We have already seen that the mystic fabric is too vast to be surveyed by man. On examining its plans and designs, however, that is, on studying "the connection of our whole system and the relative dependency of its several parts," the vision which we obtain is that of a beautiful scheme which is bound to elicit the old time exclamation:
Oh, wonderful Masons!
Nowhere can we find a detailed specification of the various parts of the building, and so we cannot undertake to give an exhaustive description of it in detail. But we have references to this and that section, or apartment, or "ornaments," scattered over the Ritual, and by collecting and comparing the available data, it becomes possible to discuss the significance of the terms used and to see how each part fits into the whole.
[49] In dealing with the matter, however, we must repeat the warning already sounded to exercise caution. We must not take the primary sense of the words as giving us the real or actual meaning. The statements of the Ritual are often intended to conceal as much as they reveal, and if we are not wary we shall be led astray.
In its main outline the mystic Lodge presents a three-fold division, for it has three parts or compartments. And this triplicate division was a very striking feature of K.S.T., where there were: (a) the Porch; (b) the central portion called " the Holy Place," as already described; and (c) the Sanctum Sanctorum, which was a perfect cube.
On the ground plan, the Porch appeared as half a square 10 cubits long by 20 cubits wide. The Holy Place was a "Middle Chamber" intervening between it and the Sanctum Sanctorum, 40 cubits long by 20 cubits wide, that is a double square; and the Sanctum Sanctorum was 20 cubits long by 20 cubits wide, or a perfect square. All this agreeing with the three main stages of the Mason's career (a) the preparatory rite of Initiation; (b) the ordeal of the F.C. in the Middle [50] Chamber; (c) the raising ceremony by which the Assistant High Priest J. acquires the right to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum.
It is noteworthy, too, that practically all the Temples of other nations were similarly divided into three parts.
In our examination of the subject, however,
we have adopted a seven-fold division: (1) the Porch; (2) the
Pillars; (3) the Pavement with its Border; (4) the Middle Chamber
with the Staircase that led up to it; (5) the Central Lamp; (6)
the Dormer; and (7) the Grave. This septiform division will give
us a bird's-eye view of the Lodge, and it has the merit of being
in
harmony with its symbolic character.
By scrutinizing the Ritual, however, we find that the outline given us comprises no less than fifteen distinct items, all of which will be considered in detail in order to ascertain their practical significance. They are as follows: -
(1) The Porch by which the Initiate enters.
(2) B., the Pillar which means so much to the E.A.
(3) J., the Second Pillar, revealed to the F.C.
[51] (4) The P. at the E., which has to be approached in due form.
(5) The Blazing Star seen by the E.A.
(6) The Winding Staircase of the F.C., entered by the S. side.
(7) The Border, which is supposed to be round or oval
(8) The Mysterious and alluring Chamber."
(9) The Sacred Symbol found in the Middle Chamber.
(10) The Sanctum Sanctorum reserved to the M.M.
(11) The Square Pavement of the M.M.
(12) The Bright Morning Star.
(13) The Dormer in the Adytum or Sanctum Sanctorum.
(14) The Grave of our M., H.A., 6 x 3 X 5 = 90 cubits.
(15) (Found in the RA. Chapter.) The Altar of White Marble.
Let us note that the various features here enumerated are unveiled to the Mason's eyes gradually, one after another. The E.A. is only told about five, viz., the Porch; the left hand Pillar; the Pedestal: the Border, which [52] he takes to be the edge of the wonderful Pavement; and the Blazing Star. The last two are described as mere "Ornaments," although he will soon find that they are so much more than ornaments.
When he is "passed" he hears about four other things, viz., the Second Pillar, and a certain Winding Staircase which leads to a mysterious "Middle Chamber," where, according to a report from Craftsmen who have been there, a Sacred Symbol has been discovered, the nature of which is not fully defined anywhere.
Again, when "raised" he is informed
concerning six other things. They are, the Porch of the Sanctum
Sanctorum, the Sanctum Sanctorum itself, the Square Pavement,
and the Dormer. (Three of these are also described as "ornaments
of a M.M.'s Lodge," but are obviously important features
of the structure.) There are also the Bright Morning Star and
the Grave.
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