More Than Just a Nine-to-Five: The Masonic Work Ethic

A Deep Dive into the Masonic Charge on Working Days and the Quest for a Balanced Life

V of the Management of the Craft in Working

ALL Masons should work hard and honestly on working days, that they may live reputably, and appear in a decent and becoming manner on holidays; and the working hours appointed by law, or confirmed by custom, shall be observed.

The verse at hand is not merely a set of guidelines for our labour; it's a blueprint for living a life of integrity and respect, both within the lodge and in the world at large.

Failure to heed the wisdom of this verse could lead to a life out of balance, one where the pursuit of leisure or material gain overshadows the Masonic virtues of hard work and honesty. This imbalance could tarnish not just individual reputations, but the esteem of Freemasonry as a whole.

The term "working days" in the verse is often misconstrued to align with the modern workweek. However, the mention of "holidays" serves as a clarifier. It suggests that working days are essentially days that are not holidays, as defined by our Volume of the Sacred Law and even contemporary law. The verse is a call to diligence and integrity, not just during the hours of nine to five, Monday to Friday, but on all days that are not set aside for rest or celebration.

The etymology of "work" comes from the Old English "weorc," which means something created. It implies not just labour but a creation of value. "Honesty" derives from the Latin "honestus," meaning honourable or respectable. When combined, working "hard and honestly" means to create value in a manner that is honourable and earns respect.

So, how do we apply this in daily life?

First, we must broaden our understanding of what constitutes a working day. As you've suggested, perhaps our lodge meetings could be held on what are traditionally considered non-working days, like Sunday mornings or afternoons, to better accommodate the modern man's schedule.

Second, we should carry the principle of hard and honest work into all our endeavours, whether they be in the lodge, in our professions, or in our interactions with society. This is not just about adhering to a schedule but about living a life that balances labour and leisure in a way that brings honour to ourselves and to the fraternity.

By living in accordance with this verse, we do more than just obey an ancient guideline; we elevate the very essence of what it means to be a Mason.