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

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Chapter 10 - Conclusion
own. Later, the keystone is declared to have been found "[b]y the skilful
Craftsman who prepared it." 2016
In the Scottish ritual, the young craftsman is likewise seen in a positive light:
"Part of one of these working plans appears to have been lost, but an ingenious
and intelligent F.C., having either seen the portion of the imperfect plan in the
Overseer's possession before it was lost, or forming a good idea of it from the
nature of the work, perceived that a stone of a very peculiar form [...] was
wanting." 2017 Thus, he forms the stone himself without taking a finished stone,
claiming it his own. His task was even more difficult since he has probably only
seen the "imperfect" plan, having had to add ideas of his own. When the lost
keystone is found again after having been heaved among the rubbish, the Senior
Deacon exclaims that it has been detected "[b]y the skilful F.C. who wrought
it." 2018
Thus, it is evident that there are major differences in the contents of the
rituals, and this is only one small example. Attempts to gain ritualistic uniformity
was heavily opposed by several Masons, as shown in the following quotation
from an article which appeared in The Trowel, published by Reynolds, and cited
in the Masonic Review. Here, the efforts of Bro. Morris from Kentucky to unify
the rituals are criticized, and it is stated that
Bro. Morris proclaimed such a 'perfect uniformity in the work and
lectures of Symbolic Masonry' as should 'reach to the strictest minutiæ,
to words, syllables and letters - to official manners - to times and
seasons - to modes of inculcation.' This 'uniformity' has been the burden
of Masonic writers, ritualists and lecturers for centuries, but none ever
sought to make it the paramount subject or theme of Masonry [...].
No man ever expected, or expects now, the practical realization among
the great body of Masons, of the Utopian ideas of the founder of
Conservatorism. Practical uniformity in the use of language, customs
and practices is attainable, and should be sought for earnestly by the
Craft. But to attempt to make learned and educated men make use of the
same words and phrases - those very men to whom we look for
information as to the laws, usages, symbolism, philosophy, and practical
uses of Masonry is a mere phantasm of the brain. 2019
The writer concludes that entire uniformity in lectures is not only impossible,
but also impolitic, because a "set form of words is not essential to the
communication of ideas," 2020 and the ideas of Masonry, i.e. its philosophy and
teachings, should be ranged of higher importance than the pure verbiage. A very
2016
Ibid, p. 38.
2017
The 'Standard' Ritual of Scottish Freemasonry, p. 27.
2018
Ibid, p. 21.
2019
Moore, Masonic Review, N° 29, 1864, p. 149.
2020 Ibid, p. 150.