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Masonic Moment
An occasional e-mail designed to enlighten you in your Masonic Walk
Masonic Symbolism
Reflecting on when you received the Sublime Degree of Master Mason a number of Masonic Symbols were explained. In this series of excerpts from the Manual of Work, selected
emblems will be reviewed in no particular order. Enjoy!
5-20-05
THE
ANCHOR AND ARK
Are emblems
of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematic of that Divine Ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous
sea of troubles, and that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling and
where the weary shall find rest.
THE FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM OF EUCLID
Was an
invention of our ancient friend and brother, Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, and Europe, was initiated into
several orders of Priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. This wise Philosopher enriched his mind abundantly
in a general knowledge of things, more especially in Geometry or Masonry. On this subject he drew out many problems and theorems;
and among the most distinguished he originated this, when, in the joy of his heart, he exclaimed, “Eureka” meaning
“I have found it”; and upon the discovery, is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb.
5-6-05
Today We Look at two more emblems
from the Master Mason’s Degree
THE
POT OF INCENSE
Is an emblem of a Pure Heart,
which is always and acceptable sacrifice to Deity; and as it glows with fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow
with gratitude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence, for the manifold
blessings and comforts we enjoy.
THE
BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS GUARDED BY THE TILER’S SWORD
Reminds
us that we should ever be watchful and guarded in our words and actions, particularly when before the enemies of Masonry;
ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection.
4-23-05
THE BEE HIVE
Is an emblem
of Industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest Seraph
in Heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational
and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones, never sitting down contented while
our fellow creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience
to ourselves.
When we
take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy more helpless and indigent than the brute creation; he lies languishing for days,
months and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, or guarding against the attacks of the wild beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies
of the weather. It might have pleased the Great Creator of Heaven and Earth to have made man independent of his fellowman and all other beings; but as dependence
is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they thereby enjoy better opportunities of
fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship.
Thus was
man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God; and he that will so demean himself as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and practical philanthropy, may be deemed a Drone in the Hive of Nature, a useless member
of society, and unworthy of our protection and respect as Masons.
4-20-05
Masonic Moment for 4-20-05
From The “Pre-Degree Booklet”
‘Taking The First Step’
The Postulant
In Freemasonry, as was the case in the ancient mysteries, an individual desiring to become a member is required at
the beginning to assume the role of a postulant, meaning one who asks for something, that is a searcher
or a seeker. Thus the applicant for the Masonic degrees comes “of his own free will and accord” seeking
the light of knowledge which Freemasonry has to offer. He agrees, in return for the privilege of becoming a Mason, to submit
to the rules and requirements of the Fraternity. He must recognize at the outset that, in making such an agreement he is but
following the example of countless thousands who have gone before him. They, too, have been earnest seekers after the truth
and have been convinced in advance that their labors should not go un-rewarded.
In this frame of mind, with no other objective in view and possessed of no other motives, the postulant should approach
the Masonic sanctuary. Let him remember that Masonry and each of its Lodges is dedicated to God, as the Supreme Architect
of the Universe; that we endeavor to make each Lodge a dwelling place of the Most High; and that every Mason is bound, in
the practice of his profession, to obey the moral law in the strictest sense.
4-17-05
A recent search on the internet revealed to me a great number of sites devoted to Masonic Themes. One such site has a listing
of most if not all of the appendant bodies of Masonry.
Herewith is that list.
Craft Masonry –
Your Blue Lodge and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Degrees
The York Rite –
Further Degrees in Masonic Teachings
The Royal Arch – 4 Further Degrees in Masonry & a part of The York Rite
Cryptic Masonry – 4 Further Degrees in Masonry & a part of The York Rite
Knight Templar –
A Branch of Masonry that holds to the Christian doctrine
The York Rite College – Membership is by invitation to York Rite Members
Red Cross of Constantine
– Highly honored invitational York Rite membership
The Scottish Rite
– 4th, through the 32nd Degrees of Masonry
The Lodge of Perfection
- the 4th through the 14th Degrees – Part 1 of the Scottish Rite
Chapter of Rose Croix
– 15th through 18th Degrees - Part 2 of the Scottish Rite
Council of Kadosh
– 19th through the 30th Degrees - Part 3 of the Scottish Rite
The Consistory –
31st and 32nd Degrees – Final portion of the Scottish Rite
Order Of The Amaranth
– Composed of Masons and qualified female relatives
Daughters Of The Nile
– A benevolent organization of female relatives of Shriners
Order of Demolay
– Predecessor of the Masons for ages 12 ~ 21
The Order of the Eastern
Star – Appendant Body to Masonry for Ladies and Men
The Grotto - There are about 201 Grottoes in the United States and Canada and with an emphasis
on the Craft Lodge field.
