A lecture on the various rituals of Freemasonry from the 10th Century by Reverend G Oliver DD pass dpgm brought to you by Masonic audiobook Library Freemasonry is a moral order instituted by virtuous men with the praiseworthy design of recalling to our remembrance the most Sublime truths in the midst of
The most innocent and social Pleasures founded on liberality brotherly love and charity Brethren it is rather late in life for me to appear before a lodge of intelligent masons in the capacity of a lecturer and it is only the respect I entertain for masonry that could induce
Me to do so and even under the influence of that feeling I should scarcely have ventured to solicit your attendance this evening if I had not been under an impression that I could tell you something which is not generally known to the fraternity indeed I am satisfied
From the general tenor of my Masonic correspondence that there are many brethren in England who would travel over half the island and think themselves well paid for their trouble to acquire the information I am now about to communicate to you not only on the ancient rituals but on various signs
Tokens and observances used by the fraternity many years ago and now entirely forgotten during the last century several revisions of the ritual took place each being an improvement on its predecessor and all based on the Primitive Masonic lecture which was drawn up in the 10th century and attached to the York constitutions
This lecture to which I shall first call your attention was in dogal Ryme a kind of composition which was very popular amongst our Saxon ancestors in the time of athl stain about the latter end of the 14th century it was carefully translated from the Saxon for the use of
The York Grand Lodge and the MS of that date is now in the British museum this invaluable document contains copious rules and regulations for the observance of The Craft and is so curious that I shall give you a specimen of it to show the unchangeable character
Of the order it thus describes the duty of the master the first article of good masonry shows that the master must surely be both steadfast trusty and also true his place he never then shall rule he must neither for love nor dread of neither party to take me whether he Lord
Or fellow be of him to take no kind of fee but as a judge to stand stand upright and then his conduct will be bright it speaks thus of an e a p the master shall not for any Vantage make an apprentice under age and as you may
Plainly hear he must have his limbs both whole and fair for to the craft it were great shame to make a halfman and a lame for a man of Tainted blood would do the craft but little good this was a primitive observance amongst the craft for in the Constitutions of athl stain
The EAP was solemnly enjoined his master’s counsel to keep close lest he his confidence should lose the secrets of Brethren tell To None nor out of the lodge what there is done whatever you hear the master say be sure thou never do betray lest it cause in thee much
Blame and bring the craft to public shame here also we find the origin of a clause in our present Master Mason’s obligation it charges thee upon thy life not to corrupt thy Master’s wife nor thy fellows concubine as thou wouldst not have him do by thine full mckel care
Might thus begin from such a foul and deadly sin the obligation was thus constructed the 14th point is full good law to him that would be under awe a solemn oath he needs must swear to his master and fellows hat be there to be both steadfast and true also to all
These laws wherever he go and to his leeg Lord the king to be true above all other things th thus did our ancient Brethren lecture 800 years ago establishing a series of landmarks which are not yet overthrown in the reign of Edward I 3D a. 1357 the decrees of the
Order ran in the following form that for the future at the making or admission of a brother the ancient constitutions and charges shall be read that when the master and wardens preside in a lodge the sheriff if need be or the mayor or the alderman if a brother where the
Chapter is held shall be soate to the master that the fellowcraft shall travel honestly for their pay and love their fellows as themselves and that all shall be true to the king to the realm and to the lodge that if any of the fraternity should be fractious mutinous or
Disobedient to the Master’s orders and after proper admonition should persist in his Rebellion he shall forfeit all claims to the rights benefits and privileges of a true and faithful brother these charges conclude with the words so M it be the first catechism formula was introduced by Grandmaster
Sir Christopher Ren about the year 1685 and was called an examination it was very concise and might be gone through in 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour the obligation was short and simple and had no penalty for that which is now used as a penalty formed a portion of the
Examination as thus which is the point of your entry I hear and conceal under the penalty of having my throat cut or my tongue pulled out of my head I am inclined to think that Freemasonry at this time had only one degree you would probably like to hear a
Few passages from Sir Christopher’s ritual it commence thus Q peace be to all here a I hope there will Q what o’clock is it a it’s going to 6 or going to 12 Q are you very busy a no Q will you give or take a both or which you
