Chips from a rough ashlar 'knocked off' by the gavel of common sense

By J. Stevens. Distributor: Lulu. $22.99. 148 pages. Paperback UT. 2016 (1885).

"The Master Mason is expected to extend his researches into the hidden mysteries of the Science."

In that regard, James Stevens provides us with a delightful essay build around the classical questions and answers. There are gems of knowledge within the dialogues of the seven chips and we may want to put them into parallel with those of G. Lessing’s Ernst and Falk. Conversations for Freemasons (1778). Those two works stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presumptions. They remind us of the Socratic Method, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions.

The jewels provided consist in a rare expose on the Masonic rituals, their differences and divergences and the various symbols and functions of the Lodge and Officers.

This edition comes with the new sections Biography, Works cited and Supplementary references.

Syllabus of Contents

• PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR
• Frontispiece.
• Preface
• Introductory Chapter.
• Differences and Divergencies in Masonic Ritual — Published Rituals as false guides — Lodges of Instruction — Importance of correct verbiage
• Chip 1.
  • Presumed Institution of Speculative Freemasonry — The Ritual of 1813— missing MSS— Origin of ‘‘Emulation’’ and “Stability” systems of working — Bro. Henry Muggeridge — The “mixing” of the systems — Disputes met by concessions — The place of perfect calm
• Chip 2.
  • What is a Lodge? — The Master’s authority — Refreshment in Open Lodge — The Lodge Summons — The Register of Attendance — Punctuality — Opening of the Lodge — Music in Lodges — The Gavel, its description use and abuse — Knobs and Excrescences v. Superfluities — The First Command — Officers, their situations and duties — What is a Cowan? — Debated points in opening — “Just due” — Enlightenment — The Chaplain — The Three Great Lights— The Position of Columns and Tracing Board
• Chip 3.
  • Business prior to Initiation — Minutes and their Confirmation — Propositions for Initiation and Joining — The “Fiat of the W. M.” — The Ballot, its use and abuse — Turbulent Members—The Declaration— The ‘‘State of Poverty’’— The Treasurer’s Duty
• Chip 4.
  • The First Introduction to the Order — Its Importance. — First Impressions. — Qualification of W.M. should be proved — Solemnity of Lodge Work — The Alarm, and its Result—Salutes and ‘‘Entry Drill” — Admission in due form — The first Question and its unprompted reply — Abuse of the Gavel — The Force of imagination — The Battery — The Entry at S. and W. Gates — Presentation and Enquiries — The Advance — Deacons as Supporters
• Chip 5.
  • Remarks on the O.B. — The Warrant of the Lodge— Disregard of its importance in some instances — HELE, its derivation and pronunciation — Tides, their ebb and flow—The O.B, that of a FREEMASON and not of an Entered Apprentice— LIGHT the first demand — Certain practices condemned — “Duly” not newly”—The leaser lights—The Columns, and their connection with the Lodge supports—The Cable Tow explained— The Secrets of a Freemason—The Wardens’ Examination—Porchway Entrance — Separate initiation — Labor and Refreshment— The Tyler’s Toast
• Chip 6.
  • Presentation — The badge of a FREEMASON — The Order of the “Star and Garter!!’’ — Willful disregard of published Rituals— History of the MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER — Saluting the Badge — The WM’s concluding Address
• Chip 7.
  • The Foundation Stone of the intended building — The distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason — Poem on Charity — The Banners of Freemasonry — The Offertory — Universal Claims — The Working Tools — “Pure and unpolluted” — The work of the Chisel — “Should time permit” — Temptation in certain Lodges — Preparation for proof of proficiency — The Three Grand Principles — Early separation foreshadowed — “High Twelve” — Order of business prior to closing the Lodge — The Lodge dosed — Valediction