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Greetings Brethren !
Brethren, thank you very much for your
active participation during our April Stated Meeting’s Masonic education
presentation. We were able to cover a good deal of “little known”
information regarding our U.S. Constitution. I received many positive
comments from the brethren regarding the presentation, as well as several
requests for copies of the constitutional quiz. If you would like a copy,
please send me an email at
sw@irvinevalley.org and I’ll bring a copy for you at the May
Stated Meeting.
The May Stated Meeting education
presentation will continue the theme of the U.S. Constitution and the
writings of the founding fathers. I will share with you the 28 principles
of liberty that not only made this country great, but that unleashed the
creative and productive energy of the PEOPLE, whereby in less than 200
years they were able to go from the ox-drawn plow to landing a man on the
moon. I will also pass out to everyone present a pocket copy of the U.S.
Constitution and a book mark containing the 28 principles of liberty.
Now, as we enter the political season
where we go to elect our federal, state and local officials we must inform
ourselves as to what they stand for, what they have done and what they
“promise” to do. But by what standards are we to judge them and their
words? What is our civil builder’s square? If the Bible is the rule and
guide of our faith, then what is the rule and guide of our civil faith?
(i.e., our “VOTE”). I believe it to be the Bible, the U.S. Constitution,
writings of the founding fathers and the answers to the following four
questions:
·
Will what they are proposing lead to
greater life, liberty and happiness for ALL Americans?
·
Will what they are proposing take
power from the PEOPLE (regarding any issue) and transfer it to the state?
(i.e. the Federal Government)?
·
Do they believe in a Supreme Being?
If not, their Oath of Office to protect and defend the Constitution “would
NOT be binding upon them.”
Do they believe in a future
existence? I prefer my leaders to have double-sided guide rails. The
left (governmental justice, or justice in this life) and on the right
(God’s justice – the idea that they will at a future day answer to
Finally, the theme of the day seems to
be the word “change.” Anyone running for office regardless of their
affiliation is trying to associate their name with that magical word.
What does it mean? What does it imply? Our ritual gives us two good
questions to ask regarding change – to help us discern whether we are
moving toward further light and truth or away from it. Those two
questions are:
·
Will you be off or from?
In other words, where is the “change” starting from? If it is a new
economic program (for instance), what is its source or origin? Is it
purely an untested economic theory (off), or is it actually coming
from somewhere and based on something tried, tested and proven (from)?
So search out and understand what the proposed “change” is based and
founded on.
·
From what and to what?
If it is a program that is actually based on something that has been
proven in actual practice (like the U.S. Constitution) then you at least
understand its basis. You know where you are starting from. Next, cast
your mind and reasoning intellect forward to foresee how the particular
policy will be realized in actual practice. Will this change lead to
greater life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Will it just be good
for the first or second generation of recipients while encumbering future
generations with debt and obligations that can never be repaid? Does it
benefit ALL Americans as clearly stated in the Constitution (the “General
Welfare”)?
Brethren I sincerely love my country
and it founding principles. I want to see it maintain (and in some cases
return to) its noble heritage of liberty - with power being vested in the
people. We are a “Constitutional Republic.” We are not a
Democracy which is nothing but the tyranny of the majority. Do not be
fooled here brethren. You should cast a very wary eye on any leader who
refers to our U.S. governmental structure as a “democracy.” Words still
have meaning.
Fraternally,
Rich Jorgensen
Senior
Warden
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