Masonic Symbols And Symbolism.

MASONIC SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM .

IN all the Jewish rites of worship we can trace symbolism , and on a close comparison and examination of the symbols of Masonry and those of their rites , we find many wonderful and peculiar analogies .

All the ancient churches , temples and buildings of a devotional character were situated east and west . So is a

Masonic Lodge , because the sun rises and opens the day in the east and sinks at the close of that glorious day into the west . The gospel , learning and science originated in the east and spread westward , and since those days what chequered scenes in life have passed , what sorrow and

pleasures , what sunshine and storm , all intermingled in one harmonious whole for the benefit of all . Our square pavement symbolises all this and also reminds us of the unseen hand who spreads the earth with gorgeous carpets of fruit and flowers , shady dells and nodding forests , mountain

vastnesses and valleys flowing with corn and wine . He hath wrought it as it were in Mosaic work and poured upon man not only the necessaries of life but the powers of appropriating them to his uses . He bounds the lands by oceans

and places the Isles in the great deeps . No wonder that when all was finished and God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good . All these subjects are brought to our minds by beholding the square pavement of the Lodge .

The great Author of all hath also given us the moon and stars to " govern the night" a fit season for solemn meditation when the labours of the day are ended and man ' s mind is abstracted from cares of life , then it is for our soul ' s

recreation to walk forth , with contemplative mind , to- read the great works of the Almighty in the starry firmament and in the innumerable worlds which are governed by His will . We thus discern the smallness of man and the benevolence of God , who numbers the very hairs of our head .

The Apron I referred to so fully in a previous lecture I will only make a passing reference to here . The ancients put on a white garment on the person baptised to denote his having put off the lusts of the flesh , this garment was

delivered to them with this solemn charge : " Receive the white and undefiled garment and produce it without spot before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ that you may obtain eternal life . "

The Druids were apparelled in white at the time of their solemn offices and with the priests of Osiris in the service of Ceres wore snow white cotton under which was symbolised the gift of Providence in the fruits of the earth . In the three lesser lights of Masonry we find Symbols

of—I . The knowledge and worship of the God of Nature in the purity of Eden . 2 . The service under the Mosaic law when divested of idolatry . 3 . The Christian Revelation . The Compass symbolically represents reason which is

exercised in framing our designs . All the advantages of the light of nature and even of the light of revelation would be lost to us , without the exercise of reason to make use of

the light . They teach us how carefully we ought to frame our designs as to our own conduct throughout life that we may carry out our great purpose in the erection of a spiritual temple perfect in its parts and honourable to its builder .

The Cable Tow is one of the most expressive of Masonic symbols , reminding us of the bond of affection which ought to unite the whole Fraternity . As an ancient symbol we find the Prophet Hosea , xi . 4 , says : " I drew them with cords of a man , with bands of love . " A cable tow

always encloses the tracing board of the E . A ., to signify that brotherly affection which ought ever to fill his heart and actuate his Brethren , whilst at the four corners it has four Tassels symbolic of the four cardinal virtues , Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence and Justice , that he may always be reminded of these , and may not fail to practice them .

The Gavel , or as it is sometimes called a Hiram , from the name of H . A . B ., to whom Solomon gave the chief charge of the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem . The name Gavel is derived from the German Gipfel , a peak , from which also comes the same term applied to the end of a

house , the gavel or gable , and in Operative Masonry is used to knock off all superfluous knobs and excrescences . Applying this to our morals , verse 8 of the 3 rd chapter of Col . comes to our mind . " Put off all these , —anger , wrath , malice , blasphemy , filthy communications out of your motitfi . "

Masonic Symbols And Symbolism.

Pie who has tried to put off all these has studied in its truest sense the symbolism of the Gavel . It is to be observed of all the Masonic working tools that in their symbolic use they . teach in different ways very much the same lessons . The great principles of morality ,

as well as the great truths of religion , although few and simple are capable of being set forth in a great variety of lights and by a great variety of symbols . The correspondence in the teaching of so many of the symbols of Freemasonry may thus be regarded as proving its truth , whilst

the variety of the symbols gives them greater impressiveness , and tends to increase their usefulness . A circle with a point in its centre is a symbol which is interpreted in two

different ways and although these interpretations are different and distinct , they are not conflicting , for from the thoughts that belong to the one , the minds of men have been led to those which arise out of the other .

According to one interpretation of this symbol , it represents God as the centre of the universe , and thus reminds us that we are wholly dependent upon Him , always under His all-seeing eye and subject to His will . The application of " this , in reference to p iety , and morality , is obvious .

According to another interpretation of this symbol , the point in the centre represents the individual man himself , and the circle marks the limits of the world to which his view extends . To make the . symbol more significant it is common to

depict not merely a circle with a point in its centre , but a Bible lying above the circle ; and two vertical parallel lines , one on each side of the circle , touching it , but not cutting it . The symbol thus becomes very expressive of the duty of man , of die bounds within which he must keep himself , and

the guidance which he must seek for his conduct . The Bible placed above all directs attention to the authority of the G . A . O . T . U . The two- parallel lines are symbolic of St . John the Baptist , and St . John the Evangelist , the two " patron saints " of Freemasonry . Keeping ourselves within

the limits indicated by the V . S . L ., and by these two parallel lines we rest upon that point from which no Mason can err . Every good man desires to keep within these limits , and every worthy Mason , as he contemplates this symbol , feels this desire strengthened and is animated to new endeavours , however he may feel that he has failed before .

The old traditions of Masonry have led to the special recognition of St . John the Baptist and St . John the Evangelist as examples to be studied and followed . These saints then are signified by two parallel lines of the Masonic symbol now under observation . That they are perfectly vertical

reminds us how exact is the rule of moral duty ; and that they are perfectly parallel , calls our attention to the perfect correspondence of the character of the one saint with that of the other . The symbol teaches us how we ought to live that we may serve God upon earth , and be useful to our fellow men .

Each symbol we examine proves more clearly to us that the . science of Freemasonry is worthy of our most patient study and thorough investigation . The grand truths and sublime teachings , and wholesome lessons are not found upon the surface , but are buried deep in the eternal principles

and symbolisms of the Institution . One may be a proficient ritualist , and impart the verbiage of the lectures with " strict verbal accuracy " and the greatest precision , and yet be as profoundly ignorant of the science of Freemasonry as the uninitiated . — " Toronto Freemason . "

It is reported that the Grand Lodge of Italy , after nearly three decades of abandonment , has restored the letters—A . G . D . G . A . D . U . —to its ritual . The letters are the initials

of Latin words meaning ' to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . " This is a wise act on the part of our Italian Brethren . Remove God from Masonry , and its spirit is taken away . —Ex .

* # ** # * ## ¦* : # When the story of higher civilisation shall be told , inwreathed in every pant will be found the annals of Masonry ;

and the essential element in the whole will be that fundamental principle of industrial , social , ethical and religious life , and that vital essence of Masonic life , which is fraternity , —Walter E . Ranger , Vermont ,