~ Jacob’s Ladder ~
By Jay Adam Pearson
Senior Grand Warden
August 2007
A few years ago I was in a van with several brothers
traveling from Spartanburg South Carolina to Columbia South Carolina for a
masonic meeting. Now as is the usual custom for those of us from the upstate
when we travel to Columbia or Charleston ( the Holy City ) we stop at
exit 74 at “Bill and Fran’s” to meet, greet and eat. It was while we were
enjoying the beautiful view as we began to enter Columbia that we just paused
for an hour to soak in the scenery. You see we were in the world renowned
Columbia traffic jam at malfunction junction. It was then R.W. Brother Mike
Smith said “brethren just think we could all be home cutting grass and marking
off items from our honey do list if we were not here together”. R.W. Brother
Mike then continued and said “however, if it were not for those that have gone
on before accepting and including us, I would not have had the honor of knowing
each of you and counting you all as some of my closest friends”. I have thought
many times about what R.W. Brother Mike said and I agree we each have been
accepted into the greatest fraternity in the world. I am the Department Head of
the Building Construction Department at Greenville Technical College, and there
is little chance our paths would ever have crossed had it not been for our
beloved fraternity. It is through masonry that I have made life long friends.
One friend I have traveled with all around these United States. The past few
years he has battled several heath issues and these have slowed down his
attendance at lodge, but his commitment to the tenants of Freemasonry have never
been deterred. Worshipful Brother D. Walt Elder, Past Grand Pursuivant is truly
one of my closest friends whom I continually thank God for causing our paths to
cross. Worshipful Brother Walter is a member of Hejaz Past Masters Unit and
while he was President of our unit we went through the ritual (red book) and
studied each word. It was in our travels when we began to talk about the symbols
and how they relate to our faith. Worshipful Brother Walt said, “you do not
have to look far to see God”. Together in our travels we saw God in the
majesty of a sunset and the glory of a starry decked heaven. Take time to look
at page (17) of the Ahiman Rezon. It is just a picture of Jacob’s ladder,… or is
that all it is? Look in the upper left hand side and hidden in the clouds and
you will see a Sprig of Acacia. Then dropping down you will see a
Setting Maul. Across from the setting maul you will see a Spade.
Located horizontally at the third rung of the ladder is a Coffin. Located
at the foot of the coffin to the left you can trace the faint resemblance of an
Ark resting on the cleft of the rocks. In the Heavens you can trace 10
stars with one hidden at the bottom right and to the head of the coffin for a
total of 11.
Jacob saw a ladder ascending from earth to Heaven with Angels
ascending and descending. The three principal rounds of which are Faith,
Hope and Charity. God was at the top of the ladder and he promised Jacob
he would give him the land on which he slept. Many people try to find their way
to God. Do you remember the Tower of Babel? The people in their vain glory
thought they could build a way to Heaven. Every attempt that starts on earth
will always end in failure. Only God can provide a way to Heaven. Do you
remember the 20th Landmark of Freemasonry?
From the tapestry located on page 17 we can derive one final
lesson, in your search for light always look to our Great Light for it is there
you will find God. You do not have to look far to see God. Seek and yea shall
find.
Words of the Month:
Inveterate: Is derived from the past participial of the Latin word
“inveterari” which means to grow old, to endure. Firmly established by long
persistence. i.e. the inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious. In the
stillness of this moment, I challenge you to pause and listen. Do you hear who
is coming? It is death; he is coming for you and me. The wisest man knows not
when death shall receive the mandate and summons us before the Lord our God.
Death is an inveterate soldier of the light.
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