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beyond the northeast corner
Possible
Answers to Test Questions
On
the fellowcraft degree
appendix c
Richard h. sands
Introduction
These
possible answers are provided to assist you in thinking about the many aspects
of this degree. For the most part, they cannot be definitive because it is
intended that we speculate about the lessons intended by each of our symbols –
we do not have a book telling us about each lesson. We are left to conclude for
ourselves, or rather to speculate together about their meanings.
Test
Questions and Possible Answers on the entered apprentice degree
1.
What
stage of life is represented by a Fellowcraft Mason?
A
Fellowcraft represents a man in his prime of life – manhood.
2.
What
is the fundamental theme of the Fellowcraft Degree?
Enlightenment
or the gaining of knowledge.
3.
In
ancient operative Masonry, what was a Fellowcraft?
A
man who was a member of a guild and who had acquired the training of an Entered
Apprentice, with full rights and responsibilities.
4.
In
modern speculative Freemasonry, what is a Fellowcraft?
A
Brother who has been initiated an Entered Apprentice and passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft.
5.
In
the preparation room and upon your reception, what changes did you observe from
how you were prepared for the Entered Apprentice Degree?
The unique characteristics
of the clothing were switched from the left (weaker) side to
the right (stronger) side, the cable-tow was
wrapped twice around my arm and a pass was required to gain
admission.
6.
How
were you received into the Lodge room, and of what should this remind
you?
On
the angle of the square which was intended to remind me that the square should
be the rule and guide of my conduct toward all mankind.
7.
What
is the nature of your vows taken in the Fellowcraft obligation?
Obedience
to superiors, assistance of the needy and the protection of a fellow
Mason.
8.
What
is the nature of the symbolic penalty of the Fellowcraft degree and to what does
this allude?
The
opening of the breast and the resultant loss of emotions and
caring.
9.
What
are the Working Tools of a Fellowcraft?
The
square, level and plumb.
10.
What
does each one test or try?
The
square tests right angles; the level, horizontals and the plumb,
perpendiculars.
11.
What
are their symbolic meanings?
The
square represents a standard of virtue and morality and reminds us that as a
member of society we have an obligation to test each one of our actions by the
square of virtue, and if they do not measure up we have an obligation to change
them. The level represents equality and reminds us that we are all Brothers. The
plumb represents rectitude of life and signifies that we should stand upright
before God and man.
12.
What
are the names of the two pillars and what do they represent?
BOAZ
represents strength and JACHIN represents establishment.
13.
What
do the Winding Stairs represent?
They
represent the progress required to gain a goal, with unknowns just around the
corner, and the need for hard work in cultivating the
mind.
14.
Does
it have an additional symbolism?
It
demonstrates the need for faith and courage in advancing around the curves (the
future) in life.
15.
What
is the significance of the three steps on the Winding Stairs?
They
represent the three principal stages of human life, youth, manhood and age and
also the three principal officers of the Lodge, WM, SW and
JW.
16.
What
do the five steps represent?
They
represent the five orders of architecture and the five human
senses.
17.
What
do the seven steps represent?
The seven liberal arts and
sciences
18.
What
science is the most important to Masons?
Geometry
because it was at one time synonymous to Masonry and because it is the
foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics.
19.
How
did you gain admission to the Middle Chamber?
By
having the tokens (password and grip) of a Fellowcraft
Mason.
20.
What
is symbolized by the Middle Chamber?
It
symbolizes the place of reward.
21.
What
is represented by the letter “G”?
It
stands for Geometry, once synonymous with Masonry, and in English-speaking
countries for God.
22.
What
are the rights of a Fellowcraft Mason ?
He
is entitled to sit in a Lodge of Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft Masons if
vouched for, the right to be instructed and the right to be buried as a
Fellowcraft Mason.
23.
What
responsibilities does a Fellowcraft Mason have?
To
keep secret the signs, tokens, words and verbatim ritual, to obey the rules of a
Fellowcraft Lodge and to be faithful, honest and
charitable.
24.
What
are the wages of a Fellowcraft and what do they represent?
