tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868929508219223321.post8799151471947767471..comments2007-11-13T09:16:02.263-05:00M.M.M. from the North Eastern Cornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256800876052840450noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868929508219223321.post-46652669119536423542007-11-13T09:16:00.000-05:002007-11-13T09:16:00.000-05:00A charitable institution is an organization with charitable purposes only. Our purposes are more than just charity. The three principle's of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Without a doubt by following the principle of relief we should do charitable works but that is not what defines us as a Society. My understanding of brotherly love is to treat all mankind with the same respect and kindness that I want shown to myself. I firmly believe that in our treating the craft as a charity we lost our identity among the fine organizations that do only charitable work. Why go through a three degree system of initiation to join just a charity when you could easily join the Exchange or Rotary clubs? That is not what we are here to do.<BR/>Remember that originally in Latin the word "caritas" meant preciousness, dearness, high price and if we treated our fraternity to the practice of the original meaning we would be in a much better place as a whole. <BR/>N.E.C.From the North Eastern Cornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256800876052840450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868929508219223321.post-34157880562814132732007-11-12T23:15:00.000-05:002007-11-12T23:15:00.000-05:00Remember that "Charity," is from the Latin word, "Caritas," or love. This form of love is one of the three cardinal virtues, and is said by Paul of Tarsus to be the only one that is eternal. It is an active verb. It calls for action. It is Brotherly Love. In that sense, aren't we a charitable institution?Gingermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17903281372336437371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868929508219223321.post-37588130529763837922007-11-11T10:10:00.000-05:002007-11-11T10:10:00.000-05:00Thanks T.M.,<BR/>I have not read "Look Well" yet but it will be put on my reading list.<BR/>N.E.C.From the North Eastern Cornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256800876052840450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868929508219223321.post-5240314289453947962007-11-10T14:53:00.000-05:002007-11-10T14:53:00.000-05:00From you post I would guess that you've read "Look Well"? If not it's one of my favorites. You can either Google it or there is a link at my blog.<BR/><BR/>Great post!<BR/><BR/>TMTraveling Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13965508897438794269noreply@blogger.com