The Lodge Room.

From the operative point of view the importance of the square is derived from the fact that it is one of the only three regular figures whose angle is an exact submultiple of 3 60 — the other two being the triangle and the hexagon . Or , put in another wav , the only regular geometrical figures which can be

applied to one another without loss of space , on a continuous base , are the square and triangle , the angles of 90 ° and 6 o ° dividing exactly into 360 . Each of these figures then has acquired an extensive importance in Freemasonry as well as in operative masonry , the triangle being especially referred to in the Royal Arch .

In our ritual the square has three distinct and different symbolisms . It is the second Great Light , it is the emblem of the Worshipful Master , and it is one of the working tools . Its explanation is practically the same in every case—Morality . The

Worship ful Master is told at his installation that thc square is to regulate his conduct to himself , and the compasses indicate that he is to keep himself in due bounds with respect to all the rest of mankind . And as the Volume of the Sacred Law teaches

us our duty towards God , it follows that in the three great Lights we are reminded of our duty towards God , ourselves , and our fellow creatures . In other words , those of our Prayer Book , to lead godly , righteous , and sober lives . VVhat , first of all , should be its form . The term square is

somewhat of a misnomer , as the symbol in question is but two sides of a square . Let that pass however . In many foreign Jjdges , and especially in lodges working under the Grand Orient of France , we find one limb shorter than the other , thus making it into a carpenter ' s square , which it is not . Marking it off

in divisions to represent inches , is somewhat unnecessary , as it thereby becomes a measuring instrument , which it is not . The stonemason's square is intended only as a test of rectangularity . The engraving generally found on thc plain surface does not much matter , but thc two ends should not be trimmed off in an ornamental form . The symbolism is very ancient .

Bro . Dr . J . P . Bell , Dep . Prov . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire , recovered a very curious relic in the form of an old brass square , containing the inscription : " I will striuc to line with loue and care , upon the lcuel by the sqvarc . " This was found under the foundation of an ancient bridge near Limerick ,

in 1830 , and the date on thc square is 1517 , and it proves , if proof were necessary , that the teaching of our old operative brethren was identical with * lhe speculative application of the working tools of the modern Craft . This is more than can be

said for a good deal of Masonic symbolism . Thc well worn , though somewhat ur . grammatical phrase , " we apply these tools to our morals , " has led to some remarkable absurdities being perpetrated , as , in fact , there is simply no limit to fancy in this respect .

As to the square , however , then : is no question of doubt , and even in the colloquialisms of thc profane , thc terms square and oblique have well understood meanings . The square just alluded to carries us back nearly four centuries . But it must not be supposed that thc symbolic teaching of the square is not

very much older . ' 1 he T [ Tim ) takes us back lo the days of the Pharoahs , and in the Koyal Arch lectures occurs the following quotation { Esekiel ix ., 4 ) : " Thc Lord said unto me go through the city , through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark { Tnn ) upon the foreheads of them that sigh for the abominations that

be done in the midst thereof . " And lo others he said , " Go ye after him through the city and slay utterly , but come not nigh any man upon whom is the mark . " Now , the Hebrew Tan used to be written x or +, and wc thus observe the curious fact that this particular form of the

square was a symbol of safety , even 2500 years ago . According to the Talmudists , the symbol was co . eval with Abraham . In one of the windows of York Minster may be seen a particular

form of the square called the gamma-dion , which used to be found engraved on the tombs of the early Christians in the catacombs . It was , however , supposed to have phallic reference , and its use soon dropped .

The T , however , has found its way almost exclusively into Arch Masonry , and its employment there , in the triple form , is fully explained in the Royal Arch lectures . It survives in thc Craft in ihe inverted iorm found on the apron of an Installed Master , where it is erroneously described as a level . The fact that there are three of them seems to have some reference to

the Degree , to attain which it used to be necessary to "pass tlie chair . " ' Thc square as usetl in the Craft is really what the Greeks called a Vvtofiov ( gnomon ) , and it has been suggested , very

ingeniously , that the " sacred symbol , " found in the centre of the lodge , is really the initial letter of this word . If it-be so , ic helps to preserve the unity of our Iodge symbolism . Now the gnomon was a square of two unequal limbs , thc

The Lodge Room.

usual ratio of the lengths being 3 : 4 , and Pythagoras , having joined them , and found the joining line to be exactly 5 , combined this result with the arithmetical formula 3- + 4- = 5 ' , the result being the 47 th proposition of Euclid I ., and a secondary result being the slaughter , of a hecatomb to that

particular god of the Greek system which prompted the discovery . The method of proof which adorns the Past Master ' s jewel is said to be due to Euclid himself . Of course , the discovery gave rise to several proofs , both Hindus and Chinese arriving at the same result by independent geometrical methods .

We must now in a few words allude to thc compasses , the third Great Light , and one of the working tools of the . Third Degree . There is a geometrical relation between tbe square and the compasses . Given thc importance of the square in operative Masonry , how was it possible to construct one which

should be absolutely correct . Our ancient brethren used the rule 3 , 4 , and 5 , already alluded to , but to do this correctly demanded the use of callipers or compasses . According to Euclid ( Hird Book ) the angle in a semicircle is a right angle ,

that is to say , lines drawn from any point in the circumference to the extremities of the diameter include a right angle , and , therefore , to construct one , all that was necessary was thc ability to draw a straight line and to use a pair of compasses .

Whilst the symbolical teaching of the square is the same in whatever capacity it is exhibited , the compasses appear to have different explanations . As presented to the candidate and to the Worshipful Master on his installation , the compasses are said to teach us "to keep in bounds with all mankind ,

particularly with our brethren in Freemasonry . " This explanation indicates the manner in which the square and Compasses should lie open in lodge . The square , referring to the Master ' s conduct ,

should be open to him , and the compasses , which refer to his demeanour to the brethren , should be open towards them , that is , the points of the compasses and the angle of the square should lie towards the west .

But as a working tool of the Third Degree the compasses " remind us of his unerring and impartial justice in having defined for us thc limits of good and evil . " This latter explanation is by no means an ancient one .

Much that could be said about the square and compasses it would not be proper to print , and for the same reason thc very valuable paper read by liro . S . T . Klein at the meeting of Lodge Quatuor Coronati on May Sth , 18 97 , loses much in its form as printed in thc Transactions of the A . Q . C .

Gould's "Military Lodges."*

GOULD'S "MILITARY LODGES . " *

A REVIEW BY BRO . LIEUT .-GEN . SIR CHARLES WARREN , G . C . M . G ., & c . The following review of Bro . Gould ' s latest work has already appeared in "Ars Quatuor Coronatorum , " Volume XII ., Part 3 , and was specially referred to in the Review which appeared in the Freemason of the 6 th January of thc current year .

Under the title " Military Lodges , " or " Freemasonry under Arms , " our Bro . R . P . Gould has brought out a charming little volume , which will be found most interesting and useful not only to Masons , but to the world at large . It is impossible for anyone to rise from reading this book without appreciating the immense effect Masonry has had in the world for good , and how much we are all indebted to military lodges and military Masons for the spread of Masonry from the British

Isles during the last 200 years . It will appear from a perusal of this volume that there was much greater activity among Masons abroad in the British Army too years ago than there is at the present day ; but this is only apparent . In former days the centre , or pivot , upon which Masonry revolved in out-stations was the military lodge , but as colonies have become populated , permanent lodges have sprung up everywhere , and tho raisan d ' etre of military lodges has decreased

year by year ; but the activity among military Masons has in no ways diminished , only it is now absorbed in the civil lodges , whicii exist in almost every garrison town , except in India , ln tbe same way Masonry in the field 100 years ago seems to have afforded that bond of union and friendship between contending forces which is now supplied by the Red Cross and other societies , looking

after the sick and wounded on the battlefield . It has always been necessary that there should be some neutral party in time of war , on occasions , and Masonry in former days supplied that want ; although it is not so much en evidence at the present day , we Masons will be much surprised if we do not hear , after the present war in South Africa is over , of many kindly actions which have accrued between the Boers and the British , owing to the great number of Masons on either side .

Unfortunately the best institutions may be abused , and Masonry has not fared well in those countries on the Continent where the maxim " Fear God and lionour the King " has not been rigidly adhered to , but in our own islands and its colonies Masonry has been a tower of strength to the Constitution , and has done much to preserve to us the freedom of our peoples and the right good feeling which binds all classes together at the present day , for from the earliest days the highest and most eminent in the land have not hesitated to meet the most humble " on the level" in lodge and part " on the square . " In the army it has always been found that Masonry assists discipline , and that many of the best soldiers of all ranks are found amongst the Masons . Each