Freemasonry is a post-collegiate mostly-all male fraternity dedicated to the social development of the member to form a broader sense of the self and their community.
The latest issue of Freemasonry Today, the official journal of the United Grand Lodge of England, contains an article on the Bordeaux Conference. This was a three day gathering at the University of Bordeaux III and the Museum of Aquitaine in Bordeaux held in July of this year.
The theme of the conference was Women and Freemasonry Since The Enlightenment and Freemasonry Today tells us that it was organized by:
“The conference was organised by Professor Cécile Révauger of the University of Bordeaux III with the support of the Regional Council of Aquitaine, the University of Paris IV Sorbonne and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Rome (Sapienza), the Free University of Brussels, the University of Sheffield and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).”
The conference’s first presentation was by UCLA Professor of History, Margaret Jacob, certainly no stranger to regular readers here on Freemason Information. She brought all up to date on the latest findings concerning women’s Freemasonry in its earliest stages of Europe in the 1700s.
And right behind Jacob was a presentation of the female Masons in the French Royal family before the French Revolution delivered by Dr. Janet Burke, associate Dean of Barrett College, Arizona State University. It was revealing to all when Burke informed the conference that Josephine Bonaparte became the head of French female Freemasonry.
Freemasonry Today goes on to lament the fact that women in Freemasonry are not considered serious Masonic research in the British Isles and goes out of its way to mention the other Brutish scholars who made presentations – Diane Clements, Susan Snell, Dr. Robert Collis, Dr. Robert Peter and Professor Andrew Prescott. As this is an official publication of the UGLE, perhaps the Grand Lodge sentiment across the channel is shifting to a more benign attitude towards female Freemasonry and Co-Masonry. One can only speculate what winds of change might drift across the Atlantic to place American female Freemasonry in a more acceptable light.
What can be said is that author Brother Karen Kidd is working diligently on a new book which will be the subject of further enlightenment as soon as Freemason Information receives a copy.
In the meantime I am reminded of this poignant axiom – Nothing stays the same, change is always happening.
1. Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; Numbers 30:2 are reminders of the seriousness of the obligation (vow) that we made (multiple times in each degree of our Masonic journey), not only to each other but to the fraternity, in the presence of the GAOTU. Before we violate our oaths, we really should remember that “stronger tie” that was formed. If you were not serious about Masonry, then you shouldn’t have taken the oath. Quite simply, since you have given your word, live up to it brothers. See the full biblical references below:
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 – When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you. However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Numbers 30:2 – If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
2. James 2:20 Is a throwback to our learning about Jacob’s Ladder. It represents principal rung of Jacob’s Ladder and is one of the “three religious virtues-FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY”. This reference is about FAITH. But it also admonishes us to take our faith one step further and put it into action. Just as it is not enough to “say” or “believe” we are Masons, we must forever strive to use our working tools, bettering ourselves, and in doing so, bettering our communities. Masonry is not static or passive…it is active and working!
James 2:20 – But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
3. Genesis 3:7 and Acts 19:12 are probably the most straightforward of these. These verses are actually the only two bible verses where the wearing of “aprons” is mentioned. (KJV)
Genesis 3:7 – And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Acts 19:12 – And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
4. Genesis 3:22-24; Joshua 5:13-15; Nehemiah 7:1-3 really are the biblical authority for the one position in the lodge that we all have to pass by upon entering a just and duly constituted lodge that is open for business. His job is to watch for the approach of cowans AND eavesdroppers and see that none pass or re-pass except those with the permission of the Master of the Lodge. Of course this is the biblical reference for the TYLER. His job is to keep out the unworthy.
Genesis 3:22-24 – And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Joshua 5:13-15 – And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Nehemiah 7:1-3 – Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
5. Exodus 3:13-15 This one is a little harder, because it requires that you make an association to something that we see every time we meet, but most often it does not register on our radar: the letter “G”. See we are taught that it is the first letter of the word Geometry and ALSO is the first letter we use in the word “GOD”. So this passage is a wink at our teaching, because when Moses asked God directly, what shall a have my people call you, God gave him an answer. That is the ineffable name is represented by the letter “G” in our lodges. It serves as a suitable substitute for the answer God gave us in Exodus!
