Masonic Forum / Ritual - Esoteric & Symbols / General

So Why an Ashlar??

Mike Martin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:26:12 GMT

The rough ashlar is a stone, rough and unhewn as when taken from the quarry, and by the skill and industry of the workman it is wrought into due form and rendered fit for the intended structure. This represents to us the mind of man in his infant or primitive or savage state, rough and unpolished as that stone, until by the advantages of a liberal and enlightened education the mind is polished and the man is rendered a fit member of civilised society.

The perfect ashlar is a stone of true die, a perfect cube, which can be tried only by the square and compasses. This represents to us the mind of a man in his declining years after a life of piety and virtue. A mind thus disciplined and matured can no otherwise be tried and approved than by the square of God's word and by the compasses of his own self-convincing conscience.

The Initiate's Chain

Nosameerf — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:39:50 GMT

Hi Brothers,

Has anyone seen this done in Lodge or does it as standard? Who gives it and does it come before or after the 1st Degree Tracing Board? Also, do all the VO's, guests, WM, SW and JW leave their chairs to join in?
I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks,

Nosameerf

Inner Workings

Nosameerf — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:35:15 GMT

Please forgive my ignorance but what do we mean by inner workings. I notice the Universal Craft book for sale and then noticed a smaller book next to it called 'Universal inner workings'.
Are these just sections from the Craft book or alternative ritual or something else?:unsure:

Companion to the Craft Ritual - The Alternative Workings and Addresses

Nosameerf — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:49:50 GMT

Hi Brothers,

I was very kindly presented a book recently entitled,[i]Companion to the Craft Ritual - The Alternative Workings and Addresses[/i]( http://www.thefreemason.com/p-318-companion-to-the-craft-ritual.aspx ).
I want to learn the extended third degree tracing board in it, because in my Universal ritual book, it is only one page long and that is meek in comparison to the first and second degrees. In these alternative workings, the third runs to about four pages.
When I spoke to my lodge mentor about giving the extended version on lodge, he said okay but it had to be Universal ritual. The thing is, I have no idea what ritual it is. Does it matter and if so, where can I find the extended 3rd degree tracing board for Universal ritual?

Thanks,

Nosameerf

Heel in the hollow

Army Mason — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:08:44 GMT

A few of my brethren have been debating the meaning behind this during the 3 steps. I incorrectly assumed that the a r.angle was being formed as in other rituals but, as was pointed out to me, this is not the case here. A r.angle to me would have had some significance (perhaps a debate for another time) but, without it, why do we place the HITH?

What VSL does a man swear on if he believes in a supreme being but not God!

Nosameerf — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:22:33 GMT

Hi Brothers,

I have a friend who is interested in Freemasonry BUT doesn't like the Christian/Muslim/Judaic or similar idea of God. I have told him that you need to believe in a supreme being and with this he is more comfortable. The thing is...what VSL would he swear by and also, our ritual asks us to put our faith in God etc. I think he would make a truly excellent brother but I don't think these differences can be reconciled... can they?

size of chequered floor

dr_invisible — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:30:19 GMT

Here's something. I was asked to be a "mentor" for a new initiate. During an early meeting he came up and asked me what the relevance was of the number of squares in the chequered floor (if memory serves me well, ours is 15 x 8). I looked around and discovered that other chequered floors in other lodges had slightly different numbers of squares.

In other words, I didn't know the answer and after asking a couple of the senior members discovered they didn't know either.

So is there a meaning? Should they be of a certain number?

The North is Dark

Terry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:13:24 GMT

Over several years I have come across this saying , but really dont understand it. The North is not Dark in Oz.

I understand it is a northern Hemisphere peculiarity.

From reading I have the following understanding of this, it is astronomical in nature and makes sense. However making sense does not answer the question and probably there is more than one answer.

My understanding is thus, The sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and is at its zenith in the south, therefore the north is dark with no sun.

If above is correct , why then is the south not dark in Oz??

