Masons implementing the golden rule

Title

Creator

Julian, Pedro F.

Language

English

Year

1967

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

The golden rule essay contest…

Fulltext

The Golden Rule Essay Contest. . . Bro. Pedro F. Julian (104) Socond Prize Winner Masons Implementing the Giolden Rule Service or, more, poetically, “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," is richly woven into the fabric of Masonic teachings. For, even before a candidate is initiated into the mysteries of Free and Accepted Masons, the Marshal propounds this soul-searching question (No. 2) to the Entered Apprentice degree ini tiate: “Do you seriously declare upon your honor... that you sincerely wish to be serviceable to your fellow crea tures?" A pledge to serve others is elicited from the candidate before the portals of Masonry could be opened unto him. It is worth noting that the initiate is not promised of any reward, but was merely asked if he wished to be of service to his fellowmen. Because this will be his duty as a Mason and it must be done. On the other hand, we can be sure that back of the deed (action) is the reward (re-action) in accordance with the inexorable law of God. Again, when the candidate was brought from darkness to see the the light by which Masons work; the Master gently admonishes him to square his actions, circumscribe his desires and keep his passions within due bounds towards all mankind which plainly means to be just, good and true. And, are these not the things we expect from others? We should also bear in mind that (he three principal tenets of Ma sonry—Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth—are injunctions for all Masons to exercise true friendship, to prac tice charity and to exemplify virtue. Remember that we are duty bound to do these things not in conformity with any religious creed but for the sake of morals for, as we all know, Masonry is a progressive moral science. Furthermore, this wisdom of the ages is beautifully summarized in the Charge of the Entered Apprentice in this wise:.... “To your neighbor, by acting with him upon the square; by rendering him every kind office which justice and mercy may require; by relieving his distresses and soothing his afflictions: and by doing to him as, in similar cases, you would that he should do unto you." Since Masons are exposed to the spiritual light of the golden rule right at the start, we would say that it would be just a matter of time before this marvelous law becomes a part of their nature and thinking. Unfor tunately, not all those who claim to bask in the light do not linger in the dark and not everyone practices what he professes to be good and true. Anfl Masons are no exception. As human beings, our psychological na ture is such that we always resist changes in the usual routine of our lives, especially when these affect our fundamental beliefs and traditions. We are creatures of habits, customs and prejudices; you might say. And herein lies the crux of our problem. Therefore, the first step we should do to combat this passive resistance to Truth is to excite the emotion—to borrow a trick from psychology—and Turn Io next page JUNE, 1967 13 to make every Mason so enthusiastic about our work that he could not help but “spread the cement of bro therly love and affection" among men and Masons alike. It is a law of the mind that action follows emotion. Moreover, a thought without the feel ing is dead. Wherefore, Masons should be so inspired with the beauty and holiness of masonry as to attract, by their spiritual light, even the profane to the splendor of our way of life. And he leaders of our Fraternity, especially the Of ficers and Past Masters of every Lodge, should be the beacon-light for inspiration. Amidst the corrupting influence of evil men and the temp tations in the daily exercise of making a living, they should ever remain clean and incorruptible like the glit tering stars in the dark of the night. For surely, the followers can be only as good as their leaders. Also, like begets like and to get others to “do as we would be done by,” let us take the initiative. So rule Numbcr'One to convince other men to practice the golden rule is: We must all be ins ured Masons. But what is this thing that should inspire us to action? Is it worth its waight in gold and therfore worthy of our attention? Or, is it only a Will of the Wisp that leads o nowhere but the dark clouds of doubt and much ado about nothing. If we must guide people outside of our Fraternity to a life of morals and virtue, it is im portant for members to understand what Masonry means and how it can help others find the way to more Light and Love. We must not only be able to recite our obligations and the rituals to perfection but better still, let us discover he spiritual treasure concealed in the practical symbolism of Masonry. As Masons it is