Let Masons tell
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- Let Masons tell
- Creator
- Pamaran, Manuel
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1967
- Rights
-
- Abstract
- Address of Judge Manuel R. Pamaran of the Court of First Instance of Samar, a non-mason, at the installation of officers of Mount Huraw Lodge No. 98, F & AM, on Feb. 1967 in Catbalogan, Samar.
- Fulltext
- Your Fault If You Don’t... • • Let Masons Tell Judge Manuel Pamaran • Address of Judge Manuel R. Pamaran of the Court of First Instance of Samar, a non-mason, at the installation of officers of Mount Huraw Lodge No. 98, F & AM. on Feb. 1967 in Catbalogan, Samar. Distinguished Masons of Mount Hu raw Lodge No. 98, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is indeed a great honor and pri vilege to be with you this evening and share with you the joys of your glor ious fellowship and sublime brother hood. I feel humble to the task of making a speech on Freemasonry before illust rious and enlightened Masons repre senting the cream of the citizenry of Samar, as I cannot pretend to know more than you do about your frater nal institution. But as a humble citiship I am deeply fascinated and ex tremely amazed of what I know about Freemasonry, causing me to meditate profoundly if there is anything magic al or supernatural about your institu tion. On this score therefore, and with all humility, I will talk about Freema sonry from the viewpoint of an ordina ry layman. While I was reading the memoirs of President Truman of the United States, I was struck by the fact that during his youth the cousin of his mother visited them and lie noticed the Masonic pin on his coat and told him immediately that he had always wanted to be a member. Shortly there after. he became one in Belton Lodge No. 450 in Missouri, years later lie be came a Grand Master and Lecturer. While he was campaigning for re election as Senator of Missouri, he met the bitterest and crudest c^mnr.i«n of his career. He was accused bv his political enemies as a protege of Tom Pendergast, a supposed political back er of the Democratic Party who had been sent to jail for income tax frauds. It was made to appear that Truman was a product of a corrupt political machine. However, when it was made known that Truman had been elected a Grand Master of Masons in St. Louis, it was asked of his opponent if it was possible for Truman to be that type of a person that they had l>ortrayed. His opponent reluctantly said “no” and it cost him a thousand votes resulting in the overhelming re election of then Senator Truman. There goes also the story of an of ficer of tlic American Expeditionary Forces during the first world war when in the thick of battle, while rush ing into the German lines, he ordered a ceasefire when he heard the Mason ic password of a dying German sol dier to save him from instant death Right in our country I had also the opportunity to be privy to a Masonic display of brotherly love, fraternity and sympathy in moments of distress When President Marcos considered bypassed the three justices of the Supreme Court appointed by Pres ident Macapagal, one of the justices, who is a Mason was re-appointed be cause of a fellow Mason of his, also a retired iustice and close to the ad ministration, feverisby worked for his re-appointement and confirmation as if the fate at stake was his. These three magnificent displays of Turn Io page 21 JUNE, 1967 LET MASONS TELL ... From P*g. 9 man apparently show that Masonry’s fraternal love and man’s humanity to man apparently show that Masonry is not a political party but it teaches politics; not a charitable institution, but dispenses charity; not an insur ance company, but insures one from disaster and travails and the vi cissitudes of life; and lastly as an institution, it is ®ne of those things but it can do everything for the upliftment of mankind and the purification of society. These inci dents also indubitably show how deep is Masonry dedicated to the welfare of humanity which dedication, if em bedded in the heart of everyone, will realize the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. Freemasonry therefore, should confine its influence not only within the circle of its mem bers but also beyond. Even if the people may not join Masonry, they can behave like one, and Freemasonry achieves its goal. But with due respect, however, to the feelings and sentiments of the dis tinguished Masons gathered here to night, I ask: How could one be at tracted to Masonry and imbibe its creed and philosophy as a way of life when there are so many things wrapped from public view and knowl edge, creating an atmosphere of mys ticism? What are the so-called rituals, ceremony of initiation, passwords and other matters of confidence? If Ma sonry is for the improvement of so ciety to make this world a bet ter place to live in, why arc those kept from public view and knowldege? And if they are really confi dential, why is the public not