The Masonic Scholar

New Video on What Freemasonry Means to Me... So Far

See here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBackyardProfessor?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/ZSqdqhDHuaE

Anecdotes, Gleanings & Musings: Lessons About & From Freemasonry

Anecdotes, Gleanings & Musings: Lessons About & From Freemasonry

 Kerry A. Shirts, MM, 32°, CM, RAM, KT

Ritualist/Education Officer

Eagle Rock Lodge # 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

 In reading through the Masonic Service Association publication(s) of the “Short Talk Bulletins,” one finds witticisms, humor, and profoundly solid historical, philosophical, practical, and moral wisdom, including good turns of phrases. Here are some real gems I have found in my perusal of these amazing little bits of literature. While the themes are diverse and interesting, the underlying unifying theme is powerful. Masonic education is important to our brotherhood and elevating good men into helping them become better men. Education is a great key for successfully learning the truth of the knowledge of the Brotherhood of all mankind and Fatherhood of God.

 “Because darkness is thought of as existing before light was created, it was originally worshipped as the firstborn, as the progenitor of day and the state of existence before creation… In the Old Testament, and in many other ancient

My Word I’m “Bad”! No, Really… MY Word Can Make Me “Bad”

My Word I’m “Bad”! No, Really… MY Word Can Make Me “Bad”

 

Kerry A. Shirts, MM, 32°, RAM CM, RAM

Ritualist/Education Officer of Eagle Rock Lodge # 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

December 18, 2010

 

I owe the entire impetus to this exegetical research paper to a nifty book I own by George H. Guthrie, J. Scott Duvall, Biblical Greek Exegesis, Zondervan Publishing, 1998. Their idea and research is simplified in order to teach a student how to use a concordance, lexicon, and Bible dictionaries and commentaries, so their research is not meant to be as in-depth as I am going to go into. Their approach was delightful and I will expand on it. It is a message for all of us, no matter what our stations in life, Freemasons, Jews, Christians, etc. I have especially Freemasons in mind, but the application of this practical and interesting advice from one of the volumes of our Sacred Law, the Bible, is useable and seriously necessary for everyone of any walk in life to “get in your gut,” so to speak.

 

It is important to realize that words change meaning through time. Words also can have both a central meaning as well as peripheral meanings.[1] Kenneth Wuest put it quite accurately:

The ἀγάπην of Early Christian Ethics and Religiousity: The Freemason Ideology Also

The ἀγάπην of Early Christian Ethics and Religiousity: The Freemason Ideology Also

 

Kerry A. Shirts, MM, 32°, RAM, CM, MM, RAM,

Ritualist, Education Officer Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Orator of the Pocatello Valley Scottish Rite

December 11, 2010

 

The early Christian milieu as a Hellenized, Judaic, Christian culture has a high moral living standard which comes out in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers quite clearly. Clement of Rome, said by Christian tradition (Eusebius – Church History 3.4.15) was thought to be the companion of the Apostle Paul mentioned at Philippians 4:3. (see also The Apostolic Fathers, Loeb Classical Library, Bart Ehrman translator, Harvard University Press, reprint 2005: 21). Tertullian handed down the tradition that this Clement was the 2nd Bishop of Rome elected by St. Peter himself. Regardless of tradition, 1 Clement, as it is now called has a most important teaching which should resonate very well with Freemasons worldwide. Lets take a look.

 

In 1 Clement in the Apostolic Fathers we read:

This Year's New Development For Masonic Education

I have been installed as the Ritualist, Education Officer in Eagle Rock Lodge 19 for 2011. My symbol is, fittingly enough, the lantern or light, with one meaning being keep the light shining bright through educating Freemason's in my lodge and around the world (I am not being a megalomaniac saying that, it is the age of the Internet after all).

