Part 54

Thomas M. Boles, 33°, Grand Cross
Director of Development
1761 East Woodcrest Avenue
La Habra, California  90631–3260
Tel 562–691–4227; Fax 562–691–5327
With your help, a child can lead the way to a better world for all.

Socrates once said, "Could I climb the highest place in Athens, I would lift my voice and proclaim: ‘Fellow citizens, why do ye turn and scrape every stone to gather wealth and take so little care of your children, to whom one day you must relinquish it all?’"

Yes, we Masons do gather wealth, but contrary to what Socrates said, we gather much of it for the purpose of charity, in particular for taking care of children. Masons know the truth of the following verse:

I saw tomorrow marching by on little
 children's feet,
Within their forms and faces read
 her prophecy complete;
I saw tomorrow look at me from
 little children's eyes,
And thought how carefully we'd
 teach, if we were really wise.

Masons also know the Holy Bible, where we are taught:

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.  Deuteronomy 11: 18–21

Regarding the care of children in need, the philanthropies operated and maintained by Freemasons must be considered among the largest and finest ongoing charitable endeavors in America today. Scottish Rite hospitals in Dallas and Atlanta, for instance, treat many thousands of children each year, one hospital receiving over 49,000 children per year in its emergency ward alone.
Then there are the tens of thousands being cared for in the 136 Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. This special April 1999 issue of the Scottish Rite Journal lists these facilities (pages 5–16) and features only a few of the many stories of children aided in overcoming their speech, language, and learning difficulties. It would take volumes to tell the whole story and to give some small impression of all the good this great Scottish Rite outreach to society is doing for children, families, and communities across the nation.

And then there are scholarships. Thousands of grants, at every level of education, are offered by the Supreme Council and by Valleys in every Orient of the Jurisdiction, so many that there can be no detailed accounting of the young men and women in high schools who can now go to college because of a Scottish Rite scholarship or of the graduate and post-graduate students who are being assisted in their professional development due to Scottish Rite support. Together, these scholars will provide the leadership needed to carry on the beliefs and principles of our great Fraternity to future generations. Because of our support of education, tomorrow will be brighter and better for these students and for the nation, each guided by the example and inspiration of our beloved Craft.

As Director of Development for the Scottish Rite, I have worked with many Brethren and friends of Freemasonry. I personally know where many of you "have done your shopping" when determining how to achieve the greatest impact for your charitable giving, and I am extremely grateful for your trust and support. By taking advantage of our Order's free estate planning service, our Pooled Income Fund, and our various charitable trust programs, you have benefited your own families. As important, though, you have also secured the future for many thousands of children and their families. Please contact me if you can join this mission of high service, for through my personal experience within the Scottish Rite, I know "a child will lead the way" to a better world for all. 

Please Note: This information is distributed with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expertise is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. From: A Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.

Thomas M. Boles 
has worked extensively in fund-raising for children's programs throughout our Fraternity. For more information, see coupon previous page or call Tom at 562–691–4227 (Fax 562–691–5327) or the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, at 202–232–3579, ext. 122.