In the second degree lecture, the first group of steps in the winding stairs lecture represent “Wisdom, Strength and Beauty” and are exemplified by the three elected officers of the lodge, namely, the Worshipful Master and the Senior and Junior Wardens. That will now be the subject of this article.
As backgrounder, these three pillars were first mentioned not in the second degree lecture but in the conferral of the first degree. Portion of the first-degree lecture aptly reads:
“A lodge is metaphorically said to be supported by three great pillars, denominated by Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, it being necessary that there should be Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support, and Beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. These pillars are represented in the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, and the Senior and Junior Wardens.”
From the foregoing paragraph, it is evident that this symbolic phrase can be interpreted two ways:
1. On the operative standpoint, and
2. On symbolic or allegorical perspective.
THE THREE PILLARS INTERPRETED ON THE OPERATIVE STANDPOINT
We all know that Wisdom, Strength and Beauty are mandatory requirements in the erection of a building. On this, engineers will tell us that a structure should be well-designed, adequately planned and provided with all the required materials and labor to insure that the structure to be built has been well-conceived; that it should stand the tests and ravages of time; and that it should also be the admiration of every age. The Temple of King Solomon built in 1000 BC, fit these requirements, and constructed not in the classical form of the Greeks because Greek architecture flourished only starting at about 800 BC, but with the ingenuity and skills of the Chaldeans, the progenitors of the Phoenicians of ancient times Sadly, King Solomon’s Temple, so magnificent and constructed by celebrated Tyrian artists, was razed to the ground by King Nebuchadnezzar and his cohorts in 586 BC and whatever usable remnants they salvaged were carted away to Babylon and there utilized for their own glory and artistry.
THE THREE PILLARS VIEWED ON A SYMBOLIC PERSPECTIVE
Symbolically, the three pillars represent the three principal officers of a lodge in the same manner it is also called the three lights; and are represented by the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens whose combined tasks is to insure that the Lodge functions effectively.
While it is often said that the Master’s authority and prerogatives are almost absolute and dictatorial, in reality ancient traditions show that he does not govern alone. The services of his two Wardens are required in the effective governance of the lodge. It can be said therefore that it is only in a Masonic Lodge where teamwork and cooperation of all three officers are mandatory in its efficient administration as the symbolism of the pillars, otherwise called as columns, that are made to stand or lie down on the respective tables of the three lights show.
THE THREE MINIATURE COLUMNS (OR PILLARS) ON THE TABLES OF THE LIGHTS
In the Philippine Masonic jurisdiction, one of the set of furniture or emblems of the lodge whose symbolism is hardly given any attention are the pillars that adorn the tables of the three lights of the lodge. Quite often, it is noticed that the Wardens overlook raising or putting down their columns during recess or resumption of meetings. There are also instances when the Senior Warden raises his column even before the lodge is formally opened ignorant that he is not to raise his column until the lodge is formally opened. It is therefore necessary to pose the following questions.
Have the brethren ever noticed the following?
1. That only one pillar is in upright position when the Worshipful Master starts opening his lodge, and
2. That two pillars are in standing position after formal opening and until the lodge is formally closed; with the pillars of the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating during the time the lodge is in labor or in recess?
The hypothetical questions that now need to be answered are as follows:
1. At what precise time should the Master put his pillar in upright position? Note that nowhere in the monitor does it indicate when the Master’s pillar is to be put uprightly. What is its symbolism?
2. What is the symbolism of the Senior Warden’s putting his column in upright position immediately after the Master declares the lodge to be formally opened? Consequently. what is the meaning of the Junior Warden’s putting his column in upright position (and the Senior Warden simultaneously lowering his) when the lodge is in recess? and,
3. Why is the Junior Warden’s column raised during the second section of the third degree conferral?
And here’s another interesting side issue.
At Dagohoy Lodge No. 84 (and also at Mount Moriah Lodge No. 252 when the lion made a fraternal visit to that lodge) he noticed that the Worshipful Master does not have a column at his table. The apparent reason for this (although he did not ask) was that the monitor did not mention that the master has a column at his table! The aging lion could but wonder if this practice is also true in the other lodges outside of the metropolitan jurisdiction.
POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS
This writer admits he has not seen any written document that will support his theories on the answers that he will profound below. At best his answers are solely his interpretations on the possible reasons why these are so. Other jurisdictions may have different rituals whose practices may not conform with what has been said and therefore their indulgence is earnestly requested. They are therefore encouraged to send in their own inputs if they have interpretations other that what are advanced by his writer as shown hereunder.
On Question No. 1
It would be interesting to know how other jurisdictions tackle this piece of ornament in the lodge but in the Philippine monitor, no mention whatever is made as to when the column of the Worshipful Master is raised or lowered. Could the reason be that the Master is bound by his oath always to be “on his toes” until the Master’s gavel is turned over to his successor? This could be an interesting food for thought and probably is an apt reply to the first question.
