Code: MESSAGE:MAR  Grand Commander's Message for March 
                     Freemasonry Is Friendship

     Lodge that night was particularly interesting.  Talking with 
the Brethren before the beginning of Lodge had been, as always, a 
pleasure.  Then the opening was handled briskly, and the business 
portion of the meeting was dispensed with in short order.  
Everyone was eager to get to the program of the evening--a 
presentation by a team of local police officers, many of them 
Masons, who had volunteered as a special services unit to deal 
with emergencies.  Even the elderly Tiler was relieved of his 
post and allowed to join the Brethren.
     The policemen carried portable communication units all the 
time, everywhere.  They could be on the spot within minutes of, 
for instance, a sniper alert, drug bust or bomb threat.  Best of 
all, the four men conducted a "show and tell" demonstration of 
the latest techniques and equipment.  All the Brethren were 
involved as they tried on gear and asked questions.
     I almost hated to see the dynamic program end, but I was 
pleased to see the Master ask the elderly Tiler, a Past Master 
himself, to close the Lodge.  Despite his age, in the late 80's 
to be sure, he had boomed out his part at the Lodge opening, much 
to the delight of the Brethren.  Allowing the seasoned Brother to 
conduct the closing ceremonies was a special privilege the 
current young Master, as well as the rest of the Brethren, wished 
to give this fine elder Brother.
     The young Master stood behind him, close to his ear.  When 
the octogenarian faltered, the younger man whispered the words.  
I noticed that many of the other Brothers also lip-synched the 
phrases.  And all smiled--broad, sympathetic smiles.  They were 
pleased and proud to assist, glad to honor and recognize this 
aging friend.
     Yes, he was their Brother, true, but what struck me strongly 
that evening was that he was also their friend.  The years of 
Masonic labor had drawn them together in a sacred bond.  Their 
true friendship and mine, like a plant of slow growth, had borne 
fruit over the years.  Sympathy and kindness, love and truth were 
almost physically present there that night.
     That is what I remember most, not the details of Lodge 
business or even the exciting program.  Isn't it true for you?  
Though you, probably, cannot remember the ledger balance or 
misplaced item of Tuesday a week or month ago, I am sure that you 
remember a small kindness done or encouraging word spoken even it 
occurred not just a week or month ago, but years ago!
     Henry O. Dorman, President and Editor-in-Chief of LEADERS 
Magazine puts it this way:  "What counts most, as I look back 
over the years, are not my accomplishments but rather the friends 
who worked with me as partners in these accomplishments.  The 
funny thing about it all is that the quality and quantity of 
those accomplishments are fuzzy and unimportant in my mind, while 
the friendships remain crystal clear in my memory."
     So it is with me--and I bet with you.  Past events fade, but 
friendships endure.  That night at the Lodge I saw it very 
clearly.  Those present were truly happy to be there, happy to 
welcome and be welcomed, glad to participate in the lively 
program, and pleased to share the events, minor and major, of 
their lives.
     Yes, Freemasonry is friendship.
     It is an enduring bond built on shared knowledge, respect 
and worthiness.  It is the natural result of mutual striving in 
the good cause of our Craft.  It is the cement that holds us 
together and makes Freemasonry so satisfying, so powerful a force 
for good in our lives and in the world.
     Let's take a page from history.  When gangling "Abe" Lincoln 
was first mentioned as a possible candidate for President, many 
thought it was a joke.  One highly placed gentleman exclaimed:  
"Why, Lincoln has no great influence, no pull; he has no money, 
nor much of anything, except a lot of friends."  That was enough.  
A lot of friends made him President and changed the course of our 
Nation's history.
     We, too, can change history.  The strength of our Masonic 
friendship is such that we can help each other, assist those 
afflicted and in need, even alter the whole direction of our 
world!  Once brotherhood, the strongest expression of friendship, 
may have been a dream, a vision.  Now, in the age of possible 
nuclear holocaust, it is a dire necessity.
     In our lives, in our Lodges, let us build yet better, 
stronger friendships.  Let the elder Brother help the younger, 
and the newest member the oldest.  Let the whole and healthy 
bring relief to the afflicted and ill.  Let us in all 
things--small and great--show to the world this truth: 
Freemasonry is friendship. 



     In our lives, in our Lodges, let us build yet better, 
stronger friendships.  Let the elder Brother help the younger, 
and the newest member the oldest.  Let the whole and healthy 
bring relief to the afflicted and ill.  Let us in all 
things--small and great--show to the world this truth: 
Freemasonry is friendship. 

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