A Charge to be given to Brethren

Mehr Licht!
More Light!

Number 138 – September 24, 2007

The following is found in a book I highly recommend to the Masonic Student: “The Freemason at Work” by Brother Harry Carr & revised by Brother Frederick Smyth; published by Lewis Masonic. It’s a good book to read for enjoyment as well as learning. It is written with Freemasonry in England in mind, so to me it is even more interesting. The Charge that follows is found in this book; it was for printed in 1735 in W. Smith’s Pocket Companion.

A SHORT CHARGE to be given to new admitted BRETHREN.

You are now admitted by the unanimous Consent of our Lodge, a Fellow of our most Antient and Honorable SOCIETY; Antient, as having subsisted from times immemorial, and Honorable, as tending in every Particular to render a Man so that will be but conformable to its glorious Precepts. The greatest Monarchs in all Ages, as well of Asia and Africa as of Europe, have been Encouragers of the Royal Art; and many of them have presided as Grand Masters over the Masons in their respective Territories, not thinking it any lessening to their Imperial Dignities to Level themselves with their Brethren in MASONRY, and to act as they did.

The World's great Architect is our Supreme Master, and the unerring Rule he has given us, is that by which we Work.

Religious Disputes are never suffered in the Lodge; for as MASONS, we only pursue the universal Religion or the Religion of Nature. This is the Cement which unites Men of the most different Principles in one sacred Band, and brings together those who were the most distant from one another.

There are three general Heads of Duty which MASONS ought always to inculcate, viz., to God, our Neighbors and ourselves.

To God, in never mentioning his Name but with that Reverential Awe which becomes a Creature to bear to his Creator, and to look upon him always as the Sumum Bonum which we came into the World to enjoy, and according to that View to regulate all our Pursuits.

To our Neighbors, in acting upon the Square, or doing as we would be done by.

To ourselves, in avoiding all Intemperances and Excesses, whereby we may be rendered incapable of following our Work, or led into Behavior unbecoming our laudable Profession, and in always keeping within due Bounds, and free from all Pollution.

In the State, a MASON is to behave as a peaceable and dutiful Subject, conforming cheerfully to the Government under which he lives.

He is to pay a due Deference to his Superiors, and from his Inferiors he is rather to receive Honor with some Reluctance, than to extort it.

He is to be a Man of Benevolence and Charity, not sitting down contented while his Fellow Creatures, but much more his Brethren, are in Want, when it is in his Power (without prejudicing himself or Family) to relieve them.

In the Lodge, he is to behave with all due Decorum, lest the Beauty and Harmony thereof should be disturbed or broke.
He is to be Obedient to the Master and presiding Officers, and to apply himself closely to the Business of Masonry, that he may sooner become a Proficient therein, both for his own Credit and for that of the Lodge.

He is not to neglect his own necessary Avocations for the sake of MASONRY, nor to involve himself in quarrels with those who through Ignorance may speak evil of, or ridicule it.

He is to be a Lover of the Arts and Sciences, and to take all Opportunities of improving himself therein.

If he recommends a Friend to be made a MASON, he must vouch him to be such as he really believes will conform to the aforesaid Duties, lest by his Misconduct at any time the Lodge should pass under some evil Imputations. Nothing can prove more shocking to all faithful MASONS, than to see any of their Brethren profane or break through the sacred Rules of their Order, and such as can do it they wish had never been admitted.

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org/ and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at http://www.mn-masons.org/ under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com This week’s question is: Which is correct; Compasses or Compass, and why?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus

The Hoodwink

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 97 – April 20, 2007

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“You can’t spell “brothers” without at the same time spelling “others.”
From the Baptist Standard

By: Bro. L.C. Addison II
Montgomery Lodge No. 258
Minnesota A.F.&A.M.
Grand Lodge Education Committee Member


The Hoodwink: Is it just a prop? Or, does it have a deeper meaning?


During our degrees we continuously use a certain object for a certain purpose. That object is the Hoodwink. But, have we ever thought about what it really means? In the Entered Apprentice degree, we are taught that the hoodwink teaches our heart to conceal before our eyes behold the beauties of Masonry. However, is that it? Not by any means! During this lecture (usually given so well in my home lodge by W. B. Kenneth White) it further explains that we could neither see nor prevent danger and with safety put our trust in our conductor.

That one little object now takes on a very important role. Not only is it there as a degree prop, it now takes on the responsibility as a mental cue to our physical and spiritual psyche. It tells our physical mind that we have to be careful; it heightens our senses and enhances the audible sounds from our surroundings. We must, if not normally a trusting person, learn to rely on sometimes a total stranger. During the ceremony we learn to use our full range of senses to guide us.

The hoodwink, is also used as an extension, of the Tyler’s tool. By it he can guard the lodge from those may be unworthy or unwilling to appreciate the value of Freemasonry. Thereby preserving the sanctity of membership into our family and doing his part in protecting the entrance to our lodge. The hoodwink not only teaches us things, it helps us to be able to fully appreciate the wonderful gifts imparted to us in the degree at the right moment. For to receive them earlier would lessen the impact of their importance, as well as cause confusion and to receive them later would cause us to overlook them.

Some cultures refer to the eyes as windows to the soul. In using this reference we begin to the effect of the hoodwink on the spiritual psyche. It is a tool of preparation. It prepares us to be able to fully receive the lessons imparted to us. It allows us to block out the visual distractions and actually listen to what we are hearing. Allowing it to sink into our subconscious so that Freemasonry becomes a way of life and not merely a club that we joined.

In closing we must remember that a mustard seed of faith could move a mountain. So, even though the hoodwink is small in size and often overlooked, it is very important, to our Masonic foundation. Next time you see the hoodwink, take a moment to reflect upon its role. It will surprise you!!

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

“The Brotherhood of man begins with the manhood of the brother.”
Judge Jacob Braude

Loyauté n’a honte = [French] = Loyalty has no shame

From the Great Light of Masonry: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17


With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

Unity-Addison - May 20, 2007

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 99 – May 20, 2007

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

I don’t believe the accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings…Sisterhood and Brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.
Maya Angelou
Unity: Just How Important Is It?
By: Bro. L.C. Addison II
Montgomery # 258
Minnesota A.F. & A.M. GL Education Committee

I recently attended a Worship Service at a Minneapolis Church and found it to be quite informative. The Brother, who I attended with, had asked me to go earlier and I was quite hesitant to say yes. When he asked a second time, I finally agreed to go. Needless to say, after the service was over, I was glad that he had convinced me to go.

My change of heart was due to the message I received while I was there. It had to do with unity and how important it was to have in order for our spiritual path to be complete and our physical path to be relatively trouble free. It emphasized that in order for us to be in unison with the Creator we had to have our lives in unity and free from discord.

The pastor emphasized many scriptural texts that drove home to my heart the importance of Unity in the daily workings of life. One especially caught my attention. It comes from a certain text we may notice from Psalms 133 that states: “Behold! How good and how pleasant it is For Brothers to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil upon the head. That is running down upon the beard. Even Aaron’s beard. That is running down to the collar of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, that is descending upon the mountains of Zion. For there God demanded the blessing to be. Even life forevermore.”
It is important that the happiness of brotherly love is compared to the "dew of Hermon, which descended upon Mount Zion". In which connection it may be noted that in no other locality of Palestine is the dew so heavy and abundant as in the vicinity of this mountain group.