So Bros, can you enlighten me on this matter

Oh, and I know that the Secy and Tres sit in the North and in old operative lodges it was S.I.W's who sat there, so I am still none the wiser

Help identifying this badge

metallithrax — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:24:11 GMT

Hi chaps, not a mason (or ever likely to be), but I have a friend who has this cap badge:

[img]http://www.metallithrax.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/1261947578.JPG[/img]

We are trying to find out what it is. We know it's masonic, but, what exactly is it?

Hall Stone Jewel

danielson23uk — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:45:49 GMT

Could someone please PM me with the correct verse for investing the new WM with the Hall Stone Jewel as an IM?
I can't get to our WM in time for our Friday Installation to get the verse from the case in which the jewel is kept to learn it. This is presuming that the verse is the same for all Hall Stone Lodges...?

Thanks

Hermes Trismegiste

Janus — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:16:02 GMT

Hi all.

Mike thought my comment on the "Masonic degrees = Egyptian dynasties?" thread was more at home here. So I just post it here as a new topic. Sorry about that Mike. :)

IMHO, I think there are too many similarities between ancient egyptian esoterism and the form of esoterism practced in freemasonry today for it to be completly ignored.

The Second Schaw Statutes (1599) makes mention of "the art of memory" and the importance to practice it. And as we know the art of memory worked it's way through history from the Pythagoreans all the way through Schaw to us. In the 16th century the art of memory was closely linked to Hermetism and if one knows anything about Hermetism one knows the enormous influence ancient egyptian spirituality had upon it.

I find it very rewarding to study other initiatic traditions to get a wider perspective on our own ways and workings.

Carpets

postscript — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:26:51 GMT

Mention of carpets on another thread has made me wonder: which way of showing the chequered pattern is more common, square or diagonal? By square I mean the pattern runs parallel with the walls of the lodgeroom, ie north to south and east to west. By diagonal I mean running north-east to south-west and south-east to north-west, so that as you look due east or west you see a diamond pattern. So far in my brief masonic career I have visited five lodges including my mother lodge, and all but one have been square. Which do you prefer?

Jewels - who has the right?

ifwg — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:19:28 GMT

I notice that some brethren attend the lodge wearing simply their apron and perhaps a collar if they are in office.

Other brethren however appear to have more decorations on their breast than a commander in a South American army with medals hanging and clinking of all colours and designs.

What qualifies someone to wear jewels on their breast? For instance, should I be impressed by the number of jewels on a brother’s breast or could it simply be that he likes to buy them on ebay?

I wear my chapter jewel but other than that I don’t wear any other. How easy is it for brethren to pin a medal on their own chests?

For instance could a brother purchase an old stewards jewel (even from another province or from many years ago) at a car boot sale and wear it because he occasionally works as a steward?

I ask for two reasons, first for my own information and the second because I know someone new to the craft who has been given a steward’s jewel and wonders if he is allowed to wear it.

The Magic of freemasonry

Alan Campbell — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:14:03 GMT

Some of you will know that when it comes to the magical or magikal qualities of freemasonry then i am very much a sceptic. I have read topics and and threads which allude to the magikal qualities of the degree's. Now to me the only magic that is involved is the beauty of seeing some shy gentleman really coming into his own and maturing into a master mason, then over time being able to stand up in front of others delivering the lecture himself. Added to that is also the freindship that endures between brothers.

What i don't see is anything mysterious or magikal, so i post this topic in the hope that someone can enlighten me to what i have been missing over the last 15 years. Please remember that i am a total sceptic and i will take some convincing.

Mods if you think this is in the wrong section or that it is wrong/antagonistic, then please move it to the relevant section or lock it. I did think of opening it in the esoteric section, then the myths/legend section, but i will leave it up to your better judgement.

Facing East in Prayer

chestnut — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:28:35 GMT

Brethren, here is a conundrum. In all the Craft degrees the Candidate faces East so does the Master Elect in the Inner Workings. However in UGLE the Brethren do not with the exception of Inner Workings.

The question is why do we all face East for the Installation of the WM whilst we do not in any of the degrees?

Urgent-Irish Charge for MM needed

3GP441 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:57:26 GMT

FG All,

My Cambridge Lodge has an Irish Degree demonstration team, (we have passed it with GL) which does the IC 1st and 3rd ceremonies.

