The Masonic Trowel

... to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection, that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best work or best agree ...


[What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Development] [Education] [Masonic Talks] [Masonic Magazines Online]
[
Articles] [Masonic Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of All Articles] [Masonic Blogs] [Links]
 [
What is New] [Feedback]

 Masonic quotes by Brothers



Search Website For


Add To Favorites

Help Me Maintain OUR Website!!!!!!


List of Contributors


PDF This File


Print This Page


Email This Site To ...


Three Principal Means to Attain Spiritual Light

by Terry Paget


In "The Meaning of Masonry," Bro. Wilmshurst mentions that of "the three principal means" to attain spiritual light, the greatest is love.

So, then, love would be the greatest of the three. My question for you, my brothers, is: what are the other two principal means?

He doesn't seem to have said. Your thoughts?

I believe you will find that the answer lies in the alternative word used for "love."  Change "love" for Charity, and you will recognize the other two means.

The alternation between the use of love and charity in this context arises because the original Greek word which is interpreted as "love" does not mean love in the way it is usually used today. 

It is akin to the word 'agape' - which is derived from the Greek.

If you think of the three qualities of F, H and C, it seems reasonable to suggest they are all outward expressions of something from within the self.  Each of the three represents a different (and progressively higher?) level of outward manifestation.  But, although different in their manifestation, they are similar in their source - they exude from within.  One has Faith because one has faith.  One has Hope because one has hope.

Charity, I submit, is a spontaneous act performed without regard for reward, and it is performed because one could not help oneself from doing it - it is an innate personal quality. 

To put it another way round, and expressing a personal opinion, a calculated act of charity (such as making a cash donation) is not charity at all - it may be conscience, but it is not charity. 

Charity, in my opinion, to be a wholesome and genuine act, requires the giving of part of oneself.  For the donor, he/she would not see it as an act of charity - they could not do otherwise than what they did.

back to top


[What is Freemasonry] [Leadership Development] [Education] [Masonic Talks] [Masonic Magazines Online]
[
Articles] [Masonic Books Online] [E-Books] [Library Of All Articles] [Masonic Blogs] [Links]
 [
What is New] [Feedback]


This site is not an official site of any recognized Masonic body in the United States or elsewhere.
It is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion
of Freemasonry, nor webmaster nor those of any other regular Masonic body other than those stated.

DEAD LINKS & Reproduction | Legal Disclaimer | Regarding Copyrights

Last modified: March 22, 2014