Presentation of a Master Mason certificate

M. W. Hazen

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Presentation of a Master Mason certificate

My Brother:

In presenting to you this Parchment let me explain that the illustration surmounting it is surrounded by the Thistle, Shamrock and Rose, showing that the Grand Lodges of the British Isles are the parent stems from which we derive our Masonic life. Within this imperial garland are the Royal Arms indicating that Royalty is the Patron of Freemasonry within the British Empire, while the motto "God and my right" declares to us two of the grand principles of Freemasonry, namely; a firm belief in the Great Architect of the Universe and a determination to maintain that liberty of conscience for which Freemasonry has always stood.

In the foreground of the illustration is a shield on one half of which are the Lion and the Crown and on the other three Castles*, symbols respectively of Strength, of Authority and of Protection. Supporting the shield on the dexter side stands Faith with folded hands in an attitude of devotion and on the sinister side Hope in an attitude of adoration, while behind the shield stands Charity, cherishing an orphan child—a symbol of the love and protection that is extended to the helpless and the weak by the brethren of the craft.

In the background there are depicted the mountains of our sunset province with their peaks of eternal snow looking down over forest, stream and plain, all suggestive of the vast resources which for our material benefit Nature has with lavish hands laid down through myriad years. Above all is the Triangle indicating the three-fold nature of man, the physical, the spiritual and the intellectual. Within this Triangle is the All-seeing Eye of Divine Direction to which we need never look in vain for sure guidance on life's pathway.

In the body of the Parchment there are three pillars representing Wisdom, Strength and Beauty—wisdom of Thought, Word and Action in all our daily walk and conversation, Strength to resist the temptations that beset us from day to day, and Beauty of sterling character and of lofty ideals. Between these several pillars inscribed in English and in Latin is in brief, the history of your progress in Freemasonry and a declaration to this and every land of your right to its benefits and privileges wherever brethren meet for fellowship or ceremonial according to the rites and customs of our ancient institution. On the tessellated floor are the terrestrial and celestial globes indicating the universality of Freemasonry. The Ashlars teach that it is a progressive science and that in all endeavour, although at first ignorant and unskilled, we may by industry and assiduity attain to the rank and dignity of master workmen.

The working tools suggest the several degrees through which you have passed and the moral lessons incident to these degrees, but chiefly in the Entered Apprentice degree that by judicious division of time and by industry and perseverance you may acquire expert mastery in any labour to which you may turn your hand; in the Fellow Craft degree, this being a progressive science, that you may acquire such knowledge of the arts and sciences as may lie within the scope of your interest and ability, and in the Master Mason degree that you are at liberty to rise from the ashes of the past to newness of spiritual life and a greater interest in and usefulness to your fellow man.

But greatest of all you are taught in every degree, more particularly in the Master Mason degree the value in Freemasonry of the V.O.T.S.L., that point within a circle from which a Master Mason cannot err if he places his trust in its sacred oracles and precepts and thereby becomes a co-worker with the Divine.

Let me congratulate you on the examination you have successfully passed this evening. I would ask you to approach the Secretary's desk and affix your signature in the margin of this Parchment for purposes of identification.

* The three towers are part of the arms granted to the London Company of Masons in 1472: "Sable or black on a chevron, between three towers argent or silver, a pair of compasses." While compasses, and squares, appear on the arms of a number of trade guilds, the three towers may well be unique to stonemason guilds.
Adopted by Confederation Lodge No. 116 in 1934. Composed by RW Brother William George Gamble (February 1878 - 29 October 1966), author of A History of the Early Days of Freemasonry in British Columbia (1954 c.), who served as Grand Historian from 1947 until 1964. Text found on page 82-83 Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia at the Sixty-ninth Annual Communication held at New Westminster, B.C. on the 20th and 21st days of June, 1940 : 1940. For his biography see Masonic Bulletin, vol. xxx, no. 5, January 1967, p. 2. Also see Proceedings. 1967 p. 127.

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