THE BUILDER DECEMBER 1918

CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE BULLETIN --- No. 23
DEVOTED TO ORGANIZED MASONIC STUDY
Edited by Bro. H. L. Haywood

THE BULLETIN COURSE OF MASONIC STUDY
FOR MONTHLY LODGE MEETINGS AND STUDY CLUBS

FOUNDATION OF THE COURSE

THE Course of Study has for its foundation two sources of Masonic
information: THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. In another
paragraph is explained how the references to former issues of THE
BUILDER and to Mackey's Encyclopedia may be worked up as
supplemental papers to exactly fit into each installment of the
Course with the papers by Brother Haywood.

MAIN OUTLINE

The Course is divided into five principal divisions which are in
turn subdivided, as is shown below:

Division I. Ceremonial Masonry.
A. The Work of a Lodge. 
B. The Lodge and the Candidate. 
C. First Steps. 
D. Second Steps. 
E. Third Steps.

Division II. Symbolical Masonry.
A. Clothing. 
B. Working Tools. 
C. Furniture. 
D. Architecture. 
E. Geometry. 
F. Signs. 
G. Words. 
H. Grips.

Division III. Philosophical Masonry.
A. Foundations. 
B. Virtues. 
C. Ethics. 
D. Religious Aspect. 
E. The Quest.
F. Mysticism.
G. The Secret Doctrine.

Division IV. Legislative Masonry.
A. The Grand Lodge. 
1. Ancient Constitutions. 
2. Codes of Law.
3. Grand Lodge Practices. 
4. Relationship to Constituent Lodges. 
5. Official Duties and Prerogatives. 
B. The Constituent Lodge. 
1. Organization. 
2. Qualifications of Candidates. 
3. Initiation, Passing and Raising. 
4. Visitation. 
5. Change of Membership.

Division V. Historical Masonry.

A. The Mysteries--Earliest Masonic Light. 
B. Studies of Rites--Masonry in the Making. 
C. Contributions to Lodge Characteristics. 
D. National Masonry. 
E. Parallel Peculiarities in Lodge Study. 
F. Feminine Masonry. 
G. Masonic Alphabets. 
H. Historical Manuscripts of the Craft. 
I. Biographical Masonry. 
J. Philological Masonry--Study of Significant Words.

THE MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS

Each month we are presenting a paper written by Brother Haywood,
who is following the foregoing outline. We are now in "First Steps"
of Ceremonial Masonry. There will be twelve monthly papers under
this particular subdivision. On page two, preceding each
installment, will be given a list of questions to be used by the
chairman of the Committee during the study period which will bring
out every point touched upon in the paper.

Whenever possible we shall reprint in the Correspondence Circle
Bulletin articles from other sources which have a direct bearing
upon the particular subject covered by Brother Haywood in his
monthly paper. These articles should be used as supplemental papers
in addition to those prepared by the members from the monthly list
of references. Much valuable material that would otherwise possibly
never come to the attention of many of our members will thus be
presented.

The monthly installments of the Course appearing in the
Correspondence Circle Bulletin should be used one month later than
their appearance. If this is done the Committee will have
opportunity to arrange their programs several weeks in advance of
the meetings and the Brethren who are members of the National
Masonic Research Society will be better enabled to enter into the
discussions after they have read over and studied the installment
in THE BUILDER.

REFERENCES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS

Immediately preceding each of Brother Haywood's monthly papers in
the Correspondence Circle Bulletin will be found a list of
references to THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. These
references are pertinent to the paper and will either enlarge upon
many of the points touched upon or bring out new points for reading
and discussion. They should be assigned by the Committee to
different Brethren who may compile papers of their own from the
material thus to be found, or in many instances the articles
themselves or extracts therefrom may be read directly from the
originals. The latter method may be followed when the members may
not feel able to compile original papers, or when the original may
be deemed appropriate without any alterations or additions.

