SYMPOSIUM OF PAPERS CONTRIBUTED BY MEMBERS OF THE CIRCLE
(PART SIX)

INTRODUCTION

by

Wor.Bro. R.A.L. Harland, P.M.,  Lodge  No.  1679

President of the Circle

It is my privilege as President of the Circle to introduce to
members the sixth part of the excellent symposium of Papers
contributed in response to the invitafion issued by the Governing
Council, as follows:-

"THE MISSION OF MASONRY IN A CHANGING WORLD
by
M.W. Bro.Francis J. Scully, M.D., Past Grand Master,
Grand Lodge of Arkansas, U.S.A.

"MASONIC LIGHT"
by
Bro. Rev. R.Gledhill, M.A., B.D., Hope Valley Lodge No. 3397

"SOME THOUGHTS ON THE TRACING BOARD OF THE SECOND DEGREE"
by
W.Bro. C.M.de Beer, Travellers Lodge, No. 5820, E.C.,
Johannesburg, South Africa.

I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating the
authors of the Papers already included in this Symposium upon the
high standard of their contributions.  I would also again remind
members that manuscripts submitted will be welcomed by the
Governing Council and will receive careful consideration with a
view to being read at a meeting of the Circle and subsequently
included in the Transactions.


 
"THE MISSION OF MASONRY IN A CHANGING WORLD"

by
M.W.Bro. Francis J. Scurry, M.D., Past Grand Master,
Grand Lodge of Arkansas, U.S.A.

The need for a sustaining force in a changing world has become
evident to every thinking man, and particularly to us as Masons. 
Masonry offers a philosophy of life that can maintain, support
and inspire men, not only in times of stress, but in their hours
of leisure as well.  Masonry has a mission in the world today. 
It can do much for men in their search for the Light that can
bring them peace and happiness, which is the goal of every man.

We are living in a world that is changing rapidly.  It presents
not only a rare opportunity, but a definite challenge for the
Masonic Fraternity to justify its purpose as a constructive force
in character building, and as a philosophy of life that will
enable men to rise above material things and find happiness and
contentment in spiritual enlightenment.

The tempo of life today, while speeding up the production of
materials and equipment, has markedly increased the tension of
every day living.  It has, however, shortened the working hours
for most people, and has consequently given them more leisure
time.  How that leisure time is employed is most important.

We are living in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.  No longer is
there a feeling of security, nor the certainty that the future
will hold a time of comfort and ease for us. It is a time of
stress.

Stress is difficult to define.  It is not fear. rather it implies
tension, arising from a conflict within ourselves or a combat
with circumstances, that the issue is uncertain, that the outcome
may be unsuccessful, and that the individual is fully aware of
that situation.  It is certainly one which arouses the feeling of
an unending and unyielding struggle.

Stress presents a real problem today.  You are all familiar with
the impact or pressure of our present day speed of living.  In
times past, life went by in a more leisurely manner, news
travelled slowly.  Stories of war and disaster reached the ears
of the people long after the event had lost its dynamic power and
no longer carded any sense of personal relationship.  But today
it is different.  The events of yesterday in the far-flung
corners of the world are headlines of next morning's newspaper,
or the radio or television may present them to the listener
within an hour of their happening.  It is remarkable that man has
been able to survive this sudden change in life's tempo.  It
speaks well for the adaptability of man.  Most of these
developments have come within the past fifty years.  Many of you
may remember the beginnings of these discoveries and inventions
which we now use so casually, yet which have so radically altered
our very existence.  The radio, television, movies, automobiles,
and airplanes have opened wide our vision as to how the rest of
the world lives.  These things have not only enriched our lives,
but have added greatly to the tension of life.  It calls for a
day to day, even an hour to hour, regulation and adjustment of
our bodily reactions to enable us to meet and cope with the world
today.

The problem brought by stress may come to children, but it is
certain to come to the youth and to the mature man.  The youth
finds the responsibilities of life looming before him.  To middle
age is brought a struggle to maintain one's position and to
advance in one's chosen work.  The more civilized peoples are
affected to a greater degree than the primitive tribes, for their
greater understanding of the meaning and possibilities of events
makes a greater conflict in their minds and in their lives.  For
them continued stress without relief, or a time of relaxation, is
indeed a serious problem.

