Jachin
- Jehovah doth establish
Is the
right-hand pillar facing eastward, that is, on the south, that stood at the
porch of King Solomon's Temple. Dividing this name into syllables, we find
the first syllable is Jah, the name of Jehovah in poetry; while the word (iachin),
means to establish, therefore linking the two together we have, "With
God's help to establish." 1 Kings 7:21 - 2 Chron. 3:17
Jacob's
Ladder
The introduction
of Jacob's ladder into the symbolism of Speculative Masonry is to be traced to
the vision of Jacob, which is thus substantially recorded in the twenty-eighth
chapter of the book of Genesis: When Jacob, by the command of his father Issac,
was journeying toward Padan-aram, while sleeping on night with bare earth for
his couch and a stone for his pillow, he beheld the vision of a ladder, whose
foot rested on the earth and whose top reached to heaven. Angels were
continuously ascending and descending upon it, and promised him the blessing
of a numerous and happy prosperity. When Jacob awoke, he was filled with
pious gratitude, and consecrated the spot as the house of God. It is a symbol of progress, its
three principal rounds representing
Faith, Hope and Charity, present us with
the means of advancing from earth to heaven, from death to life--from mortal
to immortality. Hence its foot is placed on the ground-floor of the
Lodge, which is typical of the world, and its top rests on the covering of the
Lodge, which is symbolic of heaven. Gen. 28:12
Jah
What is the name
of Jehovah in poetry, and where recorded? Jah is the name of Jehovah in
poetry and is recorded in Psalms 68:4
Jaina
Cross
Used by several
Orders, and found in the abbeys of Great Britain and on the monuments of
India. Its significations are many. This cross was adopted by the
Jainas, a heterodox sect of the Hindu's, who dissent from Brahmanism and deny
the Vedas, and whose adherents are found in every province of Upper
Hindustan. They are wealthy and influential, and form an important
division of the population of India. This symbol is also known as the fylfot
or swastika. It is a religious symbol mentioned by Weaver in his Funeral
Monuments, by Dr. H. Schliemann as having been found in the presumed ruins
of Troy, by De Rossi and others in the catacombs of Christian Rome, and there
termed the Cruz dissimulata, or concealed cross. It has
been found on almost every enduring monument on the globe, of all ages, and in
both hemispheres. EXAMPLE
Jamblicus
It is strange
that the old Freemasons, when inventing their legend, which gave some
prominent place to Pythagoras as "an ancient friend and brother,"
should have entirely forgotten his biographer, Jamblichus, whose claims
to their esteem and veneration are much greater than those of the Samian
sage. Jamblichus was a Neoplatonic philosopher, who was born at Chalcis,
in Calo, Syria, and flourished in the fourth century. He was a pupil of
Porphyry, and was deeply versed in the philosophic systems of Plato and
Pythagoras, and, like the latter, had studied the mystical theology of the
Egyptians and Chaldeans whose divine origin and truth he attempts to
vindicate. He maintained that man, through theurgic rites and
ceremonies, might commune with the Deity; and hence he attached great
importance to the initiation as a means of inculcating truth. He carried
his superstitious veneration for numbers and numerical formula to a far
greater extent than did the school of Pythagoras; so that all the principles
of his philosophy can be represented by numbers. Thus, he taught that
one, or the monad; was the principle of all unity as well as diversity, the
duad, or two, was the intellect; three, the soul; four, the principle of
universal harmony; eight, the source of motion; nine, perfection; and ten, the
result of all the emanations of the to en. It will thus be seen
that Jamblichus, while adopting the general theory of numbers that
distinguished the Pythagorean school, differed very materially in his
explanations. He wrote many philosophical works on the basis of these
principles, and was the author of a Life of Pythagoras, and a Treatise
of the Mysteries. Of all the ancient philosophers, his system
assimilates him most--if not in its details, at least in its spirit--to the
mystical and symbolic character of the Masonic philosophy.
Japanning
The application
of one, or more, coats of oil varnish, baked and polished, on papier maché
work and tin plate. Usually black, but other colors have been
used. An imitation of the famous lacquering of Japan.
