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

Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology 291
Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and Master Mason, With
Explanatory Notes, Emendations, and Lectures. Together with the Ceremonies of
Consecration and Dedication of New Lodges, Installation of Grand and
Subordinate Officers, Laying Foundation Stones, Dedication of Masonic Halls,
Grand Visitations, Burial Services, Regulations for Processions, Masonic
Calendar, etc. To Which are added a Ritual for a Lodge of Sorrow and the
Ceremonies of Consecrating Masonic Cemeteries. Also, an Appendix, with the
Forms of Masonic Documents, Masonic Trials, etc. It was published in New
York in 1885. The extraordinary long title shows already what the book contains.
It is a very artful work with beautiful engravings as illustrations. Without such
explanatory "Ahima Rezons," the understanding of the ritual and its peculiar
language and symbolism would be impossible. Other Masonic publications of
similar content are the manuals and text books.
4. Book of the Law
The "Book of the Law" is a synonym for the technical term "Volume of the
Sacred Law," which is explained below. It denotes the book containing the laws
of the Mason's God, depending on his religion:
Masonically, the Book of the Law is that sacred book which is believed
by the Mason of any particular religion to contain the revealed will of
God [...]. Thus, to the Christian Mason the Book of the Law is the Old
and New Testaments; to the Jew, the Old Testament; to the Mussulman
[sic], the Koran; to the Brahman, the Vedas; and to the Parsee, the
Zendavesta. 856
7. Volume of the Sacred Law
In the Christian Masonic stream, the "Volume of the Sacred Law "(V.S.L.),
in French "Volume de la sainte Loi," "Volume de la Loi sainte," or "Volume de
la Loi sacrée," is the Bible. However, similar to the "Book of Law" mentioned
above, the V.S.L. can also be the holy book of other religions:
856 EOF, p. 113.
Dans les pays d'Europe, d'Amérique, d'Océanie, le V.S.L. en usage est
la Sainte Bible, car elle est le Livre sacré de la très grande majorité. Il
est d'usage de l'ouvrir à l'Ancien Testament pour l'initiation d'un
israélite. Pour celle d'un chrétien, la page à laquelle il est ouvert est
indifférente, le Volume entier étant son Livre sacré. (Au Rite Rectifié,