THE LESSON OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER

There are many lessons contained in the Entered Apprentice Degree, but few more are as dramatic and important as those communicated to the candidate when placed in the Northeast Corner.

Standing between the darkness of the North and the absolute light of the East, the new Mason is instructed as to his importance to the Craft, his future moral and Masonic conduct, and his responsibilities to his Brothers.

While frequently a brief part of the Degree, this moment is of critical importance and significance. The North is a symbolic place of darkness, where no light shines. The cold of winter, when life is dormant, represents the lack of reason and intellect so essential to Masonic growth. From the Northeast corner, the new Entered Apprentice stands upright as a plumb line and faces the Worshipful Master in the East. Here he is made to understand his responsibilities for his future conduct and his Masonic life. He is told his Masonic life now begins and the choices between darkness and Light are his. At that moment in time, he is a true Mason, and spotless cornerstone of his Lodge.

The placement of the Entered Apprentice is to remind us of the most important stone in a building, namely the cornerstone. From both location and quality, the cornerstone always gives stability and direction to the construction of a building. In the past, operative Masons placed such stones with great ceremony and rite, recognizing the cornerstone’s importance to the permanence of construction. The determination of lines for a building, namely right angles, horizontals and perpendiculars, was the critical first step in construction. Thus it is that a new Entered Apprentice is expected to construct his spiritual Temple, with an understanding of uprightness, Brotherly Love and improvement.

Few charges to our Brothers are as clear in their meaning as at this moment. It is here that the Entered Apprentice is taught the importance of charity, especially with respect to his Brothers. The symbolism of a metallic substance refers to the unrefined metal and is to remind him of his earthly nature. As the Lodge represents the world and the Heavens, it is by giving up the earthly pursuits that the new Entered Apprentice is to erect his spiritual temple.

Likewise, it is through the charity of his Brothers, he can become a true Mason. The lesson of charity between Brothers is most evident and easily understood. Thus, we see the placement between the North, and East, is to teach us we will face many choices in the building of our Temple. Our direction should be toward the Light, and as our Brothers may help us, we are to help them. Our goal is to be “like a stone” and preparing for that Spiritual home, “that house not made with hands.” Such are the lessons found in the Northeast corner.

Author Unknown

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