I now present to you the working tools of a Master mason.
They are the Skirret, Pencil and Compass.
The Skirret is an implement which acts on a centre pin, whence a line is drawn to mark out ground for the foundation of the intended structure.
With the Pencil the skilful artist delineates the building in a draft or plan for the instruction and guidance of the workmen.
The Compasses enable him with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine the limits and proportions of its several parts.
But as we are not all operative Masons but free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals.
In this sense, the Skirret points out that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down for our pursuit in the Volume of Sacred Law;
the Pencil teaches us that our words and actions are observed and recorded by the Almighty Architect, to Whom we must give an account of our conduct through life;
the Compasses remind us of His unerring and impartial justice, Who, having defined for our instruction the limits of good and evil, will reward or punish as we have obeyed or disregarded His Divine commands.
Thus the working tools of a Master Mason teach us to bear in mind, and act according to, the laws of our Divine Creator, that, when we shall be summoned from this sublunary abode, we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above, where the world’s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever.
Notes on the Working Tools of the 3rd Degree
In Freemasonry, physical tools are used as allegories for moral and ethical teachings. Here’s a breakdown of the symbolism:
- The Skirret: Represents the importance of maintaining a straight and unwavering line of conduct, akin to the line drawn by the skirret in marking out the foundation of a structure. It symbolizes adherence to the principles laid out in the sacred texts.
- The Pencil: Symbolizes the idea that our actions and words are observed and noted by a higher power, often referred to as the ‘Almighty Architect’ in Masonic terms. It’s a reminder that one’s actions are recorded and will be accounted for.
- The Compasses: Emphasize the need for precision and boundaries in one’s life. They remind Masons of the divine justice that measures and evaluates human actions according to the defined limits of good and evil.
In a broader sense, these tools are used by speculative Masons (those who practice Freemasonry as a philosophical and social system, rather than as a craft to reflect on their morals and actions, guiding them to live in accordance with divine laws. The ultimate goal is to prepare oneself for the afterlife, referred to as ascending to the ‘Grand Lodge above’, where the ‘Great Architect’ presides eternally.
As freemasonry is mostly based on an allegory, this narrative technique in which characters, events, and settings represent deeper truths or generalizations about human existence. It’s a way to convey complex ideas, morals, or criticisms through symbolic figures, actions, or other elements. Allegories are often used to illustrate moral, spiritual, or political messages in a way that’s more engaging or easier to understand than straightforward discourse. Its important that you take on your understanding. What do the working tools of a master mason mean too you?
You can read more about the working tools here