The Cabletow

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Part of The Cabletow

Title: The Cabletow
Issue Date: Volume III (New Series No. 2) October 1960
Year: 1960
Language: English
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extracted text: GRAND LODGE October 1969 UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINE' library ^prrial iEiiuratinn Ssfiue MWB LUTHER B. BEWLEY Grand Master, 1960-61 (New Series) ACADEMIC FREEDOM Nature and life have secrets yielding to those With patience to unravel their wondrous lore, Hidden beneath the strata of the rock Or flung in outer space or left with knock Intuition taps upon a poet's door — Laden with marvel to each one who knows. So, let the scientist discover ways In atoms or nebulae where our thoughts may go, And let technicians build that the human race May rest from labors like proud Hercules; And let the scholars gather knowledge — for these too Express our love for life for its truth and grace. Here in these halls of learning, we now pause To dedicate ourselves— to what? To liberty bred of enlightenment; To ditty that xve labor without Stint Till the henchmen of the dark be put to rotfl And ignorance be banished with all lines. Refuge of tyrants, whether in Church or State None need unquestioning, accept authority, For the youths shall learn to discriminate Between the light and dark and shades of gray, And none shall force them, "This is so,” the way Leading to Buchenwald and Cavalry. Train them to keep faith with their mind, Hence, with themselves, for only these can be True free-men. Man dependent make the slaves Who grovel from the cradle to the grave, The hewers of a mighty destiny Must first stand free — all else is false or blind. If there be martyrs—as there must be— Let them be martyrs in the urge to find The remedies to draggled poverty, Martyrs to art, to music, poverty, And to all that may be used to feed men or bind Men's wounds and glorify humanity. Thus, on this planet men may fulfill a trust: To live in fullness, as the flowers do That bloom and ask not for eternity, A life freed from cramped fear and vanity But which may yet be dazzling in its hue And wafting perfume before it droops to dust. — l'icarcck) Dcmetillo VOL. Ill (New Series) LUTHER I). BEWLEY Edltor-ln-Clilcf Bnrtril of Editors: JUAN S. ALANO. WIT,LIAM QL'ASHA. PEDRO GIMENEZ, HOWARD R. HICK. ESTEBAN MUNARRIZ, SIDNEY M. AUSTIN EMILIO M. ASISTORES. MACAlllO NAVIA, SlNEOllOSO < 1> M ELOCOTON JOSE DOMINGO FLORENCIO A, R. ILAOAN ELECTED GRAND LODGE OIT ICERS APPOINTED GRAND LODGE OITICERS DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS District District District District District District District District District District District District Alberto Sucuitan Donald O. Thnrn.nt . Robert A. McLancblin 1 In this issue.... Grand Master’s Message .......................... p. 41 Teodoro M. Kalaw, a Biography ...................... p. 43 By Bro. Ponciano B. Jacinto, Sr. Masonry in France Today ............................ p. 46 By MWB Ernest V«r Hccke History of Charleston Lodge No, 44 ............... p. 48 By WB E. Drozynslci Our Grand Senior Warden .......................... p. 49 Prayer and the Mason . . p. 53 By W F. A. Nieva Masonry in Rizal Province ........................ p. 55 By WB Jose Pagtakhan Our Working Tools........... p, 56 By Bro, Esteban Guillermo Official Section................. p. 59 Masonic Music.................... p. 65 By Bro. Eugene Stransky (fated "Mtetoctyc LET US CREATE ENTHUSIASM FOR A BETTER MASONIC EDUCATION With no idea of trying to bring pressure on anyone. I should like to see more attention given to our Constitution and the Masonic Law Book. Masonry is a progressive moral science. No doubt our newly initiated members would like to learn more about the Fraternity to which they have pledged allegiance. To help in this matter it is suggested that at stated meetings, when time will permit, one of the experienced Masons should be assign ed in advance to speak to the members on certain phases of the Con stitution. This should be followed by an open forum in which many questions might be asked. Such discussions could no doubt create enthusiasm for learning more about our beloved Fraternity and its activities. It is believed that this procedure would result in increased attendance at our Lodge meetings. A thorough study of our Masonic Law Book would create among the Brethren a thirst for improving their masonic education. The practical object of Masonry has been defined as “the physical and moral amelioration, and the intellectual and spiritual improvement of the individual and society.” To practice Masonry we must know Masonry. Every Mason should know the essential characteristics and fundamental principles of the great Fraternity to which he belongs. Everywhere in our Masonic work, knowledge is stressed. There is no educational test to determine fitness for membership, but the can didate must learn our ritual and, to be a good member, he must have sufficient knowledge to understand and appreciate the history, teach ings, and principles of Freemasonry. Again and again education and the acquirement of knowledge are urged upon the candidate. True Masonry consists in practicing the Masonic teachings. Above all, every Mason should become familiar with the ancient land marks of Masonry, or what we sometimes refer to as the “unwritten laws” of our Fraternity by Albert G. Mackey, which are found in our Masonic Law Book. There is a liberal Masonic education in the twentyfive ancient landmarks that were handed down to us by our predeces sors, and we are more or less in duty bound to transmit them to our successors. 41 In Lodges where your funds will permit, it is hoped that libra ries will be established at your earliest convenience. It is realized that not all of our Lodges can afford to have masonic libraries, so it is suggested that in such cases efforts be made to obtain pamphlets and a fpw books on Masonry by writing to Masonic Service Associations. Since the Masonic Law Book was compiled in 1954, some provi sions of our Constitution have become obsolete by Annual Communica tions of our Grand Lodge, but these obsolete provisions are known by the officers who have attended our Annual Communications and may also be found in our printed proceedings. Grand A .A A OUR OBJECTIVE--OUR REASON FOR BEING Willi the end in view of bringing into focus the vital problems of our Public School System which cry for immediate solutions, the Supreme Council 33°, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Philippines, and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, have decided to launch a joint program for the improvement of the Public School System in order to make it truly free and democratic, and financially stable. To chart the course of such an am bitious program, a Coordinating Com mittee was created under the chair manship of Ill. Werner P. Schetelig, 33°. This Committee, after three meetings, in turn recommended the creation of an Action Committee to implement effectively the joint pro gram, as the executive arm of the Co ordinating Body, with Ill. Vicente Garcia, 33°, as chairman. Keenly feeling the need for a mouthpiece for its gigantic task of arousing public interest through the brethren and lodges throughout the country, the Coordinating and the Action Committees decided to issue a leaflet once a month to be known as Freemasons’ Educational Bulletin. It was the consensus that such a publication is of vital importance, particularly in the pivotal campaign to create a strong public pressure to bear on our Congressmen to support a bill in the next session of Congress stabilizing the financing of the public schools, similar to House Bill No. 3516, which was reported and calen dared in the last session of Congress but was not acted upon. The Coordinating Committee is of the strong belief that all the problems that beset our public schools, such as lack of buildings and adequate equip ment, lack of properly trained teach ers, and lack of textbooks, can be solved only after the problem of fin ancing our public school system is solved once and for all. VT 42 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 The Life of Teodoro M. Kalaw, Sr. BRO. PONCIANO B. JACINTO, SR. In the roll of illustrious Filipinos, the name of Teodoro M. Kalaw scintillates as a star in the firmament of the Philippine hall of fame. A law yer of the first water, Kalaw was an author non pareil, a journalist in corruptible, an educator extraor dinary: a man among men. But among the varied skills and at tributes of this versatile Batangueho his stature as a Mason juts out. in bold relief in this part of the wot Id where Masons arc militant and their epic deeds in the struggle for Philip pine freedom highlight this country’s glorious history. As a lawyer, Teodoro M. Kalaw shone not only in the practice of that great and noble profession of law but also as a professor thereof, and as author of law books and other literary gems in various fields of human en deavor. However, the vast, pre ponderant portion of his works dealt with his clement — political science. As an author, there is hardly anv other Filipino writer living or dead who could approximate the breadth and depth of his prolific pen. Kalaw was born in I.ipa, Batangas. on March 31, 1881. Among the most brilliant sons ever contributed by Batangas to the glory of the Malayan race, he married a carnival queen of exquisite beauty, Pura Villanueva. Of this happy union was born ano ther carnival queen no less beautiful than her queen mother — the now one and onlv Maria Kalaw Katigbak. Teodoro M. Kalaw obtained his elementary education from the Cole gio de Sebastian Virrey, and the Rizal Institute of Lipa; his high school at the Colegio de San de Leiran. It was at the l.iceo that he earned his Bachel or of Arts degree, but his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees he obtained from the Escucla de Derecho. It was not by a fluke that Kalaw reached the heights that he did. Born of a sufficiently well-to-do if not a rich family from the popular standard of those times, the young Kalaw was not above working his way to obtain an education. As a student, he worked as a reporter on the newspa per El Renai imiento, a FilipinoSpanish daily, of which he later be came the editor and, later still, after his graduation, the editor-in-chief. This was then in 1907. Then a member of the Philippine bar, Kalaw’s talent was quickly recognized with his appointment as Manuel Luis Quezon's secretary to the Interna tional Conference of Navigation in Russia. Upon his return from that assignment overseas, lie became a pro fessor of law and concurrently the director of his alma mater, the Escitela de Derecho. This young, brilliant son of Balangas look to politics as an eagle to the air. He served in the Philippine Assembly as representative from the third district of Batangas for the term 1910-1912, after which he was appointed director of the Philippine Library and Museum. His various high positions in the 43 government came one after another in rapid succession, higher and ever higher in spontaneous lecognition of his extraordinary aptitudes. Under secretary of Interior in 1916, he be came the Secretary the following year, a position which he resigned in 1922 in order to become the Exe cutive Secretary and Chief Adviser of the Philippine Independence Mission to the Unital States. In 1929, hccame again the director of the Philip pine Library and Museum. It was alter his return from the World Naval Meet in Russia that he wrote one of his foremost literary works of note, entitled Hacia la Tier ra del Mar. This was followed by La Constitution de Malolos and El Di vorcio en Filipinos, both of which concern his favorite elements as a lawyer — constitutional law and civil law. The versatility of his able and pro lific pen was well manifested in 1912 when, in the short span of that year he produced three woiks — Las Ideas Politicos de la Revolution Filipina, Principios de Vida Social, and Te onas Constitutionales. His inclination to political science is sufficiently patent in his Como se Puede Mejorar Nuestra Legislation, which he wrote in 1913: El Ideario Politico de Mabini, and Manual de Ciencia Politico Filipina, all of which were written in the six years ending in 1918. Except for his comprehensive and enlightening work entitled La Masoneria Filipina, which was also written in 1918, all his literary output there after until 1928 was on political science—La Revolution de Filipinos; Court Martial of Andres Bonifacio, and La Campana del Kuomintang. This deeply religious Mason then wrote Dietario Espritual, followed by other works of political and quasi military complexion, like Gregorio H. del Pilar, Las Cartas Politicos de Mabini, and El Espiritu de la Revo lution. Untold other works tame from his golden pen, some never published. Among the salient literary works edited under his direction were pub lications of the National Library of which he was director, including the Epistolario Rizalino, Volumes 1, II, III, and IV; Ang Pinaglatalunang Akta ng Katipunan, and Revolution Filipina by Mabini in two volumes, in addition to the biography of Gregorio del Pilar, El Heroe de Tirad, of which he was the author. Towering as he may be in the na tional scale, Teodoro M. Kalaw as among Masons is a figure than whom none is said to be greater or has con tributed more to Masonry and to the ultimate ends of that Venerable Brotherhood. Grand Master of Re gional Grand Lodge under Gran Oriente of Spain during 1914-1917, he was elected Past Honorary Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in 1925, and Grand Master in 1928. His masterful work, La Masoneria Filipina, reflects thq scope and extent of his vast contribu tion to Masonry in this part of the world, and his thorough knowledge of the problems and the vicissitudes of that Ancient Craft in this jurisdiction, the Philippines became free of the Spanish yoke. The work is properly subdued as regards the indomit able courage, indefatigable struggles, and extreme sacrifices of his brother Masons for the ultimate emancipa tion of this country after more than three centuries of captivity under the 44 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 claws of the beats of prey which sport the habiliments of so-called Apostles of Christ. Such was the wide versatility of the man that in whatever field he turned to try his mettle and prove his worth, he quicky earned distinction and obtained recognition. It must be borne in mind that all of this pro digious output of the most abstruse literary works was accomplished while Kalaw was creditably performing his heavy duties in his various capacities in the government. As a culLurcd scholar and literary luminary he belonged to the Royal Academy of Arts and Letters, a Filipino-Spanish literary association in the Philippines, of which he was president. He was likewise a mem ber of the Academy of Political Science of New York, and of the ex clusive Real Academia de la Lengua Espanola of Span. Thus we see the towering stature of Teodoro M. Kalaw, viewed in national perspective. But there is a jewelled phase of the main's character which was known to only the few' who were privileged to move within his im mediate circle. Uncompromising in matters of principles, his heart of gold was a tender as eider down. Com poss ionale to all living creation, charity was the main feature of his tribute of the Mason. Deputy Grand Master Juan S. Alano pictured with some of the brethren of Maguindanaw Lodge No. 40 on his official visitation to the Lodge on Sept. 26, I960. THE LIFE OF TEODORO M. KALAW, SR. 45 MASONRY IN FRANCE TODAY Address given to the Masonic Service Association by the M.J4'. Grand Master of the French National Grand Lodge, at Washington, 25th February, 1960. MAV. Brother Chairman, M. AV. Grand Masters and Brethren, First of all, I wish to take this op portunity to thank yon for the cordial and fraternal welcome vou have ex tended to myself and to the Brethcrn who accompanied me on our visit to the States. I fell that the friendly spirit which prevails in your reception is a mark of svnipathy and fraternal fellowship to all Brethcrn of the French Na tional Grand Lodge, the only Grand Lodge in France recognized by ail fifty Grand Lodges in the United Slates and by all but on of the Grand Lodges in Canada. Of course we. and we only in France are recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge, the United Grand Lodge of England. Our Grand Lodge had and still has from time to time the privilege and the pleasure of granting Charters to many Lodges formed bv Military Service per.onnel on dutv in France. A large proportion of these Bre thren come from the United States, but we also base Brethren from Ca nada, Holland, Iran, Greece and Great Britain, and this happily de monstrates the universality of Free masonry. It also proves that the guiding principles of our Grand Lodge are and will ever remain Be lief in God, the Three Great Lights and strict adherence to the Ancient Landmarks of the Order. Grand Lodges throughout the world inquire from us about the situa tion of Freemasonry in France. We must ;idmit that the situation is rather confused but I shall make an aiiempL in order- to summarize the present position. In France, the Grand Orient ■)} France is the largest body and there arc some 17,000 to 18,000 members. They have struck out from their Constitutions all reference to the Great Architect of the Univcuse or to the Holv Bible and have substitut ed as guiding principles: The equality between Brethren Mutual Tolerance Absolute freedom of conscience. Many of their members are atheists and it is estimated that some 10 to 15% ate communists. They encourage the discussion in Lodge of political and like topics On such a basis, the Grand Orient of France must be considered as ir regular and clandestine. Al its annual convention in 1953, the Grand Lodge of France, second in France by its membership, passed a resolution by some two thirds major ity making the presence of the Holy Bible compulsory in their Lodges. However we are told, that still quite recentl in some of their Lodges remain a majority of the mem bers of the Grand Lodge of France who have not been obligated upo the Holy Bible. It must be kept in mind that, in the past, candidates were not re quired to profess a belief in the Su 46 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 preme Being, and therefore the question arises as to how many members of this Grand Lodge subs cribe to this essential belief? Their resolution of 1953 must how ever, be considered as a first step in an effort towards regularity and w’c are glad to say so. In September 1959, the Grand Lodge of France took another step forward in suspending, by a majority vote of some 70^>, cor respondence, agreements and intero bedience relations with the Grand Orient of France. Together with other . Regular Grand Lodges, we welcome this further effort. It is true that administrative re lations between the two governing bodies have been suspended. BUT INTERVISITATION BY INDIVI DUAL MEMBERS CONTINUES AS BEFORE. Members of the Grand Lodge of France are welcome in Lodges of the (fraud Orient of France, and Mem bers of the Grand Orient Lodges visit Lodges of the Grand Lodge of France. Furthermore, no instructions have yet been issued to our knowledge by the (band Lodge of France in order to forbid its members from affiliat ing with Lodges of the Grand Orient or obliging those who are already members of the (band Orient to se ver their dual membership. We will gladly acknowledge the ef forts made by the G.M. Dupuy in order to bring a majority in his Grand Lodge to more regular practice. We will welcome the time when the (fraud Lodge of France can claim recognition as a