Special thanks to George Helmer FPS

FREEMASONRY

FREEMASONS MAGAZINE - 1864

FREEMASONRY may be compared unto a human being. Like
man himself, it consists of two parts - body and soul. The body of
Masonry is the frame, the covering, the external phases, containing
within itself the Masonic symbols, ceremonies, usages and
customs. The soul of Masonry is the essence, the internal, invisible
spirit, embracing within itself the Masonic ideas and conception a
of the world and of life, the fundamental ideas and principles of
Masonry: it is the immortal fire that animates and moulds the
grosser frame, ever winding itself in love around all human things.
The spirit of Masonry consists of that worship of the Great
Architect of the Universe, which is manifested, when before the
altar of truth, we solemnly pledge ourselves to an unfeigned trust
in God, to an upright and conscientious rule of life, to an all-
embracing love of our fellow-men. The fundamental ideas and
principles of Masonry have ever prevailed among men, and
therefore the spirit of Masonry is as ancient as mankind - it was
born with the first man. The spirit of Masonry, the essence and
soul of Masonry is nothing more than the spirit of humanity; our
aim and object is none other than to honor, foster and promote the
intellectual nobility and worth of the human race. This spirit of
Masonry is the bright heavenly spirit of the Masonic art which
exists and has existed everywhere and at all times, wherever and
whenever man has existed ; it is confined to no time or place, to no
prescribed form. The spirit of Masonry is that invisible sun-light,
in which the mind may wander and contemplate truth; it is that
sun-warmth which fills and pervades all human hearts, causing
them to beat in love and unison; it is the sentiment of mutually
sympathizing minds," for

" Man is one
And he hath one great heart. It is thus we feel,
With a gigantic throb athwart the sea;
Each others' rights and wrongs; thus are we men."

This free, all-embracing spirit has, nevertheless, a visible body, an
external phases, namely, the Masonic symbols, ceremonies and
forms. Freemasonry is no mere superficial, visionary idea, no
Utopian scheme or fleeting shadow, no misty phantom of the
brain; it assumes a positive form and shape, and enters into the
outer world visibly and audibly, actively and effectively. Its
symbols are mostly borrowed from architecture, which science
teaches us a strict obedience to the rules and laws of morality, as
sure and reliable, as it is embracing of the world and of humanity.
It is a distinguishing peculiarity of Freemasonry, that it teaches its
doctrines in symbols and ceremonies, and not in words. The halls
of Masonry are halls of images, into which the Mason can enter,
contemplating and reflecting upon the objects which meet his
view. The ceremonies, usages and customs of Masonry are so
many living images, which likewise invite contemplation and
reflection. This visible embodiment of the spirit of Masonry has
the great advantage that the spirit presents itself to our
comprehension not in barren ideas or words, but in living shapes.
Of particular importance are our Masonic ceremonies, our living
symbols, because they require not only contemplation, but also
action and performance - they lay claim to the whole man,
requiring of him deeds and actions. The symbolic forms and
ceremonies necessarily require a place where they can be
performed and practiced; and no less do they require initiated
adepts, who understand the symbols, who reflectingly contemplate
them, who can teach their true meaning, and perform the
ceremonies. The consecrated place for the symbolical
representation of the spirit of Masonry is in the Lodge. Here the
members of the fraternity unite in love, striving in noble emulation
to fulfill the duties of love towards the Masonic art, and towards
the Brethren. The Brethren, united in a Lodge, are a symbol of the
fraternity bound in freedom and in love, and at the same time an
emblem of mankind united in freedom and in love. The Lodge is
the living union of the body and soul of Freemasonry. If Masonry
was a doctrine taught only in words, then any one could read, study
and think for himself at his home; but being a doctrine of. symbols,
it requires a place where these symbols may be presented and
where the symbolic ceremonies and usages may be practiced. The
members of a Lodge have therefore a double duty imposed on
them; first to practice the Masonic art, that is, the symbolic
representation of the spirit of Masonry; and secondly, practically to
perform among themselves the duties taught by the Masonic
doctrines. No real, zealous Freemason will shrink from this double
activity; he will rather be an industrious attendant at the Lodge
meetings, and cheerfully assist in promoting the fraternal social
life. It is certainly true that one can be a Mason without being a
visitor or even a member of a Lodge, but only in the sense, that he
cherishes within himself the spirit of Masonry. The fundamental
ideas and principles of Masonry can certainly exist without a
Lodge - not so Freemasonry; for this requires Masonic practice of
the art, within the Lodge; in fraternal intercourse
and fellowship with the Brethren.

POTS
The precepts of the Gospel were universally the obligations
of Masonry. - REV. DR. RUSSELL.

George Helmer FPS
PM Norwood #90 GRA
PZ Norwood #18 RAM
MBBFMN #362

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