ALBERT PIKE, greatest of Masons as he was
greatest of mystics, says, "Masonry . . . follows the ancient
manner of teaching. Her symbols are the instructions she gives;
and the lectures are but often partial and insufficient one-sided
endeavors to interpret those symbols. He who would become an accomplished
Mason must not be content merely to hear or even to understand
the lectures, but must, aided by them, and they having as it were
marked out the way for him, STUDY, INTERPRET AND DEVELOP THE SYMBOLS
FOR HIMSELF."
This little book is but the interpretation and the development
of certain symbols, as one Master Mason has studied them for himself.
It is doubtful if the deep student here finds anything new, unless,
indeed, the method of presentation may be to him, novel.
The writer has, naturally, what pride and satisfaction may come
to any Master Mason who has sought a "covered" meaning
and found it, in his heart; apart from that, he offers these little
essays on a few of the symbols of Ancient Craft Masonry, knowing
that they are very humble attempts at gleaning in the fields whence
many a great teacher has reaped. If to any Freemason who reads
them comes even a small modicum of Masonic nourishment, then the
long day of their writing will be well ended, and the author content
that he has helped some brother to "look to the East."
CARL H. CLAUDY
WASHINGTON, D. C., November, 1925
SONNET
Seers seek for wisdom's flowers in the mind,
And write of symbols many a learned tome.
(Grow roses still, though rooted in black loam);
The mystic searches earth till eyes go blind
For soul of roses, yet what use to find
A spirit penned within a catacomb?
Nay, all they learn is weightless as sea-foam
That drifts from wave to wave upon the wind.
In rushes Cap and Bells. How very droll
The ways of students and the foolish books!
He finds the secrets of Freemasons' art
In mind nor rose nor tomb nor musty scroll.
Where no wit is, where all loves are, he looks
And reads their hidden meaning in his heart.
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