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Mackey,: Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry
Submitted by Steve Grant

* PARTS
In the old obligations, which may be still used in some portions of the United States, there was provision which forbade the revelation of any of the arts, parts, or points of Freemasonry. Doctor Oliver explains the meaning of the word parts by telling us that it was "an old word for degrees or lectures" (see Points).

* POINTS
In the Old Constitutions known as the Halliwell or Regius Manuscript, there are fifteen regulations which are called points. The fifteen articles which precede are said to have been in existence before the meeting at York, and then only collected after search, while the fifteen points were then enacted. Thus we are told.

Fifteen artyculus they there sougton,
bald fifteen poyntys there they wrogton.

The word sougton, means sought or searched out; the word wrogton, wrought or enacted. The points referred to in the ritualistic phrase, "arts, parts, and points of the hidden mysteries of Masonry" are the rules and regulations of the Institution- Phillips's New World of Words (1706 edition) defines point as "a head or chief matter." It is in this sense that we speak of the points of Freemasonry.

A rather significant use of the word is where it means to correct and complete the openings left between the stones in a wall, a meaning applied by the operative craftsmen that is very old and still very apt."

Oliver, A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry:

"Parts. An old word for degrees or lectures. In this sense, Freemasonry is said to be consistent in all its parts, which point to one and the same object, prominently kept in view throughout all the consecutive degrees; and that every ceremony, every landmark, and every symbolical reference, constitutes a plain type of some great event, which appears to be connected with our best and dearest interests.

* Point. A point is an inactive effective disposition or inclination to the several duties of man, and is the beginning of every active duty. It is also the beginning of every advantage, profit, pleasure, or happiness, that flows from the observation or performance of such a duty."

Coil, Masonic Encyclopedia:

"Points. The Regius MS sets forth 15 Articles for the Master and 15 Points for the Craftsmen. Together, these came to be called Charges, and a point became a ritualistic item of some importance. Hence the expression, arts, parts, and points, is used to cover everything esoteric in Freemasonry."

Webb, Illustrations of Masonry:

"Did the particular secrets or peculiar forms prevalent among Masons constitute the essence of the art, it might be alledged that our amusements were trifling, and our ceremonies superficial, but this is not the case. Having their use, they are preserved; and from the recollection of the lessons they inculcate, the well informed Mason derives instruction. Drawing them to a near inspection, he views them through a proper medium; adverts to the circumstances which gave them rise; dwells upon the tenets they convey; and finding them replete with useful information, adopts them as keys to the privileges of his art, and prizes them as sacred. Thus convinced of their propriety, he estimates the value from their utility.

* * * Masonry is an art equally useful and extensive. In every art there is a mystery, which requires a gradual progression of knowledge to arrive at any degree of perfection in it. Without much instruction, and more exercise, no man can be skilful in any art; in like manner, without an assiduous application to the various subjects treated in the different lectures of masonry, no person can be sufficiently acquainted with its true value."

Rob Morris, Our Vows:

"In Mason's lodge with darkened eyes,
And cable-tow about me,
I swore to hail all mysteries,
That Masons keep and Masons prize;
All brothers' secrets whispered low,
All words they speak and things they do,
In mystic manner taught me.

On yonder book, that oath I took
And I will break it never;
I'll stand by this, and this, and this,
Forever and forever."