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Wages of a Fellowcraft

by MasterMason

For some time I have wondered what is intended by the words of the Senior Warden in the closing of the Lodge (Emulation Ritual) when, being asked by the Worshipful Master as to his place in the Lodge, he responds, (in part)

“to close the Lodge, by command of the WM after having seen that every Brother has had his due “

To my mind, I immediately think of monetary WAGES, however, not being operative masons how do we expect to receive wages?  Hopefully this paper will add some light to that question or maybe even add more questions for contemplation and discussion.

The Wages of a Fellowcraft

Corn, Wine and Oil

Amended from a paper presented by Bro. E.J. Dunn-Barclay Lodge No.90 in The Masonic Bulletin-BC& Yukon (Canada) Jan 1940

The wages of a Fellowcraft Mason, we are told, are corn, wine, oil and, in some jurisdictions, specie. The symbolism of the three of these is comparatively obvious.

Corn and oil represent, as they have from time immemorial, the necessities of life, food and shelter.

Specie symbolizes not only the immediate rewards of our labor, but also the transition of Masonry from an Operative Craft Guild of which our ancient brethren were members, to a speculative and spiritual force, in the modern community where the guild  system has been replaced by no other tie between master and man than that of the earning of wages.  But of all the symbolic wages of the Fellowcraft Degree, it is wine that intrigues the writer the most.

Wine is rich in associations, from most of which we can gather instruction in the very fundamentals of our Craft in that wine represents something more than a sheer necessity.  For the mere purpose of quenching thirst, water would have served not merely as well, but even better.  Wine, from the earliest times has represented something more, a symbol, if you wish, of enjoyment at the proper times and places. It is associated with fellowship, in the highest and worthiest use of the word.

But there is another side to its use. Wine is a two-edged sword.  Indiscriminately used, it brings discredit to the user and may even destroy him.  It demands of the recipient, that he may properly enjoy its taste, for its fullest appreciation and moderation, for his own protection and the avoidance of satiety.

It is worthy of note that the wage of wine is reserved for the Fellowcraft Degree, where the beneficiary is presumed to have received some instruction in subduing his passions and improving himself in Masonry, and the fact that it is dispensed by a warden whose duties are to see that none convert the purposes of refreshment into those of intemperance.

The fact that wine represents something more than a mere necessity of life, is not without Masonic significance, nor should the fact that, in primitive times, it was used as wages be overlooked.  As Masons, we are supposed to do more than the absolute minimum necessities of our daily avocation.  We are supposed to have a pride in our work, a joy in it, and a self-discipline which requires us to perform every task to the utmost of our ability and in keeping with Masonic ideals.

To do so, we are informed, will ensure that we can expect to receive our wages in an amount which will enable us to get more out of life than the mere necessities of it.  Particularly is this true in Masonry, for as a speculative art or science, Masonry rewards us in proportion to what we put into it.

Commentary   In my opinion, it is quite reasonable to assume that in today’s Masonic environment we would not see wages our Lodges paying wages in the form of  Corn; Wine; Oil or Specie, therefore  HOW  is the Senior Warden able to state that every brother has had his due???  How can this be done??

My answer is, I believe I have witnessed TWO examples employed in Lodges which I have had the opportunity and pleasure to attend and I will now share those with you:

  1. Fraternity Lodge #23, Mazatlan Mexico; Grand Logia of Sinaloa. (Honourary Member)

This Lodge has an Appointed Officer, titled the “Orator” who at the end of the Lodge meeting takes the floor and comments on the evenings proceedings.  In his comments he specifically identifies Brethren who have contributed to the proceedings and extends gratitude and thanks on behalf of the Lodge, this is followed by applause.  From my observation these comments are very well received and brethren seem to be very pleased to have been recognized. This process they identify as the issuance of “Wages”.

  1. True Resolution Lodge #16, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons of Washington and Jurisdiction (Grand Lodge Representative and Associate Member)

In this Lodge a Senior Member of the Lodge is appointed by the Worshipful Master to “Pass out Wages” at the close of the proceedings, which he does in much the same fashion as in Mexico, again followed by applause.

