Masonic Symbolism*

man ' s presumption in attempting to build the tower of Babel by confounding the language of men so that they mi ght " not understand one another ' s speech . " As a result of the decree of Omnipotence , Masons , like all men , are unable to make themselves understood by the use of ordinary speech , except to those instructed in the same language ; yet , by the use of Masonic symbolism , so perfect is itthat the well-informed Mason is able to hold Masonic converse

, , prove his qualifications , claim Masonic sympathy and charity , travel in foreign countries , and , in a word , make himself understood anywhere in the Masonic world . The only universal language is symbolic : therefore the universality of Masonry depends upon and is due to its symbolism . The w onder is that in all the centuries of Masonic existence this symbolism should have been kept so

nearly perfect , so clear from clippings and accretions all over the world , as still to be the same , in all essential respects and particulars , the world over . But although this symbolism is indeed " of higher antiquity than memory or history can reach , " we should be careful not to coniound its extreme age with the idea that Freemasonry itself as a science is not progressive . I believe it to be true that most people outside of the lodgeanel even many within it

, , are of opinion that Masonry is wholly an institution of a past age . Yet nothingcould be farther from the truth . On the contrary , our symbols themselves , ancient as they are , prominently teach the necessity of improvement , of learning , of progress . The Entered Apprentice is taught to wish for light , the- Fellow

Craft for yet more li ght , and the Master Mason for still further light . Every step in Masonry is progressive . One mi ght as truthfully say that a study of history or of ancient literature would tend to curb the progress of mental development as to say that a careful , conscientious , thoughtful contemplation of the truths and teachings of ancient Freemasonry will or can be inimical to mental , moral , or material advancement . What Masonry abhors is dangerous innovation , but never true progress . The latter it advocates and encourages as

vigorously and as earnestly as it discourages the former . This is the true philosophy of Masonry , and it is a philosophy which inevitably loads to moral perfection , intellectual improvement , and practical good among its followers who obey its precepts . To the praise and honour of the Institution be it said that , unlike the Church in past ages of religious darkness and superstitious tyranny , Freemasonry has never yet countenanced the oppression of the learned or the

suppression of learning , but , on the contrary , lias been the steadfast and consistent friend of both . It could not be otherwise without belying the revered principles of our ancient brethren , and without evading and ignoring its most fundamental and essential landmarks . It has been , in its entire career , uniformly consistent in recognising and supporting truths and principles of sublime importance leading necessarily and inevitablto the civilsation and

improvey ment of mankind . Every thoughtful Mason knows it is a baseless slander upon the Institution to say that it is in any sense an enemy of progress . When it becomes so it will cease to be Freemasonry in spirit and in truth , by whatever name it may then be called .

In Masonry three is a mystic number , and its symbols naturally range themselves in threes . Thus there are three degrees in Ancient Freemasonry , each emblematical of a stage in human life , viz ., youth , manhood , and age . These three degrees are symbolic of probation , progression , and perfection . During the period of probation the Entered Apprentice is a bearer of burdens ; as a Fellow Craft he realises a progress in learning , but with privileges scarcely

superior to those granted him in the first stage of his Masonic career ; and it is only when he has attained the perfection of a Master Mason that he obtains the reward for which he has wrought—the right to participate in the real business of his lodge , to claim charit y in case of need , and to receive masonic burial in the event of death . Applied still more broadl y to human life the Masonic degrees are symbols of man ' s creation , his mature development physically ,