The Master Mason Charge...Hmm?

In my capacity as a Grand Lodge officer I was asked to read the Master Mason Charge in Progress Lodge for their new candidate of the Sublime degree. The words echo in my ears....

My Brother: Your zeal for our institution, the progress you have made in our mysteries, and your steady conformity to our useful regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object for this peculiar mark of our favor.

Duty and honor now alike bind you to be faithful to every trust, to support the dignity of your character on all occasions, and strenuously to enforce, by precept and example, a steady obedience to the tenets of Freemasonry.

Exemplary conduct on your part will convince the world that merit is the just title to our privileges, and that on you our favors have not been undeservedly bestowed. In the character of a Master Mason, you are authorized to correct the irregularities of your less informed brethren; to fortify their minds with resolution against the snares of the insiduous, and to guard them against every allurement to vicious practices.

To preserve unsullied the reputation of the Fraternity, ought to be your constant care; and, therefore, it becomes your province to caution the inexperienced against a breach of fidelity.

To your inferiors in rank or office you are to recommend obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are zealously to inculcate; and by the regularity of your own conduct, endeavor to remove every aspersion against this venerable institution.

Our Ancient Landmarks you are carefully to preserve, and not suffer them, on any pretense, to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from our established customs.

Your honor and reputation are alike concerned in supporting, with dignity, the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows, or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist, whom you have this evening represented.

Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and worthy of the confidence we have reposed in you.

It's good to read such things and remind yourself and others of such things.

I'm glad they asked me.

That's all.

S&F,

JL PM