Note: This material was scanned into text files for the sole purpose of convenient electronic research. This material is NOT intended as a reproduction of the original volumes. However close the material is to becoming a reproduced work, it should ONLY be regarded as a textual reference. Scanned at Phoenixmasonry by Ralph W. Omholt, PM in May 2007.
MASONRY DEFINED
A Liberal Masonic Education
INFORMATION EVERY MASON SHOULD HAVE
Compiled from the Writings of
DR. ALBERT G. MACKEY 33°
And Many Other Eminent Authorities
REVISED AND ENLARGED
BY
E. R. JOHNSTON 32°
Originator of the Questionnaire System
of Masonic Education
A. C. MONETTE 32°
NATIONAL MASONIC PRESS, INC.,
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
QUESTIONS COPYRIGHTED
JANUARY 11, 1930
BY E. R. JOHNSTON
APPENDIX AND DICTIONARY COPYRIGHTED, 1939
BY ESTATE OF E. R. JOHNSTON
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
KINGSPORT PRESS, INC. KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE
MASONIC RECORD
NAME
LODGE No.
LOCATION
INITIATED PASSED RAISED
Worshipful Master
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Secretary
Royal Arch
Knights Templar
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine
Other Masonic Bodies
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National Masonic Press,
Shreveport, Louisiana.
INTRODUCTION
The average Mason, after taking his degrees in Masonry, immediately asks himself what it all means.
Few Masons have, or will take, the time to make an exhaustive study of Masonry. It is to this class of busy Masons this work will make an especial appeal. We have culled from the writings of many eminent Masonic scholars the "meat" of the subject, and present it in such form that the busy Mason can get what he wants without the necessity of extensive reading or study.
If you have gone into Masonry in the belief that there is really something to it, and you have a desire to be well informed, you will find in these pages a mine of useful information, and will be well repaid for the time spent in looking up any particular subject.
No Mason can acquire in a few days or months, or even years, all there is in Masonry. Two of the most famous Masons America has ever produced - General Albert Pike,
33°, and Dr. Albert Gallatin Mackey, 33° - spent their entire lives in Masonic study. Their writings have been preserved, and the busy Mason of today can find the real facts of Masonry within easy reach.
There are thousands of Masons who can repeat the ritual, but who have no conception of what it all means. There is nothing said in the ritual that should seem mysterious. Everything in Masonry has a beautiful meaning if rightly understood, and everything done in the ritual work is meant to teach a distinct moral lesson.
Masonry would die out in five years if it had to depend upon about 85 per cent of the membership. It is the small minority - the really interested Masons - who have kept and are keeping the order alive today. These few men give unselfishly their time and intelligence as officers of their lodges. How long would any lodge last if all the members merely paid their dues, rarely if ever attended lodge, and considered their duty done? Does Masonry mean anything to you, or are you just a "member"? Some Masons seem to take a pride in saying, "Oh, yes, I belong to the order, but have not been in a lodge room in years." Of what benefit is Masonry to this man, and what earthly benefit is he to Masonry? Then again, you will hear a Mason say, "I have lost my interest in Masonry." He never had any real interest to lose. All he has lost is his curiosity. If he had been interested he would have learned something about it, and his interest would have
3
4 INTRODUCTION
been increased instead of dying out. The Mason who pays his dues because he is ashamed not to, is simply throwing his money away. He gets no benefit whatever, and his attitude of indifference sets a bad example to the younger Masons, who look to him for inspiration and guidance.
Taking the secret work and learning the ritual does not make a Mason any more than learning its A B C's makes a child a scholar. It is merely the cornerstone; the building is yet to be erected.
How many Masons understand the beautiful lesson of the third degree? If this lesson were learned and understood and practiced, Masonry would be on a higher plane than it is today. There would be more real Masons and fewer "members." Too many Masons say, "I have not the time to read," but they had or took the time to take their degrees and learn the lectures. The same amount of time spent in intelligent study would give them the groundwork for a real knowledge of Masonry; for, if Masonry is worth going into, it is worth knowing something about.
