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In all walks of life there are signs which people use to
signify
mutual recognition and to indicate the work they do or
certain
clubs and organizations to which they belong. In the
office, a firm
handclasp or pat on the back may signify congratulations
on a
promotion or a contract, job or speech well handled. In
construction, a workman on the ground will use signs to
signal up
or down to a crane operator. In sports, a referee will use
hand
signals to call a foul, indicate a player is safe, or
throw out a
heckler.
A gentleman will doff his hat upon the arrival of ladies
in a group
or in their presence in an elevator, or he will uncover
his head on
entering someone's home. And even though in this age some
of
these signs of amenity are being flagrantly forgotten,
they are still
recognized as good usage and their origins date far back
in history.
Masonic signs of recognition are also used in like manner,
but with
more than one reason or purpose. Certain signs are used in
each
degree to acknowledge one's presence, to acknowledge being
recognized, and to request permission to do certain
things. The first
reason is to show respect for authority and to recognize
the seat of
authority. The second reason is to request permission to
perform
certain duties and also to indicate our qualifications to
do these
things in the lodge room. But I would add, also, a third
reason: that
of -signifying our constant and unwavering fidelity to the
First
Great Light of Masonry, each and every time we give or
recognize
these signs. On the street, at a sports event, in a
crowded room, a
stranger uses a recognizable sign. He indicates his
calling and his
oath by using it, and you signify the same in recognizing
and
answering it.
In signifying a request within the lodge, or acknowledging
a
greeting therein, your sign has a two-fold purpose. First,
to indicate
your respect for authority, as previously stated, and
second, to
restate your pledge of fidelity made on admittance and by
which
you retain your membership in a particular Masonic body.
Remember that any Masonic sign you use should be regarded
as
inviolate, a gauge of the manner in which you conduct
transactions
with all mankind and expressive of your desire to spread
the Light
of Masonry to your less-informed brethren.
POTS
The Masonic system represents a stupendous and beautiful
fabric, founded on universal purity, to rule and direct
our passions, to have faith and love in God, and charity
toward man. STEPHEN JONES.
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