Corn, Wine and Oil

Corn, Wine and Oil

by Bro. Oppong Clifford Benjamin

The entered apprentice or first degree of craft masonry has,in some reasons,been labeled the material degree or the gains. It was in this level of the industry that workers were paid a weekly allowance of corn, wine and oil.
Moreover, the priceless word which designates all Entered Apprentice Freemasons across the universe has also some allusions to wealth. The word, I dare say,you recollect is B**z.

When we read through the book of Ruth,we appreciate how the man noticed Ruth in his field,how generous he allowed her to harvest and dine with him. And when Ruth returned home to Naomi(her mother in-law), this is what Naomi had to say“That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian redeemers.”
The Hebrew word for guardian-redeemer is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55). Thus,it is also obligatory for an EA to provide relief.
Charity is much emphasized also during our initiation. The WM through out the initiation ceremony dilates on the excellences of charity. He awakens the charitable claims on every new made brother and impresses upon him to embrace the honourable duty of providing relief. Though charity is not only for the EA, it is
only in this degree that it is much mentioned.

Perhaps because the EA is symbolically a rich owner of large grains farm with thousands of slaves or harvesters,as he is ceremonially joined to a lineage of a rich man.
From the Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry by Albert Mackey, Vol. 1, page 244 , 1929
"Corn, wine and oil are the Masonic elements of consecration. The
adoption of these symbols is supported by the highest antiquity.
Corn, wine and oil were the most important productions of Eastern countries; they constituted the
wealth of the people, and were esteemed as the supports of life and
the means of refreshment.
David enumerates them among the greatest blessings that we enjoy, and speaks of them as: Psalm 104: 15: "wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart "
Therefore an Entered Apprentice being thus a rich man in his gains is reminded to ;
give a portion of his bread to feed the hungry, send a cup of his wine to cheer the sorrowful, and to pour the healing oil of your
consolation into the wounds which sickness had made in the bodies, or affliction rent in the heart, of your fellow-travellers.

But as we are not operative masons but rather free and accepted or speculative, we apply the symbolic meanings of these items.
Corn...The Staff of Life: In processions, the corn alone is carried in a golden pitcher, the wine and oil are placed in silver vessels, and this is to remind us that the first, as of necessity and the "staff of life" is of more importance and more
worthy of honor than the others, which are but comforts.
Wine: ...as a symbol of the inward refreshment of a good conscience is intended, under the name of the
Wine of Refreshment , to remind us of the eternal refreshments which the good are to receive in the future
life for the faithful performance of duty in the present.
Oil: The Hebrews anointed their Kings, Prophets and High Priests with oil mingled with the richest spices. They also anointed themselves with oil on all festive occasions, whence the expression in Psalm 14: 7"God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness "
...And, thus, your unspotted white lambskin Masonic apron is a symbol
reminding you of the necessity of the purity of heart, and uprightness of conduct in order to earn the
Masonic wages which are due you.

Your final wages will be earned when you leave this world and
travel to: "that House not made with hands",
where you will receive your Masonic wages for a life well spent
in the "coin" of that realm.
The working tool of the EA includes the 24 inch gauge which also teaches the act of helping a friend or brother in the times of distress and talks also about refreshment after labour,thus in correspondence with the wages.

And this is what The Great Architect of the Universe has to say to all Masons who never forgot that they were once initiated and were taught peculiar duties in their initiation,those who to their first degree obligation keep,their EA working tools use and their charge obey, this is what GAOTU sayeth unto thee;
King James Version
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I
will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will
no more make you a reproach among the heathen.
I tell you my brothers,that by our initiation alone we are blessed beyond reproach,we are blessed beyond financial constraints,we are blessed to give to our fellow men and to influence positively on society,we are made whole and never half. By our initiation we are made billionaires in morality,personality and all aspects of a noble man.
Thank you for reading. IGYW.

Reference:
1. The Volume of Sacred Law (KJV)
2.Albert Mackey dissertation on
Wine, our Masonic Wages.
3. the Revised Encyclopedia of
Freemasonry by Albert Mackey,