Craft Admits Ruffians in Fold

Clef Rock, Jerusalem – In an unprecedented press conference held today outside the gates of what is believed to be the Temple of Solomon, leaders of Freemasonic Orders from around the world gathered to make an announcement that finally confirms suspicions long held about the Craft.  The suspicion?  That Ruffians fill the Craft rosters and some are violent, impetuous rogues.

Conference Chairman Drew Belum explained, “We needed to come clean, confront this issue head on and keep hitting it until it goes away." He quickly chided, "They simply want what they want when they want it and if we dare even allude to their actually earning what they demand, watch out!”

When asked by one of the reporters at the scene whether the rumors were true, Spokesman Heesa Cowan said quite candidly, “Yup!  We have ‘em in our midst. They’ve been with us since before anyone can remember.  The worse thing is their impact.  We occasionally have to clean up after them, especially when they make demands that can’t be met.”  He looked uncomfortable and added, “It’s pretty embarrassing too.  Every time they go all uncircumscribed, we end up having to replace another leader.  Do you know the cost of replacing leaders these days?”

Some don’t think a laid-back Brotherly approach was the best way to deal with the problem though.  Sol Wisemen of the conference board of directors was quite adamant about it.  He had this to say, “We need stricter penalties for these inconsiderate and impatient unruly rogues.  It doesn’t matter that they’re in the Craft or for how long.  It only matters that we treat them accordingly, like the immature entitled brats they are.  I say let them be the architects of their own demise.”

It’s not a surprise to some though. Craft Observer Hyta Freemen, an old timer who claims to have seen it all, shared this, “None of this is new.  All ya hafta do is look at the Craft’s history.  It ain’t no secret neither.  It’s been known in Craft circles for some time now that Fellow Crafts have long had a tendency for wantin' rewards and titles before they earn 'em.  In fact, our own statistics clearly show that three out of fifteen of 'em will go so far as to do violence against instructors they believe can give 'em what they want.  That’s a whopping twenty percent!” 

 

Readers might ask themselves, "What exactly are Ruffians?"  When queried, Brother and Lodge officer Taylor Doormen energetically retorted this, “Unfortunately, they’re Craft members who want what they have not truly earned and who demand it to the point of being violent toward those who they believe can provide it.”

 

It was clear from the general mood of those in attendance that there was a need to Raise awareness of this issue within the Craft.

 

F&S

 

Bro. John S. Nagy

 

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For more information about Ruffians and Ruffianoscopy, please contact a Local Freemasonic Lodge or pick up a convenient field guide like, “Building Ruffish” to learn more.

 

 

The Coaches Coach: Drawing Distinctions – Freemasonry and Masonry

Good Day My Fellow Travelers,

Here's an article that I wrote last month that might be of interest to you.

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Bro. John S. Nagy

Building Better Builders Series Author

For more information related to this and other articles, please visit my website.

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The Coaches Coach: Drawing Distinctions – Freemasonry and Masonry

 Your Pass-ability is determined by your capacity to Linguistically Discriminate.  Don’t prove your Brothers wrong in their Passing assessment of you by acting otherwise.

As with the word “Cowan[i]”, which has changed in its application within the Craft far from its original meaning[ii], “Masonry” and “Freemasonry” are defined within the Craft with decidedly specific meanings that simply do not reveal the entire semantic picture to those with closed eyes.  There is no doubt whatsoever that the two words are used interchangeably by many Brothers and even by those who are held to be Craft Scholars.  And just as with the word, “Cowan”, one must not suckle solely from the Freemasonic teat if one wants to be a well-nourished Brother.

))))))

There have been some interesting reactions from Brothers around the globe as to my use of the words “Freemason”, “Freemasonry”, “Freemasonic”, “Mason”, “Masonry” and “Masonic”.  Some Brothers emphatically agree with the distinctions and applications that I’ve put forth when using these words.  On the other hand, I’ve also been accused of a variety of things that run the gamut from making things up and inventing definitions to novel use and blatant misuse.  Trying to glean more insight, some have also asked if I am referring to Operative[iii],[iv] and Speculative[v],[vi] Masonry when I draw distinctions; I am not.  These are totally different directions.