our sacred duty to seek, to find, and to know the Truth for the Truth will make us free. So if we are to impress people with the value of the "maxim of loving-kindness to all men," rule Number Two is: We must all study and learn. Having learned our lessons and therefore properly equipped with the working tools of life, let us start on our way to promoting the practice of the golden rule. The walk of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so the Chinese say. If we want to achieve our goal or arrive at our destination, let us take the first step and also the falls and the tears on the way. The first few attempts at our labors may be frustrating, like the toddler learning his first steps, but we must not falter. Let us grit our teeth and keep cur feet moving until we reach our goal or die before we do. So to win people of diverse faiths to “desire for his brother that which he desires for himself,” rule Number Three is: We must all have the do or die spirit of the achiever. While hard labor is the key that opens many secret doors to success, our work need not be all “blood, sweat and tears.’’ Sometimes, easy does it when nothing else can. And a smile here or there will warm many hearts and win more friends than the wean and worried look of the worker. Let us spread warm sunshine whenever and wherever we can and human frailties cannot darken our journey to eternal life. So if we “should seek for others the happiness we desire for ourselves,” rule Number Four is: We must be as tolerant and as loving as the Deity. Notwithstanding our eagerness to learn and the desire to do what is morally right, we must remember that nothing can surpass practice (repetition of an act) to make us proficient workers in the vineyard of the Lord. For, whether in the comparatively simple game of golf or the more complicated art of the moral life, only practice makes perfect Turn lo pogo V> 14 The Cableto> nursery of honest, sincere and dedi cated national leaders. Remember no DeMolay shall fail as a son, as a lead er and as a man. And this Golden Jubilee shall not have been celebrated in vain if we can save even one young men from falling into the pits of juvenile delinquency and make him a better son, a law-abiding citizen, and a dedicated, courageous national lead er. That would be the best act of charity we would ever perform — the most splendid SERVICE IN MA SONRY ! A TAMANO DONATES QlT.AN, Bro. Mamintal Tamano, (111), on National Integration, seeing the need of the Grand Lodge for a Holy (Jni.ui for ceremonial purposes, donated one on May 21), 19G7. In the picture, left to right, VW Anieelo Bclisario, DDGM; MW Mariano Q. Tinio, GM; lln>. Tamano and WB Mario Itacela, PM (•_’!»>. GRAND MASTER AND PARTY. Deputy Grand Master, FW Joseph Schon, bids MW Tinio bon voyage at VIP room, Manila International Airport. Left to right, Bro. Vicente Guinoo; MW Esteban Munarriz, GS; MW Tinio; an unidentified brother; Bro. Ernesto Gonzales and RW Schon. Others in Grand Master s Parly for overseas visitation were: VW Rulir.o S. Roque, VW Her mogcncs Oliveros, WB Mariano Lucero. GOLDEN RULE . . . From p.S. 14 Thus we must practice the golden rule at home, in the office and the world at large; if we are to promote peace and happiness among men and Masons everywhere. The law is explicit—we must sow, if we expect to reap—no more, no less. So rule Number Five to spur others to “treat us in a wav we would like to be trea ted,” is: ll7e must make a daily exer cise of virtue to strengthen our moral fibre. Finally, our knowledge can only be a power for good if we put it to use. The steam bubbling with heat is not properly harnessed without the engine. The generator is useless when not connected with the power lines. Likewise familiarity with the rituals, lectures, grips and passwords of the different degrees is not power; if these things do not make the Mason think, feel and act upon the square. We should harness the power borne of the wisdom of Truth—not in mere joining of hands in token of friendship and brotherly love but in the more practical wav of putting our minds :md hearts in the service of men. For SERVICE is the GOLDEN RULE in Lambskin. So rule Number Six to teach others to “love his neigh bor as himself,” is: ll7c must apply daily our Masonic knowledge. Consequently, when Masons throughout the world are truly in spired; possess and apply the real knowledge: are tolerant anti wise in the ways of men; and are sincerely dedicated to the moral upliftinent of mankind (and there is nothing which time, patience and persever ance cannot accomplish'), then people will gladly work with us in the ser vice of the one wise, just, merciful and loving God: “Doing unto others as we would have others do unto us.” Verily, as the Master Jesus has said: “This is the law and the pro phets.” So mote it be. A JUNE, 1967 29

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