#RE-POST

Brethren, this is just a reminder that ...

WE MASTER MASONS ARE, OR SHOULD BE, BETTER CITIZENS THAN

OUR NON-MASON COUNTRYMEN.

YES, WE MASTER MASONS in particular are obliged to adhere strictly to

our constitutional duties, which include the following:

1. Demonstrating our loyalty to the Philippine Republic;

2. Defending the Filipino State and contributing to its growth and
development;
3. Upholding the Philippine Constitution, as well as strictly obeying the
laws it contains, particularly those that are just for all; 
4. Extending active assistance and sympathetic support to duly
constituted authorities;
5. Giving due regard to the rights of other people, particularly fellow
Filipinos; 
6. Discharging our duties and responsibilities as Filipino citizens with
utmost fidelity and conscientiousness, including stretching forth our
helping hands to raise the socio-economically disadvantaged among
us; 
7. Assisting in making both the national and local elections truly free,
clean, honest, peaceful, and orderly; and 
8. Demonstrating our intense interest in, strong support of, and
continuing commitment to the Philippine educational system, both
pubic and private, since this is the foundation of our democratic
society.
Since we Master Masons are “linked together by an indissoluble chain
of sincere, affection,” we are in a good position to convince our
countrymen, by both precept and example, that, to paraphrase a
precept of Brother Apolinario Mabini in “The True Decalogue,” it is
essentially necessary that we Filipinos unite in perfect solidarity of
purpose and interest in order to have force, not only to fight the evils
that beset Philippine society but also to attain the ends of a truly
human life.

Besides, we add to the aforementioned constitutional duties and

obligations our sworn word and our sacred honor that we will do
certain things and refrain from doing certain things. All the pledges we
made when we were candidates for the degrees of Freemasonry
involve our duties not only as Freemasons but as men and citizens as
well.

To be better able to convince others, particularly our countrymen, that

Philippine Freemasonry is one of the most potent forces for good in
Philippine society in particular and in the whole wide world in general,
we ought to exhibit ourselves as true and exemplary Freemasons. Like
the Grand Master Hiram Abiff, the chief architect of the work during
the construction of King Solomon’s Temple on Mount Moriah in
Jerusalem, we must demonstrate staunch fidelity to duty even in the
face of overwhelming odds and severe temptations. Instead of taking
the opportunity to break some law for our own private gain, we must
abide by the law. Knowing that there are many acts which are with
difficulty proved to be illegal, but which all may see as unmoral, if not
immoral, we must endeavor most earnestly to avoid such acts.
We must convince our non-Mason countrymen, by our own conduct,
that we are true to our promises, pledges, and obligations, and that we
are better citizens than they are, precisely because, we have learned to
subdue our passions, prejudices, and selfish interests as a result of
continuous study and persistent practice of the imperishable ideals,
priceless precepts, precious principles, and timeless tenets of our
ancient and honorable fraternity. By immersing ourselves in an honest-
to-goodness study of Masonic philosophy and symbology, and then
putting what we have learned into application each day, we tend to
lead rich, abundant, fruitful, and meaningful lives.

To prove to others, particularly our brethren in Masonry, that we are

good and true Freemasons, in addition to faithfully and conscientiously
fulfilling our pledge to do certain things and to refrain from doing
certain things, we must responsibly discharge our various duties, such
as making those who come under the pale of our influence think better
of their fellows; quieting, instead of aggravating, difficulties; bringing
together those who are severed or estranged; keeping friends from
becoming foes; and persuading foes to become friends.

But, of course, as Ill. Albert Pike, 33º, points out in MORALS AND
DOGMA (p. 123), we cannot faithfully and conscientiously discharge our
various duties, such as those specified earlier, unless we control our
own passions, and are neither rash and hasty, nor swift to take offence,
nor easy to be angered.

Yes, we must, within the limits of our respective cabletows, contribute

to the attainment of stable peace and inclusive prosperity in our
beloved nation. Brother Apolinario “Katabay” Mabini articulated this
duty in his fifth precept, which reads this way: “Strive for the happiness
of your country before your own, making her the kingdom of reason, of
justice, and of labor; for if she be happy, you, together with your family,
will be happy, too.”

Let us, brethren, work together in closer harmony than before to make
a big difference in the life of our beloved nation.