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21st Century technology and medieval architecture have come together high under the roof of York Minster Cathedral.
A mason’s “tracing floor” on which designs for parts of the cathedral of York Minster, were inscribed at full-scale in plaster, has been mapped using three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning. “The floor is one of only two surviving in England; the other is at Wells Cathedral” Somerset, England.
The Regius Poem (or the Halliwell-Phillips Manuscript) circa 1390. This Manuscript is the earliest objectively verifiable document referencing Freemasonry known.
The existence of this MS. was known for a long time before its full Masonic significance was recognized. The MS. contents were mistaken until a Mr. Halliwell-Phillips drew attention to it in a paper "On the Introduction of Freemasonry into England," read before the Society of Antiquaries in its 1838-9 session. Halliwell-Phillips thereafter published two small editions of a work entitled "The Early History of Freemasonry in England," with a translation of the poem into contemporary English.
It has been concluded from the type of parchment, language, and lettering that this document was written in approximately 1390 A.D. The poem consists of 794 lines of Old English verse and covers several subjects, most, directly applicable to Freemasonry. While this manuscript was written in the 14th century it refers to a period of Masonic history in England in the late 10th century. It relates the Legend of York and is the basis for the prominence the city of York has occupied in Masonic lore since the first millennium. Regulations for the government of the craft are included in the poem, as are fifteen articles and fifteen points dealing with ethical, moral and spiritual responsibilities of the ancient craftsmen.
One of the best-known artistic images which came to be associated with Freemasonry in the 19th century was the painting by Christian Schussele (1863) entitled “King Solomon and the Iron Worker”. The painting was originally commissioned by Industrialist Joseph Harrison to celebrate the iron and steel industries, in which he had made his fortune. The image depicts an iron-worker who appeared at the feast to celebrate the completion of King Solomon’s temple at Jerusalem. The worker was nearly turned away until he pointed out his important role as the toolmaker for the other artisans who built the temple.
This painting was made into a steel mezzotint engraving in 1876 by one of the most well known artists and Masons of his era, Brother John Sartain, 33rd degree and member of Franklin Lodge 134, Pa.
The engraving was later commonly used in American lodges to make the point that while Masons may take pride in work well done, overarching pride (inordinate self-esteem) surely comes before a fall, and that likewise, humility goes before honor.
As a working designer I have collected a number of books over the years that deal with various aspects of industrial and graphic design, architecture, illustration and fine art. One little book I often refer back to, as a great source book is “The Book of Signs” by Rudolf Koch. Rudolf Koch was a noted graphic designer, calligrapher, artist and bookbinder. Translated from the German by V. Holland. The English version of this book was originally published by the First Edition Club of London in 1930. It is available today from Dover Publications, NYC., Library of Congress Number 55-2433.
We have recently seen some very ugly displays of religious intolerance. The threat to burn the Koran, followed by anti-American demonstrations including burning the US Flag has caused great emotional distress, literally, around the world. Accusations of bigotry and intolerance are being hurled about indiscriminately.
Much of the Middle East has long been an area that does not permit Masonic activity and Freemasonry is oftentimes blamed for the world's ills.
Because we are tolerant of and respectful to each others religious beliefs it seems an appropriate time to reprint the Statement on Freemasonry and Religion prepared by the MasonicInformationCenter. This reprint appears on the reverse side of this issue of Focus.
I am carefully reading one of the treasured books of Masonry, "The Builders, A Story and Study of Freemasonry" by Joseph Fort Newton, and hope to submit a review of it in the near future.
In the meantime, I wanted very much to share a quote from the book's section on the interpretation and meaning of Freemasonry. It comes from "Handbuch," a German encyclopedia of Freemasonry published in 1900:
On December 27, 2007, R.W Grand Master Ronald A. Aungst, Sr. introduced and approved the usage of the Lewis Jewel for Pennsylvania Masons.
The word "Lewis" denotes strength and is depicted by certain pieces of metal dovetailed into a stone, which forms a cramp, and enables the operative Mason to raise great weights to certain heights with little encumbrance, and to fix them in their proper bases. Lewis, likewise, denotes the son of a Mason; his duty is to bear the heat and burden of the day, from which his parents, by reason of their age, ought to be exempt; to help them in time of need, and thereby render the close of their days happy and comfortable; and his privilege for so doing is to be made a Mason before any other person however dignified.
How did an operative mason lift a heavy stone straight up and lay it down level without getting his rope caught underneath? By using a Lewis. The term Lewis or Lewis Appliance is from the eighteenth century and refers to a type of grapple used by stonemasons and known to have existed from the time of the Romans and most probably much earlier. Historically the Lewis was originally made of bronze and later of iron. The Lewis is still used today and can be of several forms. One of those forms is called “St. Peter’s Keys”, taking its name from its resemblance to keys on a ring. Examples of this type were used in the building of the Duomo Cathedral (comp. 1436) in Florence Italy, designed by F. Brunelleschi (1377-1446). Tourists can see an example of a Lewis used in the construction still hanging on a nail there today.
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M.W.B. Benjamin Franklin
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