Page 87 - LESTER'S LOOK TOTHE EAST

S.W. I was ordered to be reconducted to the place from whence I
came, there be reinvested of what I had been divested, and informed
that agreeable to an ancient custom in all regular and well-governed
Lodges of Fellow Crafts, it was then necessary that I should make a
regular ascent up a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five and
seven steps, into a place representing the middle chamber of King
Solomon's Temple, there to receive further instruction relative to the
wages of a Fellow Craft, which are corn, wine and oil, emblematical of
peace, unity and plenty.

SECTION II.

W.M. How many kinds of Masonry are there?

S.W. Two—operative and speculative.

W.M. What is meant by operative Masonry?

S.W. By operative Masonry we allude to a proper application of the
useful rules of, etc. -------- and beneficent purposes.

W.M. What is meant by speculative Masonry?

S.W. By speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act
upon the square, keep, etc. -------- of his Divine Creator.

W.M. Have you ever worked as a Mason?

S.W. I have as a speculative Mason only, but our ancient brethren
worked both in operative and speculative Masonry.

W.M. How long did they work before they received wages?

S.W. Six days.

W.M. Did they not work on the seventh?

S.W. They did not.

W.M. Why not?

S.W. Because in six days God created the heavens and the earth, and
rested upon the seventh day; the seventh, therefore, our ancient
brethren created as a day of rest from their labors, thereby enjoying
frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of the creation
and to adore their great Creator.

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