In ancient times, precious oil was used an anointing or confirmation of God’s chosen one and as an act of hospitality, as Jesus was anointed in the house of the Pharisee (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies.

So we can see from these passages that Unity plays a very important part in our spiritual lives. Indeed being in unison is at the very core of Freemasonry. It is unity that gives us pride to be Brother Masons, knowing that we walk a path that our ancient Brethren once walked before us. It is with unity we know that we can go anywhere on this mortal sphere and find a Brother, who through certain signs, a token, a word and the perfect points of our entrance, will admit us into their lodge as a Brother who calls that lodge home.

By dwelling together we confirm ourselves as brothers united together in our search for truth. During that gathering we invigorate each by having that listening ear to listen to instruction and a fellow Brother. Exercising that instructive tongue to impart wisdom and speak from the heart. As the Volume of Sacred Law says at Proverbs 15:23: “A man has rejoicing in the answer of his mouth and a word at the right time is O how good”. Finally we use the faithful breast as a repository for not only the secret of Freemasonry but also the confidence entrusted by our Brethren. So remember to strive to be in unison with another. Upon the level with love helping your Brother. In closing,

We stand as a force, united together.
In rain and snow
Not only fair weather.
As Brothers we stand united forever.
Traveling on the level,
To that undiscovered place.
Not regarding our Brother for his money, fame or his race.
But standing and living by the golden rule.
Until one day we lay down all our working tools.
To the glorious light of yours we hasten
As your creation, your children and as Freemasons.

“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”
Frederick Douglas

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

“In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Richard Baxter 1615-1691

Consensus tollit errorem = [Latin] = Consent removes error.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133 King James or Authorized Version.

This paper can be read in PDF format at www.mn-masons.org and then click on TFS

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

Progressive Science - April 20, 2006

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 73 – April 20, 2006

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“You will learn the ‘science of Masonry,’ that is: What Masonry is; but you are free to choose and use such parts of it as you find appealing to you.”
Brother Lynn F. Perkins[i]

In the ceremony of presenting the credentials and award for 50 years of membership in the Fraternity of Freemasons it says in part; “you have observed many changes in our ways of life: nations have flourished and fallen, but through it all our Institution remains unchanged and unchanging.”[ii]

Yet, in the second degree, we say that Masonry is a progressive science. This statement doesn’t have anything to do with change, but has to do with the progress that must be made in studying any science. As we study and learn we find that the principles of the science have been there and known for possibly hundreds of years, but through our study we begin to learn and understand these principles more, and the more we study the more we learn and understand, that is why some Freemasons refer to themselves as Masonic Students.

Today Freemasons are expected to be self-motivated enough to pursue the study of Freemasonry, and slowly their Lodges are beginning to aid in their quest for this kind information by having the Lodge Education Officer provide some interesting Masonic Education subjects for the stated communications of the Lodge. Also today Freemasons want to have some rational explanations of the Masonic Rituals and the Symbols to learn what they mean, and how the meanings can be applied in daily life. In the fairly distant past Freemasons were somewhat learned about Freemasonry, today the study of the progressive science continues.

Freemasonry is indeed a progressive science; from the time the candidate is met and prepared for his first degree until he completes his course of degrees he is continually advancing. The Rods of the Stewards and the Senior Deacon are symbols of this progress. The Lodge Stewards and the Senior Deacon, under whose control while the degree progresses from the preparation to the completion of the second section, guard him and guide him. These officers are not stationary they guide him from darkness to light; from ignorance to knowledge, from light to more light: “The rods represent that light and knowledge come by degrees, slowly but surely,” and progress onward. [iii]

Freemasonry is progressive because it progresses or moves in a regular order in the lessons it teaches, and the explanation of the allegories and symbols also systematically progress from one degree to the next.

It is in the lecture of the First Degree that the symbolism of the Ashlars are first introduced and explained. It is the second section of that lecture that the subject of the building of King Solomon’s Temple is introduced, and this is where metal is first brought to the attention of the new Mason. Metal among other things symbolized material progress. Iron is physically stronger than gold, but subject to rust and decay, so the new Mason coming from the material world must not bring anything into the Lodge that suggests material advancement at the expense of the spiritual.[iv]

Metals have something to do with the allegory of the building of King Solomon’s Temple, which naturally leads into the explanation of the Ashlars in the third Section of the Lecture.

A friend and Brother of mine understood this better than I did a while back when he mentioned to me that he was a temple builder. To understand the meaning of the Ashlars we need to understand that each one of us is building the Temple of his own character and in so doing we’re each in his own way building the greater temple of humanity.[v]

In building our own Temple each of our characteristics and qualities is a stone or Ashlar. In helping to build the greater Temple of humanity, each one of us is an Ashlar, rough at first, but gradually through the progress we make in our study, knowledge and improvement, are smoothed, polished and perfected until we are better fit to be built into the Temple of the human race.

We as humans are continually a work in progress.

“The Masonic way of the builder of a Spiritual Edifice makes your higher self your best friend.” Brother Lynn F. Perkins

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Ancora imparo = [Italian] = Still I am learning. [Said to have been a favorite saying of Michelangelo.]

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:11 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] In his book “New Age Youth and Freemasonry - 1972
[ii] Masonic Manual of Minnesota
[iii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #2580H
[iv] ibid #2095B
[v] The Lost Key

Artificial & Natural Symbols - April 01, 2006

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 72 – April 01, 2006

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“The company of Masons, called Free Masons, were a loving brotherhood for many ages.” From “The Present State n London,” by Thomas Delaune 1681

Dear Brethren, this issue of T.F.S. was delayed just a little because I was away attending the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education. This is a great conference to attend for those who are interested in promoting Masonic Education in the various jurisdictions in the Midwest, which includes the Province of Manitoba.

One of the benefits of the lateness of sending this out is that I received an E-mail from Brother Jim Sirvoy, with some information that I think you will enjoy seeing: “On Wednesday [April 5, 2006,] at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03, 04/05/06. That won't ever happen again in our lifetimes.” Thanks for this bit of current history Brother Jim.

By the way the brand new Web Site for the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education is: http://www.mwcme.org/ It is so new there isn’t much on it right now, but bookmark the site, and check back later - there will be more added to it as soon as can be.

Symbols may be divided into two classes; natural and artificial. A natural symbol is one in which the nature of a thing conveys an idea and is independent of any other language. Artificial refers to a symbol which has had arbitrary meanings assigned to it, usually by mutual agreement.[i]

Examples of the artificial and natural symbols might be illustrated by the alphabet and the words formed by the letters as being in the artificial category. Examples of natural symbols would be the Oak as a symbol of strength, the Lion for courage, White for purity, Blue for fidelity and the Sun for knowledge. The word Cable Tow has both elements, and in Masonry it has many meanings when it comes to symbolism.

Every Freemason learned about the word Cable Tow when he came to his Lodge on the date that his First Degree was conducted: The word, many times, is explained as coming from archaic language, which means a rope; to tow or draw along, or as Brother Pike said, it came from the German word ‘knabel-to’ meaning an Anchor Rope. Possibly you were like me, when you came to Lodge for your first Degree; I was so eager to learn the lessons Freemasonry had to pass on to the men who became Masons, I tried my best to listen and learn and to make mental notes of things I didn’t understand, so I could ask my sponsor.