I have had a remarkably blessed life in so many ways. One such way has been the desire and even the ability to gather an astonishing library of Biblical research and scholarship in all facets and all from all types of religious commentators, be

New Videos on Freemasonry and Mormonism Problems with Matt Browns Book

Enjoy. It's a 5 part series. I tried to put pt2, pt3, pt4 in front of each to show you the next one to watch after the first one. ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBackyardProfessor?feature=mhw4#p/u/4/jja1xx3s54A

John Dee's "Monas Hieroglyphica"

I am well aware of how it has been described. I am well aware that not everyone will actually comprehend what he teaches with this astounding symbol. I am ALSO well aware of some very serious Masonic themes Dee touchs in this. See if you can find them!

http://www.esotericarchives.com/dee/monad.htm

For Master Masons only: A Phenomenal Site to Join - The Masonic Society

Click here and follow directions. I am simply astounded by the amounts of knowledge this august group of Master Masons have collectively. What a delight to belong to this group. Worth every single penny.

http://www.themasonicsociety.com/

Value Meal Freemasonry

From a fellow Freemason who wrote this and I thought was very pertinent. ENJOY!

Value Meal Freemasonry

by Frater Cliff Porter on Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:13 am

I wrote this some time ago.
It contains the opinion that we should work to make Masonry a quality experience. It is not meant to be controversial, it is simply meant to say we should value Masonry, but contains some humor, some pun, some irony, and lots of opinion.

Please read it in the spirit it was intended:

Value Meal Masonry

Almost eerie shadows bounced and danced their solemn dance to the candlelight casting its shadows and souls upon the walls of the lodge, the temple. The men moved in silence in a circumambulation around their altar. Dress in tailcoats, their hands gloved, the aprons of the finest lambskin. 

The Brothers took their seats and the lodge was called to order, the ritual perfect and well practiced. The booming voice of the Worshipful Master and wraps of the gavel calling something forward from deep within everyone that the work at hand was important.

Classical music wafted through the air and hung heavy on the deeper notes, the vibration touching the very souls of the men who sat through it. The business of the night was a discussion of philosophy and it went well. 

The Sanctum Sanctorum: EXCELLENT Masonic Blog

ENJOY!

http://www.thesanctumsanctorum.com/

On the Number Three

Just a fairly quick note for the moment. In the "Transactions" of the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965 (March, 1988), an excerpt from the Short Talk Bulletin from 1926 caught my eye. On p. 1 the number three comes up in Masonry a lot, Masonry's three degrees for instance, three steps, three Ancient Grand Masters, etc. And the number three was "the first of the great Sacred Numbers of the Ancient Mysteries..." It was also understood to be a symbol of God. Interestingly enough, it brings out the idea that it is not because God is Triune since three and the theme of triunity is not nearly as old as the symbol of the number three as a symbol for God. The idea came from the triangle, a far older theme than a Trinitarian God. The triangle made of all straight lines is the first geometric figure which is enclosed, only with three sides, not four like a square, etc. It has no loose ends. "And the triangle is the first of these which can be made; as God was always considered as First, and also as without either beginning or end, the triangle soon became a symbol of Deity."

Albert Pike in his Esoterica demonstrated many parallels of the number three and the 47th problem of Euclid which Masonry studies and uses as a symbol. Not so much for showing we are interested in the higher arts and mathematics, etc. (even though we should be), but because it tied back to the Hermetic doctrines about Deity which Pike thinks influenced many of the symbols of Freemasonry. I shall get more to that as I have time. For now this is just an idea that struck me tonight, so I write......

Freemasons at Work & Play NEW Video of June 5th, 2010 FUN!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason#p/a/u/0/oE_kDh_PQ6I

Symbolism of the Bee and Beehives

A pretty decent article on this form a Freemason.

http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/worrel/beehive.htm

Esoteric Symbolism in Freemasonry: The Gnosis of the Cross

Esoteric Symbolism in Freemasonry: The Gnosis of the Cross

 

Kerry A. Shirts, 32°

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

June 1, 2010

 If anything, anything at all, links Freemasonry with the Archaic Times, and in every possible manner, it is the intense adaptation and use of symbolism in every stage of Freemasonic ritual, ceremony, and thought.[1] Symbolism is the one subject that either brings groans or enthrallment in Masonic scholars. Groans because it appears to go off into wild fancies of naïve incredible speculative silliness, and thrills when some new dimension, idea, or connection is shown with something within Freemasonry. Without symbolism Freemasonry simply would not be able to thrive as it does, nor last with for significant length of time. It is my contention that it is precisely the astounding amount and discussion of the various meanings of symbolism within Freemasonry that sets it apart from any other organization of men. The catch is, Freemasonry encourages individuals to learn and understanding the meanings of the symbols for himself alone. Freemasonry cannot and indeed glories in the fact that it will not interpret meaning for anyone else.

