Page 15 - Montana Freemason Magazine March 2014

Montana FreemaTsoHnE SEVEN LIBERAL AMRaTrcSh A20N14D SCIENCES ENLARGVEoDlume 90 Number 1

Jack R. Levitt PGM(CA) #1,6&18

The seven liberal arts and sciences became a Music helps us appreciate the natural harmony of
mainstay of Masonry in 16th Century Europe when the world and teaches the art of forming concords,
the leaders of operative Freemasonry decided the so as to compose delightful harmony. By it, man
members needed more than just technical skills. is reminded that the Universe is founded on the
Earlier parts of seven were encouraged by men, such laws of celestial harmonics and that harmony and
as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, who understood the rhythm are all pervading; and
importance of a broad education.
Astronomy impresses upon us that everything
The study of them, besides polishing and adorning has a season, and that everything is connected. By
the mind, is earnestly recommended because each it, man gains an understanding of the immensities
liberal art or science allows us to cultivate discovering of time and space, of his own relationship to the
meaning in the people, places, and events that we have Universe, and of the awesomeness of the unknown
contact with, so that we can live our day-to-day lives Power that is constantly driving the innumerable
with greater intention, meaning and wisdom. stars of the firmament through illimitable space.

They materially add to self-improvement by Like Freemasonry, the study of the seven liberal
the development of one’s intellectual faculties, by arts and sciences is a life-long pursuit.
elevation of one’s moral and spiritual character, and
by the acquisition of knowledge.

They contain more than is presented in the Staircase
Lecture. Consider the following explanations of them:

Grammar, which instructs us to choose our words
carefully, teaches us to think before we speak and to
realize the power of words. By it, man has learned
to express in noble and lofty words his innermost
thoughts and ideals;

Rhetoric teaches us that what others hear is the
most important part of what we say. By it, man is
enabled to conceal his desires, under the protective
covering of ambiguous language and figures of
speech;

Logic teaches us to consider the facts and appeal
to reason before making decisions. By it, man
is trained in the organization of the intellectual
faculties with which he has been endowed;

Arithmetic teaches us to separate fact from
feeling in the pursuit of truth. By it, man is not only
instructed in the mysteries of the Universal Order,
but also gains the key to multitude, magnitude and
proportion.

Geometry helps us understand what creates Grammar, rhetoric, logic/dialectic, arithmetic, geometry, music,
a solid foundation and a beautiful aesthetic. By and astronomy/astrology. From the twelfth century Hortus
it, man is inducted into the mathematics of the Deliciarum.
rhythm and harmony of angles and the philosophy
of organization; Page 15