Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

222 KNIGHTS OF THE SUN.
bandage over his eyes, is an emblem of the darkness of
his soul. He is deprived of everything that has a value,
and wherewith he could purchase food to indicate his
utter destitution of the mental wealth of primitive truth.
In this degree he undergoes only physical tests~, and receives
elementary moral instructions. As yet he takes
upon himself no duty but secrecy. He still remains in
the dark quarter of the lodge though not in the North, 85•
but half way towards the East, the place of light He is
not exposed to the fearful trials which await the candidate
for initiation into the mysteries. He passes through
no gloomy forests or long labyrinthine eaves; he meets
no hidecus spectres; he is stunned and alarmed by no
fearful noises, he incurs no danger
A few solitary moments in reflection and prayer, a
short time passed in darkness, a few uncertain steps, a
few obstacles to overcome are all; and he enters the
temple of truth and virtue. The journeys and trials of
the candidate are an emblem of human life. Man enters,
feeble and naked, upon a road full of dangers and
pitfalls The ignorance of the fancy, the fiery passions
of youth, the troubles a~nd a~itations of mature age, the
infirmities of old ~age are so many evils which assail
him, and which philosophy alone can aid him against.
Defenceless in a world of trouble, what would become
of him without the assistance of his brethren?
His obligation is no vulgar oath, such as is administered
in the profane world. It is antique and sacred.
He repeats it without compulsion. The expressions are
Note 339.—”A candidate in search of Masonic light comes from the
west and presses forward to the haat. the place of tight by way of the
North. ‘the place of darkness ‘ This sac of the word North is said, in
the teetures of the Bini’ Lodge. to be derived from the situation of Jeri,salem.
It was so far north of the Summer Soistice tiatitude 31 degrees.
46 winnie, 45 seconds. North. that Is more than nine degrees North of
the Summer &ulstiuu’). that the rays of the meridian sun could never dart
into the northern windows of it. “—Morris’s Masonic Dictionary. Article
North.
INVUA?ION’. 2~3
snergetic, because being yet in darkness, he is on the
point of passing from barbarism into civilization. t is
like those of the ancient mysteries, for violating which,
Alcibrades was exiled and devoted to the furies.
When h~ is brought to light’” the allegory is complete.
He sees around him a bend of brothers bound to
protect and defend him.
The obligation h~ has assumed, they and every mason
in the world have assumed toward him. He is one of
the brotherhood, bound by its laws and enlisted as a
soldier against ignorance and vice. The Master, for the
time entitled to respect and veneration, is still but the
first among his brethren, who are all his equals. Such
is masonic law and usage, and such it has ,been from the
earliest ages. In his journey, imitating that of life, the
candidate goes but three times around~si the lodge
although life has four seasons. This is because his
journey also represents the annual revolution of the Sun.
Had the mysteries originated in the North or West, in
Rome or Greece, the seasons of the year and of life
Note 830.—”Light. Light is an important word in the Masonic system.
it conveys a far more recondite meaning than It is believed to
possess by the generality of readers. It ii in fact the first of all the
symbols presented to the neophyte, and continues to be presented to him
tn various modifloations throughout all his foture progress In his Masonic
career. it does not simply mean, as might be supposed. truth or
wisdom, hut it contains within itself a tar more ahstruse allusion to
the very essence of Speculative Masonry, and embraces within its capacious
signification all the other symbols of the Order. Freemasons are
emphatically called the ‘sons of light.’ because they are, or at least
are entitled to be. in possession of the true meaning of the symbol; while
the profane or unitiated who has not received this knowledge are. hy a
~e
rity of expression, said to be in darkness. ‘—Mackey’s Encyclopedia of
nry. Afticle Light.
Note 831.—”Circumambulation is the name given by sacred archeologists
to that religious rite in the ancient initiations which consisted in
a formal pao&esion aconod the altar, or other boty and consecrated object.
Ibe same aite exists in Freemasonry.
in ancient Greece. when the priests were engaged in the rite of macriSc..
they and the people always walked three times mood the altar
while singing a sacred hymn. In making this procession, great care
was taken to move in imitation of the course of the sun. For thIs purpose,
they commenced at the east, and passing on by the way of the
south to the west and thence hy .—e north, they arrived at the east
g~,n”—Meohey’a Zacyolopedie of lweemaaouxy, Article Otroumambula.