The Ashlars

Author Unknown

We are told that the Ashlars lie open in the lodge for the brethren to moralize
on. Did you ever see a brother comtemplating the Ashlars and trying to derive
some moral benefit from them? For the most part they are quickly referred to and
just as quickly forgotten.

The Ashlar is the freestone as it comes from the quarry. The Rough Ashlar is the
stone in its rude and natural state and is emblamatic of man in his natural
state - ignorant, uncultivated and vicious. But when education has exerted it's
wholesome influence in expanding his intellect, restraining his passions and
purifying his life, he then is represented by the Perfect Ashlar which, under
the skillful hands of workman, has been smoothed and squared and fitted for its
place in the building.

However, you will observe that the Rough Ashlar in a Masonic Lodge is not in its
rude or natural state. It has been squared in a fashion, partially smoothed and
has apparent strength and solidarity. It possesses all the qualities that could
make it a perfect stone for use in the construction of the Temple, but it needs
the hands and skill of the perfect Craftsman to bring about that result.

It represents the candidate for membership in a Masonic Lodge. Such an applicant
is not in his rude or natural state, neither ignorant, uncultivated or vicious.
Masonry does not accept men of such qualifications. The applicant by education
and perseverance has fitted himself as a respectable man in his community,
assuming full responsibility as a citizen, a churchman and a member of his
family. There is a vast number of men in every community possessing such
qualifications who are not members of a Masonic Lodge, and may never have the
desire to associate themselves with the Ancient Craft.

A man judges Masonry by the actions and manner of living of those he knows are
members of the Order, but knows little or nothing of its teachings or objectives
in the building of character. In that sense, he is in the crude state of the
rough ashlar, possessing all the qualities or perfect material, but lacking the
polish that comes from a continued study and practice of the great teachings of
Masonry. Membership in a lodge does not make a man a Mason. He must apply his
abilities to improving all in him that falls short of that high standard set by
Masonry in character and citizen building. If he is satisfied with being a
Master Mason in name only, he loses the benefits of further advancement and
improvement offered by membership in the Order. In other words, he falls far
short of anything that might be termed the Perfect Ashlar.

The Perfect Ashlar is for the more expert Craftsman to try and adjust his jewels
on. In ancient times, with crude tools that would not even be used in this age,
workmen of great skill and experience produced material for the construction of
the Temple having such perfection that each piece fitted perfectly into its
place without adjustment or correction. Time was not one of the essential
factors; perfection was the goal.

To keep this state of perfection in absolute balance, a standard must have been
set whereby the workmen could constantly test their tools to know that continued
wear and use had not changed the measurements; even in the slightest degree. Did
they have a Perfect Ashlar on which to make such a test?

We are told that the Perfect Ashlar is for the more expert workmen to "try" and
adjust their tools on. In Masonry, we are the workmen, whether we be active or
inactive, workers or drones. What are our "jewels", our most prized possession?
If we have absorbed any of the teachings Masonry, the building of character and
a Christian way of life are two of the many jewels that should constantly be
before us. And in the building of that state of perfection to which we attain,
what Perfect Ashlar have we that we might go to and "try" the tools with which
we have been working, to know that they are still of fine quality and in perfect
condition for the job that lies before us. In every Masonic Lodge there rests on
the Altar in the centre of the room the V.O.T.S.L. It is the solid foundation
upon which Masonry in our lives is built. It never changes. Civilizations may
come and go, but the Book of Books remains the same, adaptable to all conditions
and manner of men, in good times and bad, in peace or war, a guide for mankind.

How often do we consult this Guide to try and adjust the jewels which are ours
and which may need to be altered to get them back to that state of perfection
which we as Masons should endeavor at all times to hold as our standard way of
life?

I am afraid that in this busy world of today, we neglect this practice.
Therefore, as we think of the Ashlars and try to do a little moralizing, let us
forget, even for a brief period, the material things in our lives, and direct
our thoughts to the more important duty of contemplating our own defects and
shortcomings, and adjusting our way of life and bringing it more in harmony with
that standard given us by the Great Creator in the V.O.T.S.L.

The Ashlars are not just two pieces of stone. They represent what we have been
and what we hope to be. It is up to each individual Mason to pass his own
judgment on himself and to adjust his jewels accordingly, so that when the time
comes and he lays down his tools and makes the final journey to the Grand Lodge
Above, he may leave behind a reputation as a wise counsellor, a pillar of
strength and stability, a Perfect Ashlar on which younger Masons may test the
correctness and value of their own contribution to the Masonic order.