Please Q how go squares a straight Q are you rich or poor a neither Q change me that the sign a I will Q what is a Mason a a man begot by a man born of a woman brother to a King fellow to a prince Q
In the Name of the King and holy church are you a Mason a I am so received and accepted Q where were you made a Mason a in a just and perfect Lodge Q how many make a lodge a God and the square with five or seven right and perfect Masons
On the highest mountains or the lowest valleys in the world Q where is the Master’s point a at the East window waiting the rising of the sun to set his men to work Q how is the meridian found out Q when the sun leaves the South and
Breaks in at the West End Of The Lodge this will be sufficient to show you in what Manner the Brethren worked 180 years ago the craft at that time had a series of signs to make themselves known to each other as Masons which are now Obsolete and I introduced them here as a
Matter of curiosity when meeting in the street they saluted each other by raising their hat with the thumb and two fingers only sometimes they would strike the inside of the little finger of the left hand three times with the four finger of the right or rub their right
Eye three times with two fingers or they would take up a stone and ask what it smells of the correct answer to which was neither of brass iron or any other metal but of a Mason Q what is your name a EAP P Lewis or caution a fc geometry
Or Square a MM cassia or Gabon Q how old are you aeap under seven years amm above seven years when in a mixed company the token was to turn down their glass after drinking and if anyone saw a brother misconduct himself he exhibited his disgust by placing his open right hand
On his upper lip which served as a check to further indiscretion the operative Fraternity in these ages had certain private signals which must have been very convenient for instance if a master wanted one of his workmen from the top of a steeple he would catch his eye and
Then touch the calf of his right leg if from any other part of the Church the left ankle if from any secular edifice he put his right hand behind his back if he wanted a man at the house of rendevu he put his left hand behind there were
Many others of a similar nature which are now obsolete as masonry increased in popularity under the patronage of noble and influential Grand Masters during the 18th century many improvements were made on the Primitive ritual at different periods the Reformation was commenced by brothers desagulier and Anderson about
The year 1720 and their ritual mentions for the first time a master’s part there was no Master’s part before 1720 and here also the obligation is accompanied by the penalty but not a syllable is mentioned about a substituted word on the contrary it asserts that the Lost
Word was actually found I shall give you specimens of this formula in each of the three degrees merely premising that in those days the office of Deacon was unknown entered apprentices degree Q where stands the senior EAP a in the South Q what is his business a to hear
And receive instructions and welcome strange Brothers Q where stands the junior EAP a in the north Q what is his business a to keep out all cowens and eavesdroppers Q if a Cowen or a listener is catched how is he to be punished a to be placed under the eaves of the house
In rainy weather till the water runs in at his shoulders and out at his heels Q what do you learn by being an operative Mason a to Hue Square mold Stone lay a level and raise a perpendicular Q what do you learn by being a gentleman Mason
A secrecy morality and good Fellowship Q have you seen a master today a I have q how was he clothed a in a yellow jacket and blue pair of britches fellow crafts degree Q how high was the door of the Middle Chamber a so high that a Cowen
Could not reach to stick a pin into it Q when you came to the Middle Chamber what did you see a the resemblance of the letter G Q what did that g denote a one that’s greater than you Q who is greater than I that am a free and accepted Mason and
Master of a lodge a the grand architect and builder of the universe or he that was taken up to the top of the Pinnacle of the Holy Temple Master Mason’s degree Q from when came you a from the East Q where are you going a to the West Q what are you going
To do there a to seek for that which was lost and is now found Q what is that which was lost and is now found a the master Mason’s word q what is the name of a Master Mason a cassia is my name from a just and perfect Lodge I came a
Master Mason raised most rare from the diamond ashler to the square the next reviser of the ritual was Martin cla a deputy Grand Master and he executed his task so much to the satisfaction of the Grand Lodge that his lectures were ordered to be used by all the Brethren
Within the limits of its jurisdiction in accordance with this command we find the officers of the Grand Lodge setting an example in the provinces and in an old minate book of a lodge in Lincoln dated 1734 of which sir cile Ray the deputy provincial master was the master there
Are a series of entries through successive Lodge nights to the following effect that two or more sections as the case might be of Martin Clair’s lectures were read when the master gave an elegant charge went through an examination and the lodge was closed with songs and decent Mart the following
Extract from these lectures may be acceptable Q what is the covering of a masonic lodge a a Celestial canopy of divers colors Q how do we hope to arrive at it a by the help of a ladder Q what is it called in scripture a Jacob’s
