ENTERING THE ...

... WHAT WE CAN DO

As we enter the new millennium and commence the third century of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, one cannot help but recognize the tremendous difference we see in our country today from the turn of the last century. In 1900, William McKinley was President. He was an active Mason, having petitioned for membership shortly after the close of the Civil War. He stated that he sought Masonic membership because he had seen firsthand on the battlefield and in field hospitals the difference Masonic membership made in its members. The care and devotion of Union physicians to wounded Confederate soldiers who were their Brother Masons particularly impressed him. In 1900, his Vice President, and soon to be President, Theodore Roosevelt, was also a Mason. At the turn of the century, such men as these were committed to the Masonic principles of personal integrity, fairness, and honesty.

What a striking contrast we have in Washington today where we can no longer count on a commitment to Masonic ideals by our leaders. What can we as Scottish Rite Masons do to promote the concepts and ideals of Freemasonry? We all bring different talents. Some of us are accomplished ritualists. Others have assumed leadership roles in the Masonic Bodies. Still others cook or perform the many other tasks relevant to our Masonic meetings. Some are active in promoting Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs. Others are active fund-raisers, while still others work with our sponsored youth groups, introducing them to the ideals of Freemasonry.

The famous French criminologist, Emile Locard, developed what he called the "exchange principle." It stated that any person passing through a room will unknowingly deposit something there and take something away. This has been proved true by modern science. Robert Fulghum extends the "Locard principle" by stating: "Every person passing through this life will unknowingly leave something and take something away. Most of this "something" cannot be seen, heard, or numbered. It does not show up in a census. But nothing counts without it."

Whatever talents we bring as we pass through the Scottish Rite will not count unless we each strive to live up to, and carry out in our daily lives, the Masonic values and ideals we profess. We should be living examples of Masonic character and integrity.

In the letter from Illustrious Brother Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana, informing me of this honor, being elected to the high rank of Inspector General Honorary, he stated that Scottish Rite honorees are recognized not only for service to the Craft, but in recognition for the example they set in society at large. This is a grave responsibility. Albert Pike stated it this way: "It is not important to me whether I am popular or not. But I do desire to be believed to have acted honestly and to speak truthfully."

What Ill. Pike was referring to is Masonic character and integrity. The following definition of Masonic character appeared in the 1823 edition of the Farmer's Almanac, published in Andover, Massachusetts, and I believe it sums up quite well the type of character each of us should strive to exemplify in our daily lives if we are going to live up to the honor of being a Freemason.

"The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment that the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and in humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended... He is honest upon principle."

This sums up our responsibility as Freemasons: to live the lessons we teach; to use our talents to their best advantage in service to our fellowman; and to leave this world a little better place for our having passed through it. Let us constantly strive to make our actions reflect our beliefs. In that way, perhaps we can in some small measure live up to the trust and honor bestowed upon us as members of this noble Fraternity.

James H. Morgan III has been a member of the Baton Rouge Scottish Rite Bodies for 25 years and has been the Degree Master for the 28° for over 20 years. He is a member of East Gate Masonic Lodge No. 452, where he has served as the Chairman of the Honesty & Integrity Award Committee for over 10 years, and is a member of Acacia Shrine Temple. As a Senior DeMolay, he served as Chapter Advisor of Pelican Chapter DeMolay for eight years. He is a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm of Seale, Smith, Zuber & Barnett where he concentrates his practice in the areas of professional liability defense and coverage litigation. He is a Trustee of Broadmoor Baptist Church and has served as Director of its Adult Sunday School Department.