THE BUILDER JUNE 1919

CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE BULLETIN No. 29
DEVOTED TO ORGANIZED MASONIC STUDY

Edited by Bro. H. L. Haywood

THE BULLETIN COURSE OF MASONIC STUDY FOR MONTHLY LODGE MEETINGS AND
STUDY CLUBS

FOUNDATION OF THE COURSE

THE Course of Study has for its foundation two sources of Masonic
information: THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. In another
paragraph is explained how the references to former issues of THE
BUILDER and to Mackey's Encyclopedia may be worked up as
supplemental papers to exactly fit into each installment of the
Course with the papers by Brother Haywood.

MAIN OUTLINE:

The Course is divided into five principal divisions which are in
turn subdivided, as is shown below:

Division I. Ceremonial Masonry.

A. The Work of the Lodge. 
B. The Lodge and the Candidate. 
C. First Steps. 
D. Second Steps. 
E. Third Steps.

Division II. Symbolical Masonry.
A. Clothing. 
B. Working Tools. 
C. Furniture. 
D. Architecture. 
E. Geometry.
F. Signs. 
G. Words. 
H. Grips.

Division III. Philosophical Masonry.
A. Foundations. 
B. Virtues. 
C. Ethics. 
D. Religious Aspect. 
E. The Quest. 
F. Mysticism. 
G. The Secret Doctrine.

Division IV. Legislative Masonry.

A. The Grand Lodge. 
1. Ancient Constitutions. 
2. Codes of Law. 
3. Grand Lodge Practices. 
4. Relationship to Constituent Lodges. 
5. Official Duties and Prerogatives.

B. The Constituent Lodge.
1. Organization. 
2. Qualifications of Candidates. 
3. Initiation, Passing and Raising. 
4. Visitation. 
5. Change of Membership.

Division V. Historical Masonry.

A. The Mysteries--Earliest Masonic Light.
B. Studies of Rites--Masonry in the Making. 
C. Contributions to Lodge Characteristics.
D. National Masonry.
E. Parallel Peculiarities in Lodge Study. 
F. Feminine Masonry. 
G. Masonic Alphabets. 
H. Historical Manuscripts of the Craft. 
I. Biographical Masonry.
J. Philological Masonry--Study of Significant Words.

THE MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS

Each month we are presenting a paper written by Brother Haywood,
who is following the foregoing outline. We are now in "First Steps"
of Ceremonial Masonry. There will be twelve monthly papers under
this particular subdivision. On page two, preceding each
installment, will be given a list of questions to be used by the
chairman of the Committee during the study period which will bring
out every point touched upon in the paper.

Whenever possible we shall reprint in the Correspondence Circle
Bulletin articles from other sources which have a direct bearing
upon the particular subject covered by Brother Haywood in his
monthly paper. These articles should be used as supplemental papers
in addition to those prepared by the members from the monthly list
of references. Much valuable material that would otherwise possibly
never come to the attention of many of our members will thus be
presented.

The monthly installments of the Course appearing in the
Correspondence Circle Bulletin should be used one month later than
their appearance. If this is done the Committee will have
opportunity to arrange their programs several weeks in advance of
the meetings and the brethren who are members of the National
Masonic Research Society will be better enabled to enter into the
discussions after they have read over and studied the installment
in THE BUILDER.

REFERENCES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS

Immediately preceding each of Brother Haywood's monthly papers in
the Correspondence Circle Bulletin will be found a list of
references to THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. These
references are pertinent to the paper and will either enlarge upon
many of the points touched upon or bring out new points for reading
and discussion. They should be assigned by the Committee to
different brethren who may compile papers of their own from the
material thus to be found, or in many instances the articles
themselves or extracts therefrom may be read directly from the
originals. The latter method may be followed when the members may
not feel able to compile original papers, or when the original may
be deemed appropriate without any alterations or additions.

HOW TO ORGANIZE FOR AND CONDUCT THE STUDY MEETINGS

The lodge should select a "Research Committee" preferably of three
"live" members. The study meetings should be held once a month,
either at a special meeting of the lodge called for the purpose, or
at a regular meeting at which no business (except the lodge
routine) should be transacted--all possible time to be given to the
study period.

After the lodge has been opened and all routine business disposed
of, the Master should turn the lodge over to the Chairman of the
Research Committee. This Committee should be fully prepared in
advance on the subject for the evening. All members to whom
references for supplemental papers have been assigned should be
prepared with their papers and should also have a comprehensive
grasp of Brother Haywood's paper.

PROGRAM FOR STUDY MEETINGS

1. Reading of the first section of Brother Haywood's paper and the
supplemental papers thereto.

(Suggestion: While these papers are being read the members of the
lodge should make notes of any points they may wish to discuss or
inquire into when the discussion is opened. Tabs or slips of paper
similar to those used in elections should be distributed among the
members for this purpose at the opening of the study period.)

