Page 20 - MFM Jan Feb 2024

talisman, Spanish talisman, Portuguese talismã, noted that the Master Mason degree was
Italian talismano, ultimately representing invented in 1725.⁷ Thus, King James did reach the
Arabic tilsam, in same sense. < Greek Τέλεσμά ultimate degree available at the time in 1601.
telesm n. The final -an is
not accounted for.” This The 24-inch gauge
suggests that the origin is reminds us to manage our
Greek but is a combination time wisely and to use it to
of thought from Arabic, achieve our goals. It is not
Spanish, Portuguese, and only a lesson of schedule
Italian, and French prior but a lesson of priority.
to entering into English.” We must remember
Regarding the history of that time is a precious
the term, the OED states, commodity and use it
“An Arabic plural tilsamān, constructively to build
alleged by Diez s.v., and our moral metaphorical
thence in various recent edifice.
dictionaries, is an error: no
such form exists in Aribic, In “Advice to a Young
Persian, or Turkish. The Tradesman” an essay by
only Arabic form at all Britger Benjamin Franklin
similar would be a relative that appeared in George
adjective *tilsimānī (one) Fisher’s 1748 book, The
American Instructor: or
dealing with talismans, if Young Man’s Best Com-
this were in use. The identity panion, in which Franklin
of talisman with Τέλεσμά wrote, “Remember that
was first pointed out by time is money.” 8
Salmasius, Hist. Augusta
1620. ”The etymology and In the full quote, Franklin
history of a word can often wrote:
bring about its ideas of how
it’s done. “Remember that time is
money. He that can earn
Brother Mackey wrote in ten shillings a day by his
his 1875 Encyclopedia: “The Image and description from Wikipedia: “Title page of the labour, and goes abroad,
First Folio, 1623. Copper engraving of Shakespeare by Martin
Masonic essence of the Droeshout.” Julius Caesar was first performed in 1599. or sits idle one half of the
lesson is ability, preparedness, and readiness, day, though he spends but sixpence during his
recalling the suggestion of William Shakespeare diversion or idleness, it ought not to be reckoned
to the workman in Julius Caesar (act 1, scene 1, the only expence; he hath really spent or thrown
line 5), Where is they leather apron and thy away five shillings besides.” 9
rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on?
Exactly 100 years prior to Ben Franklin’s 1748
Shakespeare in this line has an astonishing publication, a poem was written in English in
6
prescience to Masonry? It is worthwhile noting 1648 by an English poet named Robert Herrick:
that James VI (of Scotland) was a patron of
Shakespeare - and a Fellow Craft. It seems likely “Gather ye Rose-buds while ye may,
that Shakespeare would have known about Old Time is still a-flying:
Freemasonry existing whether by interacting And this same flower that smiles to day,
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with the King or others in the King’s court who To morrow will be dying.”
were involved in Freemasonry. Indeed, King
James himself was Fellowcraft Freemason In short, what Franklin and the poet are
(Lodge Scoon and Perth No. 3 in Perth) (1601- suggesting is: carpe diem, seize the day.
1625) Initiated: April 15th, 1601. It should be

Montana Freemason Page 20 Jan/Feb 2024 Volume 100 No.1