By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family - the high, the low, the rich, the poor - who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabiting the same planet, should aid, support, and protect one another. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and promotes true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.
In the Masonic Fraternity, the candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry is impressed with the fact that the great principles of the Order are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth in the initiatory Rites, and throughout his advancement. The mode and manner for the practice of these principles are detailed in words and illustrated in symbols, so there can be no cause for error in understanding or failure in practice.
Emphatic throughout the ritual of the Masonic Fraternity are the teachings of the greater Light of Masonry that Brotherly Love is to be more than an abstract principle; it is to be in deed and in truth… ( Exodus 23:4 – Deuteronomy 10:19 – 1 Samuel 18:1 – Proverbs 18:23,24 – Hebrews 13:1 – 1 John 4:19-21 )
Biblical References
Exodus 23:4
If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
Deuteronomy 10:19
Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
1 Samuel 18:1
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
Proverbs 18:23,24
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that has friends must show himself.
Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.
1 John 4:19-21
19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
~~ooOoo~~
This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