In engaging in these conversations, I’ve shared that I have not done any of these things of which I am accused and have simply read the available materials both inside and outside the Craft, and have concluded that the distinctions exist and can be easily seen, if one looks for them and therefore what I offer only appears to be made up, invented, novel and misused by those who have not taken the time to think beyond the pale, as I and others have. 

I was eventually asked what academic scholars I have drawn my conclusions from and if they support my conclusions.  My only steadfast response to this and other questions that relate to this query is that I see the differences and distinctions throughout the literature I’ve reviewed and, what’s more, I am not alone in my observations and conclusions.  All one has to do is ask oneself a simple question: What does each word point toward consistently and only sometimes inconsistently?  Once this is done, the picture begins to come into focus.

Gestation

As for me, the distinction between the two started quickening when I realized that innovations to Freemasonry occurred all the time, even though it was clearly stated that no man or body of men could make any innovations[vii] to Masonry whatsoever.  This puzzled me to no end since the two statements appeared to contradict each other. After much contemplation, it was clear that for the two to be reconciled, the writers were obviously not assigning the same meaning to the words “Freemasonry” and “Masonry”.  This had me thinking: how could this difference be further researched?  There must be a reason!

Masonry

In my quest, one of the rabbit holes I crawled down was the etymology of “Masonry”. It became very clear that the root of the word, “Masonry[viii]” is “Mason”.  And furthermore, the root of the word, “Mason[ix],[x]” is “to make”.  With a little bit of well thought out Speculation[xi] and even well founded reasoning, it’s easy to conclude that Masonry is about “making things”. In essence, Masons are Builders. 

Coincidently, this conclusion dovetails perfectly with the Freemasonic slogan, “Masonry Makes Good Men Better” that has been in circulation for quite some time.   Please note though that it is not “Freemasonry” and “Freemasons” that do this.  It is the “Purposeful Practice of Masonry” that men apply toward themselves that “makes” them Better.  This also echoes the sentiments voiced by many men* who joined the Fraternity and they specifically state their intention: To Improve myself in Masonry (not Freemasonry.)

But, I digress. 

Freemasonry

Applying the same methodology toward the word, “Freemasonry[xii],[xiii]” and related words such as, “Freemason[xiv],[xv]” and “Freemasonic”, it becomes clear that schisms exist in how the word was thought to have come about.  Some sources[xvi] claimed Free-Masons were Masons who worked freestones and the word eventually merged through common use.  Others claimed that these were merely free men who were also Masons.  Still others claimed that it was only through their association with a guild that these Masons were free to travel, work, earn and contribute.  And yet there are some who state just the opposite: that this applied to Masons who are free from the constraints of guilds and lords.  It’s all very confusing!

One thing stands out though.  No matter what the conjecture is to its origins, the one thing that remains clearly obvious is that the current day use of the word is specific:  To be called a “Freemason”, one must belong to a duly Recognized Organization and, furthermore, one does not require anything more from oneself than this legitimate association to wear this label.  A Freemason does not have to Build anything whatsoever, he does not have to Speculate in any way and he does not even have to do anything other than pay his dues on time and be moral in his actions; he only has to be an accepted member.   In essence, Freemasons are Members. 

The Delivery

To engage in Masonry, one must both Speculate[xvii] and Operate, and in that order if one desires to have any modicum of success.  To engage in Freemasonry, only Operation is required; although engaging in Speculation would certainly make one’s efforts more beneficial.

Furthermore, to Improve oneself in Masonry, one must engage in activities associated with Improvement; this means engaging in both Speculation and Operation; it is not enough for one to just think about it, one must actually apply oneself toward improving ends! 

This does not mean involving oneself in mindlessly memorization and regurgitation of things to which one has no understanding whatsoever or to accept that one has no truly informed person to ask if one had an interest in understanding in what one was engaged.  This also does not mean adhering without question to an Organizational Digest of Law to which, by law, only one person has any authority to interpret and provide rulings and decisions based upon his sole interpretation. These have very little to do with Building or Improvements.

