It's almost impossible to contemplate any phase of our ritualistic work and teaching, and then follow it through the Three Degrees, without being profoundly impressed by the manner in which it builds up to a climax. Refer, for example; to the Scripture lessons. Nothing could be more impressive than, in the First Degree, the altogether lovely lesson on harmony in the 133rd Psalm, illustrated by the beautiful simile of the dew of Hermon. In the Second Degree we are given in allegory the life of a man built four-square and true by the square of virtue, the plumb of upright character and the plumb-line of good judgment. Then there is the last Scripture lesson - powerful in its allegory, gentle in its teaching, and impressive in its strength: the lesson of feeble old age in its loneliness. To what a citizen do these studies lead up!

We might continue on, through the presentation of the Working Tools, through the Obligations, the Charges, the Perambulations and other parts of our work, and point out how, one by one, they help to build up to a stirring climax.

For the purposes of this study however, let us turn our attention especially to the lambskin, or white leather apron, and study the various allusions to the badge of a Mason. For, after all, to recognize a climax is merely to compare the beginning and the end of the subject under consideration.

Now the first allusion to the apron is a subtle one and occurs in the opening of Lodge. The last time it appears in our ceremonies is at the grave of the deceased Brother - the beginning and the end, a whole life between!

The Master's first statement in opening Lodge is a compound sentence, the last half of which is an order dealing with the attire. "Officers take your respective stations and pieces. Brethren be clothed." Every Bother present must wear the badge of a Mason the white apron!

The next allusion to the apron is made at its presentation to the candidate in the First Degree. It is then defined as an emblem of frequently and the badge of a Mason. The very subtle us of the definite article "the" denotes that it is the only badge a Mason has. There is no other. Too few realize that the emblem one frequently sees on a finger, on the lapel of a coat, or on a watch charm, is worn merely as a means of identification. The real badge of a Mason is his character. The apron is an emblem of that character, to he worn only while at labor. Let us, then, review the occasions when each is to be properly clothed with the apron.

At a Lodge communication all Brethren, of course, wear the white apron. They are then at labor, and while at labor they are "distinguished" by the badge of a Mason.

Give special attention to the word "distinguished" as used in our work by the Senior Warden. He never tells the candidate that Brethren are "identified," or "organized," but that they are "distinguished," by the wearing of the apron. Here the word distinguished gives the idea of "honored." The man who, by reason of strength of character, may be distinguished by right to wear the badge of a Mason is indeed honored During a Grand Lodge communication every Brother present is to be clothed. This applies as well to Grand Lodge ceremonies, such as the laying of cornerstones and the dedication of temples.

When a Lodge conducts the funeral service for a deceased Brother, all Masons present, regardless of rank are to be clothed with the white apron. Officers of Lodge and Grand Lodge are to be clothed, as are the Brethren, the symbolism teaching us that all men are equal in death. Very naturally at Grand Lodge communications and at Grand Lodge ceremonies Brethren are clothed according to their rank.

The white apron symbolizes the life's work, so that when at last the working tools are laid down the apron is not placed upon the body of the deceased Brother, but upon the casket. Between the presentation of the apron in the First Degree and the time the apron is laid upon the casket of the deceased Brother a life has been lived, and that which symbolizes life is not placed upon the body but rather upon the casket, as the symbol of a life well spent as a Mason.

There are times, however, when the apron is not worn, even though we may be assembled as Masons. I allude particularly to "Go-to-Church Sunday" and "Go-to-Synagogue Friday." The occasion is not one of emergent communication of the Lodge. True, we are assembled as Masons to attend a place of worship, but we are not at labor.

The Grand Lodge Constitutions, in Section 315, says:

"The Jewels of the Offers of Lodges shall be of silver or white metal, the color of their aprons shall be white, or white and blue, and with or without silver ornamentations, except as otherwise especially ordered or allowed by the Grand Lodge." Occasionally one sees Masters' and Past Masters' aprons embellished by gold ornamentation instead of silver, without permission from Grand Lodge.

And so, my Brethren, it is well to regard seriously the ornamentation of the apron. The badge of a Mason is not to be treated as a common thing. It symbolizes all that is high and fine in ideals; it distinguishes the man that wears it, and it teaches the lesson of humility.

A letter received by me one time, from the Rev. and R.·. W.·. Cuthbert C. Frost, then Grand Chaplain, may be appropriate here:

"Is not the following a suggestive sidelight on the symbolism of the Apron? I have not seen it referred to elsewhere, and I may be drawing out the point too fine, but anyhow it may interest you. In the New Testament, 1st Peter 5:5, the Apostle bids his friends, 'Gird yourselves with humility to serve one another.' The verb translated 'gird' is formed from a Greek noun meaning literally a servant's apron. It was the white scarf or apron that was fastened to the girdle or the vest to distinguish slaves from free men - when slaves were, of course, the only servants. It was thus, not a mere utility garment, though, probably that was its origin, but was worn actually as a badge of humble service. In his fine and illumining translation of the New Testament, Dr. Moffatt has phrased the above quoted text with much vivid and picturesque literalness: 'Indeed, you must all put on the Apron of humanity to serve one another.'

"Is not that exactly the significance of our Apron? A sign, not of pride, but the very negation of pride offering nothing that ministers to self-esteem, though too often so taken, but rather proclaiming the deliberate refusal of all that separates self from the common welfare of all. When he accepts and wears it, the Mason is saying in effect, what was said by One who illustrated his saying on a memorable occasion by taking a towel and girding Himself: 'I am in the midst of you and he that serveth.'

"I do not know how immediate or actual may be the historical connection between the service badge of ancient times and our Apron, but I feel that there is a kinship not so completely remote that it cannot give a pertinent and moving significance to our honored - and honoring - symbol. But whether or not the literal kinship can be established the lambskin may be symbolized to the newest candidate, as well as to the oldest Past Master, that message of an olden time, so sorely needed in the heedless scramble of today, 'Indeed, you must all put on the Apron of humility to serve one another.'"

"Candidus" - a Latin word meaning "glittering white," and symbolizing fair-mindedness, without personal spite. This is precisely what is symbolized by the "badge of a Mason," the gleaming surface admonishing all who are so distinguished. At the ballot box white ballots symbolize the absence of personal spite. White aprons - that some day a white stone may bear silent testimony that here was a man who wore the Badge of a Mason!

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