Post by Tamrin on Aug 21, 2008 14:33:52 GMT 10
SECRETS
By W. Bro. Gordon J. Row, March 1995
By W. Bro. Gordon J. Row, March 1995
What are our secrets? Today, in Australia, our existence is well known. Local "Town Directories", under the heading "Local Organizations", are listed "Masonic Lodges" together with the Secretary's name, address and 'phone number for each Masonic organisation. Our buildings are obvious with our "Sign" together with a Notice Board listing all meetings and times. Many of us wear openly badges and/or neck ties proclaiming our affiliations.
Our "Secret" ceremonies contain much symbolism, used to impart ethical, philosophical and moral lessons to our candidates, are well documented. Over the past 278 years, since the formation of the G.l. of England in 1717, many exposures of our ceremonies (and secrets) have been published, they are available in selected bookshops and can be found on Municipal and Public Library shelves, and also in Reference Libraries. One book even has illustrations of our "signs"!! There are books which discuss the history of our Craft as well as its origins. So who we are, what we do, and how we do it is certainly no secret, and any person interested in our Craft can research us.
Now, what next!! It seems everything is in the open. Our very existence, rituals, methods, the ways of recognition are known. The real secret of our Craft, however, is the spiritual and emotional growth we experience as we proceed through the Ceremonial of Initiation, Passing and Raising. The mysteries and secrets of our Craft are contained and demonstrated during our perambulation of the representation of King Solomon's Temple. This experience cannot be recorded or even expressed in a book, we have to be there!!
Understanding what all this Means to us is the especial responsibility of the "Experienced Master", and this is most important for our novitiates. Explanation of the degree he has just experienced is one thing the Candidate needs from the "Experienced Master", and one who can answer his problems, allay his fears, and assist him in his "learning those Q's and A's" between degrees. The "Mentor" is the personal guide" for our Candidate, the one who cuts out all the unnecessary embroidery and mumbo jumbo that the "cowans" put upon our ritual.