What's in your Ashler?
Mar 13, 2015 0:27:28 GMT 9.5
Post by pointwithinacircle on Mar 13, 2015 0:27:28 GMT 9.5
In my home Lodge there are two cubical stones. One has a rough, lumpy surface and and slightly rounded edges and corners. The other has an even, smooth surface with sharp edges and corners. I have often heard the Brothers refer to these two stones as the Rough Ashler and the Perfect Ashler. And to be fair, I had always assumed that they were correct. However a careful reading of the ritual has caused me to change my opinion.
The first line that caused me concern was when the new EA is told, "a Rough Ashler is a stone as taken from the earth, in it's rude and natural state". The stones in my Lodge are both cubical. Neither one looks like it was just dug out of the earth. The explanation continues, "a Perfect Ashler is a stone made ready by the workmen to be adjusted by the tools of the Fellowcraft". So being a MM isn't required. In fact, being a Fellowcraft isn't even required because the stone is already a Perfect Ashler when the FC receives it. So who is lower than a FC and referred to as a workman? That sounds an awful lot like an EA to me.
Then we have the working tools of an EA, one of which is the common gavel. It is explained that while operative Masons use the common gavel to break the corners off of rough stones (rough Ashlers), speculative Masons uses it to remove their "vices and superfluities". The word Vice is derived from the Latin word vitium, meaning flaw. Superfluity is "that which is in excess of what is needed". Just as the operative EA removes what is flawed or excessive from stone, the speculative EA is charged to remove what is flawed or excessive from his character. And the operative Mason does not simply leave his Perfect Ashler lying around, he presents it for further improvement. So too the speculative Mason presents himself for improvement.
This is the true meaning of the Perfect Ashler. It is not, as I once thought, a finished stone. It is a stone that has had the impediments to improvement removed. In Masonic terms it is a man who has gained some level of Mastery over his defects so that he is both capable and worthy of receiving further instruction from his Brothers.
I am reminded of this fact in my MM obligation where I promise to point out the errors of my uninformed Brethern. This too is the perfection of the Ashler. That I should remove any flaw of shyness or reticence that would prevent me from rendering assistance when I see that it is needed. At all times a Mason is both a teacher and a student. I believe that this mouth to ear teaching is the backbone of our society. And that it is the perfection of the Ashler that makes this possible.
Perhaps you knew all this, perhaps you disagree. Either way I would appreciate it if you took a moment comment on my thoughts. I am certain that there is more for me to learn.
The first line that caused me concern was when the new EA is told, "a Rough Ashler is a stone as taken from the earth, in it's rude and natural state". The stones in my Lodge are both cubical. Neither one looks like it was just dug out of the earth. The explanation continues, "a Perfect Ashler is a stone made ready by the workmen to be adjusted by the tools of the Fellowcraft". So being a MM isn't required. In fact, being a Fellowcraft isn't even required because the stone is already a Perfect Ashler when the FC receives it. So who is lower than a FC and referred to as a workman? That sounds an awful lot like an EA to me.
Then we have the working tools of an EA, one of which is the common gavel. It is explained that while operative Masons use the common gavel to break the corners off of rough stones (rough Ashlers), speculative Masons uses it to remove their "vices and superfluities". The word Vice is derived from the Latin word vitium, meaning flaw. Superfluity is "that which is in excess of what is needed". Just as the operative EA removes what is flawed or excessive from stone, the speculative EA is charged to remove what is flawed or excessive from his character. And the operative Mason does not simply leave his Perfect Ashler lying around, he presents it for further improvement. So too the speculative Mason presents himself for improvement.
This is the true meaning of the Perfect Ashler. It is not, as I once thought, a finished stone. It is a stone that has had the impediments to improvement removed. In Masonic terms it is a man who has gained some level of Mastery over his defects so that he is both capable and worthy of receiving further instruction from his Brothers.
I am reminded of this fact in my MM obligation where I promise to point out the errors of my uninformed Brethern. This too is the perfection of the Ashler. That I should remove any flaw of shyness or reticence that would prevent me from rendering assistance when I see that it is needed. At all times a Mason is both a teacher and a student. I believe that this mouth to ear teaching is the backbone of our society. And that it is the perfection of the Ashler that makes this possible.
Perhaps you knew all this, perhaps you disagree. Either way I would appreciate it if you took a moment comment on my thoughts. I am certain that there is more for me to learn.