Continued stress without periods of rest may produce marked
changes in the body.  We all know of executives in charge of
large business interests who develop high blood pressure or a
coronary attack in their struggle to keep abreast of the tide of
business today.  Others acquire indigestion, a nervous breakdown
or vascular disorders in their effort to keep up with the busy
stride of work.  Even in the home, stress may have its effect,
because of the complexity of duties, responsibilities and social
presures which combine to bring a never ending load for each
twenty-four hours.  It is remarkable that man has been able to
survive, let alone keep up with the pace set before him.

What can be done to relieve this stress?

Can we remove stress from the world?

No. Life today requires that man must work, work with
competition, and with increased speed and skill if he is to
succeed. It is said that the only place where there is no stress
is in Heaven, for in Heaven there is no hunger, no money, no
marriage, and no personal ambitions. But heaven on earth is still
a vision in the far future.

Can we remove stress from the individual?

No. everyone cannot succeed.  Since material possessions and
wealth are now considered the measure of success in life, this
type of success can come to only a small percentage of the
population.  Not everyone can reach the top.  We cannot give
everyone a raise in salary, a better home, a smarter car, in
order that he may succeed.

Can we treat the individual for the effects of stress?

Perhaps. Medical science has come a long way in the understanding
of the problem.  A whole new field of medicine, called
psychosomatic medicine, has been developed to study and treat
such cases.  The individual must be brought to a realization of
the cause of his disability, and make an adjustment before it is
too late. One must often look to a higher power than ourselves to
break the chain of events which hold us in the swift race we must
run in this day and time.

Can we prevent the effects of stress?

Yes.  This offers the greatest opportunity.  Prevention is by far
a better plan than any cure.  The secret is to arrange for a time
away from the pressure of one's work, a time of leisure, a
holiday time, a time which we can spend in any way we like.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEISURE

A time of leisure is not necessarily a period of idleness. 
Rather it implies a change - a change from the routine hours of
work and tension to a more pleasurable occupation.  We do not
speak of a machine as being at leisure, but as being idle,
because it does not have life.  Human beings are not machines
though industry would make men so.  As long as life is present in
the body, the brain continues active, even when we are asleep,
because the circulation, respiration and digestion must be kept
active or we cease to live.

Most individuals who have been active in their business or
profession cannot accept enforced idlesness, but must have
something to occupy their minds.  Some pleasant activity is the
answer to the time away from routine work. It implies work that
is done in accordance to one's own desire, taking one's own time
to carry it out, and completing it to one's own satisfaction. 
Leisure is therefore a time of relaxation with a pleasurable
occupation after a period of strenuous work, a period in which
the brain is still employed but not driven under pressure.  Only
leisure can rehabilitate the overstressed mechanism of the mind. 
Leisure time is a time for

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Our forefathers fought and won for us our liberty, and then drew
up that remarkable document, the Constitution of the United
States of America.  As we read it we find that it does not
guarantee happiness - only life, liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.  It is up to each of us to seek his own happiness, by
whatever method or plan he may find best.

Happiness is the dream of every man.  It means more than just
the satisfaction of animal needs - such as food, water, shelter
and safety, The happiness we seek is something higher, more
complete, more satisfying - something that will fill our lives
and last always.

How shall we find this dream of happiness? How can we reach this
goal we have set before us? What can we do to obtain this
happiness? What things contribute to this pursuit of happiness?

Some believe that if they have plenty of money to do what they
wanted, to buy everything they could use, to travel where they
wanted, to live a life in leisure they would be supremely happy
and would ask for no more.  Yet those who have accumulated great
wealth are not always happy.  Money has become the object of the
search and happiness is lost on the way.  Great wealth or vast
possessions more frequently bring anxiety and responsibility than
happiness.  Of course, moderate wealth does allow one to have
leisure time, which is so valuable in the pursuit of happiness,
but wealth alone does not guarantee happiness.

Others think a life dedicated to some interesting field of work
or research would be the answer.  We all know that we must work,
but too often we look on the other man's work and think what an
interesting life he must lead, that if we could only change
places we would find happiness.  Work well done, however, is
often its own reward. There is a satisfaction in accomplishment
and a joy in achievement. Work gives us the opportunity to earn
our leisure and in that leisure we can seek our happiness.