In other Jurisdictions, (that I am familiar with), including that of my home Lodge, there is no formal process in place, and any such compliments (wages) are left for the attending Brethren to extend under “Good of the Order”

Conclusion

Personally, I find it very interesting to view customs and practices, such as the above, and feel that by doing so, I get to learn more about my neighbours and appreciate their uniqueness.

Hopefully you will have found this sharing of some interest you.

 

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Fellowcraft Working Tools

by MasterMason

Fraternal Greetings Brethren

In preparing this month’s edition I have been grappling with the length of the paper I have chosen to share with you, feeling it was rather long , however, I have come to the conclusion that to split it would lessen it’s message and impact on each and every one of us.  As such, it is now presented in its entirety.

THE WORKING TOOLS –

The working tools in the Fellowcraft Degree, so it appears to me, the Square, the Level, and the Plumb-rule, are intimately related one with the other, and all concern themselves with one basic moral quality – honesty.  In the field of activity of the operative builder, architect, or engineer, these three implements are also intimately related one to the other, and concern themselves with a single technical quality – namely, accuracy, precision, or truth.

Lacking their aid it is not possible, so it seems to me, for the engineer to assemble a structure, or the builder to execute the design of his architect.  Similarly, lacking these symbolic moral tools, and the standards of rectitude they represent, it is not possible for the Free and Accepted Mason to bring into reality in his life the great design laid down for us by the Grand Geometrician of the Universe.

For, just as the physical instruments represent adherence to standards, the horizontal standard, the vertical standard, and the angle of ninety degrees contained between them, so the symbolic working tools of the Fellowcraft degree represents the inseparable moral standards of level steps, upright bearing, and square conduct, which we are enjoined to maintain.  Let us, then, look at these tools individually.

THE SQUARE

The Square, as we are taught, and as we all well know, is an instrument having an angle of ninety degrees – exactly ninety degrees, not “about” ninety degrees, for no approximations are allowable in this instrument of precision.

That which is not square is crooked, and that which is not honest is dishonest, for we cannot place our reliance upon a partially-honest man. The value of this basic instrument, the square, lies in its accuracy, and the value of our standard of honesty depends wholly upon uncompromising strictness in maintaining it.

THE LEVEL

The level is, in some ways, the most interesting symbolic instrument of all.  The modern operative builder thinks naturally of the level in terms of the spirit-level.  But this is a device of quite modern introduction, not known to our Ancient brethren.

In the tool which we see and handle in our Masonic work, the level surface of reference is derived from the plumb-rule, and the device itself is, in fact, a plumb-rule supported between two squares, and the level surface thus depends upon a combination of the infallible plumb-rule and the uncompromising accurate angle of ninety degrees, being the fourth-part of a circle.  In this way are these three instruments of precision, symbols of uncompromising truth, intimately related to one another.  The Level, derived from the Infallible Plumb rule and the Angle of Ninety Degrees.

THE PLUMB-RULE

In that long and very beautiful lecture, the Plumb-rule is referred to as “The Infallible Plumb-Rule.”  Why “infallible”?  Infallible because the Laws of Nature are infallible, and immutable, and decree that a plumb-line, hanging free with its bob at rest, can take no other position than a true vertical position, and any other position, for a plumb-rule, is a distorted or false one.

Thus, the standard of uprightness is, again, an uncompromising one, whether in a physical structure or a moral edifice.  The man whose outlook is slanted, by expediency, as well as the man who “leans over backward” is not upright.  There are no degrees of uprightness.