 Everything about and within Freemasonry can be symbolized, since this process gives intellectual narrowness a broader application in life, philosophical shallowness a depth of meaning and intent not possible otherwise, and physical inertness a kick start into action, power, and utility and accomplishment. “The symbols facilitate a deeper and more complete understanding than can be obtained by words alone.”[2] That being said, it is critical to keep in mind that “all words are by first intention signs or symbols

Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Hence Anti-Christian?

Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Anti-Christian?

 

Kerry A. Shirts, 32°

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 31, 2010

 It is truly enough that Pastor David S. Janssen’s contention has been thwarted and truly demonstrated with the evidence that Freemasonry is religiously guilty of using pagan religious teachings and philosophy as the inspiration for Freemasonic ceremonies, and therefore to be shunned as an Anti-Christian enemy of Satanic, occult influences and wickedness.[1] I say, it is truly enough for an open minded and fair assessment of the evidence de Hoyos and Morris bring forth for someone who is willing to be fair. The evidence they marshall together is pretty strong actually.

 Any look into the history of the Christian church will demonstrate “that one of the hallmarks of early Christianity was its adoption and transformation of pagan ceremonies and symbols.”[2] The record is clear that when Pope Zacharius objected about the pagan festivals of the Germans on the Rhine during

New Videos on Freemasonic Sacred Geometry Online

See here for the 5 part series on the seriously interesting actual practical aspects of symbolism and sacred geometry for our use in our lives, not simply as spiritual philosophy or theosophy, but actual application for bettering our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason

The Backyard Freemason Video Series NEW on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason

Here is my introduction to the videos on Freemasonry I will produce over the next several years. I hope they are beneficial, enjoyable, funny, and  informative.
 

Is Masonic Prayer and Ritual Sorcery & Magic?

With its various symbols, rituals, swords, clothing, prayers, etc., is Freemasonry just simply magic or sorcery? This is a question arising from time to time, along with the accusation of Freemasonry being Satanism in disguise.  Are the oral teachings, memorization, etc., used for casting spells? Sorcery is forbidden in the Bible, one of the sacred books which Christian and Mormon Masons may use as the sacred book in the lodge, exactly as a Muslim may use the Koran, and an Indian use the Bhagavad Gita or Upanishads for their sacred book.

What one needs to understand from the Bible is the meaning and use of sorcery if one is to see it in use within Freemasonry. A cursory examination of the main places sorcery is mentioned in the Bible is instructive.

Here are some ideas I found in my various lexicons and dictionaries. The sorcerer in Revelation is the masculine noun φάρμακος (pharmakos), he/she is one who practices black magical arts (Rev

Just Try THIS.... I DARE You, TRY IT!

Just for ONE day, I have challenged us to say NOTHING but *NICE* comments to EVERYONE you bump into or see who looks at you. Find something...ANYTHING to say something uplifting, nice, and be sincere. FIND something good in ALL people you interact with in one day. Then do it again and again. After a mere week, watch the MAGIC come alive. I promise. I promise, PROMISE, ***PROMISE*** it will change lives, not just your own.

What if absolutely everyone in our world would do this. Once. Then once more, then once more, for just 3 mere days? What would happen? Yes, I am just one mere person of billions, but I AM ONE, and I CAN BEGIN SOMETHING LIKE THIS......... what if only 10 people take this up? 100? 1,000? 500,000? See what I am leading to?

