Hiram King of Tyre (ctd) 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.
Square or Arch? The following is another snippet from Bro. other. The square was the symbol of the firstCraighead Thistle Lodge No.900, New York. named and the compasses that of the latter. The first charters of both companies were It is surprising to learn that among these old granted by King Edward IV, and specified “operative” masons there were two distinct blue as the colour for “Square” Masons and classes known as “Square Masons” and “Arch red the colour for “Arch” Masons. Masons”. Dr. Merz tells us:- “Straight and square work requires less skill than the build- The "Arch," "Round," or "Red" Masons carried ing of arches and large bridges and other out all sorts of work on round columns, archcurved work. There were in Scotland compa- es, pillars and domes. They divided their sysnies of wrights (carpenters) and slaters, tem of working into seven degrees, each held called “squaremen” who were very intimately in a circular Lodge or stoneyard, the apron, connected with the Masons, and who appear garter, armlet and badge being "red" and to have had an identity of customs. They had their chief officers are known as the Grand a ceremony of initiation, a word called the Arch-i-tecti. Their stone-yards, as stated, squareman’s word and secret methods of were circular or in rings. The innermost circle recognition. was the Seventh Arch Degree Here the Grand Arch Master Mason or Arch-i-tectus sat and The “square” or “straight” Masons and the exercised supreme control. “arch” or “round” Masons divided their mysteries into seven degrees. A member of one Certainly an interesting alternative. class could not be a member of the other, although upon order of the grand masters he could be transferred from one division to anCross Keys March 2022
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