While the bible might be described in various ways, it is not a piece of furniture. For example, i have heard of candidates requesting a blank book to represent the fact that the sacred law they follow is not cannot be written. There are seven volumes of the sacred law in common use in varying. A candidate makes an oath to freemasonry and its secrets under pain of death or selfmutilation by kneeling blindfolded in front of the altar, placing both hands on the volume of sacred law perhaps the bible, the square and the compass, and repeating after the worshipful master. However, even though the practice of freemasonry was restricted to christians, except in some cases, the early references to the volume of the sacred law is to the book librum and not to the holy bible. In the united states, most often this book is the holy bible, but it is not a requirement. Gods word the bible is regarded merely as lodge furniture and each country displays on its lodge altar the holy book that represents those faiths present in the lodge. This volume can be any book he deems to be religious.
Two purposes are served by the volume of the sacred law in a masonic lodge. Presentation of a volume of sacred law it is my pleasant duty this evening to present to you your own volume of sacred law, that great light in masonry. I will for the present purposes, concentrate on the analysis of judicial law, although i note that moral law and judicial law are closely intertwined and regularly overlap. The lex non scripta, or unwritten lawof freemasonry is derived from the traditions, usages and customs of the. Advisedly, he says, a book of the law, because it is not absolutely required that everywhere the old and new testaments. The sacred law is a term applied to the ten commandments given by god to israel and later written on two tables of stone for moses. Freemasonry and book of sacred law sun yat sen lodge n. In one written decision he has embroiled not only florida masonry, but masons from all over the nation in a. Gm of nevada rules no multiple volumes of sacred law in. Duncan 1866 this book presents details of masonic initiation rituals, along with grips, passwords and regalia.
This 2015 edition contains a list of standard forms and other helpful information. Masonic volume of sacred law freemason information youtube. I know we have discussed this at one point before, but what are the most interesting or unique volumes of sacred law you have seen used in lodge, or requested by candidates. We are about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Volumes of the sacred law in use in the lodges in the band of countries stretching from the united states to europe and from from israel to new zealand, depending on the religious affiliation of its local members, are.
A modern examination of the landmarks of freemasonry. It will be readily understood that the sacred book of the law includes the koran, the veda, the scruti, the pentateuch, as well as the bible. The history of the masonic symbolism of the bible is interesting. Indiana blue book of masonic law mulberry lodge home. Amidst its concerns and employments forget not the duties. The religion of the masonic lodge the church of christ in. The explanation of the presence of the holy bible on the altar could not tell the whole story, although true in itself. The volume of the sacred law in multifaith freemasonry. The laws which govern the institution of freemasonry are of two kinds, unwrittenand written,and may in a manner be compared with the lex non scripta, or common law, and the lex seripta, or statute law of english and american jurists. Volume of sacred law vsl also known as the book of the law is the masonic term for whatever religious or philosophical texts are displayed during a lodge. The king james version of the volume of the sacred law. The religion of the lodge the church of christ in zion. In our ritual, the person who desires to be made a.
Brethren the volume of the sacred law is known to us as a great. Jun 21, 2015 freemasonry and book of sacred law posted on june 21, 2015 by sunyatsenlodge although freemasonry has some points of contact with religion and religiosity is not a religion although some institutional religions still insist it is. Wilmshurst 1922 a look inside the symbolism of masonry. The principles of masonic law by albert gallatin mackey. Another candidate requested a book of law like the code of hammurabi or the magna carta.
Volume of the sacred law in freemasonry freemason information. It is religious in that it teaches monotheism, the volume of the sacred law is open upon its altars whenever a lodge is in. Just as freemasonry uses the name great architect so as to be inclusive to the faiths of all its members, so to should it use the name volume of the sacred law to be inclusive of all books of faith of its members. The source of moral law are the volume of the sacred law. So which volume of the sacred law is the right one. This 2015 edition of the indiana blue book of masonic law is a compilation of the 1993 edition, together with all changes thereto through and including the 2015 annual meeting of the grand lodge of indiana. Every candidate is required to take his obligation on that book or the volume. Volume of sacred law vsl also known as the book of the law is the masonic term for whatever religious or philosophical texts are displayed during a lodge meeting background. There is room in masonic law to use different sacred books, eg if the. The volume of the sacred law is known to us as a great. As a matter of interest i was initiated in the orient lodge no. Volume of sacred law vsl also known as the book of the law is the masonic term for whatever religious or philosophical texts are displayed during a lodge meeting.
