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| Grand Master Message |
Rededication, Commitment, &
Success
I awoke early this morning with a heavy heart for our
Fraternity. For years I have seen the DeMolay in South
Carolina flounder with periodic spikes in membership.
There were even a couple years there was no Executive
Officer of DeMolay in South Carolina. Over the last
several months I have been concerned about the future of
DeMolay in South Carolina. After prayer with pen in hand
I write to you my Brethren concerning rededication,
commitment, and success.
Let us consider Aesop’s fable of The Lion
and the Mouse. Once when a Lion was asleep
a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this
soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him,
and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O
King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I
shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able
to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so
tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him
that he lifted up his paw and let him go.
Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the
hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied
him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to
carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to
pass by, and seeing the sad plight, in which the Lion
was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that
bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said
the little Mouse. Yes Brethren, little friends may prove
to be great friends teaching us that "No act of
kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted".
Consequently there is a need for the Craft in South
Carolina to rededicate, and commit ourselves to support
DeMolay. The Lodges who have extended charity and
sponsored DeMolay share how they receive more in return
than they have given the young men of DeMolay. In the
Boys Scouts I earned a Merit Badge in knot tying. I
learned with three cords there is a stronger bond. That
threefold cord is a symbol for strength. For example, a
piece of twine is made up of many pieces of single
strands. One thread alone can be easily broken with your
bare hands, but when you join that one piece of thread
with many pieces of thread you have a strong cord which
is not easily broken.
I believe that Masonry has a right to certain
expectations from DeMolay. I believe that DeMolay has a
right to certain expectations from Masonry. I know our
Grand Lodge has a right to certain expectations from me
as Grand Master. As Grand Master I pledge myself to
rededicate and commit myself to the success of DeMolay.
The purpose of DeMolay is to build better Citizens.
While Masonry is not for all men, I do believe that
DeMolay is an outstanding organization for all young men
and therefore merits our support and kindness.
As Grand Master I implore you to support each Chapter
and begin conversations on starting new Chapters.
Together we make three strong cords consisting of the
Blue Lodge, the DeMolay, and the Grand Lodge. I hope,
indeed I pray you will work together to ensure that
DeMolay will not die on the vine of Freemasonry.
Remember a threefold cord is not easily broken.
Your friend and brother from Inman
Jay Adam Pearson
Grand Master
February 2011 |
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| From the West |
Masonic Education Corner
“When is A Man a Mason?”
Brethren, You have heard that Masonry never changes.
Well, the following article written by Brother J. Fort
Newton was published in a Masonic paper in 1972. The
date the article was written is unknown to me; however,
some forty years later, the words hold as true now as
when written.
“When is A Man a Mason?”
When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the
far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness
in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope,
and courage—which is the root of every virtue.
When he knows that down in his heart every man is as
noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as
himself—and seeks to know and to love his fellow man.
When he knows how to sympathize with men, even in their
sins—knowing that each man fights a hard fight against
many odds—and still believes in them when they do not
believe in themselves.
When he has learned how to make friends and keep them,
and above all, how to keep friends with himself.
When he loves flowers, can hunt the birds without a gun,
and feel the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he
hears the laugh of a little child.
When he can be happy and high-minded amid the mean
drudgery of life.
When star-crowned trees, and the glint of sunlight on
flowing waters, subdue him like the thought of one much
loved and long dead.
When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and
no hand seeks his aid without response.
When he feels a social inequity as a personal sin, and a
human calamity as a private bereavement while sharing
the guilt and sorrows of his fellows.
When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to
lay hold of divine things and to see majestic meanings
in life, no matter what the name of the faith may be.
When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something
beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn
fellow-mortal and see something beyond sin.
When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope, how
to meet defeat and not be defeated.
When he has learned how to give himself and forgive
others and to live with thanksgiving.
When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellow man, with his God, in
his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a
song—glad to live, but not afraid to die!
Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry,
and the one which it is trying to give to the world.”
Word of the Month: Inculcate— Teach and
impress by frequent repetition or admonition.
Question of the Month: What are the
restrictions on the use of the words “Mason” or
“Masonic?” Search in Ahiman Rezon (2010) for answer.
Answer for December and January issue:
Ahiman Rezon, (2010), pages 103 and 104.
Fraternally,
William B. Rogers, Senior Grand Warden
Chairman Masonic Education Committee
February 2011
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Archives
(Adobe PDF)
-
December 2011
- The Third Law - MWB Jay
Adam Pearson, Grand Master
- Masonic Education, New
Worshipful Masters - RWB William B Rogers, Senior
Grand Warden
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November 2011
- A
Day to Give Thanks - RWB William R Logan, Junior
Grand Warden
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October 2011
- They are floundering, don’t stand idly by! - MWB Jay Adam Pearson, Grand
Master
- Masonic Education,
Circumambulation - RWB William B Rogers, Senior
Grand Warden
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September 2011
- For the Good of the Order -
RWB David J DeChant, Deputy Grand Master
- Are You Listening? - RWB
William R Logan, Junior Grand Warden
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August 2011
- Knight of the Loom or Servant of
the Craft - MWB Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master
- Masonic Education, The Two
Hirams - RWB William B Rogers, Senior Grand Warden
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July 2011
- For the Good of the Order -
RWB David J DeChant, Deputy Grand Master
- The Twain Award, an Opportunity
for your lodge - RWB William R Logan, Junior Grand
Warden
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June 2011
- The Top Hat - MWB Jay Adam
Pearson, Grand Master
- A Legacy to be Proud Of - RWB William B Rogers, Senior
Grand Warden
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