PREAMBLE
Freemasonry
has played a positive role in the development of civilisation and the
advancement of moral attitudes and religious observances in all ages of recorded
history.
Ever since our primitive ancestors first began to think about their
origins and to contemplate the existence of a divine creator, freemasonry has
played a vital role in the development of civilisation and the parallel growth
of religion. Few realise how important freemasonry has been in establishing the
welfare of human beings. In this context, the origins of freemasonry have been
examined and its accomplishments as a civilising force have been traced through
the evolution of the human race. The precepts and teachings of freemasonry,
which reflect freemasonry’s humanitarian and religious associations during the
last ten millennia or longer, also are considered in some detail.
This
book differs from the usual books on freemasonry, both in its subject matter and
in its approach to the various subjects covered. It gathers together a series of
discussion papers prepared by the author and presented to various masonic bodies
during the last forty years. It is intended to provide a stimulus and hopefully
an inspiration for anyone wanting to know how freemasonry originated and what it
is about. The original papers were prepared as separate entities, each intended
to consider some specific aspect of freemasonry. References to subjects beyond
the scope of a paper, but about which it would be helpful for the reader to have
some knowledge, are as brief as possible consistent with their bearing upon the
discussion. Related aspects of importance usually are covered in separate
papers. Most of the assembled papers have been revised and amplified more than
once, many several times, to reflect the latest archaeological discoveries and
related research, as well as the continuing developments in science. In this
respect the advances in knowledge that have been achieved during the second half
of the twentieth century have been truly remarkable.
The
original papers have been incorporated into this book as chapters arranged in a
logical sequence. The author hopes that each chapter will provide a useful basis
for discussions by interested groups. The texts of the papers have therefore
been used without change, no attempt having been made to consolidate the subject
matter, nor to remove references to related aspects. For this reason similar
references may appear in more than one chapter, for which the author offers no
apology. Although most chapters could be presented and discussed in a single
session, sometimes more than one session would be appropriate for the scope and
importance of the subject. Publications the author thinks are of particular
interest in relation to a subject are referred to at the appropriate place in
the text.
Contrary
to a hypothesis sometimes put forward, speculative freemasonry is not a recent
invention, but evolved in lodges of operative freemasons in conjunction with the
practice of the stonemason's craft. Humans differ from other animals, because
they have an insatiable curiosity concerning their origins and the environment
in which they live. As a direct consequence of this, speculative freemasonry
developed in lodges of operative freemasons as a natural extension of the mental
and spiritual attempts of human beings to unravel their origins, to comprehend
the meaning of life and to perceive their ultimate destiny. The environment in
which operative freemasons worked and the tools and methods they employed were
unique sources of inspiration, as well as providing an ideal basis for symbolic
representation that was always ready to hand. Although freemasonry began in
ancient times as an entirely practical enterprise, to satisfy the needs of
day-to-day life, the advancement of civilisation soon involved the craft in the
construction of buildings for various religious purposes. This intimate and
continuing association with moral and spiritual influences naturally encouraged
the growth of the speculative aspects of freemasonry, which evolved concurrently
with the operative art.
The
progress of freemasonry, from the times of the nomadic hunter-gatherers until
the introduction of purely speculative freemasonry in the eighteenth century, is
a continuing theme in this book. Of paramount importance was the positive role
played by freemasonry in the development of civilisation and the advancement of
moral attitudes and religious observances in all ages of recorded history. In
the fulfilment of its role, freemasonry has always provided its services without
regard to the race, religion or creed of the people, wherever the freemasons may
have been working. This approach has been perpetuated in speculative
freemasonry, in which members are required to be of good character and to have a
belief in God, irrespective of race or religion. All of these aspects have been
discussed in this book, in which the author has attempted to show the
relationship between freemasonry and the people of the land in diverse countries
and over a long spectrum of time. The principles, tenets and symbolism of
freemasonry have also been compared with the religious beliefs of the people in
the various countries as and when they are relevant to the discussion.
