Education: "If Your Brother Errs" by Bro∴ Bob Melvin

Recorded February 2026. Hosted and edited by Bro∴ Justin Garrett.

Our first recorded minutes date back to 1752. We are George Washington’s Lodge. Our story is America’s legacy.

Inspired by Freemasonry’s tenets of brotherly love, relief, and truth, we strive to preserve civic engagement, philanthropy, and history in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The Lodge 4-Cast is your invitation to catch up on all things Masonic in Fredericksburg! 

MasonicLodge4.org | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:12

If your brother errs If your brother errs, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. We as Masonic brothers make a commitment to ourselves, our brothers, our family and friends that we will endeavor to be better men. Not perfect men, not above others, but better men. We have all fallen and remained short of that goal. A man can always be better. Freemasonry provides an outline and environment as an aid toward the goal of being a better brother. We freely subjugate ourselves to our mutual obligation and the guidelines of Freemasonry as outlined by the methodical digest. We decide freely that we want to be better men and know that by choosing to associate with our brothers and the virtues of Freemasonry that we are supported and guided in our travel. The support can be succinctly labeled brotherly love. Within the realm of brotherly love we find support, friendship, and encouragement. If your brother errs, rebuke him. This is a pretty simple concept. We have rules. These rules are ostensibly to circumscribe and define that which is acceptable and that which is not. Of course, without penalty, rules would be vapid and toothless. We obligate ourselves and subject ourselves to the rules and the penalties, seeking assistance in an effort to keep our passions in check. So we first accept the responsibility of controlling our own actions by containing them within the boundaries of what we as brothers accept as righteous. We further recognize that should we stray from this commitment, that our brothers honoring the same commitment would subject us to just penalties should we stray. The fact that we freely agree to be constrained by these rules and penalties is a measure of our serious desire to be a better man. If he repents, forgive him. If your errant brother recognizes his mistake and corrects himself, forgive him. Be done with it. It's over, it's past. When we are forgiven, the transgression is wiped clean. It is if nothing had occurred. Does this mean that no matter when, how, or where we err, that we are simply forgiven? No. There can be no forgiveness without repentance. If our brother errs, breaks the rules, it is not instantly okay because we share the commonality of brotherly love. We don't hand out get out of jail free cards in case you need it later. The errant brother must repent. He must recognize his error, regret his actions, correct himself, and seek forgiveness. There is another side. I pointed out the errant brother. But he is not alone. Any Masonic transgression that is a violation of Masonic law is a transgression on all brothers. Therefore it is each brother's responsibility to preemptively steer a brother away from transgression. It is every brother's responsibility to provide a correct and righteous example. We are certainly not our brother's keeper, but we are obligated to whisper good counsel whenever possible. Under the constraints of the methodical digest, when faced with the offenses of a brother, we are obligated to administer appropriately just repercussions. Under the requirements of brotherly love, we are obligated to administer such repercussions not with malice or wrath, but with the love of a brother in our hearts and with the hope of repentance and reconciliation. It is always with sadness and love when we rebuke and chastise an unrepentant brother. We each may stumble as we travel, we each may require assistance smoothing our ashler, so whether we are the offender or the offended, the errant or just, we are brothers. So my brothers, I entreat you, if your brother errs, rebuke him, if he repents, forgive him.