Page 74 - Amo Amass A-muse is some of the fruit of a lifetimes love of Freemasonry - the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235

ThE ORiGiN OF mASONiC FiRE

T THE LAST MEETING a member asked me how that peculiar act of
‘Masonic Fire’ started. I asked myself, is the idea so peculiar or is it only the
A Masonic development of the idea peculiar. Could it not be derived from a form
of salute or Battle Cry?
The earliest example of this in England was the ancient British Battle Cry of “Hip, Hip,
Hip, Hurrah.” This is now used by the Winning Side of a game to salute the looser who then
replies in the same way. It is of Masonic interest to note that there are three “Hips.”
Much later was evolved the Ceremonial Salute in the Army of the “Feu de Joie.” In this,
the Infantry in Line from the right, fired one after each other along the front rank, the fire
returning to the right along the rear rank, all this being interspersed with Gun Fire from the
artillery. Then at Banquets, the Chairman giving the signal, a gun was fired outside to start
Clapping, and Huzzars, to welcome an honoured guest, or at the conclusion of a speech.
Today in many Lodges when Fire is given the W.M. and Wardens sound their Gavels to mark
the third of each set of three claps. You may have noticed that this fire is marked by ‘three
times three’. Three points of three, 1, 2, 3, and three sets of three claps. In many old odes and
certificates we find that “a Brother should well understand the three times three”. However
this was not the only knowledge he was supposed to have regarding the three times three.
You will notice that it amounts to Nine which is the number of the Muses. In another paper
I have explained the special way in which we of the Nine Muses should give Fire.
So, you can see how our English Craft fire has developed. In the Magnucorps Lodge,
founded by members of the Machine Gun Corps in the 1914-18 war, the fire is very rapid
to represent the fire of Machine Guns. It is all a form of Salutation. Our salutes in a closed
Lodge are different. You know how a newly installed W.M. is saluted in different ways in
each degree.
In Ireland Saluting and Fire are the same. They Salute “At the third coming down”, as it
is called, followed by a different number of claps depend-ing upon the reason. Most of other
degrees of Masonry besides the Craft now have their own peculiar Fire differing greatly from
that of the Craft.
I believe therefore, Brethren, that Saluting and Fire have evolved from the earliest days to
give honour and praise and to put fear into the hearts of an enemy.