The Masonic Apron

Grand Lodge of Texas, ". . . the modern Masonic apron is a white lambskin apron, which adds two specific qualities. First, the color white is a ritualistic development to represent purity and, second, the lambskin material is emblematical of innocence." (Grand Lodge of Texas, The Masonic Apron)

Grand Lodge of Texas, "The apron reminds the Mason to do his duty to God, his country, his neighbor and his family. Every time he puts the apron on, he should be reminded of his obligations to God and of that purity of character and behavior necessary for his proper relationship with God." (Grand Lodge of Texas, The Masonic Apron)

Allen Roberts wrote, "The apron, among many things, is a symbol of Innocence, Purity, and Honor." (The Craft and Its Symbols, page 31)

George Oliver, "Lambskin. The lambskin has in all ages been considered as an emblem of innocence and peace. The Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, will grant to those who put their trust in Him, his peace. He, therefore, who wears the lambskin as a badge of Masonry, is reminded of that purity of life and conversation, which it is absolutely necessary for them to observe, who expect to be admitted into the Grand Lodge above." (A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry)

". . . there are five distinct things of which the Lambskin Apron is a badge.
Firstly, in its use, it is a badge of service. . . .
Secondly, made of Lambskin, it is in its fabric a badge of sacrifice. The Lamb in all ages has been not only an emblem of innocence, but also a symbol of sacrifice, and he who wears this Apron with understanding must be prepared for the time when hard things are to be done, when trials are to be endured, and fortitude glorified.
Thirdly, in its color it is a badge of purity. . . . The Apron when correctly understood is the pledge of a clean life, the testimony that a candidate means to live pure, speak true, right wrong, and reverence conscience as king.
When we turn to the Ritual for its interpretation, we find the Apron to be an inheritance from the past, and so, in the fourth place, it is a badge of antiquity . . . As a badge of antiquity, it emphasizes the value of the past. . . .
In the fifth place, the Apron is a badge of honor."
(The Lambskin Apron, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. V, No. 11, November 1927, pages 4-8)


White - the color of innocence
". . . the innocence is that of intent not to do evil, not of knowledge of evil. The Mason is 'innocent' when his heart is gentle towards weakness, chivalrous towards those dependent upon him, tolerant of his fellows' weakness, forgiving of his bretherns' mistakes." (Behind the Symbol, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. XXXII, no. 7, July 1954, page 4)


"Beneath this is the really great meaning of the apron; that of the dignity and worth of labor, the honor of being a workman, the glory of being a contributor to life and living." (Behind the Symbol, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. XXXII, no. 7, July 1954, page 4)


Anti-Mason Steven Tsoukalas writes, "Anyone seeking candidacy in the Masonic Lodge is to possess a belief in a Supreme Being. Thus it is the case that not all Masons are Christians."

This is true. But, there is nothing anti-Christian or un-Biblical for a Christian to belong to a private organization that allows non-Christian members.

Mr. Tsoukalas writes, "From the biblical perspective the Muslim, Unitarian, and Hindu cannot be reconciled to God and finally go to heaven unless he renounces his religion and believes in Christ as Savior and Lord."

Mr. Tsoukalas is correct from a Biblical perspective. But, Freemasonry makes no statement about salvation.

In order to prove his twisted view of Freemasonry, Mr. Tsoukalas makes comments about the Masonic lectures about the Lambskin Apron. He ridicules Freemasonry for teaching a Mason to live a pure life. Does Mr. Tsoukalas find fault with this? If, so, he must stand for the opposite.

Mr. Tsoukalas, as do other professional anti-Masons, misses the point of the Apron Lecture. He writes, "From a Christian theological standpoint there is a tremendous problem with this, namely John 14:6, where Jesus states, 'I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.' Biblically, and sadly the Unitarian is not with the Lord Jesus Christ, if indeed he held to Unitarian beliefs. Thus the Lodge in its ritual holds to be true for that Unitarian what is in reality a false reminder 'of that purity of life and conduct so essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge Above'."

From a Christian Biblical standpoint the Apron Lecture is not a "tremendous problem" because the section about the Masonic Apron is not teaching a plan of salvation.

