TRANSPORATION VIS-A-VIS FREEMASONRY

Presented by WB Mar V. Tapawan on May 19, 2007

Grand Lodge Team, Worshipful Master, Fellow Past Masters, and Brethren. A very pleasant good afternoon to you all.

When I was asked by Worshipful Master - to talk about something for the good of the order, I felt my knees turn into Jello. My entire body felt the surprise, and for a moment, I was out of words. Although I made an instant commitment to agree, there was still a missing part of the puzzle and that part was – what could I possibly say for the good of the order when my audience are all Masons!

Yes, Masons! Men of distinct characters and uncompromising integrities. Those words, by itself, describe it all.

After days of thumbing through Masonic articles and papers that I have kept and cherished over the years, I decided. I will tell you a short story, factual story, about three levels of standing in our society. I will tell you about the history of the transportation that we all see and enjoy without thinking or paying attention to it.

Stage Coach. Early on in our civilization, there were three classes of travel accommodations: Stage coach, coach, and ordinary. As with the different levels come different fares and, of course, afforded luxury. As we all know, the wagon is being pulled by horses, six long and three deep. Hence, the term 18 horsepower. This means of transportation is not immune to breakage after a period of long journey. At times, one of its wheels will fall off and will cause the coach to stall. As passengers, these three different classes had their assigned responsibilities.

Stage Coach Passengers – they can stay inside the wagon and continue whatever they were doing. Drink, smoke or joke. Coach Passengers – are ask to get off the wagon and do nothing. They watched as others make the necessary repairs. Ordinary Passengers - they have to roll their sleeves and put the wheel back so the journey can continue on. Interesting, isn’t it? Today’s modern airlines, accommodation have kept the tradition with a touch of modern amenities.

First Class – the flight attendant are conveniently positioned and offer to take your coat or jacket, leads you to a very convenient seat that dwarfs your lounge chair or lazy boy recliner. What a comfortable seat. Then, a shot of martini, cognac, whiskey is offered. Business Class – somehow similar to first class but the seat is little smaller. Coach – this is where your knees are touching the back of the chair in front of you. This is where your arteries are kept bent that causes your legs to submit to numbness. Oh well, you have been there.

And related to Freemasonry, the three degrees in Masonry:

First Degree: the newest and youngest – who needs constant guidance and coaching to become a better Masons and a productive member of the lodge and a better citizen. Second Degree: one who has seen the better route, and on his way in becoming a true and faithful brother. Third Degree: one who fully understand the true meaning of brotherly love, relief, and friendship. One who can represent what others acknowledged as special qualities possessed by an outstanding citizen. And those special qualities are .... My brothers, I will be standing here before you for hours if not days to tell you what those special qualities ..... Look to your right ... look to your left ... As a true and faithful brother ... you live, walk, breath, sleep those very special qualities.

My brothers, there are no special privileges hidden in our degrees... no special amenities, no special treatments, no special cocktails... just the level of knowledge that we openly provide and share among us... to ultimately improve ourselves.

Thank you, and let’s enjoy the weekend with our families and friends.