. If defects were found in the work, by the help of this degree the overseers were enabled without difficulty to ascertain who was the faulty workman so that its deficiencies might be remedied, without injuring the credit, or diminishing the reward, of the industrious and faithful of 'the craft.

Charge to be read at Opening the Lodge,

"Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all matice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also, as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God.

"Wherefore, also, it is contained in the scriptures, Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste to pass it over. Unto you, therefore, which believe, it is an honour; and even to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.

"Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well doing ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God."

REMARKS ON THE FOURTH LECTURE.

THE FIRST SECTION

Explains the manner of convocating and opening a mark master's lodge. It teaches the stations and duties of the respective officers, and recapitulates the mystic ceremony of introducing a candidate.

In this section is exemplified the regularity and good order that was observed by the craftsmen on Mount Libanus, and in the plains and quarries of Zeredathah, and it ends with a beau

tiful display of the manner in which one of the principal events originated, which characterizes this degree.

IN THE SECOND SECTION

The mark master is particularly instructed in the origin and history of this degree, and the indispensable obligations he is under to stretch forth his assisting hand to the relief of an indigent and worthy brother, to a certain and specified extent.

The progress made in architecture, particularly in the reign of Solomon, is remarked; the number of artists employed in building the temple of Jerusalem, and the privileges they enjoy. ed, are specified; the mode of rewarding merit, and of punishing the guilty, are pointed out; and the marks of distinction which were conferred on our ancient brethren, as the rewards of excellence, are named.

In the course of the lecture, the following texts of scripture are introduced and explained, viz.

Rev. of St. John, ii. 17.-To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden' manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving him that receiveth it,

2 Chron. ii. 16.-And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa, and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.

Psalm, cxviii. 22.-The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Matt. xxi. 42.-Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.

Mark xii. 10.-And have ye not read this scripture, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.

Luke xx. 17.-What is this, then, that is written, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.

Acts iv. 11.This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Rev. iii. 18.—He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.

Ezekiel, xliv. 1, 3 & 5.-Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary, which looketh toward the east, and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me, This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.

The working tools of a mark master are the chisel and mallet.

The chisel morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education. The mind, like the diamond in its original state, is rude and unpolished; but as the effect of the chisel on the external coat soon presents to view the latent beauties of the diamond, so education discovers the latent virtues of the mind, and draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space, to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and to man.

The mallet morally teaches to correct irregularities, and to reduce man to a proper level; so that, by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of discipline, learn to be content. What the mallet is to the workmen, enlightened reason is to the passions: it curbs ambition, it depresses envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions; whence arises, among good masons, that comely order,

“Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,

"The soul's calm sunshine, and the heart-felt joy."

Charge to be delivered when a Candidate is advanced to the Fourth Degree.

" BROTHER,

"I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being promoted to this honourable degree of masonry. Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive as you advance in masonry.