On a verifiable observation, Temples where several lodges hold meetings naturally gather together all the lodge paraphernalia after each meeting to allow others to assemble theirs when it is their turn to hold their meetings. On lodge rooms that are exclusively used by only one lodge, it would be interesting to know whether the column of the Worshipful Master is ever put in lying position after each meeting!!
On Question No. 2
One of the major fallacies that the incumbent lights fall into is to assume that when committees are formed, the Chairmen of the said committees are the ones directly responsible for the success or failure of the said committees. Take the Sunshine and Refreshment Committees, two committees that are ordinarily chaired by either the Senior Warden or Junior Warden, for example. Some contend that the respective chairmen of these committees are to be held directly accountable when things go awry and consequently deserves the credit when the affair is successful. Those who so believe forgot the simple dictum that while authority can be delegated by the Worshipful Master, responsibility can never be! Remember, the past master’s jewel is awarded to none but the Worshipful Master even if all the activities of the lodge were ably delegated to and performed by his subalterns. Stated bluntly, when the boat sinks, it is always the Captain who is drenched and sinks with the ship and let all the rats swim where they may!
Another clear example is the responsibility on conferrals. Many assume that the first degree conferral is the primary responsibility of the Junior Warden in the same manner the second degree conferral is the main burden of the Senior Warden.
This obviously is not the case. It is the belief of this writer that the Worshipful Master still has that distinct responsibility in seeing to it that the conferral is performed without hitches and that the role of either the Senior or Junior Warden during conferrals are merely procedural, and at best but a training grounds for higher responsibilities which ancient customs and practices dictate.
On Question No. 3
The answer to the final question then is “how come the pillar of the Junior Warden is in upright position during the second section of the third degree ritual when the lodge is not at refreshment?”
And the answer simply is:
But of course it should be so! The candidate, after all, was imitating the Grand Master Hiram Abif,
“whs dt i ws t cl # crf fm lb t rfs at hi twl, wch I # bt # glr % # da.
End of this article!
As backgrounder, these three pillars were first mentioned not in the second degree lecture but in the conferral of the first degree. Portion of the first-degree lecture aptly reads:
“A lodge is metaphorically said to be supported by three great pillars, denominated by Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, it being necessary that there should be Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support, and Beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. These pillars are represented in the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, and the Senior and Junior Wardens.”
From the foregoing paragraph, it is evident that this symbolic phrase can be interpreted two ways:
1. On the operative standpoint, and
2. On symbolic or allegorical perspective.
THE THREE PILLARS INTERPRETED ON THE OPERATIVE STANDPOINT
We all know that Wisdom, Strength and Beauty are mandatory requirements in the erection of a building. On this, engineers will tell us that a structure should be well-designed, adequately planned and provided with all the required materials and labor to insure that the structure to be built has been well-conceived; that it should stand the tests and ravages of time; and that it should also be the admiration of every age. The Temple of King Solomon built in 1000 BC, fit these requirements, and constructed not in the classical form of the Greeks because Greek architecture flourished only starting at about 800 BC, but with the ingenuity and skills of the Chaldeans, the progenitors of the Phoenicians of ancient times Sadly, King Solomon’s Temple, so magnificent and constructed by celebrated Tyrian artists, was razed to the ground by King Nebuchadnezzar and his cohorts in 586 BC and whatever usable remnants they salvaged were carted away to Babylon and there utilized for their own glory and artistry.
THE THREE PILLARS VIEWED ON A SYMBOLIC PERSPECTIVE
Symbolically, the three pillars represent the three principal officers of a lodge in the same manner it is also called the three lights; and are represented by the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens whose combined tasks is to insure that the Lodge functions effectively.
While it is often said that the Master’s authority and prerogatives are almost absolute and dictatorial, in reality ancient traditions show that he does not govern alone. The services of his two Wardens are required in the effective governance of the lodge. It can be said therefore that it is only in a Masonic Lodge where teamwork and cooperation of all three officers are mandatory in its efficient administration as the symbolism of the pillars, otherwise called as columns, that are made to stand or lie down on the respective tables of the three lights show.
THE THREE MINIATURE COLUMNS (OR PILLARS) ON THE TABLES OF THE LIGHTS
In the Philippine Masonic jurisdiction, one of the set of furniture or emblems of the lodge whose symbolism is hardly given any attention are the pillars that adorn the tables of the three lights of the lodge. Quite often, it is noticed that the Wardens overlook raising or putting down their columns during recess or resumption of meetings. There are also instances when the Senior Warden raises his column even before the lodge is formally opened ignorant that he is not to raise his column until the lodge is formally opened. It is therefore necessary to pose the following questions.
Have the brethren ever noticed the following?
1. That only one pillar is in upright position when the Worshipful Master starts opening his lodge, and
2. That two pillars are in standing position after formal opening and until the lodge is formally closed; with the pillars of the Senior and Junior Wardens alternating during the time the lodge is in labor or in recess?
