Daily Mason

I AM THAT I AM

The name which the Great Architect directed Moses to use (Exodus iii, 14), that he might identify himself to the Israelites as the messenger sent to them by God. It is one of the modifications of the Tetragrammaton, and as such, in its Hebrew form eheyeh usher eheyeh, the e pronounced like a in fate, has been adopted as a significant word in the higher Degrees of the York, American, and several other Rites. The original Hebrew words are actually in the future tense, and grammatically mean I will be what I will bc; but all the versions give a present signification. Thus, the Vulgate has it, I am who am; the Septuagint, I am he who exists; and the Arabic paraphrase, I am the Eternal who passes not away. The expression seems intended to point out the eternity and self-existence of God, and such is the sense in which it is used in Freemasonry (see Eheyeh asher eheyeh).

HABRAMAH or JABAMIAH

The Hebrew word is probably “noan” , the Fanum excelsum or high holy place. The French explanation is that the word was applied to a holy place or an elevation near the altar in the Jewish Tabernacle where a feast was prepared. Said to be used in the Thirtieth Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in France; it is not used in America.

Product Description
The Masonic Initiation is the powerful sequel to W. L. Wilmshurst’s other enduring classic, The Meaning of Masonry. Here, we find the author’s most advanced expression as he explores the profound depths of Masonic ritual as a contemplative art, and offers his vision of the future of the Order. Both Freemasons and those who study the Craft from a distance will enjoy these insightful essays. This new edition by Plumbstone has been fully revised and re-set in clear, modern type, and is enriched with extensive notes expanding on Wilmshurst’s points, elucidating his sources, and explaining the differences between American and British Freemasonry. Prominent Masonic author Robert G. Davis writes in his Foreword that t… More >>

The Masonic Initiation, Revised Edition

There is often much discussion about the symbols that are utilized in Freemasonry. Some non-freemasons or those that feel that they are a cult suggest that their symbols are synchronized with devil worship.

The Blazing Star is considered by the Freemasons as one of their ornaments. The anti Freemasons have a different view on it. They base their theory on the Bible scripture Isaiah 14:12. Which is believed to be the “false dawn” referring to Lucifer. This being the Christian belief then it must mean that the Freemasons are involved in Satanism because of the Blazing Star they utilize as one of their symbols.

The interpretation of Isaiah 14:12 has a different meaning according to the Freemasons. Their interpretation is quite complex but is basically like this…This Biblical chapter relates to prophesy which the entire book of Isaiah does. In chapter 14 it contains a prophesy regarding the Kings of Babylon centering specifically on Nebuchadnezzar. The Freemasons explain that this particular King thought himself about mankind as a celestial body, but when Babylon is destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar will find himself as simply mortal. The scripture is often referred to in the Hebrew language. The word heyleyl translated means daystar and refers to the planet Venus. Being a book of prophesy it can be complex to understand.

Vulgate translation:
Hebrew = “daystar” = Lucifer (Venus was classed as the morning star and in Ancient times referred to as Lucifer.
Christian translation = Lucifer = Satan
Latin translations = Lucifer = Light bearing

Freemasons:
Hebrew: day-star=heyleyl = planet Venus

The planet Venus could be seen during both the day and the evening. The Greeks and the Romans had set names for it when it appeared in the morning and set names for it when it appeared in the evening.

In the morning…
Greeks = Phosphorus
Romans = Lucifer

In the evening
Greeks = Hesperus
Romans = Venus

From Hebrew to Greek into Latin would translate it to Lucifer. The argument that the Freemasons offer is that the term “Lucifer” in reference to Satan or the devil never existed further back than the middle ages and it became a common term for the devil because of a poem called “Paradise Lost.

So where does all of this fit in with the concept of the Blazing Star as the Freemasons see it. They will refer to the Minnesota Masonic Manual. Apparently, this manual is one of the teaching aids they use at their lectures. This Manual is said to depict the Blazing star as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and has nothing to do with the Planet Venus.

In addition to this, they stipulate than the reference to this only lasts about thirty seconds yet the specific lecture is about 30 minutes. Mind you, it is pointed out that it depends on what jurisdiction this is taking place in. This lecture takes place in the first degree of the Masonry program.

