Then Is a Man a Mason? by Joseph Fort Newton

When he can look out over the rivers, the hills and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage, which is the root of every virtue.
When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic and as lonely as himself; and seeks to know, to forgive and to love his fellow man.
When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea even in their sins - knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.
When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them and above all, how to keep friends with himself.
When he loves flowers, can hunt birds without a gun and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.
When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life.
When starcrowned trees and the glint of sunlight on flowing waters subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead.
When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.
When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things and see majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be.
When he can look into a wayside puddle and sees something beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal and see something beyond sin.
When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope.
When he has kept faith with himself, with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song; glad to live, but not afraid to die!
Such a man has found the only secret of Freemasonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world

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Pity the Poor Secretary… He needs it !

The Master of the Lodge gets the limelight, but the Master comes and goes annually, while the Secretary seems to go on forever!
The Secretary is the man whose duties range from…

• Priest and Pastor to that of lawyer
• Accountant
• Collector
• Bookkeeper
• General business manager
• Purchasing agent
• Computer wiz
• Editor
• Office boy
• General advisor
• And continual factorum

It is just as well to remember that the Secretary is often more important, in some respects at least, than any other official of the Lodge. He should not only be accorded the consideration involved in such case, but he should also be selected for his ability to fill all of the jobs of which the average member knows nothing.

• His bookkeeping involves a hundred and one accounts
• He minutes every action of the Lodge
• Notifies members of their degrees and even indulges in coaching new members and floor instruction at times
• He makes out vouchers and pays accounts
• iI a member is sick, he hears of it
• If he dies, he is called
• If a member is distressed, he is the first one sought out, and not infrequently he is called to settle family squabbles and to smooth out the rough spots in the daily life of Craftsmen.

Altogether, he has a real job and one which is very rarely appreciated.

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~~~ THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM A DOG ~~~

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
13. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
15. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
16. On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
17. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
18. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout ...run right back and make friends.
19. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk