Lesson One

Tatenn Ra

"It is for each individual Mason to discover the secrets of Masonry, by reflection upon its symbols and a wise consideration and analysis of what is said and done in the work. Masonry labors to improve the social order by enlightening men's minds, warming their hearts with the love of the good, inspiring them with the great principle of human fraternity, and requiring of its disciples that their language and actions shall conform to that principle, that they shall enlighten each other, and control their passions. To make honor and duty the steady beacon-lights that shall guide your life-vessel over the stormy seas of time; to do that which it is right to do, not because it will insure you success, or bring with it a reward, or gain the applause of men, or be "the best policy," more prudent or more advisable; but because it is right, and therefore ought to be done; to war incessantly against error, intolerance, ignorance, and vice, and yet to pity those who err, to be tolerant even of intolerance, and to teach the ignorant, are some of the duties of a Mason."(Albert Pike)

In other words A SYSTEM OF MORALITY. What is a system? A system is a group of components that interact to achieve a purpose. There are many different kinds of systems such as biological systems, astronomical systems, atomic systems, social systems, and so forth. We practice a Morality System. What is the definition of moral? The definition is good in character or conduct. It implies conformity to the customary rules and accepted standards of society: He leads a moral life. Morality is a system of morals; set of rules or principles of conduct. Moral instruction in Freemasonry is veiled in its allegorical legends, emblems and symbols.

It is said that this system of Morality is veiled. What does veil mean? One definition is anything that screens or hides. So our SYSTEM OF MORALITY IS SCREENED OR HIDDEN. SCREENED OR HIDDEN IN OR BEHIND WHAT? ALLEGORY!

What is allegory? Allegory both conceals and reveals. It is the written, oral, or artistic expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human conduct or experience. Fables, parables, and legends are allegories, and are forms of imaginative literature or spoken utterance constructed in such a way that their readers or listeners are encouraged to look for meanings hidden beneath the literal surface of the fiction. The wisdom of allegory, in all its many variations, is tied to the development of myth and mythology. Every culture embodies its basic assumptions in stories whose mythic structures reflect the society's prevailing attitudes toward life. If the attitudes are disengaged from the structure, then the allegorical meaning implicit in the structure is revealed. In other words if we take what is being actually said in the story away from the story then we have THE GREAT MORAL TRUTHS. The fact is that the great moral truths of Freemasonry are indestructible, and stand independent of the symbolism intended to illustrate them when disengaged, isolated, or separated from the symbolism. What symbolism do we use to illustrate the great moral truths? Now check this out. Not only are great moral truths veiled in allegory but they are illustrated by astronomical symbols. As the sun is... As the sun is... As the sun is... Any inquiry into the symbolic character of Freemasonry, must be preceded by an investigation of the nature of symbolism in general, if we would properly appreciate its particular use in the organization of the Masonic Institution. We must have some knowledge of the science of symbolism. The science which is engaged in the investigation of the meaning of symbols, and the application of their interpretation to moral, religious, and philosophical instruction. We can say that Freemasonry is a system of morality developed and inculcated by the science of symbolism. There is no science so ancient as that of symbolism. Such is the system adopted in Freemasonry for the development and inculcation of the great moral, religious, and philosophical truths which are found in ALL the VOLUMES OF SACRED LAW OF THE WORLD. The very essence of symbolical teaching consists of the method of selecting some fact or some real object in nature, art, or science, and by investing it with an emblematic significance through comparison, thus teaching and illustrating some moral or political doctrine. The anchor is thus made an emblem and illustration of hope, the beehive of industry, the scythe of time or death. A real anchor, beehive, or scythe is, however, required as a foundation for this allegorical teaching. These are symbols. The word symbol is derived from a Greek verb which signifies to compare one thing with another; and hence a symbol or emblem, for the two words are often used synonymously in Freemasonry, is the expression of an idea derived from the comparison or attribute. The Plumb is a symbol of rectitude; the level, of equality; the Beehive, of industry. The physical qualities of the Plumb becomes to the Freemason, after he has once been taught its symbolic meaning, forever afterward the visible expression of the idea of rectitude, or uprightness of conduct. To study and compare these visible objects, to elicit from them the moral ideas which they are intended to express, is to make one's self acquainted with the symbolism of Freemasonry.

In Freemasonry, all the instruction in its mysteries are communicated in the form of symbols. Founded, as a speculative science, on an operative art, it has taken the working-tools of the profession which it spiritualizes, the terms of architecture, the Temple of Solomon, and everything that is connected with its traditional history, and adopting them as symbols, it teaches its great moral and philosophical lessons by this system of symbolism. But its symbols are not confined to material objects. Its myths and legends are also, for the most part, symbolic. Often a legend, unauthenticated by history, distorted by anachronisms, and possibly absurd in its pretensions if viewed historically or as a narrative of actual occurrences, when interpreted as a symbol, is found to impress the mind with some great spiritual and philosophical truth.

The legends of Freemasonry are parables, and a parable is only a spoken symbol. Divine truths of Freemasonry are presented to the neophyte in the various legends which have been traditionally preserved. They may be divided into three classes: 1. the Mythical Legend. 2. The Philosophical Legend. 3. The Historical Legend. The three classes may be defined as follows:

1. The myth may be engaged in the transmission of a narrative of early deeds and events having a foundation in truth, which truth, however, has been greatly distorted and perverted by the omission or introduction of circumstances and personages, and then it constitutes the mythical legend.

2. Or it may have been invented and adopted as the medium of enunciating a particular thought, or of inculcating a certain doctrine, when it becomes a philosophical legend.

3. Or, lastly, the truthful elements of actual history may greatly predominate over the fictitious and invented materials of the myth; and the narrative may be, in the main, made up of facts, with a slight coloring of imagination, when it forms a historical legend.

NEXT: Lesson 2

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