From the Office of the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer
April 12, 2010
The Supports of a Lodge
When we think of the supports of a lodge we come to all repeat the same thing, the three great pillars of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. We also know that these pillars are representative of the Worshipful Master in the East, the Senior Warden in the West and the Junior Warden in the South respectively. But why is it that the Master is the pillar of Wisdom? It is because the Master sits in the East from when light and his commands emanate. So why does the Senior Warden represent Strength? It is because he represents the place from whence the workmen are paid, whose strength and existence are preserved by the wages which they receive. Finally why does the Junior Warden represent beauty? He represents beauty as his position represents the middle of the day, whose beauty is perfect; at this time the workmen recline from work; and it is then that the Junior Warden sees them return to the Lodge and resume their labors.
So why do we have these pillars as supports of the lodge? It is because every physical building should be planned and fashioned by Wisdom, owes its durability and solidity to Strength, and is made symmetrical and harmonious by beauty so should our spiritual building of Masonry be designed by Wisdom, which gives it the firm foundation of Truth, on which the Strength of conviction may build, and self-knowledge complete the structure, and give it eternalness and prolongation by means of right, justice, and unyielding perseverance; and Beauty will finally adorn the edifice with all the social virtues, with brotherly love and union, with benevolence, kindness, and a comprehensive philanthropy. Thus the reason when we think of the supports of a lodge we realize that Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty is the finisher of all works, and nothing can be carried on without them for there is Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support and Beauty to adorn.
P.M. Edward J.A. Moore
RW Grand Lecturer