Exodus 3:13-15 – And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
And now for Puzzler #7
After you gained admission through the inner door of KST, you were received by the WM, who informed you that you had arrived at a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. In that place you told that you would be received and recorded as such (a FC); which record was then made by the Secretary (by the orders of the Worshipful Master), and then you were presented with the wages of a FC…
Now, I will not give you some simple question, like, “what are the wages of a FC and what do they represent?” (The corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy –Peace, harmony and joy). We can probably recite the answer to this in our sleep. I want to ask only:
Why were the FC wages corn, wine, and oil? (please explain and give biblical reference for the answers)
How does this (particularly the corn) relate to the 1st or EA degree? (please explain and give biblical references as well.
Again, this one is short and sweet, but beware of pitfalls…
1) Where was GM Hiram Abiff from (his land of origin)? – He came from Tyre whether from Napthali/Dan is still debated. Modern Tyre lies in Lebanon, near its southern border, and forms the country’s fourth-largest city.
He was the “master workman” whom King Hiram of Tyre sent to Solomon. He was the son of a widow of Dan, and of a Tyrian father, who cast the magnificent brazen works for Solomon’s temple in clay-beds in the valley of Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan.
Historical Reference:
In his, “Antiquities of the Jews” (Chapter 3:76), Josephus Flavius in his refers to Hiram as an Artificer. “Now Solomon sent for an artificer out of Tyre, whose name was Huram: he was by birth of the tribe of Naphtali, on his mother’s side (for she was of that tribe); but his father was Ur, of the stock of the Israelites.”
Biblical Reference:
1 Kings 7:14 (NKJV) – He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a bronze worker; he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill in working with all kinds of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and did all his work.
2) What is the name given to him by Josephus, biblically speaking? – The names given to him are Huram Abi or Abdamen or Abdemon which has been alternatively thought to mean “my father” , or if used as a proper name, or it may perhaps be a title of distinction and the equivalent to “master.”
2 Chr. 2:13 (NKJV) – And now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram my master craftsman
2 Chr. 4:16 (NKJV) – also the pots, the shovels, the forks––and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD.
3) Why does this fact (that he needed to go and “lay out” the next days” work on the trestle board) appear to be in direct contradiction to the description of the building of KST in the books of Kings and even from the first and second degree rituals?
Well to be precise, why would he even have to go and lay out the next day’s work when the temple is very nearly done? I would think that the closer you are to completion, the LESS the need for a plan. Biblically, we are told that not only were the plans drawn and the specifications approved, but every other preparation was made for completing the work before the foundations were laid; Remember, this was originally David’s task but as passed on to King Solomon (Check out the entire 1 Chr. 22 (NKJV) to get up to speed on this, if you need verification). But even if the plans had not been previously laid before the foundation, the stone and timber were carved, marked, and numbered before they were removed from the quarry and the forest; and, hence nothing was required, when the materials were conveyed to Jerusalem, but skilled labor to make it perfect and complete from foundation to capstone.
4) How is it possible for GM Hiram Abiff to enter into the “Sanctum Sanctorum” if the Temple was unfinished?
Our rituals and legend tells us that at the hour of high 12 (1200hrs for military men like me), the men were called from labor to refreshment, then GM Hiram Abiff would retire to the Most Holy Place (Sanctum Sanctorum), to draw his plans and designs, and offer up his prayers and thanksgiving. This could only be accomplished if the Sanctum Sanctorum was somehow finished before the outer portions of the KST. That is the best I can come up with. Nothing that I have read tells us that this is the case…so the question remains, for now!
5) If the Sanctum sanctorum was finished (completed it was supposed to house the Ark of the Covenant), would he have been allowed into its presence there?
So for arguments sake, we will assume that the Sanctum Sanctorum is completed. If it was finished, GM Hiram Abiff would not have been permitted to enter into it. According to God’s law and Jewish religious tradition, only one living person could do this and even then he could only gain access to the Holy of Holies (home to the Ark of the Covenant) only once a year, on the day of atonement. No one was permitted to enter but the H. P. (High Priest). This place was considered so holy in fact, that when the HP went into the Sanctum Sanctorum, he had a rope tied around his waist, so that he might be pulled out of the Sanctum Santorum in case his sudden death should occur while he was inside.
