Apocalypse of Freemasonry: A Constructive Scheme of Interpretation of the Symbolism of the Masonic Lodge

230 Pages·2003·0.36 MB·English

by  F. de P. Castells

THE APOCALYPSE
OF FREEMASONRY
2
THE APOCALYPSE
OF FREEMASONRY

A Constructive Scheme of Interpretation
of the Symbolism of the Masonic Lodge

BY

THE REVD. F. DE P. CASTELLS, A.K.C.
Late of Lodges "Integridad Nacional, No. 1, and " Union, " No. 2.
Manila, Philippine Islands; P.M. of " Lullingstone Lodge," No. 1837,
Wilmington

AUTHOR OF "ARITHMETIC OF
FREEMASONRY, etc.

A. LEWIS
(Masonic Publishers) Ltd.
30-32 FLEET STREET
LONDONS E.C. 4

3
First Edition 1924
Second Edition 1925
Reprinted 1943
1949

Printed in Great Britain by
NEILL & CO., LTD., EDINBURGH.
4
THE APOCALYPSE
OF FREEMASONRY

INTRODUCTORY

THE early expositors of Freemasonry regarded
the Latin word LVX, " Light," as synonymous
with their science, and they dwelt on the fact
that by dividing the Circle into four equal parts
they produced a Cross from which they got the
outline of the three Roman letters needed to
spell this word - LVX.

The Circle thus divided contained four right
angles, that is, angles of 90°, the angles which
we call "squares," as corresponding to the tool
by which the operative Mason tries and adjusts
rectangular corners of buildings. The lines
drawn to do this is a cross, indicating the four
directions, the four quarters of the globe,
N.E.S.W. And this figure was actually used as
a cryptogram for the mystic light which was
imparted to the Candidate in Masonic Lodges.

Mosheim, writing some 200 years ago,
5
confirmed this fact by the most interesting
statement that in the secret writing of the
Alchemists and Rosicrucians the said sign
stood for the word " Light." For we should bear
in mind that the Rosicrucians had drunk deep
in Masonic fountains, and they, like the
Masons, understood by the term light, " the
knowledge of their science."

As a matter of fact, underlying the Ceremonies
practised by the Freemasons of the present
day, there is a system of philosophy which is
based on the lofty conception of the Most High
God as a Being who indwells the Light
(compare the classic epithet of Jupiter
Inlustris), and is Himself " light," as is declared
in the V. of the S.L. Masons are taught to think
of Him as not only Omnipresent and
Omnipotent but Omniscient, and because of
the last we speak of " His all-seeing Eye," an
expression that we shall see conveys a world
of meaning. All things are open to Him, nothing
is dark, nothing is hid. And those who are in
fellowship with Him, enjoy His light, even in the
dark.

If, therefore, we would grasp the meaning and
purpose of what is said and done in the Lodge,
we must keep this fundamental thought
6
uppermost in our mind. In His light shall we
see light, wherever and however we may be
placed, while by tracing back this thought
historically, we shall see ourselves brought into
partnership with the seers and saints of every
age, and we shall find that Masonry does
indeed elucidate and clear up many of the
problems that have agitated the minds of all
great thinkers in the Past.

HOW THE LIGHT CAME

Opening the V. of the S.L. at its first page, we
read of the earth as " formless and void." The
G.A.O.T.U. was engaged in laying the
foundations of His creation in the gloom of the
primeval Chaos, when suddenly there issued
forth from the Throne, the mighty fiat, " Let
there be light ! " and then, lo, a great wonder:
what has been done in the darkness is made
manifest.

Then, three periods of time are said to elapse,
and on the fourth the material Sun and Moon
are made to appear in the firmament, which the
Masonic Ritual says were created " to rule the
day and govern the night."
7
This raises the question as to the nature of the
original light, for evidently it was not dependent on
the Sun and Moon.

The R.A. Companion finds the above record in the
mysterious scroll of vellum or parchment which he
knows of, and our Ancient Brethren read it in former
times in their Lodges as an allegory of what was
done at every initiation.

Indeed, we may note that from time immemorial it
has been customary to make every Initiate to mark
these three introductory periods or stages with his
feet, after which the W.M. re-echoes from the chair
the same creative fiat, which then becomes the
signal for two distinct things: the restoration of " the
material blessing," and the communication of
certain secrets.

By this simple explanation of an impressive
ceremony, we are able to understand how it is that
our Masonic era has always been styled Anno
Lucis, " the Year of the Light," which suggests that
our science had its starting point in the first
dawning of the light.

It was because our ancient Brethren took this view
that they referred to all the masterminds that have
helped to mould the world, from Adam downwards.
as so many Freemasons
8
and Brothers. One may smile at it when
perusing the Old Charges, but what they had in
their mind was substantially true. What is all
culture but a diffusion of the light in the sphere
of the intellect? And what is the aim of our
Fraternity but to promote the world's progress
and to guide men through the paths of
heavenly science up to the Throne of God, the
highest source of light, and so most aptly
symbolised by the flame of Fire in the Burning
Bush that was ever ablaze but never
consumed?

THE DARKNESS OF NATURE

In the Universe the light is undoubtedly the
greatest, the dominant, force; but in the Ritual
we learn that the darkness has also its
practical uses. Remember that it was the
world's Architect who ordained both. He made
the light but did not completely abolish the
darkness. All He did was to order that the light
should shine in the daytime and alternate with
the period of darkness called " the night." The
plants were to yield their bloom and their fruit in
the light; but, on the
9
other hand, all the initial operations of nature were
to be conducted behind the scenes, in the dark, so
that the world would still be full of mysteries, and
man would not be permitted to penetrate those
mysteries without effort.

Freemasons have always used the Beehive as a
symbol; and the industrious bees extracting
sweetness from every flower in the field and storing
it up in their "properly tiled " and darkened dwelling,
present an excellent illustration of Masonic life.

The canopy which the Creator spread over this
earth has the effect of limiting our view, but it does
not blind us; for at night time it is studded with a
multitude of twinkling lights, and the result is a sort
of "darkness visible."

Moreover, if the glorious sun at noon-time unfolds a
most charming spectacle to our gaze, the starry
firmament at night is not less beautiful. The daylight
makes the nearer things clear; but, then, the
nocturnal gloom widens our view. This was once
beautifully expressed by Blanco White in his sonnet
to the night, which is one of the finest jewels of
English literature. The physical sun shines on our
surroundings, revealing the admirable form and hue
of everything; but its very
10