THE BUILDER AUGUST 1919

THE FRATERNAL FORUM

EDITED BY BRO. GEORGE FRAZER, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF STEWARDS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Wildey E. Atchison, Iowa. 
Geo. W. Baird, District of Columbia.
Joseph Barnett, California. 
H. P. Burke, Colorado. 
Joe L. Carson, Virginia. 
R. M. C. Condon, Michigan. 
John A. Davilla, Louisiana. 
Jos; W. Eggleston, Virginia. 
Henry R. Evans, District of Columbia. 
H. D. Funk, Minnesota. 
Asahall W. Gage. Florida.
Joseph C. Greenfield, Georgia. 
Frederick W. Hamilton, Massachusetts. 
H. L. Haywood, Iowa. 
T. W. Hugo, Minnesota. 
M. M. Johnson, Massachusetts. 
P. E. Kellett, Manitoba. 
John G. Keplinger, Illinois. 
Harold A. Kingsbury, Connecticut. 
Dr. Wm. F. Kuhn, Missouri. 
Dr. G. Alfred Lawrence, New York.
Julius H. McCollum. Connecticut.
Dr. John Lewin McLeish, Ohio. 
Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky. 
Frank E. Noyes, Wisconsin. 
John Pickard, Missouri. 
C. M. Sehenek, Colorado. 
Francis W. Shepardson, Illinois. 
Silas H. Shepherd, Wisconsin. 
Oliver D. Street, Alabama. 
Denman S. Wagstaff, California. 
S. W. Williams. Tennessee.

Contributions to this Monthly Department of Personal Opinion are
invited from each writer who has contributed one or more articles
to THE BUILDER. Subjects for discussion are selected as being alive
in the administration of Masonry today. Discussions of polities,
religious creeds or personal prejudices are avoided the purpose of
the Department being to afford a vehicle for comparing the personal
opinions of leading Masonic students- The contributing editors
assume responsibility only for what each writes over his own
signature- Comment from our Members on the Subjects discussed here
will be welcomed on the question Box Department.

QUESTION NO. 13

"What is the real secret of Freemasonry? To what extent is it
possible to tell it to a profane? Brother Joseph Fort Newton says
that the only thing secret about Freemasonry is its method of
teaching. Do you agree with him? How far may the Masonic press go
in public interpretation of the meaning of our symbolism, etc?"

No Secret at All.

The "secret" of Freemasonry is not secret at all. It is simply the
moral and spiritual ideals of the brotherhood which we endeavor to
teach and to help each other to practice. There was a time when
such ideas and ideals as Masonry cherishes had to be secret. They
were under ban of the law, to say nothing of any mystic
speculations which may from time to time have been associated with
Freemasonry or indulged in under its cover.

It is not many centuries since any man convicted of holding ideas
which are common among Masons today concerning God and human
relations to Him would have been liable to be sent to the stake.

There are also embalmed in Freemasonry, like flies in amber,
certain relics of the primitive mode of thought whereby certain
rules and formulas were held to have compelling power over spirits
both good and evil and even over the gods. There is nothing more
common among primitive people than this idea of a secret word with
vast and wonderful power. All that of course is of the past.

The "secrets" of Freemasonry are the methods of recognition and
identification.

The "secret" is not the exclusive property of Freemasonry, is not
in its fulness the property of any Mason, and, I am sorry to say,
is not to any great extent that of some Masons whom I know.

The possibility of telling it to the profane depends entirely upon
the mental and spiritual capacity of the man who is trying to tell
it and the man to whom he is trying to tell it. It is of course
"impossible" to communicate "secrets" of Freemasonry to the
profane, but I need hardly remark that it is entirely improper to
do so.

You say, "Brother Joseph Fort Newton says that the only thing
secret about Freemasonry is its method of teaching. Do you agree
with him ?"

I do not know whether I agree with him because I do not know what
he means. If he means; as I suspect he does, that the secret thing
about-Freemasonry is its ritual I agree with him, but it is hardly
correct to define a method of teaching as a secret. As I have just
said the ritual is the means of identification. Teaching by ritual
is in itself a very common method and is neither "secret" nor
exclusively Masonic.