2. Discussion of the above.

3. The subsequent sections of Brother Haywood's paper and the
supplemental papers should then be taken up, one at a time, and
disposed of in the same manner.
4. Question Box.

MAKE THE "QUESTION BOX" THE FEATURE OF YOUR MEETINGS

Invite questions from any and all brethren present. Let them
understand that these meetings are for their particular benefit and
get them into the habit of asking all the questions they may think
of. Every one of the papers read will suggest questions as to facts
and meanings which may not perhaps be actually covered at all in
the paper. If at the time these questions are propounded no one can
answer them, SEND THEM IN TO US. All the reference material we have
will be gone through in an endeavor to supply a satisfactory
answer. In fact we are prepared to make special research when
called upon, and will usually be able to give answers within a day
or two. Please remember, too, that the great Library of the Grand
Lodge of Iowa is only a few miles away, and, by order of the
Trustees of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary places it at our
disposal on any query raised by any member of the Society.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The foregoing information should enable local Committees to conduct
their lodge study meetings with success. However, we shall welcome
all inquiries and communications from interested brethren
concerning any phase of the plan that is not entirely clear to
them, and the Services of our Study Club Department are at the
command of our members, lodge and study club committees at all
times.

QUESTIONS ON "WORKING TOOLS OF A FELLOW CRAFT"

I
What are the working tools of a Fellow Craft? How have you
explained them to yourself ? What is their meaning in your
understanding now ? Why do you always think of goodness, holiness,
heaven, God, as being above you ? What is the difference, in your
judgment, between morality and righteousness ? Do you think of your
ideal of your own life as being above and beyond you? If so, what
efforts are you making to attain to that ideal ? May this not be
one of the suggestions in this working tool of the plumb?

II
What do you mean by "a hero"? How can a man erect himself above
himself ? What influence has the memory of Washington, Pike,
Jefferson and Lincoln had for you ? In what way may a true Mason be
a hero to his friends ? his family? his race ?

III
What do you understand yourself when you use the word "level"? Do
you really believe that you are equal in all ways to every other
individual? Is every other individual equal to you in all ways? If
there are fundamental differences between you and other
individuals, just what is the nature of these differences ? What do
you understand by "pride" ? "superciliousness" ? In what way are
all Masons on a level with each other? What becomes of your pride
when you sincerely stand in a lodge room on a level with your
brother countryman ?

IV
How would you explain the meaning of the square when that symbol is
used as one of the working tools of a Fellow Craft? How can the
sense of manly pride and the feeling of equality be joined together
in your own experience ? Do you really use your gifts to help your
brethren, and to help others in this world? How can a healthy man
use his own strength to help those that are ill ? How can a learned
man use his learning to help those that are ignorant ? How can a
man who has money really help those that have little or no money?
Should we not try to help others in Such a way that they do not
even know that we are helping them? How should parents help their
children? How should teachers help their pupils? How may the Master
and officers of a lodge help the members of that lodge without
their knowing it? What is meant by not letting your right hand know
what your left hand is doing?

V
What is your understanding of the ashlar symbolism ? What is meant
by saying that a profane man, using the word in a Masonic sense, is
but like a rough block of stone ? Is not an ignorant, unclean,
profane, dishonest, unbrotherly man like an unshaped piece of rough
rock from the quarry? If you know of such a man how can you help
him to become a man more square, cultured and brotherly? What is
the Masonic Fraternity as a whole now doing, in your own honest
estimation, to help this whole world to cease to be a wreck of a
world? Is not this present world but a great crude piece of rock in
your eyes ? What can our Fraternity do to help make this living
human race more square with the everlasting laws of life,
righteousness, health, happiness and God? Which are you, in your
own lodge -a rough ashlar or a perfect ashlar ? What do you do with
the members of your lodge who make trouble? Do you grow impatient
with them, or do you help them? You see that all these questions
are designed to lead Masonic students to understand that
Freemasonry tries to help us in our daily lives.

SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES

Mackey's Encyclopedia:

Level, p. 442; Plumb, 570; Square, p. 708.

THE BUILDER:

Vol. IV The Working Tools, p. 264.
1919

SECOND STEPS

PART IV WORKING TOOLS OF A FELLOW CRAFT

I
The candidate is handed three symbolical tools at a certain place
in the Second degree each of which is intended to teach him some
truth concerning the art of right living. There is no need that any
man be mystified by these simple emblems for their meaning lies
upon the surface, clear and plain to the plainest man in the
fraternity.

The plumb is just a tool, such as carpenters and masons now use, a
kind of hint or suggestion visualized before one's eyes, which says
to us, "there is such a thing as an up and down in human
experience." Because of the way our minds are it helps us to
remember that there are always those who stand above us in
character or achievement and that there is always One who stands
above us, not in lonely pride, but in goodness and sincerity.

