The Secrets of the Craft

[Tamrin]

The Secrets of the Craft

[Conclusion - Article by John Mandleberg, AQC, v.113, pp.14/64]

Evidently there must have been good reasons for the seventeenth century accepted or speculative Fellows describing themselves as Free-masons, for the respect which they appear to have paid to the old manuscript Charges, and for the emphasis which became placed on secrecy. Modes of recognition had apparently been adopted by English Free-masons in the second half of the seventeenth century. But if, as seems at least a possibility, these Fellows guarded other more important secrets, we have no evidence to indicate of what these consisted. One thing, however, seems reasonably certain; these secrets, if they existed, could not have been handed down from mediaeval manual workers. I suggest with due deference that in order to shed more light on this matter it is to the period after, say, 1550 that my more able and learned brethren might most profitably direct their researches. Furthermore, if it were from Scottish or Irish sources that the monogradal English Fellows later acquired their Enter’d Prentices, and even, perhaps, the signs and words of the first two degrees as we know them, we should not be overly nationalistic in refusing to admit it. The English Fellowship appears to be the earliest Masonic society of which the members consisted solely of speculatives (that some may incidentally be shown to have connections with the building trade does not of itself invalidate this statement), and as such is not an unworthy forebear. Nor should we shrink from the possibility that the Master Mason’s degree, with its curious substituted secrets, may have become grafted on from some different root-stock — and I am certainly not referring to the death of Jacques de Molay — and even that the essential elements of it may have been an early concern of the Monogradal English Fellowship. But be all that as it may, the evidence which this paper attempts to summarise strongly suggests that any further attempts to discover within the mediaeval building trade whatever secrets may have been possessed by our lineal ancestors in the Fellowship, and vestiges of which we may, perhaps unwittingly, retain today, will be as barren a track in the future as have been the exhaustive researches unsuccessfully directed to it in the past.

In conclusion, I can only hope that my researches do not bring me within the ambit of the condemnation, made by an anonymous essayist writing in the Freemasons Magazine in 1794:

‘A man desirous of prying into the secrets of others, is generally vain, and a fool. He will often despise men of eminence and learning, because he holds them in a situation far above his: therefore as Sophocles has judiciously remarked, do not be curious and talk too much —for ears, open to the secrets of others, have also mouths ready to divulge them.’¹⁴⁹

¹⁴⁹ Essayist (anon.) ‘Secrets’, The Freemasons Magazine, January, 1794 (T. Burton & Co., 28 Little Queen St., Holborn) p. 49.

The Statue of Silence was the first important commission for an original work of art
received by the young sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907).
The statue was moved from the New York City Lodge
to the Masonic Care Community of New York in 1922.

[keviny15]

Greetings,
I use to take a futile position of attempting to protect Freemasonry from Cowans and Eavesdroppers with challenging and debunking conspiracy theorists, anti-freemasons or any "profane" seeking to unlawfully obtain the so-called secrets of Freemasonry. Then as I further sought instruction and masonic education, light shined upon why I have taken the obligations and oaths of Freemasonry. Freemasonry has no office of an executionary save one's own consciousness. My obligations weren't taught to me for the sake of protecting Masonry from one who would through intemperance violate these our solemn oaths and obligations, yet; "the obligations and oaths are to explain how impossible it is to escape the the just punishment of every unkind thought, improper act or unholy impulse. It shows the law of God to the individual, and proves to man that he is his own preserver and own destroyer. Masonry teaches that a moral crime becomes a debt and accumulates interest by Karmic law {in the court of the Universe, and God sits as Judge robed in His mantle of truth]. The moral crime debts are said in suffering of its own kind." MILTON POTTENGER "Three Master Masons"

I recall in the Introduction Lecture of an Entered Aprentice, we are instructed (in part): neither are you to suffer your zeal, to lead you ito argument with those, who through ignorance, may seek to ridicule this institution. This raised inquiry asto why I need not worry or be concerned about those who seek to divulge the secrets of Masonry? Well, GM Hiram Abiff stated, "Brother, I can not, I will not".....We each at grip state, "I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.....These statements raised my own eyebrows as to what secrets are neither given nor told in the craft? Eureka ! Eureka ! I found it......! Milton Pottenger further explained another perception regarding the symbolism and allegory underneath the symbol called "the all seeing eye". Miton said' "The All Seeing Eye is a symbol of psychometry or soul measurement. If I handed you a piece of gold and you closed your eyes and by mental picture was able to tell me its travels and place of previous locality and origin; this is an example of psychometry. The custom of handshaking was (exoterically to check the wrists for daggers before hugging, as not to receive a knife in the back hence the term "backstabber") esoterically the custom of handshaking was an act of protection from being deceived, they extended the hand when first meeting one with whom they were not acquainted, and by that act offered and challenged the search of their own thoughts and intentions by the All-Seeing-Eye, or the light of the soul, and demanding in turn the right to search the others by the same unerring light. Passwords, grips and signs may be changed or counterfeited, yet the light of the soul is always true and unerring". The degree of "soul-reading' differs in individuals, some seek improvement through practice. To know my brother in darkness as well as in light takes on new meaning and the boney box, ivory gate and fleshy key takes on new meaning through recognition of personal responsibility to my own obligation and oath.