The WM (a member of an Irish Con Lodge in Wexford) has mislaid his book and is missing the Charge to a newly-r. MM.

Could any Irish Bro. who has access to a copy PM me if you have one available as there is a 3rd degree demon coming up and he cannot finish the ceremony prpoerly without it.

IPM Jewel Lecture

chestnut — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:04:34 GMT

I am giving a lecture about the IPM jewel and its significance in Geometry and Masonry. It involves charts and rope. What fun.

I think the Lodge members have heard and will stay away!!

Pillars

Luxor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:26 GMT

Hello

Recently i came across in an Antique shop two pillars approximately two meters in height one with the symbol of a level with a half crescent moon on top.The other a Plumb-Rule with the symbol of a full sun both the sun and moon were moulded from heavy brass the Antique dealer mentioned both pillars are from a masonic lodge circa 1920.I have not seen these type of pillars in my lodge only the J & B pillars at the entrance i realise the Level represents the JW office and the Plumb-Rule the SW but have not seen these symbols combined with a sun and moon could someone please enlighten me as to what these pillars represent.

Luxor Co-Mason

The Walking Charge

mickx — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:19:11 GMT

As a young Master Mason (I was raised last June) I have only seen the Third Degree performed once, whilst visiting a local Dorset Lodge, and again tonight in my Mother Lodge.

Tonight was our 'Past Masters' night, and it was great to see the example set by the experienced distinguished brethren.

To the point of my post - and apologies if this has been posted before. Tonight I was privileged to witness the walking charge of the third degree. IMHO I thought this was an excellent addition to the ritual, as this is not typically performed within my Lodge (was not performed when I was raised) and I also found this very moving and worth the additional time in the Temple.

I am interested to hear if other members also got a lump in their throat the first time they witness the delivery of this walking charge and or it is common place in your Third Degree ritual.

Once again I find I am learning, and also have a lot to learn about Freemasonry, although I did scratch my head tonight when I noticed a brother wearing brown shoes :).

As always your thoughts, comments and steer welcome.

The Inner Game of Masonry

Russell Holland — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:48:08 GMT

We have all heard of the Inner Game of Tennis theinnergame.com/about-2/history-of-the-inner-game/

And I was watching cricket last night and the commentator was explaining some of the visualisation and intent used by the bowler.

This morning I was lying in bed pondering how to improve our lodge and it struck me that it was rather embarrassing that our lodges do not teach the Inner Game of Masonry. We carry out the ritual without even the simplest inner work that a bowler or tennis player would use.

The inner teachings have moved from esoteric organisations to coaching for sports and business. No wonder Masonry struggles.

FC wt

Army Mason — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:22:53 GMT

I am attempting to master the additional explanation of the 2nd degree wt but have been given differing opinions on how it 'dovetails' into the shortened version. Where it begins appears simple enough (In this sense) but, on completion of the additional explanation, does it revert to the shorter version to finish or not?

Your learned assistance always gratefully received.

Loyal Toast

Sparker — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:01:10 GMT

Brethren,

in UGLE we make the Loyal Toast to Her Majesty at the festiove board. Now I'm well aware of the controversy surrounding this toast in particular as well as other ones, but a little indulgence please.

If all goes according to plan, this autumn I will be Installed in to the Chair of my Lodge for the first time. I have been W.M (twice) of another Lodge which has since handed it's warrant in, so I'm not a newbie. This Lodge is regarded as a seagoing Lodge, being founded by Seafarers some years ago. Now in the Royal Navy (of which I am a retired member) the Loyal Toast is taken sitting down. This stems from the toast being given in wooden warships centuries ago when the deckeheads (ceilings to you landlubbers) were very low and it was impractical, indeed almost impossible, for most to stand up.

It is my intention to carry out this tradition at the festive board. Trouble is, I am not sure if I am breaking any rules. I am damn sure that if I contact the sources in the Provincial Office to ask them about it, they will make a ruling based on their opinion and not on the correct procedure (if there is one laid down) and therefore, I would rather not ask them. Does anyone know if there IS a laid down procedure?

