Masonic Ramblings.

Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and duly installed him as such . Since this time tradition ceases and history begins , and is it not so written in the Book of the Chronicles of Laurie ?

I do not think any Mason and especially any Mark Master , can view their venerable and beautiful shrine , without feeling that if we have gained speculative Masonry , the secrets of operative Masonry have become lost . The rich and elaborate

roof , carved in compartments , each one different , the ornate carvings of the Seven Cardinal Virtues , and their opposite vices , fresh and clear as if just erected , fill our minds with reverence for those old

worthies , whose successors we claim to be . In the south east part of the chapel is the beautiful and celebrated "Prentice ' s Pillar" a plain fluted shaft with a floral garland spirally hoisted round it , and carved out of the solid

stone . The legend is , that when the plans for the chapel were sent from Rome , the master builder did not clearly understand about this pillar , or as another account states , had lost this particular

portion of the plans , and in consequence had to go to Rome for further instruction or to procure a fresh copy . During his absence , a clever apprentice , the only son of a widow , either from memory , or from

hisown invention , carved and completed the beautiful pillar . When the Master returned and found the work

completed , furious with jealous rage , he killed the apprentice by striking him a frightful blow on the forehead with a heavy setting maul . In testimony of the truth of this legend , the visitor is shown three heads in the west part of the

chapel . The Master , the Apprentice with the gash on his forehead , and the Mother . I think every Mason will at once recognise the origin of this legend , or , rather , the event which the pillar is meant to remind us of , and to my mind

this is almost a proof that at least something was known of the third degree before the records of ancient Lodges mention it . All over the chapel the educated and initiated eye will discover the marks of the Craft , which are also to be found in great abundance on all the old buildings in Scotland .

It is , I believe , unquestionaby true , that to the fraternit y of Freemasons of the middle ages , we owe the introduction of the Gothic or pointed

style of architecture , with its pointed arches and windows and its elaborate and minute tracery , and this should be a source of no little pride to us , their descendants and successors . I therefore heartily recommend all my brethren who can , to see Roslin

or Rosslyn Chapel , which is one of the most perfect specimens of Gothic architecture in the world . And now a few words about the connexion

between operative and speculative Masonry . My idea is that the latter has a much older origin than the year 1717 . Doubtless the ancient Freemasons were operative only , although free of their guild , but being illiterate and uneducated , as

all classes were those days , except the clergy , they were obliged to seek among them , the guardians and sole possessors of the literature and learning of the motjen age , those inspirations and working plans which by practical industry and skill , they

( the operatives ) were to carry into effect . Clavel states that at Florence in 1512 a society of learned and eminent men established the " Company of the Trowel , " under the production and patronage of St . Andrew . The emblems used were the Trowel , the Gavel , and the Square , and it is believed that this institution was derived

from the society of travelling Ireemasons , and was organised by those distinguished persons , who , on account of their learning , had been admitted as honorary members of that operative association , who , formed into bodies or lodges , wandered

throughout Christendom , building churches and castles as they went . In the palmy days of the Order of the Temple the Knights Templars were enthusiastic patrons of the Masons , and employed them in building

their priories and chapter houses , and apparently it was under the protection of this knightly Order that the Masons were introduced into England and Scotland .

So lately as the middle of last century , one of the lodges in Edinboro , the Cauongate Kilwinning a daughter lodge of the Ancient Mother Lodge of Kilwinning , had two lodges under her charter , one of speculative Masons or Architects , and the

other of operatives or builders . Thus we can easily distinguish and appreciate the connection between speculative and operative Masonry , and also how they have been moulded into one .

I cannot believe that our whole system and ceremonies , were the invention of Payne and De Saguliers . No doubt they amplified and beauti-