Masonic Tools

The Chisel, in the hands of the craftsman, is used to transform the gemstone from its original rude and unpolished state and reveal the latent beauties within. As a symbol in speculative Masonry it morally demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education. Just as the brilliance of the diamond is revealed by the skillful use of the chisel, so too will the beauties of the human mind be revealed through knowledge.

The Square, besides teaching us to square our actions with all humanity, is also the emblem of the Master of the Lodge because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his office. Freemasons are taught to, "act upon the square." By this is meant to make virtue the rule and guide of your actions.

The level is an instrument made use of by operative masons to lay horizontals, but in specualtive Masonry it serves to remind us that we are traveling upon the level of time. Time, like all things in nature, passes equally for all of humanity. It is neither inclined nor graded in preferrence to any, and the choices we make determine its relative value. And for each and all, time will lead us to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. The Level is the emblem of the Senior Warden of a Lodge.

The plumb is an instrument used in operative masonry to raise perpendiculars, but as a Masonic symbol it admonishes us to walk uprightly before ourselves and humanity. It is a reminder to live our lives in a rectitude manner with uprightness; integrity; honesty; justice. The Plumb is the emblem of the Junior Warden of a Lodge.

The twenty-four inch gauge is used in operative masonry to measure and lay out the work, but speculative Masons are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing their time. Being divided into twenty-four equal parts it is emblematic of the twenty-four hours of the day, whereby are found eight hours for the service of humanity, eight for one's usual vocations, and eight for refreshment and sleep.

In speculative Freemasonry, the common gavel is used to symbolically divest the heart and consciousness of all the vices and superfluities (excesses) of life in order to ready ourselves as if we were living stones, open to be shaped into a more ideal version of ourselves.

The Mallet is used by operative masons to correct irregularities and create uniformity within a structure. In speculative Masonry the Mallet morally teaches to correct irregularities, and reduce man to a proper level; so that, by quiet deportment, he may, in the school of discipline learn to be content.

The rough ashlar is a stone in its rude and natural state, and reminds us of our rude and imperfect state by nature. The perfect ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the workmen and represents that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education and our own endeavors.

The trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the individual stones of a building into one common mass. As Free and Accepted Masons we symbolically use it to spread the cement of fraternal love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and fictive kin.