So I lay it open to you Brethren. Sitting down or standing up?

Fraternally,

Tony.

"We Don't Do It Like That....."

Mark Adams — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:02:08 GMT

I'd be interested to hear your individual opinions on this:

I have joined a Lodge that has been going for 25 years. It is lucky enough to have joining members from other Provinces (and, indeed, some from the same) and a healthy influx of candidates. Several founders are still alive

I was at a GP committee meeting recently and an ex Lodge DC brought up, under any other business, the notion that the Lodge returns to doing the ritual exactly as laid out in the Provincial ritual book provided. I sat back and listened to the discussion.

Apparently, when the Lodge was formed, at the first rehearsal all got into position and away we go-it was about half a minute before the immortal words 'We don't do it like that in xxxxxx Lodge' (wherever they were joining from), and mass discussion took place.

It sounded like a bit of a United Nations meeting, because what came out of it was 'the book'. In effect, a ritual book with a load of stuck in pieces of paper amending the printed one.

Now, in my mother Lodge, we have a way of working, however this is complementary to the ritual book: none of the wording or rubric is touched, but it does define perambulations, officers' additional duties at installations and so forth.

The changes that I am referring to include things like signs given during obligations, so the signs given in practice by the founders and members 'in the know'/who have had sight of 'the book' are different to the ones prescribed in the Provincial ritual.

There followed a discussion led by the founders about how the standard of ritual had gone downhill recently (I am sure a few on here have heard similar). The (not present at the GP meeting) current DC got a slating for not running things correctly.

The DC is a joining member from a Province about 150 miles away, and I am sure is not in possession of 'The Book'. There is no Lodge Of Instruction for this Lodge. All of the candidates are given the Provincial Ritual Book, from which they work.

I partake in the floorwork and ritual when requested, and even though I say it myself the overall standard is very good, and certainly in the top 10% I have experienced in my 19 years in the Craft.

So, everyone, what do you think we should do? Muddle on 'as is', start sticking pieces of paper in every ritual book we give out, or disenfranchise the older members by insisting that the printed Provincial book is the only ritual we observe.

I look forward to your comments

Best regards

Mark

Hailing sign

Sparker — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:50:24 GMT

I was taught that it was palm facing the right in my Mother Lodge. I have joined a Lodge where it is facing forward.... because I was originally taught it was facing the right, I still do it that way... but I can't help feeling awkward when I'm in the Lodge and every man and his dog does it palm forward!

Tony.

Exiting Perambulations

freight10 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:31:44 GMT

Brethren,

I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts regarding perambulations & exiting the lodge after a meeting.

The reason i ask is, in the past my lodge used to go through the motions of collecting the brethren for the procession out so to speak, then we would leave the junior brethren ie..ADC JW & JD next to the secretary's table facing the SW pedestal, the senior..DC, SD & SW would continue and stand in front of the SW pedestal facing the juniors, the IPM would position in the middle after closing the VSL at which point we would sing the 1st verse of the National Anthem... i thought it looked impressive & made an impression, however some of the senior members didn't like it & thought it was OTT because they felt it was more ceremony for the sake of it...

I'd love to know your thoughts

Investing Wardens Question

Mike Martin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:12:59 GMT

So when the newly Installed Master is investing his Officers why does he invest the SW with the INSIGNIA of his Office but invests the JW with the COLLAR and JEWEL of his?

Just wondering

Charge after Initiation

Army Mason — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:08:05 GMT

I have been asked if i would like to carry out this ritual at our next meeting in December. I am particularly honoured by this as, to an initiate it is the pointer to the remainder of his Masonic journey and as such needs to be delivered in a way that does justice to the words.

I have been interested and keen to undergo rituals since coming to Freemasonry. Although only raised in April i have been fortunate to have been involved in a couple of ceremonies, most recently, presenting the MM wt to my proposer at his installation.

Clearly however, this is a huge step up and with only 4 weeks to learn it i would be very grateful for any advice you can give. I understand each have their own ways to recall the words but any guidance on delivery and inflection would really be appreciated. I so want to give the 'new guy' what he deserves!