Since that very first and short period in the Preparation Room, the things I have experienced in Freemasonry have far exceeded any wild dreams I could have had when I first entered the Lodge Room. But the fact is I didn’t have any dreams about Freemasonry then; except to get through the degree, and to learn the lessons of Freemasonry. Fortunately I had a sponsor and a coach who also was a real mentor; one who set me on the path to learn about Freemasonry.

I was once in a Lodge where they couldn’t locate the Cable Tow in the Preparation Room, and someone suggested to just use a rope, and with that suggestion one of the Brethren was almost ready to head for his pick-up to get a piece of rope. However, as luck would have it a diligent member who wouldn’t accept that the cable tow was lost found it, so the candidate was properly attired.






It was important that the proper item was found because a Cable Tow is not just any rope; it is special in that it is composed of three strands. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 the last sentence says: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Part of the symbolism and lesson from Ecclesiastes 4:12 is that “We are not here on earth to serve ourselves, however, but to serve God and others.”[ii]

The symbolism of the cable tow in Freemasonry is interesting to say the least. When we look at and for the symbolism of the Cable Tow we will notice that it must be a three stranded rope, and that it must be fastened in three different places as a Mason progresses in his degrees. The Symbolism about why it is fastened in three locations is explained the lecture of each of the degrees, but not why it must be of three strands.

One part of the symbolism is said to be a means of controlling the movement of a candidate, but it is also symbolic of a covenant by which a Mason is tied to other Masons and to the fraternity.

We may also say in Freemasonry that the three strands of the Cable Tow are symbolic of:

1. The chains of vice, which bind us to our lower natures.
2. The forces of Law, which keep us from yielding to our selfish passions.
3. Our Masonic Obligation, which we voluntarily enter into in our degrees.[iii]

Finally, for now, as the Cable Tow is loosed at the initiation into each degree of the Blue Lodge, the Cable Tow is symbolic of the invisible cord that binds the spirit to the body until it is loosed by death, or by initiation into the next and higher plane of life.[iv]

“We are symbols and inhabit symbols.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sed magis amica veratas = [Latin] = Plato is a friend, Socrates is a friend, but truth is more a friend.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.”
Isaiah 8:18 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

“A Cable Tow is the strongest cord in the world – it will stretch indefinitely!”
[i] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible
[ii] Tyndale’s Life Application Study Bible NIV
[iii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible
[iv] The Lost key - Tucker

The Lessons of Masonry - Novenber 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 63 – November 20, 2005

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“T’is the mind that makes the body rich.” William Shakespeare

From time immemorial every candidate for the mysteries of Masonry[i] has been required to declare that in petitioning for the degrees of Masonry he has not been influenced by improper solicitation of friends, that he is not influenced by mercenary motives, that he has a favorable opinion of the institution, and a desire of knowledge.

As the materials for the Temple of Solomon were prepared in the forests of Lebanon, the mountains and in the quarries before being assembled in Jerusalem, so should the candidate for the degrees of Masonry be prepared in his heart before he is permitted to enter the ‘sacred precincts’ of the Lodge Room.[ii]

“Like our Ancient Brethren, we are engaged in the building of a temple, not like theirs of wood and stone, but of immortal souls. Their temple was composed of perishable materials, ours of living stones. The material temple which they built has long since crumbled into dust, but ours shall endure when earth’s proudest monumental piles shall have crumbled and their glory and greatness shall have been forgotten.”[iii]

A Creed
By Brother Edwin Markham

“There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.

I care not what his temples or his creeds,
One thing holds firm and fast –
That into his fateful heap of days and deeds
The soul of a man is cast.


“On the mind all our knowledge must depend; what therefore can be a more proper subject for the investigation of Masons?”

The lessons of Masonry are taught to Masons young and old in the craft. When we watch a degree the principal participant in the ceremony of whatever degree we observe is the candidate for the degree. We watch him as he progresses through the degree and notice that he is of sound body, but it is his mind, his intelligence, that we must rely on to learn what he needs to learn to be a worthy brother. “So the real candidate is the mind of the one going trough the initiation.[iv]”

The physical body does not learn a lesson, but it is required to be placed in certain positions, and to go through certain motions in order to impress upon the ‘real candidate,’ the mind, the particular lessons that are intended to be taught. “The candidate [we see] goes through all the initiations, and in them the body is used to impress certain truths upon his mind.” Because of this the candidate’s physical body is the principal symbol of each degree; his body is a symbol of what lies within.[v]

“The symbology does not take him as one single entity, except in the instance in which it regards him as symbolizing the mind.” Every human being has two great subdivisions; the visible and the invisible. The candidate for the degrees has a visible body, but he also has an invisible part of him that we may refer to as the will, spirit, soul, and mind or possibly by another name we might be able to use. But it is the invisible part of him that learns the lessons and it is the visible part of him that is used to symbolize the lessons to be learned.[vi]

We have friends, brothers, and relatives who we love and respect. What we see and picture in our minds when we think of them is their appearance, the physical them, but we know it is not the physical body we love and respect; it is the character. The various traits and qualities of our loved ones; the invisible part of them is what we love, admire and respect. His kindness, helpfulness, intelligence, and compassion for others are the things we love - the invisible, they are not part of the physical body; the physical body is the tool of the mind to demonstrate the traits we admire.

So when we hear or think of these words: “On the mind all our knowledge must depend; what therefore can be a more proper subject for the investigation of Masons?” Possibly we ought to look into ourselves and use our mind to learn the lessons of Freemasonry and apply them to our own lives to improve ourselves and develop our character; those invisible qualities that make up the good and true man.

“An enlightened mind is not hoodwinked; it is not shut up in a gloomy prison till it thinks the walls of its own dungeon the limits of the universe, and the reach of its own chain the outer verge of intelligence.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3’, in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Januæ mentis = [Latin] = The doors of the mind.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 2nd Chronicles 29:9 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] A mystery is merely something that as of yet is unknown
[ii] Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible #3095E1
[iii] ibid #3095E2
[iv] The Lost Key by Brother Prentiss Tucker – section #56
[v] ibid #58
[vi] ibid #60

The Masonic Apron - October 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 60 – October 01, 2005

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“Love is like linen often chang’d, the sweeter.” Phineas Fletcher [1582-1650]

Freemasons are said to be properly clothed when they are wearing the white Apron of a Freemason, and in some jurisdictions he should also be wearing white gloves. (The white gloves are symbolic of clean hands, the white aprons of purity, so the two combined could be held as symbolic of a pure heart and harmless hands.)

I said a Mason is properly clothed when he is wearing his apron. Sometimes when I am present at degree work I will hear the words Clad and Clothed used in the wrong place as a description of what a Mason is wearing. Clothe is to cover with, as with clothing; to dress, attire, or to invest; in other words to provide with clothing.Clad is a preterit[i] and past participle of Clothe. So when some Masons are said to be clad in white gloves and aprons it means that they were clothed that way, and to say that a Mason ought to be clothed as an Entered Apprentice, for instance, it means that he should be wearing the Masonic Apron in the manner an Entered Apprentice is to wear it.