Under the law of Moses the presiding officer of the Aaronic Priesthood was called the high priest. The office was hereditary and came through the firstborn among the family of Aaron, Aaron himself being the first high priest of the Aaronic order. The office was usually a lifetime calling and it was restored to the family of Eleazar in the person of Zadok (High Priest during the reign of both king David and King Solomon).
Especially check out the way his consecration differed from that of ordinary priests in anointing and robing: on the high priests’ head alone was the anointing oil poured
BTW, The epistle to the Hebrews discusses at some length the manner in which Jesus Christ is the great High Priest, of whom all the others were pre-figures (Heb. 5: 1-10; Heb. 9: 28).
6) Is this story consistent with what the bible records about what happened to GM Hiram Abiff before, during and after the building of KST?
This legend of Hiram Abiff (Huram Abi, Abdemon, etc.), on the surface, does not appear to be consistent with the biblical/historical account. But maybe we have to dig a little deeper. The Holy Bible NEVER mentions the death of GM Hiram Abiff. According to the works of Ancient Hebrew historian, Josephus Flavius, GM Hiram Abiff not only lived to finish all the work, but also, returned to Tyre, and died there at a good old age.
Some people believe that the allegory contained in the story of GM Hiram Abiff is, at the very least, a composite of the three biblical figures, Betzalel (one of the wisest biblical figures), Adoniram (of the greatest managers with excellent supervisory skills) and Huram Abi (great metal worker) sprinkled on top of those is the knowledge of a Master Mason.
So, whatever you believe about this story, there is room for numerous interpretations of the allegory and they should always lead us farther down the road, toward more light!
Does this suggest that KST was built inside out, I may spend a little time on this.?
As for question #5, I always thought KST including the Sanctum Sanctorum were compartmentalized. Therefore you could enter a portion of the Sanctum Sanctorum ( by one definition of Sanctum Sanctorum – a most private place) and still not be in the presence of the Ark of the Convenent ( by the second definition of sanctum sanctorum – the most holy of holies). Just a couple of thoughts
In question 4, I wasn’t suggesting that the temple was built from the inside out, I was trying to apply a logic puzzle to the enigma of GM HA being in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the unfinished Temple…IF the Temple construction took place as the bible states, THEN it is physically impossible for him to be in there at that time. Therefore, the only plausible way for him to have retired there, would be for the Sanctum Sanctorum to have been completed before the rest of the temple.
Leaving aside this for the moment, and assuming that the Santum Sanctorum was available, as the ritual says,the more important question is actually whether or not he would have been allowed in there…The bible tells us that only the High Priest, Zadok from the house of Eleazar during the building of KST–King Solomon supposedly deposed Abiathar and placed him as HP, was allowed inside (see Exodus 28:1-2; Exodus 29:4-5; Leviticus 6:15)once a year, on Yom Kippur (Hebrews 9:3-7)… This is a truly apparent contradiction that compels us all to look deeper.
Your diagram is great is explaining what you describe, but I would like to point out that in ancient and modern Hebrew the name Beit HamiKdash actually translates into “The Sanctified House” and is usually used to mean the entire temple structure. More specifically, the Hebrew name for Sanctum Sanctorum/ Holy of Holies is Kodesh Kodashim.
Puzzler #6
Brothers, As we travel through masonry on our quest to find more light, many times, we concentrate on ensuring that we know and understand our ritual inside out. That is a very noble and worthy goal. However, we must not forget our Rule and Guide ( one of the great lights). So this week I thought I would try something slightly different. I will give you some passages from the bible ( well technically, I will only give you the references, you will have to look them up) and then you are to tell where it applies in the Ritual (what degree, what portion of the ceremony, etc.)! This should be a lot of fun, as some of these you know already, while some, you may not be as familiar with. Here we go: Deuteronomy 23:21-23 Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 Numbers 30:2 James 2:20 Genesis 3:7 Acts 19:12 Genesis 3;24 Joshua 5:13-15 Nehemiah 7:1-3 Exodus 3:13-15.
I will say that you will all know what an eavesdropper is by now, so I won’t spend any time on this, let’s just concentrate on the word cowan for this discussion.
