Lodge
Houstoun St Johnstone No 242 Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
The working tools of a Social Mason.
The working tools of a social
mason are the Knife, Fork and the Tumbler .
The Fork Is an implement by which even the most
inexperienced mason can secure by reaching across the table, the most succulent
and delicate morsels which adorn our festive board to delight the eye and
stimulate the jaded appetite. It is used to convey the various portions of that
part of the anatomy which has been specially designed to receive them and which
reduces all nutrients to a common level . More especially should it be used
when partaking of the peas, for when conveyed to the mouth by the Knife , these
vegetable Globules may prove to be rather elusive .
The knife When properly ground and sharpened, can be used to dissect the anatomy of the most venerable rooster
, divide and prepare into portions to suit the aforementioned aperture so that
it may not be filled to excess and thus prevent that frequent flow of eloquence
which is the distinguishing
characteristic of a convivial mason .
The Tumbler The Tumbler enables him with accuracy and precision to
ascertain and determine the amount of liquid most conductive to the
preservation of our general joviality, yet the expert craftsman can measure his
tot by the two or three finger rule .
As we have not met at this
harmony board as speculative , but operative and energetic masons , it is to
the morals conveyed by these tools that we are specially requested to regard .
Thus ……
The Fork teaches us that not forget, that the little things in life require to be
looked after , lest they allude our grasp and are lost beyond recall, and as
the prongs are equal and mutually
support each other, they remind us to stand shoulder to shoulder and
practice those four qualities which we should all try to maintain in our daily
undertakings , these are Straight
Forwardness in our conduct with
each other.. . Good Temper in our differences of opinion… Sympathy
with the failings of a brother and Fidelity to the sacred ties which
bind us together.
The Knife teaches us the value of aciduity for as it requires to be
sharp and in good order to cope with the problems which confront it , so must
we take care of our mental and intellectual faculties thus enabling us to
maintain our deportment in our dealings with others. It teaches us not to bite off more than we can
chew, but to limit our desires in every stage in life so that rising to
eminence by merit we will live a life respected and die regretted.
The Tumbler inculcates the necessity of moderation in all things , for
as it has no guaranteed scale by which to measure its varied contents and the
user must exercise his judgement as to the amount of liquid it contains , so
must we ascertain and not exceed the limits of our internal economy, and as the
tumbler will only hold a certain quantity without detriment to its surroundings , so must we
learn our capacity and thus prevent overflowing with untimely hilarity or the
confusion of our mental and physical powers
Thus the working tools of social mason teach us to bear in mind and act
according to the cardinal virtues of prudence and temperance , that when we are
summoned to drink to the Tylers toast , after partaking of the good things
which providence has bestowed , we may arise and depart homeward with the
gratifying testimony of a contented mind , an equal poise and a clear head.