Aaron - enlightened
He was the brother and assistant of Moses, and the first high
priest under Mosaic dispensation; hence, he was the founder of
the "Aaronic" priesthood.
Aaron's Rod
The staff carried by Aaron, brother of and assistant to Moses,
as a token of his office which miraculously blossomed as evidence
of his Divine choice as High Priest. It was afterwards preserved
in the Ark of the Covenant.
Abhorrence of Evil
Required of all true Masons.
Abif - his father
An honorary title given to Hiram, the Tyrian builder. The word
is used often in original Hebrew scriptures, but it does not appear
in English versions.
Abraham - father of a multitude
Abraham, earlier known as Abram, the son of Terah of Ur, and whose
name was changed to Abraham by God, was the founder of the Hebrew
race. He was noted for his faith, for piety, and for his loyalty
to God.
Acacia
The timber of the Shittim tree, widely used in making the sacred
furniture of the Temple. In speculative Masonry, the term is used
as a symbol of the immortality of the soul.
Accord - agreement; concurrence
Required of all Masons in order to attain true Brotherhood.
Active Member
An active member is one who maintains his membership in a Masonic
Lodge by the payment of his regular dues and who takes part in
the work and responsibilities of the Craft. One who fails to do
these things may remain a Mason in heart, but deprives himself
of the benefits of membership.
Adam - earthborn: ruddy
This is the name given to the first man in Biblical creation,
and the name denotes that he was derived from the ground.
Adjournment
The Worshipful Master is the sole judge with reference to the
adjournment of a Lodge.
Admonish
One of the most exacting duties in the ethics of Freemasonry is
that a Mason shall not publicize the faults of a Brother Mason,
but shall whisper good counsel in his ear. An admonition must
be given with the language of brotherly affection, the magic tongue
of love, and with the persuasive attitude of "mercy unrestrained."
Adonai
While this proper name is not found in our English Bible, it occurs
in several passages of the original Greek and Hebrew texts, and
is the special title of the pre-incarnate Son of God.
Adoration
A fundamental tenet of Freemasonry is that God is supreme, pre-eminent,
and exalted above all creation, and the He alone is to be worshipped.
Throughout all of the Degrees and in all of the ritual of Masonry
God is worshipped in adorations which are expressed in both silent
and oral prayers.
Adversity
Freemasonry believes that adversity should be accepted as a test
of character and met with courage and prayer. Also, a Mason should
go to the aid of a Brother Mason in adversity.
Affirmation
Affirmations instead of oaths are entirely inadmissible in Freemasonry.
Age, Lawful
This is the age when a man may apply to join a Masonic Lodge.
In many jurisdictions, it is the age of twenty-one (21); in others,
such as the Grand Lodge of Missouri, it is eighteen (18).
Aid of Deity
A fundamental principle of Freemasonry as illustrated in David's
intercession for Solomon for the task of building the Temple.
Alarm
An alarm in Freemasonry means "a notice of the approach of
someone desiring admission," given by the Tiler.
Allegiance
A Mason owes allegiance first to the Lodge in which membership
is held; and, second, to the Grand Lodge under which the Lodge
is chartered. Should there be a conflict between the regulations
of the Lodge and the supreme body (Grand Lodge), then allegiance
to the supreme body is mandatory.
All-Seeing Eye
A perpetual and permanent symbol in the Lodge and work of Freemasonry,
signifying the omnipresence and omniscience of God.
Almsgiving - gratuitously relieving
the poor
Solemnly charged upon all Masons on the basis of Divine Commandments.
Altar - place of sacrifice or worship
The altar holds the central place in the Lodge room of Freemasons.
Lying on the altar is the Holy bible, the principal Light of Masons,
which is open during the work of the Lodge. Here, Masons voluntarily
kneel and assume the oaths and obligations of the several Degrees.