Ladder Q how many rounds or staves in that latter a rounds or staves innumerable each indicating a moral virtue but three principal ones called faith hope and charity Q describe them a faith in Christ hope in Salvation and to live in charity with all mankind Q where
Does that latter reach to a to the heavens Q what does it rest upon a the holy book 30 years after the great schism which split the society into two divisions conventionally distinguished as ancient and modern viz in 1770 bro dunkerly was commissioned by the Grand Lodge to compile an improved ritual in
All the three degrees which he accomplished to the universal satisfaction of the fraternity for bro dunkerly was a very distinguished Mason in his version The three principal steps of the Masonic ladder were referred to the Christian doctrine of the three states of the Soul first in its Tabernacle the body as an illustration
Of Faith then after Death in Paradise as the fruits of Hope hope and lastly when reunited to the body and Glory about The Throne of God as the sacred seat of universal charity the original hint at a circle in parallel lines as important symbols of the order has been ascribed
To him here the doctrine of a substituted word was formally announced for the true word had been transferred to the Royal Arch which he introduced into the Grand Lodge as a legitimate degree of masonry as a specimen of his lecture take the following extract Q how do masons know each other
In the day a by seeing a brother and observing the sign Q how in the night a by feeling the token and hearing the word q how blows a Mason’s wind a favorably due east and west Q for what purpose a to cool and refresh the men go
At and from their labor Q what does it further allude to a to those miraculous winds which first blew East and then West and proved so essential in working the happy Deliverance of the children of Israel from their Egyptian bondage and also the overthrow of pharaoh and his
Host in their attempt to follow Q what time is it a high time Q bro J W what is to be done at High Time a to call the men from labor to refreshment to see that they keep within hail and come on again in due time that the master may
Have pleasure and profit thereby I pass over the lectures of calcott and Hutchinson because they were not adapted to Lodge practice the exemplifications of York Masonry were completed by the celebrated bro Preston who constructed a ritual which contains a satisfactory survey of the system as it was
Undoubtedly used by the York lodges in 1777 when the lodge of antiquity of which bro Preston was a past Master seceded from the London Grand Lodge and avowed an alliance with the Grand Lodge at York besides which Preston was initiated in a York Lodge and therefore became thoroughly master of all the
Details as practiced by both sections of the fraternity his ritual was very carefully constructed and as might reasonably be anticipated from a bro of his Masonic learning and research it contained a lucid exemplification of the ceremonies doctrines Legends and symbolical Machinery of all the three degrees and it is to be regretted that
Some of its most valuable illustrations were omitted by Dr Heming and his Associates when the ritual was reconstructed by The Lodge of reconciliation in 1814 for instance the prestonian lecture gave the following beautiful definition of masonry which is now lost to the craft Q what is masonry a the study of
Science and the practice of virtue Q what is its object a to rectify our conduct by its Sublime morality to render us happy in our zes and useful to society Q what is the ground or plan of masonry a instruction Q why do you consider it to
Be such a because men are never too wise to learn Q hat will a wise man do to obtain it a he will seek knowledge Q what will a wise Mason do a he will do more for he will never rest till he finds it Q where does he expect to find
It a in the East Q why does he expect to find it there a because man was there created in the image of his maker there also the holy gospel originated knowledge and learning were were promulgated and Arts and Sciences flourished I now proceed without further preface to a categorical examination of
The Preston Lin ritual compared with the Union lectures now in use merely premising that this learned bro divided each degree into sections and subdivided each section into Clauses this Arrangement was adopted as a convenient help to memory according to this plan a portion of the lecture was delivered
Each Lodge night not always by the master but by certain Brethren who undertook the office of sections and clous holders which relieved the chair of much Labour without being burdensome to the Brethren as it would require a very slight application for any one member to become acquainted with a
Single Clause I shall confine myself to the first section of the EAP lecture which consists of six comprehensive Clauses Each of which I will will not only repeat but explain this section as the lecture expresses it is suited to all capacities and ought to be known by
Every person who wishes to rank as a Mason it consists of General heads which though they be short and simple will be found to carry weight with them they not only serve as marks of Distinction but communicate useful and interesting knowledge when they are duly investigated they qualify us to try and