Japhet
- extension
Japhet, or
Japheth, was the eldest son of Noah. It is said that the first Ark --
the ark of safety, the archetype of the Tabernacle -- was constructed by Shem,
Ham, and Japhet under the superintendence of Noah. Hence these are
significant words in the Royal Arch Degree. Gen.
5:32
Japonism
Japanese
influence in the art of cloisonné enameling, lacquer work, and other Oriental
wares, using plant motifs and curving lines which highly influenced the Art
Nouveau artisans. Structure, expression, and quality of art,
characteristic of the Japanese, i.e. two-dimensional graphics etc.
Jedadiah
- beloved of God
This was a
special name given to Solomon at his birth by Nathan, the prophet and tutor of
the young son of David... 2 Sam. 12:24,25
Jehovah
Jehovah is, of
all the significant words of Freemasonry, by far the most important.
Reghellini very properly calls it "the basis of our dogma and of our
mysteries." In Hebrew it consists of four letters, and hence is
called the tetragrammaton, or Four-lettered Name; and because it was forbidden
to a Jew, as well as a Freemason, to pronounce it, it is also called the
Ineffable or Unpronounceable Name. For its history refer to the
sixth
chapter of Exodus, verses 2, 3.
Jeremiah
In
the book of Jeremiah 18 to 20th verses are the old Hebrew covenants, which
parallel a part of the basis of Speculative Science.
Jere. 34:18-20
Jerusalem
The capitol of
Judea, and memorable in Masonic history as the place where was erected the
Temple of Solomon. It is early mentioned in Scripture, and is supposed
to be the Salem of which Melchizedek was king. At the time that the
Israelites entered the Promised Land, the city was in possession of the Jebusites, from whom, after the death of Joshua, it was conquered, and
afterward inhabited by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Jebusites
were not, however, driven out; and we learn that David purchased Mount Moriah
from Ornan or Araunah the Jebusite as a site for the Temple. It is only
in reference to this Temple that Jerusalem is connected with the legends of
Ancient Craft Masonry. In the degrees of chivalry it is also important,
because it was the city where the holy places were situated, and for the
possession of which the Crusaders so long and so bravely contested. It
was there, too, that the Templars and the Hospitalers were established as
Orders of religious and military knighthood.
Jerusalem Cross
A cross
potent with a small Greek cross in the angle of the arms. So-called
because this type of cross became the symbol for the Kingdom of Jerusalem
after the Holy City fell to the First Crusade in 1099.
Jesters
Jesters, usually
so-called, but more formally named the Royal Order of Jesters, is an
organization evolved out of the good fellowship of members of the Mystic
Shrine during a voyage to Honolulu, February 15 to March 7, 1911. An
offhand ceremony grew into a ritual, and to local Courts and a National Body,
very much of its success due to the initiative of William S. Brown, many years
the Treasurer of the Mystic Shrine; Lou B. Winsor, Past Imperial Potentate and
Grand Secretary of Michigan, and others of their genial kind who organized and
led the Body whose local units were limited to thirteen initiates yearly.
Initiation, by invitation, and unanimous ballot, limited to members in good
standing of the Mystic Shrine. The slogan "Mirth is King,"
expounded by Jester Brown, and the poem by Edmund Rowland Sill, "The
Fool's Prayer," recited by Jester Winsor, have furnished inspiration.
Officers, thirteen, bear the titles: Director, Tragedian, Property Man,
Impressario, Treasurer, Soubrette, Light Comedian, Serio Comic, Heavy Man,
Leading Lady, Judge, High Constable, Stage Manager; the national officer's
titles are the same but preceded by the word Royal.
Jesus,
Description of the Person of
The following
was taken from a manuscript in the possession of Lord Kelly--and in his
library--and was from an original letter of Pulius Lentullus at Rome. It
being the custom of Roman governors to advise the Senate and people of such
material things as happened in their province in the days of Liberius Ceasar.
Publius Lentullus, president of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the
Senate concerning our Savior; "There appeared in these days a man
of great virtue, named
Jusus Christ, who is yet living among us, and of the
Gentiles is accepted for a prophet of truth, but his own disciples call him
the Son of God. He raiseth the dead and cures all manner of
diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall and comely, with very reverend
countenance such as the beholders may love and fear. His hair, the color
of chestnuts full ripe, plain to the ears whence downward it is more orient,
and curling and wavering about his shoulders. In the midst of his head
is a seam or partition after the manner of the Nazerites. His forehead,
plain and very delicate. His face without a spot or wrinkle--beautiful
with a lovely red. His nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be
reprehended. His beard thickish--in color like his hair--not very long,
but forked. His look innocent and mature. His eyes grey--clear and
quick. In reproving he is terrible--in admonishing courteous.
Plain spoken--pleasant in conversation--modest in gravity. It can not be
remembered that any have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. In
proportion of body most excellent. His hands and arms most delicate to
behold. In speaking, very temperate, modest and wise. A man for
his singular beauty, surpassing the children of men."
Jewels
The Freemason's
ornaments are three jewels, the square to the Worshipful Master, the level to
the Senior Warden, and the plumb-rule to the Junior Warden. Those who
are entrusted with them must possess great talents. When the Lodge is at
labor, the jewels of their office are worn on a collar about the neck. A
Past Master of a Lodge is entitled to wear a pocket jewel denoting his former
station and rank.
Jewels of a Lodge
Every Lodge
is furnished with six jewels, three of which are moveable and three immovable.
The movable are the rough ashlar, the perfect ashlar, and the trestleboard.
The immovable are the square, the level, and the plumb -- the square in the
East, the level in the West, and the plumb in the South.
Jewish
Rites and Ceremonies
A period of
excitement in favor of the rites of Judaism centered upon and pervaded the
people of various nations during the early portion of the fourteenth
century. The ceremonies grew and took fast hold upon the minds of the
Romans, and, combining with their forms, spread to Constantinople and
northwest to Germany and France. The Jewish rites, traditions, and
legends thus entered the mystic schools. It was during this period that
the legend of Hiram first became known (Bro. G. H. Fort), and Jehovah's name,
and mystic forms were transmitted from Byzantine workmen to Teutonic
sodalities and German gilds. Thus, also, when the Christian enthusiasm
pervaded the North, Paganism gave way, and the formal toasts at the ceremonial
banquets were drunk in the name of the saints in lieu of those of the Pagan
gods.
Joppa
One of the most
ancient seaports in the world, on the Mediterranean Sea, about 35 miles
northwest of Jerusalem. Here the materials for building the first and
second temples, sent from Lebanon, Tyre and other places, were landed, and
conveyed to Jerusalem. Its harbor is shallow and unprotected from the
winds; but on account of its convenience to Jerusalem, it became the principal
port of Judea, and is still the great landing-place of pilgrims and travelers
to the Holy Land. This port city is now called Jaffa.
2 Chr. 2:16
Joseph
- he shall add
The eleventh point of the ancient
English lectures. As the tribe of Joseph was composed of the two half
tribes of Ephraim and Mannaseh and considered the most superficial of the
twelve tribes, so has the ceremony of the northeast corner of the Lodge been
considered the most superficial part of Masonry. And such was the
eleventh point of the celebrated English lectures of the twelve original
points. Gen. 49:22
Josephus,
Flavius
A Jewish author
who lived in the first century, and wrote in Greek, among other works, a History
of the Jews, to which recourse has been had in some of the high degrees,
such as the Prince of Jerusalem, and Knight of the Red Cross, or Red Cross of
Babylon, for details in framing their rituals. Masonry, especially in
some of the high degrees, has recourse to his works.
Joshua
The high priest
who, with Zerubbabel the Prince of Judah, superintended the rebuilding of the
Temple after the Babylonian captivity. He was the high priest by lineal
descent from the pontifical family, for he was the son of Josadek, who was the
son of Seraiah, who was the high priest when the Temple was destroyed by the
Chaldeans. He was distinguished for the zeal with which he prosecuted
the work of rebuilding, and opposed the interference of the Samaritans.
He is represented by the High Priest in the Royal Arch Degree according to the
York and American Rites.
Journey
Every Freemason,
when he is initiated into the Craft, is taught to consider human life as a
journey. He would faint with fatigue, lose himself in unknown roads, or
fall over high precipices if he was not supported, faithfully conducted, and
fraternally warned. By these means he arrives in safety at the end of
his journey, and is permitted to receive light himself, that he may be able to
support, lead, and warn others when traveling the same road.
