Freemasonry

Well, in addition to controlling the world.

From the first formation of society, order in architecture may be traced. When the rigor of seasons obliged men to contrive shelter from the inclemency of the weather, we learn that they first planted trees on end, and then laid others across the top to support a covering. The bands which connected those trees at the top and bottom are said to have given rise to the idea of the base and capital of pillars; and from this simple hint originally proceeded the more improved art in architecture.

The five orders are thus classed: The Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.

The ancient and original orders of architecture, revered by Masons, are no more than the three, the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, which were invented by the Greeks. To these the Romans have added two: the Tuscan, which they made plainer than the Doric, and the Composite, which was more ornamental, if not more beautiful, than the Corinthian.

The first three alone show invention and particular character, and essentially differ from each other; the others have nothing but what is borrowed and differ only accidentally.

The Tuscan is the Doric in its earliest state, and the Composite is the Corinthian enriched with the Ionic. To the Greeks, therefore, and not to the Romans, are we indebted for what is great, judicious, and distinct in architecture.

The five steps further allude to the five human senses, which are Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling, and Tasting, the first three of which, Hearing, Seeing, and Feeling are deemed particularly essential among Masons; for by the sense of hearing we hear the word, by that of seeing we see the sign, and by that of feeling we feel the grip by which one Mason may know another in the dark as well as in the light.

The seven steps allude to the seven liberal arts and sciences which are Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy; the fifth of which, Geometry, is most revered among Masons.

By this science the architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs, the general to arrange his soldiers, the engineer to mark out grounds for encampments, the geographer to give us the dimensions of the world and all things therein contained; to delineate the extent of seas and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms, and provinces. By it also the astronomer is enabled to make his observations and to fix the duration of times and seasons, years, and cycles. In fine, Geometry is the foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics. For this and many other reasons, the number seven is held in high estimation among Masons.

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I will now direct your attention to the letter G as the initial of Geometry. Geometry, the first and noblest of the sciences, is the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry is erected. By Geometry, we may curiously trace nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses. By it we discover the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine. By it we discover how the planets move in their different orbits and demonstrate their various revolutions. By it we account for the return of seasons and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring law of nature.

A survey of nature and the observation of her beautiful proportions first determined man to imitate the Divine plan and study symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans which he laid down, being improved by experience and time, have produced works which are the admiration of every age.

The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost of exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, notwithstanding, has still survived. The Attentive Ear receives the sound from the Instructive Tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of a Faithful Breast.

Tools and implements of architecture and symbolic emblems most expressive are selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages are transmitted, unimpaired, the excellent tenets of our Institution.