Friendship, the Best of Life's Treasures

 By Buford B. Lich, 32° 

Once an associate of Abraham Lincoln took him to task for his attitude toward his enemies saying, "Why do you try to make friends of them?  You should try to destroy them."  Lincoln replied gently, "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?"

As Freemasonry demonstrates, the best of all life's treasures is friendship.  Our friends, if many and true, can add more to our happiness than all the riches in the world.  Friendship comforts and has a balm for a thousand ills.  It dispels the dark clouds of despair while transforming all the relationships of life.  No relationship is complete until it has grown into friendship.  Friendship is tested by adversity, but true friendships are strengthened by struggle.

A broad nature is capable of many friendships.  One friend appeals to you for one reason, another for some other reason.  Friendship is the heart's library.  The wise friend is your book of philosophy.  The courageous friend is your book of heroism.  The industrious friend is your book of achievement.  The merry friend is your book of humour.  As no book crowds another on your bookshelves, so no friend crowds another in the library of your heart.

There is no such thing as a one-sided friendship.  If you profess to be a friend, then be to your friend what you want him to be to you.  Devotion to the cause of fellowship is the truth which makes love possible and mankind happy.

(Supreme Council 33° Southern Jurisdiction.  http://www.srmason-sj.org/web/articles/sep-oct04/lich.htm)

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"The secret of a good life is to have the right loyalties and hold them in the right scale of values." - Sir Winston Churchill



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Message from the Worshipful Master - October 16, 2010

Message from the WB OSCAR V. BADELLES, Worshipful Master

Greetings My Brethren

As we enter the last quarter of the year, we have the tendency to relax and take things for granted.  Consequently, we tend to commit mistakes and lapses particularly in our rituals.  We, specially the officers, should take proper caution by going over our Monitor once again and avoid errors.

The brethren are invited to join us to attend the Western Mindanao Masonic Convention at the Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City on November 12 & 13 (Fri & Sat).  Our on (Zamboanga) Chairman, Bro. Jimmy Magnetico already booked six (6) rooms for us at the Marcian Business Hotel.  And for the convenience of the brethren, VW Henry Dy had graciously lent his 10-seater Toyota Hi-Ace van.  The final schedule will be announced by Bro. Jimmy Magnetico.

I would like to acknowledge and thank VW Audwin Garzon and WV Warly Sanguila, who joined VW Ben Alipio, DDGM and VW Edward Banawa, DGL, in attending the 18th degree funeral service last September 28, 2010 in Cagayan de Oro City for the late VW Renato "Atong" Gurrea, one of the pillars of our sister lodge Leonardo T. Panares Lodge No. 220, who recently dropped his working tools.  Your initiative have lightened the labors in the east.

Regarding our traditional Christmas party, the district children's party and family bonding - I suggest that we hold them jointly for better attendance and economy preferably early December to avoid conflicts of schedule with other activities.  The brethren are urged make suggestions - how we can share the joy and spirit of the season to our brethren, family and fellowmen.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate WB Mervin V. Salazar, PM, who will be presented with the certificate and pin of the Life Membership by Longivity during our meeting.

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AGENDA FOR THE STATED MEETING - October 16, 2010

5:00 pm - OPENING OF LODGE OF MASTER MASON

5:30 pm - MAIN BUSINESS
*   Reading & Approval of the Minutes of the Last Stated Meeing
*   Reading & Approval of Secretary's Financial Report
*   Reading & Approval of Treasurer's Financial Report
*   Reading of Communications

6:00 pm - COMMITTEE REPORTS
*   17th Western Mindanao Masonic Convention - Bro Jaime Magnetico, SW
*   Iligan Lodge 207 Christmas Party & Family Day - Bro. H. Abel B. Gomez
*   Presentation of LML Certificate to WB Mervin V. Salazar, PM
*   Reading of Section 2, Article II, Part III - The Uniform Code of By-Laws for Subordinate Lodges

6:20 pm - MASONIC EDUCATION
*   WB Eduardo G. Ulindang, PM, GLI
     Topic:  "Immortality of the Soul"

6:40 pm - ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VISITING BRETHREN -

6:45 pm - Messages / Commentaries - Visiting WMs, GLI, DGL's and DDGM

6:50 pm - CLOSING OF THE LODGE

7:00 pm - FRATERNAL DINNER

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You are invited to join the forthcoming activities:

1.   October 16 - Walk For Your Health - UDLMC @ 5 a.m.
2.   October 20 - 23 - Cagayan de Oro City - 5th Annual Scottish Rite Convention
3.   November 12 & 13 - Zamboanga City - 17th Western Mindanao Masonic Convention

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Greetings to our OCTOBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS:

Bro. Hilario Abel B. Gomez - October 4
Bro. Antonio Ll. Bartolome III - October 5
WB Wilfredo R. Bacareza - October 12
Bro. Arthur Ll. Padilla - October 20
Bro. Urso A. Penalosa - October 26

Felicitations also to BRO CHARLES & SIS LIZA ANG on their WEDDING ANNIVERSARY on October 6th.

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"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it;  the tree is the real thing." - ABRAHAM LINCOLN