FROM THE EAST

My Brothers,

Few realize the extent to which the ancient secret schools influenced contemporary intellectuals and, through those minds, posterity. Robert McCoy, 33°, in his General History of Freemasonry, pays a magnificent tribute to the part played by the ancient mysteries in human culture. He states, in part: "It appears that all the perfection of civilization, and all the advancement made in philosophy, science, and art among the ancients are due to those institutions which, under the veil of mystery, sought to illustrate the sublimes truths of religion, morality, and virtue, and impress them in the hearts of their disciples."

The secrets of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only to those who seek it, serve it, and live it. Like all things worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no man can know it alone. It is an open secret, known only in fellowship, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity.

If Masonry uses the illusion of secrecy, it is because it is the nature of man to seek that which is hidden and desire that which is forbidden. There is always something new for the seeker in Freemasonry. Those who find the degrees drudgery and the rituals tedious only betray the measure of their own minds.

A Brother may find something else hidden where I have previously searched, or something that has escaped me entirely. He is not restricted to what I have found, nor to what any other Brother finds, nor even to what he himself finds, nor even to any one interpretation. In fact it is quite possible that he may never exhaust the meaning of any one symbol! We live not merely to breath, but to act, therefor remembering that our works live after us, "let us do with our might what our hands find to do." My Brothers, isn't it about time to stop sitting on the sidelines and rent the veil of Allegory by self study to reveal those Truths immemorial and eternal?

Truth is not a gift, but a trophy. To know it - one must be true. To find it - one must seek it. To learn it - one must be humble. To keep it - one must have a clear mind, a courageous heart, and the brotherly love to use it in the service of mankind.

Cordially and fraternally,
W.'.M.'.Jonathan Patrick
drjonapatrick@comcast.net

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK

GRAND LECTURER'S CONVENTION RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 19, IN OUR LODGE, HARRY S TRUMAN. OUR W.'.M EXPECTS ALL OFFICERS TO ATTEND IN TUXEDOS AND WHITE GLOVES.

THANKS TO THE PARTICIPATION OF MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND OTHERS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT, THE FAMILY BREAKFAST WAS A GRAND SUCCESS.

NOW, WE NEED YOUR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT FOR OUR MASON-OF-THE-YEAR DINNER ON MARCH 23. JUNIOR MASTER OF CEREMONY JEROME HOGAN WILL BE HONORED. TICKETS ARE $40 PER PERSON. BRING A FRIEND AND PROSPECTIVE BROTHERS. SEE ME BEFORE OR AFTER THE MEETING FOR TICKETS.

With fraternal affection,
Bro. Ted H. Jacobsen
thjnycusa@aol.com

GLAD TIDINGS:

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