What are the working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason?
The working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason are the Twenty-four Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel. These tools are not merely for physical labor but serve as symbols for moral and ethical lessons in Freemasonry.
The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is used to measure and divide the day into portions for work, rest, and service to God and fellow Masons. It teaches us to divide our time wisely, ensuring we dedicate ourselves to our duties and responsibilities. Specifically, it is emblematical of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts: eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, eight for our usual vocations, and eight for refreshment and sleep.
On the other hand, the Common Gavel is used to chip off all superfluous inequalities from rough stones. Symbolically, it represents the duty of the Entered Apprentice to divest himself of vice and imperfection, shaping his character into a more perfect and useful member of society. Thus, these tools are integral to the spiritual and moral development of the Mason.