From the affair of Jephthah, an Ephraimite was termed a cowan. Cowan comes from the Hebrew and Egyptian word, cohen which was the title for a priest or prince, and a term of honor. Cohen was the name for a dog as well. Cowan also has a middle French counterpart, couenne, which means “bumpkin”, “ignoramus”, “fool”, “pretender” or “interloper”.
Now, in that we understand the meaning and origin, then perhaps this passage by St. John, which cautions the brethren, that “without are dogs” (κυνες), cowans or listeners as seen below, takes on new meaning:
Outside the city are the dogs–the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.. Revelations 22:15 NLT
Or, maybe now when we read the passage where St. Paul exhorts the Christians to “beware of dogs, because they are evil workers” as seen below becomes more eye opening for us Masonically:
Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. Philippians 3:2
Here are also other biblical examples of this:
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Psalms 22:16
Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Psalms 22:16
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 2 Cor 11:13
If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15
For a complete listing of biblical references that I found, check out:
1) Pr 26:11 Isa 56:10,11 Mt 7:6,15 24:10 Ga 5:15 2Ti 4:14,15 2Pe 2:22 Re 22:15
Once again see how the rule and guide has played a crucial role in informing our masonic ritual. From our reading and discussion on this topic, we should be able to see that the Hebrew/Egyptian/French word, cowan/κυων/couenne, for a dog, evil worker, ignorant, pretending fool, is the masonic cowan. NO WONDER WE SHOULD WATCH FOR THEIR APPROACH! ‘Til next time brothers,
Puzzler #5
Brothers, Today we will go back to the ritual and some of the allegory found therein. Please read this short passage:
We are told that in our “raising” that we have represented one of the greatest men, and perhaps the greatest Mason, the world ever knew, viz., our GM Hiram Abiff, who was slain just before the completion of King Solomon’s Temple. His death was premeditated by fifteen Fellow Crafts, who, seeing the Temple about to be completed, and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master Mason…entered into a conspiracy to murder GM Hiram Abiff, or take the real word. but, reflecting with horror on the atrocity of the crime, twelve of them recanted; the other three persisted in their murderous designs.
Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was slain at high twelve. It was his usual practice at that hour, while the craft were called from labor to refreshment, to enter into the unfinished “Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies,” of the Temple, and there offer up his adorations to the Deity, and draw his designs on the trestle-board.
Here are my questions:
Where was GM Hiram Abiff come from (his land of origin)?
What is the name given to him by Josephus, biblically speaking?
Why does this fact (that he needed to go and “lay out” the next day’s work on the trestle board) appear to be in direct contradiction to the description of the building of KST in the books of Kings and even from the first and second degree rituals?
How is it possible for GM Hiram Abiff to enter into the “Sanctum Sanctorum” if the Temple was unfinished?
If the Sanctum Sanctorum was finished (completed, it was supposed to house the Ark of the Covenant), would he have been allowed into its presence there?
Is this story consistent with what the bible records about what happened to GM Hiram Abiff before, during and after the building of KST?
This one will require that you will look a little deeper into the rituals of the first, second and third degrees AND compare and contrast those with the biblical accounts of the building of KST, and GMs Hiram of Tyre, Hiram Abiff and King Solomon. Happy hunting! As usual, an email with the following keyword for answers.
1 Kings 6:7 – In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.
Some metallic substance is demanded after we were taught to wear our clothes, but we had not…(I won’t go into further detail, so as to stay true to our obligation-besides if you don’t know this basic stuff from the ritual, then we’ve got big problems). No doubt, most of you have gotten the above reference as the answer to this week’s puzzler about the building of King Solomon’s Temple. As Masons, we study both the Old (Torah Law) and New Testaments. God commanded that an altar, erected to God, be completely natural and not made from stones cut by metal tools. No altar stone(s) could be hewn or shaped with metal instruments. Stones subject to such treatment were disqualified for Temple usage. They became profane in God’s eyes. Period. The basic logic underlying this is that metal tools are usually used for war, whereas the altar is the tool for peace. Thus the tool for peace should NEVER be hewn with the tools of war. This reason alone should suffice us, yet, as with all things in Torah, there is much more than meets the eye ( I will leave it up to you to study more and discuss how the SHAMIR comes into play here…way too deep a discussion for this email, but enlightening though).
