A TOAST TO VISITORS

by Comp Bernard Au

Principal Sojourner

Selangor Chapter no. 2337 e.c.

27th January 2022, Read Masonic Center

Forward by Editor of the Ashlar

As the editor of the Ashlar it is always a delightful moment for me when I come along some worthy material for our Newsletter. So it is with pleasure and appreciation I thank EC Bernard Au for his efforts to deliver such beautiful toast to the visitors

W Bro Louis Ruehlmann

Editor DGLEA Ashlar Newsletter

VISITORS TOAST

EC and Companions,

It has taken us a long two years to be able hold this installation, to see old friends and to celebrate once again in this great fraternity of ours.

Having been apart for two years brings to mind the proverb “absence makes the heart grow fonder” which describes the feeling of greater affection between friends and describes our need for one another.

This brings to mind the story of a man, who regularly attended family & group meetings and suddenly, without any notice, stopped participating.

After a few weeks on a very cold night the leader of that group decided to visit him. He found the man at home, alone, sitting in front of a fireplace where a bright fire was burning.

The man welcomed the leader and they both sat together. There was a great calm and silence between them as both quietly watched the dancing flames around the logs that crackled in the fireplace.

After a few minutes the leader, without saying a word, the leader selected a log which was glowing most brightly of all, and removed it to the side with a pair of tongs. Then he sat down again. Before long, the flame from that lone piece of log eventually subsided, until there was only a momentary glow and the fire soon went out.

In a short time what was previously bright light and heat had become nothing more than a black dead piece of wood. Before preparing to leave, the leader picked up the useless piece of wood with the tongs and placed it again in the middle of the fire. Immediately, the piece of wood was rekindled, fuelled by the light and heat of the burning logs around it. Only then did the man realise the meaning of it and said : ‘Thank you for your visit and for your lesson. I'll return to the group soon.’

Why did he say so? Very simple: Because each member that withdraws from the group takes fire and heat away from the rest. It's worth reminding group members that, they are a part of the flame. It's also good to remind us that we are all responsible for keeping each other's flame burning. We must promote the union among us so that the fire is really strong, effective and lasting.

In Freemasonry we are here to meet, message, learn, exchange ideas or simply to know that we are not alone.

*With that may I propose a toast to all our Visitors, coupled with the name of ME Tara Singh Gill who are here to help us keep the flames of friendship burning - To our Visitors !