On A Serious Note, It's Time to Make Light of Something

Freemasonry has been criticized in the past for an almost obsessive use of the term "light." Some have claimed that this "light" we proclaim is a reference to salvation instead of to knowledge or truth. "Many anti-Masons believe that the term 'light' refers to an alleged salvation available through Freemasonry. As any dictionary indicates, there are many definitions of light. The term does not always refer to Jesus Christ or Salvation. The definition is determined by the person using the term, not by the interpreter. The motto of the Baltimore Sun is 'Light for All.' Would anyone argue that the Baltimore Sun is teaching salvation in its pages? No. It uses light in the sense of knowledge or information, just as do Masons. The motto of Yale University is 'LUX' a Latin word for 'light.' The list could go on."

I find this little interesting insight in The Idaho Freemason, (Januuary, 2008): 3, 10. It is taken from the EMESSAY NOTES, Dec. 2007, original source is Dr. Gary Leazer's book Fundamentalism and Freemasonry.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall... Who's the Fairest of Them All?: The Power of Clarity

The Worshipful Grand Orator, Lon Woodbury proclaimed something I believe very much worth repeating. In his wonderful article "Three Steps to Clarity," in The Idaho Freemason, (April, 2007): 6, he noted that "the highest meaning of the term Master Mason is finding spiritual light." He used an interesting little ditty from the 1960's (for those of us who can remember those times!), "If it feels good do it!" Now what are we as Masons supposed to find in parallel with that comment? Isn't that just permission for a free for all? No. He explains it within Masonic terms that I found powerful. "This mantra from the 1960's is suggesting we should satisfy and feed our emotional desires, rather than discipline and control them. As became evident to the survivors of the 1960's, it is impossible to achieve a good life or do anything significant if we spend our energy feeding our desires and following our emotions wherever they may take us." And with all the

Ascension on the "Stairway of the Planets": Tarot as a Western Book of the Dead; Emerald Tablet as an Ascension Text

Ascension on the "Stairway of the Planets": Tarot as a Western Book of the Dead; Emerald Tablet as an Ascension Text

Kerry A. Shirts, 32
Eagle Rock Lodge
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Is the Tarot a Western Book of the Dead, and the Hermetic Emerald Tablet, the famous Tabula Smaragdina, an ascension text? Does it have anything to do with the ideas of ascension? I am going to propose that in a round about way it can be understood as an ascension text, not as Dante’s Paradisio, the Book of Enoch, or Ezekiel’s visions of the Divine Chariot-Throne of God in the Old Testament are, that is, not as an actual description of a person ascending to heaven, receiving instruction via a vision, or an angel teaching the ascendant, etc., but as a text which elucidates the idea of ascension. A person who purifies his/her soul, can and ought to have an ascension to heaven for oneself. This is the whole core, the entire reason for Alchemy, Kabbalah, and Hermeticism.

I will further propose that the Medieval Tarot Cards, with their spiritually significant symbolisms are ascension texts par excellence, as instructional symbolisms for us to comprehend that we are from the higher worlds, (the fundamental meaning and

The All-Seeing Eye of Freemasonry & Egyptian Horus Eye: Seeing the Light

The Freemason All Seeing Eye & The Egyptian Eye of Horus: Seeing the Light

 

Kerry A. Shirts, 32°

Eagle Rock Lodge #19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 16, 2010

 The “All-Seeing Eye” in Freemasonry has the intention, the guided meaning for us that “all the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings; that the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good, and especially upon them that fear him and hope in his mercy.”[1] Sir Lionel Brett claimed that “the concept of an all-seeing deity goes back at least to Euripides, 5^th century B.C.. The phrase was proverbial.”[2] And, of course, as a symbol, not to mention the actual reality, the eye is the most important sense we possess, since it is through the eye we receive light, the most significant goal of Freemasonry. “In the symbolism of Freemasonry, the ‘all-seeing eye’ in the triangle and surrounded by sunbeams appears in many lodges over the master’s chair, a reminder of the wisdom of the Creator, the “Great Master Builder of All Worlds,” penetrates all secrets; the eye is in some contexts also called the ‘eye of providence.’”[3] These ideas resonate in the ancient Egyptian concept of the Wedjat eye, also called “The Eye of Horus.”

 Rather than worrying about tracing the origin of the concept or the actual time the phrase was first used, or when it was adopted into Freemasonry, I will share some themes from the ancient Egyptian concept of the “Eye of Horus,” and it’s meanings, themes, and contents in the ancient Egyptian rites. This

Spectacular Masonic Research Network

Come on in and enjoy the incredible amounts of information and brotherhood and friendship here!

http://www.freemasonry-siouxland.org/htdocs/yabbfiles/Attachments/MRN_Handout.pdf

The Compass: Freemasonry Symbolism, Mysticism & Monad

The Compass in Freemasonry & Philosophy

 

By Kerry A. Shirts MM

Eagle Rock Lodge # 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 10, 2010

 

In the “Transactions” of the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965, Vol. 28/2 (Oct. 2006), an article “Compass – Set at 60 Degree Angle” by Jack L. Abrams, PM, (as originally found in the 2006 Trestle Board of Ionic Composite Lodge No. 520, in Fraternal Review of the Southern California Lodge of Research) appeared on pp. 11-12, discussing the compass and its 60 degree angle. Why is it set at 60 degrees?

 “The reason is the equilateral triangle has always been sacred.” [1] The sum of all angles of a triangle is of course 180 degrees. Divide by 3 and we get 60 degrees. “The compass thus set at 60 degrees alludes to

Bible Changing the Word "Lucifer" to "Star" Proof that Masons worship the Devil?

A critic recently challenged Masons on a supposed "mistranslation" of the NIV Bible. Here is the instructive exchange of Bible scholarship and knowledge.

Critic of Freemasonry said:

You speak I know out of ignorance, do your research!

Kerry:
Challenge accepted. “Harper’s Bible Dictionary,” Harper and Row Publishers, 1985, states that Lucifer means “the light bringer.” Or even more interesting, “Shining one.” It sometimes designates the morning star, i.e., Venus. Jesus saying in Luke 10:18 – “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” is erroneously used to make a connection between Lucifer and Satan. (p. 582).

That certainly destroys your strawman argument where you say to another Mason – “Hope your not using the twisted version NIV bible too Robert. It changed Isaiah 14:12 to say "star" so make people like the men in the Masons THINK that ol Lucifer is a Good angel lol.”

1. You are wrong that it “changed” the scripture, it definitely translated it correctly from the Hebrew, which you obviously are ignorant of so you don’t know what you’re talking about.
2. Your strawman that we Masons think he is a ”good angel” is worthless.

Now then, even more interesting however is the serious scholarly “Commentary on the Old Testament,” (10 volumes) by Keil-Delitzsch, Vol 7, Isaiah, p. 311 notes that the Hebrew word used in Isaiah 14:12 is “helel” and “is here the morning star (from halal, to shine,..) it derives its name in other ancient languages also from its striking brilliancy.

Masonic Solomon Pillars; Book of Enoch "Two-Stelae" Pillars

In his book on the Slavonic Enoch Pseudepigrapha, “STUDIES IN THE SLAVONIC PSEUDEPIGRAPHA,” Mohr-Siebech, (2006): 109-117, The Russian scholar Andrei Orlov has some interesting ideas which have some interesting echoes in Freemasonry and the use of Solomon’s Temple’s pillars, Jachin and Boaz. Are the two Stelae of Enoch the predecessor's of Solomon's pillars? It is of, what I seriously consider, high interest to Freemasons. This is found in the 2^nd part of his book “The Enoch Tradition.”

 

In Jewish Antiquities Josephus unveils a certain tradition according to

which the descendants of Seth ...

