There once was a Mason who dedicated his life to the service of not only our time-honored Fraternity, but also his country and family. He was a good and just man who gave greatly of himself to all who asked. One day, this Mason happened to be on his way to the Lodge when thieves and miscreants accosted him. He was robbed of all of his possessions. His clothes were torn, and he was left beaten along the side of the road.

After a period of time, along came a distinguished member of the Fraternity who saw the beaten Brother on the road. Looking down at him and seeing his condition, the august and elevated member of the Craft said to himself, "Surely this man could do better with himself than this. How uncouth and ill dressed he is. Judging by his appearance, surely here is a man who has wasted his life. I will be about my more important business, as helping this man does not further my own ends." With that, the first man departed.

After a short period of time, another Mason came by and spied the august and distinguished first Mason quickly departing to the Lodge. This second Brother also saw the beaten Brother and said to himself, "Here is a man who has come to great travail. I would like to help him, but as I see the first Brother, who is our leader, departing, perhaps it would be unwise. After all, I must consider my station in the Lodge and be careful not to jeopardize my position." So with that, the second Mason looked down at the beaten Brother on the side of the road and said, "Be comforted and of good cheer. Everything will be fine." He left the beaten Brother without aid and hurried after the departing leader.

Still another Mason came along the road and saw the beaten Brother. Looking down the road, he saw in the distance the Brothers of his Lodge fast departing, one the leader and the other an up-and-coming Brother in the Lodge. He stopped and quickly gave the beaten Brother a drink of water and bound his wounds. He then took off his own cloak, covered him, and hurried to help the man to his home where he fed and nourished him and saw that he was properly recovered.

As a result of his aiding the Brother on the side of the road, this Brother missed the meeting at the Lodge that night. Many whispered sideliner conversations took place that night, and they were led by the first Mason who found the Brother on the side of the road. As a result of his missing the meeting, the Brother who stopped and aided his fellow Mason was removed from an important position in the Lodge and loudly condemned by all for his negligence of his Masonic duty.

As we move through life, all of us, regardless of station, should consider all of our motives in everything we do. Is it for the good of humankind and our time-honored Fraternity? Or are the things we do only to further our own goals and personal ambitions? Do we accept every Brother as he is and try to help him in his stations through life, or do we have our own biased personal beliefs of what a Mason should be or look like?

Of the above, who was the greater Mason?

F. Jack Doña is a Master Sergeant stationed at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He is an active member of the Scottish Rite in Tucson, Arizona, a Noble of Sabbar Shrine Temple, Tucson. and the Temple Military Legion of Honor (LOH). He is also a member of the Huachuca Shrine Club. Brother Doña is also the presiding Master of Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12, located at Bisbee, Ariz. His awards include the Grand Lodge Masonic Spark Plug Award and the Sabbar Temple Humanitarian Award. He worships the Supreme Architect at Saint Andrew the Apostle.