Official Visit Corona Lodge #454 – Dec., 4, 2008
By R.W. Bro. Gerald Stillar, DDGM

CHARITABLE MASONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITEE

Brethren, how can you tell who your best friend is?
If you lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car, and come back in one hour, who's the happiest to see you?

Brethren, I want to speak to you about charity, but I'm not charitable enough to give up my second serving of Plum Pudding.

What is Charity? It has been called the pinnacle of virtues. There are many faces of charity. Faith and hope are important but charity puts them both into action. The Hebrew word for love is used in scriptures to signify charity. The scriptures inform us that "Although I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, have all knowledge, and have all faith so that I could move mountains, if I have not charity, I am nothing!

However, charity a creates in us a state of mind in which we have good will and affectionate regard towards others. Charity compels us to assist the poor, distressed and misfortunate. It reminds us to be mindful of the widow, the orphan and the elderly. It is much more than monetary donations or benevolence. Guided by charity, the true Mason will be kind and suffer long; be slow to anger, easy to forgive others, admonish with kindness, and warn his brothers of approaching danger. These sentiments should be extended to all within our universal lodge. Even though benevolence and relief have elements of charity inherent in them, charity provides assistance to all those in need. Charity has an emotional and social side as well.

Many a poor and distressed soul has been lifted out of the depths of despair by acts of emotional kindness. An attentive ear does not solve your problems for you but it does lift your spirits to know that someone cared enough to listen. Solitude and loneliness contribute to many of the illnesses that plague society today. A phone call or a visit can do wonders for the social well being of all of us.

We as Masons can do much to share our charity with others. We must take time out of our busy lives to improve the lot of others.

Yes it is true that charity begins at home. Have you never sent your child to an event -accompany them! It elevates their own self esteem. Listen attentively to the women in your life. You will seldom solve their problems but you will help them to feel better and perhaps aid them to solve their own dilemmas.

Call a brother you have not seen for awhile. Let him know that he was missed. Chat a bit and find out what is important in his life. Ask him if he would like to accompany you to lodge. You will be amazed at how much of a difference you will make.

Volunteer in your community!

Volunteers are the backbone of the community. If you wish to lead an upright life, as all Masons profess, then be part of that backbone. Contribute to the acts of charity that make a difference in our communities.

There are so many ways to contribute to the well being of our communities. You can assist food banks, give blood at blood donor clinics, help out at soup kitchens, visit the sick in homes or hospitals, assist in fund raising for the needy and contribute to bursaries for research in one of the many illnesses that burden society. These are only a few of the many ways that you can display the Charity in your heart. Then you will have demonstrated the distinguishing characteristic of every true Mason -I mean Charity!

May the joys of the Christmas season, and the spirit of Brotherly Love abide with all, not for today, not for tomorrow, but for all our tomorrows, that the Divine plan of the Great Architect of the Universe might be accomplished.

And that working together as Masons, and in His Will, may show the people of Muskoka-Parry Sound what Charity really is.

Thank you my brethren.