Amen - verily; truly; certainly
An expression by which one person confirms the word of another
and expresses his wish for the success of that word. Masons employ
the literal rendering of the word, "So mote it be."
Anchor
In those Degrees of Masonry where the ceremonies and instructions
relate to life and death, man's journey over the sea of life is
symbolized by Noah's Ark, and the hope of immortality and a safe
landing in the haven of eternal security is symbolized by the
anchor.
Anger - vexation; ire; rage
The tenets of Freemasonry teach its members to avoid and to subdue
every element of ire and wrath, or enraged emotions and malicious
emotions and sentiments.
Anxiety - painful uneasiness
Freemasonry discourages every form of undue concern about material
things, and stresses simple trust in God and his providences.
Apron
The use of an apron or some equivalent investiture, as a mystic
symbol, was common among Ancient Masons. Hence, in the First Degree
of Freemasonry, the initiate is presented with the pure white
lambskin apron as a reminder of that purity of life and rectitude
of conduct which is so essentially necessary to his gaining admission
into the Celestial Lodge above where the Supreme Architect of
the Universe resides forever. This apron becomes his permanent
property as the "badge of a Freemason." As he advances
in Masonry, he may receive other aprons of varying types, but
never one that equals this first one in emblematic significance
and Masonic value.
Apron, Washington's
George Washington was presented with an apron at Mount Vernon
by the Marquis Lafayette. Many of the emblems of Freemasonry
had been wrought in the needlework upon white satin by Madam Lafayette
for the making of this apron, and it was conveyed from Paris to
George Washington's home Lodge by Lafayette himself as a special
honor.
Arch, Holy Royal
Job compares Heaven to an arch supported by pillars. This is,
of course, allegorical, even as is the name "Holy Royal Arch"
degree in Masonry. The pillars which support the arch are emblematical
of Wisdom and Strength; the former denoting the wisdom of the
Supreme Architect, and the latter the stability of the universe.
Architecture
The five orders of architecture recognized in Freemasonry are
Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite. The Doric order
represents the West; the Corinthian Column represents the South.
The Gothic, or pointed style of architecture, was intimately connected
with the Middle Ages, over which Freemasonry maintained exclusive
control.
Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was a chest originally constructed according
to specific instructions given to Moses by God, and was the only
article placed in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Within the
Ark were placed the two tables or tablets of stone on which the
Ten Commandments were engraved, Aaron's baton which had budded
as a token of his divine appointment to the office of High Priest,
and a pot of manna.
Artificers - skilled workmen
Tubal-cain was the first notable artificer mentioned in history.
The best available of these master craftsmen were employed in
the building of the Temple.
Arts, Parts and Points
These terms are used in the mysteries of Masonry. Arts represents
the knowledge or things made known; Parts, the degrees into which
Masonry is divided; and Points, the rules and usages of Masonry.
Arts and Sciences
Freemasonry recognizes the seven principal arts and sciences as:
Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
Asher - fortunate; happy
Asher was the eighth some on Jacob and the founder of the tribe
of the same name. In the tribal blessings promised to him, his
tribe was to enjoy richness and royal dainties. Hence, entrusting
the Masonic initiates with the mysteries of the Order is symbolized
by the tribe of Asher.
Ask, Seek, Knock
The applicant for membership in Freemasonry Asks for acceptance,
Seeks for Light, and Knocks for initiation.
Atheism - denial of the existence
of a Supreme Deity
No atheist can become a Mason. Every candidate must confess faith
in God before crossing the threshold of the Lodge. This confession
is an essential element in all the work of a Masonic Lodge.
Audi, Vide, Tace
These Latin words form the motto often found on Masonic medals
and documents. They mean: Hear, See, Be Silent.
Babbler - senseless talker
Freemasonry recognizes the unprofitableness of vague and senseless
talk, and forbids babbling in and out of Lodge.
Backbiting - slandering an absent
party
Every form of slander, especially the speaking of evil of an absent
Brother, is expressly forbidden by the principles and laws of
Freemasonry.
