[From the April, 1995, Grand Lodge of Alberta
(Canada) Bulletin - but we found it in the 18th April 1995
(sic)Veritatem Petite (Seek the Truth) of the Research Lodge of
New South Wales.]
Being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master
Mason is a great experience for any Mason. A Brother, just
Raised, in his reply to the Toast told this story.
"There is one person whom I must
particularly thank - my father. He joined the Masonic Lodge in
Kelowna in 1977. I was 21 years old at the time and never heard
of the Masons. A year later we moved to Calgary and, within a
short time, Dad was raised to a Master Mason. I still knew
nothing of the Masons. A couple of years later, Dad joined the
Shrine. This time I saw something because it is hard to hide a
fez and a marching patrol uniform! But I still knew nothing of
the Shrine or the Masons.
My father died in 1993 and I still knew nothing
about the Masons, but the next morning my step-mother came
downstairs to me with a watch and a Masonic ring. She told me
that the ring had belonged to both my grandfather and my dad and
now it was mine. I still knew nothing about the Masons.
The funeral was a few days later and the Shrine
Marching Patrol Honour Guard was there. Standing at the top of
the church aisle, I found I was looking down to where my father's
casket lay between two rows of both familiar and unfamiliar
faces. These were the Honour Guard formed in two ranks to pay
their respect - it was then, when I knew what Masonry was about.
It was about friendship, comradeship, fellowship and loyalty. The
common bond of these things joined all these men and, at that
moment, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
So the one person I want to thank most is not
here to hear me say, "Thank you Dad - thank you for giving
me the opportunity."
After the Festive Board was over, the NRB said
that one of the Brethren came to him and told him that he had a
son and after hearing the story, thinks he should talk to him
about Masonry. He said it was hard to do, because he came from
the 'old school' where nothing was said.
The Newly Raised Brother walked away smiling because one part of his comments, that he had been unable to make because of his emotions, had already borne fruit. He had written in his notes, "It's too late for my father and I to share this night together but maybe, just maybe, it won't be too late for YOU."
Do yourself, your loved ones and Masonry a
favour - ensure your Will is current.