IN ADDITION to the definition of Freemasonry on the opposite page we
repeat Pike's definition: "Freemasonry is the subjugation of the human
that is in man by the Divine; the conquest of the appetites and the
passions by the Moral Sense and the Reason; a continual effort, struggle,
and warfare of the Spiritual against the Material and Sensual. That
victory, when it has been achieved and secured, and the conqueror may rest
upon his shield and wear his well-earned laurels, is the true HOLY
EMPIRE."
These two definitions of Freemasonry are apparently similar, yet there
is a difference. The latter informs us what Freemasonry is, and to a
limited extent advises how to become a Master Mason through "the conquest
of the appetites and the passions by the Moral Sense and the Reason."
However, it contains thoughts different from those in the former
definition and is more definite as to the "morals."
The definition from the Blue Lodge Manual very distinctly states that
"this system of morals" is "veiled in allegory and illustrated by
symbols." This statement will bear further investigation. If it is
correct, it may be assumed there is something underlying the explanations
given in the various lectures of the degrees. "Something" which is "veiled
in allegory and illustrated by symbols." This can be considered as an
instruction where to look for further meaning. It is obvious that the
"veil" must be parted and the hidden meaning of the "allegory"
discovered. It is equally obvious that the usually accepted meaning of the
symbols is not enough for our purpose, for then their meaning would be
immediately apparent and such is not the case. This "system" which they
"illustrate" then must be "illustrated" by a more recondite interpretation
of their meaning than is apparent on the surface to the casual observer.
Analysis of the actual words in the quotation reveal a subtle
significance not ordinarily attributed to them. MORALS - The common use
is: "discrimination between right and wrong, chaste, just, ethical." This
word of Latin origin literally means "custom," but a shaded meaning
states: "verified by reason, logic or probability."
ALLEGORY - "Description of one thing under the image of another. A
narrative in which a teaching is conveyed symbolically. Presents a truth
under the guise of fictitious narrative or description."
SYMBOL - "Something that stands for, represents, or recalls something
else, not by exact resemblance, but by suggestion or associations in
thought; especially an object that represents something abstract, as an
idea, quality or condition."
If the definition of Freemasonry is reconstructed in the light of the
words used in the previous definition it will read: "Freemasonry is a
beautiful system of customs, or method of living, which, if followed,
results in one's discriminating between right and wrong, being chaste,
just and ethical. This custom is verified by reason and logic. However, it
presents a truth under the guise of fictitious narrative, and is in
reality describing one thing under the image of another, using actual
objects to repre sent abstract ideas - "NOT BY EXACT RESEMBLANCE - BUT BY
SUGGESTIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS IN THOUGHT!" There is the answer. The symbols
are not used in the commonly accepted meaning. It is "NOT BY EXACT
RESEMBLANCE"; there IS a more recondite interpretation, as we suspected;
it is one of "SUGGESTIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS IN THOUGHT.))
There is a SECRET DOCTRINE in Freemasonry. That secret doctrine is
concealed, rather than revealed, by the very lectures which, we are told,
offer a "rational explanation" of the ceremonies of initiation. If we were
to accept these "rational explanations" as final, and seek no further,
Freemasonry would be a farce. We should find ourselves on a "dead-end"
street from which it would be impossible to make any progress.
Here it is necessary to digress that we may lay the foundation for our
super-structure (as any Operative Mason would do) by inquiring into some
of the actual history of Freemasonry, to discover its beginning and
evolution.
Historically, we trace Freemasonry to a number of Operative Lodges in
England. Extant records indicate that in the year 1717 four lodges in
London established themselves under the denomination of a Grand Lodge
which they constituted at that time. One of the oldest documents
containing a written record of Operative Masonry is the Regius or
Halliwell MS., circa 1390.
Many books have been written proposing various theories as to the
origin of Freemasonry. The generally accepted theory is that our present
lodges are the outgrowth of the Operative Lodges, or Guilds, of the Middle
Ages. There is no inclination to question the fact that our modern lodge
AS AN ORGANIZATION, owes its origin to these Operative Lodges, but what of
its esoteric teaching?
Are we to believe that these craftsmen of the medieval guilds, most of
whom were actually illiterate, conceived an entire philosophy such as
Freemasonry, and then, with consummate cunning, concealed it beneath a
complicated system of symbolism and allegory? For the rank and file, the
symbols were used, if at all, for ethical analogies, and they were as
ignorant of the underlying meanings, as are most Freemasons of today. They
but served the purpose of being the preservers of its mysteries. As the
reincarnating soul is said to choose the body and environment best suited
for its growth and evolution, so may it be that these Operative Lodges
were chosen to form the "body" for the spiritual teachings of the secret
doctrine.
Let us investigate the term "free" as used in relation with "Mason."
Some authorities advance the theory that in ancient times "bonds-men"
could not join the Operative Guilds, hence a Mason was a "free man" and,
perforce, a "Free Mason." Others attach significance to the word "free" in
connection with the request for admission, it being of the applicant's
"free" will and accord. Both theories find some support in the rituals of
various Grand jurisdictions. In some jurisdictions the candidate recites
his qualifications, at the door of the lodge room, as being of "lawful
age, FREE-BORN etc." Here is predicated the theory of being a "free" man.
All ritual supports the theory of its being of the candidate's "FREE-WILL"
and accord. Enough theories have been advanced to fill volumes on the
specific subject. Herein it is not possible to even comment on all of
them. One of the more interesting is cited for the benefit of the reader,
as it also contains the thought of the antiquity of Masonry.
Robert Hewitt Brown writes: "Long before the building of the Temple of
King Solomon, masons were known as 'sons of light.' Masonry was practised
by the ancients under the name of Lux (light) or its equivalent, in
various languages of antiquity. * * * We are informed by several
distinguished writers that it (the word masonry) is a corruption of the
Greek word 'MESOURANEO' which signifies 'I am in the midst of heaven,'
alluding to the sun, which, 'being in the midst of heaven,' is the great
source of light. Others derive it directly from the ancient Egyptian
'PHRE,' the sun, and 'MAS, a child: 'PHRE MASSEN'- the children of the
sun, or Sons of Light."
Regardless of the origin of the modern lodge, or of the name
"Freemasons" we can, after freeing the symbolism of modern adaptations,
discern in Freemasonry the outline of the teachings of the ancient
mysteries of Egypt. ONE SUPREME BEING - IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL - THE
THREEFOLD COMPOSITION OF MAN, that is: body, soul, and spirit (more
correctly expressed as physical, psychical, and spiritual). Three planes
of being dealt with in three "grades" or levels of instruction.
Pythagoras said: "God formed two things in his own image: first the
Universe itself, and second, man." The Bible informs: "and God said, Let
us make man in our own image, after our own likeness." The ancients
postulated the complete man as the triune man composed of body, soul, and
spirit. He was symbolized by the right angle triangle. The horizontal
represents the physical or material, the perpendicular represents the
psychical or mental, and the hypotenuse the spiritual. (The complete man
symbolized by the right angle triangle should not be confused with the
perfect or spiritual man, whose emblem is the equilateral triangle.)
The purpose of the mysteries was to teach the candidate the secret of
making of himself the perfect man. Symbolically, it is the secret of
progressing the right angle triangle to an equilateral triangle. As no
"whole" can be complete and perfect except its parts be complete and
perfect, their instructions were divided into three parts, or grades. The
first dealt with the physical, the second with the psychical, and the
third with the spiritual.
The body is the vehicle of the mind and the spirit; and to make it a
fit habitation for them the Mysteries began their instruction with the
purely physical aspect of man and his material relation to the Universe.
This teaching was that a strong and obedient body was requisite for the
development of a strong mind and, mind being the instrument of spirit, a
strong and well developed mind was essential to spiritual development.
Theirs was a rigorous and dangerous initiation, and a strong body was
indispensable to the candidate if he were to survive the physical ordeals
entailed by the actual initiation as well as the arduous studies necessary
for his mental development. This occurred before he was even introduced to
the spiritual. Also, it was necessary to understand the operation of
material laws, for they subscribed to the ancient theory that the material
laws are but the extension into the manifest universe of the spiritual
laws. "As above, so below ."
The candidate was obliged to spend years, if necessary, in each of the
grades preceding, before he was permitted to proceed in spiritual
instruction. Under such a system it is obvious that it was highly
essential to "make the necessary proficiency in the preceding (degrees)
grades," before he could be admitted to the next higher.
If Freemasonry is the actual descendant or, if one prefers the term,
reincarnation of the Mysteries, back of its "veil of allegory," then must
be concealed a deeper truth than expounded in the various lectures of the
degrees. Therefore, we should be able to discover a similarity in its
degrees with these ancient grades. The first degree should concern itself
with the physical or material; the second should deal with the psychical
or mental; the third degree wholly with the spiritual. The ceremony of
initiation in each degree should reveal a more recondite teaching than
that which appears on the surface. It should be discovered that its
symbology and allegory is as useful to CONCEAL that teaching from those
who do not seek it out as to REVEAL it to him who, "of his own free will
and accord," earnestly and prayerfully attempts to pierce the veil of
mystery.
If the symbols can be consistently interpreted in this manner,
throughout the three degrees, we have confirmed Freemasonry to be the
reincarnation of the Ancient Mysteries of Egypt; we have rediscovered some
part of the ancient teaching and have removed the veil of allegory from
the Great Truth of the Universe.
