INTRODUCTION TO THE MARK DEGREE

By M E Comp A B Christensen, Grand Z – March, 1954.

I am sure it must be apparent to anyone who gives the least thought to the matter that some knowledge of the symbolism of our Degrees is absolutely essential to enable one to comprehend something of their true meaning.

It is doubtful, of course, whether symbolic teaching ever presents to any two men exactly the same truths. The profound scholar may spend his life delving into the marvellous storehouse of truth contained in Masonic symbolism and never exhaust its potentialities, while the shallow, thoughtless man hears the same lessons and is scarcely affected or inspired by them. For many a man Freemasonry is a mere unmeaning rite, simply because of his inability to interpret the symbolism. This is sometimes due to constitutional lack of imagination, which he cannot help, but more often too inadequate background of experience and knowledge. Hence the continual emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge in every Degree.

In the Fellow Craft Degree we have impressed on us the value of education and discipline, and to that end we are exhorted to study the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Without at least a superficial knowledge of these, a man cannot fully comprehend his duty in life and to his follow-men. Nor can he appreciate and understand sufficient of the nature of those forces which govern the existence of every living thing, and what we term, natural phenomena, which is all a manifestation of the Supreme Power which controls the mighty universe of which our little world is but a grain of sand

As through increasing population and its attendant problems, our ways of living and existence become more complex, so it becomes so much more necessary to extend the boundaries of our knowledge, so that we may be able to fit ourselves into a world that every day reveals more and more of its secrets and mysteries, and demands corresponding increase of ability to cope with them. The great intellectuals of the scientific world have given men control of mighty powers and forces which unfortunately, through lack of the requisite education and understanding of human relationships and needs, have been applied towards the destruction of mankind rather than its rehabilitation.

In the Mark Degree the value of education and discipline is again emphasised, and then another element intervenes, and we must view our relationship and the aims of Freemasonry from a different plane. We no longer hear of labours in the quarries and forests, or the physical struggle for existence, but of a purely spiritual edifice, “an house not made by hands.” The Degree is full of suggestion that the “House” is spiritual – that we ourselves are the living stones of which it is constructed.

Thoroughly to comprehend the symbolism of Royal Arch Freemasonry it is important constantly to bear in mind, therefore, that every reference to stones and temples signify you and me. Forget the inert, dead stone that you see and which was carried around tonight, and substitute for it yourself, and you will better understand the symbolism of this Degree.

All sorts of stones are wanted – square and oblong mostly – just ordinary useful stones, like ordinary useful people, which would fit in anywhere. But there are always some peculiarly wrought stones required to complete the intricate design, just as we require the extra skilled craftsmen the scientists inventors, artists and creative men of life.

From day to day the Examination of material goes on; we are constantly being proved and tested. Just as the knocks on the stones reveal any flaws in the material, so do the knocks we receive in life reveal our own weaknesses. Just as faulty and weak stones may prove a danger to the building, so likewise men faulty in character or principle constitute a weakness or danger in the social structure.

Every man, therefore is daily working on the Temple of his own spiritual life. Every act and even thought is an element in that structure. There is not a waking moment in our lives that we are not under observation, and even when there are none to see us, conscience, or the sentinel of God within us, never fails to make us conscious or warn us when we have erred. In this sense, therefore, we can better realise the truth of the words that “the All-seeing Eye is constantly upon us.”

At this early stage in his search for more light or knowledge, the Candidate is taught that fair work and square work are needed for the building. To prepare his stone, the operative mason had to work diligently and patiently, and to produce a perfectly finished, accurate surface, had to be painstaking and conscientious in the highest degree. His wondrous skill, of which there is so much evidence in the Old World, should remind us that we, too, must endeavour to become just as skilful in the practice and dissemination of the moral precepts taught here, and to build up with similar patience and industry the spiritual edifice whose erection is our purpose in life.

Let us never forget that man has only one opportunity to build up the structure of his life, which must stand the test of the most critical inspection. How foolish and futile, therefore, to put in faulty work which cannot possibly stand the test, and find at the end of his labours that he must “stand aside,” and have to look back on the ruins of a life in which good and bad stones lie in confusion, and there is nothing standing to do him credit or be remembered by.

