The Square.
The ethics and good reputation of the Craft have been impressed on the public more by the word ‘SQUARE” than by any other means, although “LEVEL” is a close second. A SQUARE DEAL is a phrase that can be readily understood by virtually anyone in today’s society and implies open and honest bargaining wherein the transaction being entered into ends in mutual satisfaction to all the contracting parties.
As with other symbols, it is impossible to explain the meaning of the SQUARE completely by the use of language alone. If this were possible, we would miss the charm of symbolism and speculation. But being indefinite, we have the privilege of reading a variety of meanings and abstractions into it, depending on our skill and experience.
The Masonic Square is essentially a TRY-SQUARE and is distinguished from the carpenter’s square.
The arms that include the angle are not necessarily of equal length. Indeed in operative Masonry, it would be an advantage to have them of unequal length, for on occasions the workman, when using this tool, might find it inconvenient to use a long arm for lack of space, whereas by adjusting it, the desired trial could be made.
This applies also to our own personal square. If the degree of accuracy or error of the moral problem under consideration is not revealed by one position of the Square, it (the square) should be applied in another manner. Thus we may approach the TRUTH.
Furthermore, it is to be remembered, that our Square is to be tried on our own work, not on that of a fellow Brother.
He should be encouraged to try his square on his own work, and in a manner that satisfies his own conscience.
As previously mentioned, the Masonic Square is a TRY-SQUARE and therefore any marks of measurement are out of place. There can, however, be no objection to decorating one or both arms of this useful tool in any way that might make it a thing of beauty and a joy to the possessor.
And it is exactly the same with our PERSONAL SQUARE. Masonry concerns itself more with the
broad principles of conduct rather than with degrees of efficiency, for such degrees vary with the talents that have been entrusted to us, the environment in which we live and the arches of experience through which we have passed.
So, as you can now readily see, no two of us have the exact same decorations on the arms of our Try-Squares, with the passing of time, we constantly add to the decorations or alter them according to our experiences in life, and finally we hope to apply this square with satisfaction to the Perfect Ashler.
Adapted from “The Square” written by W.Bro. Dr.F.W. Andrew and published in the
Masonic Bulletin – BCY- February 1939.
Things to be Thankful For
The good, green earth beneath our feet
The air we breathe, the food we eat,
Some work to do, a goal to win.
A hidden longing deep within
That spurs us on to bigger things
And helps us meet what each day brings.
All these things and many more
Are things we should be thankful for………
And most of all our thankful prayers
Should rise to God because HE CARES!.
From the Collected Poems of Helen Steiner Rice.
The Benefits of Aging
A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor’s office. “Is it true” she wanted to know, “That the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?” “Yes I’m afraid so” the doctor told her. There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied, “ I’m wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked “NO REFILLS”.
An older Jewish Gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia he asked to speak to his son. “Yes Dad, what is it” “Don’t be nervous, son; do your best and just remember, if it doesn’t go well, if something happens to me..your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife..”
Long long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft, Today it’s called GOLF.