 To Improve oneself requires a steadfast development plan that starts with one’s heart, works toward one’s head and eventually ends up cultivating one’s spirit.  This is Building; this is Masonry. 

None of this is required to be labeled “a Freemason” or to participate in Freemasonry.  But should you actually decode Freemasonic Ritual, it shall become clear as to what you must do to Improve, and it involves Building! 

Future Hopes

Yes, it is very clear that there are overlaps in the word use by both scholar and non-scholar, especially within the Craft by Brothers who view Masonry and Freemasonry to be synonymous.  However, there exists a select few who look at their use of these words as separate and distinct with sincere hopes that some day it shall be truly very difficult to see any difference between them whatsoever, inside and outside the Craft.

• Freemasons hear & see Solomon; Masons hear & see Wisdom.
• Freemasons hear & see King Hiram; Masons hear & see Strength.
• Freemasons hear & see Hiram Abiff; Masons... hear & see Beauty.
• Freemasons hear & see Working Tools; Masons hear & see Transformation.
• Freemasons hear & see Obligation; Masons hear & see Opportunity.
• Freemasons hear & see Ritual; Masons hear & see Direction.
• Freemasons hear & see Members; Masons hear & see Brothers.
• Freemasons hear & see Lodge; Masons hear & see Family.

What pairs do you hear & see?

Points to Perpend

1)      What distinctions do your see between the words in question?

2)     What Ritual, Lecture and Historic examples support your conclusions?

3)     What nurturing difference do these conclusions make for you?

4)     Does your involvement in the Craft lean more toward Masonry or Freemasonry?

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Dr. John S. Nagy is a Master Mason, Lodge Musician and Masonic Education provider for multiple Lodges and for others who support his sharing.  He is author of the “Building Series” of Uncommon Masonic Education books.  His seven books: Building Hiram, Building Boaz, Building Athens, Building Janus, Building Perpends, Building Ruffish, and Building Cement, his videos: “The Coaches Coach: Building Builders” Parts 1 & 2 and his Uncommon Masonic Education Workshops cover aspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders.  His materials are used to instruct Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and York Rite Candidates in Symbol Recognition, Understanding and Application.   You can find out more about him, his books, his videos and his workshops through his webpage at:  http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders.htm

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[i] From the Gaelic root word for “hollow; indent”; Chapter XII, The Hole Story, from Building Ruffish; Chapter XII, The Dry-Dykers, from Building Cement; Dr. John S. Nagy

[ii] Freemen and Cowan, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Volume XXI (1908)

[iii] operative (n.) [etymology] "worker, operator," 1809, from operative (adj.); sense of "secret agent, spy" is first attested 1930, probably from its use by the Pinkerton Detective Agency as a title for their private detectives (1905).  operative (adj.) [etymology] "producing the intended effect," early 15c., from Old French operatif (14c.) or directly from Late Latin operativus "creative, formative," from operat-, past participle stem of operari (see operation). Weakened sense of "significant, important" is from 1955.

[iv] operative (n.)/1. a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, especially productive or industrial work; worker. 2. a detective. 3. a secret agent; spy. (adj.) 4. operating, or exerting force, power, or influence. 5. having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city. 6. effective or efficacious. 7. engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity. 8. significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.” Origin: 1590–1600;  < Middle French operatif  < Latin operāt ( us ) (see operate) + Middle French -if -ive  synonyms: 1. workman, factory hand. 2. investigator, agent. 6. effectual, serviceable. (adj.)1.  in force, effect, or operation 2. exerting force or influence  3. producing a desired effect; significant: the operative word 4. of or relating to a surgical procedure (n.) 5. a worker, esp one with a special skill 6. ( US ) a private detective 

[v] speculative (adj.) [etymology] late 14c., "contemplative," also "purely scientific, in theory only" (opposed to practical), from Old French speculatif "worth great attention; theoretical," or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from past participle stem of speculari (see speculation). Meaning "given to (financial) speculation" is from 1763. Related: Speculatively.