In summary, the Freemasons stipulate that the misconception of them being devil worshippers is a misconstrued interpretation of the Bible taken out of context. Christianity’s stance is that the chapter we have just discussed is in direct reference to Lucifer. They have based their opinion on a parallel in the Gospel of St Luke. Jesus talks about Satan falling like lightning from heaven. Therefore, in Christian terms this is translated as the “Day Star” in Isaiah. It must be remembered there are many parallels in the New Testament referring back to the Old Testament. This very complex subject needs to be relied on in accordance to Biblical scholars.

GAEDICKE, JOHANN CHRISTIAN

A bookseller of Berlin, born on the 14th of December, 1763, and initiated into Freemasonry in 1804. He took much interest in the Order, and was the author of several works. the most valuable and best known of which is the Freimaurer-Lexicon, or Freemasons Lexicon, published in 1818; which, although far inferior to that of Lenning, which appeared four years afterward, is, as a pioneer work, very creditable to its author. The Lexicon was translated into English and published in the London Freemasons Magazine.

FAITH

In the theological ladder, the explanation of which forms a part of the instruction of the First Degree of Masonry, faith is said to typify the lowest round. Faith, here, is synonymous with confidence or trust, and hence we find merely a repetition of the lesson which had been previously taught that the first, the essential qualification of a candidate for initiation, is that he should trust in God. In the lecture of the same Degree, it is said that “Faith may be lost in sight; Hope ends in fruition; but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity And this is said, bee cause as faith is “the evidence of things not seen,” when we see we no longer believe by faith but through demonstration; and as hope lives only in the expectation of possession, it ceases to exist when the object once hoped for is at length enjoyed, but charity, exercised on earth in acts of mutual kindness and forbearance, is still found in the world to come, in the sublime form of mercy from God to his erring creatures.

EARTHEN PAN

In the lectures of the early part of the eighteenth century used as a symbol of zeal, together with chalk and charcoal, which represented freedom and fervency. In the modern lectures clay has been substituted for it. Pan once signified hard earth, a meaning which it now obsolete, though from it we derive the name of a cooking utensil.

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• Swarovski Crystal
• Brass – Rhodium Plated

Rhodium Plated Masonic Ring – Black Background Sizes 8-13, 11

Masonic Poetry – Anonymous

What Come You Here to Do?
Author unknown

“AND NOW MY BRETHREN,
WHAT COME YOU HERE TO DO?

WHEN YOU JOINED OUR MYSTIC CIRCLE,
HAD YOU A PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART
TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOUR FELLOW MAN,
AND PERFORM YOUR ALLOTTED PART?

OR COME YOU OUT OF CURIOSITY
OR MOTIVES PERSONAL IN VIEW?

TELL ME, BROTHER OF THE SQUARE,
WHAT COME YOU HERE TO DO?

HAVE YOU FAILED TO GRASP THE MEANING
OF THE SYMBOLS OF OUR CRAFT?

HAVE YOU LEARNED TO SUBDUE YOUR PASSIONS
AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN YOUR ART?

DO YOU ALWAYS, ALWAYS UPHOLD THE TRUSTS
ON WHICH WE FIRMLY STAND,
TEACHING THE FATHERHOOD OF MAN?

HAVE YOU BEEN WILLING TO AID THE BROTHER
WHEN LIFE’S SURGES WERE FIERCE AND WILD?

HAVE YOU OFFERED CHEER AND COMFORT
TO THE MASON’S WIDOW, WIFE AND CHILD?

IF YOU HAVE DONE SO, MY BROTHER,
YOU ARE A MASON GOOD AND TRUE,
AND CAN GIVE A CORRECT ANSWER
WHAT COME YOU HERE TO DO?”

DAEDALUS

Daedalus constructs wings for his son, Icarus

A famous artist and mechanician, whose genealogy is traced in the Greek myths as having sprung from the old Athenian race of kings, the Erechtheidae. He is said to have executed the Cretan Labyrinth, the reservoir near Megaris in Sicily, the Temple of Apollo at Capua, and the celebrated altar sculptured with lions on the Libyan coast.

He is said to be the inventor of a number of the working Tools used in the various degrees of Freemasonry, the plumb-line and the ax, most of the tools used in carpentry, and of glue. Of him is told the fable of his flying safely over the Aegean by means of wings made by himself. His nephew, Perdix, is the reputed inventor of the third Great Light in Freemasonry, the Compasses, which are dedicated to the Craft. Through envy Daedalus is said to have hurled his nephew, Perdix, from the Temple Athena.