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Tiler or Tyler - FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY - PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only - HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER

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Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 01:53 PM

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S.S.Keefer
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TILER or TYLER

"So he drove out the man, and he placed at the east of tale Garden of Eden
cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the wary of tee
tree of life." - Gen. 4, 24.

THUS DID the Lord conceal from man forever, the secrets of life. What was
His purpose ? It seems to us that He replaced the original knowledge, or the
Word, with curiosity - that ever-burning desire to surge ahead in the search
for Light and Truth. Satisfied, man dies, but as long as the search
continues he grows and lives.

Dr. Albert Mackey states that "Tyler" is the "old and now obsolete spelling
of the word," but a survey of Masonic publications all over the country
places the use of Tiler and Tyler on about equal basis. However, the
spelling of the word is of little consequence but the office, one of utmost
importance, and like those of Master and Wardens "owes its existence, not to
any conventional regulations but to the very landmarks of the Order." The
word is derived from the operative art - "finishes and covers a building
with roof (or tiles)," and so when a Lodge is duly assembled, the Tyler
closes the door and covers it from intrusion.

But the office of the Tiler extends far, far beyond these mere physical
requirements. The California ceremony of installation cautions the Tiler in
no uncertain words:

"As the sword is placed in the hands of the Tiler, to enable him to
effectually guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and
suffer none to pass or repass, but such as are duly qualified, so should it
admonish us to set a guard over our thoughts, a watch at our lips, and post
a sentinel over our actions; thereby preventing the approach of every
unworthy thought and deed, and preserving consciences void of offense toward
God and man."

And so the Tiler accepts the responsibility from all of us to "hele,"
"conceal" and "tile"; words of the same meaning with the single purpose to
cherish and protect that which is precious. This charge is the poetic form
and mixes symbol with implement, but could the responsibilities of the
office be more inclusive and demanding. It places the office of Tiler as the
most important in the Lodge when assembled. Often, too little consideration
is given to the appointment to this office. A Tiler should be a brother of
pleasing and gracious personality. He should be well versed in the
ceremonies and etiquette of the Fraternity and practice them to the letter.
In his room, decorum and quiet should reign at all times, for there under
his guidance, the "first impressions" are received. Visitors judge the Lodge
by their reception at the threshold, and regardless of the fine quality of
the "work" or excellence of the "refreshments," that first impression goes
with them when the meeting is closed. And so, how important it is that the
filer should always have a sentinel posted over his every action.

In the Tiler's room the visitor is challenged and examined as to his rights
to enter the Lodge. Formerly an oath was administered by the Tiler and it
was therefore called the Tiler's Oath. Still administered, by a committee
nominally appointed by the Master, it is the Tiler's duty to satisfy himself
that the visitor is indeed a Master Mason, speaking the same language and
able to pronounce the word aright.

"The Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tiler's Sword" and "The Sword
Pointing to a Naked Heart" are not the same words, nor is the symbology the
same. Mackey, under "Sword-Tiler's," does not clarify the symbology, for he
states: "In modern times the implement used by the Tiler is of the ordinary
form. This is incorrect - up to a comparatively recent period it was wavy in
shape - made in allusion to the flaming sword which was placed at the East
of the Garden of Eden" etc. And the symbology is further mixed by the
statement: "without scabbard, ever ready in defense."

Symbolically the Tiler's Sword is not an implement of defense, nor is the
Tiler a defender. They are both "keepers" or preservers of Truth - the one,
physically because of the things entrusted to his care and the other because
behind its dazzling blade of light lie the great secrets of life
everlasting. Man is always confused and blinded by the light of Truth and it
is only after long and intimate contact that his inner eyes can penetrate
the protecting veil to the beauties of the hidden "way of the tree of life."

Yours is a great responsibility, brother Tiler. The sword which is placed in
your hands is not a plaything; it is a constant reminder of the duties you
are expected to perform, and it should never be handled carelessly. If its
symbolic meanings are clear to you, you will never grasp its blade, for that
flaming part can be touched only by the heart which has been purified by its
light. You will note that it was placed into your hands, not one hand. Here
again we have the poetic form, for hands means in your care or keeping. ln
the Holy Writings we find Paul, writing to the Christians at Ephesus,
calling it "The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." And again in
the Apocalypse - "I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
These are the sword of the Tiler by which he weighs in the balance every
applicant for admission to the Lodge when at work, and permits only those
who are properly clad (mentally, as well as physically), and vouched for, to
enter. How great, then, is his responsibility to know all the laws, rules
and regulations appertaining to every Degree.

At ceremonies of installation we see the sword handled in every conceivable
manner. The Master of Ceremonies grasps it by the blade, places it over his
arm and at once destroys the symbology. The Tiler takes it and probably
gives a military salute (or something similar), and he further destroys the
symbology. A sword should never be handled by the blade. That, at best,
would be an act of surrender or challenge and not of presentation. Foils may
be offered over the arm, for that is a challenge, but swords - NEVER!

Even when a vanquished foe "surrenders" his sword, it is delivered in the
scabbard, if at all, historical inaccuracies notwithstanding to the
contrary. When an officer is "stripped" he salutes with his sword, returns
it to the scabbard, unfastens it from the belt and surrenders the whole
thing. No one touches the blade. In this practice, even to the handling of
the conventional sword, lies the deeper symbology of the Tiler's Sword.

Tiler or Tyler, either is correct my brother, if you are !

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