Within Due Bounds

Lecture by WM Deidric S. Cave, DBA

Freemasonry can be defined as a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by signs and symbols. When discussing ‘Within due bounds’ let’s break down this definition...

System of Morality – As an Entered Apprentice, we learned that upon being brought to Masonic light, our first discovery was the Altar. There, we observed the Three Great Lights (Holy Bible, Compass, & Square) supported by the Three Lesser Lights (Sun, Moon, Worshipful Master).

The Allegory – The three great lights are represented as followed: The Holy Bible is the rule and guide of Faith; the square, to square our actions, and the compasses to circumscribe and keep us within DUE BOUNDS with all mankind, but more especially with a brother Mason. The three Lesser Lights are thus explained: As the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night, so ought the Worshipful Master to endeavor to rule and govern his Lodge with equal regularity.

The Symbol – The point represents an individual Brother. The circle represents the boundary line of a man’s duty to God and his fellow men (Due Bounds). A man should not stray beyond this circle. He should not let his selfish interests, passions and other things make him stray. The two perpendicular parallel lines represent the patron saints of Freemasonry: Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist.

John the Baptist was the son of Jewish Priest Zechariah and Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin). He was the energetic forerunner of Jesus Christ who accepted his divine commission and went forth into the country about the Jordan River preaching repentance for the remission of sins and directing attention to the coming of the Messiah. Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. This action fulfilled the prophecy that began with the appearance of Gabriel, the archangel with the power to make God's message understandable to people and help them to accept it with a pure heart.

John the Evangelist was an Apostle of Jesus Christ born in Bethsaida in Galilee and was the son of Zebedee and Salome. He was a fisherman (one to whom Jesus said, "If you follow me, I will make you a fisher of men.") who left everything behind to follow Jesus and became a beloved disciple who distinguished himself by his gentleness and humility. John the Evangelist wrote the Gospel of John; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; and Revelations.

In Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, both John the Baptist and John the Evangelist are the Patron Saints of Freemasonry. Saint John the Baptist day is celebrated the Sunday nearest to June 24^th and Saint John the Evangelist Day is celebrated the Sunday nearest December 27^th.