In my judgment, the Masonic press would do well to let the matter
of public interpretation of Masonic symbolism entirely alone. I
fancy, however, that this is a counsel of perfection. So much has
already been written on the subject that more or less in addition
will probably do more good than harm for the reason that it will
increase confusion. The subject has already involved endless
discussion and more would make it just a little bit more difficult
for the profane to make anything out of it. If we could have a
Masonic press which was sacred to Masonic eyes, nothing could be
more desirable than a discussion of our symbolism. Nothing is more
desirable than a discussion of that symbolism before Masonic
audiences. Unfortunately, however, the Masonic press is to all
intents and purposes as open to the public eye as any other
publication. one real question of the propriety of the discussion
of Masonic symbols in the Masonic press is now, after so much has
already been written, a purely academic one.

Frederick W. Hamilton, Grand Secretary, Mass.

* * *

Secrets of Ancient Origin.

(1) My belief is that the "real secret" of Freemasonry was made
public in the first editions of works on architecture and of the
holy Bible: this has been amplified by recent translations of the
more ancient hieroglyphs in Egypt.

(2) You ask "to what extent is it possible to tell it to a
profane?" Assuming you mean to what extent is it proper to tell it
to a profane I would say it were better not to discuss any of it
with a profane.

(3) I have not discovered that the method in common use in teaching
Masonry dithers from other methods. Masonry is not an occult
science: not a science at all: it is a system of morals: its
purpose is, I believe, "to unite men of every nation, sect and
opinion," so it is not at liberty to assume the role of any
particular sect.

(4) I cannot see that any harm may come from the Masonic Press
publishing all or our symbolism, but I would not like to see it
made common by appearing in the daily Press.

G. W. Baird, P.G.M., District of Columbia.

* * *

Favors Wide Opportunities for Students.

1. Freemasonry nowhere states that it has a particular secret. What
transpires inside the guarded door is secret, but not necessarily
a secret. Where the word is used in the singular form it is always
as an adjective. The noun is always in the plural. The symbol for
it is in the Third degree; and the Symbolism is always kept before
the members in opening and closing the business meetings.

2. A great mass of information concerning Freemasonry can be found
in any large Encyclopedia. The only information Freemasonry itself
should give to the profane is that Freemasonry does not solicit
candidates, and that it promises them absolutely nothing except the
opportunity to seek knowledge and so be of greater service in the
world of men.

3. I do not agree with brother Newton that our method of teaching
is "the only thing secret about Freemasonry." Our method of
teaching is a universal method, practiced by every teacher of whom
there is any record; and, being such, it naturally commends itself.
Freemasonry keeps its ritual secret.

4. The interpretation of our symbolism in the Masonic Press seems
desirable, in so far as it does not explain our ritual to the
profane. Everything that will enlighten anyone in moral,
intellectual and spiritual knowledge is always good, even though
the uninitiated does not profit from it so much as the initiate
does.

Joseph Barnett, California.

* * *

Stand Out in the Open.

It has aptly been said by some that the real secret of Freemasonry
is that it has no secret. In my opinion this is true so far as the
philosophy and mission of the fraternity is concerned. Its only
secret is its method of teaching. The lessons taught in Masonic
ritual and symbolism were hoary with age centuries before
Freemasonry, as we know it, was born. These lessons, all of them,
either in whole or in part, are taught by every existing
institution we have that labors for the uplift and betterment of
the individual and of society in general.

It has always seemed to me that one of the weaknesses of
freemasonry in the past has been that it has enveloped itself too
much in a veil of secrecy. Why should not profane as well as Mason
know what our aim and intent is ? There can be no secret about it
if the same thing is taught by so many other institutions. t seems
to me that if it were more widely known what we stand for, it would
result in attracting a larger percentage of the "thinkers" and the
"doers" than we at present receive application from.

To my mind we have stood long enough in seclusion and the day is
coming (and it will be more imperative as the years go by) when
institutions as well as men, will have to stand out in the open,
and stand for something, and declare what they stand for.

P. E. Kellett, P. G. M., Manitoba.

* * *

The Less Advertising the Better.

Prior to 1717 Masonry was a secret society. It put nothing of its
doings on paper. Its ritual, including methods of recognition in
dark or light were transmitted, as was profane history and
tradition everywhere, from mouth to ear. The Scottish bards were
illustrations of the general system and we are indebted to Sir
Walter Scott for a knowledge of that fact. One or two lodges in
Scotland seem to have been an exception to the extreme secrecy of
Masonry in the seventeenth century in that they kept records. Today
our obligatory secrecy seems to be confined to our ritual including
words of recognition. All that transpires behind a tiled door
should be secret and sacred but, unfortunately, it is not. To me
the real secret of Masonry cannot be expressed in words. It is the
mysterious influence it has upon the relation of brother to brother
and man to his God. Some never feel it and are therefore never
Masons even if they become Grand Masters and thereafter wear the
"customary" jewel. It could not be told to a profane because words
cannot describe or account for it. It is not merely "its method of
teaching." That is only an assertion of its existence.

