Master's Messages for
Right Worshipful Philip Zymler, PGC
Jan'93 - Dec'93

January '93

"In vain have you acquired knowledge if you have not imparted it to others."
- Deuteronomy Rabbah

I now exploit my position in the East to reach a greater audience, than has heretofore been possible, to impart my thoughts on a proper mode of living.

It is not necessary to restate the principles of our fraternity. However, in trying to use a principle -- charity, for example -- there can be a wide range of actions, i.e., to the person in need, one could supply a fish, a hook and line or the knowledge to fashion a hook and line. How does one decide?

Very many years ago I came to a realization that one ought to think on what principles would guide and motivate one's life, and that it is necessary to measure a proposed action (decision) against the appropriate principle.

The principles of our fraternity (the primary reasons for my being a Mason and, I hope, yours) are basic. But it is necessary to think deeply on them in order to elaborate their meanings; necessitating a time-consuming search of your innermost being, so that when the time for decision arrives, the fully developed principles are ready to be used.

I earnestly recommend for your consideration that you make every effort to share this message with your children, your family and your friends, so that, as individuals and as a society, better decisions can be formulated. Without principles actions are emotional reactions, rather than rational decisions.

The preceding can be summarized thusly: each of us ought to develope a philosophy for living our life on earth.

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February '93

"Civilization can only revive when there shall come into being in a number of individuals a new tone of mind independent of the one prevalent among the crowd and in opposition to it, a tone of mind which will gradually win influence over the collective one, and in the end determine its character. It is only an ethical movement which can rescue us from the slough of barbarism, and the ethical comes into existence only in individuals . . ."
-- Albert Schweitzer

This quote is an excellent rendition of my belief; exceedingly better than I am capable of composing.

I bring this to your attention because the course of our society for the past eighty years appears, to me, to be over the top and on the way down. However, the creator has always seen fit to leave a remnant when civilizations self-destruct (the only way in which they die); a remnant that eventually grows large enough to develop a higher level of civilization than the one it followed. This has been the history of man.

I believe that our Masonic institution, because of the tenets on which it is founded contains, at least, a part of the remnant; the remnant that will grow and flourish in proportion to the fidelity that each of us observes its precepts.

More Light

"Life without idealism is empty indeed, we must have hope or starve to death."
--- Pearl Buck


January '93 February '93 March '93 April '93 May '93 June '93 September '93 October '93 Nov-Dec '93

March '93

It appears to me that everything a person does is for his perceived self-interest. The sadist, the martyr, the thief and the philanthropist have the identical motivation ---satisfying his self-interest. The difference between a moral and an immoral person is the nature of the act that fulfills him. The moral person is made blissful by doing that which he believes the Creator desires of him. The thief is made happy by living off the labor of others. What pleases the criminal is abhorrent to moral persons.

We, as Freemasons, know that living by the rule and guide given to us for our faith and practice is what gives value to our lives, and we know that if we violate these guidelines we will suffer in heart and conscience. The probability of committing an immoral act is minimized if we have well thought-out principles ready to be applied when needed. Principles are the sine qua non, that without which we are as the beasts of the field and the vultures of the air.

More Light

"As moral guides, the Golden Rule and the Decalogue are not evil and dangerous things, like a painkilling drug, to be taken in cautious moderation, if at all. Presuming them to be the basic guides of what is right and good for civilized man, one cannot overindulge in them. Good need not be practiced in moderation."
--- F.A. Harper


January '93 February '93 March '93 April '93 May '93 June '93 September '93 October '93 Nov-Dec '93

April '93

I had found it difficult to write these monthly messages because I had the conceit to think that I ought to be able to spread some "new" light. The following quotation reminded me of what I had forgotten.
"All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience."
--- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Master Mason

Seeing this quote somewhat eases the burden. If I only remind you of valid propositions that you may have heard before and the repetition causes you to "think them over again honestly," I will be satisfied.
Many years ago I read that it was foolishness, in the extreme, to argue whether or not the ends justify the means, for the reality is that the ends are determined by the means. Very recently I came across the following:
"Evil and immoral means will always beget bad ends."
--- Jacob G. Hornberger
and

"Men have been taught to take their eyes away from the nature of things and to focus upon the purported object or end for which an act has been performed. They have been taught that it is the motive that counts, not the consequences of the act."
--- Clarence B. Carson
also:

"He who is not aware of his ignorance will be only misled by his knowledge."
--- Richard Whately
and

"That man thinks he knows everything, whereas he knows nothing. I, on the other hand, know nothing but I know I know nothing"
--- Socrates

The point that I hope I have made is that it is very worth while to share time-proven thoughts with your brother. In so doing, you both have an opportunity to "… think them over again honestly, till they take root …"

More Light

"Morals today are corrupted by our worship of riches."
--- Cicero, 45 BC


January '93 February '93 March '93 April '93 May '93 June '93 September '93 October '93 Nov-Dec '93

May '93

Truth, at least by my definition, is immutable. There is no such thing as something being true at one time and not at another. If not true even once then it must be false. At best, it only appeared to be true under the circumstances. Many times have authorities in the physical sciences declared a given equation or observation to be true, only to discover at a later date, after better instruments of observation or measurement were invented, that, in fact, it wasn't.

I think that very many of the world's and our personal problems have been, and are, due to our haste in deciding what is the truth. We are so anxious to do something to solve a problem that too often what we do exacerbates the problem. Problems always have causes. In order to correct a bad situation, it is necessary to know how we got into it before we can know how to get out of it. Otherwise, the probability is overwhelmingly great that what we do will make matters worse. Therefore, it is almost always better to do nothing until we can determine the truth.

