Further Light, a Review

Posted on March 10, 2009November 22, 2021 by The Euphrates | 1 Comment

This work is a little informational book subtitled Helpful Information for New Master Masons, by Jim Tresner, and is intended for those Masons just beginning their journey in the fraternity. It is published by the Masonic Service Association and contains a general summary of the basic fraternal knowledge.

One of the book’s triumphs is that it gives a small discussion for most of the symbols found in each degree. However, unlike most pamphlets created for similar purposes as this, it does actually mention some very esoteric Masonic concepts. These include a brief mention of some Jewish mystical concepts such as the Tree of Life. The book also includes a section pertaining to the Landmarks of Freemasonry which are so often ignored in these types of publications. While this discussion only lists Mackey’s list of Landmarks, it is still better than no mention of the Landmarks. It also contains a few points about lodge protocol such as not walking between the Master and the altar, how to address the lodge, and the attitude of prayer. These customs are rarely mentioned in text.

The book has some shortcomings as well. The information on the symbolism of the degrees found in this booklet is already printed in some sort of introductory Grand Lodge publication in most states. This leads to yet another iteration of the processed and formed definitions of Masonic symbolism to which young members have already been exposed. The brief Masonic history given is also a rather romantic account of the fraternity’s development. It includes the possibility that the Knights Templar somehow influenced Freemasonry and covers Masonic history at at period of time which offers only speculative history at best. Also, 19 and a half pages of the book’s 49 pages deal with nearly ever single Masonic affiliated body, including some of the most obscure of Masonic organizations. It would seem that a little more time on the symbolism of the Blue Lodge and a little less on the subject of other bodies would be more useful to the new initiate.

Overall, the book is a decent resource for those Masons who have not been provided with any information about the degrees. However, there are a number of better resources available through the Grand Lodges as well as the Internet for those looking for a cursory knowledge of the fraternity.

Brother James Tracey Tresner II laid up his working tools on July 12, 2018.

The Checkered Flooring

Posted on March 7, 2009March 6, 2021 by The Euphrates | 13 Comments

The mosaic pavement of the lodge is discussed in the lecture of the first degree.

This is commonly described as the checkered carpet which covers the floor of the lodge. The lecture says that the mosaic pavement “is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple” and is “emblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil.”

In the account of King Solomon’s Temple in the Bible, the ground floor is said to be made of pine or fir, depending on which translation of the Bible that you read (1 Kings 6:15). It is hard to imagine that pine or fir flooring would be particularly mosaic in nature. However, it can be agreed that the mosaic pavement represents the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple in the Entered Apprentice degree because that ceremony symbolically takes place in that location

While these facts may not be particularly intriguing, the symbolism of the checkered carpeting presents some interesting concepts.

Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry discusses the symbol of the the mosaic pavement.

The mosaic pavement in an old symbol of the Order. It is met with in the earliest rituals of the last century. It is classed among the ornaments of the lodge along with the indented tessel and the blazing star. Its party-colored stones of black and white have been readily and appropriately interpreted as symbols of the evil and good of human life.

So from this information, it can be understood that the concept of duality has played a part in Masonic symbolism since the early days of the fraternity. While duality is not often discussed in the ritual of the Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite mentions this concept numerous times. The Rite makes the ideas of dualism, or opposition, in the universe an important part of its theme. Indeed, the ideas of the Kabbalah and the Alchemists are used in the Scottish Rite to discuss this concept in several of the degrees.²

The lecture pertaining to the 15th Degree, Knight of the East and West, discusses the idea of duality or good and evil as a conflict. Pike writes “God is great, and good, and wise. Evil and pain and sorrow are temporary, and for wise and beneficent purposes…Ultimately, Good will prevail, and Evil be overthrown.”³

But while this idea of duality and the conflict between good and evil are cause for contemplation, it can be confusing to understand how they apply to our actions as Masons.

When thinking about the idea of duality and the concept of good and evil, black and white, sacred and profane, an image that immediately enters my mind is that of the Yin-Yang.