We may speak lies with our lips, we may write lies with our pens, we may attempt to live a lie with actions, but the soul of man (Soloman) being of God, speaks the truth and nothing but truth whenever it is seen.....but it can not write, print, paint, stamp, stain, cut carve, mark, or engrave upon anything moveable or immoveabe its ineffable name.....

POTS
Bro. Kev

[Tamrin]

Thank you Bro. Kev

Jun 14, 2013 2:40:38 GMT 10 keviny15 said:

I recall in the Introduction Lecture of an Entered Aprentice, we are instructed (in part): neither are you to suffer your zeal, to lead you ito argument with those, who through ignorance, may seek to ridicule this institution.

This injunction is appropriate for an EA who should leave such work to more expert Craftsmen or MMs.

As we can see, the Tyler stands with a drawn sword outside the door of the Lodge to ward off all cowans and intruders upon Masonry. As Craftsmen we are told to shield our hearts, the repository of our secrets, from the insidious attacks of the cowan, and are charged to be steadfast in the pursuit of truth. As MMs we are to unite in forming a column of mutual defence and support and are to boldly repel slanderers. Further in our masonic careers we may be instructed to dispel ignorance, punish crime, and war against superstition.

Much damage has been done to the Craft's reputation by ill-informed opinion or malicious lies. The recent but thankfully past policy of remaining silent in the face of such deceit has only served to exacerbate the problem, having previously given free range to puerile, public imagination.

[keviny15]

Equally I thank you Bro. Tamrin

[keviny15]

I would like to point out that as a Craftsman, I wasnt given different duties, yet my duties enlarged as I "increased in Masonic knowledge. It was unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which as a Mason I am bound to discharge, or to enlarge on the necessity of strict adherence to them, as your own experience must have established their value". (Monitor)

As a MM I study that the enforcement is internally support and extenrally exhibited in precepts and example.....The authorzation to correct the erring and irregularities of our uninformed brethren.....So presuming you choose to reproach and reproof those who through ignorance seek to sullen the craft, you certainly are authorized to do so.

In the K.T. that Master Teachinstructed Peter to: PUT AWAY THY SWORD
Peter was defending that which need not an alibi.....

As far as the historical vicissitudes of Freemasonry, it reminds me of the Mosaic pavement (its neither al good nor all bad) its the progessional science of the universe;balanced in due form. An occasional debate I find healthy when scientifically and maturely excuted......

Your perceptive is grand and valued with me. We each have our offices.
POTS
Bro. Kev

[Tamrin]

Our masonic duties have two extremes: Self-development and our obedience to God &/or the advancement of humanity. In between lies our duty to the Craft itself. Within our Craft, advancement of virtues and opposition to vices are the halves of our peculiar system of morality. This includes enhancing and protecting the reputation of the fraternity by both example and defence, so that others, including potential members, may form a favourable opinion preconceived of the Order.

One needs to follow both paths, ensuring that each keeps pretty much apace with the other, lest one becomes either overly self-absorbed or hypocritical. Not an easy task. I recommend reading W.Bro. Milliken's article, The Castration of Freemasonry.

[keviny15]

In both public and private esteem....I gotcha bro......I should hope to never take a position of a know-it-all or a narcissistic Dudley-Do-Right. If ever I find myself in an enviornment where miseducation, misunderstanding or isinterpretation is being taught, if an opporntunity to heal the sick, feed the hungry or raise the dead is available, of course I would use the time to shed light on the subject....Yet needless argument and dispute escapes my desire, brother. Thank you for sharing with me and helping me to see the right angle from anoother point of view. Travel Light

[Tamrin]

Likewise Brother.

[Tamrin]

Every man is to be considered in two capacities, the private and public;
as designed to pursue his own interest, and likewise to contribute to the good of others

Joseph Butler
(Died this day 1752)