As to "how far the Masonic press may go in public interpretation of
the meaning of our symbolism, etc.." I think the less far the
better. We are not a mutual benefit society as the public
understands the term. We should not seek public favor, and should
smile at profane attack or even criticism. Our every effort should
be to return to the good old way. To cultivate brotherly love and
use our secrecy to keep ourselves "unspotted from the world."
Monitors containing a part of our symbolism are a mistake, and
printed or even cipher rituals, are a crime. Parades in regalia are
foolish vanity. The less we advertise our institution save by
living as its precepts teach us to do, the more good we will do,
and the more the profane world will revere our organization, if
indeed the latter be of any consequence whatever.

Jos. W. Eggleston, P. G. M., Virginia.

* * *

Our Duty is to Teach. 

"How to be happy," is the real secret of Freemasonry-so simple and
yet so profound!

I can only ask, what is the great object of Masonic research?

Is it not Truth? And is it not Truth that makes men Free? And who
can be happy but Free men? 

Then a knowledge of Truth is the secret or another way of
expressing it.

But what is Truth ? The answer involves the study of a science we
call Freemasonry or Geometry or Morality or a number of other
names, in order to comprehend it. To comprehend is to be an
apprehender or Apprentice. But to gain a knowledge of Truth
necessitates personal effort, work. Which is to say that such
knowledge can only be achieved by "living the life" of a Mason, or
as we say, becoming a Fellow Craft. To use this knowledge rightly
is to be a Master in a literal sense. And mastership means
happiness.

But in Masonry this mastership is one of self and perfect
mastership is a knowledge of self resulting from perfect self
control, so that "self-control is another way of expressing the
"secret of Freemasonry.

"To what extent is it possible to tell it to the profane?" One may
tell it all and be thought a fool or a wise man according to his
hearer. But if by this question is meant to what extent is it
possible to reveal or make plain this secret to the profane, I must
answer that experience and observation convinces me, only so far is
it possible, as the capacity of the profane will permit. One may
explain the mysteries of integral calculus to a fool and be thought
a fool in turn.

I do not agree with Brother Joseph Fort Newton that the only thing
secret about Freemasonry is its method of teaching, if by this he
means what he literally says. But I think he means something
different. I think he means that as an organization or school of
self-selected and volunteer teachers of humanity, we have made it
a law that certain arts, parts and points of this organized system
of teaching, peculiar to our selves, be not communicated to others. 
These arts, parts and points pertain solely to the methods of
recognition, the ceremonies and other mouth to ear communications,
that would not be comprehensible to others not initiated, or which
would enable impostors to gain admittance to the lodges and thereby
cause inharmony. The reason for this is plain when we consider that
humanity is not all worthy and well-qualified, duly and truly
prepared to receive and understand our symbolic and allegorical
short cuts to teaching the science of Freemasonry.

But the science itself can be taught openly by all Masons in such
language as adapted to the understanding of those they teach.
Indeed every Freemason is obligated to teach if he understands
Freemasonry.

Lastly, in my opinion, the Masonic Press not only may but in duty
bound is obligated to go just as far as its editors' and owners'
knowledge permits, in publicly interpreting "the meaning of our
symbolism, etc." How else are we to carry out the great educational
work for humanity we have undertaken? 

The plain truth is that too often Masonic officers are as ignorant
of such things as new born babes. Hence they cannot possibly teach
others either within or without the lodge! Who is to enlighten the
members save the writers of books and the press? What members are
thus taught the public should know if the public can comprehend.

Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky.

* * *
A Plea for Constructive Censorship.

