Commander's Message

How, in the life of each Mason, did this sense of unity
and brotherhood begin?  What is the origin of such
devotion to the Craft and to each other?


               TIES THAT BIND


WHAT Brother has not felt that special tie that binds us as members
of the Craft?  A simple handshake suddenly takes on extra warmth
and meaning.  Busy men, upon recognizing a Brother, instantly stop
their labor and go out of their way to be of service.  Strangers of
different countries and cultures meet suddenly on the level and
share a common understanding that spans time and place.

 Masonry's unique mystique comes in large part, no doubt, from the
simple wonder of our principles and shared fellowship.  To the
profane it is difficult to understand how such a large group of
men, vastly different from one another, can be bonded so closely.

 How, in the life of each Mason, did this sense of unity and
brother- hood begin?  What is the origin of such devotion to the
Craft and to each other?

 Seeking an answer to this question, the April issue of The
Scottish Rite Journal asked Brothers to write in responding to the
theme "Why I Became a Mason."  A fair number of contributions were
expected.  We did not anticipate the flood of replies that arrived!
To date 163 Brothers have responded with more letters coming in
every day!

 Reading through a number of these letters, I noticed a trend
forming. A vast majority of the Brothers joined the Fraternity for
one of three reasons:  because men they admired were Masons,
because close family members were Masons, or because of service
they observed Masons doing in the community.

 We all have had people in our lives, especially in our younger
years, who made an indelible impression, persons we wanted to
emulate. James Hayduke, 32, Tucson, Arizona, Scottish Rite Bodies,
found such a person.

 Employed as a caddy for the Cobre Valle Country Club and golf
course when he was young, Brother Hayduke noticed one man in
particular was always courteous, friendly and compassionate "even
to the caddies." This man, Jim Mallot, turned out to be a Mason and
was Brother Hayduke's Masonic inspiration.  He says, "Like Brother
Mallot's example, Masonry has become a way of life for me, a
blueprint and a guide to the way I live."

 Similarly, family is often a key factor in why a man becomes a
Mason. Typically, Danny Neily, 32, of the Grundy, Virginia,
Scottish Rite Bodies, had a special experience with his family and
the Craft.  When his father became a Mason, Danny noticed the
positive changes he went through. Brother Neily was so impressed
with the man his father became that he became a Mason also.  He
says, "Although 3,000 miles now separate my father and me, our
relationship has been strengthened by the bonds of Masonry.  How
many people can say they have a father and a Brother in one?"

 Community involvement is also an important factor in why a man be-
comes a Mason.  Millions of hours are donated each year through
Masonic philanthropies, such as our Scottish Rite Hospitals or
Childhood Language and Learning Disorders Center, all for the
purpose of helping others.  David Lee Stover, 32, Mesquite, Texas,
Scottish Rite Bodies, is typical of the many affected by such
services.

 He and his cousin spent long, hot summers together playing
baseball and riding their bikes.  When his cousin turned twelve, he
developed a leg disorder and was treated at The Scottish Rite
Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas.  Within two years he was
well again.

 Brother Stover writes, "We could spend our summers together again.
Without the Masons taking time to care, this would not have been
possible. Children recognize good deeds.  As a child I recognized
the good Freemasonry offered my family, as well as many others.
This is the reason why I petitioned."  Today more and more Masons
are donating the strength in their muscles and the love in their
hearts to the philanthropies of our Craft.

 The ties that bind Masons are the elemental, founding principles
of our Order--and the acts that follow from them.  In today's world
where leaders often stumble and fall, family units dissolve and
worthy causes suffer from a lack of interest or effort, Masonry
keeps its light shining. Brother James Harold Jones, 32, Kinston,
North Carolina, Scottish Rite Bodies, speaks for all Brethren when
he says,  "Each Mason must be a candle illuminating the paths of
others by the example of love, hope and charity--pure, simple
deeds, not complicated by selfish cause or motive."

 As Freemasonry's fraternal light extends to friends, families and
communities, our whole nation will benefit, and the light of
Masonry will spread throughout the world!

 Is this not why you became a Mason? 
 

