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

Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology 297
innovations the Grand Sword Bearer, who certainly carries steel into the
Grand Lodge. Probably most high degrees also have swords, armor,
crowns, and various other metal ornaments and equipment. 876
The French Masonic dictionary backs up the theory of the evil qualities of
metal: "Au 2e Degré du Rite Rectifié, symbolisent les vices. Le candidat les
laisse choir au sol durant ses voyages symboliques." 877 However, the EOF offers
a more comprehensive explanation of the quietness during the erection of King
Solomon's temple, due to the absence of metal tools, by reflecting on the
metaphorical sense of the "spiritual" building:
We are told in Scripture that the Temple was 'built of stone made ready
before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer, nor axe,
nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building.' (1
Kings vi. 7.) Masonry has adopted this as a symbol of the peace and
harmony which should reign in a Lodge, itself a type of the world. But
Clarke, in his commentary on the place, suggests that it was intended to
teach us that the Temple was a type of the kingdom of God, and that the
souls of men are to be prepared here for that place of blessedness. There
is no repentance, tears, nor prayers: the stones must be all squared, and
fitted here for their place in the New Jerusalem; and, being living
stones, must be built up a holy temple for the habitation of God. 878
This explanation makes it easy for us to understand that the living stones, or
rough ashlars, for a spiritual building must be carved during life on earth, so that,
consequently, there is no sound of metal tools to be heard during the erection of
the celestial building itself, for which only the finished stones are employed, i.e.
the perfect characters, or perfect ashlars.
9. Moon Lodges
This term stems from an attempt to unify Masonry by fixing a common date
for lodge meetings, namely around full moon. This choice of time was certainly
of advantage before the invention of electricity. It worked out for some lodges,
but never became a universal rule:
There was a very practical reason for fixing meetings around the night
of a Full Moon for [...] there would be natural illumination [...]. Such
lodges were often referred to as Moon Lodges. Examples in California
876 CME, p. 417.
877 DFM, p. 168/169.
878 EOF, p. 482.