more light #309
Why does the Middle Chamber Lecture of the FellowCraft Degree
contain such elementary subjects?
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
Dear Masonic Student, the following information should be interesting for you
to read. It comes from the Intender Handbook of the Grand Lodge of Michigan –
the 1984 edition. What follows answers the question: “Why does the Middle
Chamber Lecture of the Fellow-Craft Degree contain such elementary subjects?” If
you can get a copy of any edition of the Intender program from the Grand Lodge
of Michigan you’re bound to be the better for it. – Ed
“No matter how well-grounded a candidate may be in the subject covered by the
Middle Chamber lecture, he is not or ever will be so “learned” that he may
conscientiously cease his studies and “rest on his laurels.” We say that
“Masonry is a progressive science.” So must the acquisition of useful knowledge
be continuously progressive in the life of a man, an ever onward march that
never ceases, else he becomes static or stagnant and his position in society
becomes less secure and less valuable to his fellow man. Freemasonry expects it
votaries to seek, seek, seek — to learn, learn, learn — and thus by precept and
example to teach, teach, teach! Thus, and only thus, can our Craft carry its
beneficent influence into every avenue of human activity — and accomplish its
mission.
“All useful knowledge rests upon elementary fundamentals to keep it in proper
perspective — and to remind the candidate forcibly that the process of education
never ceases. The Fellow-craft degree accomplishes this in an admirable manner,
for it not only reviews the basic elements of education but in so doing it
automatically reminds the candidate how far we have progressed in the
acquisition of useful knowledge in our modern day. Thus by contrast it sets
before him a progressive pattern for the future.
“Look about you.’ Consider the elements that “disturb” our daily lives — all
of them! Quickly the realization will come that most of the burdens borne by
mankind result from the departure by the world ‘ s people from the simple
verities, the fundamentals which must guide the; human race if it ultimately
is to find real happiness — which lies only on the path to Truth!
“Thus the Middle Chamber lecture, with its elementary fundamentals, presents
a logical approach to Truth and permits the candidate to view in true
perspective the Grand Architect and His works.
“The detailed discussion on the Five Orders of Architecture, which is a
prominent part of the Middle Chamber lecture has several objectives. While it
fixes the candidate’s attention on the growth and the importance of architecture
in general — and by inference displays the magnitude of its influence on the
progress of man — it emphasizes, too, that architecture is a symbol of the very
foundation of Freemasonry, which is a speculative science derived from an
operative art.”
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