to borrow a phrase from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. His equipment essentially consists of three things:
An understanding that life consists of both good and evil, and that he needs to be prepared for both; An acknowledgement that despite this condition of life, he is surrounded by ―manifold blessings and comforts;‖ and A faithful reliance upon Divine Providence – God – who is the source of both the manifold blessings and comforts which we enjoy, and the ultimate recourse for a life that is checkered with good and evil.
When he becomes a Fellow Craft Mason he will learn additional things about God. His attention is called to the importance of Geometry in Freemasonry, and its use in explaining to us ―the great book of nature and revelation.‖ We are taught that by Geometry ―we discover the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Great Artificer of the Universe.‖ Then, when he becomes a Master Mason, he will once more be confronted with the Checkered Pavement which he first encountered as an Entered Apprentice Mason: ―Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.‖ To the image of a life which will experience both good and evil, the Third Degree of Masonry adds the concept of the uncertainty of human life. The Master Mason is presented with the symbol of the Hour-Glass, with these words: The Hour-Glass is an emblem of human life. Behold how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing 18