VWB C. Blair Leckie Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2005-2007 Mailto: cblairl@excite.com

Origins of Masonry (November 2006)

As we all know, there are a host of theories concerning the origin of Masonry. Some who theorize, hold that Masonry came from The Knights Templar, some believe it came from Ancient Egypt and for others, Masonry originated in biblical Jerusalem.  The theories of Masonic origin are all very interesting, but more important, at least to me, is how Masonry has become what it is and what it stands for.  It is inspiring to think about a select group of men who, more than a thousand years ago could conceive of and literally carve from the earth massive stones used to construct wondrous cathedrals like the Notre Dame in Paris and Westminster Abbey in London.  These amazing structures were commissioned as monuments and testimony to the power of the church and the glory of God.  Yet, it is not just the monuments that testify but also the genius, skill and harmony of labor and of the human spirit that reflects magnificently upon the Creator.

Most of the tenants we speculative Masons hold dearly come directly from the operative Masons of old, from the lofty standards of their guilds and guarded traditions. From them, the actual and closely held practices of building with stone became the symbolic instructions for the building of individual character.  The practice of hard labor, smoothing rough ashlars to create a strong and enduring fit, the holding to high standards became a rich and abundant quarry for symbolism and analogies. The need for guilds to train men in the skills needed to build magnificent stone structures declined during the Renaissance but the “secrets” of those guilds has transitioned seamlessly into Masonic lodges dedicated to the building of better men, men of character.  

While the awe-inspiring Gothic style structures and other magnificent buildings built by the operative Masons continue to stand and amaze, their most important creation is not of stone. It is the passing on of the essential and central teachings of the craft to the speculative Masons of today.  The trestle board of old has become a moral and ethical blue print for the new Mason.  We embrace the brotherhood and brotherly love of the close-knit group, the impeccable standards for our conduct, the equality, the exactness of our rites and all of the tools for making us better human beings.  As speculative Masons, we continue to labor in the building trades – as builders of men.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them.  The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA.  Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.