From the East

Brethren,

While browsing through the internet for an article that I can share with the brethren, I stumbled upon a website with very interesting contents worthy of mentioning to you so as to visit it. The website has many articles ranging from the history of Freemasonry to the issues of anti-Masonry in our modern society. It discussed pertinent information such as, what is expected from Masonry, its requirements to be a Freemason, investigation on the applicants, its initiation rites and its supporters.

Every link in the home page I opened reminded me of my journey in Freemasonry. From the time I decided to join the Fraternity to my present place in the Lodge – seating in the Oriental Chair. As I went through the articles, one of them in particular struck my attention and concentrated most of my readings. It was about the excerpt from a book entitled “A Pilgrim’s Path” written by John J. Robinson. The book talks about Albert Pike – a Freemason well known for his writings and its influence to modern society. In this article “Albert Pike and the Morning Star”, you can read that the vast majority of those who become Masons have no idea whatsoever who Albert Pike was. In fact, most Masons throughout the world become members of the Fraternity and will eventually die without ever encountering either him or any of his works.

This article highlights Albert Pike’s passion – perhaps obsession – that all men should seek knowledge or “light”. From that light came information and understanding of humanity. Some fundamentalists, however might contend that all “light” comes from Jesus as the Christian’s New Testament says and that any other source of light is anti-Christian even though the rest of the world continue to use expressions like, “We’ve got to bring this to light, “ or “Can anyone here shed some light on this matter?”.  He was referring “Light” as education that most of us will universally agree but the anti-Masons can contend that too much secular education can be damaging to a good Christian. They often fall back on the belief of their predecessors who believe that education requires no written work other than the Holy Scripture. Yet the same scripture approves to seek knowledge and supports the Masonic dedication to charity. As it is written in the second epistle of Peter 1:5-7; “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; And to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” This passage summarizes Masonic belief and teachings in the second section of the Second Degree when the candidate is encouraged to continue his own education and to acquire knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences. Very few Masons remembered this lecture as they move on to their next Degree conferral and rather influenced to remember their raising to the Degree of Master Masons.

            While absorbing what I was reading, I came to realize that education is such a short word with extensive meaning with far-reaching power that influences our decision-making capacity. Thus, brethren must not stop from educating himself in Freemasonry in pursuit of the “Light”. Remember the answer we gave to the Worshipful Master when asked, “Being again in the condition of darkness, what do you most desire?”

By Worshipful Master Fil C. Garcia

Source of information:  http://www.masonicinfo.com

*******************************************************

From the Secretary….  

Stated meeting dinner for 8 April 2008 with guest speaker, John Lowe, who will present the scholarship program available from The Grand Lodge of California. We have invited a student counselor from Mira Mesa High School. There are many scholarships available to high school students. Please plan to attend and invite parents and or students you think may be interested in the scholarship program. Reservations are a must by Friday 4 April 2008. For more information contact H.L. McGill  PM Sec. hlmcam@sbcglobal.net . This is planned as a district function and can qualify to satisfy the Grand Lodge proclamation of April as Public Schools Month.

TOP

*******************************************************

What I get from Masonry

Eugene Goldman, Past Master

People have asked me from time to time, what I get from being a Mason.
What is it that I learned, or discovered in Lodge that makes it so
interesting or valuable to me? Why do I keep going back to Lodge,
paying Dues, serving as an Officer, spend so much time on the Internet
researching and discussing Masonry?

I don't think anyone really learns anything new in Masonry. I know I
didn't, though I really expected to. Much to my surprise I was, and
continue to be, reminded of several principles and virtues that I had
already inculcated as my own long before I became a Mason. Most, if
not all, Masons it has been my pleasure to meet also accept these
principles and Virtues as valid and true in their lives. What are
these Virtues? What are these Principles? I will enumerate and
describe them, as best I can, one at a time.

Brotherly Love: This Virtue admonishes us to regard the entire human
race as family. We were, after all, created by the same Creator, and
the tie that binds us is stronger than we sometimes think. In all
that we do, we should consider our family, known and unknown. What is
best for them, and for ourselves?