Regular Grand Lodge but we must regretfully con clude that, while the first steps have been taken, such lime has not yet Our Obedience, the French Na tional Grand Lodge is small in num ber, its membership is not more than 4.000, but ;fJl the principles of re gularity are maintained and strictly applied in all its Lodges. It is our mission in Freemasonry to hold out a helping hand to all persons ol goodwill and to play our part in bringing into effect what we all desire, that is to say. Unity be tween Obediences. Brethren, however, must realize that Freemasonry cannot exist unless it is based upon a sincere belief in God. Our Masonic symbols remind us of our dependence upon Him, but the GREAT ARCHITECT HIMSELF IS NOT A SYMBOL FOR WE CAN NO!' WORK TO THE GLORY OF A SYMBOL. There is not doubt that, in Fiance, there is amongst irregular Masons a sincere desire to return to regularity and you may rest assured that our Grand Lodge will do everything with in its power io ensure that this desire is brought to a fruitful conclusion. We must, however, by very careful and build only on pet manency on the rock of regularity. Anv hasty action wojild only delav our common goal. Kindly send your articles for the January 1961 issue today. MASON IN FRANCE TODAY 47 History of Charleston Lodge No. 44 By E. DROZYNSKI, P.M. Al the lime of (he original cap ture of Guam by the American Forces in 1898, there was at least one Mason on the island in the person of an officer of the Spanish army who had been Master of one of the lodges in the Philippines. There must have been members <>l the Fraternity among the first Amer icans who came to the island, but it was not until 1903 that any Masonic meetings were held, and that was when five Masons met at the home ol one of them for dinner. In 1906 there was another meeting al which lime the possibility of instituting a Blue Lodge was discussed lor the first time. Brother Morris O'Brien com municated with the Grand Lodge ol California regarding this question but the reply he received was far from encouraging; the Grand Lodge felt that due to the limited number ol Masons on the island a lodge could not be properly supported. The mat ter was dropped for the time being and no further steps were taken toward organizing a lodge until 1917, when Brother Charles S. Lobingicr. 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, passed through Guam en route to his duty station in China. Brother IL F.. Marchant, who was stationed on Guam at that time, entertained Brother Lobingicr during his brief stay, and matters regarding Masonry were tho roughly discussal, particularly the matter of bringing Masonry to the island. Due to the almost unheard of Protestant leanings of the natives, it was realized that most of the work would have to be done by transient military personnel. Brother Lobingier exhibited great interest in the problem confronting the brethren in Guam and suggested the first steps to be taken should be the organiza tion of a .Sojourners’ Association, and promised to use his influence with lhe Grand Lodge of the Philippines toward securing a dispensation to or ganize a regular lodge on the island. The idea of organizing a lodge on Guam was received with enthusiasm by members of the craft then on the island, and a number of informal meetings were held at the homes of several of the brethren. At one of these meetings there were twenty-six sojourners present and it was then and there decided to formally organ ize a Sojourners' z\ssociation and peti tion the Grand Lodge of the Philip pine Islands for lhe dispensation to organize a Blue Lodge. The name Charleston was requested in remem brance of the U.S.S. Charleston that brought about the surrender of the island during the Spanish-American Mar. Acting under the authority provid ed bv disnensaiion issued by the Grand I^odgc of the Philippine Is lands, the first meeting of the new Charleston Lodge was he'd on Mon day evening, March 4, 1918. The manner in which Charleston Lodge was const itu tai proves to be very interesting . . . on February 25, 1919, a cablegram was receiver! from the Grand Lodge staling that 48 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 lhe Deputy Grand Master would ar rive in Guam on lhe U.S. Army Transport “Sherman” to constitute Charleston Lodge No. 44. It was as sumed that on March 1, 1919, Deputy (hand Master Rafael Palma would arrive and that everything wotdd be conducted in lhe normal manner. Such, however, was not the case! The day before the ship arrived a radio message was received stating that be cause of the extremely short slay of the vessel in port, no passengers would be allowed ashore. The one alternative was taken, the Master and members met in the Captain's cabin aboard the Sherman, and there Char leston Lodge No. 11 was formally constituted, the only lodge, to the writer’s knowledge, that has the dis tinction of basing been constituted aboard an ocean going vessel. Between the years of 191S and 1911, Charleston Lodge No. 14 progressed steadily although not at a spectacular tale. It was (.luring this period that (he Lodge acquired a lot and a build ing in the city of Agana which was to be Charleston’s home until Decem ber H, 1911 al which time, due to the invasion of Guam by enemy forces, the Lodge was forced into darkness until lhe island was again re-occupied by American Forces in 1911. The majority of the lodge furnishings and its building were destroyed as a result ol lhe bombardment which preceded the re-invasion. Due to the critical shortage of essential building mate rials and other factors, Charleston Lodge was required to hold meetings in various temporary homes during lhe decade following its re-activation. Through the combined efforts of all the Masonic Bodies in Guam, a permanent concrete block two-story Scottish Rile Temple was completed in January 1955. This structure is now the permanent home of Charles ton‘Lodge No. 44, as well as other active Masonic Bodies. The main lodge room of this build ing is completely air conditioned and provides a sealing capacity lor ap proximately ninety (90) people with facilities for seating more on special occasions. The furnishings consist of upholstered theater-type seats that were bought through the donations of many of the brethren; the altar, is made of stained Narra wood and was imported from the Philippines and paid lor by the Cecil Knepp DielTcnderfcr Spring Reunion (Hass of 1955. This altar is beautifully ornamenied emblematic of Blue Lodge as well as Scottish Rite degrees. The floor of the lodge room is completely tiled anil the portion representing the pavement is laid in a mosaic pattern. The lobby of this edifice is ornament ed with three large murals: The first mural depicts the front elevation of King Solomon's Temple, lhe second svmboiize the Tabernacle erected by Moses and his people after their exodus from Egypt, and the third graphically represents a view of the Sanctum Santorum or Holy of Holies within the Temple. The future of Charleston Lodge No. 11 looks bright, brethren, it ranks among the largest of subordinate Lodges, in total membership, and is in exceedingly sound financial ground; proving that fruitful dividends can be realized by the implementation of conservative policies which have gov erned this Lodge since its establish ment. HISTORY OF CHARLESTON LODGE NO. 44 -49 Cloudy in the South— The sombre, dread tones of the Junior Warden’s voice sound the death knoll to years of hopes, dreams and aspirations. With methodic, ri tualistic precision the building of Hope collapses as the “Dark,” ‘Black,” follow through from the other two Principals. Fifty strained faces of the members lean forward and scan the row of empty stares. An electric shock fills lhe air. Who did it? How many? Why? Had not the committee reports been favorable? Friends and well-wishers had spoken kind words about the candidate, and even gone so far as to read certificates of his innocence even in the insecurity of his early manhood. The stage is somehow ghostly familiar to the same scene once be fore in this same hall, not too long ago. A nightmarish repetition of that same dread tone, “Cloudy , , ,” History had been repealed. It was lhe same then, lhe committee reports all favorable, seven Masons had attested by signatures on his application to his fidelity and right to participation in the fraternal order, and three on lhe committee said the same. lite loial then of masons favorably vouching for the candidate—seven and three, seven and three. A total of fourteen recommenders and six com mittee members staked lheir profes sions and reputations on his worth. But wait, a vote again. That means only one bad, a possible error. Or does this voter think the other twenty men didn’t know what they were doing? This time will tell if the Black Death was dropped by mistake. A few quick, earnest pray ers go up, gnashing of teeth—march around. Perhaps it was an ac cident . . . Hope . . . "Display the ballots’” Pause. “Cloudy . . .” Death! Finally and conclusively, buried in some oblivion of who knows what, and for what reasons? A family ashamed, confu sed, pitiful, and the reason unex plainable. Will he come forward? Why hasn’t he come forward? What docs he know that twenty serious-minded men weren’t able to find out in months of investigations? Couldn't he have made his thoughts known to the Worshipful Master? Perhaps it could have resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. These twentv men were confused and misled, is that it? Who know? Who knows indeed? The Supreme Grand Master and the All-Seeing Eye weigh in the balance. Such is not for Earthly compromise. Let it be His mysterious prerogative then to judge, what was in the mind of this wielder of Black Death as his apron proudly flapped while he dealt the blow. May he be prepared to bare his soul at Another Lodge some dav and explain his deed. LAH 50 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 Our Senior Grand Warden Resume Background oj William H. Quasha Born: May 19, 1912 New York, N.Y. /</)(.'C/l TION: B.S. in M.E, New York University, 193.3 M.A.. New York University, 1935 1.1. B.. St. John’s University, New York, 1936 ACADEMIC: Member, Faculty. Department of of Psychology, New York Univer sity 1933-35 A [ember, Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts. Santo Tomas University. Manila, 1946-47 Instructor, U.S. Army Reserve School Co Author (with Dr. Rensis Likert), Revised Minnesota Board Test", 1933, 1935 Author, "An American Looks al Dr. Laurel”, Manila Times, 1959 PROFESSIONAL: Admitted to the New York Bar, 1936 Admitted to the Bar oE Fcdcial Court of the Southern District of New York, 1938 Admitted to the Philippine Bar, 1945 Admitted to the Bar of the United Stales Supreme Court, 1947 Officer, U.S. Army, active duty, Feb. 1942-16 (entire service in Southwest Pacific Area) Officer, U.S. Army, reserve, 1946— to dale — Rank: Lt. Col. MASONIC: Junior Warden, Grand Lodge of the Philippine, 1959-60 Past Master, Mt. Lebanon No. 80, Manila. F.A.M. Kniglu Commander of Court of Honor, A.