Official Visit Granite Lodge #352 – April 15, 2009
By R.W. Bro. Gerald Stillar, DDGM

Brethren tonight, I would like to thank W.Bro. Davey Meloy of Strong Lodge for his assistance with this lecture. It’s a little longer than my previous lectures but I feel it is very meaningful, and sums up what I’ve been saying all year.

Recession, War. Famine, Family Break-down

Every day we are bombarded by doom and gloom on the TV, on the radio and in the papers. It seems that all the world’s most brilliant minds can’t seem to “right the ship” when it comes to solving the major issues that threaten our way of life.

As men, we seem to always want to “fix” any problem we encounter...it’s in our nature. However, at times “a quick fix” is not on the radar. When a man falls off a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, even an Olympic gold medal swimmer cannot muster the strength or fortitude to swim to shore or tread water forever. If he is thrown a simple life preserver, his chances of survival increase. He must cling to this precious gift and wait for his brothers to come to his rescue.

In the sea of turmoil that is day to day existence, Freemasonry can be your life preserver. Its basic principles and doctrines are the stuff of which we, as masons, can cling to when life’s pressures appear to be too pressing or overwhelming. We always know support and brotherhood is just a call or word away.

It is this fraternal allegiance and unwavering friendship that makes us unique. No other group of men can lay claim to the ancient bond we share as brothers. We are bound together by the sacred and solemn obligations and customs we all pledge to obey and observe without reservation.

It is for this very reason Freemasonry’s importance cannot be overestimated, especially in today’s uncertain world. Moral and social decay has weakened man’s respect for his fellow man. At this point in our social history, we need to educate the general public in relation to our fraternal and public ideals.

My intention is not to encroach on our ancient landmarks or reveal our hidden secrets or mysteries, but to show the world by our example that friendship and brotherly love are the keys to healing the wounds that have been laid open by indifference to others suffering.

People have forgotten how natural, and easy, giving can really be.

When we are asked for a small donation during the charity lecture, I’m sure you’ll agree that for a moment we all felt out of place and slightly embarrassed. As we know, it was not meant to trifle with our feelings, but to awaken a sense of self sacrifice and universal benevolence. However, too often we equate monetary sacrifice as the ultimate act of charity.

Indeed, financial assistance, and offerings, are always well received and greatly appreciated. But alas, one of the greatest gifts someone can bestow upon another is their time.

As modern lifestyles are vastly different from those of our Fathers and Grandfathers, free time often seems to be at a premium. It is important that our public and private avocations be attended to, but just as we budget out income to ensure a secure financial outlook and the ability to be charitable, we must budget our time to allow for a few precious moments where we may relieve someone’s wants and soothe their earthly afflictions.

True charity is done without expectation of repayment, accolades or praise. Hence a majority of our personal and Masonic benevolence is done without fanfare or “press coverage”. As times change, we need to be more open and less bashful of the good deeds we do as Masons. This can be accomplished through carefully picking our spots to highlight our efforts and choosing the media through which we communicate them.

We often refer to the light of Freemasonry during the “Work”.

Well my brethren, NOW is the time to flick the switch and let our district, communities, and the whole world bask in the humanitarian glow that emanates from the East towards the West.

NOW is the time to let people know just what an important and positive role Masonry plays in our everyday lives.

NOW is also the time to commit yourselves to your respective lodges and its various community functions that allow Masonry to be showcased and our good work to be done for all to see and behold.

I implore you, my brethren, to make a personal effort to project a positive public image of our ancient fraternity by governing your actions and making a daily commitment to make yourselves more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures.

Freemasonry has survived all of histories bleak and shining periods and will continue to grow and flourish in the future. This is due to the fact that our foundation is built upon the unfaultable premise of Brotherly love, relief and truth.

It is up to you as to what role you will play in Masonic history and its continuance as the finest fraternal society of men ever assembled.

Our racial, religious and cultural differences are put aside and accepted when we take our first steps in Masonry. This speaks of our tolerance and import in a world divided by these differences on many levels.

Leaders of the world would do well to copy our example.

So go forth, do good work and let me leave you with these moving words from General Emillio Aguinaldo of the Philippines.

“Since becoming a mason, I have forgotten how to hate. Instead I have learned to love. To love GOD and my fellowman. I am now at ease with my own conscience. I only do what I think is right, and shun all evil. I also have forgotten fear. I can be alone no matter where I am, what I do, or where I go and I fear nothing. I know a brother is not far behind me. A clean conscience makes a man brave. I hope freemasonry has had the same influence upon all of you which is an assurance of a better world to live in and a happier humanity to live with.”

Brethren future is ours. Let’s get off our butts, flick the switch and show the people of Muskoka-Parry Sound District what Masonry really is.

Thank you