Brotherly love, relief and truth

Title

Creator

Domingo, Domingo F.

Language

English

Year

1960

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

brotherly. J^ove, (Relief and Tjrutk By WB DOMINGO F. DOMINGO Master, Tcodoro M. Kalaw Lodge No. 136 If this were a private installation, I would just probably say: “Thank you again for the second time. My speech was already delivered to you last year.” Then I would sit down. However, it being not the case, 1 want to take advantage of this opportunity to endeavor somehow to lift the veil of misrepresentation cast upon our fraternity by ignorance, bigotrv and fanaticism, so that our friends, and even members of our families now present, may look into the activities and leachings of our much-maligned fraternity and, perhaps, understand our true aims and purposes and our concern for our fellowmen regardless of creed, color or In mv address a war ago, to which manv of vou here were most charitable to listen, I touched upon the various beliefs about the Deitv of most peoples of the world, with which we Masons find no incompatibility, among them: belief in the Creator and I lis creations; in the Fatherhood of One Cod; in the Brotherhood of Men; and in the glorious life after death- 1 would again beg your kind indulgence and suffer me with this short discourse on Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth — the three principal tenets of our ancient and venerable institution. Brotherly Love, or what we Masons like to call "Universal Charity”, is like the never-ending charity of God, the God of J.ovc of all creation. II one will study the extent of the love of God, he will find that it is the extent of masonic charity or love. Within the broad circle of his affection, the Mason is taught to encompass all mankind, disregarding station, creed or color; and wish all men with that wish of universal goodwill. And while he is taught to provide honestly for his family, he is constantly reminded that there are less fortunate people around him and that he should extend such acts of benevolence and charity or love to them as well. To relieve the distressed is one of the most important duties inculcated in the life of a Mason, for relief extended to the deserving becomes lhe widow’s tear of joy and the orphan’s praver of gratitude. We, therefore, strive to do good to all, comfort the distressed and assuage their burden of sorrow. Philosophically, Freemasonry is the search for Truth—lhe Truth that forms the foundation of all masonic virtues. The higher order of Truth that permeates our Masonic Fraternity, may be properly expressed as the knowledge of the goodness of God. This search for truth, suggested to the candidate on his first admission into our lodge hall, is continued on and on, beyond his’ reception of the highest Masonic degree, and even beyond his journey here on this temporary earth to that undiscovered country where time shall be no more, and where Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth shall have rendered him acceptable in the sight of “Him unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid.” 161

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