The hypothetical questions that now need to be answered are as follows:
1. At what precise time should the Master put his pillar in upright position? Note that nowhere in the monitor does it indicate when the Master’s pillar is to be put uprightly. What is its symbolism?
2. What is the symbolism of the Senior Warden’s putting his column in upright position immediately after the Master declares the lodge to be formally opened? Consequently. what is the meaning of the Junior Warden’s putting his column in upright position (and the Senior Warden simultaneously lowering his) when the lodge is in recess? and,
3. Why is the Junior Warden’s column raised during the second section of the third degree conferral?
And here’s another interesting side issue.
At Dagohoy Lodge No. 84 (and also at Mount Moriah Lodge No. 252 when the lion made a fraternal visit to that lodge) he noticed that the Worshipful Master does not have a column at his table. The apparent reason for this (although he did not ask) was that the monitor did not mention that the master has a column at his table! The aging lion could but wonder if this practice is also true in the other lodges outside of the metropolitan jurisdiction.
POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS
This writer admits he has not seen any written document that will support his theories on the answers that he will profound below. At best his answers are solely his interpretations on the possible reasons why these are so. Other jurisdictions may have different rituals whose practices may not conform with what has been said and therefore their indulgence is earnestly requested. They are therefore encouraged to send in their own inputs if they have interpretations other that what are advanced by his writer as shown hereunder.
On Question No. 1
It would be interesting to know how other jurisdictions tackle this piece of ornament in the lodge but in the Philippine monitor, no mention whatever is made as to when the column of the Worshipful Master is raised or lowered. Could the reason be that the Master is bound by his oath always to be “on his toes” until the Master’s gavel is turned over to his successor? This could be an interesting food for thought and probably is an apt reply to the first question.
On a verifiable observation, Temples where several lodges hold meetings naturally gather together all the lodge paraphernalia after each meeting to allow others to assemble theirs when it is their turn to hold their meetings. On lodge rooms that are exclusively used by only one lodge, it would be interesting to know whether the column of the Worshipful Master is ever put in lying position after each meeting!!
On Question No. 2
One of the major fallacies that the incumbent lights fall into is to assume that when committees are formed, the Chairmen of the said committees are the ones directly responsible for the success or failure of the said committees. Take the Sunshine and Refreshment Committees, two committees that are ordinarily chaired by either the Senior Warden or Junior Warden, for example. Some contend that the respective chairmen of these committees are to be held directly accountable when things go awry and consequently deserves the credit when the affair is successful. Those who so believe forgot the simple dictum that while authority can be delegated by the Worshipful Master, responsibility can never be! Remember, the past master’s jewel is awarded to none but the Worshipful Master even if all the activities of the lodge were ably delegated to and performed by his subalterns. Stated bluntly, when the boat sinks, it is always the Captain who is drenched and sinks with the ship and let all the rats swim where they may!
Another clear example is the responsibility on conferrals. Many assume that the first degree conferral is the primary responsibility of the Junior Warden in the same manner the second degree conferral is the main burden of the Senior Warden.
This obviously is not the case. It is the belief of this writer that the Worshipful Master still has that distinct responsibility in seeing to it that the conferral is performed without hitches and that the role of either the Senior or Junior Warden during conferrals are merely procedural, and at best but a training grounds for higher responsibilities which ancient customs and practices dictate.
On Question No. 3
The answer to the final question then is “how come the pillar of the Junior Warden is in upright position during the second section of the third degree ritual when the lodge is not at refreshment?”
And the answer simply is:
But of course it should be so! The candidate, after all, was imitating the Grand Master Hiram Abif,
“whs dt i ws t cl # crf fm lb t rfs at hi twl, wch I # bt # glr % # da.
End of this article!
Comments
Thank you for a very informative article! I have to admit that I was starving from the cerebral food that you regularly give to the craft these past couple of weeks that you were in refreshment. I am thankful to the G.A.O.T.U. that you are back at work again.
That question No.3 would have been my next question to you. I have been wondering eversince the first time I witnessed the raising as a spectator (and not as the GMHA) why the Junior Warden's column is raised all throughout the whole ceremony of the second section. I was thinking back then, isn't the "raising" one of the climax of the 3 degrees in Masonry? So that's the reason why.
Another question po: can any Master Mason play the part of King Solomon? Or is that part exclusively reserved for the Worshipful Master or Past Masters?
Fraternally,
Rogel SJ Corral
Juan Sumulong Memorial Lodge #169
-----
Ka Rogel:
Masonic tradition has it that the role of King Solomon is generally performed by the Worshipful Master, or he may decide to delegate this job to another, generally, a past master of the lodge. I do not recall having read a written document that prohibits the Worshipful Master from delegating this task to a non master, although I must admit that all through my sixteen years as a Mason, I have not seen one.
Remember that the Worshipful Master’s order is a law that must be obeyed, subject only to censure by the Grand Master. If a Master decides to delegate the role of King Solomon to a non-master, can his will and pleasure be abrogated?
Kuya Jun