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

Chapter 10 - Conclusion 859
The Masonic "language" is a whole social system. Masons converse in
English, French, German, Italian, Russian, in many different languages around
the globe, but their different grammatical systems are united by one common
symbolic interpretation. The Masonic universality comprises rites, symbols,
ideology, even theology - a common factor that is missing in planned languages.
Although there are many local differences, all Masonic systems are based on the
same principles.
C'est que la Franc-Maçonnerie est protéiforme et qu'elle présente des
aspects si divers qu'ils peuvent apparaître aux esprits non avertis comme
s'excluant les uns les autres. Ils seront tentés de dire qu'il y a pas une
Maçonnerie, mais des Maçonneries. Cependant l'unité s'établit par le fait
que toutes les organisations qui peuvent valablement se réclamer de
l'Ordre sont fondées sur la base solide d'un ensemble de principes
essentiels:
- obéissance à la loi morale
- fraternité
- tolérance
- bienfaisance [...]
- discrétion. 2112
Excluded from the enumeration in the quotation above is the ritual. We have
viewed in the preceding chapters the arguments of different members of the Craft
for and against a true preservation of the ritualistic texts. There is "much ado
about nothing," for the problem lies not in the uniformity of words. As the
following quotation from an American encyclopedia of Freemasonry underlines,
the ritual is "but the garment of the body," the outward appearance, while the
doctrine and the symbolism of the fraternity remain the same everywhere:
In each Masonic jurisdiction it is required, by the superintending
authority, that the ritual shall be the same; but it more or less differs in
the different Rites and jurisdictions. But this does not affect the
universality of Masonry. The ritual is only the external and
extrinsic form. The doctrine of Freemasonry is everywhere the
same. It is the body which is unchangeable - remaining always and
everywhere the same. The ritual is but the outer garment which covers
this body, which is subject to continual variation. It is right and
desirable that the ritual should be made perfect, and everywhere alike.
But if this be impossible, as it is, this at least will console us, that while
the ceremonies, or ritual, have varied at different periods, and still vary
in different countries, the science and philosophy, the symbolism and
the religion, of Freemasonry continue, and will continue, to be the same
wherever true Masonry is practised. 2113
2112 Corneloup, p. 11/12.
2113 EOF, p. 627.