Harmony in a Masonic Lodge: The Keystone of Brotherhood

In Freemasonry, harmony is more than a pleasant ideal—it is a foundational principle, vital to the life and health of the Lodge - and, in Scottish Rite Masonry, the Valley Bodies. As expressed in our ritual and reinforced through our customs, harmony among brethren is the cement that binds us together, allowing diverse men to unite in the common cause of moral and spiritual improvement.

Harmony is not a passive state of agreement but an active pursuit. It requires mutual respect, patient listening, and a commitment to placing the welfare of the Lodge above personal ambition. Consider a song you enjoy. It's not one note played repeatedly, but many different notes that, together, produce something beautiful. Similarly, we, as Scottish Rite Masons, are all different, but when we are in harmony, produce a beautiful, melodic result. We have an infrastructure, leadership and administrative officers who set the key and tone, while programs, ritual and fellowship are the melody.

Disharmony, on the other hand, is not active disagreement, squabbling or infighting, but simply the absence of harmony. A flat or sharp note inserted in a chord creates dissonance that spoils the music, and similarly, a careless word or inattentiveness to our brothers' points of view creates disharmony. The moment we shift from the active effort to be harmonious, disharmony begins to develop. 

The Old Charges remind us that Masons are to “avoid all wrangling and quarreling,” and to conduct themselves in such a way that "peace and love may be preserved." When a brother enters the Lodge, he symbolically leaves the outside world behind, and with it, all disagreements and grievances. But to achieve that requires a conscious effort to ensure that those negatives remain outside of the Lodge - not just the lodge room, but outside the Lodge. The Lodge is a sanctuary where contention gives way to understanding, where ego yields to fraternity.

This does not mean that Masons must always agree. Rather, it means that differences must be approached in the spirit of brotherly love, seeking resolution and unity rather than victory. When handled rightly, even disagreement can strengthen the Lodge by refining ideas and fostering mutual growth.

In a world often marked by division and conflict, the Masonic Lodge stands as a quiet example of what is possible when men agree to build something greater than themselves—not by suppressing differences, but by elevating harmony above them. It is no exaggeration to say that harmony is the lifeblood of a Lodge; where it is found, Masonry flourishes. Where it is absent, even the strongest foundation may crumble.

Let us therefore labor, as Masons always should, not only with trowels in hand, but with harmony in our hearts.

Ill. Ralph C. Shelton II, 33°

Personal Representative of the 

Sovereign Grand Inspector General in California

In the Valley of Orange County