The Lambskin Apron.
It was "Lambskin Apron night" at the Lodge.
Exitdely unfurled their prescious possessions, some for the first time since being raised as Master Masons, tied them in their waist and wore them with pride.
Some of our Elder Bethren we're rather reluctant to participate, because they mistakenly remembered being told that the next use of the Lambskin Apron would be when buried with you in the grave.
However, they were reasured when buried with you in the grave. However they were reasured when a quick review of our ritual and the current addition of the Masonic code revealed no such admonition!
What is the value and importance of the Lambskin Apron and why does it excite such emotion? An interesting poem, written in 1917 by Bro. D.C.Clements gives us some more insight. The white leather Apron is more Ancient by by far.
Than the eagles of Rome, a symbol of war, or the fleece of pure gold by Emperors given, a rich decorating for which many have striven.
The garter of England, an Order most rare, although highly priced, cannot with it compare; it is an emblem of innocence symboled in white, and purity ever brings the greatest delight; with pure thoughts and how happy the life, how care free the conscience unclouded by strife. No Potentate ever can upon us bestow. An honor so great as this Apron doth show; ' Tis the badge of a Mason more noble to wear than the Gold of a mine or the Diamond most rare.
So here's to the Lambskin the Apron of white, that lifts up all equals and all doth unite, in the order so Ancient that man cannot say. When its teachings began or name its birthday. Since it's birth nations young have gone to their tomb and cities once great turned to ashes and gloom.
Earths greatest achievements have long passed away and peoples have risen and gone to decay. Outliving all these never changing with time, are the principles taught in our Order sublime and now my good Brother this Apron is for you, may you worthily wear it and for ever be true to the Vows you have made to the lessons most grand for these, home and country, we ever will stand.
The white Apron is the initial gift of Freemasonry to a candidate. The Word derives from the French"Napron" meaning a cloth, and from the expression" a Napron" evolved " An Apron" in English.
The candidate is instructed to wear this distinctive badge throughout an honorable Masonic Life. As we will see, the presentation or Rite of investiture symbolizes the candidates new life of understanding and inner purification.
Our Speculative use of the Apron derives from both historical and operative child sources. From the historical perspective, we learn about initiatory and religious functions. The initiate into Ancient Orders traveled a so-called Rite of passege where by he symbolically matured from the naivete or Spiritual darkness of the child to"Enlightenment" as an adult.
He became"Cleansed of impurities" of both the mind and the Spirit. This "Redemption"or"Regeneration".
Afforded his placement into a milleu of special human Fellowship, Moral Truth, and Spiritual Faith. White Aprons were worn upon initiation into the Ancient Mysteries of Mithras, the Jewish cult of the Essenes and Chinese secret societies. They were worn by Jewish and Druidic high priests. The early Christians wore them when Babtised.
The Persians used them as a national banner. It adorned Greek and Egyptian gods, used by the Mayans, the Incas, Astecs, and the Zulus and by the Anglican clergymen.
Because men wore them as emblems of the their High office or position, the Apron acquired an Aura of authority and respect in many diverse cultures.
From the religious or mystical standpoint, the white Apron was regarded as a sign of purity. It covered the lower portion of the body, which was associated with uncleanness and immortality. The Sach or band used to tie the Apron separated the upper and lower parts, and when worn at prayer, reminded of one of the functional priority of Heart and mind .
The "Mystics" spoke of the four physical (earth,air,fire, and water) and three Spiritual Presence knowledge and symbolic of Deity) which add up to the Pythagorean "Perfect" number seven Masons have similarly speculated about the symbolic Perfection of the seven sides of the Apron and it's flap.
When worn by an Entered Apprentice the" Physical" four sided main portion is separate from the "Spiritual" three sided flap. As this new Mason progresses through the degrees and becomes "Enlightened" the flap descends to the Apron, Symbolizing entrance of his Spiritual nature into that of the physical. Then the corner turns up. Symbolizing an interwining embrace of the two aspects.
Another esoteric explanation considers the five points of star, Square and Triangle. If trace the outlines of the Apron for each degree the E.A's has five sides, the Fellow crafts four sides and the Master three sides " latter form is now obsolete).
In this we can find a recurring theme in Masonry, the 47th Problem of Euclid. Discovered by Pythagoras, it teaches that in right angled triangles, the Square of the hypotenuse equals the of the two squares of the two other sides. This is the roof of Geometry and foundation of mathematics, which was essential knowledge for our Masonic
@ Eugenio Concepcion