Although
reference is made to many of the long held beliefs concerning the origins and
purpose of freemasonry, it is not the author’s intention in this book to
perpetuate any that are not sustainable. On the contrary, it has been the
author's endeavour only to illustrate the way in which freemasonry probably
evolved and to show how it has been a positive influence in the everyday life of
humanity from time immemorial. It must also be emphasised that any opinions
expressed and views incorporated in this book are those of the author. They may
or may not be accepted or supported by some or any of the Grand Lodges and other
controlling bodies to which the various masonic organizations owe allegiance.
Finally,
the author expresses his sincere appreciation to all those who have shown an
interest in his papers and have participated in discussions with him these many
years past and still do. Without their support and encouragement the original
papers would not have been prepared, nor would the publication of this book have
come to fruition. Special thanks are due to my wife Jean for her forbearance and
for proofreading every paper when it was written; also to my eldest son, Brother
Graeme Falconer, for his critical review of the final draft, especially in
respect to the historical, philosophical and scientific information presented;
and to Brother Lowell Tarling for his invaluable assistance - he was the driving
force behind the publication of my papers in book form. The author will feel
well rewarded if his book proves to be of interest and benefit to freemasons and
to any others of an enquiring mind who may read it.
Donald
H B Falconer
Sydney,
N.S.W.
November
1999
PREFACE
TO THE SECOND EDITION
The
author wishes to express his appreciation to the many readers of the original
edition of this book, from around the world, who have been
sufficiently interested to communicate their comments and questions. This
revised and enlarged edition includes much additional information, some
incorporated into the original chapters and some as additional chapters, which
the author hopes has responded to most of the suggestions made and questions
raised.
Donald
H B Falconer
Sydney,
N.S.W.
November
2002
THE
SQUARE AND COMPASSES
|
IN SEARCH OF
FREEMASONRY
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CONTENTS
|
Preamble and
Preface to the Second Edition
|
3
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Part 1 – The
Heritage of Freemasonry
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9
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
|
The
Origin and Evolution of Speculative Freemasonry
Freemasonry
and Religion
The
Legacy of Operative Freemasonry
History
– A Key Element in Freemasonry
Speculative
Craft Freemasonry
The
Precepts of Freemasonry
The
Symbols of Freemasonry
The
Traditional Degrees in Freemasonry
The
Pilgrimage and Symbolism
of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
|
11
21
37
49
61
71
77
85
103
|
Part 2 –
Symbolism and the Teachings of Freemasonry
|
119
121
127
133
141
151
163
175
183
193
201
207
215
223
231
|
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
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The
Perfect Points of Entrance
Ceremonial
Preparation
The
Rite of Circumambulation
The
Symbolism of Light
The
Names of God
The
Symbolism of Colours
The
Form and Orientation of the Lodge
East
and West in Symbolism
The
Three Great Pillars
The
Interior of the Lodge
The
Four Tassels
The
Symbolism of Ladders
The
Jewels of the Lodge
The
Point Within a Circle
|
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
|
The
Lewis
The
Two Great Pillars of Solomon’s Temple
Geometry
and the Sacred Symbol
The
Number Five in Symbolism
The
Symbolism of Seven and Other Mystical Numbers
Intellect
and Symbolism
The
Nobility of Labour
The
Working Tools of the Craft
The
Tracing Boards
The
Tracing Board of a Master Mason
|
239
247
259
267
277
285
293
301
317
327
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Part 3 –
Freemasonry, Religion and Civilisation
|
343
|
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
|
Archaeology
and Freemasonry
Creation,
Civilisation and the Flood
Ancient
Astronomy, Religion and Freemasonry
Irrigation,
Freemasonry and the Rise of Civilisation
The
Temples of Baalbek
The
Temples at Jerusalem
Jerash
– A City in the Wilderness
Petra
– A Crossroads in the Desert
Angkor
– A Synthesis of Freemasonry and Irrigation
Freemasonry
and the Holy Grail
|
345
355
373
393
405
415
427
435
443
451
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Part 4 –
Freemasonry, Science and Mankind
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461
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44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
|
Order
or Chaos
Cosmology
and the Precepts of Freemasonry
Spacetime
in the Creation
Matter
in Evolution
The
Light of the Universe
Time
and Eternity
Human
Destiny and the Cosmos
Freemasonry
in Society
|
463
469
481
493
499
505
511
521
|
Relevant Reading
|
529
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Index
|
539
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