In the dramatic incident at the Senior Warden’s wicket we have a salutary lesson – not to seek to gain advantage or reward for something we are not entitled to. To avoid wasting time and energy in useless pursuits or projects, and fairly and squarely to earn whatever we receive in life.

The Junior and Senior Overseers would not reject the stone because they thought it possessed some merit. Its external beauty rather than its utility appealed to them. But the Master Overseer condemned it peremptorily, displaying arrogance and ignorance. Is it not true to life also that at times our work receives credit and encouragement from some who examine it, while others condemn our efforts arbitrarily without proper knowledge of our purpose, and who, wilfully or otherwise, misunderstand our motives and intentions? Is there anyone who has not suffered unjustly through the ignorance and intolerance of those who should have known better? Is it not a lesson also, that when any of us reaches a position of authority or responsibility, he should be careful not to make the same error as the Master Overseer.

The Keystone is the last and uppermost stone by which the arch is completed and firmly locked. The structure may be well built of sound material, but without the Keystone it will not stand or perform the function for which it was designed.

Amongst the Jews, Jesus Christ was referred to as “the peculiar stone.” “he was despised and rejected and they esteemed Him not.” How similar in meaning are the words of our ritual – “the stone which the builders rejected, possessing merits to them unknown.”

Many a man today is building his Temple of the present life with no thought or regard for the Keystone, “the peculiar stone” which is required to bind the structure into an enduring whole, and enable it to withstand successfully the stresses it may have to endure. Wise is the man who plans his spiritual Temple with the same care as an architect plans a building, never neglecting the great Keystone which was rejected long ago, and which is still being forgotten or rejected by so many today. We hear of this stone later in our journey through the Royal Arch, and it should make us realise its significance and importance.

The symbolism of the Mark Degree presents lessons of practical value to the man who seeks self-improvement and encouragement and hope for those who are troubled with the problems they encounter, or are frustrated or depressed by conditions over which they have no control. The Degree also symbolically marks the final act in the building of King Solomon’s Temple. There was only one place in this Temple for a Keystone. The next step leads us into the realm of the purely spiritual aspects of Freemasonry on the quest which culminated in the Royal Arch.

In offering you this interpretation of the Mark Degree, I hope that my version may be helpful to you, not only in revealing some of the things which may be found, but pointing out paths which you yourselves may explore to find more interesting things, and gain a better comprehension of our wonderful Craft.

In emphasising the necessity for the acquisition of more and better knowledge, I have dealt mainly with the Masonic aspect. May I suggest, however, that there is an ulterior as well as altruistic motive for improvement in knowledge. “Knowledge is power.” It was written over my old school gates. Power is not completely expressed in mere physical strength or bulk; power is the product of the mind which is fed and nourished by knowledge. What man does not wish to increase his mental capacity and develop his personality to fuller strength? Who does not wish to be a leader amongst his fellows? Not even courage or superior physical powers can make an ignorant man a leader, a real leader. And the acquisition of true knowledge requires just as much self-discipline, determination, strength of will, and objective planning as any of the greater tasks of life. The failure to recognise this is what leads to so much mediocrity of attainment. Even when assistance is given, every Mason must still make some effort for himself. Hence, the very act of attempting seriously to acquire what we seek at once commences the cultural process which improves our personality, develops self-confidence and ability to lead, and at the same time destroys the inferiority complex which is an offspring of ignorance.

Freemasonry is so worthwhile to study because it is so practical and utilitarian in its application, and has wrapped up in its symbolism, its moral teachings and, above all, its discipline the whole plan for living a useful, harmonious and happy existence. Let me conclude with the wise observation of the poet Samuel Daniel.

He that of such a height hath built his mind

And reared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong

As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame

Of his resolved powers, nor all the wind

Of vanity and malice pierce to wrong

His settled peace, or to disturb the same;

What a fair seat hath he, from whence he may

The boundless wastes and wilds of man survey.

Copyright © A B Christensen, SGRACNZ, 2012

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