The Myth of the Middle Chamber and its Allusion.

The Myth of the Middle Chamber and its Allusion.
By Bro. Oppong Clifford Benjamin

It was mentioned in some part of our history that , at the building of the Temple at Jerusalem, EAs and FCs were employed. The EAs received a weekly salary of corn, oil and wine, and the FCs went into the middle chamber to acquired their species. Now the question that seems to germinate is, could there have been a middle Chamber in a structure they were yet to build or were building? Sir Charles Warren while a Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of research gave an expression to the best opinions of masonic scholars in saying that "there was never a middle Chamber in the temple " . Fellow crafts were only employed at the construction field, given a set of tools to work with. Let us give the benefit to the doubt,even if this chamber existed, they would not have been allowed to desecrate it by use as a pay office.

Albert Mackey, a conservative masonic writer, in his book symbolism of Freemasonry, points to us the same fashion I am drawing, he said and I quote "the whole legend is, in fact, a historical myth, in which the mystic number of the steps,the process of passing into the chamber, and the wages there received, are inventions added to or ingrafted on the fundamental history contained in the sixth book of Kings, to inculcate important symbolic instructions relative to the principles of the order".
The story was told of the winding staircase, which led to the middle Chamber,consisting of three, five and seven or more steps and peculiar manner of their ascension into the middle Chamber. We are made aware of their allusions to our history but not so much of the symbolic teachings they have or might have in our lives.
A myth has been defined as a philosophy in the making. And just like the ancient Egyptian priest or prophets, and like any other lesson Freemasonry teaches, it conceals the truth in so beautiful a ceremony such that, the normal man would be lost in its fantasy and romance. It takes the telegnostic to decrypt the hidden knowledge. Therefore making Freemasonry uncommon to the common man and tasteful to the tongue that searches amidst the many pleasures it bring may.

The passage from the Outer Porch to the Middle Chamber represents a definite step in the journey to enlightenment. The wages received in the Middle Chamber come as a result of achieving this distinction. Remember that the candidate had to first ascend the Winding Staircase in order to gain admission. The Fellowcraft must become proficient in the Seven Liberal Arts. A regular study of the subjects is demanded to gain admission to the outer doors leading to this Middle Chamber. It is when the initiate begins to perceive the synthetic vision of this Masonic education and a special intuition begins to dawn within his mind and conscience that he knows the inner doors are opening to that Chamber within. Outside, the candidate was shown a symbol of plenty, but here it has been established in fact.
The narrow sense of it is that, it represents the benefits derived from education, of mental culture, as learning is the peculiar work of a FC. Learning stores the mind (your mc) with facts and preserves one from bigotry and superstition, it is the possession of these riches that the winding staircase of the seven liberal arts and sciences bring you at last.

It is when we have painstakingly laboured,thus, study hard, that we can take our wages without scruple or diffidence. Without scruple , well knowing we are justly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance we place on the integrity of our employers. Which is hereby, to say, education makes us confident and demand its corresponding wages. It prepares us for elevations in life and make it possible to influence others.
Brethren, lets study more, especially such of the liberal arts and sciences, as may lie within the compass of our attainment, without neglecting the ordinary duties of our station. Education in each is essential qualification, it makes us fit members of a regularly organized society.
Dare to be an educated mason, dare to enjoy the wages in your middle chamber (your mind).IGYW and wish you happy Easter.

References: Albert Mackey, Symbolism of Freemasonry