Use of Masonry Terms In BB

Since we are talking about these images, I find that it helps to have a working understanding of stone masonry to understand what Bill says in each of these statements. I’m stealing these from Wikipedia and from my own knowledge:

“The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation; it is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.” So when Bill suggests that the question, “Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?” is the “cornerstone,” it means that all the other steps will be taken in relation (“in reference”) to the answer to this question. The cornerstone is, therefore, the first “foundation stone” laid, and all other stones are set in relation to the cornerstone. Once the cornerstone is set in place, it is possible to measure how straight and true the rest of the foundation stones are being laid.

“Foundation stones” are the stones upon which the rest of a stone or brick wall are built, set in line with the cornerstone. They tend to be the widest and strongest stones, since they bear the weight of the wall. The stability of the rest of the building is dependent on how well the foundation stones are set.

A “keystone” is a particularly odd shaped stone ­ it is the stone in the center or a stone or brick arch (for doors or windows in stone or brick walls). The keystone’s wedge­shape exerts equal force on the two halves of a stone or brick arch, preventing the

halves from collapsing. Each side of a stone arch is reinforced by the force directed to it by the keystone, allowing an arch to hold the weight of the stones above it. In the same way, the simple idea of a Higher Power as director, principal, and father is the center stone that holds up the rest of our arch of recovery.

“Mortar” is is a workable paste used to bind building blocks such as stone, brick, or concrete blocks together. It is usually made with sand, a “binder” like Portland cement, and water. When the water dries out, the cement and sand are bound together to each other and to the stones, bricks or blocks around them. Sand gives the cement binder additional strength; sand without cement would wash out from between bricks at the first rain. So “mortar without sand” or mortar where one has “skimped on the cement” would crumble easily, weakening a wall and allowing it to collapse regardless of how strong the foundation is, or how accurate and true the cut of the cornerstone is.