ADDRESS BY
BROTHER LEVONNE EDGAR MOXEY, MBA, CPA, CA
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL DISTRICT GRAND MASTER
OF
THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF THE
AT THE MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL
GRAND LODGE OF
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE
AT ITS 57TH AND 43RD GRAND SESSIONS
2ND JULY 2007
Grand Master, Brother
Preston L. Cooper, Jr., Other Distinguished Grand Officer, Distinguished
Brethren, Brothers and Sisters All
I thank you for the warmth of your welcome to me and to my
deputation to this your Annual Grand Session. It makes me feel right at home
and I can tell from the way that we were received that Brotherly Love truly
exists and that we are one in the spirit and in the all embracing fraternity of
Freemasonry. History will look kindly on
this occasion when the District Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution has
been invited to address these Prince Hall Grand Sessions and I am deeply
honoured that the lot has again fallen to me.
Brethren, no words can adequately sum up what Freemasonry
is all about. There have been many attempts over the centuries to describe, to
create a philosophy and to discern the depths of our Craft. So much so, that it has been the subject of
countless books, of numerous articles and of a stream of never ending
speculation, much of which we are all aware.
In fact, the late 20th Century, and the dawn of this century,
have created an entirely new industry relative to the subject of
Freemasonry. Some of these learned
articles have been written by members of the Craft and others by persons who
are observers and who take a more detached and sometimes unfaithful view of our
activities.
I stress all of this to observe that if there is such
intense speculation in our Order, then it must be that we, who subscribe to
this noble and ancient Order, are on to something that is of profound interest
to the outer world. With this in mind, I
would ask you, Distinguished Brethren, to observe three cardinal principles of
our Order and these are: Virtue, Charity and Fortitude. These are age old principles but, given the
scrutiny and the light of modern day institutions which is always searching out
indiscretions of Freemasons, I think it more than prudent to remind all of us
of these tenets.
Virtue distinguishes us as Freemasons. To be virtuous is to
live and walk upright before God and man.
To be virtuous means to hold dear the belief that we would try and
emulate a way and pattern of life that would be a model for others to follow. Our personal behaviour and disposition would
be such that it would set us apart as men of character, of firm principles and of
rectitude.
Likewise, the same can be said of Charity. Indeed,
immediately following our Initiation we are reminded of the value of
Charity. Charity puts our principles to
the test. But more so, it reminds us
that we must always reach out to the world around us and extend the hand of
benevolence and assistance, wherever and whenever possible. In our Ritual these
words best sum up Charity, “Should you at any time meet a poor and distressed
but worthy Brother who may claim your assistance, you will remember the
circumstances of your admission into Freemasonry, poor and penniless and
cheerfully embrace the opportunity of practising towards him that virtue you
have professed to admire.” By extension, we must regard all men as worthy Brethren.
As regards Fortitude, we as Freemasons must always
distinguish ourselves as being strong in the face of adversity, even unto
death. Fortitude reminds us that as
individuals we all face varying degrees of adversity. As Freemasons, we, too
sometimes have rough paths to follow for the sake of our organization. But it is a mark of our strength as to how we
deal with adversity both personally and collectively. Our admission into Freemasonry and our
advancement in the various degrees steel us and fortify us because we see
things from a deeper and higher perspective.
The world looks at us, and is amazed by this spirit of Fortitude that we
display.
Brethren, we live in a world that is in a state of flux and
where change is constant. We are privileged as Freemasons to wear the
distinguishing badge of our Order.
Wearing this badge, however, poses daily obligation on us to be good
Masons and to walk upright before God and
Grand Master,
I pray for you a most
fruitful session in the demonstration of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. May
God grant you health and strength faithfully to discharge the pressing duties
of your high office. Let prudence direct you, temperance chasten you, fortitude
support you and justice be the guide for all your actions.
I thank you once again for this privilege and the honour of
addressing these Grand Sessions. Good morning my Brothers and Sisters.