William A. Parks, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H.
P.O. Box 1175, Covington, Virginia 24426-5175

It finally dawned on me that I have the sublime privilege of belonging to the greatest fraternity in history. It's one thing to believe this intellectually, but quite another to feel it in one's bones.

No other fraternity has opened its doors to members of every religion, country, race, political persuasion, employment, philosophy, talent, and skill.

No other fraternity shares its experiences with such a variety of Appendant Bodies for women and youth.

No other fraternity can boast of creating a new symbol of recognition, the forget-me-not flower, banding together those eager to assist refugees from Hitler's repression.

No other fraternity has shared brotherhood with all four candidates for President of the United States in one year, 1948: Thomas E. Dewey, Republican; Harry S. Truman, Democrat; J. Strom Thurmond, States' Rights; Henry A. Wallace, Progressive.

No other fraternity can trace its symbolism and ritual language back for hundreds of years.

No other fraternity can relate tales of opposing soldiers refraining from battling each other simply because of membership in that fraternity.

No other fraternity has struggled so successfully to keep freedom of religion, speech, and thought alive under the most repressive regimes.

No other fraternity raises more funds for charitable purposes.

No other fraternity so enthusiastically promotes patriotism while welcoming political differences among its members.

Look around you, Brethren. Look at the variety of careers, backgrounds, and political, philosophical, and religious beliefs of the men with whom you share your Lodge, your Chapter, your Shrine Center, and your Scottish Rite Reunion.

My older brother, a non-Mason, recently attended a Shrine Ceremonial parade with me and commented on the variety of backgrounds of the participants and the way my fraternal Brothers made my biological brother feel like family. Years ago, before I became a Freemason, my brother and I were treated like family by strangers wearing aprons at our father's funeral.

We have no attendance requirement. We need do nothing in or for our fraternity except of our own free will and accord.

Every Brother leads. There is always something a Brother can offer, and every Brother contributes to our magnificent temple of living stones. With so much to do, there can be no room for jealousy. Our only requirements for admission? A belief in Deity and good moral character.

Is Masonry the greatest fraternity in history? You bet!

William A. Parks, Jr is a Past Master of and the present Secretary of Valley Springs Lodge No. 265, Warm Springs, Virginia. He is a Past Deputy District Grand Master, 23rd Masonic District of Virginia, and the District Education Officer, 23rd Masonic District of Virginia. Bro. Parks is the Ceremonial Potentate of Kazim Shrine Temple, Roanoke, Virginia, and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Roanoke, Virginia, where he is active in the Degrees.