When Solomon’s Temple was built the Biblical record records that there was no sound of stones being chiseled into shape, that’s from a reference found in the book of I Kings 6:7. But what most Masons don’t know is that King Solomon, as God’s choice to lead the chosen people, was compelled to comply with Jewish laws and customs the preceded him by millennia. So, he was given orders that it be so. Specifically, God gave instructions on how to construct altars that would be consecrated for offerings. Check out these biblical references.
Deuteronomy 27:5-6 – “Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. “You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God;
Exodus 20:25 – And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Joshua 8:31 – Now Joshua built an altar to the LORD God of Israel in Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
You see brothers, as soon as they were come into Canaan, the Israelites had to set up a monument, on which they must write the words of Moses’ Law. They were also instructed to set up an altar, because the word and prayer must go together. And they were required to do this without delay, and without caring for the unsettled state of Israel, or their enemies. By doing this, they confirmed the covenant of the Lord with his people, as appointed. This altar must be made of unhewn stones, such as they found upon the field. This should sound familiar to some of you Red house brothers, with a twist…Christ, our Altar, is a stone cut out of the mountain without human hands, refused by the builders, as having no form or comeliness, but accepted of God the Father, and made the Head of the corner (corner stone). In the Old Testament the words of the law are written, along with the curse for violations of the law. These together would easily overcome us with horror, if we had not received, in the New Testament, an altar erected close by, which gives consolation. God in his infinite patience and wisdom has left the printed copies of the Scriptures among us, to do away the necessity of such methods as were presented to Israel. The end of the gospel is to make the word of God as plain as possible. (obviously, our Muslim brethren would actually have Mohammed as their cornerstone and their rule and guide is the Qur’an)
Like the Israelites, we must not think to defer covenanting with God till we are settled in the world; nor must any business put us from minding and pursuing the one truly needful thing in our lives (remember our 24 inch gauge brethren). They built an altar, and offered sacrifice to God, in token of their dedicating themselves to God, as peaceful, living sacrifices to his honor, in and by a Mediator.Following Christ’s life is how we are to becme that “perfected ashlar” untouched by the “metal” of the world. Masonically understanding this ultimate sacrifice, allows us to conceptualize a way to begin to prepare ourselves to fit as living stones, for that spiritual building, without being profaned in any way, fully acceptable to and pleasing in th eyes of, God.
Puzzle 4
We have all seen this/ read this or took part in the following at some point (we should see this every time we meet);
WM: Brother JD what is the first great care of Masons when convened?
JD: To see that we are duly tyled.
WM: You will attend to that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge on the ……and direct him to act accordingly.
The JD opens the door, and relays the orders from the WM…….
JD: WM, the Lodge is tyled.
WM: How tyled?
JD: By a brother of this degree, without the inner door, invested with the proper implement of his office.
WM: His duty there?
JD: To ward off the approach of all cowans and eavesdroppers; suffer none to pass or repass, except such as are duly qualified, and have the Worshipful Master’s permission.
How many times have we as Masons, parroted this exchange and never took the time to consider what the words “cowans” and “eavesdroppers” mean? So today’s puzzler will require that we look a little deeper. Here are the questions for today:
Why use both of these words together and at that particular time in the ritual?
What exactly are the meaning of the words cowans and eavesdroppers?
What is the origin of these words in this particular usage?
Are there relevant Biblical/Qur’anic passage(s) that relate to the word cowan particularly?
What does the word cowan have to do with Jephthah and the Ephraimites?
The origin of the word is a Greek translation of Latin and it does reference exactly what you pointed out (that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens). First degree is also right, but wherein does the answer lie my brother?
Acheiropoieta also called “Icons Not Made by Hand” are a particular kind of icon which are alleged to have come into existence miraculously, not created by a human painter, which are usually images of either Jesus or the Virgin Mary. The works are believed to be so wondrous and beautiful, that no mere man could have created them. The most notable examples are, in the Eastern church the Image of Edessa or Mandylion, and in the West, the Veil of Veronica and the Shroud of Turin. More importantly for western Masons is the Shroud of Turin (burial shroud or linen that purportedly has an image of Jesus Christ after crucifixion but before resurrection). What is really important is that it is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. Reportedly, the shroud was one of the sacred relics that our Templar forebears kept as part of their treasure. (No wonder it is kept in a church dedicated to the memory of the Holy St. John the Baptist…) All of these icons have been known to heal miraculously. So why is there no emphasis on the Mandylion like there is for the Shroud of Turin?