E. R. JOHNSTON, 32°
PREFACE TO THE
REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION
The literature of Freemasonry is very extensive. Many thousands of books crowd the shelves of the great Masonic libraries of the world. These are of great and absorbing interest to Masonic scholars but, to the ordinary Mason, this mass of reading matter is bewildering in its immensity. The newly‑made Mason who merely desires to satisfy his natural curiosity concerning the Craft, the Mason on the side lines who wishes to take a worthy part in the labors of his Lodge, or the busy men of affairs who give so generously of their time and talent as Lodge and Grand Lodge officers, who have neither the time nor inclination to make a profound study of the history, philosophy, religion or jurisprudence of the Craft, will find in "Masonry Defined" a practical hand book, giving them the information they desire in the simplest, quickest and easiest way that has been devised. It is designed to enable the ordinary Mason to locate just the information he needs and wants at the time he requires and desires it. Nothing has been included that is not of interest and value to every Mason. Much has been omitted which, however valuable to the Masonic scholar, is of little or no interest to the average member of the Craft.
Every known device has been adopted to assist the busy student in finding the correct answer to any question in the quickest and easiest manner. The information contained is not new; on the contrary its contents have been selected from the best and most reliable Masonic authorities, a list of which is given in the Appendix. The editors have not ventured to make any innovations in the body of well settled and authoritative Masonic doctrine. All that is herein contained can be found by any diligent student in the hundreds of standard works on Free‑masonry, but nowhere else can it be found in such concise and accessible form.
This work is especially commended to all members of the Craft who are now, who expect to, or who hope to become, active in the various Bodies of the Craft. This work is not designed to be taken as a criterion on matters of jurisprudence or law - the broad principles have been laid down - but in all such matters the student should consult the Edicts of the Grand Lodge under which he resides.
The study of the following lectures, by number and subject, will give the student a comprehensive understanding of Freemasonry:
HISTORY
56, 57, 58, 59, 67, 177, 178, 265, 267, 955.
5
TEMPLE
922, 924, 925, 387, 518, 626, 457.
BIBLE
1st Kings 5, 6, 7, and 2nd Chronicles 1 to 5, inclusive.
ALTAR
50, 118, 119, 371, 436, 557, 694, 846, 886.
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
184, 591, 593, 595, 304, 903.
KEY LECTURES
4, 26, 27, 40, 78, 99, 104, 185, 186, 190, 212, 223, 227, 237, 386, 396, 399, 473, 514,
545, 568, 605, 629, 713, 738, 787, 896, 961, 965, 966, 967, 1011, 1012. Also lecture page 569.
CATHOLICISM
191, 520, 707.
"The study of Freemasonry teaches a man to think - if he can think - and to learn - if he can learn." Albert Pike.
Information of an especial interest relative to the higher degrees in Masonry, and in the Eastern Star will be found in the APPENDIX. Hundreds of Bible references with Masonic import will be found scattered through the entire volume.