HOW TO ORGANIZE FOR AND CONDUCT THE STUDY MEETINGS

The Lodge should select a "Research Committee" preferably of three
"live" members. The study meetings should be held once a month,
either at a special meeting of the Lodge called for the purpose, or
at a regular meeting at which no business (except the Lodge
routine) should be transacted--all possible time to be given to the
study period.

After the Lodge has been opened and all routine business disposed
of, the Master should turn the Lodge over to the Chairman of the
Research Committee. This Committee should be fully prepared in
advance on the subject for the evening. All members to whom
references for supplemental papers have been assigned should be
prepared with their papers and should also have a comprehensive
grasp of Brother Haywood's paper.

PROGRAM FOR STUDY MEETINGS

1. Reading of the first section of Brother Haywood's paper and the
supplemental papers thereto.

(Suggestion: While these papers are being read the members of the
Lodge should make notes of any points they may wish to discuss or
inquire into when the discussion is opened. Tabs or slips of paper
similar to those used in elections should be distributed among the
members for this purpose at the opening of the study period.)

2. Discussion of the above.

3. The subsequent sections of Brother Haywood's paper and the
supplemental papers should then be taken up, one at a time, and
disposed of in the same manner.

4. Question Box.

MAKE THE "QUESTION BOX" THE FEATURE OF YOUR MEETINGS

Invite questions from any and all Brethren present. Let them
understand that these meetings are for their particular benefit and
get them into the habit of asking all the questions they may think
of. Every one of the papers read will suggest questions as to facts
and meanings which may not perhaps be actually covered at all in
the paper. If at the time these questions are propounded no one can
answer them, SEND THEM IN TO US. All the reference material we have
will be gone through in an endeavor to supply a satisfactory
answer. In fact we are prepared to make special research when
called upon, and will usually be able to give answers within a day
or two. Please remember, too, that the great Library of the Grand
Lodge of Iowa is only a few miles away, and, by order of the
Trustees of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary places it at our
disposal on any query raised by any member of the Society.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The foregoing information should enable local Committees to conduct
their Lodge study meetings with success. However, we shall welcome
all inquiries and communications from interested Brethren
concerning any phase of the plan that is not entirely clear to
them, and the services of our Study Club Department are at the
command of our members, Lodge and Study Club Committees at all
times.


QUESTIONS ON "THE NORTHEAST CORNER"

From the following questions the Committee should select, some time
prior to the evening of the study meeting, the particular questions
that they may wish to use at their meeting which will bring out the
points in the following paper which they desire to discuss. Even
were but a few minutes devoted to the discussion of each of the
questions given it will be seen that it would be impossible to
discuss all of them in the period of time devoted to the study
meeting. The wide variety of questions here given will afford
individual committees an opportunity to arrange their program to
suit their own fancies and also furnish additional material for a
second study meeting each month if desired by members.

In conducting the study periods the Chairman should endeavor to
hold the discussions closely to the text and not permit the members
to speak too long at one time or to stray onto another subject.
Whenever it becomes evident that the discussion is turning from the
original subject the Chairman should request the speaker to make a
note of the particular point or phase of the matter he wishes to
discuss or inquire into, and ring it up when the Question Box
period is open.

I
Why is the candidate "re-invested with that of which he had been
divested" ? Why not wait until the end of the degree ? What means
"Northeast"? Is a boy half-way through school standing in
education's "Northeast"? What is the Masonic meaning of "profane"?
Why is the North a place of darkness and the East a place of light?
Why is an Entered Apprentice said to be midway between the two? Do
you know of any members of your lodge who are still in the
Northeast? Has your study club helped you to find the East?


II
Describe the posture of the candidate as he stands in the Northeast
Corner. Why is he made to stand thus? When is a man morally
upright?

III
What is the function of a cornerstone in a building ? Have you ever
attended a ceremony of cornerstone laying ? If so, describe what
happened. Why a ceremony? What would you describe as a cornerstone
of government ? Of education ? Of religion? In what way is the
Entered Apprentice the cornerstone of Masonry?

