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Masonry instructs its initiates that "in the State, you are to be a
quiet and peaceable citizen, true to your government and just to your
country. You are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but
patiently to submit to legal authority, and to conform with
cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live."
I
bring these words to your attention at this time for many reasons, not
the least of which is that many times during the year, I have learned
that a few of the members of the Craft had seemingly forgotten them.
This is evidenced by personal acts on their part which were not
conducive to the best interests of our State and Nation. I feel that it
is quite unnecessary for me to call to your attention at this time the
many differences of opinion being expressed as to the way and manner in
which the affairs of State and Nation are being handled and the actions
which some groups are taking, which, if permitted to go on unchecked or
unchallenged, may result in an "ism" quite out of step with Americanism.
Consequently, I take this opportunity of expressing the hope that each
and every one of us will stand up and be unafraid to join with all
other constructive forces in an endeavor to help stem the tide of all
un-American trends, so that, after we have laid down the working tools
of this life, it may be truly said of us that we did our best to keep
America American.
I have always felt that no great good is ever accomplished by impeding,
handicapping or stifling any youth movement. The old adage, "youth will
be served" is to me quite true. Throughout the history of civilization,
youth as always surged upward and onward towards its goals, dreams and
ambitions, and, to my mind, that same spirit dominates the youth of our
own day. Youth will continue to be an irresistable force which will be
able to overcome all obstacles by its own tremendous power, and it
seems to me that insofar as it is possible for us to exert any
influence over the youth of our day, whether boys or girls, we should
not hesitate to try to guide them into paths of true and loyal
Americanism.
Grand Lodge address, 17 Apr 1935
~BIOGRAPHY~
As read in Grand Lodge in 1958
Brother Morton was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1880. He joined
Pioneer Lodge No. 20 in New York in 1902 and became affiliated with
Corinthian Lodge No. 57 in Orange in 1915. He served
Corinthian as Worshipful Master in 1920, District Deputy Grand Master
of the 9th Masonic District from 1921 to 1927 and as Grand Master in
1934. He served as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of
California near the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, from 1929 to the date of
his death. In 1952 he received a gold token marking fifty years of
membership in the Masonic Fraternity.
We shall always have fond recollections of his recitation, "The Man in the Glass."
Funeral
Services were conducted on Sunday March 16, 1958 by Northside Lodge
No.283 of St. Petersburg, Florida, in which Brother Morton held dual
membership. Many New Jersey Masons were in attendance.
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