&.-A.S.R. Chairman, Scottish Rite Luncheon Committee Past Grand Orator, G.L.P., 1957-58 Past (hand Sword Bearer, Grand Lodge of the Philippines, 1955-56 President, Far East Chapter No. 15, National Sojourners, 1959 Member of lhe Philippine Bodies, A.fcA.S.R. Member of Board of Directors of Bamboo Oasis Shrine Club, 1957 to date Member of Mecca Temple (Shrine) Author of numerous articles published in the “Cablctow”, “Far Eastern Freemason" and “New Age” CIVIC: Member. Bov Scouts of America, 1942-52. Eagle Scout - 36 Melit Badges Member, Bov Scouts of the Philip pines, 1947 to date. Eagle 51 Knight of the Eagle Scouts Fraternity, Philippines (Highest Rank) Member, Executive Board, Manila Council, BSP. 1949 to date First Vice-President, 1946, Manila Council BSP Member, 10th World Jamboree Committee—Chairman Interna tional Liaison Committee — Deputy Camp Chief lor International Liaison BSP — Acting Scoutmaster, 1928-12 BSP — Scoutmaster, 1947-25 Chairman, Elks Cerebral Palsy Pro ject, Inc., 1958 to dale Past Commander of the Philippine Department of the American Legion Also held other post-department and post offices in the Philip pines of the American Legion Past President, Army and Navy Club of Manila Past Executive Vice • President, Manila Jaycecs, 1949 (now associate member) Past First Vice-President, Manila Lions Club, 1950-51 Past First Vice-President, New York State Jaycces, 1941-42 Past Counsel, Young Men's Board of Trade, New York, 1939-41 Past President and Charter Memb er of the Mabuhay Toastmasters Club Past Vice-President of the Manila Chapter of lhe U.S. Army Re serve Officers’ Association Chairman of the Speakers’ Bureau of the Community Chest of Manila, 1950 In 1958 was made Knight Com mander of the Knights of Rizai (member since 1955) Member, Manila Lions Club Member, American Bar Association Member, Elks Club Member, Mabuhay Toastmasters’ Club Member, Baguio Country Club Member, Manila Polo Club Member. Manila Golf Club Member, American Association in lhe Philippines Member, U.S. Armv Reserve Of ficers’ Association Member, Philippine Band of Mercy Past Member, Fund Raising Cam paign, Philippine Cancer Society Past Member, Fund Raising Cam paign, Peace and Amelioration Fund Campaign DECORATIONS'. Philippine Government Philippine Legion of Honor (Officer Rank) Presidential Award (Gold Pla que) for "Outstanding Service" to the 10ih World Boy Scout Jamboree U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Philippine Liberation Medal Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with Three Battle Stars WW II Victory Medal Bov Scouts Bronze Troop Service Award Bronze Thanks Badge Bronze. Silver and Gold Medals of Merit Bronze USA Silver USA Philippine Veterans’ Legion: Gold Medal Outstanding Legionnaire. Philip pine Department of the Amer ican Legion, 1951 In capacity of Chairman of the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., received plaque award from the Philippine Medical Association (one of the three organizations so awarded by the Philippine* Medical Association) 52 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 Prayer and the Mason By Dr. F. A. NIEVA According io my observation and findings alter meeting several persons ol different races and creeds and af ter studying conscientiously and tho roughly their individual idioevneracies, culture and the way of life they lead during niv travel around lhe world before and alter the war, I sin cerely believe that it is imperative lot parents of persons in prisons and in mental hospitals to fervently Pray for their children so that they may be guided by God to do the right thing through their Brains. I suggest, this as a wav of life, because I observe that any ac tion, whether good or bad com milled bv any person or individual, is purely the will of God. who has made his Brain that guided him to do such action. If an Engineer invents a machine in human form, with a mechanical Brain in its head, any action com mitted by that machine, whether la mentable or deplorable, is attribute able* to the Engineer and he should be made to answer for whatever da mage committed by the mechanical Brain he* has made. Wo the people in this world, should give due consideration to. compassion ate with, and help the unfortunate nersons who received from God de fective Brains. As Jesus Christ said: ‘‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” So, we must thank God that we have been blessed bv Him to have better Brains than others. However, human being should al ways try his best to be good, but, if, in one way or the other he makes a mistake, that is lhe will of God; I have found out that any person or individual becomes absent-minded for at least 5 minutes within the per iod of 21 hours So. human beings, should not for get the power of prayer, because pray er is the citadel and bulwark with which to light the battles of life. Therefore everybody must prav, to improve his mind in suc h a wav as to make him think always to be a good man and a better citizen. And to be a better citizen, he should remember, lhe fervent prayer of President Wash ington which is the following: “I hope I shall possess firmness and vir tue enough to maintain what I con sider lhe most enviable of all titles, the* charac ter of an honest man.” For these reasons, I believe it would not be out of place to suggest that every Mason, from lime to lime, might kneel, meditate, pray, and be alone with God for the welfare of human beings, in accordance with the philosophy ol life. Human beings should pray not on ly in time of danger and in need, but, they must also pray even in their davs of abundance and in the lively feeling of pleasure and happiness, joused by a good fortune. A man should put his fust in God. As President Quezon said: “Have faith in divine providence that guides the destinies of men and nations ” President Eisenhower on Julv 30th. 53 1956, signed a bill to make "In God We Trust" a national motto, thus making it Federal law. What good does it do to pray? Wc pray, not because we are sinners, des perate, weak, and afraid of tomorrow, but because we trust God to forgive us of our sins, to be present in our desperate moment, to give us strength and to go with us into tomorrow. Besides, in trusting God, man will be released from many physical, men tal and emotional chains that bind him. Because Godliness is the road to happiness. This is the bond be tween God and human being, and io strengthen that bond, he prays. He must speak to God with all his heart, with all his mind, with all his soul and God will answer him. In this world, there are two sides to every angle, not only does God re cognize His responsibilities toward human, but God also asks of him an enthusiatic response, he, too, must recognize his position of trust, he must do something about it. He must magnify the glory and the only way he can do this, is by direct ac tion by working with God. These suggestions, may become the way of life not only of the Brethren, but of all human beings, who after all arc lhe children of God living in one world, which I sincerely believe would be the beginning of the perma nent Peace on Earth. AAA RESOLUTION No. 6, of Ser. I960 Whereas, Life Insurance is essen tial to every person who is cognizant of his responsibilities to himself and to his loved ones, and Whereas, Life Insurance cannot be avoided in that when not taken, an individual pays it in terms of misery, worries, misfortunes, etc., but when taken, relief, solution to emergency, peace of mind, and joy are derived, and Whereas, Life Insurance is a form of INVESTMENT, PROTECTION, SECURITY for old age, and SAV INGS, all redound to the welfare of an insured and his loved ones, and Whereas, the Acacia Mutual Aid Society, Incorporated, managed and capitalized by and organized exclu sively for Masons and their families alone, provides all the above men tioned benefits and other considera tions given by other Life Insurance Companies, and Whereas, as explained verbally by Wor. Bro. Benjamin T. Arniego, Secretary of the Society, in Masonic Meetings and outlined in leaflets sent out to Masons by the Acacia Mutual Aid Society, Incorporated, the Membership Certificates issued by the Society, are very cheap, and can be conveniently carried by any Mason; On motion by Wor. Bro. Pedro S. de Guzman, P. M. and duly seconded by Bro. Juan Arce, it was Resolved: To request all members of the Memorial Lodge No. 90, F. & A. M. and their qualified families to apply for membership in the Aca cia Mutual Aid Society, Incorporated. Resolved Further: That applica tions for membership be made by our members as soon as humanly possible to be entitled to the benefits so gran ted by the said Society. Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be furnished Acasia Mutual Aid Society, Inc., a copy for the Cablecow for publica tion. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (Sgd.) APOLONIO V. ZABAT, P.M. Secretary 54 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 Masonry in Rizal Province JOSE PAGTAKHAN Master Silangan Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M. When a seed is planted and proper ly taken care of, it will in due time grow, bear fruit and multiply. The organization of lhe Silanganan Lodge No. 19 at Pasig, Rizal, the first Ma sonic Lodge established in this prov ince, may be likened to the planting ol such a seed. Originally organized in the year 1908 by a handful of ‘good men and true" headed by WB Ambrosio Flores, who eventually be came its first Master, Masonry' has gained and is gaining sympathizers in the different pails of the province inspile of powerful enemies. As a mailer of fad, not only lhe number of Masons in this province has mul tiplied, but the number of sisier Lodges as well. In addition to Sila nganan Lodge No. 19, seven more Masonic L.odges have so far been or ganized in ibis province, (including Quezon City) which are all very much alive. They arc La bong Ixxlge No. 59 at Malabon, Muog Lodge No. 89 al Paranaque, Marikina, Lodge No. 119 at Mariquina, Quezon City Lodge No. 122 at Quezon City, Teodoro Kalaw Memorial Lodge No. 136 at San Juan, Rafael Palma Lodge No. 147 at Que zon City and King Solomon Lodge No. 150 at Makati. Of these eight Masonic Lodges in ibis province three own their respec tive Lodge Buildings. They are Si langanan Lodge No. 19, Muog Lodge No. 89 and Teodoro Kalaw Memorial Lodge No. 136. It is hoped the rest will follow in building theirs in Lhe not distant future. The building actually occupied by lhe Silanganan Lodge No. 19 is a new one which was inaugurated and dedi cated on January 29, I960. It is lo cated in barrio bagong Ilog. The old one constructed sometime in 1918 in barrio Bambang was destroyed by lhe typhoon “Jean” in December, 1947. ‘ The growth of Masonry in this province is something every member of our beloved institution can be proud of. The same should also serve as an incentive for us to work harder in spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection so as to advance the • brotherhood of men under the Fatherhood of God — the sacred foun dation of our beloved Fraternity. Pope Pius IX — ar ns he wns entered on the Mnsonic roll, Guiseppe Maria Ferrero Mas:ai Ferrette — joined Masonry in Santiago, Chile in 178}, when ns a young priest, he visited South America ns the secretary’ of the Papal Nuncio Muzze. At the time of his admission to the Order, three papal decrees had been issued from Pome condemning Masonry — in 1738, 1751, 1814 Many more were to follow and Pope Piux IX himself promulgated three such Bulls - 1847, 1865 and 1869. 55 Our “Working Tools” By Bro. ESTEBAN GUILLERMO Memorial Lodge No. 90 Masonry, unlike other fraternities, has working tools. This is why it has withstood all viscissitudes and the ravages of inhuman and barbarous as saults from its birth since lime im memorial, it being founded upon a rock. But unlike the farmer, the car penter or the mechanic who actually work will) their tools, the tools of Masonry arc symbols of noble vir tues for exemplary moral and spirit ual conduct. They are lhe constant reminders to every Mason of his com mitments to the fraternity. For lhe benefit of the brethren and others who mav be curious, I am sure there arc main-, I have tried to make a transcription of what the working tools signify. TWENTY-FOUR INCH GAUGE This is an instrument for measure ment. As the name indicates. i( is divided into twentv-four equal pans, It reminds us of the twentv-four hours of the dav. Because oT its equal division, it caches us to divide our time into twentv-four equal parts. Masons are taught to divide their time into three ways, namely: First, they must have a time for the service of God and man, particularly the distressed, worthy brethren. Second, they must have a time for their own work so as to provide themselves and families the necessities of life. Third, they must base a time for leisure and rest. It must be noticed that the fir*' thing that occupies our time is God and man. The writer recalls that be fore he entered Masonry, he heard people sav that this is a Godless frat ernity. But when he first attended the ceremony of Masonry, he saw the Holy Bible at the center of the Lodge. He proved the falsity of what he heard. A Godless fraternity docs not use the Holy Bible, much less place it on (he altar of the Ixxlge to guide its deliberations. A Godless frater nity docs not pray. Masons do pray. They believe that "Real prayer is the release of lhe Divine Power, not an endeavor io alter lhe purpose of God, bi?' that the will of God be done through us". Masonry, although not a religion, is very religious. It be lieves in the fatherhood of God and (he brotherhood of men, hence Ma sonry is trying to draw peoples of various religious groups, social and educational levels to witness its pub lic ceremonies so as to erase from their minds the impression and belief that Masonry is Godless. THE COMMON GAVEL This instrument of Masonry is a svmbol of great moral significance. Masons who construct structures of stones and hollow blocks use this in strument to break the unnecessary parts of stones and hollow blocks so as to fit them for the building. The noble and glorious lesson it imparts to us is that we have to do away with vices, divest our hearts and con sciences of all unnecessary things — works of lhe flesh, which are "adul tery, fornication, uncleanness, lasci viousness, hatred, variance, wrath, strife and heresies." These things 56 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 will make us unfit for that “spirit ual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.” THE PLUMB This instrument symbolizes a div ine, moral and spiritual virtue — Righteousness before God and men. This is lhe emphasis of Jesus’ preach ing. knowing that men have gone as tray from the Father, followed their own desires, their whims and caprices which will lead them into "the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth". Masons are re quired to live righteous lives. When righteousness is the dominant spirit of men and practice it, we have no need of police forces and big arm ies for which our government appro priates huge amounts every year. If righteousness is the dominant spirit of those in the employ of the govern ment, especially those in the higher echelons, graft and corruption are unknown. If Masons are given chan ces to occupy positions of trust in the government, because of the proven righteousness of Masons, they surelv will do honor to the government and to their fraternity and most of all, to their God. The only hope of eras ing or eradicating graft and corrup tion and all sorts of crookedness in the government or elsewhere, is the employment of men who arc highly motivated by honesty and devotion to duly, men who arc God-conscious like Joseph of old who preferred to be imprisoned lather than soil the purity of his conscience, the dignity of the trust reposed in him and his loyally to His God. THE SQUARE This instrument teaches that all Masons, and all people for that mat ter, must act and live upon the square. It symbolizes truth and moral ity. What is TRUTH and MORAL ITY? Truth, according to Webster is the “quality or state of being true, hence, fidelity, constancy, or conform ity to fact or reality, or rule.” And morality, according to the same source is. “that which conveys moral lessons or sentiments, rectitude of life or ethics ". The Golden Rule may be appropriate to illustrate the lesson of truth and morality. First, lhe golden rule of Christianity states, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them”. "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thy self". The golden Rule of Buddhism: "One should seek for others lhe hap piness one desires for one s self. Hurt no other in ways that von yourself would find hurtful”. The golden rules of Confucius, Jewish, Hindu. Brahmanism. Taoism, and the rest, at e identical with these golden rules of Christianity and Buddhism. As all know, the font sides of a square are all equal. This is whv Ma sons treat men equally irrespective of their social, economic and education al levels, irrespective of race and religious affiliations. A true Mason is onlv aristocratic in his moral and spiritual conduct and behaviour, but democratic in his dealings with his fellowmen. This is the reason whv not all persons who want to enter Masonry are admitted. Those who want to enter must come horn longues of good report and well recommended, who have proven their righteousness and integrity of character and with lhe high and noble motive of service and ate willing to make sacrifices. THE LEV'LL I bis instrument is used to prove horizontals. T he important lesson it imparls is that, as we travel upon (he level of time to the eternal abode OUR “WORKING TOOLS’’ 57 above, we must always show’ our fid elity and loyalty in the observance of the high moral and spiritual vir tues of Masonry. These high moral and spiritual virtues are not proved in the proficiency in reciting the obligations, nor in writing nice arti cles and making good advices and speeches. They are rather proved in lite daily conduct in lhe discharge of our work and the dealings and asso ciations with our fellowmen. We must prove to God and men that we are worthy members of this noble fraternity. Then at the end of our journey, we shall hear the benevolent soft words, ‘‘Gome, vc blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”. This is the ideal place which Masons arc striving to enter. THE TROWEL The lesson we get from this in strument is to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection. Love is the greatest thing in the world. When people all over the world understand