Symbolism & Allegory - July 15, 2004
T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 31 – July 15, 2004
This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.
“The energy that makes a child hard to manage is the energy which afterward makes him a manager of life.” Henry Ward Beecher
Masonic Benevolence
Section C7.01 of the Minnesota Masonic Code: “Brethren in good standing, their wives, their widows and their minor children have a claim to charitable relief, not only from the prosperous Brother, but from the funds of the constituent Lodges, upon satisfactory evidence of their Masonic character and standing and of their necessitous circumstances, or from the funds of the Grand Lodge under such rules as it may establish.”
“A little more kindness and a little less creed;
A little more giving and a little less greed;
A little more smile and a little less frown;
A little less kicking a man when he’s down;
A little more “we” and a little less “I”;
A little more laugh and a little less cry;
A little more flowers on the pathway of life;
A fewer on graves at the end of the strife.”
B.C. Forbes Publishing Company
Symbolism & Allegory – the story behind the story!
In a fine old book written by M.W. Brother A.T.C. Pierson, P.G.M. of Minnesota, he tells us that “The catechetical rituals now in use are meager and barren, containing no allusion to some truths which are the very foundation of the system – truths which were first taught in, and then preserved by, and disseminated through the mystic associations of men – truths which all men who love God, their country and their fellow-men must appreciate.”[i]
I will mention that the word “mysteries” merely means unknown to someone. In the early days of the guilds the skills a worker had to perform his occupation was known as a mystery; because that knowledge and skill was not possessed by the most of the population. Today the skills and talent of a diamond cutter could be called a mystery, also while ingredients are listed on packaged foods, the process to manufacture that packaged food is a mystery to almost all of us.
When something is unknown that doesn’t make it bad, but maybe it ought to make us curious.
Again M.W. Brother Pierson has this to say: “The rituals are merely auxiliaries in commencing the investigation of the recondite mysteries concealed in the ceremonies, allegories, and symbolism of the craft.”
“From a point to a line, from a line to a superficies, from a superficies to a solid:” This is a familiar phrase to many, and there is more to the lesson of Geometry than is related in the lecture having to with this subject.[ii]
The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences sometimes come under scrutiny in a Masonic Lodge. Not for the subject matter alone, but in wondering if there should be a more modern subject explained to Masons than the seven liberal arts and sciences that have been included from our earliest rituals. Well in my mind the symbolism of Geometry is as relevant to the speculative Masons of today as it was in the days when the premiere Grand Lodge was formed in 1717, and in the Lodges that existed before that.
Unfortunately the symbolism is not always communicated to the new Mason. I would venture to say that in the Lodges, here in Minnesota, the symbolism of that part of the Middle Chamber Lecture about Geometry doesn’t get communicated to Masons very often.
The lessons of Freemasonry are taught by symbols and allegories, which means that it is rare indeed when there is not something to learn beyond the lectures, and talks, given during the ritual of the degrees.
What I want to relate in this issue of T.F.S., about the symbolism of Geometry, is straight from the writings of Brother and Reverend George Oliver, (commonly referred to as Dr. Oliver, of the Premiere Grand Lodge.) There is a book called “A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry” written by him,[iii] and that is where this information can be found.
From a point to a line: Brother Oliver says; “A point is an inactive effective disposition or inclination to the several duties of Man.” He goes on to say that it is the beginning of the performance of duty.
It’s kind of like the old saying; “to get off the dime.” I always understood that to mean it is time to begin what needs to be done; so a point is symbolical of starting every day what we as men and Masons have to do. If what we have to do is not evident at a particular time all we need to do is to refer to the Charge of each of the Masonic Degrees and also to the Charge at the closing of a Lodge.[iv]
About the line Brother Oliver says this: “The universal bond with which every Mason ought to be united, with his Brethren, should consist of sixty threads of yarn. Because, according to the ancient statutes, no Lodge was allowed to have above sixty members; but it neither depends upon the quality of the thread, nor the number of Brethren, if the bond which unites us all, is composed of true Brotherly love.”
So the line represents the bond between each of us as Masons. It is the Brotherly Love which unites us into one Society of Friends and Brothers among whom no contention should ever exist.
From a line to a superficies: Brother Oliver quotes from an old lecture, and if it was old to him, it is really old to us; and something of antiquity for us to consider.
“The flowing of a line generates a surface. A surface therefore, is perfect duty. Duty is either theoretical or practical. The sum of theoretical duties is the whole system of divine commands. Practical duties are those commands as existing in practice.”
A superficies is a figure of two dimensions. To me Brother Oliver’s quote about theoretical and practical duties reminds me of the circle, which represents our duties to God and Man beyond which we are never to suffer our passions or interests to betray us. I also think of circumscribing myself with all mankind, but more especially with a Brother Mason.
