My dear brothers and guests, I am called upon this evening to make a speech about the transition a Mason’s soul goes through, and the lessons learned about our unspoken obligation: Charity.
It has been over a year since I entered the masonic life and over a month since we, the class of Illustrious Charles E. McDaniel, obtained the 32nd degree. As other brothers who have come before me, I have had a most exciting and unexpected experience during this time, as every word spoken during our ceremonies revealed the significance and the privi-leges of our craft.
Need I say that I have been greatly impressed by every ceremony which has marked every stage of my masonic life, and by the love and affection received from all my brothers during this journey.
Being here tonight completes yet another chapter in our transformation, when greater enlightenment and inspiration is conferred upon us by receiving our cap and ring, symbolic of our higher achievement of the craft.
Like my brothers, I have been attracted to Freemasonry of my own freewill and accord, attracted by a society of friends and bothers, with an idealism in which racial boundaries find no place, the acceptance of all religious faiths is truly understood, and one which places the fact of God, the Great Architect of the universe, in the forefront of its teaching.ff
We as Scottish Rite Brothers, whether richer or poorer, working our way up or established, always meet on the level.
We were prepared to be Masons first in our hearts, prior to ever knocking on the door of our lodges, but from the moment we receive admission to the fraternity and step through the door in the west, our soul begins an incredible transformation, supported by the spirit underlying our symbols and rituals, with the main objective of making us better men, responsible and obligated to make the world a better place in which to live. These im-portant features of our institution have had the greatest appeal to me, and that is why I find myself here tonight and one with you from now onwards.
Masonry is a progressive science. We joined the Scottish Rite to experience further light in masonry, and by action, use what we have learned, as light provides the Mason intellectual illumination. When we are brought from darkness to light, we are taught a better set of morals, a higher code of ethics, and taught that better living is based on charity, helpfulness, and sympathy.
The fact that we have come to-gether speaks to the power invested in us to make a difference in this world. We should remem-ber that we have the task, the responsibility, and the obligation to help everyone in need.
The Great Architect teaches us that to love our fellow man is a duty, so as Scottish Rite Masons, we must always act in the best interest of humanity by being inspired and inspiring others in the dedication to this service.
As Scottish Rite Masons, we have become men of true enlightenment, character, integrity, and sympathetic understanding; with a burning desire to dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity.
As we know, education and the concern for our children have always been a pillar of our craft, which is why helping children with speech and language disor-ders is the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
The Scottish Rite Childhood Language Clinics, are a place where speech & language pathologists focus their skills and compassion to help children learn, to understand and use language.
Because of the great work being done at these clinics, some mem-bers of our class committed themselves to reorganize one of the rooms at the Santa Ana Speech Clinic, on Saturday July 23rd, to provide additional space where speech therapists can con-tinue their valuable work in the rehabilitation and education of our children, and although our work was rewarding, there is much more to be done.
Brotherhood consists of the wilingness to give, as it is one of our tenets. A true Mason lives not for himself, but for others who need his assistance and have a claim upon his sympathy.
Charity, which relieves the neces-sities and distresses of men, is the great channel through which God passes all his mercies upon mankind, and every degree of charity that dwells in us, is therefore the participation of the Devine Na-ture, to serve and do well, to as many as possible.
Through the transformation of my soul, I have learned that a true Mason labors for the benefit of those that are to come after him, and for the advancement and improvements of mankind.
Albert Pike once said, “To Plant the trees that after we are dead shall shelter our children is as natural as to love the shade of those our fathers planted.”
Before I joined the brotherhood I did not understand the importance of charity, nor the true purpose of my charitable ac-tions. But now, because of the values masonry has entrusted to my care, I am able to see as though a symbolic veil has been lifted from my eyes. In masonry I have found a deeper understanding of charity. So please allow me to share an ex-ample of this transformation.
On a cold morning, on my way to work a few months ago, as part of my ritual, I stopped at the local coffee shop. As I was re-turning to my car, I observed an older gentleman, obviously down on his luck, most likely homeless, asking for spare change to buy a hot cup of coffee and food.
To my surprise most people ignored his request, as I would have done if this situation had presented itself years ago. But when I saw this, I reflected upon my new life as a Mason, and remembered the obligations taken to aid and assist the distressed soul in need. So instead of turning my back on him, I brought him inside and provided him a hot meal. Upon leaving the gentleman behind, for the first time I reflected upon the true meaning of my charitable action.
Charity is love, is the action of giving to a brother, family member, neighbor, friend, or someone we just met. It is giving something of significance without expecting anything in return.
As Masons, it is our duty to practice charity in all aspects of life. It is in the smile which you give to a stranger, it is in our honest dealings, or in the assistance we provide, like the work our brothers undertook at the Santa Ana Speech Clinic.
Each act of charity we perform chips away at our ashlars and transforms us into the creatures we were meant to be.
I encourage you my brothers, to use all the implements masonry has entrusted to your care, so you too can spread that cement of brotherly love and affection for the benefit of humanity.
There is a passage in the book “A bridge to light” we should all reflect upon, and it reads, “Let us remember that the only question for us to ask as true men and Masons is, what does duty re-quire; and not, what will be the result of our reward, if we do our duty. Work on, with the Sword in one hand and the Trowel in the other!
With this in mind, we should all remember that charity is our privilege, our duty, but most importantly, our unspoken obligation.
Thank you.
Francisco Rosario, Jr. – Orator
Illustrious Charles E. McDaniel, 33° IGH
August 1st, 2011 Spring Reunion Class Speech