On The Operative Applications Of The Working Tools Of Craft Masonry.

ON THE OPERATIVE APPLICATIONS OF THE WORKING TOOLS OF CRAFT MASONRY .

BY J . DANIEL MOORE , M . D ., F . L . S . 30 ° . Past Qrand Sword Bearer of England . Being the substanceofa Lecture delivered at the Rottiley Lodge , No . 1061 . Lancaster , 6 th October , 1873 . There are few points which more

particularly arrest the attention of the Neophyte on his initiation into our Order than the connection Avhich appears to exist betAveen operative and speculative Masonry , as evidenced in our clothing and appointments , as Avell as in our various ceremonial . This is most

conspiciously to be observed in the presentation of the working tooh of the several degrees . In Freemasonry we acknoAvledge three working tools for each degree , thus carrying out the great doctrine ol

triads so much insisted upon by that great light of Freemasonry , Rev . Dr . Oliver , whose numerous works form a living memento of that erudite follower of our Craft . Th ere being three degrees in Freemasonry Ave consequently have

nine working tools , the number nine being one of the most important of the mystic numbers . Before directing your attention to the working tools specially I may at

the outset remind you of the fact , that there is one amongst those appertaining to the second degree which stands pre-eminently before the others , inasmuch as it forms the badge of the Master ' s Office , and is repeatedly considered

and employed in our secrets and mysteries . I allude to the square which may from its very nature , position , and importance , be considered appertain to every degree . Let us IIOAV for a few minutes notice

the progress of the work of operative Masonry , starting Avith the rough Ashlar , rough and unhewn as Avhen brought from the quarry , and trace it through the hands of the E . A . P . until it becomes wrought into due form and fit for

¦ the hands of the more expert Craftsmen , We may suppose at the outset that the Entered Apprentice has already been provided by the Master with a tracingboard , whereon had been depicted the necessary pj-lans and designs for the

guidance and instruction of the workmen , sheAving both the form and dimensions of the intended blocks into which the mass of stone should be fashioned , This being the case the first point Avhich claims his attention is that lie

should take such measurement of the block of material as to ascertain which of the building stones required may be best formed from it , and for this purpose the first of the working tools presented to him is required , viz .: the 24 in . guage , Avhich we are informed is to measure our Avoric ..

This first step having been taken , the next operation of the Entered Apprentice will be to transform by manual labour the rough block of Ashlar into a semblance of that laid doAvn in his plans , and for this purpose the common

gavel is called into active service . The term gavel I may incidentally mention , according to Mackay is supposed to be derived from its resemblance to the gabd or gable end of a house , this Avoid again is derived from the German

gipfel , a summit or peak , the idea of a pointed extremity being common to all , The instrument itself consists of a hammer having an iron head , one extremity of Avhich is sharpened into a Avedgeshaped or cutting surface , while the

other is square , thus forming an instrument well adapted for the purpose for which it is required , viz . : to remove all superfluous knobs and excresences . Here also Ave see the application of the square , that instrument being required in the formation of the sides and angles of the block to assist in bringing rude matter into due form .

The block of rough material having been wrought into the rude semblance of that depicted on the tracing Board of the master , is now required to be finished in such a manner as to present the appearance of what is known in