Some would place fame or recognition for some special quality or
ability, for some unusual accomplishment, or some daring deed as
the basis for finding the happiness we seek.  Yet such honour or
notoriety is fleeting.  Men soon forget the heroes and
benefactors of yesterday.  This happiness is too temporary to
answer our quest.

Others would be satisfied to possess great power, the right to
rule and to govern as their idea of happiness.  Ambitious men
have grasped power, trampling on the rights of others to gain
their selfish ends.  But have these powerful leaders, dictators
or tyrants achieved real happiness? We have only to look in the
pages of history to find the answer.  Alexander, who conquered
the then known world, cried because there were no more worlds to
conquer.  Napoleon, who became Emperor of France and conquered
most of Europe, finally lost everything and died a prisoner on a
lonely island.  More recently Hitler and Mussolini, whose brief
abuse of power, brought the world to its present state of chaos. 
Not only did they not find happiness for themselves but they put
far in the future the day of happiness and peace for men and the
nations of this earth.  Once power is grasped by such despots
they must strive and fight to maintain their pinnacle of glory. 
There is no time to rest, no time to enjoy the power they have
gained, they have found no true happiness.

Many have found happiness in hobbies, or in interest in some
special field such as hunting, fishing, golf, music, painting, a
collection of stamps or of books, etc.  These are the interests
to occupy the leisure time which is so important to us.  If these
hobbies are properly used they can bring happiness.  But such
hobbies and interests should be developed while we are still
young and still at work to bring the best results.  One may find
it difficult, when one refires, to take up a hobby as a new
venture.  To suddenly reverse the trend of life, giving up our
usual employment, and taking up something new, may bring stress,
just what we are trying to avoid.  It is better, if possible, to
try out one or more of these hobbies as we go along, to find out
what we like, then the transition will be more gradual and more
successful.  Life is a continuous process of adjustment, day by
day.  If we fail to make these adjustments, then we lose our
inner peace.  It is best to plan and prepare for one's leisure
activity, while engaged in carrying on our life's work.  Then
these outside interests will be brought into the pattern of life
and ready to be used when we come to our days of leisure or
retirement.  At that time they can be expanded and amplified to
give pleasurable employment for each day.  There are so many
things you have wanted to do and places you have wanted to see. 
Your leisure time then will not present the question, "What will
I do with my time?", but rather it will be, "Where has my leisure
time gone?" There are friends to visit, books to read, church
meetings, lectures, concerts to attend, travelling to do, and a
hobby to enjoy.  Your leisure time can be completely filled with
happiness, if properly planned.

These interests may or may not bring a financial reward, that is
not as important as the joy of doing something one wants to do,
even if it is only for the sake of satisfying one's own curiosity
about the world in which we live.

Friends can mean much to us in our pursuit of happiness.  We all
prize our friends and could not live without them.  We enjoy
their company in good times and count on them in times of need. 
But our closest, friends cannot guarantee our happiness.  They
are human as we are, with all the frailties and ambitions that we
have. Yet we must not despise the fellowship of men, for that
fellowship may help us over a rough place on life's highway.  We,
as Masons, know this to te true.

Perhaps faith, faith in something greater, something higher than
we are, faith in God, the Creator of all things, the Supreme
Architect of the Universe, can be the answer to our pursuit.  Our
faith need not mean that we must retire from the world and wrap
ourselves up in a veil of isolation to obtain our happiness.  We
must continue to live in the world of today, and, with faith,
find joy in the present and hope in the future.

The Philosophers of old sought for the philosopher's stone to
find the answer to man's destiny.  We, as Masons, have sought for
the Word, the Truth, the Light which will bring us the answer to
all our questions and provide us with peace and wisdom.  Each one
has come to the end of his quest to find that happiness comes
from within and not without.  It rests on faith, faith in God,
who is the giver of all happiness that is real and lasting.

Fame, fortune and all material things are the gift of God, but we
must not permit them to take God's place in our lives and become
gods before Him. They are not, in themselves, evil or mere
vanities of life.  They can be useful only when we can dispense
with all of them, and still find happiness in our faith. God
intended man to enjoy his brief day on earth.  By faith we can
have it so.

