In Bacon’s chief works is to be found a title-page engraving, above, the chief features of which are the two Masonic columns or pillars, which sufficiently prove Bacon’s Masonic affiliations.

These two columns may be refound upon the title-page engraving of:

-Novum Organum, 1620, first edition
-Sylva Sylvarum, 1626-27
-Advancement of Learning, 1640

Golden Pillars

Hiram, King of Tyre, according to Menander, dedicated a pillar of gold to Jupiter, on the grand junction he had formed between Eurichorus and Tyre (Ios-con-Apion). In the Temple of Jupiter Triphylius, in the fabulous island of Panchaia, there was a golden bed of Jupiter six cubits in length and four in breadth, upon which there stood a golden column, and a chronicle of the actions of Uranus, Saturn and Jove was inscribed upon the column in Panchaian letters, or, as Diodorus says in another passage, in the sacred Egyptian letters.

The Two Pillars Of Solomon

Pillars or obelisks were often used to commemorate remarkable events in the private annals of nations. The wisdom of Solomon, therefore, induced him to construct a pair of commemorative pillars, and to place them at the entrance of the porch, for a reason which will shortly appear.

He called their names Jachin and Boaz, which signified strength and erection, and their union stability. The right hand pillar was named after Jachin, the son Simeon, and that on the left from Boaz, the great grandfather of David. Our traditions say that Hiram gave a name to one pillar and Solomon to the other.

Boaz referred to the Sun, because he rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course; and Jachin to the Moon, because it was predicted of Solomon that in his kingdom, peace and righteousness should flourish so long as the Sun and Moon endure. 1

137th Psalm

Bacon’s 137th translated Psalm in the Resuscitatio of 1671, gives part of the reception or rite of the degree of super-excellent master in cryptic Masonry:

When as we sat all sad and desolate
By Babylon upon the river’s side,
Eased from the tasks, which in our captive state
We were enforced daily to abide,
Our harps we had brought with us to the field
Some solace to our heavy souls to yield.

Mackey’s Cryptic Masonry 2 gives this verse as part of the reception into the degree mentioned, thus:

By Babel’s stream we sit and weep;
Our tears for Zion flow:
Our harps on drooping willows sleep;
Our hearts are filled with woe.

Cryptic Masonry

Is that division of the Masonic system which is directed to the investigation and cultivation of the Cryptic degrees. It is, literally, the Masonry of the secret vault. As a symbol, the Secret Vault does not present itself in the primary degrees of Masonry. It is found only in the high degrees, such as the Royal Arch of all the Rites, where it plays an important part. Dr. Oliver, in his Historical Landmarks, (vol. ii., p. 434,) gives, while referring to the building of the second Temple, the following general detail of the Masonic legend of this vault.

The foundations of the Temple were opened, and cleared from the accumulation of rubbish, that a level might be procured for the commencement of the building. While engaged in excavations for this purpose, three fortunate sojourners are said to have discovered our ancient stone of foundation, which had been deposited in the secret crypt by Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty, to prevent the communication of ineffable secrets to profane or unworthy persons.

The discovery having been communicated to the prince, prophet, and priest of the Jews, the stone was adopted as the chief corner-stone of the re-edified building, and thus became, in a new and more expressive sense, the type of a more excellent dispensation. An avenue was also accidentally discovered, supported by seven pair pillars, perfect and entire, which, from their situation, had escaped the fury of the flames that had consumed the Temple, and the desolation of war that had destroyed the city.

The secret vault, which had been built by Solomon as a secure depository for certain secrets that would inevitably have been lost without some such expedient for their preservation, communicated by a subterranean avenue with the King’s palace; but at the destruction of Jerusalem the entrance having been closed by the rubbish of falling buildings, it had been discovered by the appearance of a keystone amongst the foundations of the sanctum sanctorum. A careful inspection was then made, and the invaluable secrets were placed in safe custody.”

De Quincey writes:

“The two pillars, also, Jachin and Boaz (strength and power), which are amongst the memorable singularities in Solomon’s Temple, have an occult meaning to the Freemasons, which, however, I shall not undertake publicly to explain. This symbolic interest to the English Rosicrucians in the attributes, incidents and legends of the art exercised by the literal Masons of real life, naturally brought the two orders into some connection with each other.

They were thus enabled to realize to their eyes the symbols of their allegories; and the same building which accommodated the guild of builders in their professional meetings, offered a desirable means of secret assemblies to the early Freemasons.

An apparatus of implements and utensils such as were presented in the fabulous sepulchre of Father Rosycross, were here actually brought together. And accordingly, it is upon record that the first formal and solemn lodge of Freemasons, on occasion of which the very name of Freemasons was first publicly made known, was held in Mason’s Hall, Mason’s Alley, Basinghall Street, London, in the year 1646. 1

Into this lodge it was that Ashmole, the antiquary, was admitted. Private meetings there may doubtless have been before, and one at Warrington (half-way between Liverpool and Manchester) is expressly mentioned in the life of Ashmole; but the name of a Freemasons’ Lodge, with all the insignia, attributes and circumstances of a lodge, first came forward in the page of history on the occasion mentioned. It is, perhaps, in requital of the services at that time rendered in the loan of their hall, etc., that the guild of Masons as a body, and where they are not individually objectionable, enjoy a precedency of all orders of men in the light to admission, and pay only half fees.

Ashmole, by the way, whom I have just mentioned as one of the earliest Freemasons, appears from his writings to have been a zealous Rosicrucian.” 2