 

...discovered the science of the heavenly bodies and their orderly array. Moreover, to prevent their discoveries from being lost to mankind and perishing before they become known—Adam having predicted a de- struction of the universe, at one time by a violent fire and at another by a mighty deluge of water—they erected two pillars, one of brick and the other of stone, and inscribed these discoveries on both; so that, if the pillar of brick disappeared in the deluge, that of stone would remain to teach men what was graven thereon and to inform them that they had also erected one of brick.1

 In previous studies, several scholars have noted that although Josephus refers to Seth and his progeny, some features of the “two stelae” story allude to peculiar roles and situations which 

Hiram & Hermes

Manley P. Hall in his Esoteric work "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry: The Legend of Hiram Abiff," 2nd ed., Hall Publishing, 1924:35-37, has written something interesting I present to you for your consideration, and which I will elaborate on later. This has fascinating ties with the Kabbalah concept of the soul, which also consists of three parts. Needless to say, the number three is seriously significant to Masonry on very many levels, as it was with the Ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, Greeks, Early Christians, Gnostics, etc.

There is a great relation between Chiram and Hermes.

Chiram is a word composed out of three words, denoting the universal spirit, the essence whereof the whole creation does consist, and the object of Chaldean    Egyptian    and    genuine natural philosophy, according to its inward principles or properties. The three Hebrew words Chuma, Rauch, and Majim, mean respectively Fire, Air, and Water, while their initial consonants, Ch, R, M, give us Chiram, that invisible essence which is the father of earth, fire, air and water, because, although immaterial in its own invisible nature, as the unmoved and electrical fire, when moved it becomes light and visible; and when collected and agitated, becomes heat and visible and tangible fire; and when it associates with humidity it becomes material.    

The word Chiram has been metamorphosed into Hermes and also into Herman, and the translator; of the Bible have made Chiram by changing Chet into He; both of these Hebrew word signs being very similar.

In the old word Hermaphrodite, a word invented by the philosophers, we find Hermes changed to Herm, signifying Chiram, or the universal agent, and Aphrodite, the passive principle of humidity, who is also called Venus, and is said to have been produced and generated by the sea.

We also read that Hiram (Chiram) , or the universal agent, assisted King Solomon to build the temple; no doubt as Solomon possessed wisdom, he understood what to do with the corporealized universal agent. The Talmud of the Jews says that King Solomon built the temple by the assistance of Schamir.    

Now this word signifies the sun, as the large machine which is perpetually collecting    the Omnipresent, surrounding, electrical fire, or Spiritus Mundi, and sends it constantly to us in the planets, in a visible manner called tight.

This electrical flame, corporealized and regenerated into the stone of the philosophers, enabled King Solomon to produce the immense quantities of gold and silver used to build and decorate his temple.

These    ancient    paragraphs from an ancient philosopher may assist the Masonic student of today to realize the tremendous and undreamed of store of knowledge that lies behind the allegory, which he often hears but seldom analyzes.    

Hiram, the universal agent, might be translated Vita, tho power eternally building and unfolding the bodies of man. The use and abuse of energy is the key to the Masonic legend; in fact, it is the key to all things in nature. And Hiram, as the triple energy, one in source but three in aspect, can almost be ,called ether, the unknown hypothetical element, which carries the impulses’ of the gods through the macrocosmic nervous system of the Infinite. Hermes, or Mercury, was the messenger of the gods, and ether carries impulse upon its wings. The solving of the mystery of ether, or, if you prefer to call it such, vibrant space, is the great problem of Masonry. This ether, as a hypothetical medium, brings energy to the three bodies of thought, emotion, and action, and in this way Chiram, the one in essence, becomes three in aspect- mental, emotional, and vital. 

Is the Lambskin Apron of Masonry Satanic?

