Little
has been published concerning the degree of Past Master; there are two classes
of Past Masters – actual and virtual.
Actual Past Masters are those who have served as Masters of lodges. Virtual Past Masters are those who have never
actually served as lodge as Master, but who have been elected and symbolically
installed in order to qualify them for advancement in the capitular rite.
The Square,
which is one of the emblems of the degree, is explained and given a new
interpretation; in the symbolic degrees, it was explained as an instrument for
squaring your work; here it becomes the symbol of one who has so squared his
work that it is now an emblem of advancement, for it is the proper jewel of a
Past Master.
Much might be said about the Square,
for within its angles and sides are contained the ancient secrets set forth by
Pythagoras – told to use in our symbolic degrees, but never explained. It is the ancient symbol of the 3-4-5, of
which we will hear more in a later degree.
While little is said about the square, the student Freemason will devote
his time to a full consideration of its value.