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Morals & Dogma of Freemasonry - 5. PERFECT MASTER - Albert Pike (1871) - HQ Full Book
Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: Unlocking the Secrets of Freemasonry - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 5. PERFECT MASTER:
Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871) is one of the most significant and widely studied texts in Masonic philosophy. This work, written by one of the most influential figures in the history of Freemasonry, serves as a guidebook for members of the Scottish Rite and a deep philosophical exploration of the moral, ethical, and esoteric teachings of the fraternity.
Albert Pike (1809–1891) was a prominent American attorney, soldier, writer, and Freemason, best known for his profound influence on Masonic philosophy and literature. A towering intellectual figure of his time, Pike served as the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite's Southern Jurisdiction in the United States for over three decades. "Morals and Dogma" emerged from his desire to provide a comprehensive guide for Masonic brethren, offering a deeper understanding of the principles, ethics, and spiritual dimensions embedded in the rituals.
In Morals and Dogma, Chapter 5, “Perfect Master,” Albert Pike introduces the reader to a solemn, moral, and reflective degree within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The degree corresponds to the 5° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and it is deeply imbued with themes of duty, morality, labor, death, and remembrance. Pike uses this chapter to establish the foundation of a Mason’s obligation to labor with integrity and to approach life with moral seriousness, humility, and devotion to a higher purpose.
The Central Allegory and Symbolism
The allegorical setting of the degree centers on the death of Hiram Abif, the martyred master architect of Solomon’s Temple, whose legacy has been revered since the previous degrees. In this chapter, the focus shifts from Hiram's death to how his memory should be honored and what lessons it should impart. The rituals associated with the Perfect Master degree emphasize the necessity of memorializing the good and just while striving to imitate their virtues in life. The key symbol of this degree is the tomb. It serves both as a reminder of mortality and as a symbol of moral permanence—honor, virtue, and the fruits of righteous labor do not die with the body but live on through remembrance and influence. The green sprig of acacia, introduced in earlier degrees, continues to act as a potent emblem of immortality and incorruptibility, particularly of character.
Labor, Duty, and Moral Purpose
Pike expounds on the virtue of honest labor, asserting that the Perfect Master is one who works not for reward or recognition but out of devotion to duty and principle. Labor, in this context, is not merely physical effort or occupation but also the spiritual and moral endeavor to perfect the soul and contribute to the greater good of humanity. Pike writes that every Mason should labor “as if working for God Himself,” implying that sincerity, integrity, and excellence must mark all human action. Work is elevated to a sacred function—a way of manifesting divine order in the world. Thus, the "Perfect Master" is not one who achieves flawlessness in the worldly sense but one who constantly aspires toward higher moral and spiritual excellence through work, perseverance, and humility.
Death and Remembrance
One of the key meditative aspects of this chapter is its reflection on death and the legacy we leave behind. Pike encourages Masons to live in such a way that their memory will be honored after they are gone. He discusses the tomb of Hiram as not just a resting place, but a testament to a life lived in service to truth and virtue. Pike uses this discussion as an entry point to consider how societies remember the dead. He warns against the vanities of fame
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago