THE LEVEL

"That which is altogether just shalt thou follow,
that thou mayest live, and inherit the land
which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Deut. 16:20

In Freemasonry, the level is the symbol of equality, not only among members of the Craft, but of all humanity. The fraternity teaches that mankind is the offspring of God, created in His image of one blood. As such, each person is born with certain inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those who wrote this country's Declaration of Independence and Constitution were not implementing man-made justice when incorporating such sentiments into our laws - they were enacting fundamental principles given us by the Most High.

Freemasonry's love of equality does not mean that it also endorses the destruction of distinctions based upon merit, or that rank is somehow inconsistent with the Craft's belief. Without question, all men are created equal by nature. Each is subject to the same infirmities associated with human existence. All are embraced b y God as His children and are ultimately destined to be judged equally and impartially according to His immutable laws. But some men, by training, discipline and the proper use of their God given talents rise above the ordinary and are entitled to enjoy a different status. Every man, woman and child has the opportunity to so advance, which makes this equality of opportunity not only consistent with divine and human laws, it is the very cement and support of civil society.

The level also serves as the emblem in the jewel worn by the Senior Warden of a Masonic lodge and reminds those in attendance at a Masonic meeting that all have gathered on the level. That phrase has also acquired significance in the day-to-day parlance in civil society. When one speaks about another as being on the level, he generally means that he believes the person about whom he is speaking to be truthful, honest and forthright.

Although Freemasonry did not invent those virtues, it inculcates them from the time a candidate for Masonic degrees first knocks at the door of a lodge until he is translated from this imperfect life to that celestial lodge above where the Supreme Architect of the Universe forever presides. Albert Pike, as well as other Masonic writers, has gone so far as to say that Freemasonry is the first apostle of equality. During this Nation's formative years, Thomas Paine wrote an essay complimenting the Craft for its unflinching commitment to a government without tyranny, or religious restriction. Yet, there is something more about the significance of the level - something that holds a more personal about the meaning of the level for each and every Mason.