IV
Describe the cornerstone ceremonies in early times. Why was a
living man sacrificed ? What is the real meaning of sacrifice? Have
you ever made sacrifices for Masonry? In what way has the
Fraternity a right to expect sacrifices from its members ? Would
you agree with this definition of Masonic sacrifice: "Masonic
sacrifice is the surrendering of all that conflicts with the
principles of Masonry" ? Name some things which men commonly do
that would so conflict. What sacrifice has Masonry as a whole been
making during the war--not subordinate lodges, but the Craft as a
whole?

V
What is your opinion of human nature ? Do you believe that man is
by nature depraved ? Is our hope for the race built on what man is
now, or on his capacities ? What can be meant by the divinity of
man? Has man a capacity for the god-like? If so, how does Masonry
appeal to that? How does Masonry help to develop it? What is the
point of Brother Markham's poem? Do you agree with him ? Is it mere
sentimentalism to deal with men in such a way as to call out the
best that is in them? In what way does Masonry make its appeal to
the best that is in us?

SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES

Mackey's Encyclopedia:
Northeast Corner, p. 519.
THE BUILDER:
Vol. III--Ceremony of the Northeast Corner, February C.C.B. p. 3.
Vol, IV - Northeast Corner, p. 242.


FIRST STEPS
BY BRO. H. L. HAYWOOD, IOWA

PART X--THE NORTHEAST CORNER

I
WHEN the candidate, reinvested with that of which he had been
divested, is placed in the Northeast Corner of the lodge as the
youngest Entered Apprentice, both the position in which he stands
and the posture of his body have reference to such laws of the "new
life" of Masonry as is deserving of our most careful consideration.
Northeast, there is no need to say, is neither North nor East but
a place midway between the two which partakes of the character of
both. Inasmuch as the North is ever the symbol of the place of
Masonic darkness, and therefore represents the profane world, and
the East is the symbol of that complete Masonic light which is
given to those who master the sacred art, it is entirely fitting
that the newly-made Entered Apprentice be led to the Northeast, for
as yet, having received some light but not all he is neither a
profane nor completely an initiate, but a Mason in the making.

Unfortunately, in the true sense of the words, many who have
received their three degrees have never passed beyond the Northeast
Corner. In the mere process of initiation they have necessarily
received some Masonic light, but, owing to their indifference,
their disinclination to make further studies, their refusal to
think out the meanings of our symbols and ceremonies, they have
never come into possession of all the light which Masonry has to
give to them. Neither profane nor illuminated, they are half
Masons, and in a spiritual sense remain always in the Northeast
Corner. If some wise leader of the Fraternity could devise ways and
means whereby Masonry could persuade these brethren to pass from
their half-way station on to the full privileges and prerogatives
of the Masonic life, he would confer on them and on the Fraternity
at large an incalculable benefit. Meanwhile each of us can ask of
himself, "I have left the North, but have I yet reached the East?"
This is a question which it would be well for each of us to ask
ourself.

II
The upright posture of the candidate as he stands in the Northeast
corner is at once a hint and a prophecy: it is a hint because it is
indicative of the plumb which is given to him as one of his working
tools in a higher grade so that he may already begin to prepare
himself for its use; it is a prophecy because it anticipates that
raising up which will come in the sublime degree. That which is to
be completely unfolded in the following degrees is latent in the
First degree--the Entered Apprentice is being prepared to become a
Fellowcraft and a Master Mason.

III
The Northeast Corner is something more than the half-way station
between darkness and light: it is also the place of the laying of
the cornerstone. In operative architecture the laying of the corner
stone is a sign that all preparations have been completed, the
foundations have been laid, the materials are at hand, and that the
erection of the structure is now to proceed: consequently the
builders, from of old, have seen in it an act of great significance
and have accordingly laid it with elaborate ceremonies of act,
speech, and music.

