workman, enlightened reason is to the passions it curbs ambition, it depresses envy, it moderates anger, and it encourages good dispositions; whence arises among good masons that comely order,

"Which nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,

The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy."

The following passages of Scripture are here appropri ately introduced:

ACTS, iv. 11.

"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head stone of the corner."

REVELATIONS, ii. 17.

"To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it."

REVELATIONS, iii. 13.

"He hat hath an ear to hear, let him hear."

SYMBOLISM OF THE KEYSTONE.

The Keystone, in this degree, is evidently an allusion to the tessera hospitales, or hospitable tokens, among the ancients, which have already been spoken of, and which are thus described by Dr. ADAM CLARKE:

"A small oblong square piece of wood, bone, stone, or ivory, was taken, and divided into two equal parts, on which each of the parties wrote his own name, and then interchanged it with the other. This was carefully preserved, and handed down, even to posterity, in the same family; and by producing this when they traveled, it gave a mutual claim to the bearers of kind reception and hospitable entertainment at each other's houses."

In the passage from the second chapter of Revelations, which is read during the presentation of the Keystone, it is most probable that by the "white stone" and the " new name," St. John referred to these tokens of alliance and ⚫ friendship. With these views, the symbolic allusion of the Keystone in the Mark degree is very apparent. It is intended to denote the firm and friendly alliance which exists between Mark Masters, and to indicate that by the possession of this token, and the new name inscribed upon it, and which is known only to those who have received it in the progress of their initiation, a covenant has been instituted that, in all future time, and under every circumstance of danger or distress, will secure the kind and friendly assistance of those who are the possessors of the same token. The Mark Master is thus, by the reception of this mystic sign, adopted into the fraternity of all other Mark Masons, and entitled to all the rights and privileges which belong exclusively to the partakers in the meaning of the same significant stone. The Keystone of a Mark Master is, therefore, the symbol of a fraternal covenant among those who are engaged in the common search after Divine Truth.

The following song is sung during the ceremonies of the

You who have pass'd the square, For your rewards prepare,

Join heart and hand;

Each with his mark in view,

March with the just and true;

Wages to you are due,

At your command.

Hiram, the widow's son,

Sent unto Solomon

Our great key-stone;

On it appears the name

Which raises high the fame

Of all to whom the same
Is truly known.

Now to the westward move,

Where, full of strength and love, Hiram doth stand;

But if impostors are

Mix'd with the worthy there,

Caution them to beware

Of the right hand.

Ceremonies.

Now to the praise of those
Who triumph'd o'er the foes
Of mason's art;

To the praiseworthy three,
Who founded this degree;

May all their virtues be

Deep in our hearts.

THE WAGES OF THE CRAFT.

THE traditions of Masonry respecting the wages of the workmen at the temple, instruct us that there were two divisions of the Fellow Crafts. The first, or higher class, were employed in the quarries, in hewing, squaring and numbering the stones, and thus preparing them for the builders' use; and that each one might be enabled to designate his own work, and to determine the amount of compensation which was due him, he was in possession of a mark, which he placed upon all the materials prepared by him. Hence this class of Fellow Crafts were called Mark Masters, and received their pay from the Senior Grand Warden, whom some suppose to have been Adoniram, the brother-in-law of Hiram Abif, and the first of the Provosts and Judges. They received their pay in money, at the rate of a half shekel of silver, equal to about twenty-five cents. They were paid weekly, at the sixth hour of the sixth day of the week-that is to say, on Friday, at noon.

The second, and probably larger class of the Fellow Crafts were younger and less experienced men, whose skill and knowledge were not such as to entitle them to advancement to the grade of Mark Master. These workmen were not, therefore, in possession of a mark, and proved their right to reward by another token. They received their wages in the middle chamber, and were paid in corn, wine, and oil, agreeably to the stipulation of King Solomon with Hiram, King of Tyre.

The promotion of a certain number of the Fellow Crafts to a higher degree, which was to be considered as an honorarium, or reward bestowed upon them for their superior skill and knowledge in their profession, has occasioned this degree to receive the technical title of "the honorary degree of a Mark Master," a term which Webb has in one place carelessly corrupted in o "honorable."