AID AND ASSISTANCE

by William R. Fischer

The duty of "Aid and Assistance" is an important obligation, imposed upon every brother of the order. "To aid and assist all worthy distressed Master Masons, their widows and orphans."

This is according to human nature that will always prefer a friend to a stranger.

Expressed in the language of "Long Tom Coffin":

A messmate before a shipmate.

A shipmate before a stranger.

A stranger before a dog.

As we have the opportunity, let us do well for all men, especially to those of the same house.

We must be ready to aid those who need our help, brothers or strangers.

If those we could have helped and don't, are lost, we lose even more.

For these poor people only lose what they have, but we lose them, our dignity, and our own self worth.