Freemasonry uses the tools of the ancient stonemason as a framework for a system of moral and philosophical education. The rituals and degrees of the fraternity are designed to teach a man how to use these symbolic tools to build his character and live a life of integrity, purpose, and compassion.
The core idea is simple: just as a builder uses his tools to construct a physical edifice, a Mason is taught to use symbolic tools to build his moral and spiritual “temple.”
Here are a few examples of how Masonic education uses the tools:
- The 24-Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel: These are among the first tools a Mason encounters. The 24-Inch Gauge is a tool to measure time, and it teaches a Mason to divide his day into periods for rest, labor, and service to God and those in need. The Common Gavel is used by a stonemason to chip off rough edges from a stone, and it teaches a Mason to remove the faults and imperfections from his own character.
- The Square and Compasses: As the most iconic symbols of Freemasonry, these are the ultimate tools of moral education. The Square reminds a Mason to “square his actions” and live an honest and upright life. The Compasses teach him to “circumscribe his passions” and keep his desires and actions within proper bounds.
- The Trowel: This tool is used to spread the cement that binds stones together in a building. For a Mason, the Trowel symbolizes the spreading of brotherly love and affection, teaching him to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and community with every action he takes.
Through these and other symbolic tools, Masonic education encourages a lifelong journey of self-reflection and personal growth. It is a system designed not to teach a man what to think, but how to think, and to provide him with the moral instruments to build a better life for himself and for others.
Research lodges and organizations
Research lodges and organizations in California and worldwide hold discussions, gather and preserve Masonic information, maintain libraries, supply papers and speakers at the request of other lodges, and provide general knowledge in the field of Masonic education. Research lodges in California include:
El Camino Research Lodge – San Jose
Northern California Research Lodge – San Francisco
Orange County Research Lodge – Anaheim
Southern California Research Lodge – South Pasadena
Golden Compasses Research Lodge – Sacramento
Research organizations around the world include:
The Masonic Society
The Philalethes Society
The Masonic Restoration Foundation
Masonic Library and Museum Association
Association of Masonic Museums, Libraries, and Archives of Europe
UCLA Freemasonry and Civil Society Program
REHMLAC (Historical Studies Program of Freemasonry and Patriotic Societies in Central Scholl of General Studies at the University of Costa Rica)
The Scottish Rite Research Society