Thomas R. Dougherty, 33°

The gifts of the past pour into our lives as springs flow into a river.

Who can number the gifts we have received? Gifts from our parents, for instance. How rich they were!

When we left the nest, other teachers took us in hand. They and those who followed gave us blessed memories to carry throughout life. Men and women, they were patient, understanding, and kind. They saw something worthwhile in us and thus bolstered our faith in ourselves. Their character, insight, and skill enriched us greatly.

Who can calculate the gifts poetry and sculpture and music have poured into our lives? Who, having lived with great literature, can estimate the debt he owes? Who can call to mind the great leaders of mankind throughout history, or those who have laid down their lives on humanity's behalf, or the friends who have stood by us in adversity, and fail to say, "I am indebted"? There is only one way we can diminish debts like these. It is by the steady effort to pass on to others the best that has been given to us.

Men and women who have channeled wisdom, strength and beauty to us, informing our minds, creating our ideals, reinforcing our faith, making us what we are at our best—all of these whisper to us their message: "Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

M.W. Thomas R. Dougherty, 33°
served as Grand Master of Masons in New Jersey in 1971–72 and chaired the committee that organized the state's first statewide blood bank. He was coroneted a Thirty-third Degree Mason in 1979 in recognition of his many services to the Craft and Scottish Rite. Brother Dougherty later served as National Director of the Hospital Visitation Program of the Masonic Association of North America for 12 years (1980–1992). He left us for "higher service" on May 7, 1998. This brief article commemorates his memory and captures the gracious, giving quality of his character.