
                                   February 1992

Brethren:

My message for last Decemher covered legislation that allows our
Lodges to be a more viable part of community life, a long needed
decision.

For emphasis on what I am about to say here is a hit from our Third
negree, Congratulations from the Master, in part:

         "will subject you to its burdens and its responsibilities,
         as well as entitle you to its benefits and its privileges."

There is no such thing as having the benefits and privileges of a
Freemason, unless you take on the responsibility for its
activities. If your Lodge is to have "prestige" in your community,
to have men want to be one of you, you can't have dues of $2 or $3
per month and he known as a "cheap" organization.

Many, most of our Lodge's dues structure will not allow us to do
what we should now that we can. Dues must he raised BEFORE we
embark on programs of benefit to the community so as not to he in
the position that gives the doomsdayers in our ranks the
opportunity to say we cannot afford to do good.

The Shrine went through a change in character in 1919 when the
famous "Bubbles" speech changed it from an organization known only
for "the mere pursuit of pleasure," their words, to the world's
largest philanthropy, the Shriners' Hospitals for Crippled
Children. We in California now have a similar challenge, the
challenge to implement legislation so as to take our proper place
in our communities. As the Shriners' Hospitals brought the Shrine
the enviable reputation it now has, more of the public knowing what
a Shriner is than what a Freemason is, activities in the puhlic
sector can do the same for our Lodges.

And there is much we can do, a few examples from other jurisdictions:

"A Lodge in ohio donated a large number of soft, cuddly, plush
stuffed toys to local fire departments for use by emergency
ambulance squads when children are passengers or are injured in a
vehicle accident." (see CA Freemason Vol 38 No 1)

"Over the past holiday season, Delta Lodge No. 425,, Tulsa,
contributed over $10,000n to Tulsa area charities, a hospital, Boys
Home, Salvation Army, etc."

In Missouri "One Lodge gave support for a child with unoperahle
cancer."

" 136 Lodges in Wisconsin placed 336 glucose monitors in schools."

"Philo Lodge No. 243 (New Jersey) recorded, finger-printed, dental
charted and videoprinted 214 children, presenting the parents with
a laminated Id card containing all pertinent information plus a
photo."

If you question this, think about these words of P.G.M. John F.
"Jack" Kelly of Texas: "Would you volunteer to represent your Lodge
before the IRS to explain in detail your Lodge's charitable
activities during the past five years."


                                           Ralph A. Herbold

Publications included in this mailing have en purchased for our members.
