“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

—Psalm 133

The first lesson of Masonry: Unity.

Corollary to this, and indeed essential to unity, is Harmony.

Observe how unity strengthens and supports the spiritual superstructure; how it raises the energy of the lodge; how it quickens the vital energies of the brethren therein assembled.

We who are Masons should very well make ourselves familiar with this concept of Unity, within and outside the Lodge. In particular, within ourselves.

So we look into ourselves and into our lives. What do we see?

Is there Unity within us? Unity of thought and action? Unity in principles?

Is there Harmony in our lives? Do we bring harmony into our home, our relations, our environment, our work?

We humbly ask the Great Architect of the Universe, in whose name we assemble and in whom we desire to proceed in all our doings, that He grant us the grace of subduing every discordant passion within us, and harmonize and enrich our hearts with His own love and goodness, aided by the sublime principles of Freemasonry.

May we display Unity and Harmony in our lives, even as we observe the unity and harmony of this vast Trestleboard around us, the Universe, which is the Great Architect’s creation.

We pray for unity between Freemasons, who all belong to one Universal Freemasonry. So MoteIt Be! We pray for the unity of the human race, created by one Almighty Parent, and thus belonging to one family of humanity. So Mote It Be! We pray for the unity of man with Nature, which has been given to him as his dwelling place, sustains and provides for him all that he needs. So Mote It Be!

And so may it ever be.