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"They are correct. You have my permission to pass the inner door!"
This brings us into the M. C. W. M., this young F. C. has come up to the M. C. to have his name enrolled among the workmen and be taught the wages of a F. C.
W. M.: "I congratulate you upon your arrival into the M. C. You have been admitted for the sake of the letter G. you see suspended over the Master's station, which entitles you to the enrolling of your name among the workmen and to be taught the wages of a F. C. Brother Secretary, you will enroll the brother's name. The wages of a F. C. are C., W. and O. The C. of nourishment, W. of refreshment and O. of joy. I will also instruct you in the three P. J. They are a L. E., an I. T., and a F. B. A. L. E., that you will ever be attentive to lessons from the I. T., and a F. B. should serve as a faithful repository for all the secrets of the Fraternity that may be entrusted to your care."
The letter G. has a very significant meaning. It is the initial of Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences, and the basis on which the superstructure of Freemasonry is erected. By Geometry we may curiously trace Nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses; by it we discover the power, wisdom and goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which compose this vast machine; by it we discover how the planets move in their respective orbits and demonstrate their various revolutions; by it we account for the return of the seasons, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring law of Nature.
A survey of Nature, and the observation of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the divine plan and study symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans which he laid down, being improved by time and experience, have produced works which are the admiration of every age.
The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, notwithstanding, still survives. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.
Tools and implements of architecture and symbolic emblems most expressive have been selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths, and thus through a succession of ages have been transmitted unimpaired the most excellent tenets of our institution.
But the letter G. has a far greater significance still. It is the initial of Deity—a name that, at the mere mention of which, all, from the W. M. in the east to the youngest E. A. in the northeast corner, should with meekness reverently bow.