Page 37 - Ashlar January - March 2025

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue III
much clearer in the Mark. because an important intermediate step has
The second reason? Mark is not only a true been omitted - the Mark. The Mark adds
craftsman's degree but it also teaches essential background and symbolism on the
invaluable lessons about life, for example: construction of the Temple, the Principal Arch
The studious application of skill and ingenuity, and the Keystone, thereby providing a clearer
resulting in high quality workmanship, will introduction to the Royal Arch ceremony.
ultimately be rewarded, even if at first it is not It seems to be human nature for us to want to
understood or appreciated by others. leave some sort of a memorial, that future
We each have different skills to offer and generations will know we passed this way. We
different contributions to make. To be find this in the graffiti scrawled on the walls of
accepted we must always be honest and give Pompei and in ancient Egypt, and on the sub-
of our best – the impostor will inevitably be way cars in modern cities. It shows in the
uncovered and receive his due punishment. initials carved in old school desks and in the
We cannot properly judge others unless we “John loves Mary” cut into tree trunks, and in
are sufficiently competent ourselves and the “Kilroy Was Here” of World War 11.
exercise humility in the process. We sometimes hear it said of a person, that
We must all accept responsibility for the tasks “he left his mark”, meaning he made a lasting
we agree to undertake and not blame others impression on some institution or field of
for our own shortcomings. endeavor. Yet there are varying kinds of
Such lessons the craftsman learns, in a marks left. George Washington and Thomas
dramatic way, in the ceremony. He is, of Edison most certainly left their marks on our
course, to apply them, not just to the society and civilization; so did Hitler and
immediate task of symbolically building the Stalin.
Temple, but in the way he conducts himself In our vocations, in our daily lives and in our
through life. dealings with our fellow man, let's do our best
The third reason? A Craft Mason who joins the to leave our marks only on “good work, true
Royal Arch directly from the Craft, as most do work, square work, just such work as is
under the Indian Constitution( English wanted for the building of the Temple.”
Constitution) (it is not permitted in other
constitutions), is confronted with a sudden
and bewildering change of symbolism. This is

Poem
Our Brethren at the Front
Author: Anon.

God of our Fathers, at Whose call, We pray Thee in Thy pity shield
We now before Thine altar fall; Our Brethren on the battlefield.
Whose grace can make our Order
strong, O soon, Thou Blessed Prince of Peace,
Through love of right and hate of wrong, Bring in the days when War shall cease,
We pray Thee in Thy pity shield And men and brothers shall unite
Our Brethren on the battlefield. To fill the world with love and light,
We pray Thee in Thy pity shield
Asleep, beneath Thine ample dome, Our Brethren on the battlefield.
With many a tender dream of home;
Or charging, in the dust and glare,
With bullets hurtling through the air,

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