Brother Howard Coop
Chaplain of Lancaster Lodge #104 F & AM
NECESSARY WORK IS HONORABLE
Brother Howard Coop is a frequent contributor to such Masonic publications as; THE COMMUNICATOR, THE SCOTTISH RITE JOURNAL, and THE ROYAL ARCH MASON
Since 1894 when the Congress of the United States acted to make it a legal holiday, the first Monday in September has been observed as Labor Day. A quick look at the calendar reminds us that we are approaching that special day. In one way or another, most folk will take a day off from work and observe the day. For many, it will be little more than a day of leisure that marks the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of fall.
Originally intended to be more than a day of leisure, the purpose of Labor Day is to celebrate, in a meaningful way, the significance of work and to recognize the dignity of those who work, either physical or mental, and the importance of the contribution those who work make to human society.
The ideas that are back of Labor Day are not the product of the wistful thinking of some impractical visionaries who lived a hundred and sixteen years ago. The origin of these ideas is firmly rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition that has been a major influence in shaping western culture. From the beginning of recorded history, this tradition has maintained that it is noble and honorable for an individual to earn a living “by the sweat of the brow,” and in that tradition, it became proverbial a long time ago that “a laborer is worthy of his wages.” Finally, this came to mean that both the laborer and the employer share a joint responsibility that is summed up in the words: “A fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage.” This places a moral obligation upon both the worker and the employer.
In the tradition of which we are a part, all work that is either physical or mental, if it is necessary and beneficial, is good and honorable. Therefore, each individual, regardless of profession, can take pride in whatever is done, knowing that what is done as work is helping others and making life better for others.