Brethren,
 
Where ever you are, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and I would like to send a Christmas Wish that I received from another Freemason from Australia. Enjoy.
 
It is the time of year when the Brethren rejoice,
and sing carols of praise in resounding voice.
Days of merriment and long nights of cheer,
as we all await the “Happy New Year!”.
It is a time of family and life long friends,
a time of happiness and to make amends.
Roast turkey and baubles and the Nutcracker Suite,
we each have our own way to make Christmas complete.

As we stroll through this happy month of December
find time to pause and take time to remember
that distinguishing sign of a Freemason’s heart -
those acts of Charity. How great they are.
As your family gathers ’round your Christmas tree,
and the children play with giggles of glee,
spare a thought for the poor, the man with no shoes,
whose daily meal is less than your dues.

Remember also the Grand Lodge above,
and the Supreme Great Architect’s act of love.
And practise those virtues we hold so true.
Have some fun! But let Temperance chasten you.
And during this season of peace and joy
look well to our future – the girl and boy.
Then wonder what lessons you may them teach,
and with your guidance what heights they may reach.

So, to all of my Brethren from far and wide,
whether your Christmas be snow, or hot and dry,
may the Architect grant his celestial boon
and keep your good health ’til we meet again soon.
Take care of yourself and those you find dear.
Keep this festive spirit throughout the next year.
Look toward your next date with our happy band.
‘Til our next merry meeting. Apron, heart, and hand

Merry Christmas!

If you see a man who quietly and modestly moves in the sphere of his life; who, without blemish, fulfils his duty as a man, a subject, a husband and a father; who is pious without hypocrisy, benevolent without ostentation, and aids his fellowman without self-interest; whose heart beats warm for friendship, whose serene mind is open for licensed pleasures, who in vicissitudes does not despair, nor in fortune will be presumptuous, and who will be resolute in the hour of danger;

The man who is free from superstition and free from infidelity; who in nature sees the finger of the Eternal Master; who feels and adores the higher destination of man; to whom faith, hope and charity are not mere words without any meaning; to whom property, nay even life, is not too dear for the protection of innocence and virtue, and for the defense of truth;

The man who towards himself is a severe judge, but who is tolerant with the debilities of his neighbour; who endeavours to oppose errors without arrogance, and to promote intelligence without impatience; who properly understands how to estimate and employ his means; who honours virtue though it may be in the most humble garment, and who does not favour vice though it be clad in purple; and who administers justice to merit whether dwelling in palaces or cottages.

The man who, without courting applause, is loved by all noble-minded men, respected by his superiors and revered by his subordinates; the man who never proclaims what he has done, can do, or will do, but where need is will lay hold with dispassionate courage, circumspect resolution, indefatigable exertion and a rare power of mind, and who will not cease until he has accomplished his work, and then, without pretension, will retire into the multitude because he did the good act, not for himself, but for the cause of good!

If you, my Brethren meet such a man, you will see the personification of brotherly love, relief and truth; and you will have found the ideal of a Freemason.

Excerpted from “The History of Freemasonry” by Otto Klotz.

 

And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, and costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.  “And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers; so they prepared timber and stones to build the house. (1 Kings, 5:16-17)

You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

It is often said that the goal of Freemasonry is “to make good men better.” For me, two of the most potent symbols in Masonic teaching are the Rough and Perfect Ashlars or building stones which metaphorically mark one’s path for self-improvement morally, physically and spiritually.

For the Freemason, the Rough Ashlar represents the rough, unfinished state of oneself and the need for deliberate improvement in order to fulfill one’s purpose. The goal of the Craft is to cooperate in the shaping of oneself as a better man, becoming more spiritual in thought, word and deed. It is a striving for perfection in this life as much as it may be accomplished, “smoothing” oneself both internally and externally in a never-ending process. Yet we also know as men that only One is truly Perfect.

There are three goals represented by the Rough Ashlar:

1. As Masons we must fulfill our responsibility in educating ourselves and our Brothers in self-improvement.
2. As a Lodge we must carefully extend Freemasonry to others who are of the “right material” that they may also be formed into solid building blocks for the future of the Craft, and we must also reach out to serve the community with Charity.
3. As Brothers we must extend hands of Brotherly Love and Affection to new initiates to ensure they are properly shaped with the Working Tools into men of character as “just and upright Masons.”

Hunt’s understanding of the Perfect Ashlar is profound. In “Some Thoughts on Masonic Symbolism” he states:

“We call it the Perfect Ashlar, but we must remember that it is perfected only because it is completely adapted to the purpose for which it was made, namely; to exactly fit into its place in the building, and act as a binder for other stones..  “In order that it may do this, it must possess certain attributes and through these attributes we are reminded ‘of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, our own endeavors and the blessing of god.’  It has two faces to be exposed, and both must be absolutely upright.  It does not have one standard for the world and another for the home; the same face, square and true, is presented both to the world and the Lodge, and it teaches that we should not have one code of morals for one place and another for another, but that right is the same wherever we are and under whatever circumstance we may be placed.”

To properly shape the Rough Ashlar of one’s character requires a plan, tools and a Workman’s skill. While God Himself is the Supreme Workman who shapes us all, it is my own opinion that as men of free-will we must actively cooperate in the endeavor.

• The Plan must provide dimension and form for the work to be done, including Faith, Hope in the future, and Love for oneself and their fellow man.
• The Tools are used by an active mind and willing spirit and include honor and integrity, energy and resourcefulness, courage and common sense.
• The Skills are learned through the Wisdom procured by Education, discovering how to apply the talents that God has given us in whatever walk of life we are called to follow.

 

As for me, there is perhaps a bit of trimming already on the floor of the Workshop, but a lifetime of work needs to be done with the help of God who is the Maker of us all.