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

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Chapter 10 - Conclusion
metaphors from the realm of architecture and vegetable; the muddy streams, the
rust, the moss and ivy, as well as the loose stones denoting old age and decay.
Freemasonry is symbolized by a building, a temple of which the foundation is
still sound, the pillars (that is, the ideas which support it) still visible, although its
superstructure (that is its outward appearance) might be overgrown by plants,
which denotes that the basics of the institution remained intact despite all the
ritualistic changes. The second metaphorical paragraph compares Freemasonry
to the half-decayed bust of a hero, which in spite of all blemishes should be held
in honor.
Time alone cannot be held responsible for the necessity of ritualistic changes,
but also the longing for more and more degrees by over-zealous young brethren,
who wanted to climb the ladder of Masonic ranks higher and higher, and to
decorate themselves with more and more badges, has played an important role.
As seen in Section 5.7 on technical terminology, a French mock expression for
such brethren was "Cordonnite."
The difficulty, I think, lies in the warm and earnest, but indiscreet zeal
of young brethren. They are delighted with the mysteries of Masonry;
and without stopping long enough to fully comprehend "that whereunto
they have already attained," they are constantly looking forward for
additional revelations. Almost without pausing, they have gone the
whole mysterious round; and when, at last, they find themselves at the
end, they begin to sigh "for more worlds to conquer!" 2064
A reader of the Masonic Review wrote to the editor in 1868, demonstrating
the lure of the fancy names of the new degrees, e.g. "Super Excellent" (which
has been called by another Mason "that most unnecessary addition [...], invented
most probably by some degree-vender" 2065 . In metaphorical language he calls
this new-born degree a "bantling" which is taken "under the motherly wing" of
the Grand Lodge who "nurses it to maturity" and "adopts it to the family." Only
with the help of the custodians of the ritual, the Grand Lodges, the bastard works
are able to survive.
There has been in this country a morbid disposition for degrees -
degrees - more degrees. A part of the Chapter degrees were
manufactured in this country, and added to Capitular Masonry. Then,
but a few years ago, the Council degrees were introduced; first peddled
about and communicated at five dollars per head, and then advanced to
the dignity of regular degrees, and a distinct organization, grand and
subordinate. Now a third degree is added to cryptic Masonry, (socalled),
and the "Super-Excellent" comes in with a promise of great
beauty and advantage: and what is stranger still, the Grand Council of
2064 Moore, Masonic Review, N° 33, 1868, letter to the editor by PRUDENCE, p. 252.
2065 Moore, Masonic Review, N° 35, 1869, p. 311.