Red
Wing Lodge LEO Program January 6, 2025
The lambskin or white leather apron is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. More ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and Garter...
These
words echo in my mind as I recall three recent Masonic Services in the past 3
months, for three great men, who I respected and loved. These men were past
Grandmasters and a District Representative.
At all the services, their photo was displayed
on an altar along with a vase of flowers, an urn of ashes and the lambskin apron
they were presented with at their Entered Apprentice Degree. The Masonic apron is a powerful symbol
that represents the work that begins as an Entered Apprentice and lasts until
the apron is placed on his mortal remains.
Each
Brother had received many accolades in their life, but when asked what they
were most proud of, they all told me it was being a Mason.
Their white lambskin apron was
their first gift from the lodge, given to them during their Entered Apprentice
Degree, for them many decades ago. This
is called the “Rite of Investiture” or sometimes called “the clothing”. Now that apron sat next to their mortal
remains.
So tonight,
I thought would be a good time to review the lessons, and take a deeper look
into the meanings, of the Badge of a Mason.
The
apron that we are wearing tonight is made of cotton, and is approximately 12 to
14 inches in length, and about the same in width. It’s a Loin Cloth in size but
symbolic of a Stone Masons apron. In contrast, if you look at members of the
Grand Lodge of Scotland, their symbolic apron goes to just above the knee.
Let’s
review the aprons origins and the aprons symbolism.
For Operative Masons, the apprentice was
a bearer of burdens, carrying ashlars and timbers against his body. He needed a
large apron, usually made of a tough animal hide, to protect him from physical
injury and his clothes from damage and soiling.
The Fellowcraft was a hewer in the mountains and quarries and required
the apron to deflect lime chips and stone dust.
The master, as overseer of the
work, wore his apron with the corner turned up, as a mark of his special
authority.
When you see people today who wear
aprons for their work, as the operative stone masons did, generally those jobs
involve manual or heavy labor such as welders, carpenters, dishwashers or stone
masons of today.
During the Middle Ages the different
trade guilds wore different types of clothing which served as their uniform.
Bakers wore white aprons with tall white hats, while printers wore paper hats. Stone
Masons wore an apron with white cotton gloves (gloves because of the lime in
the mortar) and the Mason’s apron became his specific trademark!
It was in the 17th century, when the
building of massive edifices slowed and membership in the guilds declined, that
the seeds of modern Speculative Masonry were sown. Our founding fathers
recognized the importance of incorporating the wisdom and experience of both
the historical and operative perspectives into a new moral system that would
attract the interest of men whose vocations were not in the operative craft.
The labor that the Freemason isn’t of
physical toil but of spiritual and intellectual labor. Hmm…Though I recall some very heavy labor
moving a 1,000-pound kitchen stove, and a grand piano out of Cataract Lodge on
a 100-degree day…
The Entered Apprentice is the foundation
of the Masonic System and the beginning of the journey as a Mason. It sets the stage for further Masonic work
and is the beginning of our spiritual journey as a Mason. Thus, the Entered Apprentice degree is to be
taken seriously.
The apron that is presented becomes a
badge of the inner change for the Mason. Ideally, every individual takes the
teachings of Freemasonry, the pursuit of knowledge of the liberal arts and his
volume of the sacred law and collaborates with his Supreme Architect to
gradually transform who he is, how he perceives his place in the world and how
he treats others. Not only to improve himself and become a better man, but to
also improve the world around him. The lambskin apron is a visual
representation of the inner qualities that every Mason should strive to embody.
The lambskin
apron is a soft white leather, which is symbolic of purity and innocence. The
white color of the apron is an important element, as it signifies a state of
moral cleanliness and a commitment to living a virtuous life. It is a color
that reflects the lightest, speculatively the Light of understanding. In many ways, it
acts as a metaphor for the Freemason’s journey toward spiritual enlightenment
and personal transformation.
Alternately, it shows stains most
plainly. This should be an ever-present reminder to us to live and act
according to the ideals of our fraternity. It is important to remember that
each of us represent the fraternity in our daily lives, and the bad actions of
one member not only stain his personal apron but can stain the fraternity.
The apron’s simplicity is also noteworthy.
