Brotherly Love

Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth

(By Bro. Vincent Lombardo)

"It is but the summing up of what has been intimated in this explanation, to say that the tenets or fundamental principles of A. F. M. are …"

Corollary - Very recently, a brother in my lodge was driving on a major highway during a snowstorm with temperature at minus 23 degrees Celsius and strong winds that made it feel like minus 40. This brother is one very dedicated and proud Mason. His Van is adorned with the square and compasses.

One of his tires blew off. He steered the van to the shoulder and proceeded to change the tire. While fighting the rusted wheel nuts, the cold, and the additional breeze (courtesy of the passing 18-wheelers) he noticed a police cruiser approaching, slow down, and then resume its speed. A few yards away the cruiser took the exit ramp and the brother saw it disappear in the night.

Not more than ten minutes later the cruiser reappeared and came to a stop on the shoulder, right behind the brother's van. The officer approached and said:

Do you need any help, Brother?

Call it what you like: preferment, brotherly love, or relief, but

This is the truth.

Preferment

Author unknown

(With permission from the "Lodgeroom International")

L. J. Williams of Harvard, New York, enlisted in the 114th New York Volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War. He received the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Degrees in Downsville Lodge No. 464 prior to his leaving home.

Later during the war, he was captured and imprisoned near Savannah, Georgia. While in the prison, he communicated with his friends in the North. His lodge in New York through the proper officials got in touch with Zerubbabel Lodge in Savannah and stated that they would consider it a favor if the lodge in Savannah would confer the Third Degree on the Fellowcraft Brother Williams.

One night Brother Williams was taken from the prison and conducted to the lodge room in Savannah. He only had his blue torn uniform to wear, a token of his sympathy with the cause he believed in. The officers of the lodge were all in Confederate gray. Although on opposite sides in the fighting on the battlefields of the South, they were all Brethren. He was then and there raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and acclaimed a full Brother and friend to those who wore the gray.

Later that night, Brother Williams escaped. When asked about his escape he would smile peculiarly. "You may put it down as an escape, but it wasn't an escape strictly speaking. They put me in a boat and carried me off some distance. Then they deposited me on neutral soil between the lines."

From there Williams was able to find his friends. Williams never knew who exactly helped him escape. He considered it their secret, and it was never disclosed. Williams stated: "I know exactly to whom I may attribute my escape, His name is Hiram."

Being a Mason

(Author: Anonymous - Source: Unknown)

A salesman breaks down on a remote country lane, a farmer in the adjacent field comes over and they discover that they are "Brothers". The salesman is concerned as he has an important appointment in the local town.

"Don't worry says the farmer you can use my car; I will call a friend and get the car repaired while you go to the appointment."

Off goes the salesman and a couple of hours later he returns but unfortunately the car is awaiting a part that won't arrive until the next morning.

"It's not a problem", says the Farmer, "use my telephone and re-schedule your first appointment tomorrow, stay with us tonight and I'll see that the car is done first thing!"

The farmer's wife prepares a wonderful meal, and they share a glass of fine single malt during an excellent evening, the salesman sleeps soundly and when he awakes there is his car, repaired and ready to go.

After a full English breakfast, the salesman thanks them both for the hospitality.

As he and the farmer walk to his car he turns and asks, "My Brother, thank you so much but I have to ask, did you help me because I am a Mason?"

"No" was the reply, "I helped you because I am a Mason."