We as Masons know that the Masonic Apron, or Lambskin, is an emblem of innocence and the true badge of a Mason. The Operative Mason wore his apron to protect his clothing, but Speculative Masons wear the apron to remind themselves that they should protect themselves from the sins of the world.[ii]

When the new Entered Apprentice receives his Apron, is taught how to wear it, and learns some of the history and symbolism of it, he then has a symbol of Freemasonry that is a symbol that can give him many hours of study and learning. The Apron is composed of a square and a triangle; the square of the apron, (the shape of it,) is an oblong square, (being wider than it is long,) which is representative of the lodge room. The square also symbolizes the physical, the material nature of man which is the personality. The square is four sided and represents the lower-self, which is man’s fourfold lower nature; the physical, psychic, emotional and lower mental natures. The triangle of the apron symbolizes the threefold spirit;[iii] love, the higher-self, and the spiritual.

The apron is white to symbolize purity. Purity is different from innocence, because it includes the meaning of knowledge. A child can be rightly called innocent and pure, but the purity of a child is the purity of ignorance and inexperience, not the purity of knowledge and conscious choice,[iv] which the Mason is to strive toward. Freemasons, being adult men, have been tried by temptation in their lives and by resisting, overcoming, and learning from these experiences he has developed personal strength to be able to do a better job of resisting and overcoming in the future. That purity of life and conduct, which is represented by the white apron of the freemason, and which is essentially necessary to gain admission into the celestial Lodge is the purity that has the added meaning of knowledge, and of the resistance to wrong.

The white leather apron “symbolizes the purity which has experienced all temptations and adverse conditions and consciously prefers righteousness to unrighteousness.” The Lamb has always been considered a most innocent animal, but the significance and symbolism of the Lamb also includes another quality, which is of Masonic importance, and that is harmlessness.[v] The white color of the apron, regardless of whether it is constructed out of linen or of Lamb skin, represents and symbolizes innocence, purity, and harmlessness; the refusal to give offence or to harm another.

When the Masonic apron is looked at as a square and a triangle, (the square representing the lower part of human nature, and the triangle symbolizing the higher part,) when the triangle is folded up it symbolizes that the spirit, has not yet descended into the material world of the wearer, or his human nature, where it, (the spirit,) will begin the task of the redemption of the lower-self and the purification of the lower nature. The folding down over the square symbolizes the descent of the Spirit of the higher-self into the lower-self.

The square of the apron, as has been mentioned already, is not quite square and thus it symbolizes the imperfection of our lower nature, but the square of the apron also symbolizes the proper development of human nature and shows the attainment and the means we must use to reach the development of ourselves.[vi]


[vii] [Note for reader, for some reason the diagram of the Apron did not copy to the web site. Ed]

When we look at the diagram of the Square of the apron, the bottom edge of the Apron symbolizes the lowest and basest of human nature; selfishness. From the bottom of the apron rising along the two sides are lines which symbolize progress of development from the lower nature of selfishness to the higher unselfishness. The two lines symbolize that our progress toward the goal of spiritual enlightenment must progress by two different lines which lead both to the heart and the head, (the emotional and the intellectual,) both lines are constructive and both supplement each other.[viii]

Masonry is a progressive science, and both of these lines need to be followed to avoid becoming one-sided, and to become balanced in order to have our personal apron properly formed. When both lines are followed intelligently and when the top line of the lower part of the apron is reached, and we have developed the quality of unselfishness, we are ready to progress still further.

Finally we will arrive at the triangle of the apron which represents the spiritual-self the higher-self which represents the great quality of love. Love is symbolized by the bottom line of the triangle. This is the pure spiritual love which we learn about in the first degree when we are told of the Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. Charity means love of ones fellow-men; good will to others; leniency in judging others or their actions. Charity is the pure spiritual Love emphasized in Matthew 22:37-40
The turning up of the right-hand corner of the square of the apron symbolizes the work of the triangle in raising up the lower-self, the turning up denotes a partial success of our higher-self over our lower natures, but it is quickly returned to the to fellow-craft form when we remember the square of the apron represents the personality.[ix] The material part of man and the triangle represents our spirit or our higher-self which has come down into the material nature to battle against the lusts and passions of our lower natures which we are attempting to subdue so that we may improve in Masonry.

While we all, most likely, have our own personal white leather apron we many times will use a linen apron furnished by our lodge at our stated and special communications. This does not interfere with any of the symbolism of the apron; a linen apron actually has the further symbolism of righteousness. In the book of Revelation, speaking about ‘The Marriage supper of the Lamb’ in Chapter 19 verse 8 it says: “It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is [representative of] the righteous acts of the Saints.” NASB[x]

“No perfumes, but very fine linen, plenty of it, and country washing.”
Beau Brummell [1778-1840]

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3’, in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

“Is not old wine wholesomest, old pippins toothsomest, old wood burn brightest, old linen wash whitest? Old soldiers, sweethearts, are surest, and old lovers are soundest.”
John Webster [1580-1625]

Ancipitis usus = [Latin] = Of twofold use.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

“Be merry be wise.”
Brother Tom Hendrickson
Senior Grand Steward, Grand Lodge of Minnesota
[i] i.e.: By gone; past. Denoting past action, or to state simply a continuance.
[ii] Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible #940E
[iii] The Lost Key #’s 159-160
[iv] ibid #161
[v] ibid #162
[vi] ibid #164 -165
[vii] ibid page 91
[viii] ibid #167
[ix] ibid #196
[x] New American Standard bible

The Ark & The Tabernacle - August 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 57 – August 20, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“Life is a study; a man’s duty is to learn.”
Brother Robert Davis [Understand Manhood in America.]

The Ark and the Tabernacle

In Blue Lodge Masonry we learn that a Lodge should be situated due East and West, because that was the way Moses set the Tabernacle that God had instructed him to build. The Tabernacle was a place for the Priests to worship, and for the people to offer sacrifices as well as a place to house the Ark of the Covenant.

We don’t hear much about the Ark of the Covenant in the Three Degrees of Masonry, except that it was placed in the Sanctum Santorum of King Solomon’s Temple. However, those who pursue other degrees will find the Ark of the Covenant mentioned more in those degrees.

As long as I mentioned other degrees I will comment that in Freemasonry we say there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason, which is true, however, there are other degrees such as the degrees contained in the Scottish and York Rites of Masonry, which will give the Masonic Student much more to learn and apply when it comes to studying Freemasonry. If you would like to know more about those degrees so that you can enjoy Freemasonry more, check with some of your Lodge Brothers about the York and Scottish Rites, I’m sure they will be pleased to tell you about them.

The Ark of the Covenant was constructed according to God’s directions by Moses, Bezaleel and Aholiab. The Ark of the Covenant is referred to in the Bible by other names as well; The Ark of the Testimony, The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, The Ark of the Lord God of Israel, and The Ark of God, to name some of them. The various names applied to the Ark of the Covenant indicate the high veneration in which the Ark was held by the people.[i] Among ancient people an ark was thought of as a symbol of the receptacle of life, and the interior of the ark symbolized the place where life came into being, so the Ark of the Covenant, therefore, was held in great reverence as the Holy of Holies[ii] and it should be kept in a sacred place such as the Tabernacle or Temple.

