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

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Chapter 6 - Peculiarities of Masonic Language
Claudy that equates Masonry with a bank account, to which is put in before it is
taken out, with a little interest. Claudy states that
[t]here is no bank on which you may draw a check unless you have first
made a deposit, and few where you can overdraw much or often. You
get out what you paid in, plus a little interest. If you draw many checks,
much money, you must make large deposits.
You will draw from Masonry what you put into it, plus a little
"interest." If you would take largely from Masonry, then you must give
largely to it. 1063
Another comparison with medical terms from the profane world is made by
a Masonic orator when he states that "[a] ritual without the soul of Masonry is
dead. It is a skeleton of dry bones hung together by wires as may be seen in the
doctor's office [...]." 1064
6.6 Complimentary Titles
As rightly stated in CME, both by Masons and non-initiates "[r]emarks are
sometimes made about bombastic or grandiloquent titles in Freemasonry [...].
Most of the French rites, including the Scottish Rite, were encumbered with
fancy titles and many of the rituals had little else in them. [...] The names of
degrees as well as officers took on almost unbelievable grandeur." 1065 This
applies especially to the high degrees. Thus, Brother Moore complains in a
speech published already in 1892:
I cannot help commenting upon the very objectionable titles of the
degrees in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. What can be more
absurd than the terms used in the "Rose Croix" for the Master, who is
named "The Most Wise and Perfect Master"? A Consistory is called that
of "Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret," presided over by a "Puissant
Sovereign Grand Commander, Sovereign of Sovereigns." The Lodges
of Perfection are governed by a "Thrice Potent Grand Commander," and
a Council of Princes of Jerusalem by a "Most Equitable Sovereign
Prince Grand Master," with "Most Enlightened" Grand Wardens and
various "Valorous" Grand Officers. The abolition of these ridiculous
and empty titles, a caricature and burlesque, would not take away from
the beauty and teaching of these degrees, and is loudly called for. 1066
1063
Claudy, A Master's Wages, p. 56/57.
1064
Myler (compiled by ~), p. 236.
1065
CME, p. 653.
1066
W. J. B. MacLeod Moore, in History of Freemasonry and Concordant Orders, edited by Stillson
et al., p. 760.