ich sitze in meiner badewanne und tue nichtsda kommt die kleine gelbe ente und geht unter.laalala und lolololo auch ein bischen yolodsfpigdkjlfhgldkfjhgkldfgkhlodijsfhgjhdjfkhgjkehjkjkjkjkdljkhvjkh lkijhouiehr lkhnojehr oloiooioeree ouishdfgoheo#uerhghouekoujihuiererijoghoiuehipoegjoperjgoejeojkghuoiehekljvjnoipehzruoiIn the midst of these days of horror through which the peoples of the Earth are passingthere is arising from out of the stricken nations an insistent cry for new ideals of life. The old conceptions have been weighed in the balance and found lamentably wanting;hence the eyes of millions are even now looking for something new (perhaps for signsand wonders) that will give them some vital ideal, some now conception of life to guidethem daring the dispensation which it is becoming obvious must eventually emergefrom the present world-chaos. A repetition of the old orthodox conceptions can nolonger satisfy, for an ever increasing number are coming to recognise clearly that theonly remedy for the present ills is to be found in the recovery of the soul of man, in anuprising of the human spirit to assert the true values of life and to recapture such controlof its material aspects as will make them subserve spiritual ends. Indeed, beneath allthe perturbation of this present crisis there is the undertone of longing for spiritualdeliverance, and thus the cry goes up for "a new heaven and a new earth", in whichrighteousness shall dwell.Now, it is significant that one aspect of the Divine LAw is that there can be no longingfor the ideal born in the human heart that is not a reflection of a Divine Reality which thesoul dimly senses as truth. Whence it follows that there cannot be a soul-cry or asincere demand for righteousness, peace and harmony, that will not bring its ownfulfilment in due season. But, humanity has so much to learn before it can acquire theDivine point of viev, and does it so slowly and painfully, that, among the mass, thetransformative progress is almost imperceptible. The necessary learning, of course,implies much more than the formulation of intellectual concepts and the enunciation ofdoctrine concering Righteousness and the Kingdom of God; it is an education that mustso completely possess one's being and actuate one's conduct that to know the lawsof the Divine Kingdom and to do them are inseparable.From the Christian revelationthe Western world already knows the laws, and has been told something of the natureof the Kingdom of God, but, that its conduct does not keep pace with its availableinformation needs no argument. It prefers to rely upon its own standard - that of itsnatural reason and judgment; and all the time a contrary, a higher standard, is beingoffered for its acceptance; a Divine Idea, transcending the primary conceptions we formis ever enticing the human mind away from its own standard towards a loftier one. Thereare, then, two standards entirely contrary one to the other - that of the kingdoms of thisworld and the natural reason which prevails therein, and that of the Kingdom of Godand the mystical consciousness, and the present world-war may be summed up as astruggle between alternatives. As the record of human evolution unquestionablydemonstrates, each high conception of the natural mind comes, sooner or later, to beundercut and surpassed by a loftier one offered by the Divine law.To illustrate this factby the use of Masonic imagery, the temple of the human mind is constantly beingdestroyed that a better one may be reared upon its site, and, as we are assured in theV. of the S.L., the Great Architect declares, "The glory of the latter house shall be greaterthan of the former" (Haggai 2, verse 9). Who, therefore, can doubt that the crucial natureof the present conflict and crisis is, in its inwardness, a terrific struggle for thesupremacy upon this earth of the Divine law over our primary instincts and humanreason and the unseen powers that dominate than. Because this is so, the crisis hasprovoked - as doubtless it was intended to provoke - in numberless minds, a perplexityoriginating in the very opposition of standards of which we are speaking. As one'sprivate knowledge, the pages of the press, and public utterances indicate, how manyconsciences are being stirred today to reflect upon the rightness or wrongness of war;upon the problem of personal duty; upon the right attitude of mind towards our nationalenemies; and upon the proper direction of thought and prayer in regard to victory andthe ultimate outcome? Now this perplexity could never arise at all had we made thetransition we are called upon to make from the standard of this world to that of theKingdom of God.Until the latter standard is attained, until it has possession of thepersonal life as completely as the former now dominates it, we are all "under the law";we are in bondage to powers beyond our control, and we may well reflect upon thesignificant words of St. Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians, "But as then he that was bornafter the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now" (Chapter4, verse 29). The mystics alone, of whatever time and country, have known and followedthe higher law, for only those whose consciousness has grown to mystical stature cantruly know and follow it, but, nevertheless there are many members of our Craft who aregenuinely preparing for initiation, and these must be up and doing, ready to spread theglad message of cheer and comfort to their Brethren, that is found in a realisation of theMystic Life.But in order to convince others we must first prove by experience and expression in ourown lives that living the Mystic Life is a practical possibility. For the majority still thinkthat mysticism and practicability are like the opposite ends of a magnet, whereas inreality they form the central point both blend. We must therefore demonstrate to theBrethren of our Order in particular, and to the world in general, that the Mystic Life doesbring to the heart and into the life of every devoted follower a new heaven in whichdwelleth righteousness, the righteousness of inspiring ideals, noble deeds, greatsacrifices and love for all Earth's children, giving the ability to share righteousness withothers, thus creating new earth conditions for those who enter into the realisation. Inpast ages mankind-sought retirement from the world in an effort to create the newheaven within himself, but we are not a Monastic Order, and the modern Freemason istaught that to be practical he must seek his heaven in the very midst of the turmoil oflife wherever the Great Law has placed him, and bring it forth, not only within himself,but also within his environment so that others may benefit by it; this is the idealmanifestation of the Masonic life.Since it is perfectly true that the inner urge of the Mystic Life keeps us all striving for itsexpression in one way or another, this Paper is an effort to explain in terms of thedeeper symbolism of Freemasonry, to those Brethren who are willing and ready tolisten, just for what they are more or less blindly seeking and how they can attain it; forboth the end and the means to its attainment should be known if we are to workeffectively and efficiently. It must be freely admitted that a Candidate proposing to enter Freemasonry today hasseldom formed any definite idea of the nature of what he is engaging in, and that evenafter his admission he usually remains quite at a loss to explain satisfactorily whatFreemasonry is and for what purpose the Order exists. He finds, as we know, that it is"a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols", but suchexplanation, whilst undoubtedly correct, is only partial and does not effectively enlightenhim.For this resoon we find that for many members of the Craft, to be a Freemasonimplies merely connection with a body which seeks to be something combining thefunctions of a social club and a benefit society.The majority discover, of course, acertain religious element in it, but as they are warned that religious discussion, whichmeans, be it noted, sectarian religious discussion, is forbidden in the Lodge, they inferthat Freemasonry is not a religious institution, and that its teachings are intended to beonly secondary and supplemental to any religious tenets they may happen to hold. Onesometimes hears it remarked that Freemasonry is "not a religion", which in a sense isquite true; and sometimes that it is a supplementary religion, which is quite untrue. Theactual position is that under the conditions of life imposod by our present imperfectworld, Freemasonry fulfils a function which no merely formal system of religion can fulfil;it provides a sanctuary of refuge to which men of many religions may safely retire, thereto find a common ground of fellowship, protected by the laws of the Order.For thisreason in some Lodges the Candidate makes his first entrance to the Lodge room amidthe clash of swords and the sounds of strife, to intimate to him that he is leaving theconfusion and jarring of the religious sects of the exterior world, and is passing into aTemple wherein the Brethren dwell together in unity of thought in regard to the basaltruths of life, truths which can permit of no differnce or schism. To state things briefly;Freemasonry offers us, in dramatic form and by means of a dramitic ceremonial, aphilosophy of the spiritual life of man and a chart or diagram of the process ofregeneration. This philosophy is not only consistent with the doctrine of every religioussystem taught outside the ranks of the Order, but it is also explains and elucidates thefundamental doctrines common to every religious system in the world, whether past orpresent. Allied with no external religious system, Freemasonry is yet a synthesis, aconcordat for men of every races, of every creed of every sect, and its foundationprinciples being common to them all, admit of no variation - "As it was in the beginning;so it is now and ever shall be". Hence every Master of a Lodge is called upon to givehis "unqualified assent" to the Regulation which stipulates that, "it is not within the powerof any man or body of men to make innovation in the body of Masonry", since the "bodyof Masonry" (i.e. its substantial doctrine) already contains a minimum, and yet asufficiency, of truth which none may add to nor alter, and from which none may takeaway; and as the Order accords perfect liberty of opinion to all men, the truths it hasto offer are entinely "free to" Candidates according to their capacity to assimilate them,whilst those to whom they do not appeal, are equally at liberty to be "free from" them.THE STORY OF THE HAND OF BRAHM.A long time ago and after a long time, Man began dimly to realise that, being made in the image and likenessof God, he was entitled to a share in God's divinity. So he went to the High Gods and demanded of them his divinity. They held council to consider the matter, agreed that Man's claim was just and that they could not withold from Man that which was his due. So they gave Man his divinity. But, having given it, they became afraid and said: "Man is not ready for the great gift. He will misuse it. He will wield it for power and personal gain. He has not yet learnt Wisdom." So they sent a messanger, secretly, by