Marked Men
Mehr Licht!
More Light!
Number 96 – November 13, 2006
From “Rays of Masonry” by M.W. Brother Dewey H. Wollstein, 1953 edition Macoy Publishing:
PGM of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and editor of the Masonic Messenger.
“Marked Men”
by Dewey H. Wollstein, PGM
not long ago there appeared an article in which the phrase "marked men" was used in connection with Masons and Masonry. The more you think about it the more you realize the significance of the words. The Mason is marked by the enemies of Masonry; he is marked by the non-Masons who are friends of Masonry, and he is marked by his brother Masons.
More Light!
Number 96 – November 13, 2006
From “Rays of Masonry” by M.W. Brother Dewey H. Wollstein, 1953 edition Macoy Publishing:
PGM of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and editor of the Masonic Messenger.
“Marked Men”
by Dewey H. Wollstein, PGM
not long ago there appeared an article in which the phrase "marked men" was used in connection with Masons and Masonry. The more you think about it the more you realize the significance of the words. The Mason is marked by the enemies of Masonry; he is marked by the non-Masons who are friends of Masonry, and he is marked by his brother Masons.
The man who becomes a Mason immediately takes upon himself a greater obligation as a citizen, a husband, a father, and as a moral and upright person. He is accepted into Masonry only after he has voluntarily petitioned a lodge and has been carefully investigated as to his mental, moral and physical qualifications. He must have the capacity to love humanity and he must have the urge to grow morally and spiritually. The man must ever seek Masonry. Masonry is a great deal more interested in its strength through the strength of the individual than in numerical values. The Mason then is the recipient of the highest wisdom of the ages, and because of this truth more is expected of him. Privileges and opportunities create greater responsibilities.
By the enemies of Masonry he is watched with eyes of hate, and even his best deeds and purest motives may be distorted to the extent that his enemies will discern that which is not there.
By the friends of Masonry the Mason is also a "marked man." They want to see him live up to the ideals of Masonry. As non-Masons they do not know about the school of Masonry, but they know about the product of the school—the Mason. They seek to support the Mason and Masonry in every laudable undertaking. But by the same token let the Mason fall short of his duties and obligations and his friends must direct criticism not only against him as an individual but against the Craft.
Then among our brothers we are "marked men." We mark our brothers as men in whom we place implicit trust and confidence. We give strength to each other through that trust and confidence. When the world refers to Masons as "clannish," it must be recognized as half-truth. Men who are associated together for the purpose of moral and spiritual development must naturally seek to achieve that divine purpose through fellowship and association.
Truly we are Marked Men.
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Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus
Labels: Philosophy