I am an independent, individual seller who takes pride in being responsive and honest. Written in the 19th century, duncans ritual, as it is known, has been republished numerous times. Volume of the sacred law freemason information masonic. Close up of the volume of the sacred law book in a freemasons lodge freemason mason masonic lodge secret society secretive group freemasonry undercover organisation secrecy faith volume of the sacred law freemasons english british england great britain united kingdom gb uk eu europe fraternity, heritage, historic, historical, history, lodges, symbols club exclusive elite occupation, work. The new mason is directed to a serious contemplation of the volume of the sacred law. The senior deacon removes the hoodwink and the worshipful master motions to the open bible, the square and compasses superimposed upon the volume of the sacred law. One of the hallmark heretical teachings of freemasonry is their universally accepted masonic doctrine of the volume of sacred law, which states. The volume of the sacred law is essential to the institution of freemasonry. Background edit in englishspeaking countries, this is most often the king james version of the bible or another standard translation of the bible. Nmj, fgcr, qccc, movper, tcl, ahot one of my lodges is considering expanding its collection of volumes of sacred law beyond the kjv that currently resides on the alter. A book of the law volume of sacred law or vsl shall constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every lodge. The old, familiar book, so beloved by so many generations, is our volume of sacred law and a great light in masonry. Some lodges may use other holy books from the jewish or muslim or other religion.
Wallace mcleod, an eminent canadian masonic scholar, discusses t. As entered apprentices, receiving light for the first time, masons are cautioned that no atheist may be. And, my brother, that your feet may not stumble, that your pathway through life may be well lighted, your brethren of this lodge have commissioned me to place in your hands this evening your own volume of sacred law, the great masonic light, with the prayer that it may indeed be a lamp unto your feet. Even if a masonic building actually faces north and south, when you walk into the lodge room, youre symbolically facing the east. Volume of sacred law freemason information masonic.
Judaism and islam have both created a law giving structure built off religious, sacred texts, in which to govern a community or farflung communities. The bible is known masonically as the book of the law, when opened at its proper place in the lodge, because it is defusing the proper light among the brethren. The principles of masonic law by albert mackey is the most important and complete masonic law book and the basic reference used by all masonic law books writers who came after mackey. The passages on which it is opened, differ in the various degrees. We are told as masons to avoid all sectarian religious discussion yet that is exactly what the mainstream grand master of florida has done. Does the christian bible hold a greater position, or is the volume of sacred law, the one upon which all freemasons. Freemasonry and book of sacred law posted on june 21, 2015 by sunyatsenlodge although freemasonry has some points of contact with religion and religiosity is not a religion although some institutional religions still insist it is. Freemasonry and religion masonic service association of. Maine masonic text book masonic grand lodge of maine. The first condition of admission into, and membership of, the order is belief in the supreme being. Dont waste your money on cheap reproductions of famous masonic books when you can download them here for free. Bible sacred book of judiasm and christianity masonic. Freemasons must have this book in their library, read it throughout, digest it, and keep it at hand, when dealing with matters related to masonic law.
It is based upon the law of divine revelation, therefore, any covenant, affirmation, declaration, assumption, prescription, or requirement derogatory thereto, or i n conflict therewith, is void. Faq, frequent questions grand lodge afm of sc grand lodge. The principles of masonic law wikisource, the free online. The volume of the sacred law in the judeochristian tradition is the bible. It is based upon the law of divine revelation, therefore, any covenant, affirmation, declaration, assumption, prescription, or requirement derogatory thereto, or i. The book of the law is that volume which, by the religion of the mason, is believed to contain the revealed will of the grand. Drummond was originally published by the grand lodge of maine in 1877 for the purpose of assisting the lodges in. The ashlar company masonic shop for the good of the craft.