Unlike many other items of regalia in Freemasonry, it is unadorned or has
minimal decoration. This design highlights the idea that true virtue lies in
simplicity and that the greatest honors in life are often those that are
unpretentious.
The apron is a symbol of the unspoken
word expectation that the Lodge believes the candidate will cheerfully conform
to its ways, and that he is worthy and qualified to receive the teachings of
Freemasonry.
The moment the candidate is
handed that lambskin, is the first step of his lifelong transformative journey as
a Freemason. As he progresses thru the degrees, and spends time in the Craft, he
works towards personal growth, ethical conduct, and spiritual enlightenment.
The goal is to construct a symbolic temple within themself, reflecting the
virtues of personal integrity, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
The Freemason acknowledges that
the material word that we live in is temporary. One day we will all laydown our
working tools and exit the West Gate. We will hope to go to the House not made
with Human hands. All of this is to
inspire us toward a life of moral excellence, and spiritual fulfillment.
Returning to my opening
statement, during the initiation of an Entered Apprentice, as he is presented
with the white lambskin apron, he is informed that the white leather apron is an emblem of innocence and the
badge of a Mason. More ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more
honorable than the Star and Garter or any order that could be conferred on me
at any time or at any future period by king, prince, potentate …
But what do those words really mean? I know history is not exciting, but please
stay with me as I review the classical Greek, Roman and English history, as I take
a few minutes to go a little deeper to explain the statement above.
The Roman eagle, or Aquila in Latin, was
one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of the Roman Empire, embodying
the might, spirit, and unity of Rome. More than just a military standard, the
eagle played a crucial role in the Roman army and culture, representing the
very essence of Roman identity and authority.
Introduced by Gaius Marius, a prominent Roman
general and reformer, in 104 BC, the eagle became the standard of the
Roman legions. In the Roman army, the Aquila was carried by an Aquilifer, a soldier of great valor and prestige. Losing the Aquila in battle was
considered the highest dishonor, as it symbolized the legion’s spirit and unity
and importance. Historical accounts record significant efforts to retrieve
eagles captured by enemy forces.
Beyond its military implications, the Roman
eagle held considerable cultural and political significance, and the Roman
Eagle or Aquila remains a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of the Roman
Empire and its impact on subsequent cultures and nations.
Masonic historians and writers differ on the
reference to The Golden Fleece. I will summarize both versions and let you
decide which you prefer.
The Golden Fleece is one of the most famous and
immortal myths in Greek mythology. A side note here, I was probably the last
generation to have to study Greek mythology in elementary school, and I despised
it.
The myth is centered around the mythical hero
Jason and his band of Argonauts, otherwise known as 50 hero’s or men of valor. They undertake a journey filled with hazards
and dangers to retrieve the golden fleece that was believed to possess magical
properties.
In Greek mythology the Golden Fleece is the
ultimate quest for glory and adventure. The story symbolizes the pursuit of
seemingly unattainable goals and the virtues of courage, ingenuity, and
perseverance.
The other reference is the Order of the
Golden Fleece, which was established by Phillip the Good of Burgundy in France in
1430, for the purpose of upholding the Roman Catholic faith, its principals
along with chivalric ideals. It’s supposed to be one of the most prestigious
and historic orders of chivalry in the world.
It still is in existence and membership is
limited to men who are of noble birth and of the Catholic faith…BUT in 2007 King
Juan Carlos of Spain caused an uproar when he conferred the honor of the Golden
Fleece to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia who is not catholic.
The Star and Garter
In 1348 in medieval England, King Edward III
was so inspired by the tales of King Authur and the chivalry of the Knights of
the Round Table, that he organized his own group of honorable knights called
the Order of the Garter.
Today, nearly 700 years later, the Order is
the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britian. The Knights now both
male and female used to be limited to nobility but today are chosen from a
variety of backgrounds in recognition of their public service.
Membership is limited to the Sovereign (the
sitting King or Queen of England) The prince of Wales and 24 other selected
persons.
One of the symbols of Order is a star. Upon it is the Cross of St George and made with diamonds, rubies, enamel, silver and gold.
“More ancient than the
Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle”
Is that statement bombastic or
a little exaggerated? I guess it depends on your view of when Freemasonry started.
The Regus Manuscript in 1390?
The Shaw Statues in 1598?
The Premier Grand Lodge in 1717?