Judah
- praised
The entrance of the candidate was
symbolized by the tribe of Judah, because they were the first to cross the
Jordan and enter the promised land, coming out of the darkness and servitude
of the wilderness, as it were, into the light and liberty of Canaan.
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob, and the fourth point of the ancient English
lectures. The device on the banner of his tribe was a lion.
Gen. 49:8-12
Jug Masons
This was a
name given to certain clandestines who imposed upon the weak and credulous
during the anti-Masonic agitation of American history, claiming to confer upon
them the degrees of the Blue Lodge, often accepting a jug of whiskey for a
fee. They operated in the mountain regions of the Carolinas and Georgia.
Jugate
- See accolated.
Junior
Deacon
This officer is
the especial attendant of the Senior Warden; and being seated at his right
hand, is prepared to carry messages from him to the Junior Warden, and
elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct. He takes very little part in
the ceremonies of conferring the degrees, but as he is placed near the outer
door, he attends to all alarms of the Tiler, reports them to the Master, and
at his command, inquires into the cause. The outer door being thus under
his charge, he should never permit it to be opened by the Tiler, except in the
usual form, and when preceded by the usual notice. He should allow no
one to enter or depart without having first obtained the consent of the
presiding officer. An important duty of the Junior Deacon is to see that
the Lodge is duly tiled. Upon his security and secrecy of the
institution depends; and therefore the Junior Deacon has been delegated as an
especial officer to place the Tiler at his post, and to give him the necessary
instructions. In the inspection of the brethren, which takes place at
the opening of the Lodge, the south side of the room is entrusted to the
Junior Deacon. In absence of the Senior Deacon, the Junior Deacon does
not succeed to his place; but a temporary appointment of a Senior Deacon is
made by the Master. If the Junior Deacon is absent, it is the usage for
the Master, and not the Senior Warden, to make a temporary appointment.
The right of nominating the Junior Deacon is vested in the Senior Warden only
on the night of his installation. After that, on the occurrence of a
temporary vacancy, his right is lost, and the Master makes the appointment by
the constitutional right of appointment which vests in him.
Junior
Warden
As the sun in
the south is the beauty and glory of the day, so is the Junior Warden in the
south, the better to observe the time; to call the Craft from labor to
refreshment, and from refreshment to labor again by order of the
Worshipful Master. All the duties that devolve upon the Senior Warden,
in the absence of the Master, devolve in like manner, and precisely to the
same extent, upon the Junior Warden, in the absence of both the Master and the
Senior. But if the Master be present, and the Senior Warden absent, the
Junior Warden does not assume the functions of the latter officer, but retains
his own station, and a Senior Warden pro tempore must be appointed by
the Master. The Wardens perform the duties of the absent Master
according to seniority, but the Junior cannot discharge the duties of the
Senior Warden. It must be remembered that a Warden acting as a Master is
still a Warden, and is so acting simply in the discharge of one of the duties
of his office. The Senior Warden is bound to the performance of his
duties, which are, in the presence of the Master, to superintend the west, and
in his absence to preside. The Junior Warden in like manner, is bound to
the performance of his duties, which are, in the presence of the Master, to
superintend the south, and in the absence of both the Master and Senior
Warden, to preside. The absence of the Senior Warden has, therefore, no
effect upon the duties of the Junior Warden, unless the Master is also absent,
when he takes the east. He is to supply the place, not of the absent
Senior Warden, but of the absent Master. The Junior Warden is further
shouldered with the responsibility for the refreshments at the Lodge and
directs the assistance of the Senior and Junior Stewards.
Justice
One of the four
cardinal virtues, the practice of which is inculcated in the First
Degree. The Freemason who remembers how emphatically he has been charged
to preserve an upright position in all his dealings with mankind, should never
fail to act justly to himself, to his Brethren, and to the world. This
is the corner-stone on which alone he can expect "to erect a
superstructure alike honorable to himself and to the Fraternity."
In iconology, the general science pertaining to images,
Justice is usually
represented as a matron, her eyes bandaged, holding in one hand a sword and in
the other a pair of scales at equipoise. But in Freemasonry the true
symbol of Justice, as illustrated in the First Degree, is the feet firmly
planted on the ground, and the body upright. EXAMPLE
Prov. 21:3 - Jer. 22:15 - Rom. 13:7
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