The precepts laid down in the lecture accompanying the presentation of the Fellowcraft working tools, are of a somewhat general nature regarding the Square, enjoining truth and moral rectitude, and concerning the Level, exhorting the candidate to fairness, justice, and equality of treatment towards people in different stations of life.  But their message is clear and unmistakable.  For who that is human has not had to resist the temptation to bend, just a little, the exact truth  of a statement or action, to present the facts a little more in his own favor?  But our Masonic conscience says, “No, this is wrong”.  The angle must be 90 degrees, not a little more or a little less!”  Or again, who has not felt the temptation to pander, or toady a little to those who are in some position of authority over us, or to adopt a slightly haughty or condescending attitude towards those who, for one reason or anther may be regarded as our subordinates.  But, here again, our Masonic teaching tells us that such an attitude is tilted, and in adopting it we are not observing the principle of the Level.

Concerning the Plumb-rule, however, the lecture deals specifically and at length with the many kinds of departure from Masonic uprightness which we are directed to shun.  Each denotes a “slant” of one kind or another.  In the “enthusiast” and the “persecutor”, a slant towards bigotry; in the reviler of religion the very opposite, a slant towards atheism; in slander, malice, revenge, and contempt of our fellow creatures, a slant towards bitterness and hatred; and in envy, avarice and injustice, a slant towards greed and self-seeking.  The Mason who does not “slant” in any of these directions is an upright Mason, and the lecture sums it up in a beautiful metaphor  –  “to steer the bark of his life over the seas of passion, without quitting the course of Rectitude, is the highest perfection to which human nature can attain.”

And the lecture continues, “As the builder raises his column by the Level and the Plumb-Rule, so ought every Freemason to carry himself uprightly in this Life.”

Thus, in the Fellowcraft Degree, we contemplate our great Masonic column, the Right-Hand Pillar, Jachin “God will Establish”.  To “establish” means “to render stable”.  The edifice whose columns are upright, whose foundations are level, and whose angles are square, is a stable edifice; the man whose bearing is upright, whose actions are square, and whose steps are level is a stable person,  fit to be a Freemason; and our Craft will be, and will remain, the stabilizing influence in the community which we all desire, so long as we, its Craftsmen, are respected as upright citizens, square in their dealings, and strictly on the level.

Let us, then, Brethren, pursue our good works with honesty softened by modesty but without “an angle”, (unless it be the true angle of ninety degrees, the fourth part of a circle), so that none shall be justified in saying, concerning us  –  “I fear the Greeks when they bring gifts!”

By: Bro. Phil J. Croft, King David Lodge No. 93, West Vancouver, B.C.;

Published in MASONIC BULLETIN, B.C.R.; December, 1972 and January, 1973.

COMMENT

On many occasions I feel it important to add comment to something that may be just a little unclear. In this instance I firmly believe that Bro. Croft’s words are perfectly clear and totally adequate.

FRIENDSHIP

“One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are.”  Gail Godwin

“When a friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay”.

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart; for without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain, to the climber, is clearer from the plain”           Kahil Gibran.

IN CLOSING

Thank you all, once again, for the privilege of allowing me the opportunity to share these papers and my research with you.  I feel deeply privileged.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless You and Yours.

Norm.

 

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The Evergreen & the Campfire

by MasterMason

 The Evergreen

Courtesy of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba

The Evergreen, which once marked the temporary resting place of one illustrious in Masonic history, is an emblem of our abiding faith in the immortality of the soul.

By it, we are reminded of our high and glorious destiny in our Father’s Kingdom; and that there dwells within each of us an imperishable immortal spirit, which lives eternally.

In the steadfast faith of Freemasonry there is an enduring belief in the wisdom and goodness of God, and a trusting reliance that, like this Evergreen, our souls will hereafter flourish in eternal spring. It is an emblem of our Faith and of our Hope and we are comforted in the Belief that our Brother has found entrance to a fairer and brighter world.  As we place our hand over our Left Breast we think to ourselves;

“ His Memory is Faithfully Cherished in our Hearts”.

As we extend our right hand over the Apron, dropping the sprig of evergreen we think to ourselves;

“ To the grave we consign the remains of our Departed Brother”

We raise our right hand and point it upward, we think to ourselves;

“ We commit his spirit to God who gave it”

Something we all need to remember

This is a tale of same Masons surrounding a campfire in the Old West, at night, and discussing the Fraternity and it’s teachings. One old Mason listened patiently, and finally spoke up.

