Grand Master's message

Title

Creator

Orosa, Vicente

Language

English

Year

1957

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST .. . 2000 Years ago, Lhe world was astounded with the message — the birth of a Messiah. The message meant many things to the people — the wise, the mediocre, the high, the low, the government leaders, the religious idols and the rulers. But all were not in unison about the glad tidings. And, it came to pass, the angels of the Lord, al the appointed hour moved around the world singing alleluhias and glorified the Holy Infant with — Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men. Christendom celebrates lhe August day once a year with frolic especially among children. In fact, it is the common belief that Christmas Day is a day of children. Nevertheless, I wish to cal] the attention of the elders especially my Brother Masons on the important message of Nativity. It is preached that Infant Jesus was bom to redeem lhe ills of lhe world and mankind. I will not attempt on the theological point of view. I wish, however, to refresh all of our obligations as Masons. And, while we belong to different creeds and beliefs there is truth in the proposition that Nativity altho interpreted variantly by all creeds, portrays that there is an All Seeing Eye, benevolent and just. And while we ponder on the meaning of the August Day, we should counsel ourselves with the duties we owe to God, country, self, neighbor and family. Let the kids have their frolics, but we the elders must busy ourselves to re-examining what we have accomplished successfully during the year and also the pitfalls that have beset us that we may improve as the year rolls on. Let us heed the message (Continued on page 197) study and examine them and make such use of the same as it believes most suited to the proper information of the Lodges and brethren in general; 6.—That the Grand Master shll report annually to the Grand Lodge upon the activities of the Masonic Research Council during his year of office and make his recommendations as to the future activities of the same.*’ The necessity for such a committee as a RESEARCH COUNCIL can not be over-emphasized. There is need for an enlarged Masonic education. Memorizing the rituals alone is not sufficient to equip one to understand Masonry. Supplements are indispensable aids to Masonic study. In other parts of the Masonic world there are the several Masonic study groups working under known plans such as (1) The Cincinnati Plan which consists of a series of questions formulated upon the material in a given book. (2) The Cleveland Plan which calls for n meeting wherein questions are read and the answers are discussed at length. (3) The La Salle Plan, a method which involves Lhe assignment of a topic lo each member at the beginning of the year. (4) The Carnahan Plan which calls for lhe presentation of the ritual of any of the degrees and al certain points the leader would slop and explain (he history and meaning of a particular pillion of the ritual. We wish to add that a Masonic Research Council as contemplated in the above report of our Committee on Jurisprudence is one such plan which will greatly help the promotion of Masonic education here. We, therefore, urge ils immediate implementation. — JOSE E. RACELA TIIE GltAND MASTER'S MESSAGE (Continued from inside front cover) “Glory to God in lhe highest, peace on'earth, goodwill to men.” There is a special significance to us in this message. I wish to extend to aU and your loved ones a joyful Christmas Season and a Prosperous New Year. VICENTE OHOSA Grand Master December, 1957 P;>Be 197

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