Time is one of the many gemstones. The first instrument placed into the hands of the workman is the 24-inch gauge to teach a Mason he is limited by time and is directed, in a general way, how his time should be used.
In the Third Degree comes a sublime lesson of time in the reading of Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.
The new Mark Master Mason learns about time as well, at least those who receive the Mark Degree in western and central Canada. But there is also another little gem contained therein and no exertion is needed to find it, other than opening one’s ears. Since the Mark Degree ritual is not the same worldwide, there are many who are not familiar with this wonderful little exhortation, so I will quote it in full:
Brethren, it is my duty to exhort you to receive the wages allotted to you with thankfulness. Remember, that it is the internal and not the external qualifications that recommend a man to be a Mason.
No matter what his work, the humblest craftsman has a right to as great a reward as the highest, provided he has faithfully performed the task set before him. The nature of our institution ordains this, for the youngest member may, in reality, be more earnest in his researches than the oldest and be rewarded with more light in Masonry in consequence.
He, like the young craftsman so recently represented by our brother, having made a discovery in Masonic science, renders more benefit to the institution than a member who, though of long standing, has learned nothing but the simplest routine of the degree; just as the Keystone was of much greater importance to the building than the ordinary stones.
It is not the length of time you have been a mason, but the proper use of that time that will entitle you to the wages of wisdom and knowledge. You recall that the Keystone found by our brother at the eleventh hour, although at first rejected by the builders, became the chief stone of the corner, while you who had wrought in the quarries from the earliest hours, exhibited only specimens of the skill of the ordinary workmen.
Remember also that the Grand Geometrician of the Universe will make no distinction of persons in the distribution of his beneficence, but will give alike to all who endeavour to obey His Divine commands.
Brethren, let me once more exhort you to receive the wages allotted to you with thankfulness.
No matter what his work, the humblest craftsman has a right to as great a reward as the highest, provided he has faithfully performed the task set before him. The nature of our institution ordains this, for the youngest member may, in reality, be more earnest in his researches than the oldest and be rewarded with more light in Masonry in consequence.
He, like the young craftsman so recently represented by our brother, having made a discovery in Masonic science, renders more benefit to the institution than a member who, though of long standing, has learned nothing but the simplest routine of the degree; just as the Keystone was of much greater importance to the building than the ordinary stones.
It is not the length of time you have been a mason, but the proper use of that time that will entitle you to the wages of wisdom and knowledge. You recall that the Keystone found by our brother at the eleventh hour, although at first rejected by the builders, became the chief stone of the corner, while you who had wrought in the quarries from the earliest hours, exhibited only specimens of the skill of the ordinary workmen.
Remember also that the Grand Geometrician of the Universe will make no distinction of persons in the distribution of his beneficence, but will give alike to all who endeavour to obey His Divine commands.
Brethren, let me once more exhort you to receive the wages allotted to you with thankfulness.
Recently, a new Mason posted on a message board that he was new in the Craft and intimated he didn’t feel he should be blogging about it because he didn’t have the experience in Masonry.
I can’t speak for the new Brother, but we should all remember than no matter how long one has been in the Craft, we have all had one experience that is the same—we have all gone through the three degrees and had the lessons in them exposed to our eyes and ears. This puts a new Master Mason on the same level as a senior brother when it comes to relating his experience going through the ceremonies and what they mean to him. Should the new Master Mason be attentive and comtemplative, there’s always the chance he has found something he is able to express to broaden the knowledge of his brothers—no matter how long they have been in Freemasonry. After all, who has learned more—the contientious worker in the quarries, or one who has laid down his working tools long ago to instead carp and complain about how the labour was once conducted so much better.
True, the new Mason may not have had the time to knock off every excrescence, but his diligence and perserverence will result in a shapeless mass turning into a thing of beauty as the gemstone is revealed. That is the purpose of Masonic labour, and the best use of time and (even limited) experience, for member young and old.