From a superficies to a solid: Also from an old lecture, Brother Oliver quotes; “A solid hath length, breath, and thickness, and is generated by the flowing of a superficies. A solid then is the whole system of divine laws, as existing in Practice. For if every duty in practice and perfection is a superficies, it will follow that when they are all laid one upon each other, there will be formed a solid; and this solid will be a rectangular triangular pyramid, whose altitude and the length and breath of its base are all equal. For the length, breath, and height of the whole law in practice must be perfect.”
Wow, a solid represents the whole system of divine laws. Then, this means to me the Great Light of Freemasonry, the Volume of Sacred Law. This is the volume that sits on the vertex of the circle, which points out the whole duty of man. It is also referred to in the third section of the lecture of the first degree as the book of life, and I like to think of my volume of sacred law in that way – an instruction book on living.
“The length, breath, and height of the law in practice must be perfect.” That also reminds me of Justice. The scales of justice equally balanced are a symbol of equity. The lessons of Freemasonry should be equally distributed to the Masons who make up the Lodge. Also the values we have as Masons should be applied equally to all mankind in our dealings with them.
On the subject of Geometry itself - Brother Oliver uses an inclusion by Gadicke: This inclusion makes a reference to what Brother James Anderson had to say on the subject in the Book of Constitutions.[v] “Among the mathematical sciences geometry is one which has the most especial reference to architecture, and we can, therefore, under the name of geometry, understand the whole art of Freemasonry. In Anderson’s Book of Constitutions, Freemasonry is frequently called geometry; and of the latter he saith, ‘that the whole being of the order is comprehended in it.’ Freemasons therefore ought to make themselves intimately acquainted with geometry. It is not absolutely necessary to be able to delineate geometrical figures; but it is necessary to be able to deduce all our actions, works, or resolutions from geometrical principles.”
There is a lot of explanation of Geometry for the Speculative Freemason to consider. In the Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible[vi] there is a quote that to me is interesting about the lessons of geometry for the speculative Mason. Under Euclid and Geometry it says in part; “After this cry was made, then came this worthy clerk, Euclid, and said to the King and his Lords, ‘If ye will, take me your children to govern, and to teach them one of the seven sciences, wherewith they may live honestly as gentlemen should, under a condition, that ye will grant me and them a commission that I may have power to rule them after the manner that the science ought to be ruled.’ And the King and his council granted to him on one and sealed their commissions. Then this worthy Doctor took to him these Lord’s sons, and taught them the science of Geometry in practice….”
Freemasonry has a lot to teach each of us about some of the lessons of the ages. The lessons on how to improve ourselves in Masonry have not changed over the years, because man really hasn’t changed. Our way of life has changed, our surroundings have changed, but what is really important remains the same. Values, integrity, the importance of raising children to be good and useful adults, the need for education, the worship of our creator, and the love of and for our spouse, family, and friends are still the important areas of life. These are some of the things Masonry teaches us about.
I often think of the scene in the movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” when the much older Private Ryan is at the grave marker of his former Captain. In speaking at the grave of his captain he says “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about what you told me. I have tried to be a good man, to lead a good life, I have tried to earn this.” Then, as his children and grandchildren are standing in the background, he says to his wife – “Tell me I’ve lived a good life, tell me I’ve been a good man.”
Sometimes we need someone to remind us about what is important in life; that’s what the Captain did when he said to the Private, “Earn this,” and that is what the symbols, and allegories of Freemasonry have to teach us too, but it takes effort on our part to find out what it is. When we do find out what it all means to us then we should share it with our Brethren.
“No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.” George Jean Nathan
T.F.S. is sent out without charge to everyone who would like to receive it by e-mail. If you enjoy T.F.S. please share it with others. To subscribe or to unsubscribe to T.F.S. just send an e-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with TFS or 3, 5, & 7 in the subject line and that will do the trick.
“I have found the best way to give advise to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” Brother Harry S. Truman
Sapiens Qui prospicit = [Latin] = He is wise who looks ahead.
With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] Traditions of Freemasonry and Its Coincidences with the Ancient Mysteries, by A.T.C. Pierson - 1885
[ii] The explanation as given in Lodge can be found on page 46 of the 1998 edition of the Masonic Manual of Minnesota.
[iii] This book can be found in dual volume titles “A Dictionary of Freemasonry” by Robert Macoy at many book stores at a reasonable price. ISBN 0-517-69213-9
[iv] These Charges can be found in the Masonic Manual of Minnesota. This is also available on line at http://www.mn-masons.org/
[v] Anderson’s Book of Constitutions of 1723 is available in the Little Masonic Library. These books are available from the Minnesota Grand Lodge Book Store at a very competitive price.