While this symbol has become a sort of pop culture icon in recent times, its symbolism is deep and its meaning applicable to this subject. While it has numerous interpretations, the yin-yang demonstrates the concept of duality and balance.⁴

This symbolic balance is an important term because of the position of the checkered carpet: the floor, where the foundation of the erect human body may be found. The Mason is taught to avoid irregularity and intemperance and to divide his time equally by the use of the twenty-four inch gauge. These lessons refer to the importance of balance in a Mason’s life. Therefore, the symbolism of the mosaic pavement could be interpreted to mean that balance provides the foundation for our Masonic growth.

Maintaining balance allows us to adhere to many Masonic teachings. By maintaining balance, we may be able to stand upright in our several stations before God and man. The Entered Apprentice is charged to keep balance in his life so that he may ensure public and private esteem. It is also very interesting that the concept of justice is represented by a scale which is balanced and that justice is described as being the foundation of civil society in the first degree of Masonry.

There is a vast variety of symbolism presented to the new initiate in the first degree. It is very easy for the symbol of the mosaic pavement and its several meanings to be lost in the sea of information provided upon our first admission into the lodge. But a deeper look demonstrates that this symbol serves to demonstrate ideals which form the foundation of our individual Masonic growth, the Masonic fraternity, and even the entire human society. Living in balance makes us healthy, happy, and just. If our feet are well balanced, both literally and figuratively, we may be able to serve the purpose of the fraternity faithfully.

Mackey, Albert. An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences p. 494
Hutchens, Rex. A Bridge to Light p. 18
Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma p. 274
Symbols and Their Meaning. Kjos Ministries

The Banks of the Euphrates

Posted on February 28, 2009October 18, 2021 by The Euphrates

Welcome to my column, The Banks of the Euphrates. You may recognize the title from a location mentioned during the Holy Royal Arch degree. During the journey which the candidates of that degree are required to take, they find themselves along the River Euphrates. While the river doesn’t play a prominent role in the degree, I always thought of it as a sort of oasis or resting place for the travelers on such a demanding pilgrimage. Such times of rest and refreshment often bring us the most important lessons in life.

Masonry is a craft. It requires the initiate to work to reap the harvest of its fruitful fields of knowledge. Albert Pike says in Morals and Dogma that “Masonry is action, and not inertness.” We are given working tools and taught their meaning in order to construct that house not made with hands. Certainly, Masonry is a society which lauds the occupation of the speculative quarryman and recommends that he do his work faithfully. Nevertheless, sometimes it is worthwhile to step back from the work of Masonry and examine the whole of that edifice which we are constructing.

Many traditional stories have told of monumental realizations which took place during a time of rest. An old story says that Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head while he was resting under a tree. Jacob was provided with a Divine vision while he lay fast asleep. Mohammed was meditating when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. It is true that many examples of eureka moments occurred during a time of rest and while most of us have never had a Divine revelation or developed a new scientific theory, we have all unexpectedly found knowledge when we simply wished to rest our eyes or quench our thirst.

It has often been said that more Masonry can be found in our fellowship halls than in the lodge room. We find that when we let our guard down and engage in casual conversation that many of our Brothers, friends, and family have a bit of knowledge which can enhance our lives. Perhaps it is only an anecdote about something that happened many years ago or perhaps it is a much needed admonition to examine our personal conduct. Sometimes it is a triumphant statement about the joy of life by a Brother in an unfavorable situation. One of the most memorable lessons that I have learned while taking leave from my Masonic work was from a Brother who taught me how to eat dinner and live my life. He said, “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” It is a moment of enlightenment that I will never forget.

When I thought about what I wanted this column to be, I realized that I wanted to create an opportunity for Masons to loosen their ties and learn something about Masonry. Perhaps it will be a short piece on Masonic symbolism or history. Perhaps it will be an article about a possible solution to a lodge problem. Perhaps it will take the form of an allegorical story. Regardless of its form, I want the content to lend some ideas to my fellow Brethren who can consider the information presented here and find it an enjoyable opportunity to add to their Masonic experience. There is a large body of Masonic work out there which resembles a quarry and requires the reader to diligently attend to his work. Many of these are great works which deserve a wide readership and much discussion. However, I hope that this column may more closely resemble its title and serve as a place for the reader to sit in the shade, refill his canteen, and quietly ponder the teachings of Freemasonry.

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