Life's Working Tools

In my usual wanderings on the net, I found this article. As I have a memory of a gold fish, I copied the same and reposted it here to remind me of what these tools are.

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"WORKING TOOLS OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE ARE THE TWENTY FOUR INCH GAUGE AND COMMON GAVEL

The twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to measure and lay out their work; but we as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of rightly dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematical of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts; whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother; eight hours for our usual vocations; and eight hours for refreshment and sleep.

THE COMMON GAVEL

The common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our minds and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life; thereby fitting our bodies, as living stones, for that spiritual building - that house not made with hands - eternal in the heavens."

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"WORKING TOOLS OF A FELLOW CRAFT ARE THE PLUMB, SQUARE, AND LEVEL

The Plumb is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to raise perpendiculars; The Square to square their work, the Level to lay horizontals. But we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and Man; Squaring our actions by the Square Of Virtue and morality ever remembering that we are traveling upon the level of time to that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns."

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"The working tools of a Master Mason are all the implements of Masonry indiscriminately, but more especially the Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites a building into one common mass; but we as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly Love and Affection, that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society, of friends and Brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree."

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In my Masonic cathechisms, I've been required to memorize the above - the best way and the first important step towards internalizing the same and hopefully, putting them into practice in my daily life towards not only my Brothers in Masonry; but more importantly towards all mankind. Not to boasts of my righteousness nor to flaunt air of superiority; but to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." [Matthew 5:16, also adopted in the Order of DeMolay ritual.]

Thanks to Holdenville Masonic Lodge No. 123 A.F. & A.M. for the article.