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

Chapter 8 - Categorization of Rituals 667
The symbol of the square and compass is also displayed in the Virginia Text
Book, containing 'The Book of Constitutions', Illustrations of the Work, Forms
and Ceremonies, with a Digest of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in its
19 th edition from 1944. Here, the symbol is an advertising for the Masonic Home
Press who printed this text book. The initials of the company's name are set in
the space between the compass and the square 1640 . This is almost a sacrilege
since in Masonry, this space is reserved for the letter G (on Masonic jewels,
sometimes for the sun or the moon):
ad for a printing press for Masonic books
In the following, ads from Masonic and Eastern Star magazines that are all
bad examples for what Masons should not do - advertise for profane goods or
services using Masonic emblems or titles for reference. One of these ads
promises special conditions to Masonic purchasers of its products, another
invites brothers and sisters to deal with the seller. Some even use elaborate word
plays with reference to the Craft to attract the attention of Freemasons. A special
note to advertisers in one of the magazines promises to the sellers high-class
buyers and to the buyers reliable merchandise - as if Masons were more
trustworthy than profane dealers. To the Masons who read these pages we would
like to say that this is not against their institution - we have merely tried to
support the theory that there exists preferential treatment among fraternal
members, even if the righteous ones distance themselves from turning their
valuable institution into a business.
Freemasonry has tried to defend against such advertisers by forbidding them
to use Masonic names or symbols. Thus, in Pollard's book on Masonic humor
appears the story, according to the "Wisconsin proceedings," i.e. the written
minutes of lodge sessions, a Masonic youth order, the Job's Daughters, were not
allowed to use the name of the Craft for their baby sitters bureau advertisement:
1640 Illustration taken from Dove, p. 2.