The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of Texas and Jurisdiction
Free and accepted Masons
Casey
Jones Sr.
E-Mail: cjon33@dashlink.com
R.
W. Grand Lecturer
Web Site: texasgrandlecturer.com
1516
Alta Mira Dr.
Phone: 254- 690-6480
Killeen,
Texas 76541
GREETINGS:
Giving honor to Our Heavenly Father who is the giver of all blessing, which could have been denied to us, we just want to say thank you for your Son Jesus.
I come to you today with I KNOW YOUR WORKS. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. “so then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3ch. 15-16).
My brethren we as Prince Hall Masons have to be cold or hot, not just lukewarm, we talk the talk but we don’t walk the walk.
How often do we hear, what is wrong with Freemasonry? How can we change Freemasonry to make it better? Do we have too much Ritual? How do we increase our numbers in membership? And a thousand more questions that can be asked, and rightly so. If we did not react as human beings to conditions that seem other than favorable, we could not be considered as Norman.
“In this our extremity, what shall we do.” Our trust being in God, our faith is well founded.” Let us mentally pause and pray, and after we pray, then we must utilize the tools the Supreme Architect has given us to Act, not React. It seems that on many occasions when discuss those things that are associated with Prince Hall Freemasonry, we hear that old cliché, you are preaching to the Choir. I do not know if you are as tired of hearing this as I am, but perhaps the “Choir is not accomplishing the things that they should be doing. So for now, consider you and me as part of the Choir.
Our first objective must be to take a good look at our “Fraternity” and see exactly what we have to do. I submit the following.
My brethren, Freemasonry is a way of life. When you couple it with your vocation, your religious (religion ?) your family, and your community involvement, it tends to compliment the positive aspects of our endeavors. I cannot answer for each of you, but Freemasonry means a great deal in my life.
Why are you here today…, can probably be answered by the earliest answer that we learned in our catechism in Masonry. “To learn to subdue my passion and improve myself in Masonry.”
A system of morality based upon the Holy Bible is probably as well defined in Freemasonry as it is anywhere in the Judeo Christian system of ethics. This system probably had as much influence on the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States as any other factor. As long as we continue to emphasize the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man, we have the potential of the base of the greatest moral system in the history of the world.
At every turn our Ritual encourages us, yes even urges us to visit the sick. We are directed to assist the family of the distressed in any way that we can. The first truly Masonic charities were those of the homes for the aged Masons and their widows and orphans. Almost every Grand Lodge in the United States and in many foreign jurisdictions maintains some type of Masonic Home.
Freemasonry is not a religion, but it does encourage, at every stage, the worship of God and the study of His Holy Word. It does not restrict any member for his belief or for the free exercise of his method of worshiping the one True and Living God. Freedom of religion, and the free exercise thereof is one of the greatest expressions of freedom that we as Prince Hall Freemasons exercise.
Every degree has its basis a series of quotations from the Holy Writings. In some Jurisdictions, the Masonic Creed we find, “I as a Master Mason believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. I will do unto others, as I would have them do unto me. I pledge my loyalty to the Government of the United States… and will not countenance disloyalty on he part of others. Freemasonry is founded upon these principle and will use my utmost effort to preserve them for posterity.” There should be no question upon what we base our teachings.
We teach by allegory and use the tools of the builders trade as examples of the application of our values to upright living. The greatest teacher that the world has ever known chose to teach by parable and use examples of daily living to paraphrase that which he was teaching. What better example can we follow in our endeavor to dispense the moral values of Freemasonry?
I am certain that you are able to imagine many more points that may be considered basic in this organization of ours. We may consider much that would evidence a positive effect in this evaluation. I feel, however, that we have evidenced enough examples to state that Prince Hall Freemasonry is good, desirable, and a worthy Organization. It is more than worthy of the efforts that we may put forth to promote this great and glorious work. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH PRINCE HALL FREEMASONRY.
Consequently if there is nothing wrong with Prince Hall Freemasonry, we do not need to change it for the better. Our Ritual is solid. Our teachings are above reproach. Let us not change Prince Hall Freemasonry. Let us not rewrite the Holy Bible. Let us not reword the Constitution. Our basic system is good.
Now that we have established what does not need changing, let us take a look at the positive aspects of Prince Hall Freemasonry that need to be presented, not only to the general public, but especially to the members of our organization.
Masonic education, if you please, when properly disseminated, can and will be the answer to all of the so called problems that we encounter. The success that each individual Worshipful Master has will depend upon the conviction of its members and the enthusiasm with which they spread the “Good News” of their convictions.
Assuming that we are the Choir, I hope that we act as we should. It is up to you and me to go back to our Lodge, and exert fresh efforts to spread the “Good News” of our Organization. If we share with our friends, family, neighbors and brothers Masons that which makes Prince Hall Freemasonry important to us, then it will continue to survive and do well. Members are important. To treat our members (brother Masons) in such a manner that they will desire to assist us in surviving and preserving our great organization is our number one goal. If we need to change, it is with in ourselves, not in our purposes.
My goal this Masonic year as your Grand Lecturer for the State of Texas and its Jurisdiction is to focus on the following subjects:
Having said all of that, listen to what the angel of the church had to say.
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things say He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the Key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: I know your works, see, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. (Rev. Chp.3 v. 7,8, 20,). My brethren we neither Hot or Cold and lukewarm want do. If you are Cold I can steer you up, but if you are hot lets get to work. You see some of us is about Lodge work, but we need to be about Work of the Lodge.
District Deputies, if you would please send me the names, Lodge No. District, and E-Mail of the brothers that you have appointed as District Lecturer’s so we all can be on one accord.
Respectfully,
Casey Jones, Sr.