night, who stole Man's divinty away from him and brought it to the Gods. Again they assembled in Council. "Where shall we hide it?" they said, "For Man is so made that he will never rest till he gets it. If we drop it in the ocean he will dive down to the depths. If we hide it in the heart of the mountains he will blast the rocks, if we hide it in High Heaven itself he will batter down the gates." Then Brahm, greatest of them all, said: "Give it to me,. I will hide it." And he took within his hand the tiny flickering spark of Man's divinity and closed his fingers on it. When he opened his hand again - behold the spark had disappeared. Then said the other Gods: "Where have you hidden it?" Answered Brahm: "I have hidden it where it will be long before Man discovers it. I have hidden it within Manhimself." They said: "where in Man have you hidden it?" Said Brahm: "That is my secret and will remain my secret until MAN DISCOVERS IT FOR HIMSELF." (5)Now in those two pictures you can see what we teach in Lodge. The hidden Mysteries of Nature and Science and the Sacred Symbol the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science and yet - no - therefore the Sacred Symbol. And I say to myself, if these are the Lessons taught me in Lodge, then let me see what I can learn about myself in myself. Let me turn myself into a Lodge, and the first thing to do is to sit down quietly by myself, away from the rest of the world and concentrate my thoughts.I then find that, like Lodge, in myself there are several officers, three of a higher grade and one of those officers linked with something higher still. I find that the Master of my Lodge is Wisdom connected with the Infinite, with two saenior officers Strength, Strength of Will, and Beauty, the beauty of creative thought. These three are the unconscious mind. There are also Junior Officers. At my right hand is Intellect the conscious mind with reason and intelligence, opposite is Desire to see that commands are promptly obeyed. By the door of the Lodge is a wonderful instrument, the human brain to transmit the commands of the Higher and the Conscious mind to the Keeper of the door who is the body. That body, when in perfect order keeps off intruders and communicates with the outside world. By my left is Wisdom matured by Experience. All these officers are required for Man to commence to labour in Lodge. So on the gavel of Wisdom let every brother of the Lodge spring to attention and, as an oficer with a duty to perform, recite his duties and then, before Lodge is opened, let Experience offer a prayer to the Great Architect and open the Volume of the sacred Law. Then at the signal the Lodge is open and ready for work. (7).With eevery faculty working at its highest in peace and harmony then think of the duty of a Mason - To consider - and you will find that the first thing he has to consider is that very word "Consider." The dictionary will tell you that it means "Studying the stars." Now that means concentrate on the true message of the stars. Hear the message from the East coming through the lips of a great poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, in "The Light of Asia":"Insight vastRanging beyond this sphere to spheres unnamed,System on system, countless worlds and sumsMoving in splendid measures, band by bandLinked in division, one, yet separate,The silver islands of a sapphire seaShoreless, unfathomed, undiminished, stirredWith waves which roll in restless tides of change.He saw those Lords of Light who hold their worldsBy Bonds invisible, how they themselvesCircle obedient round mightier orbsWhich serve profounder splendours, star to starFlashing the ceaseless radiance of lifeFrom centres ever shifting unto cirquesKnowing no uttermost ---------Marking ------That fixed decree at silent work which willsEvolve the dark to light, the dead to life,To fulness void, to form the yet unformed,Good unto better, better unto best,By wordless edict; having none to bid,None to forbid; for this is past all gods,Immutable, unspeakable, supreme;A Power which builds, unbuilds, and builds again."On the next starlight night go out and get that message. Look up at the Heaven and you will find that each twinkle says to you "In a divine code I am flashing you a message of sparkling light at a speed which will go seven times round the world in a second, a message that set off on its journey a million years ago. It is a message of speed and purpose. Look at all those other stars, each on its own course obeying a divine command, each star with its own glory. Look up and you will see the Heavens are The Tracing Board of God whereon the Great Measurer has shewn his Plan and more than that, has shewn the Plan to you."Then look at the sun with his three steps of mourning noon and night, up from the East to open and give life to the day, at meridian in the south to give continuance of life to all created things, then down to the West to close the day, never really to set but to pass through that western gateway which is but the gateway to the Dawn. It is only man who thinks that the sun sets. The earth turns to make morning, noon and night, the instruments to give the flow and ebb of sap and blood. Each day is a creation, each day a renewal of life, and with his rays the sun turns the water of the sea into vapour to pass to the mountain there to condense in cloud and mist and rain and snow, to melt down a thousand and rivulets until it comes to the river and back again to the sea, taking with it all corruption to be purified by that very salt which man misuses to make a poison gas and destroy. Nature creates and preserves, man