One of the most acclaimed Lodges in history was Lodge Les Neuf Soeurs in Paris, France.
Benjamin Franklin served as Worshipful Master, and its members included Voltaire, John Paul Jones, Court de Gebelin and even Guillotin.
“Within two years of its foundation, the Lodge of the Nine Muses published a List of Regulations, which, in addition to giving a list of members, emphasized that the reason for founding the Lodge was to encourage the cultivation of the sciences and the arts, especially literature, as it was believed that a study of the fine arts, coupled with a sense of duty, was the basis of all Masonic virtues; that it made, in fact, the perfect Mason.”1
Just to emphasize for this discussion:
“…the reason for founding the lodge was to encourage the cultivation of the sciences and the arts, especially literature, as it was believed that a study of the fine arts, coupled with a sense of duty, was the basis of all Masonic virtues; that it made, in fact, the perfect Mason.”
Certainly our Fellowcraft Degree very strongly encourages a study of the arts, although literature goes unmentioned. But, in my travels from Lodge to Lodge, I can’t say that I’ve ever encountered a Lodge that seriously studies any of the arts.
But, were the Brothers of this Lodge truly on to something? Can a study of the arts, including literature, make the perfect Mason?
Can it be that this study, combined with a sense of duty is the basis of Masonic virtues?
This was after all, a collection of the most brilliant minds in the world at the time.
So, were they correct? Is this the Light we are seeking?
The study of the 7 liberal arts is a must for whoever wants to reach the real initiation (not just the one that grants membership).
The majority of the masons think that learning the rituals and the instructions is enough. But many fail to realize that is necesary to wander out to grasp the knowledge amd wisdom.
Masons are known as travelers, and traveling means to be able to get out of the comfort zone and learn beyond the obvious path.
So, yes, we can learn about Freemasonry by going out of the lodge. A look at the initiates of the past will show us that this is true, those initiates were members of various mysteries schools at the same time, because they recognize that there is more outside.
I think context is key on this one. “Neuf Soeurs,” of course means “nine sisters,” but not any ennead of female siblings, but the Nine Muses themselves: the Classical embodiments of the fine arts. So, I suspect the brethren had a specific vision for this lodge heralded by that name.
(And our word “literature” derives from the Latin word for grammar.)
It’s not my field, but I believe the literature of 18th century France that these particular men were talking about was grounded in science and reason, as a means of overthrowing the Ancien Régime of monarchy and church, rather than purely creative writing for pleasure’s sake.
In my opinion, absolutely. An education in the arts is an education into the experience of being human. My education is primarily in the sciences, but I have sought a better education in the arts, and I am so glad I did. For example, I took an ‘Art Appreciation’ class. In that class I did not just learn to identify particular pieces of art, but also learned about the period in which it was created, the politics, religion and culture of the artists, and the philosophical and political context of its creation. I learned that some art caused riots and political change, some expressed new ideas and led to new ways of thinking. In literature I experienced lives lived in times and places that are alien to me, and I was compelled to think about situations and events differently. In short, every novel I read gave me the experience of a life other than my own, even if fictitious, I got to see a problem, challenge or situation through someone else’s eyes. I also got to see, reading the classics, that ancients lived lives not so different from ours, and from historians of the classical age that the complexities of their world were not so different from ours.
The one caveat I would add is inspired by our Fellowcraft degree, and from the example of the Seven Muses Lodge. The Arts can be idealistic, and sometimes compel us to unrealistic ideas (which is not necessarily a bad thing). When an education in the Arts is balanced with an education in the Sciences, a more balanced development can be achieved, in my opinion. Look at the men you listed in your post, who were members of the 7 Muses, Franklin as an example, A man of the Arts and the Sciences. In the Fellowcraft degree, Arts and Sciences are both discussed, and I think that is wisdom.
I could go on for hours, but in short, yes, an education in the arts can help make a better Mason, and if not a Mason, it can make a better person.
The study of the 7 liberal arts is a must for whoever wants to reach the real initiation (not just the one that grants membership).
The majority of the masons think that learning the rituals and the instructions is enough. But many fail to realize that is necesary to wander out to grasp the knowledge amd wisdom.
Masons are known as travelers, and traveling means to be able to get out of the comfort zone and learn beyond the obvious path.
So, yes, we can learn about Freemasonry by going out of the lodge. A look at the initiates of the past will show us that this is true, those initiates were members of various mysteries schools at the same time, because they recognize that there is more outside.
I did not know there were so many 18th century luminaries in one lodge.
That certainly sets the tone for Masonic education.
I think context is key on this one. “Neuf Soeurs,” of course means “nine sisters,” but not any ennead of female siblings, but the Nine Muses themselves: the Classical embodiments of the fine arts. So, I suspect the brethren had a specific vision for this lodge heralded by that name.
(And our word “literature” derives from the Latin word for grammar.)
It’s not my field, but I believe the literature of 18th century France that these particular men were talking about was grounded in science and reason, as a means of overthrowing the Ancien Régime of monarchy and church, rather than purely creative writing for pleasure’s sake.
Jay
In my opinion, absolutely. An education in the arts is an education into the experience of being human. My education is primarily in the sciences, but I have sought a better education in the arts, and I am so glad I did. For example, I took an ‘Art Appreciation’ class. In that class I did not just learn to identify particular pieces of art, but also learned about the period in which it was created, the politics, religion and culture of the artists, and the philosophical and political context of its creation. I learned that some art caused riots and political change, some expressed new ideas and led to new ways of thinking. In literature I experienced lives lived in times and places that are alien to me, and I was compelled to think about situations and events differently. In short, every novel I read gave me the experience of a life other than my own, even if fictitious, I got to see a problem, challenge or situation through someone else’s eyes. I also got to see, reading the classics, that ancients lived lives not so different from ours, and from historians of the classical age that the complexities of their world were not so different from ours.
The one caveat I would add is inspired by our Fellowcraft degree, and from the example of the Seven Muses Lodge. The Arts can be idealistic, and sometimes compel us to unrealistic ideas (which is not necessarily a bad thing). When an education in the Arts is balanced with an education in the Sciences, a more balanced development can be achieved, in my opinion. Look at the men you listed in your post, who were members of the 7 Muses, Franklin as an example, A man of the Arts and the Sciences. In the Fellowcraft degree, Arts and Sciences are both discussed, and I think that is wisdom.
I could go on for hours, but in short, yes, an education in the arts can help make a better Mason, and if not a Mason, it can make a better person.