By Bro.N.M.Spratt Hiram Lodge #14
Members of the Order of Ancient Freemasonry are ever on the search, guided by truth which is veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
For what are they seeking???
They are seeking and searching for a something they can never fully discover, for just as they solve one problem they will always find another awaiting them.
What then is the use of this constant search?
Just this, that in the process they are evolving higher and higher in their labour of building the Temple.
That which they seek will ever recede as they advance toward it, this is what makes for progress, for as they reach one objective it brings with it the incentive to reach out further. If it were not for this we should be satisfied with our present position or condition. Satisfaction in this instance is Stagnation. Change is the law of Nature. Nothing stands still, everything is on the move, vibrating, pulsating, living. The moment we cease to go forward we are on our way back.
While we are thus seeking and searching let us always remember this;
“That which new are seeking is already seeking us” The Ancient Landmarks of the Order are inviolable. They are signposts of truth pointing the way, so that we find for ourselves the purpose of life and our relationship with the G.A.O.T.U. but that is all they can do.
We each have our own path to tread as we travel through on our journey through life. No one can travel that path for us. The most any teacher can do is point the way, so as to awaken the knowledge which is already within us awaiting for expression.
WE BUILD THE PATH; WE TREAD THE PATH; FOR WE ARE THE PATH
THE BUILDER == THE BUILDING == AND THE BUILDING ARE ONE.
A brother may study the Masonic Lore, become letter perfect in the ritual and make an impression with his able delivery, he may attend every convocation and answer and obey all summonses, and while this is commendable it does not mean that he is a True Mason.
It is the application of all the principles, tenets and symbols to ourselves so that they become a part of us that makes the Mason. It is the finding of the working tools within us, so that we are able to study the truth within each symbol and the meaning behind the allegory that we discover that the building to be built is
“WE OURSELVES”
that we are the rough stone, and we are the Mason who must labor to make that stone fit to become a part of the Temple.
“The Body is the Temple of the Living God”
No one can be initiated into the Order, he alone initiates himself.
He can go through the ceremony of initiation, a mere form of Ritual –an outer Ceremony with an inward spiritual meaning –
The TRUE INITIATION comes from within ourselves.
As the oak tree is potentially within the acorn, even so are we all the materials as symbolized in Masonry within us, all having innate possibilities though we may not yet be conscious of them. They are ready for us to be so awakened that we may use them, for every symbol in our order has its counterpart in us and teaches that we must apply them to ourselves.
Masonry portrays the way of life from the crossing of the threshold to the time we reach the end and shed all that is mortal, so that we may advance to “that sublunary abode the Grand Lodge above” where nothing mortal can enter, with the full assurance of immortality.
We cross the threshold to this physical plane “by the help of GOD” and are received in helpless condition by those who stand ready to help and guide us until such time as we are able to help ourselves. We are educated, serve our apprenticeship, and begin to find out that life is not a playground, nor an empty dream, but each has a definite part to play.
It was Longfellow who said:-
Tell me not in mournful numbers
Life is but an empty dream
And the soul is dead that slumbers
And things are not what they seem
Life is REAL. Life is earnest
And the grave is not it’s goal;
Dust thou art to dust returnest
Was not spoken of the Soul
We learn that there is a great deal more to life than we can see on the surface, that we are indeed living here on three different planes of being.
Spiritual ; Mental and Physical
And that each has its counterpart interwoven with the other so that whichever we do is registered on each plane.
We learn to stand apart from ourselves and find out that it is not our eyes that see, nor our ears that hear, but that we SEE with our eyes and HEAR with our ears. The physical organs are but the working tools we use to express ourselves on the material plane of being. We advance slowly step by step through experience and trial, with an abounding faith that there are no secrets in nature which cannot be discovered in due time, though there are many things, though there are many things beyond our KEN at this moment.
Our horizons widen as we climb to higher ground and understand more of natures laws.
All is vibration and the rate of our own vibration decides the extent of our discovery as we unlock the door to knowledge through one step at a time. Sometimes we are so steeped in materialism that we are in a state of darkness And can see no one to guide. This is the time to “Be still and know” and then on the darkness can be seen an inner light making the darkness visible that we may see beyond the veil. At this point if we will only:-
arise above mortal fear and sense, awaken to our spiritual selves and dare to follow that light
it will lead us to an understanding we little dream of. We literally lose ourselves to find ourselves, and that part of us which is Immortal.
Spirit never dies==it was==it is==and it shall be.
Everything goes back to what which it was= ashes to ashes= dust to dust & Spirit to Spirit.
To the true Mason death has no terrors, he has learned how to live and is prepared to meet a natural condition whereby he sheds his outer garments to live on. He has been conditioned to that plane of existence where he has all that is necessary to carry on and continue his JOURNEY.
There is no death, tis but re-birth
The sun goes on to another day
And so must I work take up.
Where I left off to come this way
And so may I as I take my leave
To Journey on toward the Light
Reflections leave to rainbow tints
And Like the SUN , bid you good-night.
Have a Wonderful Day & God Bless
Norm