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.
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.
[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” [17th
century] and “cowen” [18th 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