“ I can tell you more about Freemasonry in a little example than some of the great Masonic Philosophers can in books. Everybody stand up, and gather in a circle around the campfire.”

They did that  “ Now hold hands” They did that too. “Now what do you see looking ahead?.  “ The face of a Brother Mason through the flames” “ What do you feel in front of you?” “ The warmth of the fire, and the comfort it brings on a cool night. “ What do you feel at you side?” “The warm hand of a Brother” “OK . Now drop you hands, and turn around” They did so. “Now what do you see, looking ahead?.” “Complete darkness”

“What do you feel, looking ahead?” “ A sense of loneliness, of being alienated.” “What do you feel at your side?.” “ Nothing at all” “What do you feel on your backside?.”

“The warmth of the fire”

“So it is with Freemasonry” said the old man. “ In Masonic gatherings, you can feel the warmth of Masonic interaction, you can see the face of a Brother through the light Freemasonry brings you, and you can always feel the warm hand of a Brother. When you turn away from Masonry, and are out in the World, you see darkness, feel alienated and alone, and do not feel the warm hand of a Masonic Brother. But Masonry, and the warmth it brings, are just a turn away from you.

 An Interesting Quote

“ To laugh often and Love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; the leave the World a better place, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life that has breathe easier because you have lived… this is to have succeeded “

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

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Ritual Things we say & Mandela

by MasterMason

Ritual Things we Say!!

There are a great number of things we SAY in our Rituals, and in and about Freemasonry, that seem to mean many different things to many different people, and in fact may even have been heard once or twice and never thought of again. With this thought in mind I have decided to tackle some of these words and phrases and with your help, by way of feedback, try to cast some light as to what I think was the intent when written by our forefathers

This I intend to approach from both an Exoteric (outward & apparent) and Esoteric (inward & hidden) perspective

To begin. Very early in our Masonic lives, we are asked “What is Masonry” and we are instructed to state:-

“It is a System of Morality, Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols”

Lovely words indeed, but what do they mean, and what is expected from all of us who call ourselves Freemasons???  Let me begin by tackling the word “Morality” which we can see comes from the word MORAL

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary gives the following definition,

(a)   Of, or relating to principles of right and wrong in behaviour (b) expressing or teaching a conception of right behaviour, conforming to a standard of right behaviour (d) sanctioned by or operative on one’s conscience or ethical judgment.

This sounds very easy to understand, as from our family upbringing and personal everyday life experiences we have been taught the difference between right and wrong.  Right behaviour and conforming to what society perceives to be RIGHT behaviour is a little trickier, but generally speaking, as intelligent mature adults, we can be expected to act and behave in an appropriate manner in keeping with the circumstances. Then we have the matter of operating within our own conscience and ethical judgment. This tends to get in the way of doing something where we feel “ the end justifies the means.” But we know from the outset that our conscience is telling us otherwise.

But in the end, we as individuals and, specifically as Freemasons, have taken an obligation to live Moral lives, and as such the greatest judge should be our personal selves, realizing that we are ever under the watchful eye of the G.A.O.T.U.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER  (Nelson Mandela)

The following is taken from a speech given by Nelson Mandela in 1994 and is addressed to those people who have a Skill or Talent to share and for some reason are afraid to do so.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves “ Who am I to be brilliant, Gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?   You are a child of GOD. Your playing small doesn’t serve the World.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the Glory of GOD that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; It’s in Everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously

Give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear.

Our presence automatically liberates others”

Norm

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A Morning Prayer

by MasterMason

Starting off your day,  A Morning Prayer

This little gem comes from V.W.Bro.Doug Sowden Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of BC&Yukon.

A few years ago, my wife gave me a paper with a prayer on it. I’ve kept it pinned to my office notice board, now I’d like to share it with you. You may have seen it before, but I believe the message bears repeating.

