The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY 129
an evolution of the former— i.e. as man advanced
up the scale to a higher type, anatomically and
physiologically, so his mental conception evolved
a higher ideal of those sublime tenets which we
are taught, and should practise.
Many students of Freemasonry at the present
day have no doubt that all our Signs, Symbols,
and Rituals have been handed down to us from
generation to generation from the remotest past,
but from whence they originated, and how it is
that we are the greatest Brotherhood in the whole
world— ever increasing in force, strength, and
numbers, knit together in one bond— is a question
that students ponder, and to which many are
striving to obtain an insight. The casual Brother
does not trouble his head about these things ; the
majority look upon Freemasonry merely
as a sort
of Brotherhood for social intercourse and charity.
Up to a certain point their views are correct ; our
gatherings at the Lodges, and the social functions
that follow after, tend to increase a fraternal feel-
ing and goodfellowship one to the other. This is
rightly so, and it is strengthened by the beautiful
tenets and rituals which are taught and have been
witnessed many times. As a charity it is certainly
the greatest in the world, and we Freemasons are
justly proud that it is, because each one gives
according to his means, knowing that his gift is
gratefully received and faithfully
10
applied
to the
.t