The Ashlars Masonic Symbol

It is common knowledge that the brothers come to moralize on Ashlars which lie in the lodge. The Ashlar is freestone that comes from the pit.

The Rough Ashlar is the stone in its normal shape and is symbolic of man in his usual form – unaware, unfarmed and vicious.

But when knowledge has emphasized its hearty authority in increasing his brainpower, restricting his vigor and simplifying his existence, he is then referred as the Perfect Ashlar which, has been curved and squared and fixed for its position in the building.

Nevertheless, one can study that the Rough Ashlar in a Masonic Lodge is not placed in its natural state. It has been smoothed in a style, partly squared and having obvious force and cohesion.

It has all the character that could make it an ideal stone for use in the creation of the Temple. It emphasizes that the applicant for association is in a Masonic Lodge.

This candidate is neither unaware, nor is he uncultivated or cruel. Masonry just does not allow individuals of such experience.

The candidate by teaching and insistence has built-in himself as a reputable individual in his society, taking complete accountability as a resident of the area, a churchman and a strong component of his family.

There are huge statistics of such men in almost every society, who are not members of the Masonic Lodge, and never have the wish to relate themselves with the Ancient Craft.

Anyone can review Masonry by the dealings and mode of living of the people who are thepart of the Order, but knows less to nothing of its wisdom or objectives in the
construction of one’s character.

So this way, this individual exists in raw form of the rough Ashlar, taking control of the complete attributes, but somehow missing the shine that is a result of a constant revision and performance of the immense wisdom of Masonry.

One thing must be kept in mind: being a member of the lodge does not make you a Mason. You must look in to improving your skills that have been placed by Masonry in character building.

However, if you are content with being a Master Mason only for the title, you lose the profits of additional progression and enhancement accessible by the linkage with the Order.

The Perfect Ashlar is for the more professional Craftsman to attempt and fix the jewelry on. Centuries ago, with the help of basic gear, craftsmen of immense talents and knowledge fashioned objects for the building of the Temple with exactness that every piece fixed absolutely into its exact place needing no further alteration.

In order to maintain this condition of perfection, a standard was set, whereby the workmen regularly tested their tools to check that nonstop usage had not altered the dimensions; even by the slightest. Did they have a Perfect Ashlar on which they made this examination?

History tells us that the Perfect Ashlar is for the professional workmen to adjust their gear on. In Masonry, workmen are workmen, whether active or inactive.

The building of character is the most prized jewel amongst us. And in the creating the state of rightness, we use these jewels to take us to higher levels.

In each Masonic Lodge, on the Altar that resides in the middle of the room, lies the V.O.T.S.L. the V.O.T.S.L. is the concrete base upon which Masonry is built.

It is fixed, never changing. People may come to pass, but the Book of Books stays exactly the same, adjustable to every state and mode of man, in all times to come.

How often is the Guide consulted to adjust the jewels upon which our lives have been built for centuries, as a standard mode of life? I am sorry to say that in this demanding world, we abandon this observance.

Consequently, as we remember the Ashlars and attempt a little ethical values, please overlook, just for a little time, the unimportant things that take up our lives, and express our efforts to the more significant duties of reflecting on our own shortcomings, and managing our way of life and focusing it in the accord with that standard provided by the V.O.T.S.L.

The Ashlars are not just two pieces of stone. They symbolize where we were and where we aim to go. It is the duty of each Mason to live his life trying to become a better person before passing on and leaving behind his footsteps as a good Ashlar for young Masons to follow and provide their own payments to the Masonic order.