
                    A TESTIMONY and A REBUKE
           (From the desk of the Executive Secretary)

    A Canadian member plans on forming a Chapter in his area. He 
asked how he could reach Master Masons who might be interested in 
this venture. We suggested he run an announcement in his Grand 
Lodge publication. He responded:

            Putting an announcement in our local publication 
         is good, however in my opinion few Masons read this 
         publication. 
            The sad part is each Lodge is assessed for five 
         copies published four times per annum. Like other 
         Secretaries I receive over five copies with my 
         other Grand Lodge correspondence, advise the Lodge 
         the copies are on my desk, after the meeting they 
         are still on my desk! . . . . When this publication 
         first started I used to Xerox three dozen copies 
         for the Lodge. This proved to be a waste of time 
         and paper.
            This however is not the reaction to The 
         Philalethes magazine. Every meeting I attend (and 
         I'm just talking about Craft Lodges) usually two or 
         three per week, those Brothers who receive the 
         magazine rave about it! "S'marvellous"; "full of 
         good stuff"; "very educational"; "how come I never 
         heard of this before?"; etc. The message is 
         spreading.
    Of course we appreciate the compliments, but it was the last 
comment that struck a pungent chord. "How come I never heard of 
this before?" And it's a cry we hear far, far too often. We are 
still keeping The Philalethes Society, as one Brother said: "The 
best kept secret in Freemasonry."
    Isn't this a rebuke? Yep. We're not sharing our riches with 
the thousands of Master Masons who are crying, desperately 
pleading, for more light in Freemasonry. Every day the officers 
of the Society receive requests for information about the Craft. 
Some of the letters are pathetic. Most of the writers of these 
letters could have found the answers they were seeking within the 
pages of one of the issues of The Philalethes.
    Let's hasten to say that The Philalethes Society is in no way 
endeavoring to supplant any Grand Lodge. It takes pride in 
attempting to supplement the educational programs of all Grand 
Lodges. Unlike some appendant bodies this Society considers 
itself a servant to the Craft, not its master. It's emblem, found 
on its masthead, is the Square and Compasses, not some exotic 
curio worn in labels that's unrecognizable. No it doesn't have a 
"G" in the center. Neither did the one that was recognized as 
Freemasonry's exclusive emblem by the U.S. Patent office. The "G" 
was added by of some long-ago jeweler.           
    Why is The Philalethes, the publication of The Philalethes 
Society considered excellent? Because for over 60 years it has 
followed the philosophy and guidelines of its founders. They 
wanted all sides of all issues concerning the Craft to have a 
fair hearing. They asked its members and writers to search for 
truth, fully realizing truth can be an elusive theme. 
    Why are the magazine's article well-read and widely quoted? 
Because the writers come from every section of the country, the 
world, and every walk of life. Each of us views the world through 
restricted windows. We are limited, among other things, by our 
parents, education, religion, associates, and employment. Through 
the pages of The Philalethes our vision is widened considerably.
    We've made it easy to join the fellowship of The Philalethes 
Society. We have a beautiful brochure explaining the benefits 
found within our association, and it has an application. But it's 
not required to fill one out to join. Send the applicant's name, 
address and Masonic Lodge (clearly printed or typed) to: The 
Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 70, Highland Springs, VA 23075, 
along with a check for $20, U.S. funds. He'll do the rest.
    Let's stop being selfish. Let's be Brotherly. Let's share the 
riches of The Philalethes Society with all Master Masons.

                                   -30-

To be published in the June 1989 issue of The Philalethes 
magazine.
