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Message from the South |
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WORDS from the SOUTH - March 2010 A History Lesson… Freemasonry has struggled to remain apolitical, but war has often placed Masonic Brothers on opposite sides of the battle lines. There is no evidence that Freemasonry ever tilted the outcome of a battle in order to keep from harming a Brother Mason. However there are hundreds of stories from around the world of conflicts that display the Masonic character of extending Brotherly Love and honor to fallen enemies who wore the Square and Compass. Here is but one such example… During the War of 1812, the British ship Shannon captured the U.S. frigate Chesapeake. The British Navy boarded the Chesapeake, lead by Lieutenant (Lord) Wallace, to take prisoners and the ship. Wallace found a U.S. Officer kneeling next to the wounded body of a dying Gunner holding his hand. At this, Wallace was surprised that an Officer would be concerned over the death of a common seaman…this was the attitude of the British Navy back then. But as you may have already guessed both Americans were Freemasons. Once Wallace was informed of this, Brother Mason Lord Wallace knelt with the U.S. Officer and held the Gunners other hand until he had passed. This is but one story of our History (Masonic History); if you are interested and you would like to read other stories of our Masonic Brothers on opposite sides of the battle lines, let me know. May Brotherly Love Prevail In All Of Our Endeavors… Fraternally, Ron Chandler Junior Warden
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