Among the Masonic devices depicted on the Leeds mug, exhibited at the Lodge of Research in November, 1921, are two pyramidal pillars or figures, surmounted by globes. The question was asked—What do they refer to? They have no resemblance to the two brazen pillars B. and J. as usually depicted. What then are they ?
After much thought and considering many possible origins, I have come to the conclusion, that they represent the two pillars mentioned in the Lamech legend. This legend may be found in many of the MSS, of the ** Old Charges.” The account varies considerably in the different MSS., but the following version of the legend, taken from the late Bro. G. W. Speth’s modernised transcript of the “ Matthew Cooke’ MS.,* (Brit. Mus. ; Add, MS. 23. 198), of about the first half of the fifteenth century, is as full as any.