The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols 169
medium between intemperance and pleasure; and to make our passions
and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty. 484
The newly-installed Tyler of a lodge likewise receives a corresponding
charge, whereas the other officers, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Deacons, etc.
are invested without verbosity. This is obvious, because what could be more
appropriate as the harp or lyre for the Organist, and as the open Bible for the
Chaplain, these devices constituting their very "working tools"? The same is true
for the Secretary and the Treasurer, who have as symbols the crossed pens and
the crossed keys, which are evidently profane and not Masonic emblems.
Further, it is not explained why the cornucopia, an emblem of plenty, is the
emblem of the Stewards. What has their duty to do with plenty? The riddle is
resolved in CME: "Literally this term means the horn of plenty and it originated
with a Greek myth. It has become generally a symbol of abundance, and
Masonically has been adopted as the jewel of the stewards, because it was
originally their duty to superintend the dinners and refreshments of the lodge." 485
Today, in American lodges the Stewards are two officers just below the
Deacons, and their principal duty is the preparation and introduction of the
candidates. 486 It is not visible any more why the cornucopia should be their
emblem, but since it is tradition, it is not questioned. Finally, the charge to the
Tyler is interesting, because it employs beautiful metaphors:
You are appointed Tiler of this Lodge, and I now invest you with the
badge and implement of your office.
As the sword is placed in the hands of the Tiler to enable him
effectually to guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers,
and suffer none to pass and repass but such as are duly qualified, so it
should morally serve as a constant admonition to us to set a guard at
the entrance of our thoughts, to place a watch at the door of our
lips, and to post a sentinel at the avenue of our actions, thereby
excluding every unqualified and unworthy thought, word, and deed,
and preserving consciences void of offense towards God and towards
man. 487
In the following, a short digression will be made to treat the strange custom
of Masons of hiding the symbols within their jewelry. Of course, this special
feature makes the Craft even more interesting to the profanes. The lodge jewels
are never to be displayed in public; except for Masonic processions and
gatherings like Masonic burials, which are only attended by Masons, so that noninitiates
cannot observe the ceremonies and symbols. Only Master Masons are
allowed to attend Masonic funerals, and not even Entered Apprentices and
484 Dove, p. 142. Bold print added.
485 CME, p. 155.
486 Cf. ibid, p. 634.
487 Dove, p. 144. Bold print added.