Faq, frequent questions grand lodge afm of sc grand. There are seven volumes of the sacred law in common use in varying numbers through the east. It includes the three basic degrees of the ancient york rite, and four additional advanced. Different volumes of sacred law the masonic trowel. The rule is simple the sacred book on which we seal our oaths must. Masonic law, blue book of michigan, 1940, with cumulative supplement, 1952. Lin boon par, singapore from a lecture delivered before the lodge of research, no. It represents the sacred book of the law, but has not exclusive rights as. Over a month ago, the grand master of nevada, most worshipful steven a.
The hebrew pentateuch in a hebrew lodge, and the koran in a mohammedan one, belong on the altar. The bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a christian lodge, only because it is the sacred book of the christian religion. This book is referred to as the volume of sacred law. If a lodge has nonchristian members, other texts may be used, and in lodges with a. We will select a book monthly and discuss on this subreddit. Volume of sacred law wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. I dont hold to any major world religon and wouldnt feel that swearing on the bible would hold the same meaning for me than swearing on one of my math books. The volume of the sacred law is considered one of the landmarks of freemasonry and albert mackey, in his encyclopedia of freemasonry, defines it as an indispensable part of the furniture of every lodge. In masonic lodges, an opened volume of sacred law always rests upon the holy altar when a lodge is at labor.
There is an altar where the bible or other holy book sacred to that lodges members is opened. In englishspeaking countries, this is most often the king james version of the bible or another standard translation of the bible. They were not tied to a central government much as the christian church was since its inception. All regular, wellgoverned lodges must have a book considered sacred to its members open on the lodge altar during meetings. May 26, 2017 the volume of the sacred law is considered one of the landmarks of freemasonry and albert mackey, in his encyclopedia of freemasonry, defines it as an indispensable part of the furniture of every lodge. A volume of sacred law generally the 1611 edition of the authorized or king james version of the holy bible in north american lodgesis required to be resting open upon the altar while a masonic lodge is at work, but few jurisdictions specify to what page or if a portion of holy writ is required to be recited.
Masonic law, michigan blue book, 1940, w 1952 cumulative. An open volume of the sacred law, the rule and guide of life, is an essential part of every masonic meeting. A masonic organization modeled after the templars of old. Every candidate is required to take his obligation on that book or the volume that is held by his particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath or promise taken upon it. The holy bible is regarded as the volume of the sacred law but is always accompanied by the holy book of the candidate or the master elect and both are laid open on the pedestal side by side. The second part of this myth has to do with the use of the volume of sacred law in a masonic lodge. Close up of the volume of the sacred law book in a. The modes of recognition and the symbolic ritual of the lodge. Does the christian bible hold a greater position, or is the volume of sacred law, the one upon which all freemasons agree. It shows that masonic ritual and teaching are based on the bible, and it provides an appurtenance to enable the taking of a solemn obligation. Before doing so, however, i have certain observations to make regarding that holy book, to which i trust you will pay strict attention. Gm of nevada rules no multiple volumes of sacred law in lodges.
Crowleys the book of the law, other newageish stuff, etc. Advisedly, any book of the law because it is not absolutely required that the bible be used. It is religious in that it teaches monotheism, the volume of. Maine masonic text book for use of lodges originally drummonds monitor sixteenth edition copyrighted 1923 maine printing exchange, inc. The proper masonic name for the book on the altar even if it is the king james version of the bible. Examples of volume of sacred law masonic forum of light. There is no doubt that in early days admission into freemasonry was restricted to christians. This is the only book that offers a guide to the stories used in masonic ritual and their links to the bible and christianity. We need to know our bible, to learn its precepts, to reverence it as our great book friend. It is proposed in this book, first to present the reader with a brief historical sketch of the rise and progress of the system of grand lodges. Upon the altar of every masonic lodge, supporting the square and compasses, lies the holy bible. The book of the law, square and compass es we are first introduced to the three great lights when we are kneeling at the altar in the 1 st degree. Jan 27, 2020 volume of sacred law vsl also known as the book of the law is the masonic term for whatever religious or philosophical texts are displayed during a lodge meeting.
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