The use of Scripture in a masonic lodge

INDEX OF PAPERS

ANTI-MASONRY

Image from Craft Masonry

Scripture in masonic usage

A Volume of Sacred Law—generally the 1611 edition of the Authorized or King James' Version of the Holy Bible in North American lodges—is required to be resting open upon the altar while a masonic lodge is at work, but few jurisdictions specify to what page or if a portion of holy writ is required to be recited.

As there is no constitutional requirement to open the Volume of Sacred Law to a specific passage, or to read a specific passage, some lodges in this jurisdiction have developed their own practices, choosing not to read or recite scripture, or to read other passages. This jurisdiction does not define the Volume of Sacred Law as the Christian Bible although many American jurisdictions do so.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 is generally recited before the opening of a masonic lodge at work in the Master Mason degree in England and Canada, while Ecclesiastes 12:1 to 12:7 will be read during a masonic funeral. For the lodge opening, some lodges prefer Psalms 133.

Scriptures read in lodge may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Entered Apprentice Degree

Ruth 4 : 7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. (Canadian Work in British Columbia)

Psalm 133 : 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133 : 1-3 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment;

3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountain of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Opening: Australian Work; Entered Apprentice Degree, Ancient Work in British Columbia)

Ruth 2 : 10-11 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. (Australian Work in British Columbia )

Fellowcraft Degree

Amos 7 : 7-8 Thus he shewed me: and behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

8. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: (Ancient Work in British Columbia)

Judges 12 : 6 Then they said unto him, Say now Shibbolith: and he said Sibbolith: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. (Canadian Work in British Columbia)

II Chronicles 3:17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz. (Australian Work in British Columbia )

Master Mason Degree

Ecclesiastes 12 : 1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:

Ecclesiastes 12 : 1-7 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:

2. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4. And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low:

5. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. (Canadian Work in British Columbia)

Isaiah 9 : 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Psalm 133 : 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Australian Work in British Columbia )

Illust.; Craft Masonry; or, part first. Manual of the Ancient York Rite. by Will. M. Cunningham. New York : D. B. Howell & Co., No. 434 Broadway, 1874. 164 p. list 6p. 12 cm x 29 cm.

© 1871-2024 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon A.F. & A.M. Updated: 2011/11/13
freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/scripture.html