This time round we have 5 interesting papers on the subject of “brotherly love” 6 if you include mine. Obviously as we have all written paper on the same subject there is a crossover in topics touched. For example the ancient Greeks idea on the different concepts of the word Love.
Some of the papers seemed to go down some interesting styles. But in essence do they really cover the subject matter correctly, Dr L has said in the past that there is no right or wrong answer. Which I think my mind does not like or years of getting Ds or Cs for my English lit and lang. however this subject was in my opinion was restrictive as there’s only so much you can say about assisting a brother in their time of need without it becoming charity which is a part of the triangle in Freemasonry.
As the current theme in Freemasonry in the last 5-10 years seems to be pushing this aspect changing what I would call the Freemasonry equilateral triangle of Ritual, Charity and Masonic education to are more 3,4,5 right angle triangle where Charity is the longest side followed by Ritual and then Education.
Reviewing the papers it reminded me of my old Scouting days where we have Scout promise that goes
Think of others before yourself and do a good turn everyday.
Which does sum up nicely the lecture part :
By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and the low, the rich and poor, created by one Almighty Being, and sent into the world for the aid, support, and protection of each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and by its dictates conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.
However long you spend in Masonry, do not go quietly to the back benches and sleep through a passing or the perambulation in the raising in the dark. Listen get involved and always look for something you may have missed in the first few years.