Each day is a test of our faith.  Any philosophy of life that
does not prepare us for every day living, for old age, for death,
and for life beyond the grave can bring only disillusionment. 
Any philosophy of life that does not prepare us for the
inevitable stress, the difficulties and tragedies of life is in
vain.  We must build a philosophy that will enable us to meet
life as we find it, with a firm belief that there is a guiding
hand that will eventually bring us the real happiness we seek.

HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL OF HAPPINESS?

We must create our happiness out of the environment in which we
live, out of the trials, the difficulties, the daily round of
duties as well as the pleasures and fun, much as the bee seeks
honey not only from the flowers of the fields, but also from
plants we call weeds.  It must be created out of the everyday
happenings, the little things that go to make up the life we live
day by day. We depend too much on the great events, the unusual
happenings, such as graduation from school, a new job, marriage,
or a trip to some distant land, to bring happiness instead of
finding enjoyment in the small things that happen to us in each
day as we go along through life.  Some find happiness in the song
of a bird, the antics of a playful squirrel, or the woods in the
afternoon with the rays of sunshine streaming through the leaves. 
It is these little things that count.

Happiness does not depend so much where you are as how you look
on life.  It is a matter of viewpoint.   Some look down and see
only the dirt and squalor, the evil of life, the difficulties and
poverty, and all that is dark and hopeless.  Others look up and
see the mountains in the distance all clothed in a beautiful
green mantle of trees, the blue sky above with fleecy clouds
passing by, and then up to the glory of all that is good and
wonderful.

One day a man, passing a new building under construction, stopped
to ask three men, who were working there, this question: "What
are you doing?" The first answered quickly, "I'm digging a
ditch." The second stopped and then said, "I'm putting in time
until I can find a better job." The third, looking up for a
moment, replied, "I'm building a cathedral." It is all a matter
of viewpoint.  We must do what is before us; what we are doing
today is our very life.  We must make it something fine and worth
while.  We must learn to look through the darkest night and see
the rays of the sun of the new day.  Too often we have our eyes
fixed solely on the future, and forget to see or look on the
world as it lies around us.

We must resolve that today is the day, not some day in the future
when we will have our happiness.  Too often we forget that the
only moment of time we can be sure of is now.  We must live this
very day, giving our attention, our enthusiasm and our energy to
this day in which we are living, and not let our anxiety for
tomorrow rob us of our happiness today.  For tomorrow is the day
we worried about yesterday and all is well.  At times it will
take every ounce of strength to master this day, but it will not
be wasted if it brings us the joy of living.  One cannot live in
the past, for it is gone beyond recall; one cannot live in the
future, for it is not yet here; one can only live today, and this
day well lived can be a day of real happiness.

Today is a bit different from yesterday, our ideas are fresher
and newer than they were a day ago.  With each new day we receive
the supreme gift of life, the most precious gift that the Creator
can bestow.  Each day brings a challenge to make it a better day
than yesterday.

The opportunity is ever present.  But we must be prepared or it
will be lost.  It is now, not some day in the future when we have
a new job, more money, more leisure, or have achieved the goal of
our ambitions.  It is now.

There can be no happiness without faith.  Happiness is like unto
the Kingdom of Heaven, it is to be found within us, not in some
far distant land.  We must develop that depth of feeling to help
us understand that deep within us is the one who counts, the one
is you and me, whose happiness comes with the knowledge of our
unity with Him.  This inward joy is not at the mercy of outward
circumstances, because it is based on faith, a faith that gives
meaning to life, and brings peace and contentment, even in times
of suffering and sorrow.

But the goal cannot be reached without effort.  There must be a
desire and a will to succeed.  A man can travel only as far as
his desire leads him.  It must be strong enough to brush aside
every obstacle.  If there is a will, a way can always be found. 
With faith all things are possible.

Happiness is only half won unless we share it with others.
Complete happiness comes as a reward for services to others, for
the performance of our duty to our fellowmen, for our efforts to
make the world a better place for each and all of us to live in. 
We must be ever ready to help the needy.

From all these we build a philosophy of life, that by faith and
vision we can make our leisure time a time of happiness and
usefulness, even if it is only an hour away from our work, a
holiday, or a time which we have looked forward to when our work
is done.  There is a joy in simply being alive, to be able to
find happiness in the little things of life as we go along life's
journey, giving us the opportunity to share our happiness with
others.  This happiness we can have today, happiness that is
ours, ours to enjoy, and ours to share,

THE MISSION OF MASONRY

Masonry has long recognised that men need guidance in their
search for light.  Through the years our Fraternity has presented
the ideal of perfect manhood, the ideal man, true to God, to his
country, to his neighbour and to himself.  It has been a great
spiritual guide to the higher and nobler concepts of life. 
Masonry has opened the door to happiness for many men. It can
mean much to you.

Masonry is a philosophy of life, teaching equality of men, a
belief in the one true and living God, in the resurrection and in
life everlasting.  It is not a religion as it has no creed or
dogma, yet its precepts and principles are based on the great
truths found in the Volume of the Sacred Law we place on our
Altar.  Masonry is next to the church in the building of men's
character, to make better men, the best that each man can become,
the better to serve his fellowmen.

It presents a fellowship not equalled in any other organization. 
In Masonry a man is not regarded for his wealth or rank, but only
for the fine qualities of his character, and for his desire to be
of service to mankind.  It is a fellowship, however, that we are
inclined to overlook in these days when each hour is crowded with
the demands of work and pleasure.  It is time that we gave more
thought to this wonderful fellowship, so generously given and so
easily lost.  With our meetings so often crowded with ritualistic
work we are prone to neglect the very purpose for which we are
taking men into our Fraternity.  Time must be set aside for the
enjoyment of that fellowship.  The ritualistic ceremony is simply
a means of bringing the Brother into our fellowship.  Let us not
forget this important fact.

To be worthy of this fellowship we ourselves must be friendly. 
We must have a sincere regard for our Brethren, showing a
sympathetic understanding of their way of life, holding a
tolerant judgment of their actions and expressing our outspoken
praise for their service, while they are still in our midst.  Let
us give our earnest attention to this important Tenet of our
Fraternity.  Brotherly Love is more than just an empty phrase, to
be heard and soon forgotten.  It has a most significant meaning
for each of us who are united by this fellowship in the bonds of
a declared faith in God.

More and more Grand Lodges are coming to the realization that
their members must be taught something of the history, traditions
and purposes of our great Order, the meaning of its symbols, an
explanation of its tenets and precepts; all are necessary for a
proper understanding of the place of Masonry in our lives and in
the world about us.  With this knowledge and understanding
Masonry can do much to advance this fellowship amongst men of all
nations and bring happiness into their lives.

With shorter working hours today, men have more leisure time to
devote to the interests of Masonry, to take a greater part in
that glorious fellowship that is theirs for the asking, and to
attain that happiness which is the object of our search.

Masonry has another mission that could mean much to our nation
and to the world in which we live.  It could become one of the
greatest forces for good in the world today, to make life worth
while, and to bring happiness to the people of this earth.  There
are nearly 4,000,000 Masons in the United States alone.  Just
think what a great influence Masonry could have if all of us
carried out into the world the great precepts taught us at the
Altar, and made them part of our lives.  What a change it could
bring to our homes, our communities, and to our nation.  I do not
mean that Masonry, as an organization, should take a stand for
some particular programme, but for each member to so live and act
that his light would shine before men as a living example of true
manhood.  Then justice and equality would prevail.

There can be no progress without faith, there must be a spiritual
enlightenment in men.  We must carry the torch to spread this
faith, to banish fear and to reverse the trend to materialism
that now menaces the peace of the world.

Perhaps the story of the Transfiguration in the Volume of Sacred
Law may suggest a way.  As we read the account of this unusual
and momentous event, we find Peter, James and John ascending a
high mountain with Jesus.  Reaching the top, they knelt to pray,
and then, before their eyes, they saw Jesus transfigured, his
raiment white and shining, and his face as radiant as the sun,
and they beheld him talking with Moses and Elijah.  Peter was so
overwhelmed that he wanted to build three tabernacles on the
mountain top to commemorate the occasion, and to relive the
rapture and ecstasy of that inspiring moment.  But Jesus said no,
and brought them down from the mountain to mix with the world. 
There was work to be done, there was a message to be brought to
the world.  As Masons we have found the Light at our Altar.  Let
us not make our asylum a retreat from the world with our Altar as
a tabernacle where we may worship by ourselves.  We, too, must
carry forth the Light to bring happiness and peace to the world. 
This is the challenge to every Mason in the world today.  Let us
not fail.

