|
| |
In Masonic symbolism the Lambskin Apron holds precedence. It
is the initial gift of Freemasonry to a candidate, and at the end of life's pilgrimage it
is reverently placed on his mortal remains and buried with his body in the
grave. Above all other symbols, the Lambskin Apron is the distinguishing badge
of a Mason. It is celebrated in poetry and prose and has been the subject of much fanciful
speculation. Some Masonic writers have contended that initiation is analogous
to birth, or our advent from prenatal darkness into the light of human fellowship, moral
truth and spiritual faith. Much ancient lore has been adduced in an effort to
show that the Lambskin Apron typifies regeneration, or a new life, and this thought of
resurrection may be the cause of its internment with the body of a deceased
brother. At least it will serve until a better reason is advanced for this
peculiar custom in the Masonic burial service. The association of the lamb
with redemption and being born again is expressed by John, the Apocalyptic Seer, who had a
vision on the Isle of Patmos, and beheld the purified and redeemed "of all
nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues," Of them it was said,
"These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
By many it has been regarded as a great religious symbol. In
our present conception there are three parts of man, body, soul and spirit; what the body
is to the soul, the soul is to the spirit, namely , a house or habitation, but in oriental
thought there were seven parts of man, four earthly and three heavenly, four physical and
three spiritual. The four sides of the square symbolized the four physical and
the three sides of the flap, or triangle, symbolized the three spiritual parts of man. the
apex of the triangle or point of the flap stood for the seventh part of man which was
called Atma and which means the eternal spark, the divine flame, the indestructible spirit
of the living God in every human being. In this aspect it means that God is
not a looker on at the life of anyone; God is under every man, God is part of every man.
A badge is either good or bad by reason of that for which it
stands. aside from mysticism, It is believed, there are five distinct things
of which the Lambskin Apron is a badge. Firstly, in its use,
it is a badge of service. In his book on "Symbolical Masonry,"
Brother H. L. Haywood had an interesting chapter on "The Apron wherein the Builder
builds," and says it "was so conspicuous a portion of the costume of the
Operative Mason that it became associated with him in the public mind and thus gradually
evolved into his badge." By it Speculative Freemasonry seeks to distinguish the
builder and place upon the brow of labor the laurel wreath of dignity and
honor.
Secondly, made of Lambskin, it is in its fabric, a
badge of sacrifice. The Lamb in all ages has been not only an emblem of
innocence, but also a symbol of sacrifice, and he who wears this Apron with understanding
must be prepared for the time when hard things are to be done when trials are to be
endured, and fortitude glorified. Thirdly, in its color it is a badge of
purity. White is the clean color that reflects most light.
The third is the rite of investiture or purification; that
is, the presentation of the Apron. In a qualified way it bears the
relationship to the lodge that baptism does to some churches. It is the
external symbol of an inner purification. The Psalmist asked: "Who
shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?" and answering his own question
said, "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." The Apron
when correctly understood is the pledge of a clean life. The testimony that a
candidate means to live pure, speak true, right wrong, and reverence conscience as
king. When we turn to the Ritual for its interpretation, we find the Apron to
be an inheritance from the past, and so, in the fourth place, it is a badge of antiquity,
"more ancient than the Golden Fleece and Roman Eagle." A ministerial brother
once said that the Masonic Ritual was couched in stilted phrases and extravagant language,
and as an illustration referred to the ritualistic speech used in the presentation of the
Apron. The most specific way of conveying thought and expressing truth is by
comparison. It is difficult to comprehend an idea unless we can correlate and
compare it with something already known. The Order of the Golden Fleece here referred to
was founded in the year 1492 by Philip, Duke of Burgundy. The Roman Eagle
became Rome's Ensign of imperial power about one century before the Christian
era. While the Apron has come down to us from the very sunrise of time.
"Hebrew Prophets often wore Aprons." They were used in the ancient
mysteries of India and Egypt. They were used by early Chinese secret
societies. By the Jewish religious sect called Essenes. They were
employed as emblems by the Incas of Peru. The Aztecs of Mexico, and the
prehistoric races of the American continent.
As a badge of antiquity the Apron exalts the greatness and
glory of the past in its present contribution to human good and happiness. The
Apron is a badge of honor. It is declared to be "More honorable than the
Star and Garter." Here we have another comparison. The Order of the Star
was created by John II of France at the beginning of his reign in the middle of the 14th
Century. It was a royal plaything and at the time of its formation its founder was
engaged in acts of despotism and destruction. The Order of the Garter
was formed by Edward III of England in 1349. It was composed of the King and
twenty-five Knights and originated in the false pride and fantastic pomp of Medieval
manners. Edward A. Freeman, an English historian, says: "The spirit of
knighthood is above all things a class spirit. The good knight is bound to
endless courtesies toward men and women of a certain rank; he may treat all below that
rank with any degree of scorn and cruelty." "Chivalry is in morals what
feudalism is in law. Each substitutes personal obligations devised in the interest
of an exclusive class, for the more homely duties of an honest man and a good
citizen." Freemasonry is in striking contrast to such
conceptions. It stands for dissipation of discord and dissension, for
the promotion of peace, the pursuit of knowledge and practice of brotherhood.
For untrammeled conscience, equality of opportunity and the divine right of liberty in
man, for devotion to duty, the building of character and rectitude of life and
conduct. Its symbolical supports are wisdom, strength and beauty;
the principal rounds of its theological ladder of faith, hope, and charity.
Its primary tenets are brotherly love, relief and truth; its cardinal virtues are
fortitude, temperance, prudence and justice. Its temple is erected to
the Master Builder, its Great Light is the Word of Revelation and at its center is
an Altar of high and holy purpose. Like the shadow of a rock in a weary land, like a
shining light in the window of a home, is the spirit of Freemasonry.
Calling man from the circumference of life, to find the Supreme Being, at the
very center of the soul of the individual.
When we consider the messages delivered by these Orders and
the Lambskin Apron - one speaking the language of class distinction, special privilege and
the divine right of kings; the other telling the story of exact justice, equality of
opportunity, and the brotherhood of man - it is not a stilted phrase and an exaggeration
of speech to say that the badge of a Mason is more honorable than the Star and
Garter. As a badge of honor, the Lambskin Apron spells out
honesty of purpose, integrity, uprightness of character, and soundness of moral
principle.
|
Carmel
Lodge No. 680 F.&A.M.