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The lambskin or leathern apron

iainmason

Registered User
THE LAMBSKIN OR LEATHERN APRON


From the inception of Masonry to the present day, no Mason could perform his duties or enter a Lodge unless he was "properly clothed." Does "Masonic Clothing" mean anything to us? Sometimes we perhaps chafe at having to put on our Aprons, sometimes we forge them and wear substitutes; sometimes we hide them under our jackets, whereas they should be worn on the outside. Such feelings and indifference are entirely due to lack of thought, and of proper knowledge of this subject.

Mackey, the great and well known Masonic writer says: "There is not one of the symbols of speculative Masonry more important in its teachings or more interesting in its history than the Lambskin or leathern apron."

To the Mason this badge should be of the highest importance. It is the first gift that he receives. It is the first symbol that is explained to him. It is his first investiture. It is the badge of innocence and the bond of friendship and he is enjoined, "To ever wear and consider it as such." It masks the birth of his Masonic career and when mortal death, his inevitable destiny, overtakes him, it is buried with him. The Lambskin is emblematic of all that he is expected to be. Then Brethren, let us ever wear the Masonic apron, as the badge of innocence and the bond of friendship, never forgetting that it is our daily duty to assist in shaping, "living stones for their spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens," and as we wear it, let us, like the Operative Mason erecting a beautiful cathedral, ourselves raise a spiritual Temple worthy of the designs of the G.A.O.T.U.


By: W. S. Fitzsimmons, G.M. in his Grand Master's Message;

Published in THE TRACING BOARD; GRS; March, 1986.
 
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