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Article THE VISIBLE SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY , Page 1 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Visible Symbolism Of Freemasonry ,
THE VISIBLE SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY ,
BY R . W ; A . G . MICKEY , ( Contmued from $ age 354 . ) Let us now examine , by a few examples , how the Speculative Masons ha ^ e appropriated &^ own use . To construct hfe earthly temple , the ^^ 0
followed the architectural designs laid down on the trestle-board ; or tracing-board , or book of plans of the architect . By these he hewed and squared his materials ; by these he raised his ^ ^ w these he constructed his centres ; and by these strength and durability , combined wit ^ edifice which he was constructing . The trestle-board becomes ,
therefore , one of our elementary symbols . 1 ^ ritual , the Speculative Mason is reminded , that m the operative artist erects his temporal building in accordance w laid down on the trestle-board of the master-workman , so should he erect that spiritual building , of which the material is a type , in obedience to the rules and designs , the precepts and commands , laid
down by the Grand Architect of the Universe in those great books of nature and revelation which constitute the spiritual tracingboard of every Freemason . The tracing-board is , then , with us the symbol of the natural and moral law . Like every other symbol of the Order , it is universal and tolerant in its application ; and while , as Christian Masons , we cling with unfaltering integrity to that explanation which makes the Scripture of both dispensations our tracing-board , we permit our Jewish and Mohammedan Brethren to content themselves with the books of the Old Testament or the
Koran . Masonry does not interfere with the peculiar form or development of any oue ' s religious faith . All that it asks , is that the interpretation of the symbol shall be according to what each one supposes to be the revealed will of his Creator , But so rigidly
exacting is it that the symbol shall be preserved , and m some rational mode interpreted , that it peremptorily excludes the atheist from its communion , because , believing iu no Supreme Being , no Divine Architect , he must necessarily be without a spiritual tracingboard , on which the designs of that Being are inscribed .
But the Operative Mason required materials wherewith to construct his temple , There was the rough ashlar . The stone in its rude and natural state , unformed and unpolished as it had lain in the quarries of Tyre from the foundations of the earth . This stone was to be hewed and squared , to be fitted and adjusted , by simple but appropriate implements , until it became a perfect ashlar , or wellfinished stone , ready to take its destined place in the building . Here then , again , in these materials do we find other elementary vol . in . 8 k :
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Visible Symbolism Of Freemasonry ,
THE VISIBLE SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY ,
BY R . W ; A . G . MICKEY , ( Contmued from $ age 354 . ) Let us now examine , by a few examples , how the Speculative Masons ha ^ e appropriated &^ own use . To construct hfe earthly temple , the ^^ 0
followed the architectural designs laid down on the trestle-board ; or tracing-board , or book of plans of the architect . By these he hewed and squared his materials ; by these he raised his ^ ^ w these he constructed his centres ; and by these strength and durability , combined wit ^ edifice which he was constructing . The trestle-board becomes ,
therefore , one of our elementary symbols . 1 ^ ritual , the Speculative Mason is reminded , that m the operative artist erects his temporal building in accordance w laid down on the trestle-board of the master-workman , so should he erect that spiritual building , of which the material is a type , in obedience to the rules and designs , the precepts and commands , laid
down by the Grand Architect of the Universe in those great books of nature and revelation which constitute the spiritual tracingboard of every Freemason . The tracing-board is , then , with us the symbol of the natural and moral law . Like every other symbol of the Order , it is universal and tolerant in its application ; and while , as Christian Masons , we cling with unfaltering integrity to that explanation which makes the Scripture of both dispensations our tracing-board , we permit our Jewish and Mohammedan Brethren to content themselves with the books of the Old Testament or the
Koran . Masonry does not interfere with the peculiar form or development of any oue ' s religious faith . All that it asks , is that the interpretation of the symbol shall be according to what each one supposes to be the revealed will of his Creator , But so rigidly
exacting is it that the symbol shall be preserved , and m some rational mode interpreted , that it peremptorily excludes the atheist from its communion , because , believing iu no Supreme Being , no Divine Architect , he must necessarily be without a spiritual tracingboard , on which the designs of that Being are inscribed .
But the Operative Mason required materials wherewith to construct his temple , There was the rough ashlar . The stone in its rude and natural state , unformed and unpolished as it had lain in the quarries of Tyre from the foundations of the earth . This stone was to be hewed and squared , to be fitted and adjusted , by simple but appropriate implements , until it became a perfect ashlar , or wellfinished stone , ready to take its destined place in the building . Here then , again , in these materials do we find other elementary vol . in . 8 k :