Coincidentally i am receiving my GL certificate on the same night. An interesting combination don't you think!?

Thanks for your help!

Fourth part of a circle

Terry — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:45:13 GMT

How is the phrase "4th part of a circle defined"

Regards
Terry
Tamworth 652
Australia

Body odour, corperal p;unishment and church harmoniums

3GP441 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:07:04 GMT

FG all,

After reading some of the posts in the Charge after Initiation thread I have been musing about how I try to learn ritual.

I realised that although I use the method of first reading the piece carefully, breaking it down into sections and then finding connections within and between sentences; I also use free association to build up the overall story.

This means that a narrative of mental images can be used to make the piece cohesive in my 'theater of memory'.

The title of this thread springs from how I remember the last part of the opening in the first degree.

Another example is the image of an attractive coloured lady used to remember the phrase passions and prejudices in the long 2nd WTs. Or a Judge fishing with Reg Varney associated with 'the just line of your conduct'.

Is it just me or does anyone else use a similar method.

Strangely, it wasn't until I mentally ran through a piece of ritual that I actually noticed the images I have associated with certain bits of ritual.

I know that this is similar to the Art of Memory used since Cicero's time, but my personal application has only really come to the surface since mulling the above over.

ETA: Sorry about the typo's in the title!

Salute in passing

freight10 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:37:30 GMT

Hi all,

Recently had a debate with regard to saluting in passing, i am of the opinion that you don't break your stride, you literally salute as you walk, however i have seen brethren tell their candidates to salute whoever in passing and then they stop, salute, then set off again, which is the exact opposite of the instruction they have given, i'm pretty sure this must be very confusing to the candidate as well as being a little scruffy in the lodge workings.

Would like to hear your opinions.

Installation of Officers

Terry — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:43:39 GMT

This is a subject that was bought up at "Internet Lodge" for discussion, I would be interested in your views,

The newly installed WM installs his officers, we are talking about the Director of Cerominies and the two deacons.

He invests DC with his collar & Jewell and his Baton, and the Deacons with their collar & Jewell and also their wands.

Why then do the sponsors take these officers to their positions in the lodge, when they have the implements of their ofiice which enables them to move freely about the lodge.

Greeting with 5 as a Fellowcraft

chestnut — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:36:18 GMT

Interested in anyones thoughts on this. As we know in the Installation Ceremony the newly installed Master is greeted with:

5 by the IM's.
3 by the MM's
5 by the FC's
3 by the EA's

The only logical reason for 5 that I can see as a FC is that similar to the obligation being done in the 2nd, in that there was only 2 degress originally and this is a throw back to then.

However why the B.H.B, salute rather than the normal sign?

Any ideas?

2nd degree ?????

freight10 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:31:47 GMT

Brethren, i have a question relating to the 2nd degree in craft that i have asked a great deal of "mature masons" (mature in the mebership years sense) ...here goes, i'll try and be as sketchy as possible so as not to fail my oath...

During the ceremony the candidate is perambulated, when reaching the SW he is asked for the password etc....

however in the tracing board lecture it clearly states that the FC was opposed by the JW...so i was wondering why in craft do we do one thing then say another, i suppose what i'm really asking is..why are we not opposed by the JW during the ceremony for this particular word, instead of the SW..

Thanks

Opening and Closing Raps

rmullins — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:25:06 GMT

Does anyone know the significance of the raps that the M, SW and JW do at the opening and closing of the lodge?

In the EA Degree they each rap once around, twice in FC and 3 times in MM, but why?

Is it to signify what degree you are in? You just opened in that degree so why rap, everyone just heard you open, they should know what degree your in?

Is it to signify that the top three officers are in agreement that that is the degree you are in or that that is the opening of closing of that degree?

I asked one our our District Deputy Grand Masters and he couldn't give me an answer and it does not give a reason in the ritual.

Wardens Columns!

Mike Lawrence — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:55:12 GMT

Brethren, I have a conundrum.

