BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF AND TRUTH

Freemasonry teaches in the first or entered apprentice degree - we are taught that the three great Masonic tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

The first of these is Brotherly Love, and by the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family - the high and the low, the rich and the poor.  All are created by one Almighty Parent, all are inhabitants o f the same planet, all have the duty to aid, support and protect each other.

On this principle Masonry unites Men of every country, sect and opinion and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance. With more brotherly love prevailing throughout the world it would be a better place to live in and our Children would be looking at the world in a different light. May the light of brotherly love shine in your hearts and help make things around you a little brighter.

I am remined of an incident in the life of Count Tolstoy, the great Russian Novelist, sometimes reputed to have been a Freemason, who dared to be a Socialist in the days of the Czars.

The Count was accosted by a beggar on the streets. Tolstoy searched his clothing but could find nothing that he might contribute. He then addressed the supplicant: "Brother, I hope you ar e not too angry with me because I can't find a coin.

The trace of a smile crept across the face of the beggar.

A dim light came into his eyes, He responded; "You called me "Brother," and that was a great blessing."

We who use the term "Brother," freely and are not hindered in so doing may have little conception of what deep meaning there may be in the word when spoken under certain conditions or circumstances.

The derelict who approached the great Russian undoubtedly was accustomed to be refused of his appeals, he must have been accustomed to kicks and cuffs in place of silver. There was none to love him and none for whom he might show affection.

At night he crawled into a dirty hovel, and by day he was hounded from public places by the police of the Czars.

To receive nothing could not have been a great disappointment, but the great Russian who had nothing to give did express disappointment. He apologized for being empty of pocket, "Brother, I hope you are not angry with me, because I have no coin." Possibly his socialistic beliefs told him that his own empty handness made him brother to the other who had nothing.

Whatever the reason, he spoke the word that brought to the face of the mendicant the first glint of a smile that it may have known for many a day, for many a month.

The kind word may have led the beggar to forget his hunger. That night he may have crawled into his dirty bunk to pleasant dreams. The Count's kind word cost nothing, but it brought into a dark life more than could have been put there by a coin that would have commanded bread.

"You called me "Brother" and that was a great blessing."

There is a story told of two Jewish Brothers - whose farms laid side by side. On a certain night, after the gathering of the harvest, one of them said to his wife, "My brother is a lonely man, who has neither wife nor child: " I will go out and carry some of my sheaves into his field.  It happened that on the same night th e other said, "My Brother has wife and child and needs the harvest more than I. I will carry some of my sheaves into his field."

So the next morning there respective heaps were unchanged.

And thus it happened night after night, until at length, one moonlit night the brothers with their arms full of sheaves, met midway face to face.

On that spot the Temple was built because it was esteemed to be the place where  earth was nearest heaven.

A noted cleric used to tell the story that he was one day passing up a street in Edinburgh when he saw a little girl carrying a very heavy baby. He was a big hearted man and stopped and said, "Lassie, surely that Child's too heavy for you." With an accent of surprise the girl replied; "No Sir, he is my Brother." My friends and brethren - Love with Lighten any Load.

A prominent Masonic periodical published an article a few years ago entitled ..."The Word Brother," which I feel is well worth quoting at this time.

Next to the word "Mother" - no word in our language has more meaning and music than the word "Brother".

It is from above and it reaches into the deep places of the heart. It is religion, on its human side; and in it lies the hope of humanity. The highest  dream of the Prophets is of a time when men shall be brothers.

When used Masonically the word "Brother" has a depth and tenderness all its own, unique and beautiful beyond words. It tells of a tie, mystical but mighty, which Masonry spins and weaves between Man and Men, which no one can define and few can resist. 

In time of sorrow, it is a tether of sympathy and a link of loyalty.

Of course, like all other words, it is common enough and may be glibly used without regard to its real meaning.

Like the word of the Lord, it may be a coin worn smooth or a flower faded. But when its meaning is actually and fully felt, no other word is needed among us, except on occasion of high Masonic ceremonies, when we add the word "worshipful" or some other term of title or rank. 

No other word has a finer import or a more ample echo, expressive of the highest relationship in which dignity and devotion unite. If we are really brothers, all the rest may go by the board, save for the sake of ceremony. If we are not truly brothers, all titles are empty and of no avail.

For that reason, the word "Brother" when speaking Masonically is not only a lack of courtesy, but it shows a want of fineness of feeling.

From Brotherly love we pass to the next great lesson of relief. We are taught in the Lodge that to relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men but particularly on Masons who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection.

To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their Miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

It is my thought that Relief was one of the most important functions in Masonry during its operative period. You will remember that only a few centuries ago the average life of man was less than fifty years. Coupled to this was the fact that many operative Masons, due to the nature of their work, were injured or killed on their jobs.

In this period in our history there was no social security, no Workman's Compensation or other forms of relief to the widows and their children. This important function was the duty of Masons.

You can well imagine the added peace of mind our Ancient brothers had by knowing their families would be taken care of if anything happened to them.

Today, this form of relief is not as important, although we do have Masonic relief programs in our Grand Lodge, as well as our Knight Templar orphans and Widows fund in Great Priory.

Today, we feel that relief means to relieve a brother and his family of worry during illness or distress from other causes.

Some Lodges have hospital beds, wheel chairs and other equipment, for the use of their members and it is the Master's particular duty to see after any of his Members in need also to visit and comfert the ill. I feel that this is a duty not only of the Master but of every Mason.

The third tenet of a Masons life is truth, and we are taught that truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate and by its dictates endeavour to regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown to us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each others welfare and rejoice in each others prosperity. 

To quote the words of Albert Pike who said: "To attain the truth and serve our fellowman, our country and mankind - that is the noblest duty of Man.

IN the Declaration of Independence we read these words;

"we hold truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Search for Truth and the pursuit of Liberty have followed parallel courses through the pages of History. Truth has been the most sought after and least  understood of all elements which have contributed to the the good of mankind. At the same time many have sensed the fact that there exists a strange relationship between this subject called Truth and another thing which has been and still is the most desirable thing on this earth: "Liberty."

What is Truth? The greatest teacher of them all said, "I am the truth." This same teacher said; "Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth will make you free."

What is truth/ Truth is that spark of divine inspiration within the breast of all sincere and honest men that urges them to press onward, to search for the golden thread of events that have a bearing on success and happiness of peoples and programs, following that thread no matter where it may lead.

Such zeal was displayed by our crusading companions of old.

Throughout Freemasonry there is stressed the Mystical Quest; the search for something that is lost. Freemasonry has been defined as the Search for Divine Truth.

There is no religion higher than truth. A belief in God and the attributes of Truth, Justice and Liberty are interwoven in the fabric of our National life. These are the same characteristics and the same faith taught in our beloved order.

And finally from the Epistle of Paul of Paul to the Phillipians - we read in Chapter 4 -verses 8 and 9.

"Whatsoever things are true.
Whatsoever things are honest
Whatsoever things are pure.
Whatsoever things are lovely
Whatsoever things are of good report,
If there be any virtue;
And if there be any praise,
think on these things."

Verse 9 Those things which you have both learned and received and heard are seen in me too.
And the God of Peace shall be with you.

Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth - what a wonderful world this would be if all men would apply these teachings to their daily lives.

In closing Sir Knights, as we start a New Year in Templary in our Preceptory - Edmonton #46, May we go forward with the injunctions of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth in our Hearts.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.




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