Why the Ashlar?
A
“perfect ashlar” in speculative masonry is a smooth stone in the form of a perfect cube.
In operative terms a “perpend” ashlar is a large rectangular stone with smooth ends used to bond the inner and outer walls - the equivalent of a wall tie in a brick building of today. The O.E.D. states that the word perpend is late middle English and probably derived from the Roman “perpannius” meaning through the wall. It is probable that the “perfect ashlar” in operative freemasonry was an “apprentice piece” and as such was small in order that it could be easily carried. It was made by the apprentice at the end of his apprenticeship and on applying for admission to his lodge he would have presented this piece as a proof of his craftsmanship. Alternatively it has been suggested the candidate was placed at the South East corner of the Lodge with a rough ashlar and from it had to create a perfect ashlar, with the brethren witnessing this process, to ensure that it was his own work[3] and not that of another. As part of the admission ceremony the piece would have been examined and tested for square-
ness, size, surface finish etc. by the Worshipful Master and his Wardens and assuming it passed the test he would be admitted as a fellow of the craft and given his personal “mark” which he would carve into the stone. [There is evidence that in early Scottish Freemasonry the giving of a mark was included in the degree of the Fellow of the Craft whilst in English Freemasonry it is a separate degree which is, unfortunately, not recognised by the United Grand Lodge.] On applying for employment on a site, with a new employer, and where there was no Mason in a position to vouch for him, the applicant would produce his ashlar, bearing his mark, and communicate the “sign, token and word” as proof of his being a Fellow of the Craft.
this time the majority could not read or write I would therefore suggest this rule should be interpreted as the apprentice had to produce an “apprentice piece” or perfect ashlar for testing rather than that he had to be able to write, and present, an essay. The rough ashlar was most probably introduced by the speculatives with the creation of the entered apprentice degree and the associated allegory and symbolism. In speculative freemasonry the rough ashlar is said to represent the Entered Apprentice rough and uneducated whilst the smooth ashlar represents the Fellow of the Craft - polished and educated with a strong moral code.
In the old charge known as the Melrose No 2 MS of 1674 there is a rule that requires “Apprentices to furnish essays to prove their skill, before being made “frie masons”. The O.E.D. states that in this period the meaning of essay was similar to that of today’s assay and meant to “put to the proof, try, to test the nature, excellence fitness etc. of”. Since at
By Bro David Searle for an essay competition in Internet Lodge No.9659
Cross Keys March 2021
Page 16