So, to sum it all up, we as masons are to fashion our minds, as living stones to fit in that wondrous and beautiful spiritual building…that house not made with hands (human) eternal in the heavens! But where in the bible brother, does this particular part of our ritual come from? Surely it didn’t just crop up out of nowhere? We tell new initiates and our younger brothers that our Rule and Guide offers an explanation for everything in Masonic rituals and it does (Scroll down to see the answer below). Good job…
Mark 14:53-63 (King James Version)
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death ; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together . And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying , We heard him say , I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together . And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying , Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace , and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said , I am : and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith , What need we any further witnesses?
(This is more than Jesus talking about tearing down a physical temple, he was specifically talking about tearing down this body to prepare for that spiritual building, not made with hands eternal in the heavens)
2 Corinthians 5:1 (King James Version) – For we know that if the house of this tabernacle were dissolved , we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Puzzle 4
Remember, in Masonry there are always several layers. So the next puzzler is one question with multiple parts, each digging deeper than the last:
After being taught to wear your apron as an EA, what were you then asked? Why was there no metallic sound heard at the building of King Solomon’s Temple (it may have something to do with acheiropoieta from earlier today)? Why did King Solomon decree that no metallic sound would be heard during the building of the temple? Are there other biblical references (laws in the Old or New Testament) that King Solomon used to justify his actions? And finally, after you answer all of those questions, WHY is all of this important?
You will probably start in the ritual, but remember brothers, the ritual is just the beginning and will only get you the esoteric stuff. Let’s see how our ritual is grounded in the Rule and Guide (and for our Brothers who practice the faith of Islam, I have also researched this in the Qur’an and found the answers, so please help those of us who do not practice the “peaceful way” understand how this unfolds for you in your search).
The Seven Liberal Arts were divided into the Trivium (“the three roads”) and the Quadrivium (“the four roads”).
The Trivium (Masonically alludes to the three Principal Moral Virtues) and consists of:
Grammar–Teaches a man the ability to speak and write truly
Rhetoric— Teaches a man to speak fairly and in soft terms
Logic— Teaches a man to discern the truth from falsehoods
The Quadrivium (Masonically alludes to the Four Cardinal Virtues) and consists of:
Arithmetic — Teaches a man to reckon and count all manner of numbers
Geometry — Teaches a man the mete and measure of the Earth and all other things (remember G is also for God,
Music, Harmonics, or Tuning Theory — Studying numbers in time
Astronomy or Cosmology — Studying number in space and time (planetary movements)
These seven roads are supposed to lead to Truth and Knowledge (Illumination or More light in masonry). These ideas were first introduced in the FC degree during your journey up a flight of winding stairs.
The significance of the this can be found by thinking about all of the symbolism and allegory found in the FC degree. We are taught that when we come to the number seven, we are almost overwhelmed with the many facts associated with it. The number seven was said to be ‘perfect’ because it contained the numbers 3 and 4 and was itself indivisible and could not be created by multiplication. This gave it the name of the virgin number. Originally, there were seven years to an apprenticeship, there were seven planets known to man of the middle ages (organization period of modern Freemasonry), and there are seven days in a week of which the 7th is the Sabbath and Solomon’s temple was said to have been built in seven years. Jericho was encircled seven times by seven priests, and these seven liberal arts and sciences, known as the trivium and quadrivium, were thought to contain the total sum of all human knowledge.
Seven represents symbolically the combination of the Trinity and four cardinal virtues (Justice, Temperance, Fortitude and Prudence), it is the number of the basic musical notes, of colors and of the spheres. Seven is related to perfection, to religious truth and also with knowledge. It is hard to find a more astounding mass of facts associated with a number until we observe that three and five are similar. Masonically, we are reminded that a Lodge needs seven officers to open the Lodge and those seven steps of the staircase reminding us of the liberal arts and sciences. Jacob’s ladder is usually shown with seven rungs of which 3 are considered most exemplary for masons (Faith, Hope and Charity) and the other four rungs are concerned with four cardinal virtues(Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence) and the perfect points of our interests (Manual, Guttural, Pectoral, Pedal) [you guys match the proper virtue with the right point]. While then there also usually seven small stars clustered together on the WM jewel, which is significant, in that they are repeated as a symbol at least three times within our Lodges and give us much to think about. What else can you find that relates to this topic? For Biblical reference see- 1 Cor 13:13 (Three moral virtues)
Puzzle 2
As Masons, we are often called to travel in “foreign lands”. In order to do this “work” effectively, we should also study foreign languages. This puzzler comes from a foreign land and represents something that should be intimately familiar to all of us. Can anyone tell me what Acheiropoietos means, where it comes from (which “land” or language), how does it relate to masonry and finally what degree you first encountered this concept?
