The ancients had a custom so strikingly analogous to the character we Masonically attach to the Mark, that a brief reference to it may not be out of place here. Among the Greeks and Romans (and they may have borrowed the suggestion) it was the custom, when any two individuals were desirous of rendering sacred, or of perpetuating to their posterity, the refined and endearing friendship subsisting between them, to select a small piece of bone, ivory, or stone, and, having wrought it into some beautiful and convenient form, engrave upon it either the initials of their respective names, or some fanciful and appropriate device, or word. They then cut it into two parts, each giving to the other the part containing his own initial letters, or the corresponding half of the device: and this was ever after kept as a pledge and remembrancer of an attachment the most sacred and inviolable, entire and permanent, that could be formed between two friends. Including the sign and word of an unchangeable friendship, it was the means of identifying the cherished object of the heart's affections, even after many years of separation, and of securing a welcome to the privileges, and a share in the endearments of love and hospitality. Numerous instances might be cited to illustrate the powerful influence of this fraternal compact, in controlling the actions and assuaging the passions of the parties to it. The meeting on the field of battle between Diomed and Glaucus, two of the warriors of the Iliad - their mutual recognition of the symbol, (or tessera,) of the hereditary hospitality of their ancestors, and their immediate and mutual suspension of the fight in consequence, is a beautiful illustration of its influence and sacredness. The Mark of the Mark-Master Mason is this symbol of fraternal friendship and hospitality; and it was a beautiful thought of the three illustrious friends, who had already united themselves in a solemn league of immutable fidelity and Brotherhood, to select a device, common to them all, for a general Mark,- ·a sacred pledge, designed to bind them and their successors together forever, in one indissoluble tie of fraternal love and affection. To return to the Degree. In the erection of the Temple, the sagacious and far-reaching mind of King Solomon readily suggested to him the necessity of adopting some uniform system of government, for the preservation of order and regularity among the vast number of workmen employed. This necessity will the more clearly appear, when we reflect, that the number of men engaged on the work, exclusive of the three Grand Masters, and the seventy thousand bearers of burden, amounted to eighty-three thousand three hundred; or a grand total of one hundred and fifty-three thousand three hundred and three, viz: 1. 3 Grand Masters. 2. 3,300 Overseers, who were selected with special reference to their mechanical and geometrical skill and acquirements. 3. 80,000 Fellow-Crafts, who, according to the old Masonic, writers, were divided into Companies, or Lodges, of about twenty-five. An Overseer presided at the head of each of these divisions; and he was held responsible to the Masters for the manner in which the work done by those under his charge was executed. It was likewise his duty to see that his men were properly furnished with provisions and clothing, and that they were regularly paid.* The system of government thus instituted by Solomon, and partially developed in the Degree under consideration, was not only beautiful in detail, but perfect in operation. It enabled that wise king, under the special guidance and direction of a supreme and over-ruling Wisdom, to begin and complete the great and holy work committed to his hands, in the incredibly short space of about seven years; while the building of his own palace, constructed by the same workmen, consumed twentyone years. "This Degree of Masonry," says the late Brother Webb, Calcott classifies the workmen, including natives and foreigners, as follows:- 1. Harodim, Princes, Rulers, or Masters,. 300 2. Menatzchim, Overseers and Comforters of the people, 3,300 4. The levy out of Israel, appointed to work in Lebanon, one month in three, under the direction of Adoniram, as Junior Grand Warden, 5. The Ish Sabbal, or men of burthen, who were the remains of the old Canaanites, and are not numbered among Masons,. 80,000 30 000 70,000 This calculation gives a much larger number of Workmen than is embraced in the usual Masonic enumeration; which does not commonly include the 300 Masters, nor the 30,000 under Adoniram. 66 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 ita deficiencies might be remedied, without injuring the credit, or diminishing the reward, of the industrious and faithful of the Craft." FIRST SECTION. This section is explanatory of the manner of opening the Lodge. It also teaches the stations and duties of the Officers, and the preparation and introduction of candidates; and closes with a striking and impressive display of one of the principal characteristics of the Degree. OFFICERS AND STATIONS. A Mark Lodge, when fully organized for work, consists of the members of the Chapter to which it is attached, and the following officers, viz: 1. R. W. Master, in the East. 2. W. Senior Warden, in the West. 3. W. Junior Warden, in the South. 4. Treasurer, on the right, and 5. Secretary, on the left, near the chair. 6. Marshal, on the left, in front of the Secretary. 7. Senior Deacon, on the right, in front of the Treasurer. 8. Junior Deacon, at the right of the Senior Warden. 9 Master Overseer, at the E. G. 10. Senior Overseer, at the W. G. 11. Junior Overseer, at the S. G. 12. Senior Steward, on the right, and, 13. Junior Steward, on the left of the Junior Warden. 14. Chaplain, in the E., on the left of the Master.* *The officers of Chapters take rank in Mark Lodges as follows: - "Wherefore, Brethren, lay aside all malice, 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 spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. up a "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 honor; 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 as using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness; but as the servants of God. Honor all men; love the Brotherhood; fear God." Illustrates the foundation and history of the Degree, and impresses upon the mind of the candidate, in a striking manner, the importance of a strict observance of his obligation to be ever ready to stretch forth his hand for the relief of indigent and worthy Brethren. The following passages of Scripture are referred to in the course of the ceremonies : ACTS iv. 11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. The High Priest, as Master; King, as Senior Warden; Scribe, as Junior Warden; Captain of the Host, as Marshal; Principal Sojourner, as Senior Deacon; Royal Arch Captain, as Junior Deacon; Master of 3d Veil, as Master Overseer; Master of 2d Veil, as Senior Overseer. Master of 1st Veil, as Junior Overseer. The Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain and Stewards, as officers of corresponding rank PSALM CXViii. 22. The stone which the builders refused is become the nead stone of the corner. MATTHEW 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. REVELATIONS ii. 13. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear. REVELATIONS ii. 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. 2 CHRONICLES 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. EZEKIEL xliv. 1, 2, 3, 5. Then he brought me back by 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.* * This passage of Scripture may be appropriately read at the com mencement of the second section. |