January 2010 Trestleboard Robert Burns #243

Most realize that Euclid and Pythagoras were pretty darn smart because of what they wrote concerning geometry. Galileo and Copernicus brought man’s attention to the truths of the stars. Newton proposed the theory of gravity based on something that every person knew, apples fall. Einstein and Stephen Hawking even describe the nature of the universe that we cannot see. All agree these men were geniuses. But how about the nameless guy (or guys) who wrote the First Degree lecture?

Each time I listen to the lecture of a Degree something different draws my attention. During the last First Degree lecture what hit me was dirt. Well, the degree uses the word clay but it still is dirt. “...Clay, our Mother Earth, for it alone, of all the elements, has never proved unfriendly to man...” “...and returns with interest every good committed to her care...”

Who was the man who first wrote this? Did he spend his day building cathedrals and then in his spare time reflected how to use the nature of the world to help teach us lessons on personal conduct? Was he not a genius in his own right?

The truths taught us by Euclid helped build magnificent edifices. Galileo turned our attention and imagination to the stars and Einstein has told us about the basic building blocks of the universe, but are any of these lessons more valuable than the one that teaches us to be like dirt; never prove unfriendly and return with interest all good committed to our care.

Recently I was listening to a podcast about Masonry (Masonic Central) on my computer while doing some work. The guest speaker, whose name I don't know, was speaking about the symbols in Masonry. One thing that he said sunk in and made me pause and think. He was discussing the rough and perfect ashlars, and how the state of our hearts and consciences affects how we fit ourselves into the Fraternity. In essence, he said that the trowel has to spread a lot more of the cement of brotherly love to fit those of us who are rough stones into the temple. It was a line of thought that hadn't occurred to me before. For that matter, I hadn't even put together the symbols from the First and Third Degrees before.

It is strange how such a small comment has stuck with me, and it has made me think more about some of the symbols of our degrees. There certainly are many, from the Working Tools in each degree to the 12(!) symbols in the last part of the lecture for the Third Degree. Even the comments on the symbols with clear names (e.g. Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice) bear further reflection. It has also occurred to me to wonder why the compasses are not one of the Working Tools, when the square is...

I know this sort of conversation is not for everyone. For that matter, I am not sure I am ready to look at my motivations and actions carefully in the light of such lofty goals. However, I would be interested to start a group that would discuss some of these symbols and see how they apply in our lives. Please let me know if you are interested.