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

33. Royal Art
Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology 327
The technical term "Royal Art" is a synonym for Freemasonry, such as "the
Craft." It was already used by Anderson in his Constitutions from 1723, and,
according to the EOF, it is universally used. In French, it is called "l'Art
Royal," 1002 and in German, "die Königliche Kunst." 1003
The earliest writers speak of Freemasonry as a 'Royal Art.' [...] The term
has become common in all languages as an appellative of the Institution,
and yet but few perhaps have taken occasion to examine into its real
signification or have asked what would seem to be questions readily
suggested, 'Why is Freemasaonry called an art?' and next, 'Why is it
said to be a Royal Art?' 1004
Mackey tries to give an answer to these questions in six long columns in his
encyclopedia, the EOF. He states that the general belief is that Masonry is
considered a "Royal" Art because many of its disciples and patrons were
monarchs. Some Masons even go so far as to maintain that Freemasonry was
first called so in 1693, when William III of England was initiated into its rites.
According to the EOF, Gädicke, in his Freimaurer Lexicon, states that the title
was derived from the fact that in the times of the English Commonwealth, the
members of the English Lodges joined the party of the exiled Stuarts, favoring
the restoration of Charles II to the throne. Gädicke himself was convinced that
Freemasonry was named "Royal Art," because its object is to erect stately
edifices and palaces, the residences of kings. 1005 There also exist attemps to
explain the term "Royal Art" as an allusion to the erection of King Solomon's
temple. Another reason for this title might have been that the operative masons at
all times received many privileges by the monarchs, and were granted special
protection. 1006 However, Mackey conceives Freemasonry as a "Royal Art"
because it erects a spiritual temple and teaches its members to govern
themselves. His explanation is a very Christian one, but is certainly the most
acceptable one with regard to the true vocation of Freemasonry:
The stone-masons at Jerusalem were engaged in the construction of a
material temple. But the Freemasons who succeeded them are occupied
in the construction of a moral and spiritual temple, man being
considered, through the process of the act of symbolism, that holy
house. And in this symbolism the Freemasons have only developed the
same idea that was present to St. Paul when he said to the Corinthians
that they were 'God's building,' of which building he, 'as a wise master-
1002
Cf. Saint-Gall, p. 10.
1003
Cf. IFL, p. 890/891.
1004
EOF, p. 647.
1005
Ibid.
1006
Cf. IFL, p. 890.