The real secret of Masonry is contained in a single word, which may
mean all that a man may conceive as being particularly applicable
to his own individual, spiritual, mental and physical case,
defining without reserve, the duties he owes to country, God, his
neighbor and himself- When such a word has been in truth found by
an individual to entirely, adequately and unquestionably express
for him and to him, this sublime secret, which has the innate power
to make him a real man and Mason, then this individual should
become very talkative, communicative ad lib. This secret, if it be
discovered in a state of sufficient positive inherence, to dignify
it as a sort of "spirit-control" or ever present guide, is the real
secret of Masonry! Masonry  has been proven to be the secret of
civilization" the guide ever-present as a unit of and by itself.
Masonry is the author of the process of assimilation of diverging
generalities and a final conclusion or result of much addition and
much more subtraction carried on by countless philosophers, who
have in turn preceded and followed Christ and all other humanized
"perfections," man has touched in his gropings toward the Light. If
we could so demean ourselves, as to be able to speak by deed and
act, as well as word, the "science" of Masonry could be confidently
taught from the "house tops" ! As Christian Science had its birth
in Masonry, so it seems to be going hand in hand with us down "the
line-" Sometimes there are extravagant claims made for it, but one
can always count on a "plus" product of man-fed enthusiasm, in
connection with most anything that "really works." All of this
should be good for a "profane." I am not exposing anything. I agree
with Brother Newton, as far as the gist of the above written
paragraphs is concerned, but if taken in connection with ritualism,
symbolism, signs, etc., I believe the Masonic Press ought to be
curbed generally. I believe "THE BUILDER" to be also within "gun-
shot." If writers can see nothing in i; all but a repetition of the
supposed and acknowledged secret work, they should cease to write
about "what they know about Masonry." Put a curb on explanations of
"fancied formulas," gifted "sooth-sayings," and indeed all the
"speculation" indulged in, by men who know as little about these
subjects as far as they relate to our Masonry, as should be
permissible in discussion. A so-called "Doctor" Pottinger from
Kansas or some other "Sun-flower" State, published a "Sign" book a
short time ago. I heard him lecture on something he called "An
interpretation of all the Masonic Signs and Symbols." Ye gods! or
in French "pour l'amour de Dieu" - let us be divorced forever from
such a "barnacle upon our body-politic" as it were. Let us keep the
secret work, as we call it, entirely secret. It should be easy to
so keep it. Public discussion in the Press, in books and by means
of poorly censored lectures, does Masonry more harm than otherwise.
From another viewpoint I would suggest that it cheapens "what you
have to sell." What we expect for the secrets of our Masonry, is a
commensurate return in golden endowments of character. We do so
want to sell our Masonry for as much of "that" as we can get. If
the time should come, when open forums would be the proper place,
when no lodge expense need be incurred, when much more of the
"divine" should take the place of our "humanly ordered" affairs,
then come on with your exposes, with your auctions of "ancient
landmarks," with your surrender of fortifications to the wolves,
that are always howling about our stockades, waiting for an
opportunity to tear our flesh into sacrificial "bits," that the
"Saints of the centuries" may be fed. What Masonry needs is a
unification of objects and aims, a universal ritualism, a
centralized control and a consequent standard of Masonic education.
We need a Supreme Ruler or Rulers here on earth. A council of
councils presided over by one of their number for the sake of
intelligent dictum, who shall prescribe the bounds of propriety
Masonic, and fix the penalty for injudicious advertising. I believe
the remedy suggested to be a part of the answer I have made to the
questions propounded.

Denman S. Wagstaff, P. M., Calif.

* * *

The "Masonic Press" is "Profane."

The real Secret of Freemasonry is truth and light, or which the
candidate in each and all of the degrees, in all the rites of
Freemasonry, pursues his investigations while passing through our
various ceremonies.

The profane already knows this much, but the ceremonies by which he
is led from one degree to anther, the passing words, the signs, and
the various methods of sound, sight and touch by which he is
enabled to unlock the doors of the many storehouses of Masonic
information, or make himself known to the Brotherhood, are ours to
give him if he proves himself worthy, and his to keep with an
inviolable secrecy if we repose this confidence in him.

Man from the earliest days has sought the truth, as one series of
mysteries after another proves to us, always under the cover of
secrecy, because to vulgarize the object of the search would
naturally destroy the intensive struggle of the earnest seeker.

The profane has a right to know that the search for truth is the
object of Freemasonry. He knows where and when we meet, we publish
the names of the officers and members of our lodges and a lot more
besides, when we have done all this he has no right to demand more
unless he is prepared to bind himself to us as we are to one
another.

To my mind there is a mass of information given the profane that
were better recorded only in our minutes, the publication of the
proceedings of our tyled communications in the profane press should
not be tolerated, at the same time a judicious and persistent
advertising of our public activities is good and useful propaganda.

After all the "Masonic Press" is the "Profane Press," there is
nothing printed that is not the property of the "wide, wide world"
sooner or later, and we should govern ourselves accordingly.

As to our symbolism, it has been the symbolism of all Mysteries,
all religions, and all peoples for all time - its interpretation is
open to all mankind.

Joseph L. Carson, Virginia.

* * *

"Injudicious Discussion of Esoteric Subjects."

