HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS  

Sometimes during the process of making a Mason, the Fraternity is lax in explaining what some of our terminology really means. This is especially true in our Obligations. We bind a Candidate on the Volume of Sacred Law to do or not do certain things without them really knowing what they are obligating themselves to. Doesn’t seem completely right somehow, so let’s address one of those issues and clarify something we all obligated ourselves to in the Entered Apprentice obligation.

In the EA Obligation, we all bound ourselves to “stand to and abide by all the ancient usages landmarks of the Craft”. Raise your hand if you know what they are and how many there are in the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. I don’t see many hands raised, so I guess we should look at them.

Landmarks are those things that define Masonry and without which, in total, the fraternity would not be Masonry. Each jurisdiction determines what constitutes a Landmark and how many there are, so the number of landmarks is not consistent throughout Freemasonry. Generally, the number varies from 7 to 15. However, all jurisdictions generally recognize each other’s right to establish their own list and accept them as regular Masonry.

The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire identifies eight (8) Landmarks in its Grand Constitution. They were first included in 1871, but there is no record of when they were established or where they were documented prior to 1871. For the most part, however, they are generally consistent with most other Jurisdictions. The Landmarks of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire are:

1. Monotheism – A Candidate/Mason must have a belief in a Supreme Being under whatever name is appropriate for their religion – God, Allah, Vishnu, Waheguru, Adonai, Jehovah, etc.

2. The Volume of Sacred Law – Part of the furniture of the Lodge as the symbolic presence of Deity. In New Hampshire ritual, the Bible must always be on the Altar, but other sacred volumes – Torah, Koran, Dhammapada, etc. – can also be on the Altar for those of different faiths.

3. Secrecy – While most of the secrets of Masonry are readily available in most public libraries or online – words, grips, five points, etc. – a Mason exposing them is confirming their existence and compromising the security of the Lodge.

4. Symbolism of the Operative Art – Almost everyone knows what certain tools, drawings, etc. are used for in real life. A trowel spreads cement, rulers measure, squares make sure things are at right angles, etc. However, their meaning to a Freemason is entirely different. This is the esoteric part of Masonry, where everything  symbolizes how we should conduct ourselves as Masons.

5. Division of Symbolic Masonry into Three Degrees – The three Masonic Degrees must be conferred in order – Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master Mason. Each succeeding Degree depends on it’s predecessors in order for the process to make sense.

6. The Legend of the Third Degree – While the legend again is publicly available, changing it to make it more secretive would change Masonry and make it something different.

7. That it Makes Masons of Men Only – This may be one of the ancient Landmarks, since it is referenced in the Old Charges. There are female Masonic Lodges, but they are generally not recognized by legitimate Freemasonry.

8. That Masonry is Non-Sectarian and Non-Political – Freemasonry’s dominant purposes are charitable, benevolent, educational and religious in the sense that it advocates that each Mason should attend/be active in the practice of their chosen belief. We do not deny membership to anyone because of his faith. To do so would be un-Masonic on our part.

Now you know!

RW Richard F. Cole, Jr, Historian