THE PUBLISHERS
Questions Every Mason Should Be Able
to Answer
____________
ABIF
1. Why was Hiram, our ancient Grand Master, called "ABIF?"
ABLUTION
2. How is moral purification symbolized?
ABSENCE
3. What is the ancient rule regarding attendance at Lodge?
ACACIA
4. What is the symbolism of the sprig of Acacia?
ACCEPTED
5. Why are Masons said to be "Free and Accepted?"
ACCORD
6. What is the meaning of "Free Will and Accord?"
ACCUSATION
7. What is the preliminary step in every Masonic trial?
ACCUSER
8. Who is the prosecuting officer of a Lodge?
ACQUITTAL
9. Does acquittal of a Mason by a jury prevent his being tried again by a Lodge on the same charge?
ACTION ON PETITION
10. What action should a Lodge take on receipt of a favorable report on a petition?
ACTIVE
11. When is a Lodge or Brother said to be "active?"
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP, Prerogative of
12. What are the prerogatives of the active members of a Lodge?
ADAMS, John Quincy,
13. What President of the United States was a bitter opponent of Freemasonry?
7
8 MASONRY DEFINED
ADDRESS
14. What are the qualifications of Lodge officers?
ADDRESSING A LODGE
15. What rules govern a Brother while speaking in a Lodge?
ADHERING MASON
16. To whom does the term "adhering Mason" apply?
ADMISSION
17. How many candidates can be made Masons on the same day?
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
18. Has the Master the right to deny a member admission to his own Lodge?
ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS
19. What right has a new Lodge with respect to the admission of members?
ADMISSION OF VISITORS
20. Has the Master of a Lodge the right to decline to admit, as a visitor, a Master Mason in good standing?
ADMITTANCE TO THE LODGE
21. What is the duty of the Tiler with reference to the admission of persons to a Lodge room?
ADMONITION
22. How should a Brother be admonished?
ADONIRAM
23. Who was Adoniram?
ADOPTIVE MASONRY
24. What is the relation of women to Masonry in France and in America?
ADVANCED
25. How is the word "advanced" technically used in Masonry?
ADVANCEMENT, denial of
26. What is the status of an Entered Apprentice if the Lodge denies him advancement?
ADVANCEMENT, right of
27. Does an Entered Apprentice have the right of advancement?
ADYTUM
28. What are the supports of the Adytum or Lodge?
MASONRY DEFINED 9
AFFABILITY
29. Of what were the ancient Lodges schools?
AFFILIATED
30. What is the distinction between an affiliated and a non‑affiliated Mason?
AFFILIATION
31. What is the Masonic meaning of the term "affiliation?"
AFFILIATION OF NON‑RESIDENTS
32. Are there any geographical restrictions on the right of affiliation?
AFFILIATION, petition for
33. To what Lodge or Lodges may a Mason apply for affiliation?
AGAPE, Love Feast
34. What is the relation of the ancient Love Feast to Masonry?
AGATE
35. Of what was the stone of foundation formed?
AGE, LAWFUL,
36. Is the age of twenty‑one the lawful age of admission in all Masonic jurisdictions?
AGE, MASONIC
37. Certain numbers are assigned as the symbolic ages of Masons of various degrees. What are they, and why?
AGENDA
38. How is the word "agenda" used in Masonry?
AHIMAN REZON
39. What was the book of the Constitutions of the Ancient Masons called?
AID AND ASSISTANCE
40. To what extent should a Mason extend aid to a worthy distressed brother?
AIR
41. By what three elements is a Mason proved?
ALARM
42. In what sense is the word "alarm" used in Masonry?
ALOORAN
43. What is the sacred book of the Mohammedans called?
10 MASONRY DEFINED
ALDWORTH, the Hon. Mrs.
44. Has a woman ever been made a Mason?
ALLAH
45. What is the name of God in the Mohammedan religion?
ALLEGIANCE
46. What effect does non‑affiliation have upon the allegiance of a Mason to the fraternity?
ALL‑SEEING EYE
47. What is the symbolism of the All‑Seeing Eye?
ALLUREMENTS
48. What allurements does Masonry hold out?
ALMOND TREE
49. What is the symbolism of the Almond tree?
ALTAR
50. What is the symbolism of the Masonic altar?
AMALTHEA
51. What is the Steward's Jewel, and why?
AMEN
52. Why do Masons say "amen" at the close of prayer?
AMULET
53. What is an Amulet?
ANCHOR
54. What is the symbolism of the Anchor?
ANCHOR AND ARK
55. Of what are the Anchor and Ark the emblems?
ANCIENT CRAFT MASONRY
56. What is included in Ancient Craft Masonry?
ANCIENT CRAFT MASONRY, degrees of
57. How many degrees were there in Ancient Craft Masonry?
ANCIENT MASONS
58. Who and what were the Ancient Masons?
ANDERSON, JAMES, D.D.
59. Who was the author of the "Constitutions of the Freemasons?"
ANDREW, ST.