My Lodge, Pride of Mt. Pisgah #135, MWPHGLTX, is a small, low budget Lodge operating in simple surroundings. But don’t let that fool you. Serious and deep study of Masonry is going on among its members. Not only does Mt. Pisgah spend a great deal of time and effort in instructing its candidates but it also offers much in the way of continuing education for Master Masons, even those who have been Masons for many years.
Pride of Mt. Pisgah has many learned members who contribute to that education and understanding of Masonry. One who dedicates himself to that purpose is Bro. Dr. Audra Robinson, PM. It is he who has been running a Puzzler/Quiz for our members.
Now I bring that Puzzler/Quiz to a greater audience. Please feel free to offer some answers to what is asked in the comments section. Before researching the question ask yourself if you have any hint to what is being asked before looking it up. Bro. Dr. Robinson is not only looking for word definitions but also themes. What is the over all scenario of how certain words are used, what is their context and what does this all have to do with Masonry?
In the first Question:
What does trivium and quadrivium mean?
Some things to think about: what do they mean, where did you first encountered them, how are they symbolized and why are the divided that way. Is there any biblical references to them?
The United States is still in the middle of the longest and deepest recession since the Depression of 1929. As unemployment seems to be stuck at close to 10% government tax revenues are down everywhere. The Federal government has borrowed some serious money from China. Some state governments are in serious trouble, teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. California has, at times, issued I.O.U.’s in lieu of payment.
It is times like these that the government looks around for creative ways to finance itself. It cannot forever continue to borrow money, for lenders get nervous when the debt is substantial. It can come up with additional taxes, perhaps hidden so they are less noticeable if it is willing to endure the ire of American taxpayers. Or government can close “loopholes” which translates into taking back discounts, privileges and exemptions.
If you think that is a far fetched idea that would never happen, then you need to know what has just happened to New Zealand Masons. After a year long battle New Zealand Freemasonry has given up fighting the government over the loss of its tax exempt status which it has held continuously since 1933.
Freemasons New Zealand appealed to the High Court last month, arguing that the Grand Lodge’s primary activities were “beneficial to the community” and therefore charitable.
As well as directly charitable activities such as university scholarships (which the commission conceded were charitable), the lodge also teaches public speaking and lessons on ethics to its members, which it argued should also be considered charitable.
Acting for the Crown, Tania Warburton argued that many of the activities of the Grand Lodge were primarily for the benefit of its members, not the entire community. She said its membership, limited to men over the age of 21 who reached the rank of master mason, was too exclusive for a charity.
Judge Simon France rejected the Freemasons’ appeal. He concluded that the activities of the Grand Lodge, and freemasonry in general, “do not benefit the public other than indirectly and intangibly by seeking to produce members who are better citizens”.
Laurence Milton, the grand secretary for Freemasons New Zealand, said the decision meant the Grand Lodge would have to apply for separate charitable status for its Fund of Benevolence, which did most of its charitable work.
The administration and other activities of the Grand Lodge would now be subject to tax.
I can see it know. A high level prosecutor brings American Freemasons into court and charges them with primarily benefiting their own members. Furthermore he or she charges that most of these benefits do not apply to children or women.
Once the door is opened for the removal of tax exempt, nonprofit status from American Freemasonry it might also open the door for the filing of discrimination and Civil Rights suits because membership is only available to men. Now wouldn’t that be a bloody awful mess?
Reviewing the manner in which Mike McCabe was treated and his Lodge was treated, it is quite evident that U.S. Mainstream Masonry has decided to rule and govern itself using a model which is a cross between the U.S. Army and the Vatican.
