The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

Chapter VII. 81these terms and symbols. What is the Winding Stair and why doesit wind and why is it composed of three, five and seven steps andwhat are the wages and why are they paid at the top of the Stair?243. We have succeeded in asking a number of very pertinentquestions in the preceding paragraph. Let us see whether we canbe as successful in answering them, for they all can be answered,without a doubt.244. Let us ask another question, first. What are we trying to do?Why, you say in some surprise, we are trying to find out themeanings which lay in the minds of the originators of the MasonicSymbolism. Quite so. That is very true. Please do not forget it.We are trying to find out the meanings which lay in the minds ofthe originators of the Masonic Symbolisms as the reasons why theyinstituted these symbolic lessons. Let us remember this point verycarefully and also the further fact that all these symbols date backto a period far anterior to the time of Christ.245. It is very important to realize this for every now and then someenthusiastic but ignorant brother tries to couple up the MasonicSymbolism with Christianity. This is a great mistake and arisesfrom the ignorant assumption that nothing can be moral which isnot of Christian origin. If the reader will turn back to Sections 139and 140 he will see that Masonry, the real Masonry, the symbolicteachings, hid their origin not only before the time of Christ buteven before the time of Moses, before Abraham, before there was aJewish people. Therefore, if we are honest, let us try to find outwhat the symbols really mean, not try to distort them under thetricky and untruthful plea that they are of Christian origin. If weare looking for facts then let us try to recognize facts when we meetthem. If we are looking for fiction only, then let us use ourimaginations more freely.