If you read James Andersons
Constitutions of 1723, he writes that the first Mason was Adam in the Garden of
Eden. I guess it was because Adam made and wore the first Apron…made of fig
leaves of course.
But any way you look at it, Freemasonry
is the world’s oldest fraternity that is practiced across the globe. Our modern
Speculative version that is practiced is over 300 years old.
More honorable than the Star
and Garter…
Admission into the Star and
Garter is at the sole discretion of the Sovereign of England, where the King or
Queen exercises their Divine Right of Kings to bestow this honor.
Most of the members are of the nobility or royal
birth, and a few members who had distinguished careers in civil service like the
Prime Minster. Thus, the Star and Garter promotes class distinction and favors
special privilege.
So generally, the cronies, besties of the
King meet once a year for lunch, put on a hat and cape, and walk past people
who bought a ticket to watch them parade to the chapel in Windsor Castle for a
meeting.
In contrast, Freemasonry accepts all good men
regardless of who or where they were born, regardless of their economic status,
regardless of race or religious beliefs.
Being a Freemason is considered more honorable
by many because of our organization’s values, traditions and goals.
Here are just a few.
·
Freemasonry
encourages tolerance and respect.
·
Charity and
Community Service. We are big believers in the act of giving back to society
without expecting anything in return.
·
Brotherhood. We
are bound by a shared commitment to mutual respect and support. We help each
other through difficult times, offering emotional support, and financial
support.
·
Respect for
tradition. Our rituals and traditions are designed to remind us of moral
lessons and keep us focused on living honorable lives.
·
Commitment to
personal improvement. We are dedicated to the moral and ethical development of
our members. We stress the importance of self-improvement, integrity, and
personal growth. Our fraternity encourages its members to strive for excellence
in their actions to be honest, and cultivate virtues like kindness, and
humility.
·
Focus on
integrity. All Freemasons are expected to adhere to high standards of integrity
in every aspect of our lives. Freemasonry is seen by many in society as a noble
endeavor in a world where moral values are occasionally overlooked."
Hundreds of years ago, our Masonic
forefathers established an honorable place for good men to come together and be
fostered to become better men that lasts a life time. I think you will agree
with me that they established a craft befitting of the statement made to the
Entered Apprentice.
I have mentioned before that I keep my lambskin
apron in my sock drawer, so I see it every day. My family also knows where I
keep in for that day of my Masonic Service.
I encourage you to find your apron and take a
moment to reflect on when it was presented to you. Be sure to tell a loved one where
you keep it so it can be found when it is needed and be Proud to be a Mason.
Additionally, the lambskin apron is the
beginning connection to the teachings of Freemasonry. During the initiation
ceremony, the candidate is presented with the apron as a sign of their new
status within the fraternity. It signifies the beginning of their journey
toward moral and spiritual enlightenment.
The white apron that we wear in lodge is a
loaner apron that represents the apron we received as an Entered Apprentice. To
be a constant reminder of the lessons learned and the obligations taken upon
entering the brotherhood.
The Lambskin Apron holds immense value and importance in Freemasonry,
serving as a symbol of purity, innocence, and the moral rectitude expected of
Freemasons. Its significance is deeply rooted in Masonic tradition and ritual,
making it a potent emblem of a Mason's journey and commitment to the values of
the fraternity.
The apron excites such emotions because it is a constant, tangible
reminder of the initiate's vows and the virtues they are encouraged to embody.
When a Mason receives the apron, it marks the beginning of their journey, a new
chapter filled with self-improvement, ethical conduct, and service to others.
When the lambskin rest upon our earthly remains. It becomes a symbol of a
job well done, and the lifelong commitment to the ideals of Freemasonry.
Brother D. L. Clements captures the profound significance of the Lambskin
Apron in his poem, written in 1917. Here's a brief excerpt to give you a sense
of its tone and emotion:
The Lambskin Apron,
pure and white,
A symbol of our
craft's delight,
It speaks of honor,
truth, and love,
Guided by the stars
above.
Its leather soft,
yet firm in hold,
A story of the ages
told,
Of Masons true, who strive
to be,
Upholders of
morality.
This apron, worn
with pride and grace,
Reflects the light
in every place,
A beacon bright, in
darkness clear,
A Mason's guide,
both far and near.
Thank you
