Most Worshipful Grand Master; Brethren, Ladies and Guests, good evening. The title of this oration is…

CEMENTING OUR FOUNDATIONS

There’s an old saying that many Roman orators used before making a speech. “There is a time when nothing must be said and a time when something must be said – but never a time when everything must be said.” Therefore, tonight I promise not to pack ‘everything’ into my speech. Instead, I will limit my remarks to three key points of Blue Lodge Masonry. I would like to share with you my thoughts on the three great tenants of our institution; those truly commendable virtues: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These tenants are the cement that secures our Masonic Fraternity to its foundation.

Brotherly love, Relief and Truth are the embodiment of our Fraternity. They are what has explained Masonry in the past, what defines Masonry today and what will distinguish Masonry in the future. They define who we are, what we stand for and why we are here.

In William Preston’s 1772 edition of ‘Illustrations of Masonry’, Brother Preston writes about brotherly love. He states, “Masonry is founded upon harmony, and subsists by regularity and proportion. The delicate pleasures of friendship harmonize our minds, and exclude rancour, malice or ill-nature. We cultivate brotherly love, and reconcile ourselves to the practice of every amiable virtue. By improving the mind in the principles of morality, we enlarge our understandings, and more effectually answer the great ends of our existence.”

His writing continues on the subject of relief; “Though our eyes and ears are ever impressed with, and open to the distresses of the deserving poor, yet our charity ought not to be misapplied, nor our bounty dispensed with profuse liberality on those who probably make use of masonry as a cloke to cover their impostures.”

He went on to say; “We are always ready cheerfully to contribute, in proportion to our circumstances, to alleviate the sufferings of our fellow creatures. But those who are burdened with numerous offspring, and through age, sickness, infirmity, or some unforeseen accident in life, are reduced to poverty and want; particularly claim our attention, and seldom fail to experience the happy effects of our fraternal associations. We consider their situation as more easy to be conceived than expressed, and are induced liberally to extend our charity in their behalf.”

Brother Preston’s comments are as true today as they were two-hundred-thirty-four years ago.

In the mid 1800’s Amos Bronson Alcott, a U. S. philosopher, writer, reformer and father to writer Louisa May Alcott wrote about truth. He said, “Truth is inclusive of all the virtues, is older than sects or schools and, like charity, more ancient than mankind. In 1854 the Swiss philosopher and critic Henri Frederic Amiel wrote in his “Journal Intime” the words: “truth is the secret of eloquence and of virtue, the basis of moral authority; it is the highest summit of art and life.”

Today – in the present – we live in a world of uncertainty that is composed of evil, hate and intolerance. We live in a world that is full of negative influences and propaganda. We live in a world that is morally indifferent and lacks the ability to rise above the darkness of ignorance and vice. Today, Brotherly love, friendship and peace are needed more than ever before. We must pledge to ourselves to continue to strive for tolerance, equality and justice among our craft, among our families, among our friends and among our communities. To keep us level on that constant plane of equilibrium we must not falter.

Today – in the present – we live in a world whose values are self centered, where self indulgence and selfishness are in the driver’s seat and charity and relief are in the back seat. When we relieve the suffering and the distressed, soothe the unhappy hearts of the needy or do good to our fellow man; we receive back ten fold in joy and happiness and in the satisfaction of giving. I believe in the old saying, “What goes around; comes around.”

Years ago a wealthy English family was entertaining friends at their home. As the children swam in a pond, one ventured into the deep water and began to drown. A gardener who heard the screams jumped into the water and saved the child. The youngster’s name was Winston Churchill. Deeply grateful to the gardener, the parents asked how they could ever repay him. He hesitated, but then said, “I wish my son could go to college someday to be a doctor.”

“He will,” said Churchill’s parents. “We will pay his way.”

Years later when Sir Winston was Prime Minister and a Mason, he became ill with pneumonia. The best physician the king could find was called to the bedside of the ailing leader. His name was Sir Alexander Fleming, the developer of penicillin and the son of that gardener who long ago saved his life. Brother Churchill later said, “Rarely has a man owed his life twice to the same person.”

Today – in the present – we live in a world that distorts the truth and manipulates the facts for political purposes or personal agendas. It is said that truth is the foundation of every virtue. To live a virtuous life one must first build on a foundation of truth. Virtue is defined as: moral excellence, goodness or righteousness.

President and Brother Gerald R. Ford, in taking the oath of office, August 9, 1974 remarks, “I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together, not only our Government but civilization itself. That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad.”

Now, I ask the questions: Will the cement of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth be as strong in the future as they are today? Will they distinguish us – our Masonic family as a just, moral, and charitable organization? Will society look upon us as a group that not only stands for the principles of its institution but lives by it’s principles as well? I believe it will because of three things – first, the cement is made of principles that are irrefutable; second, the cement consists of principles that are infallible and third, the cement is bonded to a strong, true and level foundation.

In order to maintain our precepts of brotherly love, relief and truth we must all individually and as a group take an equal part in securing these tenants by being tolerant of all persons.

Remember Brethren, when you part company from the sacred confines of this fraternal assembly to mix again with the world with all of its intolerance, confusion and uncertainty; do not forget the obligations you have taken. Be of one mind and follow you hearts. Remember the principles you were taught of friendship and relief; tolerance and guidance amongst all. Extend these practices to all peoples wherever dispersed. Do well unto all and live in peace.

In operative masonry cement is used to join stone to foundation and stone to stone to form the base and walls of a building. In speculative masonry cement is used to join our Masonic Family together for that spiritual building.

Up until now, I have talked about the cement of Freemasonry now its time to mention the foundation of Freemasonry. A foundation is only as strong as the material that constitutes its make up. So what is the material that constitutes our Masonic foundation? What is it made of? Well our Masonic foundation, the foundation that is the support for all our doing is made up of…YOU. Everyone in this room, everyone in this building, everyone who is member of the Masonic family is part of the foundation of Freemasonry. It is YOU that provide the strength and support to our institution; it is YOU who will insure the future of our Fraternity for years to come and it is YOU who will reap the benefits of living and sharing a life that is paramount in a world such as ours.

A Freemason and a soap maker went for a walk together. The soap maker said, “What good is Freemasonry? Look at all the hate, misery and trouble in the world? It is still there, even after years – hundreds of years – of the Fraternity teaching about brotherly, relief and truth. And it is still there after all of your Masonic teachings about faith, hope and charity. If Masonry is good and true, how can this be?”

Brother Jim said nothing. They continued walking until he noticed a child playing in the gutter. The Mason said, “Look at that child. You say that soap makes people clean, but see all of the dirt on that youngster. What good is soap? With all the soap in the world, over all these years, the child is still filthy. I wonder how effective soap is, after all!”

The soap maker snapped in protest. “But Brother Jim, soap cannot do any good unless it is used!”

“Exactly,” replied Brother Jim, “Exactly!”

In order to be effective as a group we must use what we have efficiently, precisely and with optimum focus. We must take Masonry outside of our hearts, outside the doors of the Lodge room, outside the walls of the Temple and spread the cement of our Fraternity to the entire world.

It’s all up to us, and as our Most Worshipful Grand Master says, “Let’s start spreading some of that cement!”

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Frank C. Baker, Worshipful Grand Orator – 24 February 2006