| Blue Lodge Degrees In Morals and Dogma Excerpts from "Morals and Dogma" by Albert Pike |
The following are excerpts from "Morals and Dogma" written by Albert Pike in 1871. This book is the most
controversial book in Freemasonry, bar none. It is the book most misquoted by Anti-masons in an attempt to confuse
those who are looking for the truth. These excerpts give his explanation of the first three degrees in Masonry. Known
as the "Blue Lodge Degrees", these first degrees are individually named the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and
Master Mason degree..
controversial book in Freemasonry, bar none. It is the book most misquoted by Anti-masons in an attempt to confuse
those who are looking for the truth. These excerpts give his explanation of the first three degrees in Masonry. Known
as the "Blue Lodge Degrees", these first degrees are individually named the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and
Master Mason degree..
(last paragraph of page 638)
Pages 638-643
"Before we enter upon the final lesson of Masonic Philosophy, we will delay a few moments to repeat to you the
Christian interpretations of the Blue Degrees."
Christian interpretations of the Blue Degrees."
"In the First Degree, they said, there are three symbols to be applied."
"1st. Man, after the fall, was left naked and defenseless against the just anger of the Deity. Prone to evil, the human
race staggered blindly onward into the thick darkness of unbelief, bound fast by the strong cable-tow of the natural and
sinful will. Moral corruption was followed by physical misery. Want and destitution invaded the earth. War and Famine
and Pestilence filled up the measure of evil, and over the sharp flints of misfortune and wretchedness man toiled with
naked and bleeding feet. This condition of blindness, destitution, misery, and bondage, from which to save the world
the Redeemer came, Is symbolized by the condition of the candidate, when he is brought up for the first time to the
door of the Lodge."
race staggered blindly onward into the thick darkness of unbelief, bound fast by the strong cable-tow of the natural and
sinful will. Moral corruption was followed by physical misery. Want and destitution invaded the earth. War and Famine
and Pestilence filled up the measure of evil, and over the sharp flints of misfortune and wretchedness man toiled with
naked and bleeding feet. This condition of blindness, destitution, misery, and bondage, from which to save the world
the Redeemer came, Is symbolized by the condition of the candidate, when he is brought up for the first time to the
door of the Lodge."
"2nd. Not withstanding the death of the redeemer, man can be saved only by faith, repentance, and reformation. To
repent, he must feel the sharp sting of conscience and remorse, like a sword piercing his bosom. His confidence in his
guide, whom he is told to follow and fear no danger; his trust in God, which he is caused to profess; and the point of
the sword that is pressedagainst his naked left breast over the heart, are symbolical of the faith, repentance and
reformation necessary to bring him to the light of a life in Christ the Crucified."
repent, he must feel the sharp sting of conscience and remorse, like a sword piercing his bosom. His confidence in his
guide, whom he is told to follow and fear no danger; his trust in God, which he is caused to profess; and the point of
the sword that is pressedagainst his naked left breast over the heart, are symbolical of the faith, repentance and
reformation necessary to bring him to the light of a life in Christ the Crucified."
"3rd. Having repented and reformed, and bound himself to the service of God by a firm promise andobligation, the
light of Christian hope shines down into the darkness of the heart of the humble penitent, and blazes upon his pathway
to Heaven. And this is symbolized by the candidates being brought to light, after he is obligated, by the Worshipful
Master, who in that is a symbol ofthe redeemer, and so brings him to light, with the help of the brethren, as He taught
the Word with the aid of the Apostles."
light of Christian hope shines down into the darkness of the heart of the humble penitent, and blazes upon his pathway
to Heaven. And this is symbolized by the candidates being brought to light, after he is obligated, by the Worshipful
Master, who in that is a symbol ofthe redeemer, and so brings him to light, with the help of the brethren, as He taught
the Word with the aid of the Apostles."
"In the Second Degree there are two symbols:"
"4th. The Christian assumes new duties toward God and his fellows. Toward God, of love, gratitude, and
veneration, and an anxious desire to serve and glorify Him; toward his fellows, of kindness, sympathy and justice. And
this assumption of duty, this entering upon good works, is symbolized by the Fellow-Craft's obligation; by which,
bound as an apprentice to secrecy merely and set in the Northeast corner of the Lodge, he descends as a Fellow-Craft
into the body of the brethren, and assumes the active duties of a good Mason."
veneration, and an anxious desire to serve and glorify Him; toward his fellows, of kindness, sympathy and justice. And
this assumption of duty, this entering upon good works, is symbolized by the Fellow-Craft's obligation; by which,
bound as an apprentice to secrecy merely and set in the Northeast corner of the Lodge, he descends as a Fellow-Craft
into the body of the brethren, and assumes the active duties of a good Mason."
"5th. The Christian, reconciled to God, sees the world in a new light. This great Universe is no longer a mere
machine, wound up and set going six thousand or sixty million years ago, and left to run on afterward forever, by
virtue of a law of mechanics created at the beginning, without further care or consideration on the part of the Deity;
but it has now become to him a great emanation from God, the product of his thought, not a mere dead machine, but a
thing of life, over which God watches continually, and every movement of which is immediately produced by His
present action, the law of harmony being the essence of the Deity, re-enacted every instant. And this is symbolized by
the imperfect instruction given in the Fellow-Craft's Degree, in the sciences, and particularly geometry, connected as
the latter is with God Himself in the mind of a Mason, because the same letter, suspended in the East, represents both;
and astronomy, or the knowledge of the laws of motion and harmony that govern the spheres, is but a portion of the
wider science of geometry. It is so symbolized, because it is here, in the Second Degree, that the candidate first
receives an other than moral instruction."
machine, wound up and set going six thousand or sixty million years ago, and left to run on afterward forever, by
virtue of a law of mechanics created at the beginning, without further care or consideration on the part of the Deity;
but it has now become to him a great emanation from God, the product of his thought, not a mere dead machine, but a
thing of life, over which God watches continually, and every movement of which is immediately produced by His
present action, the law of harmony being the essence of the Deity, re-enacted every instant. And this is symbolized by
the imperfect instruction given in the Fellow-Craft's Degree, in the sciences, and particularly geometry, connected as
the latter is with God Himself in the mind of a Mason, because the same letter, suspended in the East, represents both;
and astronomy, or the knowledge of the laws of motion and harmony that govern the spheres, is but a portion of the
wider science of geometry. It is so symbolized, because it is here, in the Second Degree, that the candidate first
receives an other than moral instruction."
There are also two symbols in the Third Degree,which, with the 3 in the first, and 2 in the second, make the 7.
"6th. The candidate, after passing through the first part of the Ceremony, imagines himself a Master; and is
surprised to be informed that as yet he is not, and that it is uncertain whether he ever will be. He is told of a difficult
and dangerous oath yet to-be traveled, and is advised that upon that journey it depends whether he will become a
Master. This is symbolical of that which our Savior said to Nicodemus, that, notwithstanding his morals might be
beyond reproach, he could not enter the Kingdom of heaven unless he were born again; symbolically dying, and again
entering the world regenerate, like a spotless infant."
surprised to be informed that as yet he is not, and that it is uncertain whether he ever will be. He is told of a difficult
and dangerous oath yet to-be traveled, and is advised that upon that journey it depends whether he will become a
Master. This is symbolical of that which our Savior said to Nicodemus, that, notwithstanding his morals might be
beyond reproach, he could not enter the Kingdom of heaven unless he were born again; symbolically dying, and again
entering the world regenerate, like a spotless infant."
"7th. The murder of Hiram, his burial, and his being raised again by the Master, are symbols, both of the death,
burial, and resurrection of the Redeemer; and of the death and burial in sins of the natural man, and his being raised
again to a new life, or born again, by the direct action of the redeemer; after Morality (symbolized by the Entered
Apprentice's grip), and Philosophy (symbolized by the grip of the Fellow-Craft), had failed to raise him. That of the Lion
of the House of Judah is the strong grip, never to be broken, with which Christ, of the royal line of that House, has
clasped to himself the whole human race, and embraces them in his wide arms as closely and affectionately as brethren
embrace each other on the five points of fellowship."
burial, and resurrection of the Redeemer; and of the death and burial in sins of the natural man, and his being raised
again to a new life, or born again, by the direct action of the redeemer; after Morality (symbolized by the Entered
Apprentice's grip), and Philosophy (symbolized by the grip of the Fellow-Craft), had failed to raise him. That of the Lion
of the House of Judah is the strong grip, never to be broken, with which Christ, of the royal line of that House, has
clasped to himself the whole human race, and embraces them in his wide arms as closely and affectionately as brethren
embrace each other on the five points of fellowship."
"As Entered Apprentices and Fellow-Crafts, Masons are taught to emulate the laudable example of those Masons who
labored at the building of King Solomon's Temple; and to plant firmly and deep in their hearts those foundation-stones of
principle, truth, justice, temperance, fortitude, prudence, and charity, on which to erect that Christian character which
all the storms of misfortune and all the powers and temptations of Hell shall not prevail against; those feelings and noble
affections which are the most proper homage that can be paid to the Grand Architect and Great Father of the Universe,
and which make the heart a living temple builded to Him: when the unruly passions are made to submit to rule and
measurement and their excesses are struck off with the gavel of self-restraint; and when every action and every
principle is accurately corrected and adjusted by the square of wisdom, the level of humility, and the plumb of justice."
labored at the building of King Solomon's Temple; and to plant firmly and deep in their hearts those foundation-stones of
principle, truth, justice, temperance, fortitude, prudence, and charity, on which to erect that Christian character which
all the storms of misfortune and all the powers and temptations of Hell shall not prevail against; those feelings and noble
affections which are the most proper homage that can be paid to the Grand Architect and Great Father of the Universe,
and which make the heart a living temple builded to Him: when the unruly passions are made to submit to rule and
measurement and their excesses are struck off with the gavel of self-restraint; and when every action and every
principle is accurately corrected and adjusted by the square of wisdom, the level of humility, and the plumb of justice."
"The two columns, Jachin and Boaz, are the symbols of that profound faith and implicit trust in God and the
Redeemer that are the Christian's strength; and of those good works by which alone that faith can be established and
made operative and effectual to salvation."
Redeemer that are the Christian's strength; and of those good works by which alone that faith can be established and
made operative and effectual to salvation."
"The three pillars that support the lodge are symbols of a Christian's HOPE in a future state of happiness; Faith in the
promises and the divine character and mission of the Redeemer; and Charitable Judgment of other men."
promises and the divine character and mission of the Redeemer; and Charitable Judgment of other men."
"The three murderers of Khir-Om (Hiram) symbolize Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas the High-Priest, and Judas Iscariot; and
the three blows given him are the betrayal by the last, the refusal of Roman protection by Pilate, and the condemnation
by the High-Priest. They also symbolize the blow on the ear, the scourging, and the crown of thorns. The twelve
fellow-crafts sent in search of the body are the twelve disciples, in doubt whether to believe that the Redeemer would
rise from the dead."
the three blows given him are the betrayal by the last, the refusal of Roman protection by Pilate, and the condemnation
by the High-Priest. They also symbolize the blow on the ear, the scourging, and the crown of thorns. The twelve
fellow-crafts sent in search of the body are the twelve disciples, in doubt whether to believe that the Redeemer would
rise from the dead."
"The Master's word, supposed to be lost, symbolizes the Christian faith and religion, supposed to have been crushed
and destroyed when the Savior was crucified, after Iscariot had betrayed Him, and Peter deserted Him, and when the
other disciples doubted whether He would arise from the dead; but which rose from His tomb and flowed rapidly over
the civilized world; and so that which was supposed to be lost was found. It symbolizes also the Savior Himself; the
Word that was in the beginning-that was with God, and that was God; the Word of life, that was made flesh and dwelt
among us, and was supposed to be lost, while He lay in the tomb, for three days, and His disciples "as yet knew not the
scripture that He must rise again from the dead," and doubted when they heard of it, and were amazed and frightened
and still doubted when He appeared among them."
and destroyed when the Savior was crucified, after Iscariot had betrayed Him, and Peter deserted Him, and when the
other disciples doubted whether He would arise from the dead; but which rose from His tomb and flowed rapidly over
the civilized world; and so that which was supposed to be lost was found. It symbolizes also the Savior Himself; the
Word that was in the beginning-that was with God, and that was God; the Word of life, that was made flesh and dwelt
among us, and was supposed to be lost, while He lay in the tomb, for three days, and His disciples "as yet knew not the
scripture that He must rise again from the dead," and doubted when they heard of it, and were amazed and frightened
and still doubted when He appeared among them."
"The bush of acacia placed at the head of the grave of Khir-Om is an emblem of resurrection and immortality."
"Such are the explanations of our Christian brethren; entitled, like those of all other Masons, to a respectful
consideration."
consideration."
"CLOSING INSTRUCTION."
