LEWIS
This evenings talk is on the
Masonic word “Lewis”. We have several Lewis’
in Friendship Lodge. This is not an all
inclusive list, but some that readily come to mind are: WRW, WHF, WJA, BDS, BRM,
BDT, WKM and his son, KM. Actually, any
son of a Mason is a “Lewis”.
The origin and derivation of
the term Lewis comes from the French word “LEVIS” – to lift, to raise.
In Operative Masonry,
a Lewis is a three piece clamp consisting of two outer wedge-shaped pieces and
one flat inside piece used as a spacer.
A dovetail mortise shaped cavity is fashioned into the center of the top
surface of the stone. The two
wedged-shaped outer pieces of the clamp are placed into the cavity, followed by
the spacer in the center. Using this method, the heaviest of stone can be
lifted into position. The next course
of stone will cover the cavity. There
is a drawing on the Secretary’s table which you are free to view after the
Lodge is closed. The Lewis clamp is a
symbol of strength.
When we look at the use of
the term “Lewis” in Speculative Masonry, we find that a part of the
original Prestonian lecture described a Lewis as being the son of a Mason. The term denoted strength because the
strength of a father was through his son.
This lecture went on to describe the Lewis Clamp and its purpose (much
the same as depicted above). The duty
of a Lewis, the son of a Mason, is to care for his parents as they grow old and
are not as able to care for themselves.
As a result, he received privileges for doing so. One such privilege was to be made a Mason before any other person.
Please note that this past
Thursday we initiated four candidates. The
order of their initiation was not random as two of the candidates were
Lewis’. They were initiated before the
two other candidates in keeping with the privilege afforded a Lewis.
There were certain other
privileges given to a Lewis. For
example, in England, a Lewis or son of a Mason may be initiated at the age of
eighteen (rather than twenty-one). In
other jurisdictions, a dispensation might also be required. However, in California, this privilege is no
longer significant since the age requirement has recently been changed and is
now eighteen.
Albert Pike (in a seventy
page document) detailed the rules and ceremonies for a young man, a Lewis, being
formally adopted by a Masonic Lodge. Brother
John J. Robinson, (33 degree) in “A
Pilgrim’s Path” recommended revival of this custom. A Lodge would set aside a day for a special
ceremony where a young lad as early as twelve would be introduced to the Lodge
by his father. The Worshipful Master
would offer explanations about the Lodge & Freemasonry. In part, he would state that any man in the
room “is with your father in Masonic brotherhood. Just as any one of them would help your father, so any of them
will help you, if ever you need it”. After the ceremony refreshments were
served and the young lad was presented a gift.
This was certain to leave a favorable impression on him since he now
knew where his father went every Thursday night. And also, when it came time for him to ask that very important
question about becoming a Mason, he certainly would be inclined to do so.
The Lewis Jewel has been adopted in the Jurisdictions of Vermont, Texas,
Massachusetts, Virginia, and Connecticut as recently as August 1, 2007. And perhaps there are others. The Lewis Jewel may be worn by a Mason, if,
at the time of his Initiation, his father was a Mason in good standing (the
initiate of a deceased father in good standing at the time of his death would
also qualify). The Lewis Jewel is
suspended from two chains, with two bars – the upper bar contains the name of
the father and date of his Initiation.
The lower bar has the name of the son and date of his Initiation. Suspended below the lower bar is a likeness
of the Lewis Clamp. A printout, or
picture, is on the Secretaries table for your viewing.
SOURCES:
www.freemasons-freemasonry.com
The Grand
Lodge of Connecticut, A.F.&A.M. website