The Square And The Qube.

'The square is the implement by which we ¦ % ost right angles . It consists of two straight -edges placed at right angles to each other . * "" When one straight line standing on another -straight line makes the adjacent angles equal

-each of them is called a right angles . " That is " > if A c be a straight line , and B D stand on it at B , making the angle BJC = » B A , each is a right angle . If then we

wish to test a square we get a plane surface ( I shall afterwards have occasion to show how "A B c this may be done ) and make

¦ one edge straight , testing' it by the guage or straight edge , making one edge of the square coincide with B C part of the strai ght edge ; we mark the other edge B D . Now revising the square , we examine the place of its edge . If it

still coincide with B D it is true ; ' if not , the difference is double the error of the square , which ¦ must be corrected and tried as-ain . The moral

equivalent to the square is the principle of doinoto others as we would they should . do to us ; and the square thus is seen to be an apt emblem of justice and impartiality . In both these cases it will readily be seen that

the principle involved is the making of an imperfect guide detects its own inaccuracies , which are then approximately corrected . A continued repetition of this alone produces truth . The ancient teachers of Masonry must have got and

verified their principles by a mutual process analogous to the physical ones I have pointed out . If , however , we were possessed of guages -of undoubted accuracy we should by no very long 'process be able to compare ours with thorn . Such

- "The Book of the Law" furnishes , and we are saved much of the anxiety and thought which ¦ ivere once necessary to deduce guides to conduct . Haviug good tests , the Mason proceeds to con-• efcruct his cube . The cube is a solid contained

¦ h y six equal squares . To form a cube , then , ft is necessary to make six plane surfaces and six right angles . The workman judges the position in which he can best work his material . He then begins to make one plane or fiat surface . After

roughly flattening it , he cuts a channel in any convenient direction , the bottom of which is flat , as tested by his straight edge . A second is then cut across this , so that at the place of crossing the two may coincide . These are again crossed by

others , until the spaces are so small that they may be readily and accurately reduced to the general plane . Having' thus made one jDlane , which I will call A B G D , the workman makes two of its

edges , A D , D c , in the figure true and perpendicular to each other , by cutting- small portions of "Jie adjacent faces , and he then makes D E perpendicular to both , cutting a channel on the top of the stone , perpendicular to

both A D and D C , and another on the side . A channel or drift is then cut from c to E , ancl one from D at the same depth at the crossing-. Then , as before , the plane D c _? E is completed by multiplying the channels and cutting away the intervals .

So , again , the face A DEGis cut . The three edges AD , nc , ancl D E are now marked equal to the sides of the cube , ancl the other three faces

are cut . If , now , all the angles have been truly set out , all the angles at n ( opposite to G ) will on trial be found right angles , and the sides meeting in H equal to those meeting in D . Probably trial will show that there is some error accumulated .

The stone is good enough for ordinary buildings , but is not a true cube . Greater care will reduce this error , but no time or care will entirely remove it , for the tests can always be made more delicate than the work . The old craftsmen have taken

great pains , for in the Temple it is said that the joints were invisible , and this could only have been attained by a truth of workmanship such as we never see now . In the Great Pyramid , supposed to have been built even before the time of

Abraham , the joints of the casing are nowhere thicker than a sheet of paper , and this is to be seen in our own days . To attain such accuracy must have needed great pains and frequent revisions . But such forms are not perfect . That

no pains , no time could make them . The imperfections of the materials alone would prevent this .

As it is quite practicable by watchful care to make an ashlar fit for ordinary use , some Masons can fit themselves for their places in society . The skill and care of the workman enables him to detect error in his own work , and the more excellent the work , the more carefully done , the