2008 Grand Orator - Allen W. Record

ORATIONS

"People Will Come" - I would like to start this evening a little differently. I would like to quote from one of my favorite movies. Though the quote has nothing to do with Freemasonry on the surface, I believe that it fits freemasonry very easily, and could have easily been written about our crafts history and future...Read The Complete Oration

"What One Mason Can Do" - Today, we truly live in uncertain times. In just the last few years we have seen our country enter into a war, we have seen our banking system begin to collapse upon itself, we have seen the stock market tumble at a rate not seen since 1929, and for many of us, we have seen out retirement accounts begin to almost disappear...Read The Complete Oration

"Perception" - In my work, I have been called upon on several occasions to work with managers on several levels to help them with their interactions with others and specifically their subordinates. One of the main things I stress is this; Perception IS Reality. This is true regardless of what the individual “knows” reality to be, their truth is not necessarily the perception of others, and therefore their truth is not reality...Read The Complete Oration

"Our Cardinal Virtues" - In the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, we are taught about the perfect points of our entrance, which are represented by the four Cardinal Virtues, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, and Justice. Of course the names of these virtues are all we are taught at that time. We are then told that the explanations are monitorial, and that we are expected to make ourselves th roughly familiar with them at our earliest convenience...Read The Complete Oration

"Lodge - More than a Meeting" - I joined Masonry eleven years ago, and for the entire eleven years I’ve been a Mason, there has been talk about overall declining membership, less activity in some Lodges, boring meetings, and the list goes on and on. There has also been during this same time, several ideas that have come forward through email posts, or workshops put on by the Grand Lodge, or out by the water cooler on how we can fix things...Read The Complete Oration

"It's not all about the Numbers" - In the Entered Apprentice charge, it says in part; “The greatest and best men in all ages have been encourager’s and promoters of the art, and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the Fraternity, to extend it’s privileges, or to patronize it’s assemblies”. Who are these greatest and best of men? Are they actors, Generals, Supreme Court Justices, Presidents and other heads of State?...Read The Complete Oration

"The Real Value of Freemasonry" - There has been a great deal of talk over the last few years within our Jurisdiction, both in the individual Lodges and within the bodies of our Masonic family about value. Generally these discussions have been formed around dues, degree fees, per capita and the sort. In these discussions, there is usually talk about membership, and how adjusting the fees we charge will either positively, or negatively impact our overall membership...Read The Complete Oration

Cornerstone Oration - Today, we symbolically lay the cornerstone. The cornerstone has for ages been deemed as important as a keystone in an arch. The laying of a cornerstone is cause for celebration, as it signifies a new beginning, as well as a solid foundation. For hundreds of years, Freemasons have been proud to lay the cornerstone at schools, government buildings and houses of worship. Today, we are honored to carry on this long tradition...Read The Complete Oration

"Who Will Care?" - I think we’ve all been in a situation where we have heard, or probably said ourselves something like “In a Hundred years, who’s going to Care”? Well Brethren, the answer to that question is why we are here today. Each and every one of us has either personally known, or known of someone that was born and lived in the 19th Century, and into the 20th Century. Some even had the opportunity to know people who were born in the 19th Century and lived into the 21st Century. Most of us here today will never see the 22nd Century, but it is for those Masons, the Masons of the 22nd Century and those for centuries beyond that we are here for today...Read The Complete Oration

Scottish Rite Oration - Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wise Master, Brothers, Ladies, and Friends. On behalf of the officers and brothers of the James Lowe Chapter of Rose Croix, I bid you welcome and thank you for your attendance this evening. This evening it is my pleasure to address each of you and briefly explain our Ceremony...Read The Complete Oration

"A Season of Change" - It seemed fitting with yesterday being the first day of spring that I spend some time talking about the new Season and the Changes it brings. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. As we walk outside our homes and offices, we notice the temperature is getting a bit warmer, we see the tulips beginning to break through the winters ground, and we all begin to feel maybe just a little bit better. We begin to feel a little more invigorated and even a little more excited about what is just around the bend...Read The Complete Oration

"Why Masonry Survives - The Truth" - A brief look at history shows us that there have been several different Fraternal Organizations over the years. To name just a few, the Moose, The Elks, The Eagles, The Odd Fellows, and of course the Freemasons. These organizations are, in most recent memory the most well known...Read The Complete Oration

"Our History - A Window to our Future" - In reviewing the History of the Lodge, I found that it was more than just a list of Names and Dates, though they are important. But it was also a great illustration of how we as Masons work together and move forward, while always ensuring we hold onto the values of the past...Read The Complete Oration

Grand Lodge Oration January 30, 2009 - Brethren, before I begin I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Most Worshipful Grand Master for the honor and privilege to serve as Grand Orator this past year. This position has been the most challenging, and also the most rewarding job I’ve held within the Grand Lodge. I would like to thank all the brothers that were more than happy to share their ideas and their brotherhood with me. Most importantly however, I would like to thank the Lodges for their generous hospitality, inviting me to participate in their Lodges and allowing me to assist with their degrees, fill chairs, and provide educational features...Read The Complete Oration