WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT. . .

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We owe our being to those who came before us. We are here because they were here, and because of the way, their lives unfolded. Imagine, if you will, the countless chance happenings, the many coincidences and accidents, all of which had to come about in the precise way they did, in order to result in our being here, and, being what we are!
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Each of us attends our Lodge meetings, because we want to. We attend, because we firmly believe, beyond a shadow, of a doubt, that due to our efforts, we are making this world a better place. But what makes, us as Masons, different from members of other fraternal organizations? To answer this question may take some serious thought. We are members of what the Masonic as well as the non-Masonic community refer to as, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” This is quite a reputation! I believe we are different as Masons because the instinct to become a Mason was born in us. I do not believe the subtle hints that may have been directed to us at one time or another, by a Mason to a non-Mason, has anything to do with our becoming a member. Somewhere, in our subconscious, we knew, sooner, or later, we would have joined because inwardly, the calling was already there, and would eventually emerge when the time was right. However strange this reasoning may seem, let’s investigate further. Each man who becomes a member of our grand fraternity is someone very special; someone who has a certain quality of character distinguishing him from others. These qualities do not imply we are better than others, but the ignited desire within us to help our fellowman, burns at a much higher degree of intensity. It is not a superficial desire, as it is a deep one. No man kneels at our Altar of Obligation and arises the same man. The oaths we have taken at the Altar of Obligation are deeply imbedded in our minds, and we practice the tenets of our order towards all mankind, well after the Master has closed his lodge, while we are constantly reminded of the “Point within a Circle.” Each one of us, as Masons, practice our tenets, as the younger generations refer to as, “twenty-four seven.” We are men of strong convictions and we are not, swayed easily. We are extremely patriotic, and have within our ranks many true, American, heroes.
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We consider all men as our equal and look down upon no one. We extend our hand to the fallen and the down trodden as a token of our brotherly
love, and, under no circumstance does any sound of distress reach our ears in vain, nor any outstretched hand seeks our aid without response.
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Each of us has a very strong tie to Deity and our cable-tow is that connection. I firmly believe that here, within the Temple of Masonry, men differing in language, in modes of thought, in dress and in habits of life, are able to meet around a common altar, share a common hope and seek a common ideal. These mental images do not seem to appear in other fraternal organizations. We are taught in our beloved order, the relative importance of self-analysis to the duties of life. Each day or night, when we review our actions, behavior and thoughts, and attempt to see how they coincide with our own philosophy, and measure up to the standards outlined by the craft, we improve ourselves as better men and better Masons. I doubt whether other fraternal organizations leave this impression on their members. Our ancient brotherhood is founded upon the principles of love, hope, and charity; principles that through many centuries, have led to the betterment of all humanity. In Masonry we have been taught, to search not for the transient pleasure, but for the philosophy and the guidance, that will aid us in gaining the most from the short time we are accorded here, by contributing the most to our fellow man. Our teachings do not pass quickly into and out of existence. Our teachings do not vanish, end, nor die. The advantage we have as members of this fine organization is that it has been in existence for a long, long time. Unfortunately, other fraternal organizations do not have the same time - frame of experience, as we do. After all, we have centuries of experience and many “Masonic celebrities” have contributed so much to our being. So here we have, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” And why, is it so great?
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Because each one of you are a member, and our members are the GREATEST men in the world!
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That's how I see it from this side of the podium.

Hiram Abiff
"The Widows Son"
"No man has ever knelt at our altar of obligation, and arose the same man."
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