The real secrets of Freemasonry are truths which are vital to the
development of man's higher nature. In Freemasonry these truths are
taught by a system peculiar to the Fraternity, and even this method
is partially esoteric. The method of teaching, however, does not
reveal to the student the truths which are vital  he must apply the
method and study the meaning of the forms and ceremonies with the
idea ever before him that "Masonry consists of a course of ancient
hieroglyphical and moral instructions, taught according to ancient
usage, by types, emblems and allegorical figures."

To the student, who applies himself with freedom fervency and zeal,
secrets of the most vital import are revealed; not by a better
informed brother, but through the study of the symbolical teaching
which is the peculiar characteristic of freemasonry.

Much has been written upon the subject of Masonic symbolism, and
there is much that will serve as a guide to the student; but he
must progress of his own tree will and interpret the symbolic
teaching himself A Masonic sage said, "I should in fact only follow
the instructions of the ancient masters if I should say but part
and leave the rest unuttered, that each might discover it for
himself. It was the old custom of Masonry, like the nature goddess
Isis, to lift only a corner of her veil; and she may boast; like
Isis, that for no man has she wholly raised the veil."

In studying the symbolism of Freemasonry to discover the valuable
secrets it contains, may we not set as our guide the rule that
every symbol and allegory of Masonry which has been handed down
from the remote past, illustrates some moral or spiritual truth?

The ritual is the key to all the secrets of Masonry, but in itself
is not a vital secret, although it is partly esoteric. A man might
know every form and ceremony of the ritual and be in utter
ignorance of the secrets of Masonry. High ideals and pure motives
are essential to the discovery of the vital secrets of Freemasonry.

It is impossible to tell the profane the secrets of Masonry, but it
is possible and advisable to inform the inquiring profane and
prospective candidate that Masonry is a system of morality which
uses methods which are esoteric to furnish worthy men with the key
to profound and vital truths and that it will be useless for him to
become a member of the Fraternity unless he expects to diligently
study the symbolical teachings and improve himself mentally,
morally and spiritually.

I do not agree with Joseph Fort Newton when he maintains that the
only thing secret about Freemasonry is its method of teaching. In
reading the antimasonic literature we are forcibly impressed with
the erroneous deductions which a superficial knowledge gives.

Extreme caution should be used in the discussion of the
interpretation of the meaning of Masonic symbolism by the Masonic
press. While it is doubtful if anyone not prepared with honest
motives and who has the welfare of his fellowman at heart may ever
discover the secrets of Freemasonry, it is not advisable to open
the way for adverse criticism by the injudicious discussion of
esoteric subjects.

Silas H. Shepherd, Chairman

Masonic Research Committee, Wisconsin.

* * *

What is Secret?

To give proper expression of my thought upon these questions and
the avowment of our Brother Newton it is necessary to determine the
precise meaning of his statement which, fortunately, is concise,
and supposedly means:

"That the method of teaching esoteric Masonry by oral transmission,
illustrated by symbols, constitutes our secrets."

I cannot agree that the method of teaching either esoteric or
exoteric Masonry is a secret. I do not understand that the system
is intended to be a secret. But I think the thing, or things, thus
orally taught are the secrets the method is to preserve them such.

Our Landmarks, (whatever they may be), our system of morality, our
objective of character building, our social and friendly
intercourse, our Masonic equality, our charity of thought and deed,
our liberty of conscience, and our necessary belief in the
existence of Deity and all similar tenets and intentions are widely
known, and knowledge of them can be readily obtained by anyone
frown printed works on Masonry.

What, then, comprises the secrets that are taught only by word of
mouth? To my mind they are the modes of recognition. "The attentive
ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue and the
mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of
faithful breasts."

A survey of these mysteries discovers that each and every one is a
method of recognition. This is true even of the lessons of the
legend, and of the legend itself, and is also true of the
obligations. Necessarily the greater part and most important of
these "modes" carry the germ of our system of "making men better,"
because they inculcate, in a forcible way, our "Great Landmark," as
it seems to me, "The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man."

If the knowledge of "One self-existing God" was ever the secret of
any cult, and if Masonry is in any way descended from such a
society, that secret was disclosed by God himself at Sinai, and
Solomon afterwards published the knowledge to all the world by
erecting a Sacred Temple, not only for the Jews, but for all
peoples, for the worship of the One Eternal Self-existing God. Our
belief in the immortality of the soul is not a secret, but the
lesson by which it is Masonically taught, being a mode of
recognition, is-secret.

