Meeting our Ruffians
This is for Master Masons in the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. I doubt many will read this, but I think best through writing, so here goes. As Master Masons, we have all encountered the ruffians. The ruffians are portrayed by three masonic brothers during the Master Mason degree. This portrayal is meant to shock the theretofore unchallenged candidate and provides much entertainment to the brothers attending the degree. When we meet these ruffians as a candidate, we have symbolically assumed the role of Hiram Abif. We, as Hiram Abif, encounter three ruffians just as we are about to complete construction of the Temple. This is all esoteric symbolism, written and portrayed to enlighten us to obstacles we will face in completing our own, symbolic temples. These are not mortal men. It is all symbolism. The death of Hiram Abif prior to completion of King Solomon's temple and the subsequent "raising" of new Master Masons symbolizes the complet...