When we think of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle in the Wilderness we will remember that there was a cloud called The Shekinah[iii]. It first appeared when Moses consecrated the Tabernacle and then it appeared upon the consecration of the Temple of Solomon. The Shekinah is a visible cloud of light; it is a symbol of Divinity or Divine Glory, but as the true glory of Divinity is truth and righteousness therefore Divine Truth is The Shekinah of Masonry.[iv] “As the disappearance of The Shekinah from the Ark of the Covenant of the Israelites signified the withdrawal of the divine presence, and was accompanied by disaster and destruction, so in like manner the disappearance of Divine Truth and Righteousness from Masonry would presage the same sad ending of this order.”[v] “Masonry is not a mere social institution. Its antiquity, its universality, and its active vitality under widely divergent conditions seem to prove that it was founded and continued under Divine Approval. It is for us to see to it that we do not, like the Israelites, become self-confident by reason of our strength and prosperity and wander away to strange gods and thus lose our Shekinah, our Divine Presence, and come to destruction.”[vi]

“Among all ancient races the ark was a symbol of salvation, its preservation implied safety, sanctifying the nation who honored it as the abiding place of Divine wisdom and power.”[vii]

To the Mason the word Ark suggests a mystery; an Arcanum or Arcana which are Latin words meaning secrets or mysteries.[viii] “The Ark symbolizes the Divine Presence manifesting in us. The ark of the living temple- Man – is the soul, and between the mystic Cherubim (will and intellect) the Most High reveals himself to the true initiate. The ark was made of Acacia wood and Acacia is the symbol of eternity. The ark was overlaid with plates of gold, and gold is the emblem of the Sun, and the Sun is the ancient symbol of Deity.”[ix]

“A smart man gets a lot of advice; a wise man evaluates all the advice he gets.” Zondervan

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Au plaisir de vous revoir = [French] = Until I have the pleasure of seeing you again.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2nd Samuel 6:14-15 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

“Be merry be wise.”
Brother Tom Hendrickson
Senior Grand Steward, Grand Lodge of Minnesota
[i] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #5
[ii] ibid #13A
[iii] Meaning ‘Divine Presence:’ Catholic Encyclopedia
[iv] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #7B
[v] ibid #7C
[vi] ibid #7D
[vii] ibid #13D quoting Elizabeth Goldsmith in “life Symbols,” page 283
[viii] In Minnesota there are Lodges with the name Arcana and Shekinah
[ix] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #13F: Quoting Brother Henry R. Evans.

Truth - August 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 56 – August 01, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“The inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.” Francis Bacon 1561-1626

Anyone who’s ever lived or traveled in Minnesota most likely has heard of Minnesota Nice, and possibly they’ve experienced it. For those who have never been fortunate enough to be in Minnesota; well, Minnesota Nice, I believe, is something every parent drills into their children no matter where they live, but someone in Minnesota came up with a phrase to publicize it. Minnesota is the North Star State, and Masonically the North Star symbolizes Truth.[i] However, there are times when Minnesota Nice seems like that term is a myth here in Minnesota; just as Truth is hard to find at times no matter where your travels take you.

Truth is a big thing in life. We as individuals want to continue a devotion to truth in the children we raise, just as our parents taught us the value and meaning of truth. In the various ceremonies and degrees of Freemasonry we will hear about the virtues of Truth, in fact Freemasonry is the only organization I know of which has Truth as one of the principle tenets of the organization.

Just what, or how much, do we know about truth? Is Truth only a symbol to us in Masonry that we like to talk about, or is it more? If we turn to the Great Light of Masonry, the Holy Bible, we will find much information which will lead us to the truth about Truth.

What are some symbols of Truth?

The Burning Bush in the story of Moses on Mount Horeb[ii] is a symbol of truth. Fire consumes material things, but here in this biblical event Moses received Light from God Himself, and nothing was consumed. Truth does not consume, it enlightens. Light, More Light, and the Further Light, which we as Masons are seeking makes all things clear in the brilliant light of knowledge.[iii]
The author Stephen Covey says that truth is knowledge of things as they are.

Another symbol of truth is the Breast: The breast, in the Great Light of Masonry and in Masonry itself, is represented as a symbol of trust and faithfulness. One of the jewels of a Fellow Craft is ‘the faithful breast.’

The Great Light of Masonry, The Bible, is also a symbol of Truth. It is a place for the Mason to go in search of the spiritual knowledge necessary to ‘choose the right and reject the wrong.’[iv]

The Column of Wisdom which is represented by the Master of the Lodge is also a symbol of truth. As the sun rises in the East to bring light to the day, the rays of truth and wisdom also come forth from the Worshipful Master of our Lodge as he presides in the East to bring light, (knowledge,) to the Brethren assembled in Lodge.

The color Blue is a symbol of truth, the Truth of God. The truth that is in the Great Light of Masonry; the Holy Bible is a reservoir of truth, and as seekers of truth this is one of the main places to be in search of it. “How weak and insignificant is the mind of one who can see nothing of value in the Great Light of Masonry.” The truth that is in the Bible is eternal; it has outlived nations and civilizations.[v] The Truth and wisdom contained in the Great Light of Masonry is always fresh and interesting to the Mason who is searching for that which was lost.
The phrase ‘True Blue’ means a person of enduring virtue and unblemished reputation. Truth and trustworthiness are symbolized by the color blue; “a fitting symbol of the character a Freemason should attain.”[vi]

The Shekinah is also a symbol of Truth; Divine Truth. The Divine Glory and the Divine Truth, is the Shekinah of Freemasonry.[vii]

The search for truth is the greatest object of Freemasonry, and as we advance in knowledge we will find that our search for light, for the word, for truth, for God, are different phases of the same quest.[viii]

Those Masons who are members of the Royal Arch will recognize the Signet of Zerubbabel as a symbol of truth, and it is called the Signet of Truth. Presenting this signet shows the presenter is in search of truth and it shows that he who is in possession of it is authorized to pursue the search.[ix]

Here is some truth about Freemasonry and the Holy Bible. I will quote this directly from the Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible.

1. “The science of Freemasonry revolves around a word of supreme importance which became lost before those to whom it had been promised could receive it.”
2. “This word was necessary to the very existence of the craft, and a substitute was provided which was to be used until in the course of time, and after a persistent search, the right word might be found.
3. This fact is known to every Mason, but very few know that the same symbolism runs through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.”[x]

“He is the freeman whom the truth makes free.” William Cowper 1731-1800

Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas = [Latin] = Plato is dear to me, but dearer still is truth.
Attributed to Aristotle [384-322 B.C.E.]

From the Great Light of Masonry: = “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.” Psalm 15.1-2 NIV

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #2885A
[ii] Exodus chapter 3
[iii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #815D, E
[iv] ibid #728Q4
[v] ibid #728Q5
[vi] ibid 747B
[vii] ibid 2735C
[viii] ibid #2671A
[ix] ibid #2780A
[x] Ibid 1948A

The Pillars - June 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 53 – June 20, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“The fields from Islington to Marybone, to Primrose Hill and Saint John’s Wood, were builded over with pillars of gold; and there Jerusalem’s pillars stood.”
William Blake [1757-1827]

There is a lot to learn from the symbolism of Freemasonry, and I always like to learn more. A while ago I heard someone mention his wonderment about why the pillars were placed on the right and left side of the Porch of King Solomon’s Temple, and what purpose they served.