“Dear God: so far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, and I haven’t lost my temper. I haven’t been grumpy, nasty or selfish. I have tried to keep your commandments and the path you have set for me. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed!!!!! and that is when I’m going to need a lot of help”

This morning prayer tells us many things. It indicates that a good night’s sleep can give us a fresh slate to draw upon. The new day is before us, and the cares and anxieties of yesterday have faded. Sleep has allowed our body to rest, and has allowed our mind to deal with the concerns we had the night before.

The prayer also tells us that it is easier to stick to rules and not commit any fouls when you’re playing the game.

Life is a team sport in so many ways, and once you leave the comfort of your bed and start interacting with others, the rules come into full effect.

The prayer is petitionary. It is an acknowledgement that there is a greater power than ourselves, and that power is yielded to us through prayer.

Finally, I think this little prayer tells us that we don’t have to wait for the Sabbath, sunset, or the muezzin’s call. We can pray at any time of the day or night.

You may not wish to pray at every moment of the day, but why not try this little morning prayer tomorrow. It will probably help, and get you off on a very positive start.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless            Norm

 

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24 Inch Guage

by MasterMason

The 24 Inch Gauge

The first implement placed in the hands of a new apprentice, we are told, is the 24” Gauge, or as we should nowadays say, the two-foot rule: that common implement in the hip pocket of every working artisan. It’s purpose, we are taught is, to ascertain the extent of the work in which we are about to engage, and to compute the time and labour it may cost.

The first tool given to us as tiny children, when we come forth as an Entered Apprentices in the business of life, is the priceless gift of our intellect- that faculty by which we are enabled to distinguish one thing from another, the good from the bad, the gold from the dross: our ability to assess, to compare, to measure. As with the two-foot rule, the worth of everything we say and do.

Intellect, added to years of experience and self-discipline, as we progress into mature age, ripens into sagacity, a quality, which should surely characterize all brother Masons. The sagacious man measures, as with the twenty four inch gauge, the true worth of his every word and act—its honesty, its integrity, its sincerity, and above all its effect on other people.

Again, we are admonished to observe that this humble tool is divided into 24 parts, as the day is divided into 24 hours, and bids us to make proper use of our time, that ever more precious commodity. When I was a schoolboy, in those bad old days when children were taught penmanship, one of the aphorisms I sometimes had to write as an exercise (and sometimes as an imposition for misconduct) went as follows:-

“Lost somewhere between sunrise and sunset, one golden hour, studded with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for it has gone forever”

It will also be noted that the two-foot rule, in its usual form, is folded into 4 equal lengths. We are told that the proper uses of the hours of the day are four-fold, Prayer; Labour; Refreshment and Sleep.

We must not, of course, be too literal, and I do not really think we are admonished to spend each day, six hours on our knees, six hours at the office or shop, six at the dining table and six in bed!!!

It does suggest, rather, the equal importance of all four of these functions in the proper use of our time and the making of the full Man.

Nourishment of our bodies by refreshment and sleep; enlightenment of our minds by labour, and the practice of prayer.

Real prayer!! Not just “Please God Gimme,Gimme Gimme”, but that prayerful attitude of mind in which, every hour of the day, we feel the Great Architect of the Universe at our shoulder, supervising and encouraging our work and ready to answer any true and sincere yearning for guidance and strength.

Real labour!! Not just putting in time at the office, shop, or whatever, but real all-out dedicated effort; for who has not experienced the job which comes when we put everything we’ve got, heart and soul, into a task which we know we can accomplish!!.

Wholesome Refreshment , Food, drink, and entertainment taken with honest enjoyment, but without gluttony and bad taste.; and finally sleep, in Shakespeare’s lovely words “Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of Care” and prepares us for the rich experience of another day.

So many lessons from this humble little tool.!!

Adapted from an article presented by Bro. Phil J. Croft of King David Lodge #93. in the BC Masonic Bulletin Mar & Apr 1972.

 

 

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