The corn of nourishment, the
Wine of Refreshment and the Oil of Joy, representing the rewards of a good
life.
25.
What
are the jewels of a Fellowcraft?
An
attentive ear, an instructive tongue and a faithful
breast.
26.
What
stage of life is represented by a Fellowcraft Mason?
A
Fellowcraft represents a man in his prime of life – manhood.
27.
What
is the fundamental theme of the Fellowcraft Degree?
Enlightenment
or the gaining of knowledge.
28.
In
ancient operative Masonry, what was a Fellowcraft?
A
man who was a member of a guild and who had acquired the training of an Entered
Apprentice, with full rights and responsibilities.
29.
In
modern speculative Freemasonry, what is a Fellowcraft?
A
Brother who has been initiated an Entered Apprentice and passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft.
30.
In
the preparation room and upon your reception, what changes did you observe from
how you were prepared for the Entered Apprentice Degree?
The unique characteristics
of the clothing were switched from the left (weaker) side to
the right (stronger) side, the cable-tow was
wrapped twice around my arm and a pass was required to gain
admission.
31.
How
were you received into the Lodge room, and of what should this remind
you?
On
the angle of the square which was intended to remind me that the square should
be the rule and guide of my conduct toward all mankind.
32.
What
is the nature of your vows taken in the Fellowcraft obligation?
Obedience
to superiors, assistance of the needy and the protection of a fellow
Mason.
33.
What
is the nature of the symbolic penalty of the Fellowcraft degree and to what does
this allude?
The
opening of the breast and the resultant loss of emotions and
caring.
34.
What
are the Working Tools of a Fellowcraft?
The
square, level and plumb.
35.
What
does each one test or try?
The
square tests right angles; the level, horizontals and the plumb,
perpendiculars.
36.
What
are their symbolic meanings?
The
square represents a standard of virtue and morality and reminds us that as a
member of society we have an obligation to test each one of our actions by the
square of virtue, and if they do not measure up we have an obligation to change
them. The level represents equality and reminds us that we are all Brothers. The
plumb represents rectitude of life and signifies that we should stand upright
before God and man.
37.
What
are the names of the two pillars and what do they represent?
BOAZ
represents strength and JACHIN represents establishment.
38.
What
do the Winding Stairs represent?
They
represent the progress required to gain a goal, with unknowns just around the
corner, and the need for hard work in cultivating the
mind.
39.
Does
it have an additional symbolism?
It
demonstrates the need for faith and courage in advancing around the curves (the
future) in life.
40.
What
is the significance of the three steps on the Winding Stairs?
They
represent the three principal stages of human life, youth, manhood and age and
also the three principal officers of the Lodge, WM, SW and
JW.
41.
What
do the five steps represent?
They
represent the five orders of architecture and the five human
senses.
42.
What
do the seven steps represent?
The seven liberal arts and
sciences
43.
What
science is the most important to Masons?
Geometry
because it was at one time synonymous to Masonry and because it is the
foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics.
44.
How
did you gain admission to the Middle Chamber?
By
having the tokens (password and grip) of a Fellowcraft
Mason.
45.
What
is symbolized by the Middle Chamber?
It
symbolizes the place of reward.
46.
What
is represented by the letter “G”?
It
stands for Geometry, once synonymous with Masonry, and in English-speaking
countries for God.
47.
What
are the rights of a Fellowcraft Mason ?
He
is entitled to sit in a Lodge of Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft Masons if
vouched for, the right to be instructed and the right to be buried as a
Fellowcraft Mason.
48.
What
responsibilities does a Fellowcraft Mason have?
To
keep secret the signs, tokens, words and verbatim ritual, to obey the rules of a
Fellowcraft Lodge and to be faithful, honest and
charitable.
49.
What
are the wages of a Fellowcraft and what do they represent?
The corn of nourishment, the
Wine of Refreshment and the Oil of Joy, representing the rewards of a good
life.
50.
What
are the jewels of a Fellowcraft?
An
attentive ear, an instructive tongue and a faithful
breast.
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