The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

112The Lost Keyto meet the peculiar requirements of the symbolism. Thephenomenon of the silver cord which is the Cable Tow is readilyobserved and studied by anyone who has developed even a slightdegree of spiritual sight. But as these are comparatively few and asthe symbol is not absolutely necessary for a comprehension of themoral lessons of the rituals we merely give the above explanationfor whatever each reader may think it to be worth.THE LOST WORD316. There has been so much discussion and controversy concerningthis bit of the Masonic Symbolism that it would seem to beuseless to add anything more to the general confusion and yet, tothe student, the matter of the Lost Word is so clear and plain thatit seems impossible for it long to remain the mystery it now is to themajority. In the past, Masonic students have gone at the matterwithout observing the beautiful lessons of the clothing and theprejudice. In fact, the Masonic investigator has usually donned acomplete suit of Arctic furs with gloves and mittens to matchwhich have effectually prevented him from attaining even the.slightest inkling of the real meaning of the Word. Let us see if wecan apply some of our principles of research and gain a little light.317. First let us understand what the Legend says. The Temple wasalmost completed and the insurgents demanded the Word whichwould allow them to travel in foreign countries and receive theWages of a Master Mason. That the Lost Word was a word only, isinconceivable. It was a system of instruction and the expression“Word” is symbolical just as the Temple is symbolic and Solomonand Hiram are symbolic. Hiram Abif symbolized the touch withthe spiritual by which the intuition reached out and grasped truthand so was enabled to draw designs upon the trestle board of lifeand direct the activities of the individual. Everything in the ritualis symbolic including the characters, why, then, should we insist