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good character. This unity of good brethren is so precious that it is comparable to the holy
anointing of the High Priest of the ancient Israelites. Further, his association with this fraternal
unity promises to enrich his future life just as the dew of Mount Hermon and the mountains of
Zion.

Fellowcraft Degree

Thus he shewed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb line,
with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou?
And I said, a plumb line. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the
midst of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them anymore. Amos 7:7-8

This is perhaps the least understood and most misinterpreted passage of Scripture as it relates to
the theme of the Fellowcraft Degree. Amos was one of the lesser prophets of the Old Testament.
He was a herdsman and tender of fig trees who lived in the territory of Tekoa south of Bethlehem
and was sent by God to call the people of Israel to repentance. He foretold the judgments of God
which were to fall on the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites. In this
Chapter of Scripture Amos describes a vision shown to him by God. In this vision God represents
to Amos the judgements he is about to bring upon Israel for their many iniquities. Verses 7 and 8
describe God’s illustration to Amos of His attitude regarding the sins and transgressions of the
people of Israel. The Lord standing upon a wall made by a plumb line signifies the laws and
commandments He has communicated to the people of Israel to build them into a just and upright
nation. The plumb line in His hand symbolizes the strict justice He will visit upon them according
to their iniquities. The phrase “I will not again pass by them anymore.” is an indication that God
will no longer show them any mercy in His administration of justice.

The underlying theme of this Scripture as it applies to the Fellowcraft Degree is to admonish the
candidate that he is now crossing the threshold from youth to manhood. As a man and a loyal
member of the Masonic fraternity he will be more strongly bound to the fraternity by strict moral
guidelines. Likewise, as an adult member of society, he will be expected to exemplify the highest
standards of behavior and uphold the civil laws. As an Entered Apprentice, the candidate was
introduced to the most basic moral principles, loyalty, trust and charity, which serve as the
foundation upon which to build strong relationships. His development as a Fellowcraft will expose
him to greater responsibilities that require a stronger discipline.

Master Mason Degree

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them; while the
sun or the light, or the moon, or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds return after
the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men
shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few; and those that
look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when
the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all
the daughters of music shall be brought low; also when they shall be afraid of that
which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and

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