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
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