The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-10-20
SYMBOLISM OF
THE EMBLEM
BY SAMUEL c. PARK.

worshipful master and brethren of
Portneuf lodge No. is, Wasatch lodge
No. of Salt Lake City feels keenly
the distinguished honor of being the
bearers of such an expressive symbol
of Masonry as this trOwel. We also
appreciate the responsibility We have
assumed in pledging ourselves to care
for this emblem for a stated period and
the gravity of making a choice of our
successors. These things we have
done. For the stipulated period this
symbol of the craft has rested within
the grand jurisdiction of the state of
Utah, under the immediate care of
Wasatch lodge. Wasatch lodge has
elected 10 deliver this trowel to Port
Eeuf lodge of the grand jurisdiction of
Idaho, being one of five applicants, and
from this vast concourse of Masons we
now have no doubt but that our choice
is q wise and happy one.
In a moment of Masonic inspiration
a member of Justice lodge No. 753 of
the grand Jurisdiction OF the state of
New York conceived the idea of send
ing some Masonic emblem to travel
throughout the Masonic world, bearing
its message Of Masonry from tGrisdic-
ton to jurisdiction, and binding the
craft together more strongly by the
ties already made. The choice happily
fell upon the trowel, which symbol
cally teaches US to spread the cement
of brotherly love and affection, and we
feel that the grand jurisdiction of the
state of New York is to be congratu-
lated upon having within its bounda-
rfes such lodge as Justice lodge No.
763, and that Justice lodge is to be
congratulated upon having such a
member as the one to whom this in
spiration came. How well it has per
formed its mission may be in part real
lied when we know that ii has been
more than two years upon it's travels;
that 1t has already crossed the con-
fines of the United States and been re-
ceived by our Canadian brethren on
the north, whence it passed successive
ly to the states of Michigan, Ohio, In
diana, Illinois. Iowa, south Dakota,
Nebraska, Colorado. Wyoming. Utah,
and finally rests within the grand jur-
isdiction of the state of Idaho.
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The ability to use this symbol prop
erly, presumes proficiency In the use
of all tools of Masonry. In our entered
apprentice degree we are taught the
use of the twenty-fOur-inch gauge and
common gavel: that our time may be
properly divided and proftably spent:
that we shall divest our minds and con-
science OF all the vices and superf1ui-
ties of life. one of the most important
lessons in our Masonry in which pro-
ficiency would produce perfection. In
our fellow craft degree. these teach
ings are supplemented by instructions
in the use of the plumb, square and
level, which admonish US to walk up
rightly in our several stations in life
before God and man: to square our ac-
lions by the square of virtue toward
all mankind as we walk along the level
of life's long journey. We are also
taught by the cOmpasses 10 circum-
scribe our desires and to keep our pas
sions within due bounds. But these
lessons are supplementary to the in
structions i'm the use of the implements
OF our entered apprentice degree.
When one has attained proficiency
and put into practice the lessons in
spired by these emblems of the craft,
then may he be said to be duly and
truly qualified to use the trowel to
spread the cement of brotherly love
and affection which unites us into one
band or society of friends and brethren
among whom no contention should e'er
exist save that noble contention of who
best can work and best agree.
In our fellow craft degree our atten-
tfon is called in the strongest manner
possible to the Deity before whom Ma
sons most humbly and devoutly bow.
We are also taught of charity, and of
charity, my brethren, just word. The
charity of Masons is not alone that
kind of charity which by an appeal 10
the purse allays the temporary distress
of a needy brother. but il is also that
kind of charity which teaches us to
do unto other men that only which we
should think 1t just and merciful for
them to do unto us; charity for those
who differe from us in opinion; Tor
their faith and their unfaith and their |
error. since no error Is greater tnan
hatred and intolerance, and that which |
we think error may indeed be the |
truth When Mason can practice |
this kind of charity then may he use
the trowel We recognize that this in |
sIitution is founded upon TRUTH ana
that it's aim is perfection, and while in |
this world perfection is unattainabe, |
the fundamental principles must not be |
forSotten a. mans life" it has been |
beautifully said, SIS laid in the loom |
of time to a pattern which he does not |
see but God does; and his heart is a |
shuttle. On one side of the loom is
sorrow and on the other JOY, and the |
shuttle struck alternately by each. flies |
back and forth carrying the thread |
which is black or white according as
the pattern needs; and in the end when |
God shall lift up the finished garment |
and all it's changing hues shall glance |
forth. it will then appear that the deep |
and dark cOlors are as essential to its |
beauty as the high and bright colors.
So my brethren, let us learn our les |
sons as perfectly as may be and accept |
each other for what we are.
With belief I'm these principles and !
q conviction of the sincerity of Port /
oh bas
the utmost confidence in your ability 4
10 discharge your obligations and per-
form your pledges and to labor among |
those who best can work and best |
agree"
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