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Article MASONIC EXeUESIOET TO BOSLIN GASTLE. ← Page 11 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Exeuesioet To Boslin Gastle.
time I have stated ; Wordsworth , in one of his beautiful sonnets , thufj refers to the ancient practice of fixing the orientation " < There to her patron saint a previous rite , Besounded with deep swell and solemn close , Through unremitting vigils of the night ; Till from his couch the wished-for sun uprose .
' He rose , and straight—as by Divine command , They who had waited for that sign to trace Their work ' s foundation , gave with careful hand To the high altar its determined place . ' For us hath such prelusive vigil ceased ; Yet still we plant , like men of elder days , Our Christian altar faithful to the east , Whence the tall window drinks the morning rays
"A geometrical figure is usually adopted to regulate the proportions ; the double equilateral triangle appears to be the figure adopted here , and is of very general application in many other buildings . It is to / be regretted that we have no indication to enable us to form an idea' of the complete plan , as there are so many peculiar features in what exists to excite inquiry . From the appearance of the outside of the west gable , we are led to imagine that no side aisles were intended for the nave ; but that the roof would be of one arch , embracing the
width of the centre and side aisles . The transepts are comparatively short h and the openings of the gable appear formed for three entrances to the choir , with a rood loft above . It is worthy of remark that the three eastmost pillars in the choir are each different in plan , and the other eleven are alike . Thirty-two different forms of arches are found in the building . The horizontal arch over the side aisles connecting the pillars with the wall is worthy of attention ; the stones are hollow , and a wooden beam has been inserted , to which the stones have been
hung with small iron rods . The variety of design in the pinnacles over the east end , and the portion of the finished parapet at the north-east corner will be found interesting . You will observe the Mason marks upon the whole of the stones , which you will be able to understand from the knowledge you possess of our ritual , " . and / to classify into blind , regular , and official marks . So far as I can ascertain , our Lodge is the only one now remaining in this country , which has preserved in direct traditionary course , from the early builders , the portion of the
Fellow Craft ritual referring to these marks . The Masons formerly referred to as being brought from other kingdoms , are said to have come from the Masonic college of Strasburg , in France , —Strasburg and Cologne being acknowledged by the Fraternity to be the principal colleges where communications relative to the Craft were made periodically and delivered orally . It is also stated that the Masons who built Melrose Abbey were brought from Strasburg . Most of you have heard the story of the apprentice pillar here and the apprentice window at Melrose . In both instances the Master Mason was unable to finish his work ,
and had to go to Kome for instruction ; the work was done by an apprentice in his absence , who was killed by the master on his return . On comparing the two stories , it is evident that they originated from the same source . The prevalence of the fleur-de-lis in the decorations here , especially on the terminations of the cusping of the roof , and on the apprentice pillar , appear also to confirm the tradition of the Masons having come from Strasburg . The sculptured figures appear to represent a continuous religious allegory . The central pendant at the
east end , has a representation of the Star of Bethlehem at its termination , and above , of the Virgin and Child , the eastern kings , and other incidents associated with the birth of Christ ; while on the capitals of the-three pillars standing between the east aisle and the east chapel , is a choir of thirteen angels with musical instruments , representing the heavenly host giving praise to God at the birth of our Saviour . On the ribs of the groins on the south and north sides , are representations of the various occupations in life—commonly described as the Dance of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Exeuesioet To Boslin Gastle.
time I have stated ; Wordsworth , in one of his beautiful sonnets , thufj refers to the ancient practice of fixing the orientation " < There to her patron saint a previous rite , Besounded with deep swell and solemn close , Through unremitting vigils of the night ; Till from his couch the wished-for sun uprose .
' He rose , and straight—as by Divine command , They who had waited for that sign to trace Their work ' s foundation , gave with careful hand To the high altar its determined place . ' For us hath such prelusive vigil ceased ; Yet still we plant , like men of elder days , Our Christian altar faithful to the east , Whence the tall window drinks the morning rays
"A geometrical figure is usually adopted to regulate the proportions ; the double equilateral triangle appears to be the figure adopted here , and is of very general application in many other buildings . It is to / be regretted that we have no indication to enable us to form an idea' of the complete plan , as there are so many peculiar features in what exists to excite inquiry . From the appearance of the outside of the west gable , we are led to imagine that no side aisles were intended for the nave ; but that the roof would be of one arch , embracing the
width of the centre and side aisles . The transepts are comparatively short h and the openings of the gable appear formed for three entrances to the choir , with a rood loft above . It is worthy of remark that the three eastmost pillars in the choir are each different in plan , and the other eleven are alike . Thirty-two different forms of arches are found in the building . The horizontal arch over the side aisles connecting the pillars with the wall is worthy of attention ; the stones are hollow , and a wooden beam has been inserted , to which the stones have been
hung with small iron rods . The variety of design in the pinnacles over the east end , and the portion of the finished parapet at the north-east corner will be found interesting . You will observe the Mason marks upon the whole of the stones , which you will be able to understand from the knowledge you possess of our ritual , " . and / to classify into blind , regular , and official marks . So far as I can ascertain , our Lodge is the only one now remaining in this country , which has preserved in direct traditionary course , from the early builders , the portion of the
Fellow Craft ritual referring to these marks . The Masons formerly referred to as being brought from other kingdoms , are said to have come from the Masonic college of Strasburg , in France , —Strasburg and Cologne being acknowledged by the Fraternity to be the principal colleges where communications relative to the Craft were made periodically and delivered orally . It is also stated that the Masons who built Melrose Abbey were brought from Strasburg . Most of you have heard the story of the apprentice pillar here and the apprentice window at Melrose . In both instances the Master Mason was unable to finish his work ,
and had to go to Kome for instruction ; the work was done by an apprentice in his absence , who was killed by the master on his return . On comparing the two stories , it is evident that they originated from the same source . The prevalence of the fleur-de-lis in the decorations here , especially on the terminations of the cusping of the roof , and on the apprentice pillar , appear also to confirm the tradition of the Masons having come from Strasburg . The sculptured figures appear to represent a continuous religious allegory . The central pendant at the
east end , has a representation of the Star of Bethlehem at its termination , and above , of the Virgin and Child , the eastern kings , and other incidents associated with the birth of Christ ; while on the capitals of the-three pillars standing between the east aisle and the east chapel , is a choir of thirteen angels with musical instruments , representing the heavenly host giving praise to God at the birth of our Saviour . On the ribs of the groins on the south and north sides , are representations of the various occupations in life—commonly described as the Dance of