"There is no pretense to infallibility in Masonry. It is not for us to dictate to any man what he shall believe. We have
hitherto, in the instruction of the several degrees, confined ourselves to laying before you the great thoughts that have
found expression in the different ages of the world, leaving you to decide for yourself as to the orthodoxy or heterodoxy
of each, and what proportion of truth, if any, each contained. We shall pursue no other course in this closing
Philosophical instruction; in which we propose to deal with the highest questions that have ever exercised the human
mind, with the existence and the nature of a God, with the existence and the nature of the human soul, and with the
relations of the divine and human spirit with the merely material Universe. There can lie no questions more important to
an intelligent being, none that have for him a more direct and personal interest ; and to this last word of Scottish
Masonry we invite your serious and attentive consideration. And, as what we shall now say will be but the completion
and rounding-off of what we have already said in several of the preceding Degrees, in regard to the Old Thought and the
Ancient Philosophies, we hope that you have noted and not forgotten our previous lessons, without which this would
seem imperfect and fragmentary."
hitherto, in the instruction of the several degrees, confined ourselves to laying before you the great thoughts that have
found expression in the different ages of the world, leaving you to decide for yourself as to the orthodoxy or heterodoxy
of each, and what proportion of truth, if any, each contained. We shall pursue no other course in this closing
Philosophical instruction; in which we propose to deal with the highest questions that have ever exercised the human
mind, with the existence and the nature of a God, with the existence and the nature of the human soul, and with the
relations of the divine and human spirit with the merely material Universe. There can lie no questions more important to
an intelligent being, none that have for him a more direct and personal interest ; and to this last word of Scottish
Masonry we invite your serious and attentive consideration. And, as what we shall now say will be but the completion
and rounding-off of what we have already said in several of the preceding Degrees, in regard to the Old Thought and the
Ancient Philosophies, we hope that you have noted and not forgotten our previous lessons, without which this would
seem imperfect and fragmentary."
"In its idea of rewarding a faithful and intelligent workman by conferring upon him a knowledge of the True Word,
Masonry has perpetuated a very great truth, because it involves the proposition that the idea which a man forms of God
is always the most important element in his speculative theory of the Universe, and in his particular practical plan of
action for the Church, the State, the Community, the Family, and his own individual life. It will ever make a vast
difference in the conduct of a people in war or peace, whether they believe the Supreme God to be a cruel Deity,
delighting in sacrifice and blood, or a God of Love; and an individual's speculative theory as to the mode and extent of
God's government, and as to the nature and reality of his own free-will and consequent responsibility, will needs have
great influence in shaping the course of his life and conversation."
Masonry has perpetuated a very great truth, because it involves the proposition that the idea which a man forms of God
is always the most important element in his speculative theory of the Universe, and in his particular practical plan of
action for the Church, the State, the Community, the Family, and his own individual life. It will ever make a vast
difference in the conduct of a people in war or peace, whether they believe the Supreme God to be a cruel Deity,
delighting in sacrifice and blood, or a God of Love; and an individual's speculative theory as to the mode and extent of
God's government, and as to the nature and reality of his own free-will and consequent responsibility, will needs have
great influence in shaping the course of his life and conversation."
"We see every day the vast influence of the popular idea ofGod. All the great historical civilizations of the race have
grown out of the national ideas which were formed of God; or have been intimately connected with those ideas. The
popular Theology, which at first is only an abstract idea in the heads of philosophers by and by shows itself in the laws,
and in the punishments for crime, in the churches, the ceremonies and the sacraments, the festivals and the fasts, the
weddings, the baptisms and the funerals, in the hospitals, the colleges, the schools, and all the social charities, in the
relations of husband and wife, parent and child, in the daily work and the daily prayer of every man."
grown out of the national ideas which were formed of God; or have been intimately connected with those ideas. The
popular Theology, which at first is only an abstract idea in the heads of philosophers by and by shows itself in the laws,
and in the punishments for crime, in the churches, the ceremonies and the sacraments, the festivals and the fasts, the
weddings, the baptisms and the funerals, in the hospitals, the colleges, the schools, and all the social charities, in the
relations of husband and wife, parent and child, in the daily work and the daily prayer of every man."
"As the world grows in its development, it necessarily outgrows its ancient ideas of God, which were only
temporary and provisional. A man who has a higher conception of God than those about him, and who denies that their
conception is God, is very likely to be called an Atheist by men who are really far less believers in a God than he. Thus
the Christians, who said the Heathen idols were no Gods, were accounted Atheists by the People, and accordingly put to
death; and Jesus of Nazareth was crucified as an unbelieving blasphemer, by the Jews." (pg. 643)
temporary and provisional. A man who has a higher conception of God than those about him, and who denies that their
conception is God, is very likely to be called an Atheist by men who are really far less believers in a God than he. Thus
the Christians, who said the Heathen idols were no Gods, were accounted Atheists by the People, and accordingly put to
death; and Jesus of Nazareth was crucified as an unbelieving blasphemer, by the Jews." (pg. 643)
