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Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth

The three great tenets of a Freemason's profession sympathize with their misfortunes; to compassionate
inculcate the practice of those truly commendable their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled
virtues, BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, and TRUTH. minds, is the great aim we have in view. On this basis,
we form our friendships and establish our connections.
Brotherly Love - curiously the Montana Masonic
Manual, Section 4 only has two short references to Relief fl ows from brotherly love, as free, pure, and
Brotherly Love. Once in the sections describing "The refreshing as the mountain air. It dries up the gushing
Northeast Corner" where it simply refers to it as one of fountains of grief, banishes want from the abode of
the tenets of Freemasonry and the second time in the a distressed brother, and pours the oil of joy into the
section describing "the Holy Saints John." However, wounded hearts of the widow and the orphan.
in many Masonic writings we fi nd - By the exercise
of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole Truth is addressed by the Montana Masonic Manual,
human species as one family—the high, the low, the Section 4 as, "One of the three principal tenets brotherly
rich, the poor—who, as created by one Almighty Parent, love, relief, and truth. In the Entered Apprentice
and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, degree truth, "the foundation of every virtue,"
and protect each other. On this principle, Masonry unites obviously symbolizes honesty, sincerity, plain dealing.
men of every country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates Philosophically, truth is synonymous with ultimate
true friendship among those who might otherwise have knowledge and is one of the reasons for the long life and
remained at a perpetual distance. continued existence of Freemasonry. It is, as a whole, a
search for the causes behind the causes of things as we
Brotherly Love or Friendship is regarded by know them. In this sense, truth is a symbol of the Divine
Freemasons as the strong cement of the Order; without Knowledge of the G. A. O. T. U.
this high moral virtue, the Fraternity would soon cease
to exist. By Brotherly Love, we are to understand that This has been stated by some jurisdictions as A divine
generous principle of the soul which regards the human attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good
species as one family, created by an All-wise Being, and and true is the fi rst lesson we are taught in Masonry. On
placed on this globe for the mutual assistance of each this theme, we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor
other. The man who is actuated by the pure principle to regulate our conduct. Hence, while infl uenced by this
of Brotherly Love, will not desert his friend when principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us;
dangers threaten or misfortunes assail him. When he is sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart
calumniated, he will openly and boldly espouse his cause, and the tongue join in promoting each other's welfare
and endeavor to remove the aspersion. When sickness or and rejoicing in each other's prosperity.
infi rmity occasion him to be deserted by others, he will
seize the opportunity, and redouble all the aff ectionate Truth is the foundation of all Masonic virtues; it is
attentions which love suggests. No society can exist for one of our grand principles; for to be good men and
any length of time unless Brotherly Love prevail among true, is a part of the fi rst lesson we are taught; and at
its members. To "dwell together in unity," is the life and the commencement of our freedom, we are exhorted
support of the great Masonic institution. to be fervent and zealous in the pursuit of truth and
goodness. It is not suffi cient that we walk in the light
Relief - The Montana Masonic Manual, Section unless we do so in the truth also. All hypocrisy and deceit
4 addresses Masonic Relief as, "A Master Mason is must be banished from among us. Sincerity and plain
obligated to a brother and to his widow and orphans to dealing complete the harmony of a Lodge, and render us
the extent of his ability. A Lodge which fi nds a sojourning acceptable in the sight of Him unto whom all hearts are
Mason, his widow or orphans in destitute circumstances open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are
should aff ord them temporary relief; in the meantime hid. There is a charm in truth, which draws and attracts
notifying the lodge to which he belongs, and thereafter the mind continually towards it. The more we discover,
being governed by its instructions. Often times this is a the more we desire; and the great reward is wisdom,
means of detecting imposters." virtue, and happiness. This is an edifi ce founded on a
rock, which malice cannot shake or time destroy.
Other jurisdictions address it this way, To relieve the
distressed, is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly What do Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth mean to
on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble you? How would you defi ne them?
chain of sincere aff ection. To soothe the unhappy; to
Volume 95 Number 1 Montana Freemason Page 31