It is Great To Be A Freemason

By Danny Thomas, 33rd Degree

(From the October 1990 Fresno Scottish Rite

Bulletin with credit to Kansas Masonic Bulletin)

The years found me an admirer of the great work the Masonic Order

has been doing in making this world a better place for all of us to

live. I have, for a long time, desired to be one of you and rejoice

that now I can proudly boast of my membership in one of the world's

greatest fraternal associations. I am grateful for those

individuals who have in quiet ways motivated me in my work on

behalf of unfortunate children. I am grateful for the high moment

in my life when the doors of Freemasonry were opened to me. Since

then I have had many pleasant times of fraternal fellowship and

even opportunities for service in the work of many branches of

Freemasonry.

Our Order, for now I can say, "our order," teaches, "the

brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God" and this is great!

The world needs so desperately to discover the value of this great

truth in human relationships and world affairs. It is also a truth

that will motivate men and women to continue to explore avenues of

service and areas of common concerns in order to restore a measure

of sanity to the madness of our day and to enrich the quality of

life for all peoples everywhere. Now I join hands and heart with

you in all your endeavors of philanthropy and say we must not

slacken our efforts "to do good to all," especially those with

needs that will not be met if we fail in our common task of service

to humanity.

On stage, screen, platform, and in private life I have always

sought to bring a smile to the face of others and put a little joy

in their lives. I am grateful now for the larger opportunity which

is mine to adopt the tenets of Freemasonry as my own and hopefully

be able to have a small part in spreading Masonry's message of love

and caring to a larger audience, for wherever I go, I will be proud

to tell others of my work and concern in behalf of all that you are

doing, unselfishly, for others.

Someone once asked me why did I want to be a Mason and my reply

was: "Because Masons care for those who cannot care for

themselves." The Shriners have always been a favorite of mine

because of their work for crippled and burned children. Also I am

excited about efforts proposed at the recent Conference of Grand

Masters in regard to drug abuse among young people.

It is great to be a Freemason! I am proud of what we are doing. I

shall assist in every way I can our work of mercy, and it doesn't

hurt to be a Brother with a "big mouth and lots of television

cameras" to help get the message across. Masons are people of

goodwill who want to "keep our kids alive" and we are doing this

throughout the world. Our purpose is noble and humanitarian. Our

labors will be crowned with success, for as Freemasons we will

bring to our mission the best we have, regardless of what it

demands from us in the way of sacrifice and service. We will make

sure that in the tomorrows, life will be better for those who

suffer today.

I was a Freemason in my heart long before I was accepted as a

member in this great Fraternity. I was an out-sider but now I am

one of you, and the remaining years of my life will be spent in

seeking in some small way to say to all: "Thank you for making me a

Freemason." I want always to make you laugh but I trust that I will

also make you care and that now, together, we will put melody in

the heart of the world that will sing of a better life for all

people. The task challenges us to larger efforts and higher goals

that will demand from all of us the best we have to make a better

life for others. My promise to Freemasons everywhere is that I will

give the task my best!