Square or Arch

money due to the increasing costs of the building work, and in exchange Solomon gave Hiram 20 cities in the Province of Galilee. Unfortunately when Hiram took a look at the cities that he was given he was not a very happy man. 1st Kings 9:10-14 states that Hiram quizzed Solomon “what kind of cities are these which you have given me my brother “. Perhaps Hiram had a right to complain as he did in fact lend Solomon 120 talents of gold which in today’s monetary value is roughly between 12 and 25 million pounds. Probably the most greatest assistance that Hiram gave Solomon was in fact the numerous skilled workmen who built the temple and especially the famous Masonic mastercraftsman Hiram Abiff. Many people today believe that the King of Tyre and the slain master are one and the same, while some believe that they are father and son and others that they are in fact two completely different people.

Nothing more is known about the Great king except that his kingdom was to grow, flourish and influence other nations for about another 6 to 7 hundred years until it was invaded by Alexander the Great in about 400 B.C. Needless to say that if it was not for the assistance and aid given by the king of Tyre to King Solomon then the King of Israel may not have been as important as he was.

My thanks to Bro. Robert J. Currie PM 100.

The following is another snippet from Bro. Craighead Thistle Lodge No.900, New York.

It is surprising to learn that among these old “operative” masons there were two distinct classes known as “Square Masons” and “Arch Masons”. Dr. Merz tells us:“Straight and square work requires less skill than the building of arches and large bridges and other curved work. There were in Scotland companies of wrights (carpenters) and slaters, called “ squaremen” who were very intimately connected with the Masons, and who appear to have had an identity of customs. They had a ceremony of initiation, a word called the squareman ’s word and secret methods of recognition. The “ square” or “straight” Masons and the “arch” or “round” Masons divided their mysteries into seven degrees. A member of one class could not be a member of the other, although upon order of the grand masters he could be transferred from one division to another. The square was the symbol of the firstnamed and the compasses that of the latter. The first charters of both companies were granted by King Edward IV, and specified blue as the colour for “Square” Masons and red the colour for “Arch” Masons.

The "Arch," "Round," or "Red" Masons carried out all sorts of work on round columns, arches, pillars and domes. They divided their system of working into seven degrees, each held in a circular Lodge or stoneyard, the apron, garter, armlet and badge being "red" and their chief officers are known as the Grand Arch-i-tecti. Their stone-yards, as stated, were circular or in rings. The innermost circle was the Seventh Arch Degree Here the Grand Arch Master Mason or Arch-i-tectus sat and exercised supreme control.

Certainly an interesting alternative.