The Choice is yours
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- The Choice is yours
- Creator
- Galang, Agustin L.
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1966
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- Rallying Point. . . to AGUSTIN L. GALANG, P.M. Renowned Masonic writers give different emphasis on their philo sophies of Freemasonry according to their views and the needs during their times. Preston predicates his philoso phy on knowledge—in the acquisition of education, which he hopes, will make the foundation of Freemason ry solid and unshakable. This gave rise to the acceptance that Masonry is a system of education, civic, moral, cultural, and inseparably, spiritual. One meaning of education is that it is life itself. It is the sum total of one’s experiences taking into full ac count the effects of the environmental conditions sorrounding him. These interactions, mould the character and shape the destiny of men and nations. As Masons, it is our solemn duty to apply our useful knowledge in ma king the environment healthy and wholesome. We should be in the forefront in the promotion of pro gress, peace and order to contain the infiltration and subjugation of free dom loving peoples. We must be ex emplars in the discharge of civic duties, character, conduct, leader ship. Love and respect should prevail amongst us. Through our tenets, let us project Love and Truth so that they may pervade the world to serve as the harbingers of peace. This spirit can best be exempli fied in the word of that great and good Man who said: “A new com mandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” But do we really love one another? Bro ther to brother, people to people, na tion to nation? How much have we assimilated of the essential lessons in Brotherly Love? If we did, and eve ryone of us influenced but a score or two of our fellowmen, social unrest would be minimized and the war of nerves would likely be averted. The efficacy of Love as the Lord has envisioned, has not in the least been lost. Like Truth, it may be beclouded and sneered at by vicious men. Infused with Charity, which af ter all is its great attribute, it may yet redeem itself and serve as the Rallying Point in the attainment of enduring peace. The shadow of many a titanic struggle is gradually falling upon the nations of the world. As we sur vey the wrecks of devastated homes and destitute orphans it has left in the battle-swept countries and watch misery creep along its trail, we ques tion whether our vaunted civilization will be overwhelmed or will rise stronger and better for having been tried by fire. I am convinced that good will come out of this holocaust, as we are but passing through ano ther cycle described by the poet who wrote of man in the following words: ‘‘See him from nature rising slow to art; To copy instinct then was reason’s part; Thus that to man the voice of na ture spakeTum to neat pogo June, 1966 23 ‘Go, from the creature thy instruc tion take; Thy arts of building from the bee receive; Learn of the mole to plough, the worm to weave; Learn of the little nautilus to sail, Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale, Learn each small people’s genius, policies, The ants republic, and the realm of bees, Great nature spoke; observant man obeyed; Cities were built, societies were made.” The question naturally arises what can we do to perform worthily our parts in the world history. The an swer must be made by each one for Masonry does not attempt to dictate the part man shall play in his wor ship or in his government. It simply points out to him the path of right and leaves the solution to each* in dividual to be worked out according to his light. Let us for a moment recall that Freemasonry is a human institution and that we should not let its differ ent bodies obscure its great mission to advance by all just and honorable means the welfare of mankind. It is based on simple humanity, and not on any creed, party, or sect. It instills the sacred duty of brotherly love, of forebearance, and of tolera*‘on. Its great mission is peace, progress, and pros perity for all. It educates men free in thought, noble in desire, and joy ful in deed. Masonry has survived and today lives because of the mora lity it fosters and the manhood it expounds and exemplifies. Masonry passes the bounds of sect, creed, and nationality. It combines all creeds; it unites all nationalities; and it ig nores all sectarianisms: it proclaims and unfeigned belief in the Father hood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Masonry stands as a beacon in the darkest hour of world his tory. It has witnessed the passing of the ages calmly and serenely. Its place in the great reconstruct ion work of the world will be no small one and each of us must be ready and willing to perform every task which comes to us in the enno bling spirit of CHARITY toward all mankind. We need not dwell upon the phi losophy of life to expound in its land marks or to enumerate its inspiring virtues. The dark hour through which we are passing and the occasion call for concerted efforts and you shall be asked to concentrate upon the great virtue of CHARITY in deeds and in words, which extends beyond the grave through the boundless wing of eternity. Charity prompts the no blest of act of which our nature is capable. It inclines us to think favor ably of every man, and to do him good on all fitting occasions. It is our richest jewel and should ever shine with dazzling luster. Masonry guided by this star will do much to solve the real problems now rending the world asunder when the clouds of war have vanished and the sun of peace again shines. The world will then be weary of war, of patriotism, of frontiers, of foolish race prejudices and of the hatred and misunderstand ing and dislikes to which they give rise. The very magnitude of the struggle will cause a violent reaction and the world will listen to good counsel and advice. To make onehalf of the world hate the other half is too tremendous an undertaking to prove a success and will fail of its own weight. The vaunted claim of world ledearship belongs to no one na tion but rests upon that intangible but 24 The Cabletow powerful force of lree-will intertwined with Charity in its broadest and full est meaning, enabling us to see clear ly the good there is in Unity. In the great upheaval, Masonry can play a part of might and power. In religion, there are sects and fac tions which cannot well unite for a common and practical purpose: or, at any rate do not unite; but Masonry composed of men of good will, all re ligion and races may well and shall become, not only a moderating cle ment but a potential and an active force in achieving a closer union of mankind and the permanency of peace between all countries. The moral force contained in Freemasonry, be hind which lies the best tradition of the centuries, should increase in vi tality, when these wars of attrition are over. Masonry was born in the palace where there was not heard the sound of ah axe, hammer, or any tool of iron. Iron being deemed an article of sacrilege in a place of worship to the ancients, and is now a hideous nightmare to the warring nations. Thus Masonry came into being as a silent power and has come down through the ages quietly performing its great mission of Charitj' toward all of humankind. It has seen revo lutions sweep the earth, cities rise and vanish like bubbles upon the water, nations fly at each other’s throats and grapple in death struggle, yet, it has moved serenely forward winning victories of peace and good will. It teaches us to regard the whole human species as one family—all children of one Almighty Parent. On this prin ciple Masonry unites men of everv country, sect or opinion; and causes true friendship to exist among those who might otherwise have remained at a jierpetual distance. We have our allotted tasks to perform in this wonwcrful rehabilitation work and you should see to it that you give the best there is in you. It is an impera tive duty which cannot be lightly dis charged by the gift of money or by going through the motion of being good one day in seven. Another op portunity like this may not knock again on our doors, you should make the most of it to exemplify the Father hood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Our task is an arduous one. Pro gress will be slow depending upon our enthusiasm, disappointment will be numerous, but we should be ins pired by the genius of Masonry and ever press onward in our crusade. Let us learn from the ]>oct who wrote: “For form of government let the fools contest; Whatever is best administered is best; For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight: His can’t be wrong whose life is in the right. In faith and hope the world will disagree : But Mason’s rallying point shall always be. Love for all mankind, enshrined in CHARITY." Exceq .t f rom—F U X1 ) A 1 EXT Al. MASONIC EDUCATION’ BETHEL . . . From pogo 12 of the Guardian Council of Bethel No. 2, Manila. The Manila Bethel of the Order will have their installation of officers on June 26. 1966. They have invited Masons and Eastern Stars in the Ma nila area to be present at their instal lation. DeMolavs and Jobies from Olongapo have planned to be in Ma nila on that day to attend the instal lation ceremonies. June, 1966 25