 "MASONIC LIGHT"
by
Bro. Rev.Rolf Gledhill, M.A., B.D., Hope Valley Lodge No. 3397

"All the world's a stage", said Shakespeare.  Most of us play our
part as best we can.  We put on a brave show.  We may have our
personal problems, our own private fears and worries, but we hide
all these behind a mask, and show the world a pleasant face. 
This may be necessary, but when we come into Masonry, we face up
to the real situation.  We have finished with pretence and
make-believe.  Here we learn the truth - the real truth about
ourselves.  It is depicted so vividly in the initiation ceremony:
"a poor candidate in a state of darkness." With stumbling steps
we blunder on.  What does it all mean, where are we going?

Most people prefer not to ask those questions.  Better forget,
better try and fill in the time pleasurably, and see what
tomorrow will bring.  Masonry compels us to think, to face up to
this challenge.  It makes us realise that we are in darkness,
that we are uncertain of the way.  And so when the master asks us
what is the predominate wish of otir heart, we cry out that we
wish to be restored to light.  We want to see, to know, to
understand.

When we are allowed to see, we are also informed that it is more
than seeing with our eyes, there are certain emblematical lights,
there are inner meanings beyond what the eye can see.

An artist has been defined as one who sees both the visible and
the invisible.  This is why he excels over the camera.  The
camera can only copy.  The true artist, as he copies a likeness,
also includes a meaning and an interpretation.  If, for instance,
he is painting a face, he will give you not only the features,
but also the character of the person he paints.

"This world", said Tauler, "is like some fruit, such as a plum or
an apple; and it has its rind-men, its pulpmen, and its core or
kernel-men.  All live with the same faculties, only the first
live merely on the surface of things, while the last perceive how
the outer form is determined by the central life within".

In Masonry we are concerned with the central life within. "Light"
is given us to see and understand.  It is an inner light
revealing life's true meaning.

What does this new light reveal? you may ask.  First and foremost
Masonry begins by showing you your true self: not the self the
world see, not the outward form, not the mask we wear.  To compel
us to realise this, at our initiation our clothes (part of the
mask) are taken from us.  Money and metal is also removed so that
we may know that we are not concerned with what money can buy. 
We are not thinking of outward things, but only with the real
self.

Only too often we know how in everyday life the outward and
unessential things become all important.  Instead of a person
having possessions they sometimes possess him.  Sometimes we are
told that we possess a soul which we may cultivate.  Masonry
gives us the true picture.  We are essentially spiritual beings
who possess for a time a body.  This truth is taught in the
putting on of our aprons - they symbolise the human body.  We put
on our aprons, and we put them away.  The apron does not give us
the complete picture of a human body, nor does the body tell us
all there is to know about a person.  We are immortals who put on
and put off a body.  There is far more about us than this
apron-body.  Though this body is important (as reminded when
first invested) and told never to disgrace this body, if we treat
it with respect, it will never disgrace us.

Before we were given this picture of our true self we were asked
to take vows of fidelity.  The penalty mentioned for those
disloyal to their vow may sound barbaric.  Has this, you may ask,
anything to do with one's due self?

(1)Burial. Masonry has inherited the wisdom and the picture
language of the ages.  In prechristian days the correct burial of
the dead was a most sacred duty.  One of the ancient Greek
legends (Antigone) tells how a princess willingly sacrificed her
life in order to give her brother a proper burial.  Only so could
his soul find rest.  Bodies of slaves and criminals were thrown
indiscriminately in a hole or well.  In making his obligation,
the initiate declares that he is aware that violation of his vow
means that his b ... will be b....... in the sands of the sea at
a point where there is a constant ebb and flow of the tide ...
never for one single day is there peace and quiet ... the ever
moving sea denotes continual restlessness.  The body will never
be at rest.  Behind the outward form is the inner meaning.  To be
disloyal to one's true self means we shall never know inner
peace.