We may think that we really won’t know the reason King Solomon had them cast and what their purpose was for certain, but still there is information on them that might lead us to draw a conclusion:

One pillar was placed on each side of the main entrance to the temple. They surely were decorative, and they might also have held a symbolism that is not known to us. Some Biblical Scholars think that the pillars were free standing, as their representatives in a Masonic Lodge are, while others think that they supported a roof and an architrave.[i] [ii]

In the ritual of Freemasonry we are told that the pillars were cast in the clay grounds on the banks of the river Jordan, and were cast hollow so that they could better serve as a safe repository for the archives of Masonry against all conflagrations and inundations.

The book of Jeremiah in the Great Light of Masonry also is a place to look for information on the pillars and how they were constructed:[iii] “Each of the pillars was eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference, each was four fingers thick, and hollow. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was five cubits high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its pomegranates, was similar. There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; the total number of pomegranates above the surrounding network was a hundred.” Jer 52:21-23 NIV. (These passages of scripture in Jeremiah are referring to the destruction of the Temple, but they do describe how the pillars were constructed.)

From the description above we can tell that the pillars were indeed cast hollow, just as the story of the pillars in Masonic ritual, tell us they were. Another interesting note is that the remains of pillars, such as Boaz and Jachin, have been found in the excavations of numerous temples in the Holy land.[iv]

In the old Masonic Manuscripts it is mentioned about how the children of Lamech in order to preserve the secrets of their trades constructed two hollow pillars that were designed to withstand fire and flood.[v] Josephus, the early Hebrew historian, says that the pillar that survived the flood stood in the land of Siriad at the time he wrote ‘The Book of History from the Creation to the Death of Isaac.’[vi] “A later legend ascribes the erection of the pillars to Enoch, who inscribed on them the liberal arts and sciences, including the principles of Freemasonry.”[vii]

Our late Brother C.C. Hunt in his Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible gives a reference to Revelations 3:12 where it says in part “him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…..” He then applies this to symbolize, as far as Masonry in concerned, that the Mason who “learns to subdue his passions will become a pillar in the spiritual temple of God, and upon him will be written the forgotten name of God, of which the Lost word is a symbol.”

Brother Hunt also tells us that the pillars being cast in the clay ground of the Jordan, and placed on each side of the porch, as they were, are symbolically to a Mason that they are “cast in the clay ground of the brain and placed in the porch-way of human consciousness, to guide us in our passage from material to spiritual knowledge.” The pillars also represent space and time, which is hollow. “We are dwelling within their walls, and though floods may overwhelm and fire consumes the material work of our hands, yet will the record of noble character be forever safe in the repository of God’s infinite love and care.”[viii]

“It may be that we cannot immediately solve our problems, but we can immediately change our attitude.” An Anonymous Brother

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Gigni de nihilo nihilum, in nihilum nil posse reverti =[Latin] = From nothing nothing can arise, into nothing nothing can return.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad; and my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” Proverbs 23: 15-16 NRSV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] NIV Study Bible – Zondervan note on 1 Kings 7:15
[ii] An Architrave is the lowest division of an Entablature; resting immediately on the columns.
[iii] A cubit was a standard measure of 17 to 20 inches in length.
[iv] NIV Study Bible – Zondervan note on 2 Chronicles 3:17
[v] Story begins in Genesis 4:19-22
[vi] The Woks of Josephus Book 1 Chapter 2
[vii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #1102A3
[viii] ibid #1102Z

All-Seeing Eye - June 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 52 – June 01, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“Moral education must be a cooperation of older and younger fellow seekers.”
Ralph W. Sockman

The Masonic Symbol of the All Seeing Eye seems to be one of the best known Masonic symbols by the initiated and the uninitiated in the United States. While the All Seeing Eye is one of the best known and most recognizable Masonic Symbols it is also one of the least understood and most maligned of our Symbols. When the enemies of Freemasonry combine the Masonic All Seeing Eye with their misinformed interpretation of the Great Seal of the United States, which contains the artistic eye of providence, they link Freemasonry with all sorts of unsavory and unlawful plans, plots and deeds.

Our good Brother S. Brent Morris, many years ago now, wrote a great paper explaining and debunking all the erroneous charges and assumptions about the Great Seal of the United States. His paper can be viewed on the LEO Resources page of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota at http://www.mn-masons.org/gleo Also there is the official explanation of the symbolism of the Great Seal of the United States at http://www.greatseal.com/

There is an old axiom in the business world that says; to be believed ‘speak as one who has authority.’ And that is exactly what the enemies of Masonry do when they speak, or write articles, for the edification of the uninitiated when they want to tell the world what they think Freemasonry is. Part of the trouble is that because they speak as one who has authority people listen to them, and some of the people who listen are our friends and families. Even some Freemasons learn some of their information on Freemasonry from them too.

The All-Seeing Eye is an important symbol of the Supreme Being, which was borrowed by Freemasonry from the ancients. The ancient Hebrews, as well as the Egyptians and other nationalities, selected different parts of the human body as symbols for something else; for instance the foot was adopted as a symbol for speed, (just image the F.T.D. logo in your mind,); the arm as a symbol for strength, (image the logo for Arm and Hammer products,); and the right hand for fidelity, (there are many examples of this in advertising, and it is demonstrated everywhere and every time two men meet. Plus many times two right hands joined seals the deal to buy a car around here.) For the same reasons the open eye was selected as the symbol of watchfulness, and the eye of God as the symbol for Divine watchfulness as well as care for the universe.[i]

The All Seeing Eye is not mentioned in the Bible as such, however, the fact that the people of the Old Testament believed that the eye of God is all-seeing is alluded to in many different passages of scripture. An example of the eye of God being a symbol of His omnipresence and constant watchfulness can be found in Psalm 34:15-17 where in verse 15 it says: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.” [NRSV] ‘Righteous’ in this instance refers to God’s people. The word represents those who honor God and conduct their lives in all things according to His will.

Throughout the degrees of Masonry we learn that the All-Seeing Eye symbolizes the power that directs; the steps that lead to knowledge and understanding; and the immortality of the soul. When Masons think of the All-Seeing Eye it is easy to remember it is the eye of God; the One who gave light to the physical world; wisdom to the intellectual world; and goodness to the ethical.[ii]

“The All-Seeing Eye may be considered as a symbol of God manifested in His omnipresence – His guardian and preserving character – to which Solomon alludes in the book of Proverbs: ‘The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.’ [Proverbs 15:3 NIV] The All-Seeing Eye is a symbol of the omnipresent Deity.”[iii]

“Pythagoras, the first genius and founder of Greek Mathematics was born about 580 B.C. ‘There is harmony in nature,’ he said, ‘a unity in her variety, and it has a language: numbers is the language of nature.’ Pythagoras, as his followers, felt that all the irregularities in nature are musical; the movements of the heavens were for them the music of the spheres.” Jacob Bronowski in “The Ascent of Man.”

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Cave quid dicis quando, et cui [Latin] = Beware what thou sayest, when, and to whom.”

