Saint John's Day in Summer 2022

 Houston York Rite Masonry would like to

 wish all Brothers and Companions a safe and                       happy day.

Masons' Marks

 

by

Wallace McLeod 

(1931 - 2020)

      One of the main symbols of the degree of Mark Master is the mason’s mark.  It is a type of identifying device that goes back long before the invention of writing.  In many societies a craftsman would set his mark on his handiwork to identify it as his production; this was done not just by stonecutters, but also by other artisans, such as pottery makers.  Thirty-five years ago I had the opportunity to do some archeological work in Greece, and I can testify that potters 5000 years ago, in the Late Stone Age, used to put marks on the vessels they had cast.  This is more than a thousand years before real writing reached that part of the world.

     It doesn’t seem likely that such marks were actually on building stones until considerably later, and probably not at the time of King Solomon’s Temple.  But if you look at the great stone-built cathedrals of Europe, you will find that many of the individual stones do have marks inscribed on them.  They are usually simple, being composed of straight lines, and sometimes including squares, angles, and triangles.  These are masons’ marks.   

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 13, 2022.  In addition to the regular order of business, the election of officers for the 2022 - 2023 Cryptic year will be elected.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.