Monroe Lodge #22 F&AM

by Eric T. Schmitz, PM, KOTN

My Brother: You have now experienced the three degrees of Craft Masonryi. You have been presented with much in the way of symbolism and allegory. We hope that those symbols and stories have, or will come to have, a profound meaning for you.

Now, we make one final presentation to you: a "Volume of Sacred Law." But understand, my Brother, that we are not giving you a religion. Freemasonry seeks not to prescribe any particular faith, but rather to strengthen the faith of each Brother, and, no matter what his understanding of faith may be, to encourage the pursuit and growth of that understanding.

This gift to you, from your Lodge, is the Volume which you chose, the very same Volume on which you took your obligations. (*See note.)

Earlier, you were bidden to pray for yourself -- no particular form or name was required, nor has ever been required, for your prayer. Freemasonry teaches each man to look within his heart, with clarity and subdued passion, to determine what is right and true, and to find and travel his own path to the Divine. Search, then, within the pages of this sacred book for yourself, for the Light you will there find, and as you there shall find it.

However men may differ in creed or sect, all good men are agreed that there exists a moral center within the human soul, and that this moral center can be perceived by the human conscience. The use of the Plumbline represents that moral perception. But note that, while no two physical plumblines at two different places on the earth will ever point in exactly the same direction, all point unerringly to the center. Similarly, although your own moral Plumbline may appear to differ from that of your neighbor, both, when allowed to hang still and naturally, will always indicate that moral center, symbolized by the Point Within a Circle represented in every Lodge of Apprentice Masons.

Your Sacred Law is an expression of that center that is most understandable and meaningful to you, that speaks most inspiringly to your soul, that most clearly Lights your own Path to the Divine. Go then, my Brother, in search of that Great Light of which this sacred book is but symbol and expression. And may the blessings of the Great Architect of the Universe accompany you in your Masonic travels.

(*Note: This requires preparation from the time of election of the candidate. The candidate must be asked, after his election but before his first degree, which volume he prefers to be obligated upon. The choice must be his own. He must not be prompted, nor offered a limited selection of books. The Lodge shall then procure a copy of his selected volume, or he may provide his own, and this used as the volume on which he is obligated for all three of his degrees. Ideally, the Brother should take all his obligations upon the same VSL that will be presented, but at the very least an identical version must be used.)