Masonic Symbolism
A breach of fidelity here could leave a mark on another brother that may never be erased. It matters not that the breach actually involves a truthful statement about another brother’s failings or flaws. Masonic Symbolism is one of the most sought after topics in the Freemason subject. That is not the test in Freemasonry, for those in the Craft know that there is more than enough misery to be spread amongst all of God’s people.
A breach of the vow occurs wherever there might be a chance that another brother, his family or friends will be held in low regard on account of something said by another brother. The reason is simple: such a breach involves the potential compromise of another brother’s freedom.
According to Jewish literature and traditions, great care was taken of the personal condition of every Israelite who entered the Temple for Divine worship. The Talmud dictated the following requirements: “No man shall go into the Temple with his staff or with his shoes on his feet, or with his outer garment, or with money tied up in his purse.” Masonry has adopted portions of this ancient Jewish custom regarding the preparation of the candidate for entry into a lodge.
A breach of the vow occurs wherever there might be a chance that another brother, his family or friends will be held in low regard on account of something said by another brother. The reason is simple: such a breach involves the potential compromise of another brother’s freedom.
According to Jewish literature and traditions, great care was taken of the personal condition of every Israelite who entered the Temple for Divine worship. The Talmud dictated the following requirements: “No man shall go into the Temple with his staff or with his shoes on his feet, or with his outer garment, or with money tied up in his purse.” Masonry has adopted portions of this ancient Jewish custom regarding the preparation of the candidate for entry into a lodge.
If in your Masonic career you were not permitted the opportunity to contemplate within a Chamber of Reflection before you received your degrees, you may do so now by bowing your head and offering a prayer to the Great Architect for understanding about where you are in your life, how you got there and how you shall journey to the end of your life.
As in all Masonic matters, the choice is yours to make. Learn to understand, know the various Masonic symbolism and what they stand for. As is also true in all Masonic matters, no man should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God.Freemasons are united in eternal hostility to tyranny and despotic power. This is written in any Masonic Bible. Those evils are not solely found among history’s legendary tyrants, such as Hitler, Stalin and the beasts of today who slaughter their own kinsmen for the purpose of consolidating and perpetuating political power. Rather, they are found everywhere men act to reduce the life of the many for the profit of one.
Tyranny and despotism has been found to reside in churches, as well as in castles. Wherever life is extinguished, compressed, stifled, corrupted, or diminished to suit the will of one over many tyranny and despotism reign.
As in all Masonic matters, the choice is yours to make. Learn to understand, know the various Masonic symbolism and what they stand for. As is also true in all Masonic matters, no man should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God.Freemasons are united in eternal hostility to tyranny and despotic power. This is written in any Masonic Bible. Those evils are not solely found among history’s legendary tyrants, such as Hitler, Stalin and the beasts of today who slaughter their own kinsmen for the purpose of consolidating and perpetuating political power. Rather, they are found everywhere men act to reduce the life of the many for the profit of one.
Tyranny and despotism has been found to reside in churches, as well as in castles. Wherever life is extinguished, compressed, stifled, corrupted, or diminished to suit the will of one over many tyranny and despotism reign.
It is these that weaken the soul of humanity and shackle the will of every free person. It is these that Freemasonry abhors and resists. That resistance is personified by the inculcation of universal benevolence, tolerance and love of all mankind.
It is essential for the candidate to understand that Masonry does not teach that good works achieves salvation of the spirit and soul. Rather, religions variously teach that lesson. Freemasonry instructs upon how a life should be lived – how the “works” of one human life actually reflect upon the “faith” that one holds. Freemasonry receives good men into the fraternity and then endeavors to make them better citizens, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, co-workers and civic leaders. This book on Freemason captures the deeper explanations about the values and virtues held dear by the Craft and taught to each and every Mason through its rich symbolism.
Those values and virtues are not "secret," but can be learned and applied in everyone's personal life to insure greater chances for happiness, success and valuable service to others. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks to improve their own life, as well as the lives of those around them. Therefore, the journey for which the Chamber of Reflection prepares the candidate is the journey toward better living, not salvation which can only come by the grace of God – never by man’s own works and deeds. In the Masonic Bible, this journey is discussed thoroughly and in depth.
It is essential for the candidate to understand that Masonry does not teach that good works achieves salvation of the spirit and soul. Rather, religions variously teach that lesson. Freemasonry instructs upon how a life should be lived – how the “works” of one human life actually reflect upon the “faith” that one holds. Freemasonry receives good men into the fraternity and then endeavors to make them better citizens, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, co-workers and civic leaders. This book on Freemason captures the deeper explanations about the values and virtues held dear by the Craft and taught to each and every Mason through its rich symbolism.
Those values and virtues are not "secret," but can be learned and applied in everyone's personal life to insure greater chances for happiness, success and valuable service to others. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks to improve their own life, as well as the lives of those around them. Therefore, the journey for which the Chamber of Reflection prepares the candidate is the journey toward better living, not salvation which can only come by the grace of God – never by man’s own works and deeds. In the Masonic Bible, this journey is discussed thoroughly and in depth.