[vi] speculative (adj.) 1. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning: a speculative approach. 2. theoretical, rather than practical: speculative conclusions. 3. given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc. 4. of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation: speculative ventures. 5. engaging in or given to such speculation.

[vii] Landmark 25: That the landmarks of Masonry can never be changed.  These constitute the landmarks, or as they have sometimes been called, "the body of Masonry," in which it is not in the power of man or a body of men to make the least innovation.

[viii] masonry (n.) [etymology] "stonework," mid-14c., from Old French maçonerie (14c.), from maçon (see mason).

[ix] mason (n.) [etymology] c.1200, "stoneworker" (as a surname, early 12c.), from Old French masson, maçon "stone mason" (Old North French machun), probaby from Frankish *makjo or some other Germanic source (cf. Old High German steinmezzo "stone mason," Modern German Steinmetz, second element related to mahhon "to make;" see make (v.)). But it also might be from, or influenced by, Medieval Latin machio, matio (7c.) which is said by Isidore to be derived from machina (see machine). The medieval word also might be from the root of Latin maceria "wall." Meaning "a Freemason" is attested from early 15c. in Anglo-French.

[x] mason (n.) 1. a person whose trade is building with units of various natural or artificial mineral products, as stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or tiles, usually with the use of mortar or cement as a bonding agent; a builder.  2. a person who dresses stones or bricks. 3. ( initial capital letter as in Mason) a Freemason. verb (used with object) 4. to construct of or strengthen with masonry. Origin: 1175–1225; Middle English machun, mason  < Old French machun, masson  < Frankish *makjon  maker, derivative of *makōn  to make1

[xi] speculation (n.) late 14c., "intelligent contemplation, consideration; act of looking," from Old French speculacion "close observation, rapt attention," and directly from Late Latin speculationem (nominative speculatio) "contemplation, observation," noun of action from Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari "observe," from specere "to look at, view".  Meaning "pursuit of the truth by means of thinking" is from mid-15c. Disparaging sense of "mere conjecture" is recorded from 1570s. Meaning "buying and selling in search of profit from rise and fall of market value" is recorded from 1774; short form spec is attested from 1794.

[xii] freemasonry (n.) [etymology] mid-15c., from freemason + -ry. 

[xiii] freemasonry (n.)/ 1. secret or tacit brotherhood; fellowship; fundamental bond or rapport: the freemasonry of those who hunger for knowledge. 2. ( initial capital letter ) the principles, practices, and institutions of Freemasons. Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English fremasonry.  See Freemason, -ry

[xiv] freemason (n.) [etymology] late 14c., originally a traveling guild of masons with a secret code; in the early 17c. they began accepting honorary members and teaching them the secrets and lore, which by 1717 had developed into the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons.

[xv] freemason (n.) 1. a member of a widely distributed secret order (Free and Accepted Masons)  having for its object mutual assistance and the promotion of brotherly love among its members. 2. ( lowercase ) History/Historical . a. one of a class of skilled stoneworkers of the Middle Ages, possessing secret signs and passwords. b. a member of a society composed of such workers, which also included honorary members (accepted masons) not connected with the building trades.  Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English fremason.  See free, mason Related forms: freemasonic /

[xvi] The exact origin of the free- is a subject of dispute. Some [e.g. Klein] see a corruption of French frère "brother," from frèremaçon "brother mason;" others say it was because the masons worked on "free-standing" stones; still others see them as "free" from the control of local guilds or lords [OED].

[xvii] speculate (v) [etymology] 1590s, "view mentally, contemplate" (transitive), back-formation from speculation. Also formerly "view as from a watchtower" (1610s). Intransitive sense of "pursue truth by conjecture or thinking" is from 1670s. Meaning "to invest money upon risk for the sake of profit" is from 1785.

* originally this read "each and every man" instead of "many men" but, as has already been pointed out, innovation to Ritual has changed this too.

The Hole Story

Building Ruffish - 06/01/2013

Fellow Travelers!

Here is a chapter from my new book, "Building Ruffish - Uncommon Field Guide for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 6"

Enjoy!