Examine the rights of others to our privileges while they demonstrate our own claim and as they induce us to inquire minutely into other particulars of Greater importance they serve as a proper introduction to subjects which are more amply explained in the following sections the first Clause consisting of three questions and
Answers only was thus concisely expressed Q bro s w where did you and I first meet a on the level Q Where do we hope to part A on the Square Q why so a as Masons we ought always to do so with all mankind but more particularly with obligated
Brethren this opening Clause requires a passing remark because many persons have founded upon it a clause against us to the effect that we are levelers that Freemasonry by abolishing all human distinctions would disorganize society and reduce it to its primitive elements but it does no such thing on the
Contrary there is no other existing institution in this country where the grades of rank are better defined and were nor correctly preserved for instance look around the lodge the WM sits in the east as a governor invested with power even to despotism if he should consider it safe to use it and
The wardens in the west and south are his assistants not his equals each has a particular Duty assigned to him and beyond that he has no right to interfere the next grade are the deacons and what is their Duty not surely to rank inequality with the WM and wardens but
To perform the part of inferiors in Office to carry m messages and commands it is their Province to attend on the WM and to assist the wardens in the active duties of the lodge such as the reception of candidates into the different degrees and the practice of other important rights and
Ceremonies this is the business of the deacons and by its punctual discharge the office becomes a stepping stone to further preferment for as it is incumbent on a bro to serve the office of a warden before he can attain to the chair of a lodge so it ought to be
Incumbent on a warden to have passed through the grade of a deacon although it is not absolutely required by the Constitutions of masonry such are the gradations of rank in a Mason’s Lodge and accordingly the other officers have their respective duties to perform and rank to support while the floor members
Are bound to obey implicitly the commands of the WM what is there in all this which tends to the destruction of order in society surely nothing how then are we said to meet on the level why thus because our occupations are distinguished by the most perfect brotherly love when the lodge is open
The Brethren as Brethren whatever be their diversity of external rank are equal and in process working the lodge each Bears the burden assigned to him by the WM in the pursuit of that common object the acquisition of useful knowledge but when the lodge is closed
And The Jewels put by we part on the Square each individual idual resumes his rank in society and honor is given to whom honor is due the second Clause runs thus Q from whence come you a from the West Q wither going a to the east Q what
Induced you to leave the west and go to the east a in search of a master and of him to gain instruction Q who are you that want instruction a a free and accepted Mason there is something apparently anomalous in this clause which I shall point out the Masonic Tyro
Is said to travel from the West to the east in search of instruction now another statement in the same section as we shall soon see affirms that he comes from the holy Lodge of St John which Masonic tradition places at Jerusalem and consequently Eastward as regards this country and therefore he would in
Reality travel from east to west and not from west to east as is stated in the Clause the fact is that this passage refers simply to the a candidate at his initiation advancing from west to east by 12 irregular steps irregular from the situation he was then in being entirely
Ignorant where he was going but alluding to 12 regular steps consisting of eight lines and angles and morally teaching upright lines and well squared actions the third Clause Q what kind of man ought a free and accepted Mason to be a a free man born of a free woman brother
To Kings and companion to princes if Masons Q why free a that the vicious habits of slavery might not contaminate the true principles on which masonry is founded q a second reason a because the Masons who were chosen to build King Solomon’s Temple were declared free and Exempted
From all imposts duties and taxes afterwards when this Temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar the Good Will of Cyrus gave them permission to erect a second temple he having set them at liberty for that purpose it is from this Epoch that we bear the name of free
And accepted masons Q why brother to Kings and companion to princes a a king in the lodge is reminded that although a crown May Adorn his head and a scepter his hand the blood in his veins is derived from the common parent of mankind and is no
Better than that of the meanest subject the Statesman the senator and the artist are there taught that equally with others they are by Nature exposed to infirmity and disease and that an unforeseen Misfortune or a disordered frame May impair their faculties and level them with the most ignorant of
Their species this cheeks pride and incites courtesy of behavior men of inferior talents who are not placed by fortune in such exalted stations are instructed in the lodge to regard their superiors with peculiar esteem when they discover them voluntarily divested of the trappings of external Grandeur and condescending in the badge of innocence
And bond of friendship to trace wisdom and follow virtue assisted by those who are of a rank beneath them virtue is true nobility and wisdom is the channel by which virtue is directed and conveyed wisdom and virtue only Mark distinction among Masons Q whence originated the phrase
Born of a free woman a at the grand festival which was given by Abraham at the weaning of his son Isaac afterwards when Sarah the wife of Abraham beheld Ishmael the son of Hagar the Egyptian bondor teasing and perplexing her son she remonstrated with Abraham saying put
Away that Bond woman and her son for such as they cannot inherit with the Freeborn she spoke as being endowed with divine inspiration well knowing that if the lads were brought up together is ISAC might embibe some of ishmael’s slavish principles it being universally acknowledged that the minds of slaves
Are much more contaminated than those of the Freeborn Q why those equalities amongst Freemasons a we are all equal by our creation but much more so by the strength of Our obligation this clause which I consider most important to Freemasonry has been entirely suppressed in the last revision of the lectures to
Show its value I may briefly remark that it enumerates the requisites which constitute the character of a Mason records the historical fact which conferred on the order The Honorable title of free and accepted it illustrates the universal Bond of Brotherhood and specifies the principal links in the Masonic chain including all
The grades of Rank by which Civil Society is cemented and held together thus evincing that the true nature of masonic equality does not arise merely from creation as the children of a common parent but more particularly from the strength of the Masonic obligation the clause also includes another
Historical fact of great importance to demonstrate and explain why it was considered necessary that a candidate for masonry should be able to declare that he is the son of a free woman a privilege to which as Masons as subjects of a state whose institutions are free and beneficent we may refer with honest
Pride and perfect satisfaction the fourth Clause Q from what particular part of the world do you come a from the holy Lodge of St John of Jerusalem Q what recommendation have you brought then a a recommendation from the WM officers and Brethren of that RW and holy Lodge who greet you thrice heartily
In the formula used ad 1720 we find the passage thus expressed RW the m and fellows of the HL of St John from whence I come greet you greet you greet you thrice welcome Brothers Q Q any other recommendation a hearty good wishes Q since you brought no other
Recommendation what came you here to do a not my own will and pleasure but to learn to rule and govern my passions to be obedient to the Master’s will to keep a tongue of good report to practice secrecy and make further progress in the study of Freemasonry this Clause has been
Introduced to illustrate the subordination necessary to ensure the observance of strict discipline in the lodge during the progress of Freemasonry since the Revival in 1717 it has undergone many alterations in the examination of Sir Christopher Ren it was thus expressed Q what lodge are you
Of a The Lodge of St John symbolized by the triangle and cross Q how does it stand a perfect East and West as all churches and chapels do Q how many angles in a St John’s Lodge a four bordering on squares each containing 90° the ritual of desagulier and
Anderson exhibits this variety Q from whence come you a from the holy Lodge of St John Q what recommendation brought you from then a the recommendation which I brought from the RW and W brothers and fellows of the Holy Lodge of St John from whence I came was to greet you
Thrice heartily well Q what do you come here to do a not to do my proper will but to subdue my passion still the rules of masonry in hand to take and Daily Progress therein to make Q are you a Mason a I am so taken and accepted to be amongst brothers and
Fellows in the United States it is given thus bro SW from whence come you as an EAP Mason a from a holy Lodge of the Holy St John’s at Jerusalem Q what came you here to do a to learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in
Masonry Q you are a Mason then I conclude a I am so taken and accepted among brothers and fellows Q how do you know you are a Mason a by being often tried and never denied and ready and willing to be tried again at the present time the passage is considerably
Abridged Q what motiv introduction have you to recommend yourself to the notice of a Mason a a salute of respect to the master in the chair Q any other recommendation a a hearty salute to all under his Direction Q for what purpose came you hither a to regulate my conduct
Correct my passions and make a progress in masonry these variations embrace the common object of teaching courtesy and brotherly kindness which could never be affected if every member of a lodge were to do that that only which is right in his own eyes confusion and disorder would undoubtedly follow such a practice
But he has something in view of a higher character than this which indeed is the real secret of masonry even the Improvement of his mind the government of his passions the regulation of his discourse by a tongue of good report and in a word to make due progress in the