(2) Tearing out the tongue. This may offend modern ears. And so
it may seem the more surprising if I tell you that in the V. of
the S.L. (Psalm xii, 3) it is God who tears out the tongue by the
roots.  A study of the tongue as described in the V. of the S.L.
is most revealing.  The most numerous references say it is
deceitful.  Gathering together in one group the many references
we have this picture: The tongue "loves devouring words, is
boastful, perverse, causes mischief and strife, it can even kill,
its sting is compared to a scourge, a razor, a sharp sword, it is
full of potentialities for evil, it can poison the whole body. 
Only those who realise the real situation can make any progress.

There is within the Hebrew psalter the details of the 15 steps in
a Jewish initiation.  They are called the "Songs of Ascent"
(Psalm 120 and following).  With each step forward the candidate
gets nearer and nearer God's presence.  We are concerned only
with the first step.  The candidate would recite his newly-found
knowledge as he progressed.

His first essential step on this journey was concerned with the
control of the tongue (Psalm cxx, 2).  We have the same test at
our initiation.  We vow ourselves to secrecy.  We will be masters
of our tongue.  This is a first and essential step on our journey
of understanding.  God will root out, will destroy, that which
hinders spiritual progress.

May I end with this picture given us in the ceremony of
initiation?

Instead of blindly blundering on in darkness, not knowing whither
we are going, we ask for, and receive, enlightenment.  We learn
that we are, in essence, immortals who wear for a time a body. 
How to wear it aright is all important.  We learn that we must
control the tongue: this is the first step in our journey of
spiritual understanding.  We promise we will steadily persevere,
and that in strength we will lay a foundation stone for a new
building worthy of the builder, and acceptable to the G.A.O.T.U.

SO MOTE IT BE.

"SOME THOUGHTS ON THE TRACING BOARD OF THE SECOND DEGREE"

by
W.Bro. C.M. de Beer, Travellers Lodge, No. 5820, E.C.,
Johannesburg, South Africa

"When 'Buddhi' absorbs our Egotism (destroys it) with all its
'Vikaras', Avalokitesvara becomes manifested to us, and Nirvana,
or 'Mukti' is reached, Mukti being the same as Nirvana, i.e.
freedom from the trammels of 'Maya' or illusion."

(H.P. Blavatsky - "Secret Doctrine".)


The explanation of the tracing board of the second degree starts
with the words:

"When the Temple at Jerusalem was completed..."

It can be assumed therefrom that the whole charge refers to the
near-perfected man, the man ready to be raised so as to be one
with God.

"Its costliness and splendour became objects of admiration to the
surrounding nations........"

The word costliness is here probably to be interpreted as
"worthiness", and the surrounding nations would allude to the
non-initiates, the cowans.

"The two great Pillars which were placed at the porchway or
entrance. . ." 

which were the more remarkable and more particularly struck the
attention, can then be presumed to refer to the visible (or
noticeable) attributes of the initiate, i.e. his qualities of
heart and intellect - mind and heart blended to perfection to
produce the balanced individual, "perfect in all its parts".
These qualities would be visible not only in the bearing,
composure and even features of the initiate, but more especially
in his dealings with his fellow men and in his service to the
community. (Egyptian Pharaos, Greek Philosophers, etc.)

"The pillars were made of molten brass..."
(Job xxviii,  2  and  xxx,  22-23.)

Physical and mental cravings, the whole earthly made pliable and
malleable by the fire of initiation and the discipline of mind
and body.

". . . cast in the plain of Jordan, in the clay ground between
Succoth and Zeredatha. . ."

probably refers to the limitations of the physical (clay grounds)
and psychical world wherein we live and have to learn.  More
literally it may refer to the Essenes, who are thought to have
lived along the banks of the river Jordan.

". . . the supeintendent of &e casting was H.A." 

it is with the applied will of the mind that we must discipline
our instincts, just as finally the mind, the I, has to efface
itself and "die" to allow the involution of the higher self, the
overself, Godhead.

". . . the height of those pillars was 17 1/2 cubits each. . ."

the conjoined height thus being twice that figure, i.e. 35
cubits, which adds up to the trinity of the two united columns,
the ten shephiroths and the 22 arcanes of the tree of life.

". . . 12 in. in circumference. . .

the 12 signs of the Zodiac, the 12 tubes of Israel.

". . . four in diameter. . ."

the four letters of Jehova, the four elements in Astrology, the
four beasts of the Apocalypse.

