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THE MEANING OF MASONRY
THE POSITION AND POSSIBILITIES OF THE MASONIC ORDER
foreword
Walter Leslie WILMSHURST
FREEMASONRY has had many great scholars who devoted their time and talents
to the philosophical exposition of the character of the Craft, the meaning
of Craft symbols, and the religious aspects of the Fraternity: Albert
Pike, Robert Freke Gould, Fort Newton, Albert Gallatin Mackey, and W. L.
Wilmshurst.
Walter Leslie Wilmshurst (1867-1939) was a mystic with a practical
knowledge and profound understanding of the religions of the world. The
Meaning of Masonry discloses the real purpose of modern Freemasonry and
clearly states the true body of teaching and practice concerning the
esoteric meanings of Masonic ritual.
Freemasonry is based on the three great principles: brotherly love,
relief, and truth. Over the years, brotherly love and relief have been so
stressed that the Craft is in serious danger of becoming primarily a
social and charitable organization. Truth, the most difficult principle to
recognize and thus the most difficult to achieve, has long been neglected.
Wilmshurst carefully places his designs upon the trestle board to build
his thesis that the alpha and omega of Freemasonry is not the repetition
of the ritual nor the safeguarding of secrets, but the regeneration of the
Brethren.
This book implores the reader to learn to see in Freemasonry something
more than a parochial system enjoining elementary morality, performing
perfunctory and insignificant rites, and serving as an agreeable accessory
to social life. The greater system of spiritual doctrine contained in the
rituals is strongly emphasized.
The Meaning of Masonry was written with a view toward promoting a deeper
understanding of the Fraternity, and this goal has been achieved. The
ideals of the Masonic Fraternity have a wide appeal to the best instincts
of men, and the Craft has become one of the greatest social institutions
in the world. In this new Aquarian age, when many individuals and groups
are working in various ways for the eventual restoration of the mysteries,
an increasing number of aspirants are beginning to recognize that
Freemasonry may well be the vehicle for this achievement.
We have here a sincere effort by a learned and earnest Brother to point to
the source of Masonic Light in elegant, and at times profound, language.
They who look with him may enjoy the same felicity.
The great value of this book is that it was written by one who sets an
example for all Masters of Lodges. His was a soul filled with the wonder
of wisdom, strength, and beauty. In these pages, he whispers the password
to those of us who still clamour at the gate, enabling us to enter that
inner chamber where we can join the true initiates and share experiences
now veiled from all but a handful of Brethren.
ALLAN BOUDREAU, PH.D. Curator and Librarian Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted July, 1980 Masons of the State of New York
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