Masonic Reflections

Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 11:34 PM

Of Charity and Choices

In studying the degrees of masonry and being involved in putting on a degree or giving a lecture, it is inevitable to “speculate” as to the meaning and origin of certain aspects of the ritual. Indeed countless pleasurable hours were spent in the company of my mentor and others, looking thru books, research paper, and religious documents to determine the “original” meaning of it all. The one thing that is true is that the experience and perceptions of people, and of candidates (and masons) are varied, and perhaps that is the key to “speculative masonry”.

During the second degree we are told that Freemasonry possesses two separate meanings, one of which we may call the Operative meaning, and the other the Speculative. In its Operative period, Freemasons were skilled workmen engaged as architects and builders; like other skilled workmen they had an organized craft of their own, the general form of which was called a “guild”. This guild had officers, laws, rules, regulations, and customs of its own, rigorously binding on all members. We also distinguish the other form of masonry, Speculative masonry. Indeed, it is more than suggested that we are today plainly Speculative but that “our ancient brethren practiced both Operative and Speculative”.

As the candidate of each Degree undergoes the ritual of circumambulation he is then presented with the theme of the Degree – contained in the Scriptural reading. My own questions began in trying to understand why during the second degree we are allowed a choice in which scripture of the Bible to use during the circumambulation. It seems no oversight that we are indeed given a choice of how to introduce our candidates
to the mysteries of this degree. The first choice is that of Amos 7:7-8
Thus he shewed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, a plumb line. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them anymore.
This is perhaps the least understood and most misinterpreted passage of Scripture as it relates to the theme of the Fellowcraft Degree. Amos was one of the lesser prophets of the Old Testament. He was a herdsman and tender of fig trees who lived in the territory of Tekoa south of Bethlehem and was sent by God to call the people of Israel to repentance. He foretold the judgments of God which were to fall on the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites. In this Chapter of Scripture Amos describes a vision shown to him by God. In this vision God represents to Amos the judgments he is about to bring upon Israel for their many iniquities. Verses 7 and 8 describe God’s illustration to Amos of His attitude regarding the sins and transgressions of the people of Israel. The Lord standing upon a wall made by a plumb line signifies the laws and commandments He has communicated to the people of Israel to build them into a just and upright nation. The plumb line in His hand symbolizes the strict justice He will visit upon them according to their iniquities. The phrase “I will not again pass by them anymore.” is an indication that God will no longer show them any mercy in His administration of justice.
The underlying theme of this Scripture as it applies to the Fellowcraft Degree is to admonish the candidate that he is now crossing the threshold from youth to manhood. As a man and a loyal member of the Masonic fraternity he will be more strongly bound to the fraternity by strict moral guidelines. Likewise, as an adult member of society, he will be expected to exemplify the highest standards of behavior and uphold the civil laws. As an Entered Apprentice, the candidate was introduced to the most basic moral principles, loyalty, trust and charity, which serve as the foundation upon which to build strong relationships. His development as a Fellowcraft will expose him to greater responsibilities that require a stronger discipline.
The second choice is another scripture that gives us direct instruction. In our Washington Monitor, we utilize a version of the Scripture from 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;
And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
And have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
But the greatest of these is charity.

Consider, for a moment, the difference between the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version.
The Greek word used by Paul in the King James Version of the Bible for “charity” is “agape”.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “agape” means “Christian Love”.
In the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, the passage reads,

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…

If you substitute the word “love” for “charity”, the meaning of this scripture becomes all too clear. Charity is brotherly love. Charity is the same as caring; for your family, your neighbor, a stranger, the world around you. Truly, for the candidate who asks, “What purpose does Masonry serve?” we have here the answer. To care for our own, to aid the distressed, to teach that Charity binds us together as brothers, shows the great purpose of our association, one with another. Charity has nothing in particular to do with the rich giving to the poor to get a tax break. Any person, however poor he may be, who has charity in his heart is blessed, for he practices it in various little ways in spite of his slender means. Through the agency of the Lodge and of the Grand Lodge, each of us give support to the charities maintained by both. Also, each of us should privately extend a helping hand in relief of an unfortunate Brother, or of his dependents. Masonry does not advocate a charity carried to the limits of fanaticism; it is limited by the extent of ability and opportunity, and we are not asked to give relief injurious to ourselves, or hardship to our families.
So, if Charity is one of the duties of a mason, what is the reward? The “wages” are the intangible but no less real compensation for a faithful and intelligent use of the Working Tools, fidelity to your obligations, and unflagging interest in and study of the structure, purpose, and possibilities of the Fraternity. Such wages may be defined in terms of a deeper understanding of Brotherhood, a clearer conception of ethical living, a broader toleration, a sharper impatience with injustice and the unworthy, and a more resolute will to think justly, independently, and honestly. Corn, Wine, and Oil symbolize the wealth of life in the mental and spiritual bodies of man, not material wealth. In these ceremonies, we learn that the fruits of our labor are to be used for the most beneficent purposes, that a portion is to be set aside for the service of God and the distressed and that we then will have truly earned the Corn of Nourishment, the Wine of Refreshment, and the Oil of Joy.