The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

108The Lost Keyheld by the ancient philosophers. Studying those beliefs we canunderstand exactly what was meant by all of the great symbols andalso by the Hiramic Legend but, as we have already pointed out,this understanding of the meaning does not require a belief in themeaning.307. To attempt to engraft some other teaching on the HiramicLegend and upon the great symbols than the one in the minds ofthe originators would be as dishonest as for the Egyptologist to rewritethe prayer to Ra, the Sun=god, and make it a prayer to theChrist and then insist that that was what was carved upon theancient monument. Many of our Masonic investigators do notseem able to grasp the point that the Masonic Symbolism originatedlong before the Christian Era and that an attempt to rwist theSymbolism to mean something other than what it was intended tomean is not an honest treatment of it.308. With these points held firmly in mind, let us proceed to aconsideration of the “Great Symbols” which have so puzzledMasonic students.THE PILLARS309. The candidate, upon entering the Lodge, passes through orbetween two Pillars which he is compelled to pass between beforehe can enter the Lodge Room, which symbolizes the Temple ofSolomon. It is in this Lodge Room or Temple that he learns thelessons in Masonry which teach him how to live in accordancewith the great Moral Laws of Nature, in other words, how tosquare and smooth the ashlar of his character and how to build hiswall.310. So, in ancient times, the Entered Apprentice Mason whocame to the Temple to learn his trade, had to pass between twopillars. In a larger sense the Temple means the earth and all