the meaning of love and apply it, then there will be no more wars or rumors of wars. Harmony and peace will reign. This is a great mission of Masonry — disseminate and prop agate love, charily. NATIONAL SOJOURNERS.... Among the organizations in our midst predicating its membership on Master Masons is ifhe National So* journers. This is an organization "pledged to the ideals of patriotism and to the security of lhe nation." Its membership is open to Master Masons who were former or present officers of the uniformed services of the Unit ed States. The local organization ad mits those Master Masons who have served honorably as commissioned of ficers of lhe former USAFFE, includ ing recognized guerrillas. According to the May issue of the New Age Magazine, a group of com missioned officers met together at Manila as early as 1900, organized informally as a club and gave it the name Sojourners; out of which group arose in 1901 the formation of an Am erican Masonic Lodge in lhe Philip pines. This became lhe nucleus of our present Grand Lodge in the Phil ippine Islands. Anyone interested in becoming a Sojourner should contact Bro. J. J. de Guzman who is lhe present Secretary, whose address is P. O. Box 577, Ma nila, or Tel. 3-95-96. Masonry’s mission, therefore, to the individual is io uplift his character and establish a nobler manhood. —Owen Scott. If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and success conies unexpected in common hours ... If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. —Henry David Thoreau 58 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 OFFICIAL SECTION GRAND LODGE ol I-REE AND ACCEPTED MASONS of lhe Philippines August 30, 1960 MEMORANDUM TO: All Lodges under the Jurisdiction of Philippines Greeting: The Freemasons' Educational Bul letin relative to stabilizing the sup port ol our public schools is sellexplanatory. It is abundantly clear that unless our public schools base lhe proper fi nancial support, it will not be possible to maintain efficient standards in our elementary and high school work. It is suggested that the contents of this bulletin be discussed thoroughly at one of your stated meetings. Il is of utmost importance that the parents of our public schools be con vinced that additional financial sup port of our schools be made available. However, it is believed that in discus sing this matter with the parents of the public school children, it might be more elective to work as individ uals who are interested in community welfare particularly in hating our public schools, recieve adequate fin ancial support. (Sgd.) LUTHER B. BEWLEY Grand Master To all Secretaries of Scottish Rite Bodies and Lodges of Perfection: Greetings: The Supreme Council of the Thir ty-third and Last Degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemason ry of the Republic of the Philippines fully subscribes to the principle of the public educational system guaranteed by our Constitution. It is realized, however, that the public educational system of our government has been carried on under difficulties due to unstabilizud financing as evidenced by recurring annual school problems. Your Supreme Council, jointlv with the (.rand Lodge of Free and zXccepted Masons of the Philippines, launch ed a campaign to obtain a strong sup port from the* public to the end that appropriate legislation might be en acted which will establish a public school fund on more stabilized basis. The Freemasons' Educational Bul letin. a monthly enterprise of the Grand Ixxlge and the Supreme Coun cil 33°, will undertake the dissemina tion of information that is calculated to focus public attention on the need of a stabilized financing program that will ’inject life into our public- school system. A limited supply of this bul letin is being sent to you with the request that the same be passed out among vour members to obtain maximum results. On al! occasions, particularly during your stated meet ings, the subject of this bulletin should be fullv discussed, and efforts should be macle to enlist the interest of local civic organizations on the 59 specific needs and problems of the schools. It is desired that the month ly Bulletins be translated into local vernaculars to enable the common people to understand fully their con tents. Your full support and cooperation in making possible the success of this undertaking will be greatly appreciat ed. Sincerely and fraternally yours, (Sgd.) CONR.ADO BENITEZ, 33° Acting Sovereign Grand Commander A A A PLEADING FOR COOPERATION Ore clings! Deeply concerned over the down grading ol our public schools, which cannot function as a truly Irce and democratic system for the proper edu cation and training of our youth, largely due to inadequate financial support, the Gland Lodge of Free and .Accepted Masons of the Philippines and the Supreme* Council of the Thir ty-third and Last Degree, /Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rile of Freemasonrv of the Republic of the Philippines have launched jointly an educational program for (he purpose of arousing public opinion and interest to im prove lhe standards of lhe public opinion and interest to improve the standards of the public schools bv providing them with sufficient and stable means of financing. It is hoped that full cooperation of the members ol the fraternity will be given this program, adopting such measures as lhe following: 1. Form Lodge committees to carry on the program in the community. 2. Discuss in stated meetings and with local civic organizations the spe cific needs and problems of the schools. 3. Promote campaigns among civic leaders and enlightened citizens of the communities to initiate move ments petitioning Congress to meet squarely the yearly financial difficul ties of lhe public schools. 4. Translate into local vernaculars the contents of the Freemasons Edu cational Bulletin, the organ of the Joint Educational Program, and pub lish same in the provincial or com munity papers. The support and cooperation of the brethren in every Lodge will en hance the aim of this joint education al program. ACTION COMMITTEE ----oOo— I. COORDINATING COMMITTEE 1. Bro. Werner P. Schelclig, Chairman 2. Bro. Federico Piedad, Secretary 3. Bro. Vcnancio Trinidad, Educa tional Consultant and Writer 4. Bro. Luther B. Bewley, Member 5. Bro. Conrado Benitez, Member 6. Bro. Camilo Osias, Member 7. Bro. Howard R. Hick, Member 8. Bro. Henry Gilhouser, Member 9. Bro. Domingo C. Bascara, ” 10. Bro. Vicente Garcia, Chairman, PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING 1. Bro. Vicente Garcia, Chairman 2. Bro. Isayas Garcia, Secretary 3. Bro. Jose C. Velo, Member 4. Bro. Federico Piedad, Member 5. Bro. Manuel C. Garcia, Member 6. Bro. Vcnancio Trinidad, Member 60 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 II. ACTION COMMITTEE 1. Elementary and Secondary Education — (1) Bro. Esianislao R. Lopez, Chairman (2) Bro. Luther B. Bewley, Member (3) Bro. Artcmio C. Vizcondc, Member 2. School Finance - (a) Stabilization and Equalizing of School Fund (Foundation Program) (b) Financingol Masonic Projects Bro. Domingo C. Bascara, Chairman Bro. Santiago Dumlao, Member Bro. Esianislao R. Lopez Member Bro. Vcnancio Trinidad, Member Bro. Federico Piedad. Member 3. Textbooks and other Reading Matters — Bro. Juan B. Gonzaga, Chairman Bro. Michael Goldenberg. Member Bro. Manuel C. Garcia, Member Bro. Florencio Ilagan, Member Bro. Rex I-). Drilon. •1. Religious Instruction in lhe Public Schools — Bro. Gunicrsindo Garcia, Chairman Bro. Enrique I). Tayag Member Bro. Fructuoso Balquicdrn, Member Bro. Macario Navia Mem ber Bro. Sesenio Rivera, Member 5. Community Education and Lit eracy (Rural Problems) — Bro. Federico Piedad, Chairman Bro. Juan S. Alano, Member Bro. Artemio C. Vizconde, Member Bro. Francisco C. Panganiban Member Bro. Roman Lorenzo, Member Bro. Vicente Garcia, Member (». Vocational Education — Bro. Luis F. Reyes, Chairman Bro. Roinulo R. Mendoza, Member Bro. Teodoro V. Santos, Member Bro. Fructuoso Balquicdrn, Member 7. Higher Education — Bro. Sinforoso Padilla, Chairman Bro. Manuel C. Garcia, Member Bro. N. B. Melocoton Member 8. Public Relations - Bro. Howard R. Hick, Chairman Bro. Saturnino David, Member Bro. Esteban Munarriz, Mem ber Bro. Jose J. de Guzman, Member Bro. Lucio R. Ildefonso, Member 9. Educational Enlightenment A gainst Communist Infiltration Bro. Vicente Orcwa, Chairman OFFICIAL SECTION 61 Bro. William B. Quasha, Member Bro. Cecilio Putong, Member Bro. Gregorio Robles, Member Bro. Mariano Q. Tinio, Member Bro. Ildefonso S. Reyes, Member Bro. Mamcrto Ventura, Member 10. Educational Leaflet Series — Organ of the Joint Educational Program — Bro. Venancio Trinidad, Chairman Bro. Jose T. Enriquez, Member Bro. Manuel C. Garcia, Bro. Federico Piedad, Contributor Bro. Vicente Garcia, Contributor Bro. Luis F. Reyes Member Bro. Luther B. Bewley, Member Bro. Vcnancio Trinidad, Member Bro. Esianislao R. Lopez, Member Bro. Federico Piedad, Member Bro. Howard R. Hick, Member Bro. Teodoro V. Sanios Member Bro. Domingo C. Bascara, Member Bro. Vicente Garcia, Member Bro. Werner P. Schetelig Ex-officio PUBLICSCHOOLS The most obstinate perennial prob lem of education in the Philippines today is the stabilization of the finan cial support of our public schools. For the solution of this problem, proposals are not wanting. It is recalled that about ten years ago, as a result of a nationwide survey of our education system by a Joint Legislative Committee, that commit tee embodied in its report a num ber of proposals calculated to place lhe school system on a stable financial basil*. Almost simultaneously a similar survey was undertaken by a UNESCO survey mission. The mis sion likewise found that the funda mental problem of education in lhe Philippines is how to stabilize ihcfinancial support of the system. To implement its recommenda tions, the UNESCO mission sent to the Philippines Dr. Gayce