Page 5 - ASHLAR - Oct-Dec 2019

N A L G R
O I
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XV Issue III
The Idea of Freemasonry
R.W. Bro. Ambarish Singh Roy, Calcutta, India
Ever since Man has evolved into a social being, employed to build Forts, Cathedrals, Chapels
he has felt the need for camaraderie and and Palaces and they guarded their secrets
fellowship. It was thus that they formed zealously. They also had hierarchy like
themselves into groups of like-minded people Apprentice, Craftsmen and Master Masons.
sharing areas of mutual interest. History informs These Masons were highly skilled in their art and
us of many such ancient societies or groups. therefore the need to keep their skills a secret
We in Freemasonry follow the legend of King arose. They conceived marks of Masons,
Solomon of Israel, who along with his two fellow methods of recognition and a rigorous system of
Grand Masters, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram training. It is during this period that we also come
Abiff formed our Ancient Craft. Other evidence across the term 'Cowan'. A Cowan was, simply
suggests that it was Nimrod, the builder of the put, an eavesdropper. An uninitiated person who
Tower of Babel who was the original Founder of without being admitted or qualified, tried to learn
the secrets of the trade. Operative Masonry
ended with the revolutions in different parts of
Europe as it was practiced then.
Some such Stonemasons decided to form
themselves into Worshipful Lodges of
'Speculative' Masons. The term 'Freemason'
however, has a much ancient import. After the
death of King Solomon in 938 B.C. the Jewish
empire began to disintegrate. Israel promptly
proclaimed it's independence, leaving Judah
w i t h i t ' s c a p i t a l J e r u s a l e m . K i n g
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked and
demolished the Temple, Israel and Judah itself

our Craft. In medieval times we see
Stonemasons forming themselves into 'Guilds' in
the British Isles, 'Roman Collegiums',
'Steinmetzens in Germany and Eastern Europe',
'Compannage in France and parts of Europe'
etc. in different parts of the world to practice what
was actually 'Operative' Masonry. They were

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