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N A L G
I O
G E RAND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XV Issue I
its destiny of ultimate spiritual perfection what is the root and basic essence of our
So closely linked is our Masonic system with being with which we are to become identified,
other and far more advanced expressions of the self we are advised to get to know? And
that science that the conclusion is irresistible here we are at once driven against that which
that it stands in the chain of direct succession is the root-cause of all Masonic silence and
with them and was designed to perpetuate the secrecy. For this basic essence is something
same doctrine. If this be so, the movement nameless, unspeakable, something beyond
projected some 250 years ago has been all verbal and mental categories, yet not,
justified in that it has familiarized vast numbers thank God, beyond feeling, for the heart can
of minds with at least an elementary and know and feel what the head fails to
notional acquaintance with a path of progress comprehend. Yet to cast it into verbal coinage
which sooner or later we must all realize in vital for the purpose of exchanging ideas, it passes
experience. by several names. The East calls it the “Self”
We may regret, though we need not despair, (Atman) the self-radiant, self-intelligent
that of those numbers so few even pass from unitary root of being and deathless source of
the foot-hills of the subject to the heights of its all derivative life and multiplicity. 'The Greek
full understanding and personal experiment, schools called it Autos, the self-contained or
but was it not declared thousands of years ago self-subsistent, the One or the God. The
that “the candidates are many but the perfected Hebrews describe it as the sacred and un-
initiates few,'' and again, still later, “that Many pronounceable name of four letters,
are called but few are chosen?” Tetragrammaton, or as Adonai, while
Yet those few are ever ready and anxious to Christians personalize it as God in so far as
pass on the torch to others and it is perhaps He is immanent in the soul as its concealed
from its light that is due the increasing desire of vitalizing spirit. And Islam calls it Allah And
so many in the Order to-day to rise to a fuller Masonry describes it variously as the “vital
appreciation of what its doctrine holds in and immortal principle,” as Adoniram, as the
concealment and will yield up to those who truly Blazing Star or Glory at our center, as the
seek it. Light of a Master Mason which never goes out
Leaving behind us now the mere elementary even when all our other lights (or faculties) fail,
ethics and symbolism of the Craft and coming because it is eternal and immortal whilst our
to its fundamental philosophic secrets, we have other faculties are temporal and perishable.
first to ask ourselves what has always been and But by whatever name we label it, however
still is the grand aim and purpose of initiation? shadowy and imperfect our thought of it, that it
Whether in the East, in Egypt, Greece, or is with which we are to become consciously
elsewhere, and in all eras, it has been indicated identified by a direct act of selfknowledge, for,
by the formula “know thyself;” it has been to as the teaching uniformly declares, the secret
bring a man to conscious realization of that of all secrets is that ''Thou art THAT.” To
which is the root and basic essence of his realize this, not merely notionally, but in
being. It is that and nothing else, and our 3rd fullness of direct experience, has always been
Degree refers to this when it speaks of the chief and still is the goal of wisdom and the goal of
of all human studies being the “knowledge of Initiatory science.
youself.” It is to become seated and established in the
Now to realize a thing is not merely to have chair of King Solomon. It is to pass from mere
notions of it, but to become it, to make it a living manhood and the carnal understanding to
reality, to become wholly identified with it. And conscious Godhood whilst we are still in the

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