The Cable-Tow

C. Bruce Hunter wrote, "cable tow - . . . Symbolically, the limit of a Mason's ability to discharge his responsibilities." (Masonic Dictionary, page 18)

"cable tow. Rope for confining or leading. Its length is 'three miles' or 'scope of a brother's ability'." (Pocket Masonic Dictionary, The Masonic Service Association, page 9)

"The cable-tow, then, is the outward and visible symbol of a vow in which a man has pledged his life, or has pledged himself to save another life at the risk of his own. Its length and strength are measured by the ability of the man to fulfill his obligation and his sense of the moral sanctity of his obligation -- a test, that is, both of his capacity and of his character." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, page 7)

Allen Roberts wrote, "The cabletow acted as an outward, a visible pledge of submission and fidelity. It is the symbol of a vow to assist another, even at the risk of our lives. Its strength and length depend upon a man's ability to fulfill has obligations. It is a test of his character and his capacity to love.
How long is a cabletow? It's as long as you want it to be. It will reach as far as your moral principles go, or your material conditions will allow. Each man must be his own judge of the length of his cabletow. But if the cord of each Freemason were tied around the world, no earthly power could break the bond of brotherhood." (The Craft and Its Symbols, page 14)

Joseph Newton, ". . . in a striking scene recorded in the Bible (1 Kings 20:31, 32), the description of which is almost Masonric. The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, had been defeated in battle by the king of Israel and his servants are making a plea for his life. They approach the king of Israel 'with ropes upon their heads,' and speak of his 'brother, Ben-hadad.'
Why did they wear ropes, or nooses, on their heads? Evidently to symbolize a pledge of some sort, given in a Lodge or otherwise, between the two kings, of which they wished to remind the king of Israel. The king of Israel asked: 'Is he yet alive? he is my brother.' Then we read that the servants of the Syrian king watched to see if the king of Israel made any sign, and, catching his sign, they brought the captive king of Syria before him. Not only was the life of the king of Syria spared, but a new pledge was made between the two men.
The cable-tow, then, is the outward and visible symbol of a vow in which a man has pledged his life, or has pledged himself to save another life at the risk of his own. Its length and strength are measured by the ability of the man to fulfill his obligation and his sense of the moral sanctity of his obligation -- a test, that is, both of his capacity and of his character." (Short Talks on Masonry, pages 76-77)

"If a Lodge is a symbol of the world, and initiation is our birth into the world of Masonry, the cable-tow is not unlike the cord which unites a child to its mother at birth; and so it is usually interpreted. Just as the physical cord, when cut, is replaced by a tie of love and obligation between mother and child, so, in one of the most impressive moments of initiation, the cable-tow is removed, because the brother, by his oath at the Altar of Obligation, is bound by a tie stronger than an outward physical restraint has become an inward moral constraint. That is to say, force is replaced by love -- outer authority by inner obligation -- and that is the secret of security and the only basis of brotherhood." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, page 8)

"The cable-tow is the sign of the pledge of the life of a man. . . . 'if within the length of his cable-tow,' which means, if within the reach of his power." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, page 8)

". . . let us remember that a Cable-tow has two ends. If it binds a Mason to the Fraternity, by the same fact it binds the Fraternity to each man in it. . . . the other side of the obligation -- that the Fraternity is under vows to its members to guide, instruct and train them for the effective service of the Craft and of humanity. Control, obedience, direction or guidance -- these are the three meanings of the cable-tow . . ." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, page 9)

"For each Mason the cable-tow reaches as far as his moral principles go and his material conditions will allow. Of that distance each must be his own judge, and indeed each does pass judgment upon himself accordingly, by his own acts in aid of others." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, page 10)

". . . when the cable-tow of each Mason is joined with that of every other Mason, and all are united in one Cable of Kindness, it makes a bond of brotherhood the might of which no mortal can measure. . . . It is one of the holiest assets of humanity -- a far-stretching Tie, mystical and unseen, yet more unbreakable than bands of steel, in which the obligation and loyalty and love of each of us is a strand. . . . To discover that cord running through our own lives -- your life and mine -- uniting us with all the seekers after truth, all lovers of right, all servants of God and man, is the mission and blessing of Masonry." (The Cable-Tow, The Short Talk Bulletin, vol. IV, No. 3, March 1926, pages 10-11)


August 19, 2007