Philosophy and science of the order the fifth Clause Q how do you know yourself to be a Mason a by having been examined and approved well reported of and regularly initiated into the order Q how will you convince me that you are a Mason a by signs tokens and perfect
Points of entrance Q what are signs a all squares angles levels and perpendiculars are good and sufficient signs to know Masons by Q what purpose do they serve a to distinguish a mason in the light Q what are tokens a certain friendly and brotherly words and grips
Which distinguish a mason in the dark as well as in the light Q will you give me the points of entrance a give me the first and I will give you the second q i h a i conceal Q what do you conceal a all secrets and Mysteries belonging to
Freemasons and masonry except it be to a true and lawful brother for his caution q but as I Am The Examiner you may safely reveal to me the points of entrance a of at and on Q of at and on what a of my own free will and Accord at
The door of the lodge and on the point of a Sharp Implement Q when were you made a Mason a when the sun was at its due Meridian Q how do you account for that as Masons are generally made in the evening a the Earth being spherical the
Sun is always at its du Meridian in one part of the globe or another q where were you made a Mason a in a just and perfect Lodge Q what is a lodge a an assemblage of Brethren well met to expatiate on the mysteries of the craft
With the book Square and Compasses the book of constitutions and a warrant empowering them to act Q when met what makes them just a the holy book Q what makes a lodge perfect a the number 7 Q under what denomination a one master two wardens two fellow crafts and the rest
May be entered apprentices Q what makes it regular a the charter the warrant and the Constitutions Q why so a the first is the acknowledgement of our meetings forms and ceremonies by the laws of our country the second is the ancient and legal authority of the Grand Master and
The third is the sanction of the Grand Lodge Q by whom were you made a Mason a by the WM assisted by the wardens and Brethren this is a clause of landmarks and very essential to be understood although it is differently given at the present time I must however observe that
The prepositions of at and on which Dr Heming has retained are improperly said to include the whole ceremony of initiation which they certainly do not I rather prefer a beautiful illustration which was used half a century ago and ought not to have been a in the modem ritual because it actually does include
The whole ceremony of initiation it ran thus Q how many original and perfect points have we in masonry a 12 Q name them a opening preparing reporting entering prayer circumambulation advancing obligation entrusting investing situation and closing the 12 original and perfect points in masonry in use in the ancient lectures were one
Opening Ruben two preparing Simeon 3 reporting Levi four entering Judah five prayer Zebulon six circum ulation isachar seven advancing Dan 8 obligation Gad nine entrusting Asher 10 investing naftali 11 situation Joseph also known as manasse or Ephron 12 closing Benjamin Q why are they called Original and perfect points a because they constitute
The basis of the whole system of masonry and without which no one ever was or ever can be legally received into the order every person who is made a Mason must go through all these 12 forms and ceremonies not only in the first degree but in all subsequent ones the
Explanation of these 12 points of entrance which formed the Creed of our ancient Brethren many years ago is much more extensive and too long for introduction towards the close of a lecture if L were duly authorized to revise the ritual I should certainly restore much of the passage although not
Perhaps in this introductory portion I now proceed to the sixth and last Clause of the first section of the EAP lecture Q have Masons any secrets a they have many valuable ones Q Where do they keep them a in their hearts Q to whom do they
Reveal them a to none but brothers and fellows known to be such on due trial proof and examination or in the body of a just and lawful Lodge Q how do they reveal them a by the help of a key Q does that key hang or lie a it hangs and
Does not lie Q where does it hang a within an arch of bone Q what does it hang by a the thread of life in the passage of entrance 9 in or a span long Q why is it so nearly connected with the heart a the tongue being the index of
The mind it ought to utter nothing but what the heart truly dictates Q to solve this Masonic mystery can you tell me what manner of metal this key is composed of a no metal at all it is a tongue of good report which ought always
To speak as well of a brother in his absence as in his presence and when that cannot be done with honor Justice or propriety that adopts the distinguishing virtue of a Mason Q what virtue is that a silence or secrecy of all the Arts which Masons possess silence or secrety is that which
Particularly recommends them tacum is a proof of wisdom and is allowed to be of the utmost importance in the different transactions of Life the best writers have declared it to be an art of inestimable value and that it is agreeable to the deity himself may be easily conceived from the Glorious
Example which he gives in concealing from mankind the secrets of his Providence the wisest of men cannot Pride cry into the Arcana of Heaven nor can they Divine today what tomorrow may bring forth the ancient rituals exhibit some Curious variations of this clause in the examination of Sir Christopher
