I was reading a book about the short lived Grand Orient of Louisiana this morning and noticed that the Orient’s official motto was Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
Then I jumped on Facebook, and saw a fellow Washington Mason post that same motto.
It isn’t a motto seen much here in Washington Freemasonry, but it is widely used by other Masonic Jurisdictions around the world. In fact, just a few months ago a large group from the Grand Lodge of Washington paid a visit to Libertad, Igualdad, Fraternidad Lodge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Running across this Masonic motto twice this morning brought a couple of questions to mind for me.
What do these words ‘Liberty,’ ‘Equality,’ and ‘Fraternity’ actually mean to us as Masons?
How can we best work to ensure these Masonic principles prevail in our communities, and in the world at large? What can we do to advance the cause of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity?
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Three words that, if followed, could heal our communities and beyond. As Masons, we practice these pretty well in lodge. We greet one another on the level with a firm handshake and embrace. We are, in our lodges, accepting of a Brother’s freedom to worship the Grand Architect in his way. But, as Masons, do we greet our neighbor in the same manner? Are we tolerant of the way our neighbor worships? Do we see our neighbor as equal? Practicing the precepts of these three words within our individual spheres of influence can be powerful. As human beings, let alone Masons, do we defend the liberties of others? Do we allow, or worse speak, the derogatory terms to describe those that don’t worship in the same manner or believe in the same political policies? I truly believe as Masons, we have it within ourselves, our lodges, our jurisdictions, through the teachings of our rituals, to ensure everyone in our neighborhoods, communities and countries, enjoys the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the Great Architect endowed all of us with.
I think that during this time of great division in our society we all do well to remember that if we are to secure liberty for ourselves, then we must ensure that liberty is secured for those we most vehemently disagree with. For only by protecting the liberty of those with whom we are opposed, do we secure it for ourselves.
I fear that in many cases we now confuse the tremendous good that is assurance of equality of opportunity with equality of result which can only lead to tyranny. By ensuring that every child born has an equal opportunity to succeed, we are making the world better for everyone. If we attempt to demand that everyone experience equality of result, we will all suffer sooner or later.
When it comes to fraternity, I think we do well, as Masons, to encourage fraternity beyond Freemasonry. While undoubtedly Freemasonry is the greatest and most successful fraternity to ever exist on the face of this earth, other fraternal groups exist, and together create Civil Society. I don't believe that a free nation can long exist without a very strong Civil Society, and that the United States has historically gained its tremendous strength from its citizens efforts in that regard. We need more Masons. We need more Grangers, Rotarians, Lions, and Moose as well. As membership in all these groups has fallen, so too has our strength as a cohesive society.
I've been unable to discover if it was used in French Freemasonry prior to the revolution. One of the horrible drawbacks of the schism between American Freemasonry and the Grand Orient of France is the limitation of easily available information about that massive and hugely important Masonic obedience.
I don't know how far I can drill down due to my limited knowledge. I can say it was founded and incorporated in 1879 and worked the French / Modern Rite. It apparently existed until around 1884.
Extremely interesting to me, its Constitution contained the provision:
"Racial equality will be practiced." A very rare American Masonic sentiment at the time.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Three words that, if followed, could heal our communities and beyond. As Masons, we practice these pretty well in lodge. We greet one another on the level with a firm handshake and embrace. We are, in our lodges, accepting of a Brother’s freedom to worship the Grand Architect in his way. But, as Masons, do we greet our neighbor in the same manner? Are we tolerant of the way our neighbor worships? Do we see our neighbor as equal? Practicing the precepts of these three words within our individual spheres of influence can be powerful. As human beings, let alone Masons, do we defend the liberties of others? Do we allow, or worse speak, the derogatory terms to describe those that don’t worship in the same manner or believe in the same political policies? I truly believe as Masons, we have it within ourselves, our lodges, our jurisdictions, through the teachings of our rituals, to ensure everyone in our neighborhoods, communities and countries, enjoys the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the Great Architect endowed all of us with.
Very well said Brother. Thank you.
I think that during this time of great division in our society we all do well to remember that if we are to secure liberty for ourselves, then we must ensure that liberty is secured for those we most vehemently disagree with. For only by protecting the liberty of those with whom we are opposed, do we secure it for ourselves.
I fear that in many cases we now confuse the tremendous good that is assurance of equality of opportunity with equality of result which can only lead to tyranny. By ensuring that every child born has an equal opportunity to succeed, we are making the world better for everyone. If we attempt to demand that everyone experience equality of result, we will all suffer sooner or later.
When it comes to fraternity, I think we do well, as Masons, to encourage fraternity beyond Freemasonry. While undoubtedly Freemasonry is the greatest and most successful fraternity to ever exist on the face of this earth, other fraternal groups exist, and together create Civil Society. I don't believe that a free nation can long exist without a very strong Civil Society, and that the United States has historically gained its tremendous strength from its citizens efforts in that regard. We need more Masons. We need more Grangers, Rotarians, Lions, and Moose as well. As membership in all these groups has fallen, so too has our strength as a cohesive society.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libert%C3%A9%2C_%C3%A9galit%C3%A9%2C_fraternit%C3%A9
Roots in the French Revolution.
I've been unable to discover if it was used in French Freemasonry prior to the revolution. One of the horrible drawbacks of the schism between American Freemasonry and the Grand Orient of France is the limitation of easily available information about that massive and hugely important Masonic obedience.
Psalms 133
(Funny thing I just posted that a few days ago here (or maybe on MW Cameron's FB page)
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
Which Grand Orient of Louisiana?
I don't know how far I can drill down due to my limited knowledge. I can say it was founded and incorporated in 1879 and worked the French / Modern Rite. It apparently existed until around 1884.
Extremely interesting to me, its Constitution contained the provision:
"Racial equality will be practiced." A very rare American Masonic sentiment at the time.