The Pope, or General or Grand Master of New Jersey pulled the charter of Trimble Lodge for no apparent reason other than greed. But first it asked the Lodge to vote on its fate. When 95% of the Lodge voted to remain as they were, the Grand Master said, well you didn’t vote the way I wanted you to so I am over ruling your election and taking your charter. You are no longer a Lodge in this jurisdiction. Silly us, we thought that the process as laid out by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey should be binding.
Then when another Pope of New Jersey Masonry goes after McCabe he does so on trumped up charges reminiscent of Derek Gordon’s fate in Arkansas and in one of the charges uses surrogates to file a fake, false charge reminiscent of Gate City Lodge No. 2’s fate in Georgia. All along the way the Grand Master violates the tenants of his Constitution and the spirit of due process. He does so by wanton disregard of his jurisdiction’s most sacred document. Now it no longer becomes the importance of the process but the importance of the leader.
UNCONSTITUTIONALLY CHANGING A CONSTITUTION
The Grand Lodge Oligarchy in New Jersey outlawed its Constitution. You can’t insert a clause in a Constitution that says the leader can ignore any and all statues that he wants to. By doing so you have dispensed with the necessity of having a Constitution. This seems to be the trend in modern Mainstream Masonry. The rule of law has been replaced with the cult of the leader.
But it wasn’t always this way. In fact that is far from the tradition of Masonry. For centuries a Grand Master’s power was delineated in the Constitution which spelled out exactly when and how he could interfere in the affairs of a local Lodge. Under the Constitution local Lodges as well as individual Brothers had rights too and spheres of influence that a Grand Lodge could not violate without permission. Just as in the civil separation of church and state we had separation of Grand Lodge and local Lodges. And Grand Masters adhered to the letter of the law.
But that has gone by the boards in today’s Masonry. And that is precisely the problem that has infected Mainstream Masonry today. Grand Lodges have become like civil governments, jealous of their power and taking extraordinary measures to keep, preserve and protect that power while constantly adding to it. In the process Grand Lodge’s have trampled on the civil rights of its members and overridden their own Constitutions which were written to limit their powers.
Instant Suspensions and Instant Expulsions without a Masonic trial by Grand Masters are not in the tradition of Masonic jurisprudence. Neither is pulling charters and closing down Lodges that are vibrant and healthy for purely political reasons. There has to be some recourse to the Brotherhood for relief from out of control Grand Masters who have eliminated all limits on their power. And that recourse has to be something beyond dumping the problem back on the individual members to correct. If a Grand Master can over ride and negate any vote taken by the Grand Lodge acting as a body then he is as entrenched in power as Castro is in Cuba.
Here are four suggestions. Pick one, or suggest another.
A Congress of elected Masons in every Grand Lodge who write and interpret Masonic law
Abolish the Grand Lodge system altogether
The sad fact is that that the Frank Haas story in West Virginia, the story of Halcyon Lodge in Ohio, the Gate City Lodge No.2 story in Georgia, the Derek Gordon story in Arkansas and the Mike McCabe story in New Jersey are all the same peas in a pod. And tomorrow there will be another story somewhere else, and another and another and another until American Masonry decides to reform and police itself deciding that it is an American institution not just a state body with a states rights attitude and a Confederate mindset.
The latest issue of Freemasonry Today, the official journal of the United Grand Lodge of England, contains an article on the Bordeaux Conference. This was a three day gathering at the University of Bordeaux III and the Museum of Aquitaine in Bordeaux held in July of this year.
So for arguments sake, we will assume that the Sanctum Sanctorum is completed. If it was finished, GM Hiram Abiff would not have been permitted to enter into it. According to God’s law and Jewish religious tradition, only one living person could do this and even then he could only gain access to the Holy of Holies (home to the Ark of the Covenant) only once a year, on the day of atonement. No one was permitted to enter but the H. P. (High Priest). This place was considered so holy in fact, that when the HP went into the Sanctum Sanctorum, he had a rope tied around his waist, so that he might be pulled out of the Sanctum Santorum in case his sudden death should occur while he was inside.
Freemasons New Zealand appealed to the High Court last month, arguing that the Grand Lodge’s primary activities were “beneficial to the community” and therefore charitable.