In answer to question two, "To what extent is it possible to tell
our secrets to a profane?" I should answer that all modes of
recognition whether simple grips or words, ceremonies or esoteric
symbols, the customs of Freemasonry, the peculiarities of lodge
organization and phraseology that are means of recognition should
be orally communicated only to Masons entitled to know the same.

To the last question I should answer that the Masonic press or any
other press can properly dilate upon, or explain, our symbolism and
our purposes, except as above restricted.

The ethics of publishing Masonic matter is not now as strict as
formerly was thought incumbent, and, no doubt, the extreme
reticence of former times was the means of destruction to many
valuable documents  but there is a real danger at present in the
publication of Masonic subjects of a too great latitude being
assumed as permissible. To my mind a recent article in THE BUILDER
was of this character.

"To speculate" originally meant to meditate upon, or to
investigate, the properties of sacred things. Therefore it is most
appropriate that we work in speculative Masonry and I take this
opportunity to express my belief that original Masonry was of that
type and during the period when we were merged within the body of
operative Masonry my opinion is that our mysteries were an
inheritance to them.

Our system of morality when rightly worked results in the
upbuilding of character under all conditions of peoples.

It is eminently proper to publish dissertations upon this or
analogous subjects and among these there are so few modes of
recognition that practically the whole system can be published.


The fact that we do not solicit membership is a proper matter for
publication as well as to discuss its benefits or disadvantages.
But the reason why our would-be votaries must make unsolicited
application for our mysteries trenches upon a mode of recognition
and should only be spoken of between Masons.

By maintaining secret every mode of recognition the great
principles of our Institution are subserved and if no other end was
attained except the charm through them of recognizing a brother in
public or private assemblages by casual or pointed advertance to
Masonic subjects, it would be sufficient justification for their
preservation as our secrets.

Wm. F. Bowe, Georgia.

* * *

Tell What the Uninitiated Can Understand.

The real secret of Freemasonry, if there be one single dominating
secret, is made up of a combination of other secrets. Broadly
speaking these are the methods of recognition, the obligations and
methods of administering them, the mode of conferring degrees, the
legend of the Third degree. This would include the catechisms of
the various lectures, words, grips, signs, etc. can we weld these
into one and if so what is it? Let us analyze Brother Newton's
statement that it is the method of teaching. To begin with we
realize that our interpretation may be widely different from his.
To us the method of teaching consists of the impressing upon the
mind wise and serious truths by the employment of beautiful
ceremonies and lectures. The ceremonies are such that the candidate
or neophyte is caused to be one of the principal characters and
takes a prominent part and as the action develops receives a deep
impression that teaches him a lesson, his very ignorance of the
course the action is to take making the lesson vivid and lasting.
While we agree that our particular ceremony or ceremonies are
secret yet from information gained from reliable sources we find
that other organizations use the same method in principle. In
discussing these subjects we must take the view-point of a man who
has taken the three degrees and no more. Some of us have gone a
little farther some the whole way, and it is often hard to
eliminate from one's mind those things learned later. Taking this
view-point I cannot find anything to call the one dominating secret
that includes and covers all the secrets that are unfolded to the
Blue Lodge Mason.

Let us now turn to the profane. We must here remember that many
things spoken or written are so clear to the initiated that it
seems as though they shouted secrets. The initiated subconsciously
and unconsciously place the words in a different setting, read over
and under, before and after, words which are not there nor can the
profane imagine them. The hidden meaning in such passages is as
clear as crystal to the initiated, as clear as mud to the profane.
There is much we can tell the profane without breaking any oath to
secrecy, the limit being the secrets as outlined above, but I can
conceive of no advantage gained in telling him what he cannot
understand nor appreciate, not having the connecting link. I do not
approve of even approaching the boundary in such things where there
is absolutely nothing to be gained and such remarks in the mouths
of the unskilled initiated might do harm.

Masonic publications, on the other hand, are issued for the
initiated; nearly if not quite all who write are well enough read
to be trusted to be skilful in their interpretation of symbolism
and in their arrangement of words. The writer does not have to say
baldly that this refers to the second section of the nth degree or
that to the first section of some other. He can say enough so that
the initiate knows to what he refers without mentioning the context
in the ritual. As a test we must put ourselves in the place of the
profane by divesting our minds of all those things which we know
from initiation and then judge whether our words by themselves will
reveal anything necessarily secret.

Julius H. McCollum, Connecticut.

* * *

Openly Propagate Principles.

