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person who has made a signifi cant diff erence in your Love, Every true Freemason will show tolerance and
life! You many have in mind a military veteran who respect for the opinions of others and behave with
has witnessed horrifi c experiences, or you might know kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
of a family member or friend with the recent loss of a
loved one. Maybe there is a close friend who has lost What better way to not only spend the holiday
their job or has been personally aff ected by a divorce season with Brotherly Love, but everyday on earth,
or partner separation. Some very simple considerate to behave and treat our fellow creatures with kindness
thoughts or actions might be a telephone call or even and understanding to not only all of our Masonic
sending the annual Christmas card, which you might Brothers, but to all of our family and friends. As most
consider including a personal short handwritten note of you all know, I wear my heart on my sleeve, showing
containing some support for our loved ones. Some personal and private emotions, possible exposing
examples might be: myself to attack. But as I was in Missoula last year for
Grand Lodge, I was visiting a young Masonic Brother
“This Christmas, I’m thinking about you…” in the rest room at the hotel. The gracious Brother
“At the holidays and always, I’m here for you…” complimented me on my PURE Masonry presentation
• “Wishing you comfort this Christmas…” at the Wardens Masonic College, identifying some of
the highlights of the concepts. Well, as I was washing
• “Thinking of you and wishing you peace…” my hands, I advised the Brother of the fact I was
probably a little more “touchy-feely” than most Grand
Whatever the individual case may be involving a Lodge Offi cers, I heard the restroom door slam shut,
loved one or good friend, it is imperative for our Craft and I never saw the Brother again….
to follow the statement made by Brother MacArthur
of “embraces the highest moral laws” The defi nition Merry Christmas!
of moral is, concerned with principles of right and
wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and
character based on those principles. I am sure we
always heard of the adage of “The moral of a story
is the lesson that story teaches about how to behave
in the world. Many of the other thoughts regarding
moral are, Moral comes from the Latin word mores,
for habits. The moral of a story is supposed to teach
you how to be a better person. If moral is used as
an adjective, it means good, or ethical. If you have
a strong moral character, you are a good member of
society. If someone is a cheat and a liar, you might
say, "She is not a moral person."

We as Masons are totally devoted to “bear the test of
any system of ethics or philosophy ever promulgated
for the uplift of man.” I truly believe when we have
completed our Obligations as Master Masons we
understand the system of ethics designed by Master
Masons before us, our Forefathers, and taught by
our Mentors in our degree work. It is the system
developed to make “Good men better” and allows all
of us to establish foundations to personally improve
our lives.

We are all familiar with hearing and understanding
of this quote by Socrates; “Be kind, for everyone
you know is fi ghting a hard battle.” I really believe
to attempt to emulate Brother MacArthur statement
about the “uplift of Man”, it is always wise to consider
others personal feelings and hidden demons in their
lives. As our Brotherhood’s tenants of Brotherly
Volume 94 Number 8 Montana Freemason Page 37