THE RITUAL

There are two important things to consider about our Masonic work. One is the ritual and the other is the part which deals with brotherly love, charity, sacrifice and devotion.

It therefore, is important that we do not become so grossly interested in our oratory as to overlook the other and it is equally as important that we have sufficient knowledge and understanding of each if we are to make Masonry function. To be strictly a ritualist, that is to obtain perfection in your performance as a parrot Mason and to overlook or fail to understand the lessons Masonry teaches is comparable to the many you so often hear dubbed a hyprocrite.

Masonry does not demand perfection in the true sense of the word but it does insist that each of its votaries, guided by the Great Bool{ of Rules, seek the Light and then carry the torch to illuminate the pathway of the craftsmen to brotherly love, friendship and unity.

Study the ritual and as you study exert your mental powers to interpreting as well as committing to memory the numerous words and phrases. In the end you all will have become richer by the sunshine reflected from the Great Light in Masonry.

CORN

Corn was a symbol of the resurrection, which is significantly referred to in the Third Degree. Jesus Christ compares himself to a corn of wheat falling into the ground, as a symbol of resurrection. St. Paul says the sower sows a simple grain of com, no matter of what kind, which at its proper season rises to light, clothed in verdure. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The Apostle might, says Calmet, have instanced the power of God in the progress of vivification; and might have inferred that the same power which could confer life originally, would certainly restore it to those panicles which once had possessed it. It is possible he has done this covenly, having chosen to mention vegetable seed, that being most obvious to common notice; and yet not intending to terminate his reference in any quality of vegetation.

EVERGREEN

An evergreen plant is a symbol of the immonality of the soul. The ancients, therefore, as well as the modems planted evergreens at the heads of graves. Free Masons wear evergreens at the funerals of their brethren, and cast them into the grave. The acacia is the plant which should be used on those occasions, but where it cannot be obtained, some other evergreen plant, especially the cedar, is used as a substitute.

FIXED LIGHTS

The fixed lights of a Lodge were formerly represented by "three windows," supposed to be in every room where a lodge is held; referring to the cardinal points of the compass, according to the antique rules of Maonry." There was one in the east, another in the west, and another in the south to light the men to, at, and from labor, but there was none in the north, because the sun darts no rays from thence. These constitute the symbolical situations of the three chief officers.

[LODGE HISTORY]