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Bro. Coach N

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XII. The Hole Story

Fool not yourself to believe Cowans are not organizational members. – Dr. John S. Nagy

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Watchers should know that there also exists within Craft ranks another group of men whom they might wrongly consider to be Ruffians.  This group of Brothers is commonly called, “Cowans[i]” by informed modern members of the Craft[ii]. 

Misinformed Brothers[iii] might never consider Cowans to be members of the Craft or consider members of the Craft to be Cowans.  They might be inclined by superficial instruction to limit the label of “Cowan” to “pretenders to the Craft” only.  This is understandable.  Should they never do the Work to properly and thoroughly Perpend the evidence freely available to any enquiring Masonic soul, they would never know different.

The Cowan group requires a special focus if not for any other reason than to assure that Watchers do not mistakenly categorize them and mistreat them unknowingly. 

It is a most prudent action for Watchers to acquaint themselves with this class of Brothers, the myriad definitions that could be applied to both the word “Cowan” and those who manifest Cowanistic behaviors, to better recognize them as such when they are encountered.

Watchers should not mistakenly and unknowingly label Cowans as Profanes or Ruffians or mislabel Cowans as “pretenders to the Craft”.  In the same vein, they should be very aware of the meaning that other members of the Craft do place upon this word, either by choice or through naivety. 

Take due notice thereof, govern yourself accordingly and be not surprised when individuals do not agree with this understanding.

Background

Historically, workers known and classified as “Cowans” were members of the Craft in specific Operative Lodges in Scotland and other countries.  They were freeman or journeymen of the Craft that were limited to one class of work and they delivered specific aspects of the Trade.

Higher skilled and experienced Cowans were entitled “Master Rough Masons” or “Master Cowans”.   They were entitled as such, and were empowered by their membership in the Craft to take upon their charge Apprentices to their trade.[iv] [v]

Cowans were also known as “Dry Dykers[vi]”, “Wallers[vii]”, “builders with unhewn stone and without lime[viii]”, “freemen or journeymen restricted to one class of work[ix]”, “Rough Builders[x]” or “Cowaners”. These Craftsmen typically focused their work upon building walls of rough stone without any aid of a long lasting bonding agent, usually referred to as mortar, lime or cement. Only under specific conditions were they permitted to build with bonding agents[xi].

Craft Transitions

With the establishment of Speculative Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge Era, Speculative assumptions about Cowans were wrongly made[xii] very early on by well meaning but unschooled Brothers of the newly recreated and redirected Craft.  Within the Speculative Craft, the meaning originally assigned to the word “Cowan” by Operative Brothers, and all its related synonyms, soon migrated toward the pejorative, and away from the Craft they originally and rightfully represented.

Over time, Speculative Freemasons progressively redefined the co-opted word “Cowan” within the Speculative organization to mean “Pretenders to the Craft” and summarily labeled only those individuals who matched this new definition as “Cowans”.  This action left the original definition buried under heavy layers of Rubbish and allowed a new “Speculative” variation of Cowanism to flourish unchecked within the Speculative Craft.

It is most unfortunate that multiple generations of unknowing Brothers have been indoctrinated into accepting this new and illegitimate definition and without question.  In doing so, some important and disturbing Lodge issues have arisen as a direct consequence and have plagued Lodges ever since.  This should have been expected for in redefining the word the Speculative Craft diverted its attention from the word’s original intent and left countless Brothers clueless. 

Watchers should take note of this cluelessness for Brothers inflicted with Cowanism may not be aware that they are.  Such members of the Craft shall show bewilderment toward both causes and symptoms of Rough and untempered Work.   They may also not know that their very complacency with their Craft limitations brands them unmistakably.  They are not however to be considered Ruffians unless they seek to receive more for what they do than what they deserve.

Craft Issues

Around the quickening and birth of the Grand Lodge era, Operative and Speculative Crafts soon diverged in almost every Jurisdiction around the world in which the latter spread.  With the rise of the Speculative Craft, this new belief as to what Cowans were became entrenched in Freemasonic myth and lore.  With no Operative members to contest this new belief, generations of unknowing Craft members were trained toward accepting without question the validity of how Cowans were described and viewed. So too were the individuals viewed as such. 

