FROM THE WEST - August 2005
Brethren:
I recently read an article about The Volume of the Sacred Law published by the Research Lodge of New South Wales in the Australian Capitol Territory that contained a different view regarding the presence of the Bible on the Alter of their Lodges than that of our Lodges here in California. I have excerpted below a portion of that article because I believe that the principles expressed in it are just as valid for us California Masons.
"Freemasonry is non-sectarian and non-doctrinal in character. The presence of the Volume of the Sacred Law, or Bible on the Alter of a Lodge may appear at first glance to be at odds with this basic non-sectarian and non-doctrinal concept. The presence of a Bible on the Lodge Alter, however, is not to be regarded as evidence that the Lodge is predominantly Christian in character since all Masonic Lodges are composed of members from a variety of religious affiliations. Its presence is to be regarded as a symbol that is representative of all the great books of religious teachings, each having a particular significance to each particular religious group. In some Jurisdictions, other works replace the Bible on the Alter. Singapore Lodge, a Lodge working under the English Constitution, uses no fewer than six Volumes of the Sacred Law of different faiths. As one Australian Grand Lodge authority has put it: The Volume of the Sacred Law, no matter though it be the Sacred writings of the Hindu, the Zend-Avesta of the Parsee, or the Koran of the Mohammedan, typifies the mind or Will of the Great Artificer of the Universe; the Great First Cause, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe – the Great Life Giver; that Great Unknown and Unknowable which is manifested in His Universe. It is a symbol, and a symbol only, and it is shown as supporting the other two symbols of Great Light in Masonry, the Square and Compass. …… For us it is an open book with only one word written thereon, and that word is GOD."
Fraternally Yours,
Marco Romey, PM
Senior Warden