We often say that such and such a man is "righteous"; what do we
mean by that expression? We mean that he has, as it were, a picture
before him of what God Himself wishes him to be; when he tries his
best to be that he mounts, as we express it, to a higher level, and
that is ever a noble and manly thing to do. The word "rectitude"
suggests, in itself, a picture of the plumb-line for it is a word
that means "high up." Every Mason is called to live a life of
rectitude; for that reason we hold before him the picture of Hiram
who, in his sublime faithfulness to duty, proved himself one who
lived on high levels indeed.

II
It is fortunate for us Americans that in our history we have many
men who "stand high" in our estimation; and they should, for they
are a constant inspiration to us to climb to a loftier plane of
living, for, 

"Unless above himself he can erect himself,
How poor a thing is man!"

Lincoln was one of those men, also Washington, Pike, Jefferson, and
many others; merely to look at the picture of Lincoln recalls to us
the fact that in each of us there are the possibilities of living
a similar life. And what a life it was of simple manliness, of
honesty, democracy, and a great reverent trust in God! To use the
Masonic plumbline partly means, then, to keep before us the memory
of these kingly men in order that their example may help us to take
our own measure.

III
The level teaches a similar lesson for it pictures to us the duty
of democracy. To "meet" upon the level is not enough; we must
remain there. He who looks with disdain on one fellow Mason must do
either of two things - he must prove that fellow unworthy of the
fraternity or he must himself get out; for superciliousness is one
of the ultimate crimes against fraternity. God Himself must hate a
man who raises his eye-brows when he sees someone who has little
talent or no money.

There is such a thing as equality when the word is used in one
sense; there is no such thing when it is used in another sense. We
must endeavor to understand the words if we would understand the
teachings of the level. No two men are or ever can be identically
equal in their talents; one man can sing and another can't; one man
is successful in business and another can never be; after a man has
grown and developed his faculties he finds that many of his
faculties, long out of use, will not revive. And it is certain that
some men, even in the eyes of God, are better in morality than
others, else moral distinctions would mean nothing. But all men are
equal in this, that they belong to the same race, have the same
blood in their veins, breathe the same air, live on the same earth,
and have the same mighty Father who loves each individual in His
own way according to that particular individual's needs. It is this
latter equality which men more and more need to have kept before
them for many seem to forget it. A "high-brow" Mason is a
contradiction in terms. We are all on a level in the lodge room
because individual peculiarities are there forgotten; we remember
only that we are fellows, that is, fellow men.

IV
As for the square that is one of the symbols which is so filled
with mysteries and endless suggestions that a student may well
despair of surprising its meanings out of it. But let us link this
emblem up to the preceding and think of the square as a combination
of the plumb and the level, for the very figure suggests that; one
arm is perpendicular, and one is level. What, then, may it mean to
us in this way of looking at it ! It may mean that there is a duty
upon each man to climb into strength. knowledge, and wisdom as far
as he can, though his fellows remain far beneath him in such
things; and then that he can turn about and use those gifts in
behalf of his less fortunate brethren. Let him that has knowledge
share it with other Masons, too busy to study; let him that can
speak, speak to them that can't talk on their feet. This is a high
level of brotherhood indeed but it is not above our reach as
Masons, if only we can ever take Masonry seriously. Looked at from
without it is nothing but child's play, furbelows, gee-gaws, and
feathers; lived from within, it is one of the noble types of life,
always blessed of God, who is Himself a Father that delights to
find His sons living together as brothers.

V
The Rough Ashlar, a symbol which may be studied in this same
connection, is, in daily parlance, a crude chunk of stone wrested
from the mother rock in the quarry. Such is only the promise of a
stone fit for the builder's use. A Perfect (or complete) Ashlar is
that same stone dressed and squared and ready to be fitted into the
building. The interpretation is perfectly obvious. There are some
men who, in the sight of God, are mere masses of human material
unfit for any immediate use; such are the men who use profanity,
who tell smutty tales, who gossip about their fellows maliciously,
who teach blasphemous religious doctrines, and who hate other
persons; what use can he make of such men ? Think that out.

The Perfect Ashlar of a man is merely a human being who has found
himself, who is educated for his own life work, who is clean in
body and spirit, who loves rather than hates, and who has a great
reverence for Him who loves straight clean men.

To keep one's eyes fixed on those men of the past who were heroes
indeed, heroes in heart: to remember that we are all frail and that
we are each one an essential part of the human race; to dedicate
one's own victories and talents to others, to share with them one's
possessions, every kind of possession; and lastly to remember that
a man isn't fit for life, even in God's sight, until he becomes fit
to live a truly human life, all this, in brief, seems to be, the
sermon preached to us by the Ashlar and by the Working Tools of the
Fellowcraft.
