Why do we Tyle Todge

Title

Language

English

Source

The Cabletow Volume XXXIX (Issue No. 4) October 1963

Year

1963

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

WHY. do we lyle tlie Lodge? This is one among die many questions asked by many non-masons who are more or less prompted by mere curiosity, but also by some brethren, members of the Craft. The latter, perhaps forgot that tyling the Lodge is one of the most important ancient landmarks of the Institution, — “every Lodge when congregated should be duly tyled ”. The reason for tyling the Lodge is of course very obvious, — that there should be secrecy, harmony or peace, and so that the brethren therein assembled might not be disturbed in their deliberation. Secrecy and harmony are forms inherent in the Institution. They exist with it inseparably from lime immemorial, even from its very founda tion when “our ancient brethren assembled on the highest hills and in the lowesL vales, the better to observe the approach of cowans and eaves droppers’. If we strip up the Institution of its secret character and har mony, it will no doubt lose immediately its noble identity, and will surely cease to be a fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons. Why Do We Tyle T The important duty of tyling the Lodge is incumbent upon the lyler, to prevent the approach of unauthorized persons, although it is said that the first duty of every Mason is to see th;\t this is done before the Lodge is opened. At the opening of a Lodge, after the usual preliminary pro cedures are said and done in accordance with the ritual, the J.... D.... having verified it from the Tyler reports to the \V. . . . M.... that "the Lodge is tyled". It is at this instant that the Master and all the brethren present at the meeting inside the Lodge are assured that they arc free from intrusion, and it impliedly suggests that peace, secrecy and harmony prevail. 1 he office of the Tyler like those of the Master and the Wardens is one of the many ancient landmarks of the Order that grew out indispen sably as part and parcel of it even from its earliest beginning, for from the peculiar nature of our Institution, it is evident that there never could have been a meeting of Masons for Masonic purposes, unless a tylcr had been posted to guard the Lodge from intrusion. A very important moral lesson may be gleaned from this, the tyler’s duty of safe-guarding the Lodge. 126 The Cabletow Tyling the Lodge is not much dilferent from, and is symbolic of, tyling our very own individual selves. Individually, each of us is metaphorically said to be a temple or Lodge ol our physical bodies wherein our souls lcside. As such temple or Lodge it is our moral duty to tyle ourselves accordingly. Tyling our individual selves is even harder than tyling a Lodge. This duly requires tact, ability, wisdom and perhaps force, just as the tylcr of a Lodge strictly enforces the execution of his duties, by vir tue 1 his positio "armed with the proper implement of his office". Man, from time immemorial instinctively learns habitually to build a strong corral or barricade around him and for himself alone. Soon, around him or within his sphere of influence, he develops and grows into a poten tial center of wealth, knowledge, power or perhaps of moral and spiritual forces. By proper and methodical way of living a sinful life he has ac cumulated and piled up so much to provide for himself in time of needs and difficulties to such an extent as to be able to withstand even "the viccissiludes and inclemenc ies of the seasons." All for himself. — he has more odge? — Its Symbolism than enough! "We cannot blame anyone lor prosiding or preparing for his future". Self-preservation is the first and gicat law of nature. In cidentally as lime marches on lie gradually grows into a power potential, a tycoon if not a king-pin in his own right. lie may base all the riches that he could amass: with all the bounty that God in His infinite goodness showered and blessed, yet sei fish 1 v, not satisfied wit It all his worldly belong ings; "and worried with the burden of his honors .mil the power that he could wield in his hand, he becomes more and m"iv a sell-centered being. Everybody knows be is not happy despite bis wot Idly wealth and honor; thinking and caring only lor his own material wellate and interest! Many such a man can be- found among our midst hue and everywhere even among Brother Masons. Such a man is indeed tyling bis own Lodge in the literal sense and meaning of the word, — fortifying himself within the con fines of his immediate surroundings with no thought or concern for others and the rest of humanity. This is selfishness pint' and simple. This is wrong tyling of one's individual self, because he shuns and shuts out from himself much that is virtuous and Godlv; much that is noble and beautiful: SERVICE TO OT HERS. October 1963 127

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