Never did it cross the minds of these Brothers that they had both accepted something that was fundamentally wrong and, in doing so, they sabotaged their ability to safeguard the very Craft that they aspired to protect.  By adopting this new definition, whole generations stopped evaluating their Brothers by their ability to both hewn Stone and to develop and apply bonding agents to these Squared Stones, the very essence of what holds the Fraternity together.

As a Watcher, you would be wise to further acquaint yourselves with what Cowans truly are as opposed to what you might be mislead to believe.  Do not limit yourself to what is put before you. 

Etymology

      The etymology of the word “cowan” is a good reference to keep in mind when trying to understand the essence of “Cowanism”. The word itself is a description use to denote “a hollow[xiii]” in the form of gaps, holes, crevices and indents.  Knowing this, it would make sense to call workers who place unsquared stones together “Cowans” or “Cowaners” for the very nature of their work is to create cowans as they fit these unsquared stones together.   

In this same Light, individuals involved in Cowanistic work do not Square or Properly Mortar their Work and hence they form gaps, holes, indents, hollows and crevices naturally as a result.  Even though they eventually may become very good at putting things together, whatever they do Build shall exhibit cowens throughout.  This is not a fault of the worker in any way.  The Character of the Work in which they are involved brings these features into being.  It should be noted that Cowans do not seek to change the nature of their Work.  They remain steadfastly satisfied with this Work and performance level, never asking more for it than what it produces for them.

Cowan Basics

Before the Speculative Grand Lodge era redefined this class of Workers, Cowans were viewed, and accepted to be, skilled Craftsman who, by their trade served proper Apprenticeships and some were fully and Masterfully capable of Building.  Their two overriding characteristics were that they had an extremely limited knowledge of both hewing Stone and developing and applying bonding agents, such as lime-based products, and their proper application.  Because of this, the overwhelming majority of their Work and what they built was filled with gaps, holes, crevices and hollows and this work was done without any long lasting bonding agents.  When they were permitted to use bonding agents, it was only in very limited ways[xiv].  This Operative understanding applies to this day.

Measurements

It is ironic that throughout a significant portion of the Fraternity, the very two characteristics that Cowans are known for are the very two things that Speculative Masons should use to measure the Progression of its members, and do not.

Cowans do not Square or Cement their Stones.  And they should not do this since it is not their job.  Speculative Masons are lead to believe that these two things, Squaring and Cementing their Stones, is exactly what their members should be doing. 

Unfortunately, they are also left with the indelible impression, especially by some members who are viewed to be Mentors and Coaches within Craft Ranks, that Squaring their Stones is impossible and that Cementing can only occur once their Stones are Squared.  They are further told by these Mentors, Coaches and Trainers that their Stones shall never be Suitable, no matter how hard they Work upon their Stones.  You shall observe too that the likelihood of sincere, earnest and Square efforts by these Builders are diminished. 

This resulting message leaves many aspiring Craftsmen unwilling to engage in the very Work they are directed toward.  These Builders are very apt to Build with unsquared Stones because their Standards are unrealistic. What little resulting Work they do engage in is filled with cowens and, should there be any Cement applied, it can easily be seen that it is untempered due to lack of proper Training.  These are the very Characteristics that Watchers should look for to assist them in determining whether it is a Ruffian or Cowan that they are viewing or in the presence of.

Squaring

Any unsquared Stone that is Raised and Positioned shall naturally create “cowens” within the structure being built.   To prevent these cowans from being created within such a building, before any Stone is Raised, it is Squared Suitably and to the satisfaction of the Builders.  The Common Gavel is used by these Builders to Square these Stones.  It is only after being Perfected that these Stones are Raised and put into Position.

Watchers need to know and be aware of this.  Building with unsquared Stones is what Cowens do.  No matter what the label a Builder wears, look at his Work and you shall know him for the Builder that he truly is.