Our badge as Masons is the lambskin apron, which we are instructed is an emblem of innocence.
When I say lambskin, or the word lamb, what would a Christian think of, or better yet who would they think of? Would it be Ezekiel? Um or perhaps Melchizedek? St. Paul? No, no, and no. LAMB gives we Christians one concept in our mind as to who that points to. To a Jewish brother it may mean something else, or a Muslim, but to we Christians we think of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. And this is supposed to be Satanic? How utterly odd and inane an argument!
To all Masonic brothers the lamb is an emblem of INNOCENCE. That destroys the argument of Masonry being built on Satan. This argument is an abortion of thought. It is thinkingless inanity. 
The lambskin apron to we Masons presents us with a reminder of a purity of life (is Satan pure?!), a rectitude of conduct (Satan does this?!). It is an argument for nobler deeds, higher thoughts, and greater achievements as we are taught in the "Idaho Monitor A.F. & A.M. (p. 55). Higher thoughts is not what Satan is about. 
When Jesus was accused of casting out devils BY the devil his reply is my reply to all of you Christians who argue that Masonry is Satanic. The devil cannot fight against himself or the house would not stand. Satan, if he guides Masonry would *never* let it be taught that we purify our lives (now that IS a teaching of Jesus however), nor would he teach us that innocence and good will should prevail. Nobler deeds? That is not Satanic. higher thoughts and greater achievements? Satan does not want any of that either.
No the badge of a Mason, the lambskin apron, is the ideal emblem of innocence pointing us all in the right direction. It IS pure and SPOTLESS, and we are admonished to live our lives so that according at the end of our lives, we also are PURE and SPOTLESS. Now pray tell, WHO does that honestly call to your minds? I know who it calls to mine. I know what the lambskin apron stands for, and innocence and purity has absolutely *nothing* to do with Satan.

Those who decry Masonry as being Satanic have to dismiss the badge of all we Masons, and this is something they simply cannot do.

I also find this information that is helpful:

THE APRON THE GOLDEN BOWL AND THE SILVER CORD
Being Extracts from the Forthcoming Book By H.L. Haywood “Blue Lodge Masonry” Submitted by the Research Committee of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M. C.C. Hunt (52), Cedar Rapids, Iowa H.L. Haywood (105), Waterloo, Iowa Louis Block (208), Davenport Cedar Rapids, Iowa Printed for Private Distribution 1918

Of what is the mason’s badge a mark? Surely its history permits but one answer to this — it is the mark of honorable and conscientious labor, the labor that is devoted to creating, to constructing rather than to destroying or demolishing. As such, the Mason’s Apron is itself a symbol of profound change in the attitude of society toward work, for the labor of hand and brain, once despised by the great of the earth, is rapidly becoming the one badge of an honorable life. If men were once proud to wear a sword, while leaving the tasks of life to slaves and menials, if they once sought titles and coats of arms as emblems of distinction, they are now, figuratively speaking, eager to wear the Apron, for the Knight of the present day would rather save life than take it, and prefers, a thousand times over, the glory of achievement
to the glory of title or name. 

Truly, “the rank has become the guinea’s stamp, and a man’s a man for a’ that,’ especially if he be a man that can DO; and the real modern king, as Carlyle was always contending, is “the man who can.”

I this is the message of the Apron, none has a better right to wear it than a Mason, if he be a real member of the Craft, for his is a Knight of labor if ever there was one. Not all labor deals with things. There is a labor of the mind, and of the spirit, mor arduous, often, and more difficult, than any labor of the hands. He who dedicates himself to the cleaning of the Augean stables of the world, to the clearing away of the rubbish that litters the paths of life, to the fashioning of building stones in the confused quarries of mankind, is entitled, more than any man, to wear the badge of toil!

Tubal Cain in Freemasonry (updated March 27th, 2010)

• A critic of Masonry recently posted this claim. I present it along with my rebuttal.

  Manly P. Hall advises the Mason that, once he has
  the seething energies of Lucifer in his hands, he is to walk in
  Tubal-Cain's footsteps. Hall makes it sound like Tubal-Cain is one
  of the Greek gods, does he not? And, we know conclusively that
  Tubal-Cain is Vulcan of the Pagans. Let us review who Vulcan of the

The Lambskin Apron: The Badge of a Mason

The Lambskin Apron: The Badge of a Mason

Research by Kerry A. Shirts, March 21, 2010

 We teach in Freemasonry that the lambskin apron is the badge of a Mason. The antiquity of  its symbolism of innocence and purity stretches through the vast eons beyond the Roman eagle and even before the Golden Fleece adventures of Jason on his ship, the  Argo. As one pursues various studies in antiquity, different patterns unfold with interesting connections. This is as true of the exploration of the meaning of the symbolisms of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Hebrews, as it is of the Mithraists, Essenes, Gnostics, Romans, Early Christians, Cathars, Templars, Rosicruscians or Freemasons.

