A
LESSON FOR FREEMASONS OR, A SERIES OF MORAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE
INSTRUMENTS OF MASONRY
From "The Spirit of Masonry" -
1843
The various instruments which we of this profession make
use of, are all emblematical or picturesque of the conduct of
life we ought to persevere in. The RULE directs us to
observe punctually every gospel duty; to press forward in the
right path, neither inclining to the right nor left hand, for the
sake of any transient amusement or gratification whatsoever; it
forbids us to give into the least inclination or propensity into
the curve of life, and reminds us to beware of the least tendency
to a circle, either in religion or morals! - not to mind (because
they have seldom any other than selfish views) neither outs, or
ins in politics; and to have in all our conduct eternity
in view. The LINE should make us pay the strictest
attention to that line of duty which has been given us, or rather
which was marked out to us, by our great Benefactor and Redeemer.
It teaches us to avoid all kinds of double-dealing, both in
conversation and actions; it points out the direct but narrow
path that leads to a glorious immortality; and that sincerity in
our profession will be our only passport thither. This line, like
Jacob's ladder, connects heaven and earth together; and, by
laying hold of it, we climb up to that place where we shall
change this short line of time for the never-ending circle of
eternity. The PLUME-LINE admonishes us to walk erect and
upright in our Christian vocation; not to lean to a side, but to
hold the scale of justice in equal poise; to observe the just
medium between temperance and voluptuousness; to fathom the depth
of our limited capacities, and to make our several passions and
prejudices of education fall plumb in, or coincide with, our line
of duty. The SQUARE will teach us to square all our actions
by this gospel rule and line, and to make our whole conduct
harmonise with this most salutary scheme. Our behaviour will be
regular and uniform, not aspiring at things above our reach, nor
pretending to things above our finite capacities, nor to affect
things above what our circumstances can possibly bear. In our
expenses, therefore, we shall neither ape those that are placed
in a more exalted sphere, nor attend so much to the glitter of
gold as to sink beneath our proper station; but we shall observe
the golden mean,
"And always to our acres join our
sense,
Because 'tis use that sanctifies expense."
The
COMPASSES will inform us that we should in every station learn to
live within proper bounds, that we may, therefore, be enabled to
contribute freely and cheerfully to the relief of the necessities
and indigencies of our fellow-creatures. Hence we shall rise to
notice, live with honour, and make our exit in humble hopes of
compassing what ought to be the main pursuit of the most aspiring
genius, a crown of glory. The LEVEL should advise us that,
since we are all descended from the same common stock, partake of
the like nature, have the same faith and the same hope through
the redemption, which render us naturally upon a level with one
another, that we ought not to divest ourselves of the feelings of
humanity; and though distinctions necessarily make a
subordination among mankind, yet eminence of station should not
make us forget that we are men, nor cause us to treat our
brethren, because placed on the lowest spoke of the wheel of
fortune, with contempt; because a time will come, and the wisest
of men know not how soon, when all distinctions, except
in goodness, will cease, and when death - that grand leveller of
all human greatness - will bring us to a level at the last. From
hence, too, the sceptic, the shallow reasoner, and babbling
disputer of this world, may learn to forbear the measuring of
infinity by the dull level of his own grovelling capacity, and
endeavour, by way of atonement for his insults upon every thing that
tends to mankind, either good or great, to vindicate the ways of God to man. From your MALLET and CHISEL, you may
likewise know what advantages accrue from a proper education. The
human and unpolished mind, like a diamond surrounded with a dense
crust, discovers neither its sparkling nor different powers, till
the rough external is smoothed off, and beauties, till then
unknown, rise full to our view. Education gives, what a chisel
does to the stone, not only an external polish and smoothness,
but discovers all the inward beauties latent under the roughest
surfaces. By education our minds are enlarged, and they not only
range through the large fields of matter and space, but also
learn with greater perspicuity - what is above all other
knowledge - our real duty to God and man. Your TROWEL will
teach you that nothing is united together without proper cement:
no strict union, nor external polish can be made without it. And,
as the Trowel connects each stone together by a proper
disposition of the cement, so charity, that bond of perfection
and of all social union (which I earnestly recommend to you all),
links separate minds and various interests together; and, like
the radii of a circle, that extend from the centre to every part
of the circumference, makes each member have a tender regard
for the real welfare of the whole community. But as some
members will be refractory in every society, your Hammer will
likewise teach you how to use becoming discipline and correction
towards such like offenders. If they will not submit to rule, you
may strike off the excrescences of their swelling pride, till
they sink into a modest deportment. Are they irregular in their
practices? Your Hammer will instruct you to strike off each
irregularity, and fit them to act a decent part on the stage of
life. Do any affect things above their stations? Your Hammer will
teach you to press them down to their proper level, that they may
learn, in the school of discipline, that necessary knowledge - to
be courteous. What the HAMMER is to the workman, that
enlightened reason is to the passions in the human mind: it curbs
ambition, that aspires to its own and neighbour's hurt: it depresses
envy, moderates anger, checks every rising frailty, and encourages every good
disposition of the soul; from whence must arise that comely order, that
delightful self-complacency,
"Which nothing earthly gives or can
destroy,
The soul's calm sunshine, and the heart-felt
joy."
Thus, from our instruments may we all be instructed to
raise a stately fabric of good works, upon the strong foundation
of faith, that we may be fitted at last to inhabit that glorious
house, not made with hands, eternal in the
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