jonesvilletexas
Premium Member
The twelve points were based upon the 12 sons of jacob, and symbolized
the path of the candidate through his first degree.
1. Opening of the lodge:
Refers to the tribe of reuben, the first born of jacob - the
beginning of his strength. Without the opening, there would
be no lodge.
2. Preparation of the candidate:
Was to symbolize the tribe of simeon, because simeon prepared
the instruments for slaughter of the shemites. In part, it
symbolizes the masonic abhorence to cruelty, manifest in that
event. (being divested/devoid of all metallic objects).
3. The report of the s.d.:
Refers to the tribe of levi. Legend has it that levi
signaled his brother simeon in the execution of the slaughter
of the schemites. Masonry denounces cruelty to a helpless
people.
4. Entry of the candidate into the lodge:
Symbolizes the tribe of judah, for they were the first to
cross the river jordan, and alludes to the passing of the
candidate from the wilderness of darkness into the land of
light and liberty.
5. The prayer:
Symbolizes the tribe of zebulun, because the prayers and
blessing of jacob were given to in deference to his brother
issachar.
6. The circumabulation:
Refers to the the tribe of issachar. Being somewhat
shiftless in character, this tribe needed a special leader to
advance them to an elevation equal to the other tribes.
7. Advancing to the altar of freemasonry:
Symbolizes the tribe of dan. It shows us that we should
advance to truth and holiness with speed, in contrast to the
rapid decline of dan into idolatry.8. The obligation:
Refers to the tribe of gad, and alludes to the solemn vow
made by jephthah, judge of israel, and a member of this
tribe.
9. The entrusting with the mysteries of the order:
Was symbolized by the tribe of asher, for this tribe was
presented with the full fruits of masonic knowledge.
10. The investiture of the lambskin:
Refers to the tribe of naphtali, for this tribe was invested
with a peculiar freedom by moses in the prophecy, "o
naphtali, satisfied with favor and full with blessings of the
lord, possess thou the west and south."
11. Ceremony in the north east corner:
Refers to the tribe of joseph, and his two sons ephraim and
manasseh, heads of two half tribes.
12. Closing of the lodge:
Refers to the tribe of benjamin, the youngest son of jacob,
thus closing his strength.
the path of the candidate through his first degree.
1. Opening of the lodge:
Refers to the tribe of reuben, the first born of jacob - the
beginning of his strength. Without the opening, there would
be no lodge.
2. Preparation of the candidate:
Was to symbolize the tribe of simeon, because simeon prepared
the instruments for slaughter of the shemites. In part, it
symbolizes the masonic abhorence to cruelty, manifest in that
event. (being divested/devoid of all metallic objects).
3. The report of the s.d.:
Refers to the tribe of levi. Legend has it that levi
signaled his brother simeon in the execution of the slaughter
of the schemites. Masonry denounces cruelty to a helpless
people.
4. Entry of the candidate into the lodge:
Symbolizes the tribe of judah, for they were the first to
cross the river jordan, and alludes to the passing of the
candidate from the wilderness of darkness into the land of
light and liberty.
5. The prayer:
Symbolizes the tribe of zebulun, because the prayers and
blessing of jacob were given to in deference to his brother
issachar.
6. The circumabulation:
Refers to the the tribe of issachar. Being somewhat
shiftless in character, this tribe needed a special leader to
advance them to an elevation equal to the other tribes.
7. Advancing to the altar of freemasonry:
Symbolizes the tribe of dan. It shows us that we should
advance to truth and holiness with speed, in contrast to the
rapid decline of dan into idolatry.8. The obligation:
Refers to the tribe of gad, and alludes to the solemn vow
made by jephthah, judge of israel, and a member of this
tribe.
9. The entrusting with the mysteries of the order:
Was symbolized by the tribe of asher, for this tribe was
presented with the full fruits of masonic knowledge.
10. The investiture of the lambskin:
Refers to the tribe of naphtali, for this tribe was invested
with a peculiar freedom by moses in the prophecy, "o
naphtali, satisfied with favor and full with blessings of the
lord, possess thou the west and south."
11. Ceremony in the north east corner:
Refers to the tribe of joseph, and his two sons ephraim and
manasseh, heads of two half tribes.
12. Closing of the lodge:
Refers to the tribe of benjamin, the youngest son of jacob,
thus closing his strength.