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A story that is not without suggestiveness
to all Freemasons is the story of the meeting of King
Jehu, the warrior and Jehonadab, the philosopher. The
story (II. Kings, Chapter X) describes how one day King
Jehu was driving in his chariot along an eastern road
and on approaching Jehonadas the son of Rechab, who
was walking towards him, he stepped down from his chariot
and greeted him with the following words :-
"Is thy heart right, as my hearhs
with thy heart ?". The phi!osopher answered, "It
is." Then said the King to Jehohadab, "If
it be, give me thine hand." And he gave him his
hand and took him upto him into the Chariot. '
This is, as far as we know, the first
instance on record of a hand-grip being used to cement
a bond of brotherhood and friendship - the outcome.of
mutual heart sympathy. Herein is a suggestive lesson
for all Brethren of the Masonic fraternity.
The significance of the hand-grip is
seen in every Society the members of which have [or
their purpose the well-being of each other, the desi.re
for mutual help and sympathy, and the obligation to
assist each other in seasons of distress and misfortune.
In every emergency of life the hand-grip exercises a
useful ministry. The grip may differ in operation but
the principle behind assumes the heart-rightness of
one member of society towards another. When the heart
is right the" desire to serve follows as a natural
sequence.
Life is strange intermixture of good
and evil, success and failure, light and shade. Man
comes into his earthly existence helpless and ignorant,
and' he is -fortunate if he passes through it without
misfortune. Notwithstanding the improvement in modem
industrial conditions, the raising of the genrral social
status of the workers, and the widespread inheritance
today of advantages previously enjoyed only by the privileged
classes, there never was a time in history when the
principles and ideals for which Freemasonry stands were
more needed than today.
The grip of the hand and all that it
means is a wonderful factor in our great fraternity
and when by the teaching of Masonry men come fully to
realise its significance; as given and received, they
are stimulated to fuller mutual and co-operative service.
It is well for us to remember that no Brother can count
himself proof against misfortune. Loss of health and
a hundred untoward circumstances may reduce a Brother
to dire poverty, but what a joy is created in the heart
when the helping hand is outstreached and brotherly
love, relief and " truth are demonstrated in a
practical form, It is the sure bond of brotherhood and
friendship.
The desire of King Jehu was for companionship
and is not that thc desire of many men who seek admission
into Freemasonry? The craving for the fellowship of
kindered souls of like sympathies is very strong in
human nature and it is the entrance therein with the
warm handgrip that creates the sense of brotherhood
and fraternal goodwill. When a man is gripped by the
spirit of Masonry and enters into its activities with
his soul throbbing with generous sympathies. he cannot
do other than feel its impelling power, and every time
his Brother Mason grips his hand he will feel strengthened
in the conscious sense of this fraternal Brotherhood.
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