destroys.Then look at the earth, warmed by the sun it gives life to the grain. On the earth in the past have often been heard the tramp of feet, the thunder of chariots and the clash of arms. The bow was broken, the chariot overthrown, and bowman and charioteor perished. Over the bow and chariot grew the grass and they were buried and dissolved in the earth. Today instead of bow we have a gun, instead of chariot, a tank, but that gun can burst, that tankbe shattered and the rains will come and the sun will shine and over gun and tank in the years to come will be the waving fields of corn.Look at the snow to frighten by its cold and yet to cherish by its saving warmth like some fleecy blanket from the blast. It frighten, yet through its whit epurity comes up a feerless snowdrop. That snowdrop may be torn to pieces by the hand of the destroyer or crushed by the boot of the oppressor, but can any Principality or Power create a single petal of a snowdrop?, and next year there will be the snow and another snowdrop to sing, may rather to be a paean of praise to its maker, but the boot and the hand and the armies, Principalities and Powers, where will they be?So at last hate empassionedGod to purify refinesWhen He hushes angrey voicesDown the valley of the pinesSheds His peace and heals man's hatredIn His valley of the pines. (8)The whole message of the world is not only Plan and a Planner but Creation and a Creator.So let us look on Man as a Masonic Candidate. First in blindness stumbling with halting steps, then with the light of grwoing knowledge, ascending the spiral of civilisation.Freemasonry had another name for it generations ago. His progress is painful and slow but Man must rise in through and despite himself, for in him is the divine impulse - and then at last, Learning that material possessions are but a means and not an end, he steps forward to immortality over an open grave.In olden time, so said the legend, dead man had to be ferried over the Styx. To pay his fare an obol was placed between his lips for Charon the grim ferryman.As time went on we felt it strange that those Ancients thought in terms of moeny, even in the presence of death. Why strange when we think of what we do ourselves? Have we so degenerated that we anticipate death? Have we to become living corpses with our fare always upon our lips? Can we not realise that money does not pass the grave, that even in this life, the living of our lives is of more value than seeking more means to live? Have we to leave this earth to feel our eyes "no longer blinded by the dust of earth?" Why not live life in all its splendour and its fullness here on earth and now?If we can learn to do that, then War may prvoe a blessing in disguise. War destroys more than lives and property. It also destroys illusions. (9) And if we can learn to study that part of the Divine that is within us, if we can learn to use and not to worship material possessions, then, though the loss of all our treasures is a grievious loss, that loss is turned to gain if it means the loss of an illusion, that acquisiton of material possessions is the sole end of all our strivings. Man is worth more than money, and man must be the master and not the slave of the machine.And now you say to me, you have told us of the army of oppression, but what of the army of sufferers, countless in their millions, and for this I can but tell you there are two kinds of sorrow, your own and the other man's. For yourself let me remind you of the words of Sir Walter Raleigh, written in 1596:"I believe that sorrows and dangerous companions, converting bad into evil, and evil to worse and do us no other service than multiply harms. They are the treasures of weak hearts and the foolish, the mind that entertaineth them is as the earth and dust whereon sorrows and adversities of the world do, as the beasts of the field, tread, trample and defile. The mind of man is that part of God which is in us, which by how much it is subject to passion by so much it is further from Him that gave it to us. Sorrows draw not the dead to life but the living to death."That is a hard lesson, so couple it with the words:"My life is but a weavingBewteen my God and me,I try to choose the colours,He worketh steadily.Sometimes He weaveth sorrowAnd I, in foolish pride,Forget He sees the upper,I but the under side.(10)and the sorrows of others be very compassionate. Though I cannot give you an explanation I can point out to you a duty and that is that wherever there is human need there is need of a Mason. It is his bounden duty to help the cripple and the maimed, the widow and the orphan.For us as Builders Ancient Freemasonry is a way of life,inspired by a belief in the Great Architect and evidenced by Brotherhood and Charity, Toleration and Friendship. How can we be true Masons if distress is not relieved? With the grip of a Mason we can raise a fallen world.And now what of the dead? Remember that every airman, soldier, sailor, civilian, man, woman and child, who has died, has died for you to keep you free, free from your enemies, free from yourselves, and for them let me repeat the words of Buddha when he gave up everything to save the world:"Therefore farewell, friends!While life is good to give, I give and goTo seek deliverations and that unknown Light." (11)and let us say thos ewords, not as an epitaph but as a message of inspiration and hope from fellow builders of the Temple of the Spirit of Man. Let those words sound for you a bugle call, and from tonight, when you leave that door, go out on your pilgrimage under your Masonic vow to seek deliverance and that unknown Light.