From the Grand Chaplain
By RW Bro Leon Carter OBE
A brotherhood of man The long-term future of humanity will ultimately depend upon an increasing acceptance of the concept of a brotherhood of man.
W
hen we consider the consequences of military action the past rises before us like a dream. Let us not forget the awful price of war: the wages of war is our youth, the finest of our tribes, our true keys to immortality. In peacetime sons bury their fathers, in wartime, fathers bury their sons. Nobody said it better than RWBro Alfred Lord Tennyson in his classic poem Locksley Hall where he expresses his hope for – a Brotherhood of Man. Till the war drums throbbed no longer And the battle flags were furled, In the parliament of man, The federation of the world.
Another great challenge for this generation is extreme poverty. John Lennon’s Imagine gives us plenty to think about
There are literally millions of men, women and children suffering, starving and dying, far removed from the scrutiny and conscience of the world; their
Once we accepted apartheid as the natural condition; why do we accept extreme poverty as the natural condition?
lives, hopes and fears – their suffering and chance of happiness – all intertwine with our lives, with what we say – and what we do. There are a billion people in the world who don’t have access to clean water, are malnourished, lack basic education – and have no adequate housing. $2.1 billion per annum is contributed to foreign aid including food by nations throughout the world but two trillion dollars, a thousand times greater, on the military. Once we accepted slavery as the natural condition. Once we accepted apartheid as the natural condition; why do we accept extreme poverty as the natural condition? Whilst righteousness between the peoples of the earth may never be fully achieved – the nearer we get to it, the better for mankind and the greater good. Above nationalities, there is an eternal ideal. Fairness between the earth’s people: to rise above injustice, economic repression, religious bigotry – and of course racism. Fifty years ago, John Lennon put this to music: Imagine all the people sharing all the world Living life in peace No need for greed and hunger, a Brotherhood of man You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one.
22
June 2020
Integrity – Loyalty – Respect Freemason