60. Who is the patron saint of Scottish Masons?
MASONRY DEFINED 11
ANNIVERSARIES, Masonic
61. What are the two principal anniversaries of symbolic Masonry?
ANNUAL MEETINGS OF GRAND LODGE
62. What is the precedent for annual meetings of Grand Lodges?
ANOMOLY
63. Why is Masonry mysterious?
ANNUITIES
64. What is the most useful form of Masonic charity?
ANTI‑MASONIC PARTY
65. Did the anti‑Masonic party ever nominate a candidate for President?
ANTI‑MASONRY
66. Who was alleged to have been murdered by Masons?
ANTIQUITY OF FREEMASONRY
67. In what year did Masonry become entirely speculative?
APORRHETA
68. What is permitted to be printed about Masonry and what is not?
APPEAL FROM BALLOT
69. Has a Grand Lodge the right to entertain an appeal to reverse a ballot?
APPEAL FROM GRAND MASTER'S DECISION
70. Does an appeal lie from a decision of the Grand Master to the Grand Lodge?
APPEAL OF ENTERED APPRENTICES OR FELLOWCRAFTS
71. Does an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft enjoy the right of Masonic relief?
APPEAL, right of
72. What rights does a Mason have to appeal from a decision against him?
APPEAL TO GRAND LODGE
73. How should an appeal to Grand Lodge be made?
APPELLANT, status of
74. What is the Masonic status of an Appellant during the pendency of an appeal?
12 MASONRY DEFINED
APPOINTMENTS, Grand Master's prerogative of
75. What is the Grand Master's prerogative with respect to appointments?
APPOINTMENT OF JUNIOR OFFICERS
76. Who has the prerogative of appointing the junior officers of a Lodge?
APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTITUTE OFFICERS
77. Who has the right to appoint substitute officers in the absence of appointive officers of a Lodge?
APRON
78. What is the symbolism of the Masonic Apron?
ARCHITECTURE
79. What is the relation of Architecture to Masonry?
ARCHIVES
80. For what were the pillars "BOAZ" and "JACHIN" used?
ARK OF THE COVENANT
81. What was the Ark of the Covenant and for what was it used?
ARMS OF FREEMASONRY
82. What armorial bearings have been borne by Freemasons?
ARRANGEMENT
83. How were the 18th Century Lodges arranged?
ARREST OF WARRANT
84. What is the status of a Lodge whose warrant has been arrested?
ARTS, liberal
85. In what degree are the seven liberal arts and sciences explained?
ASCENT
86. How does a Fellowcraft ascend to receive his wages?
ASHLAR
87. Of what is the Ashlar emblematic?
ASPIRANT
88. What name is applied to a seeker of Masonic light?
ASS
89. Of what is the Ass an emblem?
ATHEIST
90. Why cannot an atheist become a Freemason?
MASONRY DEFINED
ATTENDANCE
91. What is the duty of a Mason in respect to attendance at his Lodge?
ATTESTED COPY OF CHARGES
92. Under what circumstances is it necessary for a Lodge to submit an attested copy of charges against a member?
AUGUSTAN STYLE
93. In what city are some of the best examples of Operative Masonry to be found?
AVOUCHMENT
94. What regulations govern Masonic avouchments?
AVOUCHMENT AT second hand
95. May a Master Mason lawfully vouch for a visitor on the authority of another?
AXE
96. Why was King Solomon's temple built without the use of iron tools?
AZURE
97. What is the color appropriate to symbolic Masonry?
BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY
98. What punishment was meted out to the Jews who failed to keep the ordinances of Jehovah?
BACH
99. What is the symbolism of the fourth point of fellowship?
BADGE
100. What is the badge of a Master Mason and Why?
BALDACHIN
101. What is the symbolism of the canopy over the Master's chair?
BALLOT, method of
102. What is the proper method of conducting the ballot?
BALLOT, reconsideration of
103. Has a Grand Master power to order reconsideration of a ballot?
BALLOT, secrecy of the
104. Has a Mason the right to announce how he has cast his ballot for a candidate?
14 MASONRY DEFINED
BALLOT UNDER DISPENSATION
105. Do the members of a Lodge under dispensation have the right of ballot on candidates?
BAND
106. How should lodge officers wear their jewels?
BANQUET
107. Should the Worshipful Master be present at Masonic banquets?
BARE FEET
108. What is the symbolism of pulling off the shoes?
BASILICA
109. What is a Basilica?
BATON
110. What is the badge of the Marshal of a Lodge?