Cementing

Fraternal Brothers know that Cement, a lime-based bonding agent, is symbolically used to represent “Brotherly Love and Affection”.  This Symbolic material is coupled with a Working tool called, “The Trowel”.  The Trowel is one of the important Working Tools of the Speculative Craft Worked in the majority of Lodges within the territories of the United States of America.  It is the only additional Working Tool disclosed and described to Master Masons within these Master Level Lodges. 

The significance of how Speculative Freemasonry defines “Cement”, and the heavy emphasis it places upon The Trowel coupled with the Operative definition and understanding of what Cowans are should be noted here.  The Trowel represents Symbolically the Worker’s ability, through proper training, to both develop and use bonding agents Masterfully.  This training occurs as a direct result of doing the Work that the Apprentice Ritual asks Freemasons to engage in.  The Working Materials they are introduced to, Clay, Charcoal and Chalk, are essential to its manufacture.  Should they not do this Work, the likelihood of them properly developing and using Cement, that Brotherly Love and Affection, is greatly diminished.

As Ruffians Watchers, keep all this in mind. You shall at times encounter individuals, both within the Fraternity and without, that show through their words and actions that they have yet to Square their Stones or that they have a limited “desire and ability” to properly develop and apply “Brotherly Love and Affection”.  When you do, there is a high probability that you are in the presence of a Cowan and not a Ruffian.

Differences

When you have any doubts as to whether you are in the presence of a Cowan or a Ruffian, ask yourself the following questions when making a determination:   

1) Do you see that the individual is outwardly looking to obtain something of value that he has not rightfully earned?  While Cowans might make effort to do this unknowingly, Ruffians deliberately seek this end. 

2) Is he purposefully making effort to outrun his accountability?  Cowans have little difficulty facing accountability for their actions, once they are aware of it.  Ruffians shall go to extraordinary lengths to avoid accountability, especially when they are aware of it.   

3) Does he make effort to persuade using arguments that are filled with unfounded urgent requests, morally gray and emotionally charged statements or coercive threats to another?  Although Cowans are unsquared and limited in the application of Brotherly Love and Affection, they are not individuals who are inclined to purposefully make effort to do Moral wrong, make urgent requests that are unfounded, extend their Work efforts beyond their known abilities or threaten other human beings.   Ruffians seek to do wrong, especially when they see it benefiting them.  They have no problem employing tactics that imply unfounded urgency or to threaten or do harm.   

4) What are their Goals?  Cowans aspire to contribute to the Craft and be rewarded according to their merit and not title.  They apprentice toward Merited Contribution.  Ruffians do not Apprentice toward Contribution.  They could not care less about what is merited.  They desire entitlements not rightfully earned and make every effort to have them bestowed upon them regardless of merit and when given opportunity to do so.

 

Tylers 

Watchers expect to find Cowans within Lodges.  Freemasons created this condition once the focus upon the word, “Cowan”, was redirected toward pretenders and not toward the “hollows” cowans originally represented. 

Modern day Tylers look for pretenders, not hollows.  Hence, they allow all manner of “hollows” to enter into the Lodge unhindered.   Most Freemasons are taught to understand this in no other way.  Masons who understand what the Word originally meant, also know that Cowans are not pretenders who make effort to gain entrance into physical Lodges.  They know that Cowans are the “hollows, gaps, indents, holes, and crevices” created by a Mason’s unsquared Work and that this unsquared Work should remain outside their personal Temples until such time that it is Suitable for that House not made by hand and not before such time.

Look for unsquared Work and untempered Mortar with no desire for Better and you shall find Cowans.

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Watcher Self-Assessment and Training: 

1)  Review carefully your Ruffian Field Guide and note other Characteristic or Trait differences between these two groups.

2)  Assess those people that you have encountered, both within and without the Craft, and ascertain if they have the proper training and skills to develop and apply Squaring techniques toward all that they Build.

3)  In assessing who is Building and in what has been Built, whether it be relationships or structures, evaluate the quality of both the Working Materials used and the Mastery of the Resulting Work.

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[i] There are a verity of spellings for the word “Cowan” and depending upon the location and time it could be spelled a number of ways, including and not limited to “kowan” [17^th century] and “cowen” [18^th century].