It is as difficult to answer this question as it would be to
explain what is the secret of friendship, or love, or patriotism,
or religion. Freemasonry has its secrets but they are so elusive,
so subtle that it is quite impossible to catch them in a net of
words. Moreover, it has many different kinds of secrets, symbolic,
ceremonial, experiential, mystical, etc., therefore it is quite
difficult to select out of these what would be considered as the
secret, the real secret of the Craft.

Considering the matter by-and-large I believe that  Dr. Newton's
definition is very near the truth. Almost  every one of our symbols
has been, or is, known to  others: much in our ritual was borrowed
by our Masonic fathers from other secret societies: many of our
usages are being employed by other fraternities at the present day:
therefore it would seem that Masonry is distinguished from these
others by the manner in which it has assembled these elements, and
by the way in which it brings its truths home to the candidate: in
other words, as Dr. Newton says, by its methods of teaching.
Masonry's method is all its own. The second and fourth articles in
your question may be answered together. Neither a Mason nor the
Masonic press can be suffered to tell anything that will reveal
what is done or said in initiation else they both violate the plain
letter of the obligations: but the truths and principles embodied
in the ritual, or illustrated by its various parts, may be
expounded ad lib, and so also with the symbols, and with our
"Masonic philosophy." THE BUILDER is expounding the ritual from
month to month. Albert Pike, and countless other Masonic writers,
have interpreted our symbols in hundreds of books and essays:
Brother Roscoe Pound has given us a book on Masonic philosophy: no
sane Mason, so far as I know, has yet taken offense at any of
these. So far as I am personally concerned I should be pleased to
see the Craft more openly propagate its principles and its spirit:
that could be done without the slightest violation of the
obligations.

H. L. Haywood, Iowa.

* * *

Secret to the Mason as Well.

The Real Secret of Freemasonry, as I understand it, is a "secret"
only in that it is something discovered only with difficulty: only
to be found by patient study and interpreting of the symbolism of
Masonry. It is a knowledge of that type of true religion applicable
to the particular life-problem of each individual searcher. In the
nature of the case, it can not be told to the profane  or to the
Mason. Each must find it for himself; it is not physically capable
of being told. Though a Masonic philosopher tell his interpretation
of the symbolism, he can not tell the secret. For, as the student
gathers the ideas of his instructor, the student accepts them only
with reservations and variations, fitting them to his own
particular life-problem. And lo! the secret that the philosopher
tried to tell has not been told: instead a new real secret of
Freemasonry has been conceived in the brain of the student, never
to pass beyond it except as it is manifested in good works and a
true Masonic life.

Evidently, then, I do not agree with Brother Newton that the only
thing secret in Masonry is the method of teaching.

The Masonic press may and should "go to the limit" in public
interpretation of Masonic symbolism. What harm can it do? And it
can do a vast amount of good.

Harold A. Kingsbury, Massachusetts

* * *

Agreed.

I heartily agree with Brother Joseph Fort Newton. 
Wm. F. Kuhn, P. G. M., Missouri.

* * *

A Spiritual Truth.

I believe the real secret of Freemasonry is a key to life eternal.
As I view it humanity ranges in an infinite number of degrees from
the human brute up to the conscious sons of God. Thousands of years
ago the sons potentiality is inherent in each of us developed a
series of correspondences between the lower and the higher life
which they expressed in symbolism, astronomical, mathematical and
geometrical. These symbols formed the basis of the mystery
teachings and were explained to those who were lawfully entitled to
receive them. you will remember that even the founder of the
Christian religion did not openly teach the truths concerning the
kingdom. He taught the multitudes in parables and later privately
explained their meanings to his disciples. A little thought and
experience will show the reason for this. In our everyday life we
are very careful about revealing the truths of adult life to a
child so in the life of the spirit the ancient teachers found it
not only unwise but unsafe to teach heavenly truths to earthy men.
The same holds true today.

I do not agree with Brother Newton in his statement that the only
secret about Freemasonry is its method of teaching. The whole body
of Masonic knowledge is a secret most heavily veiled from the
profane as well as from the initiate and it is only he who lives
the life who shall understand the teaching.

The Masonic press should have considerable latitude in the public
interpretation of our symbolism. It will be a benefit to those who
can grasp it and it will not be understood by those who are not yet
prepared to receive it. 

John G. Keplinger, Illinois.

* * *

A Secret Personal to the Individual.

The real secret of Masonry? You would not believe me if I told you.
We might agree upon many points but Masonry whispers a personal
secret to each individual. It is the same that we read in the great
book of Nature and revelation that our monitors speak of.

