The Mission of the Symbols

by Mitchell Starrett Buck

THE MISSION OF THE SYMBOLS

By Mitchell S. Buck

THE thinking man and, more especially the student of Masonry, who, at the present time, sees before him so many symbols handed down from the past, probaby indulges, now and then, in speculation as to the cause of it all—as to the first symbols and why they were made. From the mysterious ages of the past there have come to us many true symbols, some of which we may read and some of which are too involved for us to grasp. He who seeks to trace them to their origin is lost in a maze of antiquity—and well may this be so, for the Science of Symbolism was brought into being with the sight and speech of man.

In the far off past, when the manifestation of Creation which we call Earth was very young, man, in his growing state was, according to the occult teachings, blind and dumb. At that time he required no symbols which, by their suggestion, would raise and exalt his spirit, for his spirit was "within" and ever in communion with the Source from which it sprang. But, in the passing of ages, as the evolving man slowly drew more toward those things which were about him, his eyes and mouth were opened—he saw and spoke.

Yet, as he drew more and more into the life of the world, there still remained within his being a spark of the spiritual consciousness which his awakening to the earth life had covered over. And to hold the tiny flame upon this altar of remembrance, he was drawn into the use of symbols that he might thereby express those things which his newly developed faculty could not describe. That, by the higher thoughts thus created, the flame of spirit would not flicker out, but would be sheltered and nourished until the time came when it could burst forth in renewed and perfected beauty.

In this way, and for this reason, was the Science of Symbolism formed.

We who, at the present age can, despite the bonds of concrete life which surround us, contemplate with ecstacy the speaking symbols of the past, are like the early man who thus nourished the flame of his inner spirit—that flame of life whose rising brilliancy makes one a better man, and a better Mason.

The writer was, for several years, of the opinion that his mind could in no manner grasp the idea of what is called the Christian Trinity. He often discussed the matter, even, on an occasion, with a clergyman, yet from none of these conversations was his spirit enlightened. And indeed there is small wonder at this. For he was trying to put into concrete thought, and even into words, an idea which could be grasped only in a different way.

This problem was solved, however, and in the simplest manner, by the contemplation of that simple yet sublime figure—the equilateral triangle.

How perfectly this little combination of lines expresses the Trinity in Unity, the Three Attributes, and many other wonderful things, will, after a little thought, be perfectly clear. And it is the firm belief of the writer that his case is only one out of many thousands, where the silent witnesses of the past have acted upon the spirit of the present.

That a man may become a true student of Symbolism, but one thing is required—a little time for contemplation. By contemplation the spirit is awakened, asserts itself, and brings before the mind higher and better thoughts than can be drawn from the work-a-day life. From contemplation, with its light, the budding spirit passes to concentration and, in the course of time, the man who at first did but gaze upon a symbol, sees through the symbol to the Truth which is beyond.

From the time of this awakening, his ideas change. He is no longer the blinded worker going sullenly about his daily tasks. He becomes a conscious spirit, works because it is right, and receives at all times new light and strength from his inner knowledge. He is no longer bound by the laws of earth, but feels himself a free spirit, who requires no law but is a law unto itself. Yes, even to this, and beyond, is drawn the spirit which, ere its awakening, was carried dormant within the heart.

We are, at times, perhaps a bit disappointed that, as we receive our light, many unexplained symbols lie before us. Yet it is better so. For that which we are told creates in us but a passing interest, while that which we think out for ourselves works for our permanent good and the uplifting of the spirit. This is a law in the world.

To us, then, are given the first steps, and from there we ourselves work out the mystery. To the end that the spirit may be awakened, and that we may thus become better citizens and, always, better Masons.

He who enters in darkness should, therefor, become a student of Symbolism—the most fascinating, the most uplifting and, at the present day, the least appreciated of all the sciences.