From The East June 2024

Except from a publication written by Bro. Burgess, Past Grand Master of Louisiana

What is a plumb line? It is a simple tool made of a cord with a weight attached to one end. It is used by brick masons and other builders to test the verticality of a wall or other structures. If a wall or a foundation leans, it is out-of-plumb.

Why did God say, 'I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel?' Because the plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man. The people of Israel had sinned and in spite of the warnings of Amos, they had not reentered the fold. God made it very plain that each man must try himself by the unerring standard of the plumb line. The plumb line is the symbol of uprightness of character, of integrity, of honest and tair dealings among persons. To plumb one's life and actions is to test them by the eternal laws to God. In all these tests, the people of Israel had failed. That's why He said, 'I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel.'

So it is with Freemasonry. The real worth of a Mason can never be measured in the opinion of his fellows or in the Masonic honors he has attained. The standard by which a Mason must be judged is by his own evaluation of his conduct and by the principles which he knows to be the unerring and unchanging ones. What can a Freemason expect to get from Freemasonry? The rewards of Freemasonry and the wages of Masons are endless, so long as a man is willing to strive for them. If he is content to be a “button Mason,“ paying his dues merely for the privilege of wearing a pin, this is just what he will get out of Masonry. If he is content to be a “knife-and-fork Mason,” showing up at his lodge only when there is some type of banquet, he will receive only this from Masonry.

If, however, he measures himself by the plumb, and sets his standards accordingly, he will benefit from Masonic education, Masonic philosophy and trom the association with the finest men in his community.

The standard by which a man judges himself as a Mason is the same unerring principle by which he judges himself as a family man, as a churchman, as a business-man, and as a citizen. He will learn to walk uprightly in all his endeavors, learning from the plumb the lesson of rectitude of conduct. Each man must stand by the plumb line which is set in the midst of God's people.

Brian Viehland, PM
Worshipful Master
Pentalpha Lodge No. 194