To Work and To Labor

To our ancient Brethren, the lodge was a place where masons met to work. In fact, the lodge was a small building adjacent to the edifice, frequently a great church, where masons would assemble and prepare to build. Within the lodge, the tasks would be assigned and the craftsmen would begin their day.

To "work" meant, and continues to mean applying physical and mental effort to earn one's livelihood. Thus when we "work", we are engaged in performing a task to earn our daily bread or exchange effort for sustenance. Likewise, when a Lodge is set to work, it has prepared the stage for Masons to "earn" their livelihood, not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense. Within the Lodge room, each Freemason is expected to enter upon a separate path and address the more meaningful task of improving himself and building a spiritual temple, which reflects his efforts, goals, and desires at being a just and upright Mason.

But these goals are not to be achieved through "work", but rather through "labor". "Work" is exertion, but "labor" involves toil, hard work, and possibly, pain and suffering. To our operative ancestors the physical side was the craft of masonry, while to the spectulative mason, it was the mental and spiritual side of masonry that presented the challenges. To overcome our many frailties and work toward a spotless character has to be a lifetime endeavor, a task requiring constant attention and care. Each day is a challenge for the Freemason to lay out his designs, be circumspect, and labor upon his Temple. His goals and outcomes are to please the Great Architect, serve his Brethren, and achieve happiness.

He will be faced with the pain of giving up certain temptations and opportunities, which could lessen the purity and upright character essential to be a true Mason. Each of his acts is a stone in his Temple, and he must be ever mindful that each stone be true and perfect. Work is needed, but labor is required to smooth the rough edges of his soul.

While the beehive teaches industry and work, it does not point toward labor. We should help each other and work to relieve distress of those about us. There is a nobility in work, but there is a high expectation in labor. And so it is, that when the column of the West is raised, we are reminded to "labor" for our Lodge, and when lowered, we should never forget to labor outside the Lodge for our Brethren, our Craft, and for ourselves. Labor well.