Deciding what is true and what is false is one of the most difficult tasks that life presents to us, which is why so many of us avoid it. However, if you and I are diligent in conforming to the principles of our beloved Fraternity we will be able to avoid doing that which we should not do and then we will be enabled to seek out the truth.

More Light

"There are three parts in truth: first, the inquiry, which is the wooing of it; secondly, the knowledge of it, which is the presence of it; and thirdly, the belief, which is the enjoyment of it."
--- Francis Bacon

And More Light
Faith

"Faith is that trait that keeps you going on when stopping would be convenient; that keeps you looking up when you feel like looking down: that keeps you hoping when helplessness has invaded your heart. Without faith, there is neither inspiration or aspiration -- just death."
--- Dr. Morris Mandel


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June '93

Leonard E. Read was, in my opinion, one of the most enlightened and best of men of the 20th century. I don't know whether or not he was a Freemason, but he had the attributes of a great one.

One of his seminal teachings was that you can't force your concepts, however worthy, into another's person's mind by preaching. The only way that you or I can contribute to the improvement of others, and thereby society, is to improve ourselves. If we do a good enough job of it, other individuals will take notice and endeavor to emulate us. In Mr. Read's own words "…others will turn to you or me if, in their judgment, we have light they wish to share." Is this not the essence of Freemasonry and the goal towards which you and I should be striving? Then let us resolve to enlighten ourselves by seeking out those of or brethren who are further along on the road who will always be as ready to share, as we will be to receive, their light.

Because I am well aware that the compasses sometimes fail to keep my passions within due bounds and I sometimes forget this teaching of Leonard Read, I ask you to travel beside me and let me feel your hand on my back when I slip.

More Light
Solomon's Temple

The foundation of King Solomon's Temple was built upon large stones, 10, 20 and even 40 feet long, mortised together and fastened to the side of the mountain. The cubic contents of the foundation exceeded 10,000,000 feet, larger than the Great Pyramid of Cheops, which required 100,000 workmen more than 30 years to build.

It is said that Hiram, King of Tyre, assisted Solomon in building the Temple. He also lent him 120 talents of gold, equal in our money to more than $2,500,000
--- The Jewish Press


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September '93

"....and our CHARITY boundless as the wants of our fellow creatures."

The following is reprinted by permission from IMPRIMIS, the monthly journal of Hillsdale College.

"Here are the guidelines I would suggest:

(1) Giving is an individual opportunity to reflect the benevolent nature of a loving God. Give so that you might become the person you were created to be.

(2) Support people and causes with which you are personally involved. Give more than just money to those you are helping; stand with them and help them personally.

(3) The Bible says that the measure you use to give, whether large or small, will be used to measure what is given back to you. It is important to consider the biblical tithe as an appropriate standard. It does not have to be 10 percent, but it should be a specific amount set aside as soon as you receive your paycheck.

(4) Do not wait until you are established in the world; you will never be established in the world. You will never reach a point at which you have "arrived" and can begin giving.

(5) Give privately, not seeking recognition for your work; it is for others' benefit, not your own, that your are giving.

(6) Be a cheerful giver. The joy of helping others far exceeds the joy of helping yourself."

More Light

Three rules of life were given me some years ago. I pass them on, for I have found them practical. The first is "go," the second is "keep going," and the third is, "help someone else to go."
--- Dr. Morris Mandel


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October '93

A friend was once advised to take a certain immoral action against someone as the only way to counteract what was being done to him. His reply was that to do so would mean that he would be allowing his antagonist to cause him to harm himself in a way that was much more damaging than the substantial monetary loss being inflicted upon him. The damage would be to his character.

I was reminded of this incident when I read the following in "Touchstones: a book of Daily Meditations for Men".

"There are countless ways to take shortcuts in life or to grab for pleasures. We could cheat on our income taxes,……, or lie to a loved one about where we've been. We say 'It won't hurt anyone' or, 'I wouldn't do it if it weren't for the other guy' or, 'Everyone does it.' But if we are to like and respect ourselves we need to live by the rules we believe in. Whether we get caught or not isn't the point. We cannot hold values and repeatedly justify breaking them.

What does it do to us if we constantly fudge on our values: It undermines our self-esteem and damages the faith we have in ourselves."

More Light

"Let us not seek our disease outside of ourselves; it is within us. It is implanted in our bowels. And the mere fact that we do not perceive ourselves sick serves to make our cure more difficult."
--- Lucius Annaes Seneca


January '93 February '93 March '93 April '93 May '93 June '93 September '93 October '93 Nov-Dec '93

Nov-Dec '93

As I contemplate this past year in the East I find that my thoughts and emotions are remarkably similar to most Masters when exiting this station. I began the year with great trepidation, feeling that I was woefully unprepared to fulfill the duties required of the master -- I was not mistaken. However, I was told by many brethren that I would receive all the help I would ask for. That was also true -- in spades! I will not attempt to name the very many brethren (officers, past masters and white aprons) who helped, aided and assisted me throughout the year; there's not enough space available.

Although I was somewhat reluctant to enter the line leading Eastward, I am pleased, beyond words, that I had the opportunity. My wages were more than ample. They were paid in the pleasure of serving, in the many friends acquired and, I hope you will agree, in my personal growth.

I did not accomplish even a small fraction of what I had hoped for. However, if you feel that Lakewood Lodge No. 174 is in at least as good a condition now as before my tenure in the East, I will be pleased.

I wish to leave you with the following: As it was not given unto Moses to complete his assignment of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land, you should never avoid starting a necessary job because you don't think you can finish it: HE will see that someone does.

More Light

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult"
--- Lucius Annaes Seneca


January '93 February '93 March '93 April '93 May '93 June '93 September '93 October '93 Nov-Dec '93