Mr. Tsoukalas shows his ignorance of the Masonic view of the apron when he writes, ". . . we have a sacred object (the Lambskin Apron) . . ." ("The Masonic Lodge: Is It Compatible with Christianity?" The Quarterly Journal, published by Personal Outreach)

The Merriam-Webster CollegiateŽ Dictionary defines "sacred" as 1 a : dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity 2 a : worthy of religious veneration.

Since, the rituals of Freemasonry are not a worship service, the wearing of the apron is not "dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity."

Freemasons do not regard the apron as "worthy of religious veneration."

Therefore, Mr. Tsoukalas' claim that Freemasonry and Freemasons regard the apron as "a sacred object" is without foundation.


Anti-Mason Greg Lambert stated, "A Mason is given his apron at the Entered Apprentice degree. At that time he is told that the apron is 'the badge of a mason' and '... who wears the Lambskin [apron] as a badge of Masonry is continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct which is necessry to obtain admittance into the Celestial Lodge above.' This teaches a Mason that salvation may be obtained through works rather than through Jesus." page 14.

The ritual as quoted by Greag Lambert does not teach salvation is obtained through works.

Anti-Mason Greg Lambert writes, "The symbolism of the apron is also mentioned in the Third Degree Ritual as follows: 'May the record of your whole life and actions be as pure and spotless as the fair emblem I have placed in your hands tonight [his apron]. And when at that last great day your poor trembling soul stands naked and alone before the great white throne, may it be your portion to hear from him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme the welcome words, Well done, thy good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' This teaching indicates that possession of a Masonic apron is key to God receiving you into heaven at the Great White Throne judgment." page 14.

Mr. Lambert is typical of the professional anti-Mason, he misses the point about the teaching of this section. The teaching of this section of the lecture is not "that possession of Masonic apron is key to God receiving you into heaven at the Great White Throne Judgment." The teaching of this section is about living a pure and spotless life.

C. Bruce Hunter wrote, "The apron worn by speculative Masons is traditionally made of white lambskin to symbolize innocence." (Masonic Dictionary, page 9)

Allen Roberts, "The apron, among many things, is a symbol of Innocence, Purity, and Honor." (The Craft and Its Symbols, page 31)

Robert Macoy, "... the recipient, in return, is required to keep himself pure in all his actions ..." (A Dictionary of Freemasonry, page 87)

George Oliver, "Apron. ... A Masonic apron is made of common white leather, and no brother is allowed to appear in a lodge without one; it is intended to remind him of purity of mind and morals ..." (A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry)

Albert Mackey, "By the whiteness of its colour, and the innocence of the animal from which it is obtained, we are admonished to preserve that blameless purity of life and conduct . . ." (Lexicon of Freemasonry, page 32)

This teaching is in harmonry with the teachings of the New Testament.
1 John 3:3, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (KJV)
1 Timothy 5:22, "... keep thyself pure." (KJV)

Anti-Mason Greg Lambert writes, "The Scripture that Masonic teaching about the apron refers to is as follows ... (Revelation 20:11-13). This Scripture talks of the 'Great White Throne Judgement' which is not for those who are saved through Jesus Christ, but rather is reserved for damned souls. During this judgment men who have not made Jesus their personal Lord and Saviour are judged by their works. And, because works can not save a man, as indicated in Ephesians 2:8-9; all men who face this judgment based on their works are condemned to hell." page 15.

Anti-Mason Mr. Lambert concludes this section with the following statement, "And finally, we must also ask ourselves if God is pleased with the wearing of aprons. When Adam and Eve wore aprons made of fig leaves for the first time, to hide their nakedness, God was not pleased. He shed blood for the first time recorded in the Bible to make clothes for Adam and Eve. So the blood sacrifices for man's sins started with the apron, (see Gensis 3)." page 15.

No, Mr. Lambert, blood sacrifices started with man's sins, not the wearing of an apron. Is the wearing of clothes sinful? If, you follow the logic of Mr. Lambert then it is.

How can anyone take Greg Lambert seriously when he makes such asinine statements?


October 18, 2007