The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer THE SQUARE AND COMPASSES IN SEARCH OF FREEMASONRY DONALD H B FALCONER MASONIC QUALIFICATIONS of W. M. Bro. Donald H.B.Falconer Craft: PM, PDGDC, Scottish Constitution, NSW Constitution Previously also English Constitution Royal Arch: PZ, PDGDC, Scottish Constitution Cryptic Council: PTIM, Scottish Constitution Previously also English Constitution Lodge & Council: PWCN, PMEC, Scottish Constitution Allied Masonic Degrees: PM, DGSW, PGStBr, English Constitution Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests: PHP, PGIVP, English Constitution Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite: PMWS, PGC, 31º, Scottish Constitution Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers ("Operatives": VIIº, SPM, DGMM Page 1 of 103 The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer Also a member of the following Orders for more than forty years: Royal Order of Scotland The Order of the Temple, Scottish Constitution. Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine etc, Previously Scottish Constitution, now NSW Constitution Previously also a long-term member of the following Orders: Order of the Secret Monitor, English and then NSW Constitution Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia Table of Contents PREAMBLE CHAPTER ONE – THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF SPECULATIVE FREEMASONRY Speculative Foundations Mankind In Pre-History The Earliest Freemasons The Development Of Literacy Monumental Masonry Classical Masonry Cathedral Masonry CHAPTER TWO – FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION The Rise Of Civilisation What Is Freemasonry Early Masonry Temple Masonry Classical Masonry Cathedral Masonry Modern Freemasonry Emerges The Templar Influence Other Influences On Freemasonry Retrospect CHAPTER THREE - THE LEGACY OF OPERATIVE FREEMASONRY Origins Masonry Through The Ages The Freemason And His Lodge English Operative Lodges Scottish Operative Lodges Irish Operative Lodges Early “Non-Operative” Masons Early Speculative Lodges The “Mason Word” Ceremonial The Missing Stones Page 2 of 103 The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer Ground Plans CHAPTER FOUR – HISTORY, A KEY ELEMENT IN MASONRY Background The Ancient Charges In Summary The Liberal Arts And Sciences The Foundation Of The Crafts The Two Pillars Nimrod And The Tower Of Babel The Call Of Abraham The Temple At Jerusalem Freemasonry In France Freemasonry In England Freemasonry In Scotland Freemasonry In Ireland CHAPTER FIVE – SPECULATIVE CRAFT FREEMASONRY Guild Masonry Operative Influences Modern Speculative Craft Freemasonry The Purpose Of Freemasonry CHAPTER SIX – THE PRECEPTS OF FREEMASONRY In The Beginning The First Principle Behaviour And Responsibility Social Conduct Integrity The Moral Virtues The Social Virtues The Intellectual Virtues CHAPTER SEVEN - THE SYMBOLS OF FREEMASONRY Symbols In Antiquity Symbols In The Sacred Writings The Origin Of Masonic Symbols The Scope Of Masonic Symbolism The Mystical Theme Further Reading CHAPTER EIGHT - THE TRADITIONAL DEGREES IN FREEMASONRY The Medieval Freemasons Medieval Lodges The Ceremonials In Medieval Lodges The Foundations The Solomonic Degrees The First Temple The Second Temple The Allied Masonic Degrees The Colours And Symbolism Of The Regalia The Operative Free Masons Page 3 of 103 The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer Other Orders CHAPTER NINE – THE PILGRIMAGE AND SYMBOLISM OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE Introduction The Craft Lodge or Preparatory Degrees The Lodge of Perfection The Council of Princes of Jerusalem The Sovereign Chapter of Princes Rose Croix The Philosophic Degrees of the Sovereign Council The Search for Truth in the Sovereign Council The Moralistic Teachings of the Sovereign Council Consecration as Knight Kadosh The Work of the Consistory Page 4 of 103 The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer PREAMBLE Freemasonry has played a positive role in the development of civilisation and the advancement of moral attitudes and religious observances in all ages of recorded history. Ever since our primitive ancestors first began to think about their origins and to contemplate the existence of a divine creator, freemasonry has played a vital role in the development of civilisation and the parallel growth of religion. Few realise how important freemasonry has been in establishing the welfare of human beings. In this context, the origins of freemasonry have been examined and its accomplishments as a civilising force have been traced through the evolution of the human race. The precepts and teachings of freemasonry, which reflect freemasonry’s humanitarian and religious associations during the last ten millennia or longer, also are considered in some detail. This book differs from the usual books on freemasonry, both in its subject matter and in its approach to the various subjects covered. It gathers together a series of discussion papers prepared by the author and presented to various masonic bodies during the last forty years. It is intended to provide a stimulus and hopefully an inspiration for anyone wanting to know how freemasonry originated and what it is about. The original papers were prepared as separate entities, each intended to consider some specific aspect of freemasonry. References to subjects beyond the scope of a paper, but about which it would be helpful for the reader to have some knowledge, are as brief as possible consistent with their bearing upon the discussion. Related aspects of importance usually are covered in separate papers. Most of the assembled papers have been revised and amplified more than once, many several times, to reflect the latest archaeological discoveries and related research, as well as the continuing developments in science. In this respect the advances in knowledge that have been achieved during the second half of the twentieth century have been truly remarkable. The original papers have been incorporated into this book as chapters arranged in a logical sequence. The author hopes that each chapter will provide a useful basis for discussions by interested groups. The texts of the papers have therefore been used without change, no attempt having been made to consolidate the subject matter, nor to remove references to related aspects. For this reason similar references may appear in more than one chapter, for which the author offers no apology. Although most chapters could be presented and discussed in a single session, sometimes more than one session would be appropriate for the scope and importance of the subject. Publications the author thinks are of particular interest in relation to a subject are referred to at the appropriate place in the text. Contrary to a hypothesis sometimes put forward, speculative freemasonry is not a recent invention, but evolved in lodges of operative freemasons in conjunction with the practice of the stonemason's craft. Humans differ from other animals, because they have an insatiable curiosity concerning their origins and the environment in which they live. As a direct consequence of this, speculative freemasonry developed in lodges of operative Page 5 of 103 The Square and Compasses Volume 1 – by Donald H. B. Falconer freemasons as a natural extension of the mental and spiritual attempts of human beings to unravel their origins, to comprehend the meaning of life and to perceive their ultimate destiny. The environment in which operative freemasons worked and the tools and methods they employed were unique sources of inspiration, as well as providing an ideal basis for symbolic representation that was always ready to hand. Although freemasonry began in ancient times as an entirely practical enterprise, to satisfy the needs of day-to-day life, the advancement of civilisation soon involved the craft in the construction of buildings for various religious purposes. This intimate and continuing association with moral and spiritual influences naturally encouraged the growth of the speculative aspects of freemasonry, which evolved concurrently with the operative art. The progress of freemasonry, from the times of the nomadic hunter-gatherers until the introduction of purely speculative freemasonry in the eighteenth century, is a continuing theme in this book. Of paramount importance was the positive role played by freemasonry in the development of civilisation and the advancement of moral attitudes and religious observances in all ages of recorded history. In the fulfilment of its role, freemasonry has always provided its services without regard to the race, religion or creed of the people, wherever the freemasons may have been working. This approach has been perpetuated in speculative freemasonry, in which members are required to be of good character and to have a belief in God, irrespective of race or religion. All of these aspects have been discussed in this book, in which the author has attempted to show the relationship between freemasonry and the people of the land in diverse countries and over a long spectrum of time. The principles, tenets and symbolism of freemasonry have also been compared with the religious beliefs of the people in the various countries as and when they are relevant to the discussion. Although reference is made to many of the long held beliefs concerning the origins and purpose of freemasonry, it is not the author’s intention in this book to perpetuate any that are not sustainable. On the contrary, it has been the author's endeavour only to illustrate the way in which freemasonry probably evolved and to show