Morrison, an outstanding American authority on school financing to work out a concrete proposal for the considera tion of the authorities concerned: Dr. perintendent Fructuoso Yanson and Dr. Pedro Guiang ,now assistant direc tor of the Bureau of Public Schools, evolved a plan which is now known as the Foundation Program. The pro gram was submitted to congress in the form of a bill was taken upon it con sideration, but no action was taken upon it. When lhe Board of National Education was organized it up-dated the Foundation Program and re-sub mitted it to Congress for action, but no action on any of the foregoing pro posals was taken. In 1955 the late President Magsaysay, perturbed by the vexing peren nial problem, created a special com mittee headed by the then Secretary 62 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 of Education, Justice Pastor Endencia of the Supreme Court. The report ’of the Committee, like all lhe others, seemed to have found its way into the files for record purposes. And recently, former Secretary Manuel Lim of lhe Department of Education submitted to Congress another prop osal known as lhe Stabilization Bill, followed by another proposal by the incumbent Secretary, the Honorable Jose E. Romero. Both proposals did noi reach first base. In lhe last regular session of Con gress it was expected that al long last lhe problem might be solved once and for all when H. B. No. 3616 sponsored by Congressman Manuel S. Envcrga, (hairman of the Committee on Edu cation of the lower house, was calen dared for discussion on the floor of lhe lower house. Unfortunaielv, however. Congress again followed its usual course of vacillation and inaaction. Il adjourned without taking, anv action on the bill. There can hardly be any doubt that, when it comes to the problem of school financing, there is a per petual motion but. unluckily, there is equally a perpetual inaction. For one reason or another, the authorities con cerned shy away from the problem. They dare not grab "lhe bull by the horns,” so to speak. Largely because of the perennial vacillation and inaction of the powers that be, coupled with an apparent indifference of our people, we still have 10 bear the sight of the dismal and dismaying spectacle ol thousands of boys and girls going to school with out textbooks, scaled for hours in make-shill benches and stools; of classes filled beyond capacity, hud dled in buildings utterly unsuitable for school purposes; of schools bare of equipment, tools, supplies, and other essential items of instruction; and worst of all, of an abbreviated, impoverished, and well nigh anemic curriculum because of the drastic cut in the period of schooling. It is against formidable handicaps like these that our schools will have to struggle again in their desperate effort lo give children lhat quality of education which they deserve and to which they arc entitled, but which they do not receive chiefly because of the continuing indifference, vacil lation, and inaction of the authorities concerned, and partly because of our being penny-wise and pound-foolish. Because of this indifference, about 250,000 children of school age might not be admitted into our schools next year. However, ii is quite reassuring to know lhat lhe Department of Edu cation is doing its utmost to forestall lhe pathetic possibility ol having to refuse admission to such a great num ber of children and that it is deter mined to make lhe best out of an al most hopeless situation bv giving top prioriiv to the Constitutional man date for at least free public primary education even if il has to resort to such drastic measures as (he follow ing: (1) assignment of teachers where they can serve the biggest number of oupils: (2) pulling out teachers from intermediate classes where there is more' than one teacher to one class and assigning teachers thus spared lo the primary grades: and (3) request ing extension positions to be based solelv on the need for their services. (The Manila Chronicle, June 7, 1960k Of course, these measures arc only temporary palliatives. They do not solve nor arc they meant lo solve lhe fundamental problem. As Secretary Romero warned, "Unless a law is ap PUBLIC SCHOOLS proved next year to stabilize financing in the public schools, chaotic condi tion will prevail.” The Secretary has given his warn ing. A similar warning was sounded by former Senator Geronima T. Pecson, now chairman of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philip pines, when, at the induction cere monies of the new officers of the Phil ippine Medical Women’s Association held recently, she said: “The indif ference of the government towards the education of children is an in justice for which the nation will pay dearly . . . Mrs. Pecson said further: “Ignor ance netfer sired progress, much less democracy, justice, and liberty; and never will." And she stressed. “If we do not do our duty today of prov iding at least free and compulsory basic education for our young, wc must abandon our every hope lor peace and progress.” Like die proverbial “handwriting on the wall," these warnings cannot be ignored because what >s at stake is not only the future of millions of our children but the future of our coun try. By our continuing indifference to improve our system of education through lhe stabilization of its finan cial support, we are wrecking the basic foundation of democracy of which wc are reputed to be the most ardent and zealous exponents in this part of the world. As Senator Padilla has aptly observed: “Wc cannot over-empha size the need for education because the sound basis for real democracy is enlightened citizenry.” And certain ly wc cannot ignore what that fore most leader of democracy and free dom in the world today. President Eisenhower, once said: “Informed citizens are guardians and spirit of democracy." The wisdom and validity of these observations can hardly be ques tioned. Like the warnings of Secret ary Romero and MiS. Pecson, they cannot be ignored if democracy in this country is to be real and lasting. However, the failure of Congress to solve the financial problem of our public schools should not be a cause for despair. Rather, it should stim ulate more vigorous and relentless ef forts on our part to arouse, mobilize, and enlighten public opinion per sistently and ceaselessly until the authorities concerned come to realize that vacillation and inaction is no longer the safest and most prudent course for them to follow. It should be understood, moreover, that the solution of our present prob lem of stabilizing the support of our public schools is not the responsibil ity of Congress and our government leaders alone. In the last analysis, the people themselves arc as much involved in lhe solution of lhe prob lem as our Congress and our leaders. Congress may do iis part and pass the needed legislation for the solution of lhe problem, but if our people don't tlo their part, we should be satisfied with the mediocre quality of products lhat our schools arc producing. It is not enough to work for the passage of this or that measure in Congress. We must also be prepared to meet whatever obligations lhe measure may demand of us. Wc can not over-stress lhe fact that our chil dren will receive only the kind of education for which wc arc willing to pay, and not the kind of education which they deserve and should have. 64 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 Masonic Music & Composers Bv BRO. EUGENE STRANSKY, M.D. JW, Dalisay Lodge No. 14, F & AM In 1956 the two hundredth anniver sary of the birth of the greatest Masonic composer, Bro. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was commemorated in the en tire civilized world. The host of musi cians, musicologists, and plain lovers of music remember Mozart for bis many famous compositions, his un chained legacy to the music of the world, yet so few know him to be a prominent Mason and to have composed music for the Craft which he so dearly loved. That same year, this author was requested by 111. Bro. Fredric Stevens, PGM and Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite in the Philippines, to deliver a lecture on lhe Masonic music of Bro. Mozart at lhe Scottish Rite 1 emple. This, the author gladly did and several recordings of Bro. Mozart’s Masonic compositions were played to lhe delight and enlightenment of those present. Presently, this writer desires lo expand the former lecture and present it in readable form to the brethren of the Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction, and to the hosts of others wherever they are dispersed. I am grateful to Prof. Paul Netti, now a professor of musicology in the University of Indiana at Blooming ton, Indiana, who was formerly a pro fessor of musicology in the defunct Ger man University at Prague. Czechoslo vakia, for some of the source materials of this article. Prof. Netti is himself a brother of the Craft and a prominent member of the Lodge of Research of New York. Bro. Netti’s Musick und FreiiiMitrerei, (Music and Masonry, though originally’ in German, is a source of lasting information on the subject. Bro. Netti’s book of 190 pages con tains not onlv da’.a on Bro. Mozart but also gives other data on other com posers of Masonic music and other masterpieces who were themselves Ma sons, Bro. Mozart lived (1756-1791) at the time when music was at its golden age. Most of the rulers of kingdoms and empires and the wealthy aristocrats in Europe maintained their own orches tras and delighted in having such or chestras plav for them in their bails and concerts. Franz Joseph Haydn, one of the most gifted of composers, himself a Mason, was the conductor of the or chestra of Prince Eszterhazy, one of the richest of Hungarian aristocrats. King Frcdric of Prussia, also a brother Mason, was an enthusiastic flutist and it was for him that Johann Sebastian Bach com])osed a number of sonatas and sonatinas for flute and piano. To go back to Bro. Mozart, let me recall that he did so much for Masonic music at the time when Masonry was not popular in his country of Austria. 