I know not if James Allen be a member of the Masonic fraternity but
his writings proclaim him a Mason in his heart. Those little books
"As a Man Thinketh," "Out from the Heart" and "Through the Gate of
Good" set forth the experience of one who has traveled from West to
East and returning, is pointing the way to light and life, to
distressed brethren everywhere.

I am thoroughly in accord with Brother Newton that Masonry has no
secret because its teachings are all about us, upon every hand. We
see them daily exemplified by Mason and non-Mason and, sad to
relate, trampled under foot, cast aside and made of no account by
those who have pledged their honor to observe them. No danger of
Masonry's secret being "discovered" or "revealed" when so many
Masons perceive them (those teachings) not. Tell them out. Publish
them in the streets of Gath and Askalon and in the highways and
byways so that he who seeks a sensational revelation in his
initiation may say, "If that be the secret, I'll none of it"; and
so those duly and truly prepared may reverently seek more light and
swell the membership. Grips and passwords and "work," important as
they are, do not make Masons.

The several articles I have contributed to THE BUILDER on "What an
Entered Apprentice Ought to Know," "What a Fellow Craft Ought to
Know," and "What a Master Mason Ought to Know," as far as they go,
lay bare what to my mind is the essence of the teachings of Masonry
and all they conceal is the methods by which those teachings are
presented to the candidate.
Hal Riviere, Georgia.

A System of Theology?

To my mind the real secret of Freemasonry is its doctrines of the
existence of God and the immortality of the soul. To the Masonic
philosopher the universe is a symbol or material expression of a
divine unity, a Will transcending human comprehension, which we
call the Grand Architect of the Universe. We are rays from that
Great Light, individuated. Partaking of the divine life we are
immortal; the grave is only an incident in our career. But you will
say, all this is known to the profane, consequently it is not a
secret. True, but there was a time when it was the grandest of
secrets. In the Mysteries, the prototypes of Masonry, the doctrine
of the unity of duty was taught to initiates of proved worth and
intelligence. It was the esoteric instruction of the hierophants,
when the world outside the sanctum sanctorum was steeped in
polytheism, idolatry, and crass ignorance. Today the above
doctrines are secrets to materialists and atheists living on the
sense plane only. To the casually minded the things of the spirit
are foolishness. If the materialistic philosophy advances,
Freemasonry will be the grand depository of doctrines that are
esoteric in every sense of the word. Any knowledge that is hidden
from a man, because of the fact that his apprehension of such is
atrophied, is secret knowledge.

"Freemasonry," says Brother Frank C. Higgins (The Beginning of
Masonry, New York, 1916) ". . . is fundamentally and structurally
a system of natural theology, proving the existence and attributes
of the one time God to the satisfaction of the intellect, and so
supplying a bulwark to faith unattainable by any other means. The
nature of this proof . . . is founded on precisely the same
assumption as the natural theology of a Paley or a Brougham of our
own era that evidence of design or intention proves the presence of
Mind, the wisdom, power, and beauty of which may be inferred from
the result." In the Fellow Craft degree, with its emphasis upon
geometry, is contained this revelation drawn from the Book of
Nature, man's first Bible. In the Master's degree is set forth the
grand dogma of the Mysteries the immortality of the soul. Those
Continental systems of so-called Masonry which have ignored or
repudiated this philosophy of Deity have no real secrets.

In the old days of operative Masonry the days of the medieval
cathedral builders the real secret of the Craft was in all
probability the forming of the pointed arch by means of the
Euclidean geometry; the evolving of the perfect triangle from the
interlaced circles (visica pisces), which the churchman of the
period used as a symbol of the birth of the logos, or Divine Word,
the creative word that brought the universe into being. When
Masonry became speculative, the architectural and building secrets
of the ancient gilds were relegated to the background, and
philosophical speculations into the nature and attributes of Deity
became the sine qua non of the Craft.

The means by which Masons know each other are secret so far as the
profane are concerned, but they do not constitute the grand secret,
the real secret. Brother J. Fort Newton declares that the only
thing secret about Freemasonry is its method of teaching. He is
correct so far as he goes, but he does not go far enough.

So far as the public interpretation of the meaning of our symbolism
is concerned, I think the Masonic press should have all the liberty
it desires, so long as it does not reveal the methods by which one
brother knows another brother in the dark as well as the light  the
esoteric part of the ritual. I am of the opinion that many of our
symbols and doctrines are borrowed from Rosicrucian and Cabalistic
sciences, especially the latter. Any light that can be thrown on
this subject is of value.

Henry R. Evans. District of Columbia.
