Page 34 - Ashlar January - March 2025

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue IV
independent Mark Lodges at this time is not represents our discovery of the divine or
known, although one lodge, the Lodge of eternal – symbolically something greater than
Hope, Bradford, conferred the Degree under a the presentation of square and upright
constitution originating from a body called thoughts and actions that doesn't fit in with the
"The Grand Lodge of All England, held at sensory world (recall that symbolically, the
York". Its influence in this country was square & the number 4 are representative of
confined to York, Cheshire and Lancashire. It the physical world). This discovery,
was formed in 1725 and existed until 1792 but represented by the keystone, does not
its influence abroad is more important. correspond to our understanding of the
Symbolism physical world, but, as the Degree ritual
There are three areas of symbolism with states, it is of such a 'singular form and beauty'
respect to the Degree: The discovery of the that we are unwilling to reject it. Despite the
Keystone, the receipt of wages, and the initial willingness of the Overseers to accept
choosing of a Mark. Together, I think they can the keystone, the Council of Overseers
help provide us with a deeper understanding eventually rejects the keystone and heave it
of the symbolism of this important Degree. among the rubble. This is the crucial part of
The Discovery of the Keystone One of major this part of the degree, as it points to the fact
clues to the central themes of this degree lies that our sensory-oriented minds will all too
in the fact that both the candidate and his often reject divine revelation that does not
guide are fellowcrafts. Although the Sr. conform to our understanding of the physical
Deacon is clothed as a Mark Master Mason , world. The degree is teaching us, therefore, to
the ritual clearly states that both he and the open our hearts to such experience and not
candidate are “Craftsmen” – as both submit cast it aside amongst the rubble. It is of
work to the Overseers and receive their interest to look at this aspect of the MMM
wages from the Senior Warden. In this degree that is only briefly mentioned in our
respect, both the SD and candidate can be ritual. In the Scottish MMM degree, after the
seen as representing two aspects of our keystone is rejected the WM asks the MO
development as Masons. The SD, with his about the keystone and when he discovers it
work that passes the test of the Overseer's was rejected and thrown amongst the rubble,
square, is representative of the moral and the MO is removed from his post and the SD
intellectual character we have been instructed and candidate search, and eventually re-
to develop through the Entered Apprentice discover, the keystone. In this sense the WM,
and Fellowcraft degrees. The working tools of as the symbol of ultimate divinity, again
the FC are the S, L and PR, and if we are true intervenes to allow for another opportunity to
craftsmen, our character should be able to discover the keystone and the MO, as the
pass the test of the Overseer's square. In the representative of our judging minds, is
closing of the Fellowcraft degree, the removed from his post, thereby providing a
discovery of a sacred symbol in the centre of dramatic representation of our minds become
the building is also mentioned. This points to more open to divine experience. The Wages
the fact that through the development of that Are Our Due The second dramatization in
character we open ourselves up to divine the MMM degree is that of the FC's being paid
experience (however we, as Masons, choose their wages. After the discovery of the
to define that experience). This fact, to me, is keystone, the brethren who have recently
what is being dramatized in the first part of the submitted work are then directed to the SW's
Mark Master Mason degree. The candidate, apartment to receive their wages. At this point
with his keystone, represents this divine the candidate is discovered as an impostor
experience by bringing something unknown to and threatened with having his hand cut off by
the Overseer. The keystone, in this sense, the JW. In this sense, the second part of the

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