From the Office of the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer
RAISED FROM A DEAD LEVEL TO A LIVING PERPENDICULAR ON THE SQUARE
What does it Mean/Represent?
It represents the raising of the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif from the Dead.
It represent a newness/born again man in us to live a better life by serving God, Country, Neighbor and Ourselves.
In 1 st KING 17:17 -22 - - Widow Son raised from the dead. A woman son fell sick and died. The woman said to Elijah a man of God, what have I to do with thee? He took the lifeless son and cried unto the Lord and asked why. Elijah stretched himself upon the child three times and prayed to God to let the child live and God answered his prayer.
In JOHN 11: 43 -44 - - Lazarus was raised from the dead. Jesus told Martha Lazarus sister, I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live. In obtaining the degree of a Master Mason, if you did not trust and believe in God you would have never been raised from a dead level to a living perpendicular on the square.
When our life on earth cease, if we lived by the Bible which is the rule and guide of our faith; the Square which squares our actions and the Compass which circumscribes and keep us within due bounds of ALL mankind, especially a Brother Mason; we will spend enternity with the Great Architect of the Universe.
In LUKE 16: 19 -25 - - There is a story of a certain rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, which will definitely motivate you to live by the Holy Bible Square and Compass. A certain beggar named Lazarus full of sores laid at the gate of a certain rich man. All Lazarus wanted was crumbs which came from the rich man's table. The rich man gave nothing and dogs came and licked his sores. It came to pass that the beggar and the rich man died. The beggar was carried away by the angels to haven and the rich man ended up in hell. He was tormented by hell's fire and he asked Abraham who was seen afar off with Lazarus in his bosom. To please send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in the water and cool my tongue; because I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said unto the rich man, remember in your former life you had all the good things, but you failed to help or assist anyone. Lazarus had nothing, but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
As Master Masons, we must continuously strive to earn our wages and one glorious day walk side by side with “The Almighty Great Architect of the Universe.”
TERENCE JACKSON
RW Grand Lecturer