"Being formed hollow, the outer rim or shell was four inches or a
handsbreadth in thickness. . ."

the four alcheniical elements with their common quintessence at
the basis of their composition, the four fingers of the hand with
the thumb able to cover the base - and to touch every part and
the top - of each finger. Formed hollow: take the rim or shell
away, and there is nothing left, nothing ... but the
constitutional rolls, in other words : the law, the verb, the
beginning and the end.

"Network, lily-work and pomegranates . . ."

the unity produced by the blending of the purity of the heart
with the fertility of the mind.

Only once the canopy was thrown over the two pillars with their
globes depicting respectively the celestial and terrestrial
globes was the building complete.  In other words, the conjoining
of the celestial and terrestrial pillars refers to the initiate's
knowledge and understanding of the material as well as of the
spiritual worlds (the latter pervading the former and the former
merely being a reflection of the latter).  It is only in the
globes that the pillars differ: in the microcosm as in the
macrocosm, all is one.  By the knowledge and understanding of
both these reaims would the initiate come to this realisation of
UNITY.

"The Egyptian Bondage" would be the shackles of the material
world from which the candidate must free himself before he can
receive the initiation at the hands of those who went before him
to the top of the winding staircase.

"The pillar of fire and cloud..." that which will be
enlightenment to the worthy adept will seem but confusion to the
unworthy and unprepared groper after magic, the cowan, the
ephraimite.

"At the building of King Solomon's temple an immense number of
masons were employed, divided into E.A. and F.C."

Not M.M. as these have completed the building already and are,
henceforward, identified with the rulers of the world.  Thus,
whilst all men can claim their divine heritage, few are those who
reach the porchway of the temple and ascend the winding staircase
to the middle chamber.  Yet it is only "with the centre" that we
can be raised and become M.M.

The Ephraimites now cross the river Jordan and give battle "to
partake of the rich spoils with which Jephta and his army were
then laden".

The immense powers that the candidate will have under his control
after completing his initiation, i.e. after completing the
building of the temple, are envied and desired by the, dark
forces of destruction who give battle all the way.  The path of
initiation is thus fraught with danger.  The Ephraimites will try
to impede progress and, indeed, where possible, will do so by
fire and complete annihilation (so that no trace or remembrance
of so vile a wretch may longer be found among men, especially
M.M.). The higher the candidate proceeds, the more severe the
penalty should he fail.

Having to leave "plenty" behind in anticipation of having to
completely divest himself from "worldly possessions", how better
could the candidate weigh his thoughts and his actions than by
checking whether earthly cravings still motivate those thoughts
and actions? The most tenuous attachment to "Maya" will
disqualify him, he cannot proceed, the Junior or Senior Warden
will stop him on the path.

By the stirring of God, manifested in the dual powers of will
(movement) and love (the "word")

--trinity, three steps, three rule the L.

we shall in time obtain, by the perfect blending of heart and
intellect

--five steps, five hold a L.


working on the physical and physical levels of bodily
materialisation, a re-union with the fountain-head, having
obtained the right of entry into the middle chamber by virtue of
ultimate perfection, being without scruple (guiltless) and
without diffidence (fearless) as a little child.

--but perfection only in seven, by descend into and ascend out of
the bodily temple.

Then shall we meet God face to face and, adoring Him, become One
with Him "till time shall be no more."

EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED AND BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN YE SHALL
NOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

In the macrocosm as in the microcosm.

The night is dark, an invisible shadow enfolds the world, as the
moon (soul) lies between the earth (body) and the sun (universal
spirit, ruling the ever present day).

By moving away from that position the Moon gradually enables the
rays of the Sun to reflect towards the Earth till, finally, the
full moon sails through the skies in silvery splendour, bathing
the earth in soft and glorious light.

So will the soul of man, gradually preparing itself to absorb the
duvhie influence of the G.A.O.T.U., and keeping the clouds of
improper thoughts from its sky, finally be fully enlightened by
the universal spirit to share the splendour and to shine as the
stars, for ever and ever.

The moon governs the night by permission of the ruler of the
eternal day, reflecting that day into the night:

THE LIGHT OF A MASTER MASON IS DARKNESS VISIBLE.