[ii] “Cowans were regular recognized members of craft.  There was no prohibition against their admission as being qualified for their particular work.  It was a late and mistaken idea to use the word in the ritual of Speculative Freemasonry, when it sprang up, as a term of opprobrium, and to class cowans with eavesdroppers, or to particularize them as uninitiated persons who might attempt to obtain admissions to the Lodge itself in contradistinction to the eavesdropper, who was merely a clandestine listener.”, Freemen and Cowan, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Volume XXI (1908), Page 201

[iii] “Bro. Gould is wrong in saying that a non-affiliated Mason having the word was called a cowan. He clearly misunderstands the Glasgow entry, which simply means, as is so evident from the Canongate Minutes, that the cowan was entered as a cowan. The distinction he draws between the freedom of the Lodge and the freedom of the Burgh is also by no means accurate. The freedom of the trade, i e , membership of one of the Incorporated Crafts was itself freedom of the Burgh in early days. 

“Brother Speth (A.Q.C. i., 145,) is also in error. Cowans were not, as he states, irregular Masons. He says : -" It has been generally supposed that the term applied only to those undertaking Masons work without having been regularly apprenticed to a Master Mason. I think its meaning may be widened to include apprentices regularly bound, but who had never been booked or entered, as also those who had been duly entered, but failed to get themselves passed; those who, being passed, had removed to another district and omitted to join the local Lodge; those who had been expelled the Lodge, and, in fact, every Mason guilty of any irregularity whatever." If he had had the old minutes of the Canongate Craft before him, it is quite certain he would have been compelled to take a different view.

“It may be added that in many Lodges in Scotland it is impossible to say definitely when they lost their character as mainly or entirely operative and took on that of a speculative society. Indeed, in the North, there are Lodges which, though speculative, still restrict their membership to actual operatives. Even where this was or is not done, the cowan or rough builder was gradually recognized as entitled to become a member of a Craft Lodge. We may instance the Stonehaven Lodge which during the eighteenth century was a trade corporation in form, but admitted the speculative element. Quoting from its minutes we find a cowan or waller (who as an initiate signs the minute) admitted at the same fee as a Mason, other persons paying a higher fee. (Ibid, Page 201)

[iv] “…a lad might be apprenticed to a cowan for that class of work …” Ibid, Page 196

[v] Freemen and Cowan, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Volume XXI (1908)

[vi] “Dry Stone Walls”, also known as “Dry Stone Dykes”, “Dry Stone Hedges”, and “Rock Fences” are any Stone Enclosure that is Built without the benefit of Lime Mortar or Cement.

[vii] Freemen and Cowan, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Volume XXI (1908), Page 195

[viii] Ibid

[ix] Ibid, page 196

[x] Ibid page 201

[xi] “…a minute of the same Court, in February, 1623, contains the record of a person booked and received as a cowan being authorised to work stone and mortar, and to “build” mortar walls, but not above an ell in height and without power to work or lay hewn work, nor to build with sand and lime." Ibid, Page 197

[xii] Ibid, Page 201

[xiii] “The truth is that the word is an exact parallel in use and an antithesis in meaning to ‘square.’ Square is an adjective, verb and noun, and the person who makes a thing square can be called a squarer. Cowan means round or hollow as an adjective, a hollow or something hollow as a noun, and a cowaner is the hollow builder or the man who uses round unsquared stones for building purposes, whether walls or huts. In the west of Scotland the word has received a collateral meaning colloquially in being applied to large hollow fishing boats. Thus: -" When the Earl (Argyll) came ‘to Allangreg in this critical juncture he resolved to man out four prizes he had got to ‘sea and thirty cowans or fisher boats ' &c. (Woodrows Hist. ii. 535.)

“I have Professor Mackinnon's authority for saying that

“The word Cuban, later cabhan, is a well established word in Gaelic literature with the meaning hollow, crevice, &c. In dialect the sound easily becomes cobhan, co'an, the first a being short.  In Gaelic ‘air’, like the English ‘er’, indicates a personal agent, so that cowaner is thus a very natural phrase for a hollow builder or drystone diker.”  (Ibid, Page 203)

[xiv] Ibid, Page 197