THAT WHICH WAS LOST
by Morris I. Budkofsky PGM, MPS
Philosophic Lodge of Research
Hartford, Connecticut
In an attempt to write this paper on "The Lost
Word" it is my desire simply to place the facts as I have found them at the
disposal of my Masonic Brethren, that they may have the opportunity to give
thought and reflect on the search of the "Lost Word," and its meaning.
In our Masonic Ritual we hear, "The Master's Word
is lost in the death of G. M. H. A., but I will substitute a word which shall be
adopted for the regulation of all Master Mason's Lodges until future ages shall
find out the right." The first five words of the ritual, "The Master's Word is
lost" are the fundamental principles of our Masonic ritual, yet they are passed
over with little emphasis.
Is it possible that the word could have been "An
instruction in spiritual knowledge whereby they could travel and work as such"
or could the word have been a myth, so as to give a fuller meaning to life now
and after being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason?
I am sure many a Masonic Brother, at one time or
another has given some thought concerning the Lost Word and how he would receive
it. If he is asked for "The Lost Word" he will reply that he has not as yet
received it. So it is, to the Brother who never received the "Lost Word" I
dedicate this paper in hopes "that while traveling upon the level of Time
towards that Undiscovered Country from whose home no traveler returns," he may
find that which was lost.
The "Lost Word" is the very basic science of
Masonic Symbolism. We speak of it sometimes as "The Lord," sometimes as "The
Secrets of a Master Mason," and sometimes as "That which is lost."
The meaning of the "Lost Word" for the operative
Mason has a far different meaning than held by Speculative Masonry. In the
following paragraphs, I will attempt to compare the meaning of the "Word" as it
applies to the Operative as well as the Speculative Mason.
Man's endless search for knowledge is a quest for
nobler deeds, higher thoughts and greater achievements and must inevitably
result in progress of sort. So it is with the "Lost Word.."
Many a Mason has tried to phrase his words, his
belief, his thoughts of what Masonry's "Lost Word" might be. Those who have
tried the hardest have been the first to agree, that man has not yet invented
the words by which to describe a concert so another can hear the sounds, or
describe a flower so a blind man may see its color.
The "Word" common to early races held a prominent
place in the Worship of the Children of Israel, The, "Word" was in King
Solomon's time, held in such reverence that it could be pronounced but once a
year on Yom Kippur, the Jewish New Year, and then only by the High Priest, and
in a secluded place. If written or used on any other occasion throughout the
year a substitute word had to be used in its place. The substitute word of
"Ah-do-shern" (ie: Name of God) meaning God was adopted as the "Word" of the
Children of Israel.
A singular coincidence, and worthy of thought, are
the initials of Gomer, Oz, Daber in that the letters composing the English name
of Deity should be the initials of the Hebrew words - Wisdom, Strength and
Beauty. The translation is as follows and words for thought:
| Gomer |
Beauty |
G |
| Oz |
Strength |
O |
| Dabar |
Wisdom |
D |
The expression, "The Word" when emphatically used
is in Freemasonry and always synonymous with the Third Degree, although there
must be a word in each Degree. In this latter and general sense, "The Word" is
called by French Freemasons "La Parole," and by Germans "Ein Worterzeichen." The
use of a Word is of great antiquity. We find it is the ancient Mysteries. In
those of Egypt it is said to have been the "Tetragrammaton" (Tet-ra-gram-maton)
meaning a word of four letters or the Mysterious and sacred Hebrew word of four
consonants, transliterated YHWH JHWH, or JRVH, standing for the ineffable Name
of God.
The Operative Masons in search of the "Lost Word"
believed the word to be a syllable, a password, a token of sort, perhaps like
many of our present day passwords. Possession of the "Word" symbolized divine
wisdom for, at the building of King Solomon's Temple, there were Three Thousand,
Three Hundred Masters or overseers of the work. Possession of the "Word" also
was an indication that our ancient Speculative Brethren had freedom, as to be
Masters of their time, their resources, and themselves. For "There must be
wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty adorn all great and
important undertakings." It was during the Renaissance Period, following the War
of Roses, in the 16th and 17th centuries, that societies became more lucrative
and tended to become more so as time went on. Operative Masons were regarded
with envy.