Can we agree that;

In the south, the Junior Wardens column is the Corinthian style column signifying beauty. The capital of that column being decorated with the acanthus leaf.

In the west, the Senior Wardens column is the Doric style Column signifying strength. The capital of that column being smooth.

Situated on the Junior Wardens column is the Terrestrial Globe.

Situated on the Senior Wardens column is the Celestial Globe.

This is my problem, which way round do the columns go:

The column of the Senior Warden is upright when the Lodge is open, but it signifies night.

Likewise, the column the Junior Warden column which signifies day is only placed in the upright position when the lodge is closed.

I'm sure I am missing something here and I am probably wrong to assume the day time, night time, significance.

However, having visited many, many lodges it would appear that I'm not the only one who is confused.

If we work on the basis that most Lodge traditions are generally the last mistakes made by the Director of Ceremonies, could that be the start of the confusion?

I welcome any comments.

Inner Guard (special pointers)

seekeroftruth — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:06:52 GMT

Hi there!

This coming Monday, I have volunteered to act as Inner Guard for a 1st degree working (Emulation) for a small lodge, that I visit from time to time but am not a member of. They lack manpower + a lot of the brethren are always away on business trips. They already had to cancel the meeting last month due to such a situation.

She-who-has-to-be-obeyed (damn this is a good title, the person who came up with it truly saw the light), has given me permission to be out of the house on two evenings next week!!!! The price paid was high, at least one week of not just taking my son to the kindergarden but also picking him up in the late afternoon plus other undisclosed at this moment in time, "home necessities" (Xmas shopping list is what I fear will be presented and I can't escape :crying:)

So, I am now learning the few lines necessary (in my lodge we do not learn by heart). seems ok, however, does anyone have any pointers about what should I do with the poignard when the time comes to use it? What effect should i try and create for the candidate?

Thanks in Advance

Scottish Ritual

onescot — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:13:41 GMT

Can anyone recommend a Scottish Ritual book that has detailed floor work in it?

I have seen a few ritual books on the web but not sure if they have what I am looking for.

Unfortunately we are low in numbers in our Scottish Working lodge in Queensland and most of the active members are new to the lodge so there has been no real handing down of ritual or it has gone off track.

I really want to get my lodge back up to scratch with it's ritual work and doing it the Scottish way. I realise most Scottish lodges do things different but there must be some standards out there.

Dressing Up.

Nosameerf — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:31:52 GMT

I just watched a history channel documentary about Freemasonry. There was a re-enactment of a third degree by an American Lodge of (UGLE) approved Freemasons. The thing is, they were all dressed in costumes and fake beards. My girlfriend asked if that is what I get up to!
Is this dressing up as biblical characters quite common in America and does it occur in the United Kingdom? Also, do you like the idea of dressing up like Hiram and co? I personally find the false beard slightly comical, though I imagine that it might be more interesting to watch and the officers would really get into their roles.

The grip of an Installed Master

chestnut — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:52:50 GMT

Following on from the EA grip. Can someone PM me with the correct grip of an IM, as with the G and word G of an installed Master I place you in the chair of KS.

What is the grip I have seen about 10 variations and no authoratative.

Ours is always as per the P sign of an IM. Somehow think that is wrong!

Thanks

The Esoteric Meaning of the First Degree Working Tools

Mike Lawrence — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:10:40 GMT

Following on from the thread which Mike Martin so ably posted regarding the esoteric nature of Freemasonry, mention was made of the First Degree working tools.

I would be very happy to hear the comments of fellow forumites as to the teachings, hidden or otherwise, they gleaned from this piece of ritual.

To start the ball rolling I felt it explained to me 1) That I was a Free and Accepted or Speculative Mason, not an Operative Mason. 2) That I had to apply the working tools to my morals. 3) That the 24 inch gauge reminded me that I need to find time each day in prayer, labour and refreshment, and serving a friend and brother. 4) That the common gavel represented the force of conscience and that I should be mindful of my thoughts, words and actions lest they offend both God and man. 5) That the chisel reminded me of the benefits of education, which helps to develop our intellect again for the benefits of society in general.

What does anybody else feel?