duly informed of its necessity? It is indeed unfortunate that these observations breed an impression in the public which is very unpleasant for me to say, but I have to. believing that it might stir a reaction on the part .of the Masons and make themselves more known and intimate to the public. I was told by several persons com ing from the middle class and pro fessionals at that, that Masons de not believe in Jesus Christ. With a dag ger on hand they trample upon the cross and the host and do not believe in images. This information impart ed to me was echoed by a Junior Grand Warden of your institution when he urged publicity to the func tion of a Lodge so that the truth may be seen — “that we do not commune with the devil nor trample upon the cross ” I for one do not subscribe to this public belief for membership alone of our venerated heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo, not to mention the great leaders of the world who shaped the course of his tory like Garibaldi, Bolivar, Churchill and Roosevelt, and right in Samar, of our Judge Fidel Fernandez, Atty. Vi cente Santos, Mr. German Candari, Mr. Teodorico Noble and others of equal stature in integrity and moral ity, are eloquent rebuttal of such im pression. But we cannot close our eyes that because of said belief there is a seeming indifference to Masonry by a segment of society. There is the experience therefore, of a deceased Mason in whose necrological services the participation of his brother Ma sons for one reason or another was denied. I may say though, that if other segments of society cannot meet with Freemasonry for the welfare of man and the worship of God, it is because they run on the parallel lines of brotherly love, charity to all and service to God. To the new officers, therefore, of this Lodge, lay the bounden duty to lead the crusade in piercing the Ma sonic veil of secrecv to its maximum Turn to pag. 23 JUNE, 1967 21 KLIATSKO . From pogo 12 it is “easy docs it”. With these changes, our sense of purpose has been generally altered. This trans formation has ushered in influences on the lives of many. Consequently, we are engaged in a struggle against indifference, where its hands are con tinuously grabbing victims to its fold. Atheism and materialism are seem ingly insurmountable odds that block our way. These ideologies are gain ing ground because many unfortun ate brethren heed their appealing call. Many ignore their neighbors because they are engrossed in their personal ambitions, politics, wealth and honor. Many forget God because success in material things has dimmed their way to righteousness. Let us therefore unite to combat these unwholesome influences. If we are divided, we cannot face these im pediments. It is time to meet in Seminars, Conventions or Religious Councils to exchange our ideas for the good of all. Let us share our dif ferent views for the laudable end of promoting Peace, Religions Liberty & Brotherhood. May we join hands to win souls back to the flock of God. God with us, we should not fear. With the aid of that Heavenly Spirit and His inspiration, we can do task for His greater honor and glory. We are here on earth on a very important mission — one of CharityCharity towards our fellowmen does not consist merely in giving out mate rial means to an indigent neighbor. A smile will do because “it costs no thing but creates much; it enriches those who receive it, without empoverishing those who give it — it hap pens in a flash, and the memory of it lasts forever.” Charity is done too in our ordinary lives. You can ex press command in kindly terms for instance, if you are the boss in an office. An employee appreciates that man in a swivel chair with a kind disposition. It is very heartening to see a stranger with respect and sense of decency when visiting your house. A Good Samaritan sees you in the hospital, prays for your departed one and condoles with you in the hour of distress. These are Charity. It is an open-arm policy, it is an air of acceptance, it is a feeling of be longingness. Doing likewise, you are doing great in the service of God. A LET MASONS TELL . . . From pag3 21 limit so that the general public im pression that I have just stated will be corrected and everybody, Mason or non-Mason, will appreciate and adopt the Masonic creed. As has been said, no man is an island . So with Free masonry. The welfare of mankind and service to God that Masonry has attained and will attain will remain secure only as its environment per mits. Congratulations again to the new officers and may the Almighty God be most gratuitous in bestowing upon vou strength and wisdom in advan cing the frontiers of Masonry in a world bedeviled with envy, hunger, enmity anil iw. A Drs. Anadeto & Del Mundo DR. P. DEL MUND0-ADAM3 CLINIC Hearing Aids • Contact lenses * RX. Glasses * Plastic Eyes COG & 414 Rizal Ave., Manila 1120 A. Mabini St., Ermita Naga City * Hotel Great Eastern, Manila DRS. ANACLETO & DEL MUNDO JUNE, 1967 23