Knight Templar Priests
- An invitational organization with membership limitations.
Jobs Daughters -
The purpose of the Order is to band together young girls with Masonic
relationship.
Rainbow Girls - A junior organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20
Royal Order of Scotland
– Alludes to a group of 36 knights who may have been original
Templars and Freemasons
The Philalethes Society
– Is a Masonic Research Society & means lover of truth
The Shriners –
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Noble of the Mystic Shrine
Masonic Rosicrucianism
– Membership, which is by invitation, is predicated on Masonic affiliation and Christianity.
Tall Cedars of Lebanon
– a Masonic-related organization - provide assistance to The Muscular Dystrophy Association
For further elaboration on these
appendant bodies of Masonry see;
http://www.thelodgeroom.com/bodies.html
4-15-05
From: A Bridge To Light
By Rex R. Hutchens
Masonry is useful to all men:
to the learned, because it affords them the opportunity of exercising their talents upon subjects eminently worthy of their
attention; to the illiterate, because it offers them important instruction; to the young, because it presents them with
salutary precepts and good examples, and accustoms them to reflect on the proper mode of living; to the man of the world,
whom it furnishes with noble and useful recreation; to the traveler, whom it enables to find friends and brothers in countries
where else he would be isolated and solitary; to the worthy man in misfortune, to whom it gives assistance; to the afflicted,
on whom it lavishes consolation; to the charitable man, whom it enables to do more good, by uniting with those who are charitable
like himself; and to all who have souls capable of appreciating its importance, and of enjoying the charms of a friendship
founded on the same principles of religion, morality, and philanthropy.
Albert Pike
Big Creek, Arkansas
1865
3-25-05 thru 4-9-05
THE CARDINAL VIRTUES a
Four Part Series
As Reprinted from
The Manual of Work
Grand
Lodge of Virginia AF&AM
THE
CARDINAL VIRTUES
There
are four Perfect Points and essential Cardinal Virtues
necessary
to complete the lesson of instructions to every Initiate into the Philosophy
of Masonry.
TEMPERANCE
Is
that due restraint upon our affections and passions, which renders
the
body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the
allurements
of vice. This virtue should be the constant practice of
every
Mason, as he is thereby taught to avoid excess or contracting
any
vicious or licentious habit, the indulgence of which he has
promised
to conceal and never reveal, and which would subject him
to
contempt and detestation of all good Masons.
FORTITUDE
Is that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger, when prudentially
deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from cowardice and rashness, and, like the former, should be deeply impressed
upon the mind of every Mason, as a safeguard or security against any illegal attack that might be made by force or otherwise
to extort from him any of those valuable secrets with which he has been entrusted, and which was emblematically represented
to you upon your first admission into the Lodge.
PRUDENCE
Teaches us to regulate our lives
agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is the habit by which we wisely judge, and prudentially determine in all things relative
to our present as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every Mason, not only
for the government of his conduct while in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world. It should be particularly attended
to in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least expression or hint whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might
be unlawfully obtained.
JUSTICE
Is
that standard or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. This virtue
is not only consistent with Divine human laws, but is the very cement and support of all civil society; and as justice in
a great measure constitutes the really good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Mason, never to deviate
from the minutest principle thereof.
3-20-05
Examination for Visitation
The
Right of Masonic Visitation is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Freemasonry. Visiting with other Brethren of like mind
reassures us that the conflicts of the world can be set aside, if only briefly, and a neighbor, friend or Traveler can present
to us, an opportunity to spread the cement of Brotherly Love.
Along with the Right of Visitation comes the responsibility of standing examination.
Producing a dues card is not the only requirement for attending a lodge in which you may be unknown. When visiting as a sojourning
Mason you should be ready to stand examination. The master of the Lodge or his acting representative must be informed of your
presence, that an examining committee may be formed.
Every brother should be prepared to take the Tiler’s Oath and give the necessary signs, tokens and words as requested.
The Committee is the sole judge of the scope of the examination and it may range from one which is brief to one which is complete.
You should also satisfy yourself that the lodge which you are visiting is a regularly charted Lodge holden under the Grand
Lodge of the state in which it is located.
Visiting or Traveling, as it were, to other Lodges in especially enjoyable when accomplished with a Brother. Oft times dinner
is served, further encouraging fellowship. And likewise, visiting other Lodges encourages visitation in your own.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia
AF&AM – Master Mason’s Degree Booklet
For more information go to: http://home.earthlink.net/~ole14/id19.html
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