Grand Lodge
The Square & Compasses
Paul Revere Lodge #130, A.F&A.M. Feb - March 2010

From the East


     In most cultures, the blade having typically two edges, the sword has a classic duality. On the one hand it kills and destroys, on the other it protects and preserves. During the crusader period many swords were engraved with the motto "No me saques sin rason. No me embaines sin honor." ("Do not draw me without justice. Do not sheath me without honor.")
     In Masonry the sword is always used as a tool of defense against the invasion of our privacy, never as an offensive weapon. At the same time, it also hints that Freemasonry may be as much a peril as it is a joy (think of the Catholic inquisition, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, the Ayatollah, et. al.); another duality.
     Another cross cultural similarity is the notion that swords are linked to fire, light and lightning. The Crusaders called the sword "a fragment of the cross of light". The Saxon word for sword is "seax" meaning fire (seax is also the root of the word "Saxon"). The Italian word is "spada" meaning the fire. The Japanese sword is thought to have originated in lightning from the storm god Susa no O. The Vedic sacrificial sword was created by Indras' lightning bolt. In the Judao-Christian tradition Eden was guarded by Cherubim wielding flaming swords that threw off lighting bolts.
     The Tiler's sword traditionally has a wavy blade in memory of the flaming, flashing blade wielded by the cherubim (if you are not sure of what is a cherubim, think Joe Beaton) at the borders of Eden. The implication is that the Lodge is a center of light amid darkness, a haven of good in a world beset with evil. The Tiler's sword marks the dividing line between the light of the Lodge and the darkness in the world. In our hearts it should serve as a barrier between right and wrong.
     The Tiler with his drawn sword is a symbol and reminder that nothing unworthy should be permitted in the sanctuary of our Lodge, or in the sanctuary of our hearts. The Tiler and his sword teaches us to set a guard over our thoughts, a watch at our lips and to post a sentinel over all our actions; thereby preventing the approach of any unworthy thought, word or deed.
It reminds us to practice the Masonic virtues of silence and circumspection. It further requires us to countenance no changes to our Ancient Landmarks.
     The Tiler's sword should never be carried in its scabbard. To be properly symbolic, it must be always at hand and ever ready to keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers.
     Not all cowans come through the Tiler's door, some slip through the West Gate. Some cowans are duly and truly prepared, properly initiated, passed and raised. Yet, somehow, they do not become good and true Master Masons in their hearts and life. This type of 'Mason' would be better left among the profane. Should this occur, we have not only failed in our duty to our Order but we have also failed in our duty to the candidate.
     This will become inevitable if ever we neglect the symbolic meaning of the Tiler and his sword. Every Master Mason should be, at least symbolically, a Tiler for our Lodge and carry the Tiler’s sword when on the vital task of serving on an Investigating Committee.
     Actual eavesdroppers in modern times are not so much a concern as in ancient times. The modern eavesdropper is usually an innocent non-initiate who is told more than is proper for him to know, perhaps by a too enthusiastic Mason. We should be guided by the symbol of the 'The Book of Constitutions Guarded by the Tiler's sword', which teaches us to be ever watchful and guarded of our words and actions.
     Let us all wear the Tiler's sword as an emblem upon our hearts. Let us set the seal of silence and circumspection upon our tongues. Let us guard our West Gate against cowans, just as we guard our speech against the inadvertent eavesdropper.
     The Tiler's sword is a symbol of power and authority. It is to symbolize silence and circumspection, as well as profound respect for the secrecy within our Tiled Lodge. We are indeed, first made Masons within our hearts.

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