Worship AND Work
Freemasonry is often self-described as a harmless brotherhood that serves society. But on further examination we observe it as a quasi-religious cult with mystical, almost occult-like rituals.
It has surprising foundations in the USA - The Statue of Liberty sits on a Masonic base. George Washington was a Master Mason.
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/freemasonry/
The United States Capitol cornerstone laying was the ceremonial placement of the cornerstone of the United States Capitol on September 18, 1793. The cornerstone was laid by president of the United States George Washington, assisted by the Grand Master of Maryland Joseph Clark, in a Masonic ritual.
Many of the items of ritual paraphernalia used in the cornerstone ceremony have been repurposed and are currently used for the placement of foundation stones at other important buildings in the greater Washington area. Centennial and bicentennial observances of the U.S. Capitol cornerstone laying were held in 1893 and 1993, respectively, and a tricentennial observance of the ritual has been announced for 2093.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_cornerstone_laying
Albert Mackey (quoted below) had obviously read Carlyle, quoting the same “laborare est orare.” He has a similar motivation to elevate work almost as a replacement for worship and the church. He wrote this in 1882, not long after Carlyle’s “Past and Present” (1843).
Symbolism of Freemasonry
“There was a saying of the monks of old which is well worth meditation. They taught that "laborare est orare"--labor is worship.
“Now, this doctrine, that labor is worship, is the very doctrine that has been advanced and maintained, from time immemorial, as a leading dogma of the Order of Freemasonry
“Thereby he best fulfils his obligation to the Grand Architect, for with the Mason laborare est orare--labor is worship.
“Teachings like this are now so common that every American Mason who has studied the symbolism of his Order believes, with Carlyle, that "there is but one temple in the world, and that is the body of man."
“And thus, too, at last, we can understand the saying of the old monks that "labor is worship;" and as Masons we labor in our lodge, labor to make ourselves a perfect building, without blemish, working hopefully for the consummation, when the house of our earthly tabernacle shall be finished, when the LOST WORD of divine truth shall at last be discovered, and when we shall be found by our own efforts at perfection to have done God service. For so truly is the meaning of those noble words--LABOR IS WORSHIP.”
“The Symbolism of Freemasonry: XXIX. The Symbolism of Labor” - Albert Mackey - 1882
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