Relief: Whenever we encounter a fellow creature in need, particularly
at times when we are in abundance (but even when we are not), we
should never fail to do what we are able to relieve their distress.

Truth: This should always have the highest priority, above personal
agendas and disagreements. We must be always ready, not only to seek,
find and speak the Truth. However, we must be prepared to hear it as
well. This is not always easy. In fact, hearing an unwelcome Truth
is usually difficult. Still, hear it we sometimes must, and accept it
as well. 

Faith: When we believe in something bigger than ourselves, something
greater than we can even aspire to becoming, we are humbled. Humility
inspires us to do our best. Not because we can equal the Creator, but
to imitate Him and make something of Beauty ourselves. Beauty gives
both pleasure and brings the following Virtue.

Hope: A better world awaits us. Even in this life, we may look
forward to an improved existence. Educating our Children will insure
that they will be able to make good decisions when it is their time to
do so. Here I speak not of an empty Hope, but a Hope based on the
secure knowledge that we have all done our best to make the world of
tomorrow better than it is today.

Charity: Beyond Relief (above), we should always work hard to improve
the condition of those around us. Where Relief leaves off, Charity
begins. Going beyond soothing an affliction or satisfying a need,
Charity is the act or acts designed to prevent those needs from ever
existing again. Preventing distress, not for the recognition, thanks
or acclaim, but because it improves some part of the world, is the
highest form of Charity.

Tolerance: By this principle of life and conduct we are reminded that
it is seldom necessary to prove someone else wrong for us to be right.
We do not have to cause another to fail in order to succeed. In the
60s, there was a term called win - win. Both sides of almost every
conflict can find a "middle ground" in which satisfaction may be a
shared commodity, if both sides are willing to allow the other to win
also.

Temperance: Doing almost anything to excess is harmful. Charity, given
to excess, can leave one impoverished. Love, given to excess, may be
smothering. The effects of drugs and alcohol, when used to excess,
are well known. However, consider the effect of too much Truth.
Truth without tact (the knowledge of when NOT to say things) can hurt
feelings and even destroy friendships.

Fortitude: Without fortitude, no one can succeed. Everything gets
difficult sometimes, there is always the temptation to give in or give
up. When we show Fortitude, we learn to "stick it out" and overcome
obstacles to accomplish goals.

Prudence: The mark of a Polite person is knowing when to speak and
when not to. What to say and what not to. "To everything, there is a
season." This is not only a quotation from Scripture, and a popular
song of a previous decade, but good advice as well.

Justice: Everyone deserves to have their fair due, whatever that may
be. Like Truth, we must be prepared not only to dispense Justice, but
to have it dispensed to us. We must be able to put aside our own
wants and sometimes needs in order to insure that Justice is served.

All these Principles and Virtues are bigger than ourselves, greater
than our personal desires. Observing and practicing them, we are
making this a better world, not only for ourselves, but for all who
inhabit it.

This is what I get from Masonry. This is why I keep coming back. To
be reminded of these principles, and learn more about them.

_________________________________
Note:
Have I ever seen anything I did not like in the fraternity? Yes.
Masons are human beings and sometimes human beings do not behave as
they should. Sometimes they are small, petty, childish, spitefull,
even just plain wrong. I will say this, though. I have seen far far
less of these characteristics in Masonry and among Masons in any
setting than I have seen in Campfire, PTA, Scouting, religious
denominations (ever attend a Board Meeting at a House of Worship?) or
any of the other groups I have been a member of. I have found it an
honor and a privilege to be associated with almost every one of my
Brethren. As for those very few that need to improve themselves in
Masonry and better learn the lessons taught in their Degrees, I can
only say that I do my best to teach by example and encourage my
Brethren and Fellows to do likewise. That, to me, is what the
fraternity is all about.

*******************************************************

From the South.... Please Stay tuned...

TOP