Taking stock
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- Taking stock
- Creator
- Dimaya, Pedro D.
- Identifier
- A pledge of service
- Language
- English
- Source
- The Cabletow Volume XLII (No. 2) February 1966
- Year
- 1966
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- A Pledge of Service. . , By PEDRO D. DIMAYA, WM Cebu Lodge No. 128 That Masonry is a “progressive moral science’’ is to me given mean ing and substance tonight, and I hope it does give meaning and substance io the relatively younger brethren of the fraternity; for tonight, after twenty years almost to the day, I now stand installed to sit at the Oriental Chair. Indeed, tonight is the end of a long journey — to attain a goal; but as Masonry is a progres sive moral science, I am reminding myself that tonight is also the be ginning of another journey — to ser vice. I need not say that I feel a real sense of accomplishment upon reach ing the East, nor likewise need I say that I feel a deep sense of respon sibility upon arriving at the thresh old of service. This event takes on a more special significance for tonight I was in stalled by RW Brother Schon of Mt. Kaladias, my Mother Lodge, and in the presence of no less than one who occupies not only the highest station that Philippine Masonry can bestow her members, but who occupies a soft spot in my heart because he belongs to Mt. Kaladias Lodge No. 91 at Dumagucte City, my own Mother Lodge, besides being a very special friend of my familv. MWGM and Bro. Teves, I sin cerely appreciate your presence in tonight’s activities and I am deeply grateful to you for your part in the ceremonies of the evening. This event I will remember as long as I live; and my family which is amply represented here will never forget this. I am sure. As this event marks the end of my journey to the East, so does it mark the beginning of another journey to service. Thus, this occasion provides me a chance to take stock, to look back and to look forward. In thus looking back and looking forward, I inevitably examine myself as a Ma son and as a man, for a Mason is a man, no more no less. To Masonry twenty years ago, I brought lire a man; to Masonry for as long as I live, I shall bring me a man. Tonight, I would like to ask myself — What is this man that is I who am a Mason? As a man, I am: First, a physical body — a bundle of muscles and bones, flesh and blood. As a physi cal body, it can get hurt, it can bleed, it can even die. But as a Mason, al though this body can bleed, bleeding it gets stronger; it can die, but dy ing it lives again in the hereafter. It is this body that performs the work necessary to be done, that constructs and reconstructs. Second, as a man I am a mind — a bundle of nerves that are sensitive to both the good and the bad. Thus, it can think evil at the slightest pro vocation and yet it can think through difficulties for the good things in life. It is this mind that deliberates, that weighs things and events, that thinks. Third, as a man I am a soul — a bundle of attitudes, motives, desires. Turn to next p*8* February 1966 23 Brethren of Kidapwan Lodge =170 visit R zal Monument. Standing from left to right: Bro. Arsenio Hinojales, Bro. Dion’jio de Vera, Wor. Bro. Jose Nicolas, P.M. Davao Lo^ge No. 149; Bro. Gaudencio B. Ortiz; Wor. Bro. Ceferino Villanueva, Master; Bro. Isagani Bella; Bro. B. A. Sabrilas, P.M; Bro. Amando O. Austria. Seated from L. to R.: Bro. A. Pagdilas; Bro. A. Negrillo, Bro. Imlam, Bro. M. Ramos, Bro. H. Andrada and Bro. TanContributors will please send their articles and news items type written, double-spaced. Pictures will please be properly identified as to event and names. FYAWS IN . . . (From page 21) the subjunctive mood of flow. Words flow from the mouth in the form ol sound waves.. As they come outside they are flashed in all directions so i< could be heard all around. Fallen is the subjunctive mood of FALL which means drop or sink down ward. This trifling difference makes fallen inappropriate. A TAKING STOCK . . (From . ..................... . It can gear toward the wrong as easily as it can gear toward the right. It is this soul that meditates, that regulates, that directs. As a Mason, this man that is I must control my body, improve my mind, consecrate my soul. Controlling my body, I would then be able to do things Masonic — attend meetings, participate in acti vities, lend a hand in worthy pro jects, even get hurt and bleed in the process. Improving my mind, I would then lie able to render satis factory floor and degree work, delib erate on significant problems, weigh issues in the right perspective, con tribute to Masonic thinking and phi losophy. Consecrating my soul, I would then be able to become a God fearing man. understanding to my fellowmen. thus serving as a mirror of the best that is in Masonry. These then I propose to do — con trol my body, improve my mind, consecrate inv soul because the year before us is going to be a difficult one. There are things that need to be done and done well, ideas that need to be thought out, imperfections that need to be corrected. There will be need for sacrifice on all angles — body, mind, soul. Tonight, I pledge to you my all. I ask that you do no less to me, for together, as one body, as one mind, one soul, we will face the year and the years with confidence. With God as our guide, we shall live Masonry the best way we are capable of. Yes, there will be stress and strain along the way, but we are heartened by the ‘encouraging message of our MWGM in the November, 1965 Cal’lelow and with it I close quoting a part: “A man acquires moral strength under strain and stress and is more valuable than one who has grown in ease and somfort.” A 24 The Cabletow