Ren the illustration ran thus Q have you the key of the lodge a yes I have q what is its virtue a to open and shut and to shut and open q where do you keep it a an ivory box between my tongue and my teeth or within my heart where all my
Secrets are kept Q have you a chain to the key a yes I have q how long is it a from my tongue to my heart daier made a slight alteration and exemplified it in this manner Q what are the secrets of a Mason a signs tokens and many words q
Where do you keep these secrets a under my left breast Q have you any key to these secrets a yes Q where do you keep it a in a bone box that neither opens nor shuts but with Ivory Keys Q does it hang or does it lie a it hangs Q what
Does it hang by a a toe line 9 in or a span Q what metal is it of a no manner of metal at all but a tongue of good report is as good behind his back as before his face at the present day it is
Thus given as you all know Q by what means is any further conversation held a by means of a key equally regular in its construction and in its operation Q where is this key found a within an arch of bone Q where does it lie a it does
Not lie it is suspended Q why so a that it might be always ready to perform its office and never to betray its trust through negligence Q what is is it suspended by a the threat of Life Q why so nearly connected with the heart a to
Lock its secrets from the Unworthy and to open its Treasures to the deserving Q of what is this key composed a it is not composed of metal nor formed by any mortal art Q explain this mystery a it is a tongue of good report ever ready to protect never to betray Q
What are its distinguishing characteristics a to defend the interests of a brother in his absence to speak favorably of him if truth will permit and when that cannot be done with propriety to adopt the Mason’s peculiar virtue silence in the modern tracing board this emblem which constitutes an immovable
Landmark is most unaccountably and improperly omitted the key is one of the most important symbols of Freemasonry and ought to be prominently kept in view to the uninitiated or imperfectly taught Mason it Bears the appearance of an inanimate metal instrument whose use is obviously confined to the performance of
One simple act and is applied masonically as the Insignia of the treasurer but the well-instructed brother views it with a different eye he beholds in it the member which according to its use and application is the greatest blessing or the greatest curse to man if improperly used it is a fire a
World of iniquity untameable an unruly evil full of deadly poison it defileth the whole body as an inspired Apostle asserts it sth on fire the course of Nature and is set on fire of hell this mass of evil the consideration of our Masonic key is entrusted to correct for it represents not a
Slanderous tongue but a tongue of good report which will always hang in a Brother’s defense and never lie to his Prejudice or in other words we speak as well of a brother in his absence as as in his presence because when present he is able to defend himself and if
Unfortunately that cannot be done with propriety to adopt the distinguishing virtue of the science for where Candor cannot come in then silence will at least avoid reproach this section of the EAP lecture contains a beautiful display of the purest morality what indeed can be more estimable than the spirit of
Brotherly Love which is here inculcated can anything have a more direct tendency to promote the glory of God peace on Earth and Good Will towards men this is the use and end the golden rule of Freemasonry consider abstractedly the moral which it teaches it instructs you as Brethren to dwell together in unity
It teaches you to imitate the innocence of the lamb and the peacefulness of the dove and to let the head the tongue and the heart be United as they ought to promote each other’s welfare and to rejoice in each other’s Prosperity it admonishes you to be candid to a
Brother’s faults and never to condemn until you are thoroughly convinced of his unworthiness and even then to adopt this Golden Rule always speak well of a brother if you speak of him at all but if you cannot do so with strict Justice say nothing this while it gives him an
Opportunity to repent and retrieve his reputation will contribute to your own peace of mind and you will thus avoid those dissensions and disputes which are never creditable and often dangerous thus I conclude my lecture if it has a afforded you any information or instruction I shall feel myself amply repaid for my
Exertions variations in the ritual in the year 1720 the following questions and answers occur Q Where does the MM stand a in the w q where does the FC a in the s q why so a to heal and conceal give instruction and welcome strange Brothers Q Where does the EAP
Stand a in the n q why so a to heal and conceal to receive instruction and to strengthen the lodge Q what is the form of the lodge a an oblong Square Q why so a the manner of our Great Master Ham’s grave n b this is the only mention of
Hyam in the ritual thank you for joining Masonic audiobook Library please subscribe leave a comment and share the video to All one thing and only one thing a masonic lodge can give its members which they can get nowhere else in the world that one thing is masonry Carl H claudy
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