 With idle curiosity I began looking to see what it is about lambskins or even the ram (which is what a lamb grows up to be) that would cause we Masons to claim it as a badge. In fact, THE badge of a Mason. Well isn’t a little helpless frolicking lamb a meager, weak symbol compared to the lion (the two are compared in scripture), the bull, the eagle, etc.? What I found is quite striking. To begin, sheep/lambs can be symbolic of peoples, (individuals, or entire groups) among other things. It (the lamb, lambskin, sheep, etc.) is significantly aligned with ancient heroes, warriors, and those who prevail and overcome all obstacles, and are then given eternal life, while all others who are depicted by different animals are given death.

Why a 33rd Degree Mason? (Updated New Information, March 30, 2010)

What could possibly be the reason for an invitational 33rd degree in Scottish Rite Masonry? What is so special about the number 33? We know why the numbers 3, 7, and 10 are of serious interest to the ancients, besides the other numbers,[1]  but has Masonry missed the boat with the 33? 

The clues we have are very interestingly tied in with the symbolism of the sun. In ancient Egypt (following Harold Bayley, who shows figures of the sun associated with the number 33)  there were 33 Mysteries, as there were in Mexico where we are told "The Mexicans portrayed 26 lights, plus the seven stars of the Great Bear, i.e., a total off 33."[2] 

"Centuries ago the world of Vedic religion 'swarmed,' we are told, 'with gods'; 'yet,' says Dr. Barnett, 'the number is usually given as thirty-three.' The Christian Gnostics taught that the

The Thrice Greatest Masonic Trismegistus

By Kerry A. Shirts (Nov. 14, 2009)

 In a stimulating conversation I had with my fellow Masonic brother, David Nippur (next year’s [2010] Worshipful Master of our Lodge, Eagle Rock Lodge #19, in Idaho Falls, Idaho) and I were discussing the number symbolism in Masonry and he mentioned to me the singular importance of the number 3, not only in Masonry, but throughout antiquity, the Medieval Ages, and on into our own day. This piqued my interest in researching into its almost literal ubiquity through time.  I 

Some Notes on the Lamb & Lambskin Apron of Freemasonry (Oct 29, 2009)

In Freemasonry, the lambskin apron is of signal importance. As I have been pondering its significance, I have discovered some rather interesting themes surrounding the lamb as a symbol in ancient times. I 

Oh Gee! Exploring the “G” of Freemasonry

Oh Gee! Exploring the “G” of Freemasonry

Kerry A. Shirts, F.C. Dec. 13, 2009

 

I just recently received my Fellow Craft Degree in Free Masonry this last week and was duly impressed with the whole ritual, initiation, and instruction. Twice now I have been hoodwinked, once as an Entered Apprentice, and 

On the Masonic Letter “G” as γνῶσις - gnōsis

It is a given that Masonic teaching declares “G” is for “God.” It also stands for the science of “Geometry.” I believe this letter “G” can also represent “Gematria” the sacred analysis of the letters of Hebrew and Greek showing numerical relations among words possessing the same 

Sol-om-on - Solomon - The Sun (Son)

An intriguing ditty in my reading is in Manley P. Hall's book The Secret Teachings of All Ages, The Diamond Jubilee Edition, The Philosophic Research Society, reprint 1997: L, wherein he said "In Masonry the sun has many symbols. One expression of the solar energy is Solomon, whose name SOL-OM-ON is the name for the Supreme Light in three different languages."

Sol - is obvious.

Om - could this be a variation of AUM?

On - the city of the sun, in Egypt, was Heliopolis, the Biblical city called On.

On page LI, Hall noted "The solar orb, like the nature of man, was divided by the ancient sages into three separate bodies. According to the mystics, there are three suns in each solar system, analogous to the three centers of life in each individual constitution. These are called three lights: the spiritual sun, the intellectual or soular sun, and the material sun (now symbolized in Freemasonry by three candles)." 

Interesting....