Message From the West

 

Aloha brothers.  Here is some food for thought.  Think long and hard and see if you can relate to this simple but truthful little poem.  Please don’t take it the wrong way, but learn from it.  We all need to grow in our journey as men and as Masons.

 

Ten Master Masons, happy, doing fine; One listened to a rumor, then there were nine.

 

Nine Master Masons, faithful, never late;  One didn't like the "Master," then there were eight.

 

Eight Master Masons, on their way to heaven;   One joined too many clubs, then there were seven.

 

Seven Master Masons, life dealt some hard licks;   One grew discouraged, then there were six.

 

Six Master Masons, all very much alive;   One lost his interest, then there were five.

 

Five Master Masons, wishing there were more;   Got into a great dispute, then there were four.

 

Four Master Masons, busy as could be;   One didn't like the programs, then there were three.

 

Three Master Masons, was one of them you?  One grew tired of all the work, then there were two.

 

Two Master Masons with so much to be done;  One said "What's the use," then there was one.

 

One Master Mason, found a brother -- true!   Brought him to the Lodge, then there were two.

 

Two Master Masons didn't find work a bore;   Each brought another, then there were four.

 

Four Master Masons saved their Lodges fate;   By showing others kindness, then there were eight.

 

Eight Master Masons, loving their Lodges bright sheen;   Talked so much about it, they soon counted sixteen.

 

Sixteen Master Masons, to their obligations true;   Were pleased when their number went to thirty-two.

 

So we can't put our troubles at the Lodges door;   It's our fault for harming the Lodge we adore.

 

Don't fuss about the programs or  the "Master" in the East;    Keep your obligation by serving even the very least. 

 

In closing, I would like the brothers to mark their calendar for Tuesday April 11th.  Our lodge will be feeding 250 homeless men, women and children at the IHS shelter right next to the Iwilei Salvation Army and K-Mart.  We can use up to 15 volunteers to help cook, serve food and perform other functions.  This will be a great way for us to give back to the community and remember our duty to assist those in as destitute a position as we all were as Entered Apprentice Masons the first night we entered the lodge room.  Take care and may the Great Architect of the Universe bless you all.

 

Frank M. Condello, II

Senior Warden

Ancient Definition of a Freemason

 

In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading, “Character of a Freemason”:  The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct.  Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world.  A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator.  In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same.  He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection.  He venerates the good men of all religions.  He disturbs not the religion of others.  He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself.  He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended.  He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.

 

East, West, South, Aloha, March News, March B-Day