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord has finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:10, 11 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

[i] Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Clegg edition 1929
[ii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #301
[iii] Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Clegg edition 1929

Beauty and Bands - May 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 51 – May 20, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” Ninon De L’Enclos

Beauty and Bands

In the old Masonic Ritual used in England prior to the union of the Ancients and the Moderns there were two rods used in the ritual, and they were named Beauty and Bands.
These names were allusions to the two rods spoken of by the profit Zechariah in the Great Light of Masonry: In Zechariah 11:7, 10, & 14 are some interesting passages referring to Beauty and Bands. The two staffs which Zechariah named were symbolic of the two roles God directed him to portray; that being two different kinds of shepherds. One shepherd showing how God would reject his people because they had rejected Him and the other demonstrating how God would give over His people to evil shepherds.[i] i.e. God providing the kind of shepherd the people deserve.[ii] Chapter 11 of Zechariah is an interesting chapter of the Bible to read and study.

According to Brother C.C. Hunt in his Book Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible “the rod called Beauty symbolized ‘Holiness’ and that of Bands ‘Love.’ They were the rods by which the good shepherd led his sheep.” The Prophet Zechariah refers “to sheep, which, deceived by false shepherds, refused to follow the true leader,” and Zechariah therefore broke the rods, since the people were unheeding, “leaving the flock to their own fate.”

Masonically the rod Beauty “taught the same lesson as the lambskin; Bands, the cement of brotherly love and affection.” The disregard of these rods just as the disregard of the meaning of the lambskin and the lessons of brotherly love and affection, would bring unhappiness and suffering to the individual.[iii]

While the names of the rods are Beauty and Bands in the King James, or Authorized Version, as well as in the New Kings James version, in the other translations the names were translated into Favor and Union instead of Beauty and Bands. These more modern names I think are more telling of what the names mean; one was called Favor, (Beauty,) to ensure divine favor on the flock; Union, (Bands,) because such unity should be the result of the gracious leadership of the good shepherd.

Zechariah finally broke both of the staffs; the breaking of these staffs named Favor and Union signified the breaking of the covenant by which the Shepherd had been keeping other nations from attacking His people, and signifying the dissolution of the unity between the south and the north, (Judah and Israel.)

By the way, mentioning the leadership of the good shepherd, above, reminds me of the attitude of prayer Masons assume. Our Attitude of prayer, with the left over the right and fingers at the shoulders, is also referred to as the ‘sign of the good shepherd.’ This is how a good shepherd would carry a lost or wandering sheep back to the safety and comfort of once again being a part of the flock.

About this old piece of the Masonic ritual our good Brother George Oliver, DD., says: “The application of beauty and bands to the science of Freemasonry was in much esteem with our brethren at the beginning of the present century [1800’s]; but at the reunion, (of the Ancients and the Moderns,) being pronounced inconsistent with the general plan of the Order, it was expunged, and is now nearly forgotten, except by a few old Masons, who may, perhaps, recollect the illustration as an incidental subject of remark amongst the Fraternity of that period.”

“The God of love my Shepherd is, and he that doth me feed, while He is mine, and I am His, what can I want or need?” George Herbert 1593-1633

The name of our Brother Dr. George Oliver is very familiar to many Freemasons, but aside from knowing the name some may not know all that much about him. He was born November 5, 1782 in Peplewick, England, and was educated at Nottingham. He became a school master and later took the orders of divinity in 1813. He become the Vicar of Clee in 1815. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1836 and became rector of Wolverhampton. He is said to have been initiated into Freemasonry by his father, Dr. Samuel Oliver, in St. Peter’s Lodge, Petersborough, as a Lewis. In 1813 he was appointed Provincial Grand Steward, in 1816 Provincial Grand Chaplain, and in 1833 Provincial Grand Master in Lincolnshire. Brother Oliver was a Masonic scholar and writer. His study included history, symbolism, law, morals, religion, ethics, and facts.[iv] Brother Oliver died March 3, 1867.

“I would live to study, and not study to live.” Francis Bacon

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien = [French] = “Better is the enemy of well; let well enough alone.”

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Then I looked up – and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! I asked, ‘where are you going?’ He answered me, ‘to measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” Zechariah 2:1, 2 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer


[i] Zondervan Life Application Study Bible note Verse 11:4-17
[ii] The New Oxford Annotated Bible NRSV note verse 11:8
[iii] Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible #668C
[iv] 10,000 Famous Freemasons by William R. Denslow Vol. 3

Light - May 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 50 – May 01, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“Hooray! Hooray! The first of May, outdoor necking starts today!”
Brother Arthur Godfrey

“Wisdom is only found in truth.” Brother Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Light

It’s an interesting word – Light. When we think of that word we may automatically think of its opposite – Darkness, then we may remember the first words in the Great Light of Masonry: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and the earth was without form, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said. Let there be light; and there was light. Genesis 1: 1-3 KJV

The opposite of light is no light or darkness. Light represents life; darkness death; light knowledge; darkness ignorance. The East is the source of light, and the North is a place of darkness. The East has always been considered a sacred place as a source of light, the place of the rising sun, therefore it is thought of Masonically as the seat of enlightenment and learning. The rite of circumambulation is interesting when you think of light and darkness too. In circumambulation there is no destination reached. However, each circuit around the altar in a Masonic Lodge represents bringing the initiate to a higher level than the one he was on previously; and therefore into more light. It also symbolically follows the course of the sun traveling from the east to the west by way of the south.

We, as Masons, are sometimes referred to as the Son’s of Light, and from the moment we begin our initiation we are in search of light, which in Masonry is symbolic of truth. We, as Masons, are in search for this truth, (light, knowledge,) until our goal is reached, which is fitting ourselves as living stones for that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.[i] That is the time when we will be brought to full light by the Great Architect of the universe.

The Great Lights of Masonry are, as you know, the Holy Bible, Square and Compass. They are called Great Lights because they don’t give us physical light, any match, flame, or light bulb will do that, but the Great Lights give us spiritual light which is greater, and the Holy Bible is the book of life, which is our spiritual Trestle Board. The Holy Bible, Square and Compass are inseparable and each while important to the others also are important by themselves. The Square represents our experiences as men and Masons; our earthly knowledge, the Compass represents philosophy; or heavenly knowledge,[ii] The Holy Bible is the book of life, which will help guide us through our life’s journey. The Holy Bible, as The Great Light of Masonry, is a book so full of the wisdom of life, so enlightening to the person, and especially to the Mason, struggling to find his way through the darkness.[iii]

The lesser lights of the Lodge symbolize the sun rising in the east, meridian in the south, and setting in the west. They are not lesser because they are compared with each other, (the sun, and the moon,) but they are lesser because, and when, they are compared and with the Great Lights, (Moral and Spiritual,) of Masonry.

Light typifies knowledge and it is in that sense that Masonry is an unending search for light, an unending search for truth.[iv] When a Mason is brought to light, the meaning is not that Masonry creates light, because it doesn’t. Freemasonry only is a means to transmit light, it should be a conductor of light, (knowledge and truth,) and thus we as Masons, like the legendary Hiram, should be a transmitter of light to those around us.

“”It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, from ‘The Poet at the Breakfast Table.’

Dr. Rolland W. Schloerb, a Minister of the Hyde Park Baptist Church in Chicago, many, many years ago told a story about President Thomas Jefferson in one of his sermons. Rather it was a story about kindness, but Jefferson is in the story. Many Masons think Jefferson was a Mason and many Masons think he wasn’t, because no evidence of his initiation has been found. All claims to his being a Freemason are based on his association with Freemasons, his closest friends were Masons, and his writings and personal actions are thought to contain Masonic philosophy and conduct.