65 It was practically banned there until 1790 though the emperor, Franz, was a Mason. When his son, Joseph II, as cended the‘throne lhat year, Masonry was allowed to flourish. However, shortly thereafter. Masonry was again banned for a long time until the end of World War I. Srangely enough, in the other half of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Hungary, Masonry was recog nized since 1867 but banned after World War I. Mozari joined the Craft on December 14, 1783 passed to the degree of Fellow craft on January 7, 1785; but it is not dcfini.ely known when he was raised ot thc Sublime Degree. We know, however, that a few months after Bro. Mozart was raised, his own father, Leopold Mozart, entered the fraternity Also, thc composer, Haydn, a friend of his, became a Mason presumably due to the influence of Bro. Wolfgang Mo zart. Bro. Mozart started to com[>ose Masonic music in 1785 and produced some more until his death in 1791. In fact, his best known work, “The Magic Flute’’ was composed in 1791 and was first publicly played under his baton shortly before he died. ‘“The Magic Flute" is entirely Masonic in theme. His first Masonic composition was “Gesellenreise” or “The Voyage of a fellowcraft”, which he composed when his fa.her, Leopold, was passed to that degree. For the installation of a friend to the Oriental Chair, Bro. Mo zart composed “Zw Neugekrunten Hoffnung”, “To thc Newly Crowned Hope” in 1785. That same year, music for the opening of the Lodge of Master Masons and “Die Maurerfreude", “The Joy of a Mason,” were also composed. In 1786 the famous Masonic funeral march was composed and played when Count Ezsterhazy and the Duke of Mecklenburg were buried. It is known that he composed his famous chorale: “Oh, Sacred Band of Friendship” in 1772 when he was only sixteen years old. Being a pro digy and a traveller in various coun tries, it is possible that Mozart had al ready heard of the Craft as a band of friends and composed thematic music from what he heard and not yet ex perienced. Since nearly all of Bro. Mozart’s Masonic compositions were chorales, it is easy to presume that Ma sonic Lodges in his time who made use of his music sang the chorales in their meetings and even in public for the delight of even those not in the Craft. A few words about “The Magic Flute”. It is an opera which tells of the great struggle between the High Priest and his followers (representing light and justice) and the Queen of Night and her followers (representing darkness and evil). Thc hero in the opera is a young man who fell in love and married the daughter of the Queen of Night who later became a friend of light, which is to signify that in the end the forces of good triumph over thc forces of evil. It might also be said that, written at a lime when Masonry was persecuted in his own country. 66 THE CABLE TOW October, 1960 Bro. Mozart hoped that Masonry in time would be allowed to operate in stead of being persecuted. A few words about Masonic com posers and poets who lived about the time of Mozart. Ludwig van Beetho ven, a brother, composed '’The Ninth Symphony” and included in it a hymn to Jov, which was based on the poem of Bro. Friedrich von Schiller, *‘Zur breude", "Ode to Joy ”, Bro. Joseph Haydn composed many operas and chorales, though not one of them can be considered Masonic in theme. Bro. Franz Listzt, who later became a monk, also composel music. Strangely, though a Catholic priest, he never renounced Masonry. Hugo Riemann, a German musicologist, was a Mason. Lcrtzing, a German composer, was also a Mason. Puccini, the Italian composer, whose “La Bo/ienae” and other works are quite weil-known in the Philippines, was a Mason. Jan Sibelius, a Finn, and famous for his “Finlandia”, is a Mason and for many years was the Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Finland. I would not want to close this article without menioning that in Lon don, there was a Lodge whose mem bership was limited only to composers of music. Were it possible that some day in the Philippines there will be formed a Lodge composed chiefly of musicians and/or poets. We havie talents in this land and it would be to our just pridc to have such a Lodge. Tenth District Convention The Tenth Masonic District com prising of the Bicol Lodges under the administration of VWB Bayani Fontanilla held its tenth annual conven tion in Daet, Camarines Norte on Sept. 9 & 10, I960 with Camarines Norte Lodge No. 103 as the host lodge. The Grand Lodge officers present were: RWB Juan S. Alano, Deputy Grand Master; RWB William H. Quasha, Grand Senior Warden; MWB Esteban Munarriz, PGM, Grand Sec retary, and others. Thc convention was graced with lhe attendance of three provincial governors, all brethren of lhe Craft — Bro. Apo lonio G. Malcniza of Camarines Sur, Juan Frivaldo of Sorsogon, and Jorge Almojuela of Catanduanes. The con vention was adjudged the best attended regional convention and also proved fruitful to all those attended. Among die topics discussed were: Improvement of Brethren and their At tendance; Masonic Charity and Frater nal Relief; Making Masonic Influence Felt; Unwritten Laws of Freemasonry. Other speakers of the Convention were: Governor Dominador S. Asis of Cama rines Norte; Mayor Marcial R. Pimen tel of Daet; and Congressman Pedro A. Vcnida of Camarines Norte. 67 THE BLEEDING HART Thc November, 1959, Columbia, of ficial K. of C. magazine, contains ano ther “protest" by Luke E. Hart, Supreme knight, against the laying of thc cor nerstone of the East Front of thc Na tional Capital with Masonic ceremonies last JulyMr. Hart’s objections are based on the aged-old misconception that Free masonry is a “distinctly Protestant bo dy”, That its membership contains so many men whose religious affiliations are with Protestant churches is not Freemasonry's doing. The Popes of Rome have created that condition by prohibiting docile Catholics from join ing thc Fraternity, which welcomes in to its ranks good men of anv sect or re ligion, including Catholics. Freemason ry is not a religion, nor like the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal order which represents or espouses one particular sect. As long as Mr. Hart’s church insists that other religious sects and denomina tions are not entiled lo thc same status and privileges which that church claims for itself, (as so painfully de monstrated in Spain and other predo minantly Catholic countries) Mr. Hart's appeals to thc “Charter of our liberties” seem rather illogical. The majority of the men who wrote these charters were Freemasons, as was the author of the impassioned lines which Mr. Hart quo ted in the preamble of the Resolution of disapproval which he authored. — The preceding quotation, from The Freemason, Canada's N»Hnn»1 Masonic Magazine, August-Septem ber, 1960, pp. 5 & 6. 68 Pictured above is Bro. Nick Morabe. President of the Travellers’ Club of San Calif., on his recent visit to the Philip pines. He is shown handing to one of the distressed worthy brother in Cavite a portion of the Pl,000.00 which the club raised for the fire victims in Cavite City. AAA COMING DISTRICT GRAND LODGE CONVENTIONS Thc month of November and De cember has in store at least two Dis trict Grand Lodge Conventions slated for — November 30, 1960 — Cavite Dis trice, at Cavite City, with Bagong Bu llay Lodge No. 17 as the host lodge December 30, 1960 — Ninth District consisting of Rizal Province and Que zon City lodges, Quezon City, with Rafael Palma Lodge No. 147, as host lodge. October, 1960 THE CABLE TOW Republic of the Philippines BUREAU OF POSTS SWORN STATEMENT (Required by Act 2580) The underairned. MACARIO M. OFILaDA, Editor-in-Chicf of The Cubic Tow. published quarterly In English, at 1440 San Marcelino. Manila, after bavins? been duly sworn in accnrManoglnc Editor, N. B. Melocolon .. Publisher. Grand Lodtro of the Phil. Office of Publication .................... 1440 San Marcelinc >0. Manila corporation, stockholders owning ono per cent or more laaue durinc the preceding month. Not Applicable. 2. Sent to others than paid subscribers ....... None SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to br-for- me thi- 3rd d.i.v <<f ()• tolx r 1 <ntr> at Al.i.id i. the NOTE: This form ia exempt from the payment of documentary Mamp tax. JOBS DAUGHTERS OFFICERS Installed as officers lor the second semester of I960, Bethel No. 2, Ma nila, International Order of Job’s Daughters, on July 21, I960 arc the following: Honored Queen, Emclie Sison: Senior Princess, Isabclila Rodriguez; Junior Princess, Daisy de Leon: Guide, Alpha Aguinaldo; Marshal, Evelyn Sollcr: Senior Cus todian, Tita Alendido; Junior Custo dian, Teresita Dumpil; Inner Guard, Anne Moscbrook; Outer Guard, Nenita de la Cruz; Recorder, Lilia Melocoton; Treasurer. Elsa Pestana: Chaplain, Fe Eloisa Curanicng; Librarian. Letitia Laconico Musician, Miriam Mclegriio; First Messenger, Heidi Ricafranca; Fourth Messenger, Delia Ponce; and Fifth Messenger, Eden Mclegriio. ORDEROF RAINBOW FOR GIRLS Installed as officers for the last trimester of 19(»O, Perla Assembly, Order of Rainbow lor Girls, on Sep tember 3(1, I960 arc: Worthy Advisor Delia Navia; Worthy Associate Advi sor, Eunice Gamiao; Charily, Carolvn Gardner; Hope, Alite Nibut; Faith, Morna Salcedo; Recorder, Lucille E. Vcnturanza: Treasurer, Jacquclin Arancla: Chaplain, Victoria Vicente; Drill Leader, Svlvia Vcnturanza; Love, Evelyn Cadi; Religion, Gloria Cabanilla: Nature, Marlene Oliver; Immortality, Elvira Banaag: Fidelity, Norma Calderon; Patriotism, Lina Vicente; Service, Fina Fclarca; Con fidential Observer, Edilha Roque; Outer Observer, Edilha Tria: Choir Director, Linda Calderon; Musician, Gloria Rosete. GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE 1960-61