Monday, March 27, 2006

Benefit of Young Masons

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Number 64 – March 27, 2006


From “Rays of Masonry” by M.W. Brother Dewey H. Wollstein, PGM of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, and Former Editor of the Masonic Messenger.



For the Benefit of our Young Masons
By Dewey H. Wollstein, PGM

Often we hear the criticism of a Mason, the recital of some act on the part of a brother, which reflects upon the craft as a whole.

For the most part, it seems to this writer that we are over-critical of our brothers, but perhaps in this way we have maintained a standard of moral excellence which is respected by almost the entire world, with the exception of those who bow to the dictates of tyrannical leaders, political or religious, and are not permitted to see any good in the Masons or Masonry. In these cases the critic does not own his own soul, so there is little that can be done except to offer pity.

However, many times, the young man will talk with a non-Mason, who is always willing to go to great effort to explain “why he will not become a Mason.” His purpose is to confuse the candidate or young Mason.

But note carefully. Generally, the person who makes such an effort to discuss a subject of which he knows nothing, is one who cannot enter the portals of our institution. Many times he is the fellow who judges according to standards which he cannot attain for himself.

Let us understand well that there are men in every community who represent in their lives the ideals and principles of Masonry, but have never taken the degrees of Masonry. These men, however, have the wisdom to refrain from discussing a subject with which they are not conversant.

The best suggestion we can make to the young Mason is this – look around you. Consider the character and lives of the men in your community who are Masons. Many have known you since your childhood days. Discuss Masonry with Masons.



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Fraternally,

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Monday, March 20, 2006

Bill of Responsibilities

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Number 63 – March 20, 2006

Some time ago I came across something I liked, which now is from an unremembered source, called the Bill of Responsibilities. I took some notes on it. I just recently ran across my notes and I thought you might like to know about the:
Bill of Responsibilities
Freedom and responsibility are mutual and inseparable; I can ensure enjoyment of the one only by exercising the other. Freedom for all of us depends on responsibility by each of us. To secure and expand my liberties I will accept these responsibilities as an individual members of a free society:
I will be fully responsible for my own actions and for the consequences of those actions: Freedom to choose carries with it the responsibility for our choices.
I will respect the rights and beliefs of others: In a free society, diversity flourishes. Courtesy and consideration toward others are measures of a civilized society.
I will give sympathy, understanding and help to others: Because I hope that others will help me and my family when I am in need of help, I will help others when they are in need.
I will do my best to meet my own and my families' needs: There is no personal freedom without economic freedom. By helping myself and those closest to me to become productive members of society, I am contributing to the strength of my community and nation.
I will respect and obey the laws of my community, my state and country: Laws are mutually accepted rules by which, together, we maintain a free society. Liberty itself is built on a foundation of law. That foundation provides an orderly process for changing laws. It also depends on our obeying laws once they have been freely adopted.
I will respect the property of others, both private and public: No one has a right to what is not his or hers. The right to enjoy what is mine depends on my respecting the right of others to enjoy what is theirs.
I will share with others my appreciation of the benefits and obligations of freedom:Freedom shared is freedom strengthened.
I will participate constructively in my country’s political life: Democracy depends on active citizens. It also depends equally on informed citizens.
I will help freedom survive by assuming personal responsibility for its defense: My country cannot survive unless it is defended by its citizens. Its security rests on the individual determination of everyone to help preserve it.
I will respect the rights and meet the responsibilities on which liberty rests and democracy depends: This is the essence of freedom. Maintaining it requires the common effort of everyone, all of us together and each individually.
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus

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Monday, March 13, 2006

Praying Trees

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Number 62 – March 13, 2006


A poem I thought you would like that I found among my Mother’s papers.



Praying Trees
By an Unknown Author
The wind is cold, the snow is deep,
My old bones ache, when I try to sleep.
The flu and I have just had a bout,
The dog wants in, and the cat wants out.
The pipes froze up, and the oil tank's low,
It snowed last night, and the car won't go.
The news on the radio all was bad,
I thought, "My word! Has the world gone mad?"
Then I looked outside, and I thought, says I,
"You should feel awful and wail and cry.
Look at the snow, just watch it swirl.
Turn on the self-pit, I say, old girl."
Then I looked again, and the trees stood there,
Shaking knotty knees in the frigid air.
The sun was just peeking its first faint ray,
But those poor bare trees could shiver and pray.
With branches uplifted to catch the light,
As dark shadows fled with the passing night.
And I said as I lifted my arms up high,
"If those poor naked trees pray, then why not I?"
Thank you, dear Lord, for the promise of spring,
When the brooks shall run and the wild birds sing.
Thank you Lord, for a bright new day,
And thank you Lord, for the trees that pray.





More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Fraternally,

Ed Halpaus

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Monday, March 06, 2006

Wayfaring Man - Manslayer

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Number 61 – March 6, 2006

I like Aesop’s Fables, and when I was reading in them a while back I came across a couple that might be considered to have a Masonic flavor. I think they contain truth in an interesting way, which is what Masonry also has in its allegories and that’s why they might sound familiar to a Mason.

Brother Michael Poll has Aesop’s Fables, as well as other good books on CD Rom at a very good price. If you’re interested in seeing them check them out at http://www.lostword.com/



Truth and the Traveler
A WAYFARING MAN, traveling in the desert, met a woman standing alone and terribly dejected.

He inquired of her, "Who art thou?"

"My name is Truth," she replied.

"And for what cause," he asked, "have you left the city to dwell alone here in the wilderness?"

She made answer: "Because in former times, falsehood was with few, but is now with all men."
The Manslayer
A MAN committed a murder, and was pursued by the relations of the man whom he murdered.

On his reaching the river Nile he saw a lion on its bank and being fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree.

He found a serpent in the upper branches of the tree, and again being greatly alarmed, he threw himself into the river, where a crocodile caught him and ate him.

Thus the earth, the air, and the water alike refused shelter to a murderer.



More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

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