BEAUTY
111. Why do Masons cultivate order, harmony and beauty?
BEEHIVE
112. Of what is the beehive emblematic?
BEHAVIOR
113. What is the ethical code of Freemasonry?
BELIEF
114. Upon what scriptural basis are the lectures of Freemasonry largely founded?
BENAI
115. How were the Fellowcrafts employed in the building of King Solomon's temple?
BENEFITS
116. Of what do the charities of the Masonic order (in part) consist?
BETRAYING
117. Do we betray Masonic secrets?
BIBLE
118. What is the relation of the Bible to Freemasonry?
BIBLE, requirement of
119. Is a candidate for Masonry required to believe in the divine authenticity of the Scriptures?
BLACK
120. What do the colors, black and white, symbolize?
MASONRY DEFINED 15
BLACK BALLS
121. Is the rule that one black ball rejects of universal application?
BLAZING STAR
122. What is the symbolism of the blazing star?
BLUE MASONRY
123. What is the symbolism of the color blue?
BOAZ
124. What was the name of the left‑hand pillar on the porch of King Solomon's temple?
BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS
125. What is the Book of Constitutions?
BOOK OF THE LAW
126. What is the symbolism of the Book of the Law?
BORDER
127. What are the ornaments of a Lodge?
BRAZEN PILLARS
128. What do the two pillars on the tracing board represent?
BREAST
129. What is the duty of a Mason with respect to a Brother's secrets?
BRIGHT
130. What is a Mason called who has mastered the ritual?
BROACHED THURNAL
131. What was the Broached Thurnal?
BROKEN COLUMN
132. Of what is the broken column emblematic?
BROTHERHOOD
133. In what sense is Freemasonry called a brotherhood?
BROTHERLY KISS
134. How does the Master of a European Lodge greet a newly made Mason?
BROTHERLY LOVE
135. What Masonic duties are implied by the tenets of brotherly love?
16 MASONRY DEFINED
BULL, PAPAL
136. What were the bulls issued by the Popes against the Masonic order?
BURIAL
137. What right of burial has a Master Mason?
BURIAL, Masonic
138. May an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft take part in a Masonic funeral procession?
BURIAL OF ENTERED APPRENTICES
139. Does an Entered Apprentice have the right of Masonic Burial?
BURIAL PLACE
140. Where is the burial place of a Master Mason?
BURIED TREASURES
141. Where were treasures commonly concealed in ancient times?
BUSINESS
142. On what degree should the business of a Lodge be transacted, and why?
BY‑LAWS
143. What are the rules called that govern a Lodge?
BY‑LAWS, powers of Grand Lodge over
144. What are the powers of a Grand Lodge with respect to the by‑laws of a subordinate Lodge?
BY‑LAWS, right of making
145. Has a Lodge the right to prescribe its own by‑laws?
BY‑LAWS, uniform code of
146. Has a Grand Lodge the right to prescribe the by‑laws of constituent Lodges?
CABLE TOW'S LENGTH
147. What is the length of a Mason's cable tow?
CABUL
148. What country did King Solomon cede to Hiram, King of Tyre?
CALENDAR
149. What calendars have been adopted by the various branches of Freemasonry?
CALLING OFF
150. What term is applied to the temporary postponement of the labors of a Lodge?
MASONRY DEFINED 17
CANDIDATE
151. What are the qualifications for admission to Freemasonry?
CARDINAL POINTS
152. What is the Masonic significance of the cardinal points?
CARDINAL VIRTUES
153. What are the four cardinal virtues?
CARPET
154. What is the Masonic carpet?
CATECHISM
155. What part of the Masonic ritual is in the form of a catechism?
CATHERINE
156. What great woman ruler prohibited Masonry in her country, and afterwards fostered, encouraged and protected it?
CAUTION
157. What new name is given to the Entered Apprentice, and why?
CAUTIOUS SECRECY
158. Why was secrecy observed by our ancient operative brethren?
CAVE
159. Where did King Solomon have a cave dug and for what purpose?
CEDAR
160. What are the characteristics of the cedars of Lebanon?
CEMENT
161. What is the cement of the Lodge?
CENSURE, nature and effect of
162. What is the nature and effect of Masonic censure?
CENTER OF UNITY
163. What is the Masonic center of unity?
CENTER, opening on
164. What symbolic degree is said to be opened on the center?
CENTRE
165. How far must the labors of a Freemason penetrate?