The cornerstone is to a building what the keystone is to an arch.
"That is called the cornerstone," writes a seventeenth century
commentator, "or chief cornerstone, which is placed in the extreme
angle of a foundation, conjoining and holding together two walls of
the pile, meeting from different quarters." Performing a function
of such cardinal importance the cornerstone has appealed to men
with a meaning beyond its practical uses, serving as the symbol of
that which is the foundation and principle of consistency in a
structure. In no far-fetched sense, therefore, is the Entered
Apprentice considered the cornerstone of Masonry; as the youth of
human society step into the gaps left by the death of their elders,
so with the Apprentice in a Masonic lodge; he takes the place of
those who have gone to the Grand Lodge above, and thus out of the
young men does the Fraternity recruit itself and keep itself alive.
The Apprentice, then, is to be not only a builder but built upon:
out of him the future of the Craft is made, and a wise lodge will
take care that it selects only that building material of which
strong walls may be made for the future.

But the cornerstone also had for builders a meaning even beyond all
this. As our Masonic scholar George William Speth has so clearly
described in his "Builder's Rites," the architects of the earliest
times believed that they should always pay tribute to the god of
the ground on which they were to raise their building; to their
child-like minds each plot of earth was the property of some god,
and the gift must be made to this god ere a building be placed on
his land. At first, human beings were buried alive under the
cornerstone because it was supposed that men should give of their
best to their god; later on, as men became more humanized, a statue
or effigy of a man was interred as a symbol of the gift of a life:
this was at last refined away into the custom of placing metals,
jewels, or other gifts, under the cornerstone, even as we Masons
now use corn, wine and oil.

IV
In keeping with all this we may see in the Entered Apprentice who
stands in the Northeast Corner a dedicated, a consecrated man, who
offers himself as a building stone for the spiritual temple which
the lodge is making of itself and striving to make of all human
society. This symbolism, wholly divested of inhuman practices of
which it is a faint reminder, is beautiful and wise in every way,
for until men, the individual as well as the many, do offer their
own lives to the service of the Brotherhood and the State, both
Brotherhood and State must be quite impossible. It is interesting
to imagine what would be the results if men were to give themselves
to free service in our schools, churches, governments and all
similar institutions as unreservedly as the old-time builder,
chosen for the human sacrifice, gave himself to the god of the
ground on which the building was to be erected! That would be
indeed the Kingdom of Heaven come on earth, would it not ?

The Entered Apprentice is the material out of which the Fraternity
makes itself, out of which it is to build whatever temple of life
it dreams of; yet this Entered Apprentice is nothing other than a
man, an ordinary, everyday man, like ourselves. Indeed, each of us
has stood in the Northeast Corner himself! Consider in all this
what a tribute Freemasonry pays to human nature! We men are frail,
our natures are often marred by passions, weakened by vices, and
twisted by prejudices; the wisest of us are often foolish, the most
learned are ignorant; yet it is out of us that all the stately,
beautiful things of the future are to come! There is no need that
we call angels to our assistance, or any celestial beings whatever;
in us, just as we are, are qualities and capacities of nobleness
and wisdom which, if we would only permit them to rule us, would
bring the will of God to pass on earth. In regard to this it is
worthy of notice that the reigning religion of the western world
dares to link God and Man together as if they have somewhat in
common, as if there were in each of us not only a humanity but also
a hidden divinity! What a thought it is, and how beautifully has
our Masonic laureate, Edwin Markham, set it to music !

"We men of earth have here the stuff 
Of Paradise--we have enough! 
We need no other thing to build 
The stairs into the Unfulfilled-- 
No other ivory for the doors-- 
No other marble for the floors-- 
No other cedar for the beam 
And dome of man's immortal dream. 
Here on the paths of every day-- 
Here on the common human way-- 
Is all the busy gods would take 
To build a heaven, to mould and make 
New Edens. Ours the stuff sublime 
To build Eternity in Time!"

------

There's music in the sighing of a reed; 
There's music in the gushing of a rill;
There's music in all things, if men had ears; 
Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.
--Byron.


The more we live, more brief appear
Our life's succeeding stages;
A day to childhood seems a year, 
And years like passing ages.
--Campbell.