One day President Thomas Jefferson was riding with a group of younger friends. After a short while the party came to a swollen stream. On the bank of the stream sat a poor man looking ruefully at the swollen waters he was unable to cross. The man watched the others ford the stream on their horses, but said nothing to them – The last of the group to come to the stream was Jefferson. The man, not recognizing him as President, asked if he might mount behind him and cross the stream. Jefferson cheerfully took him across. On the opposite side, someone asked the man why he had not requested the service of one of the other members of the party. He replied, “There are some faces on which is clearly written the answer ‘No’ to a question you intend to ask. There are other faces on which is written ‘Yes.’ On their faces was written ‘No,’ on his ‘Yes.’ This man experienced the kindness which was typical of Jefferson.

“A fellow-feeling makes one wond’rous kind”
David Garrick 1717-1779 (written on 10 June 1776)

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Sapientem pascere barbam = [Latin] = To grow the beard of wisdom. Horace, satires.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1&2 KJV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] 2 Corinthians 5:1
[ii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible #728J4
[iii] ibid #728P8
[iv] ibid #1910B

The Bee Hive - April 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 49 – April 20, 2005

“When man to man shall be a friend and brother.” Gerald Massey

In the lecture of the third degree here in Minnesota we hear that the Bee Hive is one of the eight monitorial emblems of Freemasonry. And as such the information on the Bee Hive is printed in the Masonic Manual of Minnesota, (which is available on the Internet at http://www.mn-masons.org/ ).

“The BEE HIVE is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven, to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them, without inconvenience to ourselves.

“When we take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brutal creation; he lies languishing for days, months and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the in clemencies of the weather.

“It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all other beings; but, as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they thereby enjoy better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God; and he that will so demean himself as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.”

Now in that short comprehensive explanation of the Bee Hive there are more than a few subjects of Masonic interest, such as: the Bee as an insect, industry, relief, beasts of the field, the Great Creator of heaven and earth, and knowledge. But for now I would only like to look at ‘the bee as an insect,’ and ‘industry.’ Industry goes right along with labor and labor is significant in Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a fraternity that teaches and honors - honest intelligent labor. Evidence of this is repeated each time a Lodge is commencing to go to, or retire from, labor in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Lodge. We are then reminded that the Master is to set the craft to work and give them good and wholesome instructions for their labors. In the old Masonic Manuscripts it was a universal charge that “all Masons shall work honestly on working days that they may live creditably on holy days.”

The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament,[i] which was the first translation into popular Greek before the Christian era, says: “Go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and what a noble work she produces: Whose labor kings and private men use for their health. She is desired and honored by all, and though weak in strength, yet since she values wisdom she prevails.”

The Ant and the Bee as insects are both noted for their industry; “but the Bee is the one mentioned as ‘a noble work’ since in her labor she renders service, and is therefore better fitted to symbolize that virtue as taught by Masons. The labor of the bee was looked upon as an important part of wisdom: That higher wisdom which looks beyond the transient pleasures of the pleasant hour to the needs of the future, and to the welfare of others.”[ii]

The Bee it seems to me is one of the original teachers of a powerful truth, and that is the difference between pleasing methods or pleasing results. As Masons we know that to get the results we want we cannot always employ only pleasing methods – working hard and working smart leads to pleasing results, and the results Masons strive for are the kind that will benefit our fellowman without regard to any Masonic connection.

The Ant in its instinct and industry surpasses most other insects, and since the ant was an insect that was in great abundance in Israel during King Solomon’s time, as it is here in all parts of America today, it is mentioned in the book of Proverbs in the Holy Bible; Proverbs 6:6 & 30:25.

Those Bible passages do not tell us that we should never rest, because the Great Architect of the Universe has given us the Sabbath, but the Ant is used as an example because the Ant uses its energy and resources economically and from its example we can learn about preparation.[iii] You might also find this interesting: Coneys (Badgers) teach about wise building; Locusts about cooperation and order; and Lizards about fearlessness.[iv]

The Masonic symbol for industry is the Bee Hive and not the Ant Hill, because of the bee’s noble work. Freemasonry is a fraternity that honors and encourages labor; in our fraternity idleness not labor is a curse. The Latin expression “Laborare est orare” means “to Labor is to pray,” which Brother Mackey says is the great truth and which he teaches; “labor is worship.” In Freemasonry we learn that as God himself is a builder, (as in Great Architect of the Universe,[v]) we as men can only prosper through industry.

Mackey says that one of the most beautiful features of Freemasonry is that it teaches not only the necessity, but the nobility of labor. From the time of opening until the time of closing, the Lodge is said to be at Labor. “This is one of the numerous instances in which the terms of Operative Masonry are symbolically applied to Speculative Masonry.”

“Labor is an important word in Freemasonry; indeed we may say the most important. For this, and this alone, does a man become a Freemason. Every other object is secondary or incidental. Labor is the accustomed design of every Lodge meeting. But do such meetings always furnish evidence of industry? The labor of an Operative Mason will be visible, and he will receive his reward for it, even though the building he has constructed may, in the next hour, be overthrown by a tempest. He knows that he has done his labor, and so must the Freemason labor. His labor must be visible to himself and to his Brethren, or, at least, it must conduce to his own internal satisfaction. As we build neither a visible Solomonic Temple nor an Egyptian Pyramid, our industry must become visible in works that are imperishable, so that when we vanish from the eyes of mortals it may be said of us that our labor was well done.”[vi]

In the book of Exodus it is said that the promised-land is a land flowing with milk and honey.[vii] The dry climate of that part of the world, the rocks that prevail there and the flowers that bloom there provide an ideal place for Bees to live and work. In ancient times, as it is today, the honey produced by Bees could be harvested and back then as it is today honey was used as merchandise, something that’s harvested, sold and bought.

By the way, the name Deborah is the Hebrew name for Bee. As you know Deborah was the name of the fourth and only woman to be a judge of Israel, one of the lessons we can learn from her life is that we should spend our efforts on what we can do rather than what we cannot do. This is also a lesson to be learned from the Bee.

There is a poem by John Oxenham that I like. It is sometimes used in the little pamphlets that are given out at funerals. To me this poem provides the sentiments some Masons might have when the time comes to enter the Celestial Lodge where the Great Architect of the Universe presides.

Lord, when Thou seeist that my work is done,
Let me not linger on, with failing powers,
Adown the weary hours – a workless worker
In a world of work.
But, with a word, just bid me home,
And I will come – right gladly -
Yea, right gladly I will come.



“Brotherhood means a society of friends and brothers. Freemasonry is such a society.” Brother C.C. Hunt

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

IL n’est sauce que L’appétit = [French] = “There is no sauce like appetite.”

From the Great Light of Masonry: “In that day the Lord will whistle for the flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for the bees from the land of Assyria.” Isaiah 7:18 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
[i] Tanakh
[ii] Masonic concordance of the Holy Bible #699C
[iii] Zondervan Life Application Study Bible - note on Proverbs 30:24-28
[iv] Ibid
[v] In the Great Light of Masonry there are many examples of this which can be found in a good Concordance.
[vi] Gädicke in Mackey’s revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Clegg edition 1929
[vii] “Land flowing with Milk and Honey means the traditional and proverbial description of the hill country of Cannan. The Hebrew word for honey refers to both bees’ honey and the sweet syrupy juice of dates.” NIV Study Bible, Zondervan

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 cate