The Influence of Biblical Verse in Freemasonry
by Adam Clarke
The topic of Freemasonry offers a wide array of subjects for study to
the Masonic scholar interested in unlocking its mysteries. In
pursuit of our quest for Masonic learning we should stop to examine the
three Degrees of Ancient Craft, or Blue Lodge Masonry and ask ourselves,
“What lesson (or lessons) should I be learning from each Degree?”
The key to the subject matter is hidden within a little understood yet
vitally important part of the ritual of the first section of each Degree.
We tell
ourselves and the new initiates that the manner of candidate preparation
is intended to present a condition where the “… mind might conceive before
the eyes beheld the beauties of Freemasonry.” As the candidate of
each Degree undergoes the ritual of circumambulation he is then presented
with the theme of the Degree – contained in the Scriptural reading.
The theme is often lost however, or misunderstood, because of the mystic
nature of the readings. An examination of each of the Scriptural
readings reveals the unique manner in which each theme is presented.
Entered Apprentice Degree
| Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon
the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that
went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and
as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the
Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. Psalms
133 |
Imagine
yourself as the candidate once again, hearing these words for the first
time. The first sentence might tend to calm your apprehensions and
uncertainties about your forthcoming experience by pronouncing in simple
terms what a pleasure it is to “dwell together in unity” or to be in the
presence of a body of men united together in mind and spirit of
purpose. This peaceful unity is of utmost importance to Masons as it
is the mortar or cement that binds us together as a fraternity.
“It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the
beard, even Aaron’s beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments;
…” Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, and his sons were
appointed by God to be the High Priest and ministers of God for the
children of Israel (Exodus 28:1). God directed that an “oil of holy
ointment” (Exodus 30:23-25) be made consisting of measured amounts of
myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia and olive oil. This
“holy anointing oil” was to be poured upon Aaron and his sons as a
blessing or consecration prior to their entry as priests into the
tabernacle, containing all the holy vessels and the Ark of the Covenant,
to minister and pray unto the Lord (Exodus 30:30). This reference
therefore alludes to the sacredness of such unity. Mount Sion or
Mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 4:48) was known to have copious amounts of
humidity, even in the driest weather, which formed on the tents so
profusely that it appeared as though it had rained the whole night.
This precious dew or water provided continuous life giving growth to the
plants and animals of the otherwise arid region; hence the allusion to
life forevermore.
The theme of
the Entered Apprentice Degree then, as foretold to the candidate through
this reference to the Scripture passage, is that he is about to enter into
a fraternal union with men of good character. This unity of good
brethren is so precious that it is comparable to the holy anointing of the
High Priest of the ancient Israelites. Further, his association with
this fraternal unity promises to enrich his future life just as the dew of
Mount Hermon and the mountains of Zion.
Fellowcraft Degree
| Thus he shewed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall
made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the
Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, a plumb
line. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in
the midst of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them
anymore. Amos
7:7-8 |
This is
perhaps the least understood and most misinterpreted passage of Scripture
as it relates to the theme of the Fellowcraft Degree. Amos was one
of the lesser prophets of the Old Testament. He was a herdsman and
tender of fig trees who lived in the territory of Tekoa south of Bethlehem
and was sent by God to call the people of Israel to repentance. He
foretold the judgements of God which were to fall on the Syrians,
Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites. In this Chapter of
Scripture Amos describes a vision shown to him by God. In this
vision God represents to Amos the judgements he is about to bring upon
Israel for their many iniquities. Verses 7 and 8 describe God’s
illustration to Amos of His attitude regarding the sins and transgressions
of the people of Israel. The Lord standing upon a wall made by a
plumb line signifies the laws and commandments He has communicated to the
people of Israel to build them into a just and upright nation. The
plumb line in His hand symbolizes the strict justice He will visit upon
them according to their iniquities. The phrase “I will not again
pass by them anymore.” is an indication that God will no longer show them
any mercy in His administration of justice.
The
underlying theme of this Scripture as it applies to the Fellowcraft Degree
is to admonish the candidate that he is now crossing the threshold from
youth to manhood. As a man and a loyal member of the Masonic
fraternity he will be more strongly bound to the fraternity by strict
moral guidelines. Likewise, as an adult member of society, he will
be expected to exemplify the highest standards of behavior and uphold the
civil laws. As an Entered Apprentice, the candidate was introduced
to the most basic moral principles, loyalty, trust and charity, which
serve as the foundation upon which to build strong relationships.
His development as a Fellowcraft will expose him to greater
responsibilities that require a stronger discipline.
Master Mason
| Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while
the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say
I have no pleasure in them; while the sun or the light, or the moon,
or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain;
in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the
strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because
they are few; and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the
grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and
all the daughters of music shall be brought low; also when they
shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the
way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall
be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long
home, and the mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver cord
be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at
the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was
and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes
12:1-7 |
The Book of
Ecclesiastes was supposedly written by Solomon in order to show the vanity
of the world, and of human life, and that no happiness can be expected by
the human soul, but in the fear, love and obedience of God.
The Twelfth
Chapter begins with the admonition to every person that he should remember
to worship and praise God as his Creator beginning in the early days of
his youth, while his mind is still strong and sharp, and not distracted by
trivial or worldly matters, or weakened by the physical infirmities of old
age. The remaining verses of this Scriptural reference describe, in
a mystical way, the many ailments and infirmities that mark our passage
into old age, up to and including the death of the physical body and the
return of our spirit to its Creator.
The theme set
forth by this Scripture for the candidate desirous of attaining the
sublime degree of Master Mason is that death awaits us all. Just as
Solomon expressed throughout the Book of Ecclesiastes, all earthly
ambitions are but vanity and there is no real happiness to be gained in
this world except in the nurturing and development of our soul through
love of God and obedience to His will.
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