[vi] Masonic Book Club 1984
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 31 – July 15, 2004
This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.
“The energy that makes a child hard to manage is the energy which afterward makes him a manager of life.” Henry Ward Beecher
Masonic Benevolence
Section C7.01 of the Minnesota Masonic Code: “Brethren in good standing, their wives, their widows and their minor children have a claim to charitable relief, not only from the prosperous Brother, but from the funds of the constituent Lodges, upon satisfactory evidence of their Masonic character and standing and of their necessitous circumstances, or from the funds of the Grand Lodge under such rules as it may establish.”
“A little more kindness and a little less creed;
A little more giving and a little less greed;
A little more smile and a little less frown;
A little less kicking a man when he’s down;
A little more “we” and a little less “I”;
A little more laugh and a little less cry;
A little more flowers on the pathway of life;
A fewer on graves at the end of the strife.”
B.C. Forbes Publishing Company
Symbolism & Allegory – the story behind the story!
In a fine old book written by M.W. Brother A.T.C. Pierson, P.G.M. of Minnesota, he tells us that “The catechetical rituals now in use are meager and barren, containing no allusion to some truths which are the very foundation of the system – truths which were first taught in, and then preserved by, and disseminated through the mystic associations of men – truths which all men who love God, their country and their fellow-men must appreciate.”[i]
I will mention that the word “mysteries” merely means unknown to someone. In the early days of the guilds the skills a worker had to perform his occupation was known as a mystery; because that knowledge and skill was not possessed by the most of the population. Today the skills and talent of a diamond cutter could be called a mystery, also while ingredients are listed on packaged foods, the process to manufacture that packaged food is a mystery to almost all of us.
When something is unknown that doesn’t make it bad, but maybe it ought to make us curious.
Again M.W. Brother Pierson has this to say: “The rituals are merely auxiliaries in commencing the investigation of the recondite mysteries concealed in the ceremonies, allegories, and symbolism of the craft.”
“From a point to a line, from a line to a superficies, from a superficies to a solid:” This is a familiar phrase to many, and there is more to the lesson of Geometry than is related in the lecture having to with this subject.[ii]
The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences sometimes come under scrutiny in a Masonic Lodge. Not for the subject matter alone, but in wondering if there should be a more modern subject explained to Masons than the seven liberal arts and sciences that have been included from our earliest rituals. Well in my mind the symbolism of Geometry is as relevant to the speculative Masons of today as it was in the days when the premiere Grand Lodge was formed in 1717, and in the Lodges that existed before that.
Unfortunately the symbolism is not always communicated to the new Mason. I would venture to say that in the Lodges, here in Minnesota, the symbolism of that part of the Middle Chamber Lecture about Geometry doesn’t get communicated to Masons very often.
The lessons of Freemasonry are taught by symbols and allegories, which means that it is rare indeed when there is not something to learn beyond the lectures, and talks, given during the ritual of the degrees.
What I want to relate in this issue of T.F.S., about the symbolism of Geometry, is straight from the writings of Brother and Reverend George Oliver, (commonly referred to as Dr. Oliver, of the Premiere Grand Lodge.) There is a book called “A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry” written by him,[iii] and that is where this information can be found.
From a point to a line: Brother Oliver says; “A point is an inactive effective disposition or inclination to the several duties of Man.” He goes on to say that it is the beginning of the performance of duty.
It’s kind of like the old saying; “to get off the dime.” I always understood that to mean it is time to begin what needs to be done; so a point is symbolical of starting every day what we as men and Masons have to do. If what we have to do is not evident at a particular time all we need to do is to refer to the Charge of each of the Masonic Degrees and also to the Charge at the closing of a Lodge.[iv]
About the line Brother Oliver says this: “The universal bond with which every Mason ought to be united, with his Brethren, should consist of sixty threads of yarn. Because, according to the ancient statutes, no Lodge was allowed to have above sixty members; but it neither depends upon the quality of the thread, nor the number of Brethren, if the bond which unites us all, is composed of true Brotherly love.”
So the line represents the bond between each of us as Masons. It is the Brotherly Love which unites us into one Society of Friends and Brothers among whom no contention should ever exist.
From a line to a superficies: Brother Oliver quotes from an old lecture, and if it was old to him, it is really old to us; and something of antiquity for us to consider.
“The flowing of a line generates a surface. A surface therefore, is perfect duty. Duty is either theoretical or practical. The sum of theoretical duties is the whole system of divine commands. Practical duties are those commands as existing in practice.”
A superficies is a figure of two dimensions. To me Brother Oliver’s quote about theoretical and practical duties reminds me of the circle, which represents our duties to God and Man beyond which we are never to suffer our passions or interests to betray us. I also think of circumscribing myself with all mankind, but more especially with a Brother Mason.
