THE BUILDER OCTOBER 1916

SQUARE AND COMPASS

WORSHIPFUL Master and Brethren: Let us behold the glorious beauty
that lies hidden beneath the symbolism of the Square and Compass;
and first as to the Square. Geometry, the first and noblest of the
sciences, is the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry has
been erected. As you know, the word "Geometry" is derived from two
Greek words which mean "to measure the earth," so that Geometry
originated in measurement; and in those early days, when land first
began to be measured, the Square, being a right angle, was the
instrument used, so that in time the Square began to symbolize the
Earth. And later it began to symbolize, Masonically, the earthly-in
man, that is man's lower nature, and still later it began to
symbolize man's duty in his earthly relations, or his moral
obligations to his Fellowmen. The symbolism of the Square is as
ancient as the Pyramids. The Egyptians used it in building the
Pyramids. The base of every pyramid is a perfect square, and to the
Egyptians the Square was their highest and most sacred emblem. Even
the Chinese many, many centuries ago used the Square to represent
Good, and Confucius in his writings speaks of the Square to
represent a Just man.

As Masons we have adopted the 47th Problem of Euclid as the rule by
which to determine or prove a perfect Square. Many of us remember
with what interest we solved that problem in our school days. The
Square has become our most significant Emblem. It rests upon the
open Bible on this altar; it is one of the three great Lights; and
it is the chief ornament of the Worshipful Master. There is a good
reason why this distinction has been conferred upon the Square.
There can be nothing truer than a perfect Square--a right angle.
Hence the Square has become an emblem of Perfection.

Now a few words as to the Compass: Astronomy was the second great
science promulgated among men. In the process of Man's evolution
there came a time when he began to look up to the stars and wonder
at the vaulted Heavens above him. When he began to study the stars,
he found that the Square was not adapted to the measurement of the
Heavens. He must have circular measure; he needed to draw a circle
from a central point, and so the Compass was employed. By the use
of the Compass man began to study the starry Heavens, and as the
Square primarily symbolized the Earth, the Compass began to
symbolize the Heavens, the celestial canopy, the study of which has
led men to think of God, and adore Him as the Supreme Architect of
the Universe. In later times the Compass began to symbolize the
spiritual or higher nature of man, and it is a significant fact
that the circumference of a circle, which is a line without end,
has become an emblem of Eternity and symbolizes Divinity; so the
Compass, and the circle drawn by the Compass, both point men
Heavenward and Godward.

The Masonic teaching concerning the two points of the Compass is
very interesting and instructive. The novitiate in Masonry, as he
kneels at this altar, and asks for Light sees the Square, which
symbolizes his lower nature, he may well note the position of the
Compass. As he takes another step, and asks for more Light, the
position of the Compass is changed somewhat, symbolizing that his
spiritual nature can, in some measure, overcome his evil
tendencies. As he takes another step in Masonry, and asks for
further Light, and hears the significant words, "and God said let
there be Light, and there was Light," he sees the Compass in new
light; and for the first time he sees the meaning, thus
unmistakably alluding to the sacred and eternal truth that as the
Heavens are higher than the Earth, so the spiritual is higher than
the material, and the spiritual in man must have its proper place,
and should be above his lower nature, and dominate all his thoughts
and actions. That eminent Philosopher, Edmund Burke, once said, "It
is ordained that men of intemperate passions cannot be free. Their
passions forge the chains which bind them, and make them slaves."
Burke was right. Masonry, through the beautiful symbolism of the
Compass, tells us how we can be free men, by permitting the
spiritual within us to overcome our evil tendencies, and dominate
all our thoughts and actions. Brethren, sometimes in the silent
quiet hour, as we think of this conflict between our lower and
higher natures, we sometimes say in the words of another, "Show me
the way and let me bravely climb to where all conflicts with the
flesh shall cease. Show me that way. Show me the way up to a higher
plane where my body shall be servant of my Soul. Show me that way."

Brethren, if that prayer expresses desire of our hearts, let us
take heed to the beautiful teachings of the Compass, which silently
and persistently tells each one of us,

"You should not in the valley stay
While the great horizons stretch away 
The very cliffs that wall you round
Are ladders up to higher ground.
And Heaven draws near as you ascend, 
The Breeze invites, the Stars befriend. 
All things are beckoning to the Best,
Then climb toward God and find sweet Rest."
--Bro. B. C. Ward, Iowa.