Badge of a Mason
See Apron (above).
Balloting
Balloting on the acceptance or rejection of a candidate is secret;
small round white and black balls are used in voting. White balls
elect; black balls reject. In casting the ballot, all members
are required to base their ballot on personal knowledge, information
of the committee on investigation, and reputed character of the
candidate. Under no circumstances are members to allow themselves
to be influenced by personal likes and dislikes of the candidate
or by a spirit of prejudice or revenge.
Every member is required to vote conscientiously for the good
of the Order and in Brotherly consideration of the applicant.
The candidate is rejected if one or more black balls are cast
against him.
Banishment - compulsory exile of one
who is unworthy
The practice of Freemasonry in banishing from its membership unworthy
persons is fully sustained by Biblical authority and practice.
Barefoot
The removal of one or both shoes has been for many hundreds of
years a token of reverence and a symbol of yielding one's self
to the control and sovereignty of another.
Beauty
Operative Masonry has as its chief objective beauty and symmetry
in architecture in building of King Solomon's Temple; speculative
Masonry emphasizes the beauty of character and the virtues of
true manhood.
Beehive
Among the ancients, the beehive was a symbol of an obedient people
and an emblem of systematized industry. Hence, Freemasonry has
adopted the beehive as a symbol on industry -- a virtue stressed
in ritual and by lectures.
Benediction
A Lodge must never be closed without a solemn invocation of Divine
Blessing.
Benevolence - disposition to do good;
charitableness
Strictly speaking, Freemasonry is not to be classified as a benevolent
institution; but the disposition and practice of benevolence of
the widest and most generous scope are strongly stressed by the
Fraternity.
Bible - sacred Book of Christendom
Masons accept this Book and believe in it as the Law of God, as
the Great Light of Freemasonry. It is an open Book on the altar
during all work of the Lodge, and certain appropriate passages
are used for the different Degrees.
Bigotry - intolerance toward those
of different creeds or religious affiliations
Masonry has always been bitterly opposed to religious intolerance
of every kind. As an institution, it has bee the harbinger of
religious and civil freedom, liberty of conscience, and separation
of church and state.
Blue
Blue is the color of Freemasonry. As the color of the vault of
Heaven, which embraces and covers the entire earth, it is to a
Mason the symbol of universal friendship and benevolence. Expect
for white, blue is the only color ever used for decoration in
a Master Mason's Lodge. The name "Blue Lodge" designates
the Symbolic Lodge in which the first three degrees are conferred.
Boaz - strength
The name of the left-hand pillar that stood on the porch of King
Solomon's Temple, and adopted into speculative Masonry because
of its symbolic meaning. It was broken to pieces by the Babylonians
and carried to the city of Babylon.
Book Of The Law
This is another name for the Holy Bible.
Brass - hard metal formerly made primarily
of copper, but later of certain alloys
This metal was used extensively in the building of the Temple.
Brotherly Love
Freemasonry recognizes the Divine requirement that godly men love
their neighbors and that this love should be for all mankind.
Emphasis is lain upon the privilege and duty of special love for
members of the Fraternity. There are certain bonds and obligations
in Freemasonry which are fulfilled only in the spirit of true
brotherhood.
Building of the Temple
Speculative Masonry was evolved from the organization of the workmen
in the construction of Solomon's Temple and the union of operative
masons who labored on that notable and Holy Building. Much of
the ritual is traced directly back to the building of the Temple.
Burial
From time immemorial, Freemasons have given special attention
to the interment of their dead, and the proper burial of a Brother
Mason is regarded as a sacred and binding duty. Solemn, beautiful
and profoundly meaningful burial rites and ceremonies are provided
for deceased Brothers where such are requested by the Brother
himself or by members of his family.
Busybodies - meddling persons
The principles and tenets of Freemasonry forbid every form of
whispering, talebearing, gossiping and slander.
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