From a superficies to a solid: Also from an old lecture, Brother Oliver quotes; “A solid hath length, breath, and thickness, and is generated by the flowing of a superficies. A solid then is the whole system of divine laws, as existing in Practice. For if every duty in practice and perfection is a superficies, it will follow that when they are all laid one upon each other, there will be formed a solid; and this solid will be a rectangular triangular pyramid, whose altitude and the length and breath of its base are all equal. For the length, breath, and height of the whole law in practice must be perfect.”
Wow, a solid represents the whole system of divine laws. Then, this means to me the Great Light of Freemasonry, the Volume of Sacred Law. This is the volume that sits on the vertex of the circle, which points out the whole duty of man. It is also referred to in the third section of the lecture of the first degree as the book of life, and I like to think of my volume of sacred law in that way – an instruction book on living.
“The length, breath, and height of the law in practice must be perfect.” That also reminds me of Justice. The scales of justice equally balanced are a symbol of equity. The lessons of Freemasonry should be equally distributed to the Masons who make up the Lodge. Also the values we have as Masons should be applied equally to all mankind in our dealings with them.
On the subject of Geometry itself - Brother Oliver uses an inclusion by Gadicke: This inclusion makes a reference to what Brother James Anderson had to say on the subject in the Book of Constitutions.[v] “Among the mathematical sciences geometry is one which has the most especial reference to architecture, and we can, therefore, under the name of geometry, understand the whole art of Freemasonry. In Anderson’s Book of Constitutions, Freemasonry is frequently called geometry; and of the latter he saith, ‘that the whole being of the order is comprehended in it.’ Freemasons therefore ought to make themselves intimately acquainted with geometry. It is not absolutely necessary to be able to delineate geometrical figures; but it is necessary to be able to deduce all our actions, works, or resolutions from geometrical principles.”
There is a lot of explanation of Geometry for the Speculative Freemason to consider. In the Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible[vi] there is a quote that to me is interesting about the lessons of geometry for the speculative Mason. Under Euclid and Geometry it says in part; “After this cry was made, then came this worthy clerk, Euclid, and said to the King and his Lords, ‘If ye will, take me your children to govern, and to teach them one of the seven sciences, wherewith they may live honestly as gentlemen should, under a condition, that ye will grant me and them a commission that I may have power to rule them after the manner that the science ought to be ruled.’ And the King and his council granted to him on one and sealed their commissions. Then this worthy Doctor took to him these Lord’s sons, and taught them the science of Geometry in practice….”
Freemasonry has a lot to teach each of us about some of the lessons of the ages. The lessons on how to improve ourselves in Masonry have not changed over the years, because man really hasn’t changed. Our way of life has changed, our surroundings have changed, but what is really important remains the same. Values, integrity, the importance of raising children to be good and useful adults, the need for education, the worship of our creator, and the love of and for our spouse, family, and friends are still the important areas of life. These are some of the things Masonry teaches us about.
I often think of the scene in the movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” when the much older Private Ryan is at the grave marker of his former Captain. In speaking at the grave of his captain he says “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about what you told me. I have tried to be a good man, to lead a good life, I have tried to earn this.” Then, as his children and grandchildren are standing in the background, he says to his wife – “Tell me I’ve lived a good life, tell me I’ve been a good man.”
Sometimes we need someone to remind us about what is important in life; that’s what the Captain did when he said to the Private, “Earn this,” and that is what the symbols, and allegories of Freemasonry have to teach us too, but it takes effort on our part to find out what it is. When we do find out what it all means to us then we should share it with our Brethren.
“No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.” George Jean Nathan
T.F.S. is sent out without charge to everyone who would like to receive it by e-mail. If you enjoy T.F.S. please share it with others. To subscribe or to unsubscribe to T.F.S. just send an e-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with TFS or 3, 5, & 7 in the subject line and that will do the trick.
“I have found the best way to give advise to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” Brother Harry S. Truman
Sapiens Qui prospicit = [Latin] = He is wise who looks ahead.
With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] Traditions of Freemasonry and Its Coincidences with the Ancient Mysteries, by A.T.C. Pierson - 1885
[ii] The explanation as given in Lodge can be found on page 46 of the 1998 edition of the Masonic Manual of Minnesota.
[iii] This book can be found in dual volume titles “A Dictionary of Freemasonry” by Robert Macoy at many book stores at a reasonable price. ISBN 0-517-69213-9
[iv] These Charges can be found in the Masonic Manual of Minnesota. This is also available on line at http://www.mn-masons.org/
[v] Anderson’s Book of Constitutions of 1723 is available in the Little Masonic Library. These books are available from the Minnesota Grand Lodge Book Store at a very competitive price.
[vi] Masonic Book Club 1984
Labels: Symbolism