Fellowcrafts were desirous of the wages and
privileges. Operative Masonry became most vulnerable when it was attacked from
two sides, one from the cultured, influential classes, the other from below, the
Fellowcrafts. The former had for many centuries been interested in the building
science, but their past close association with the "Masters" caused them to use
their influence to pressure admittance into the Guilds. The Fellowcrafts, taking
full advantage of the situation of the craft, attained particularly some of the
privileges of the Masters, but were never successful in learning the true
meaning of the "Word."
That the cultured class was more successful than
the Fellowcrafts in gaining the "Word" is most doubtful. In the early 1700S the
so-called influential cultured class armed with their influence and knowledge
gained complete control over the working guild; it is at this point in history
where we begin to see a sharp division between Operative and Speculative
Freemasonry (1725-1732). It was during this period of transformation that our
ritual ' "as we know it today, was officially imposed and, although it carried
the legend and the name of H.A., the "Word" itself was lost.
The modem development of Speculative Masonry into a
philosophy of life has given a perfected form to the symbolism of the "Word" no
longer used as a mode of recognition, but rather as a symbol of the basic
philosophy of Freemasonry.
What then was the "Lost Word?"
What meaning did it hold for the Speculative Mason?
The Speculative Mason in search of the Lost Word
must seek out his own individual meaning. So important is this Word, that it
lies at the very foundation of masonry, it is what Dermott called "the root,
heart and marrow of Masonry."
The ceremony of becoming a Master Mason makes no
man any better than he was before, but the earnest endeavor to live by the
beautiful teachings of Masonry cannot but help to make any man better for having
asked. Thus, in our search for the "Lost Word," we learn to live a fuller and
more meaningful life and, thus, leave the world a little better for our having
had the privilege of passing through it.
No matter what was the "Word," no matter how or
when it was lost, not why a substitute was provided, nor when or where it was
recovered; these are all minor points of importance, necessary, it is true for
knowing the legendary history, but not necessary for understanding the
symbolism. The only term of the myth that is to be regarded with importance in
the study of its meaning, is the abstract idea of a word which was lost and
afterward found.
Mackey's Encyclopedia defines the "Lost Word" for
the Speculative Mason as a symbol of the personal progress of candidate from his
first initiation to the completion of his course,when he receives a full
development of the Mysteries.
The Holy Bible defines the "Lost Word" as "The
Meaning of Define Truth," symbolically speaking. This is what the old Writers
claim and have reference to in the Ineffable (unspeakable) name. J. N. 1:1: "Man
doth not live by bread only, but by every word produceth out of the mouth of the
Lord doth man live." D T 8:3-6.
As set forth in this paper, words or a word alone
cannot describe what the I 'Lost Word" might be. The best that can be hoped for
is a point of direction. Those Master Masons who make the search for the "Lost
Word" a part of their everyday life may well come upon that which they seek. As
our ancient brethren tried, so must we.
In conclusion, permit me to state that the lesson
here for us is to st diligently for myth, and never to permit prejudice, passion
or selfish interest to blind us. The "Word" must be revealed from within each of
us, by practicing the principles of our Fraternity and understanding its
teaching, not by mere words alone, but by emulation of "The Five Points of
Fellowship" towards out fellow man.
The Masonic Brother in search of the "Lost Word"
should not be on a hunt for a mystic term to be used like a magic spell. That
for what he really searches is to discover the Divine Truth within himself.
"While traveling upon the level of time towards that undiscovered Country from
whose borne no traveler returns." No one could tell me where my Soul might be. I
search for God, but God eludes me. I sought my Brother, and found all three.
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