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Demolay Speech

The document is a speech addressing members of the Order of DeMolay, emphasizing the importance of self-governance and leadership among young men. It recounts a story about Frank S. Land, the founder, who believed in empowering youth rather than controlling them. The speaker encourages newly installed officers to lead with humility and reminds all members that they are supported by their mentors.

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Aljay Labuga
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188 views4 pages

Demolay Speech

The document is a speech addressing members of the Order of DeMolay, emphasizing the importance of self-governance and leadership among young men. It recounts a story about Frank S. Land, the founder, who believed in empowering youth rather than controlling them. The speaker encourages newly installed officers to lead with humility and reminds all members that they are supported by their mentors.

Uploaded by

Aljay Labuga
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS ORDER, FELLOW

MASONS, AND HONORED GUESTS—

LET ME BEGIN WITH A STORY.

IN A SMALL CHAPTER ROOM NEARLY A CENTURY


AGO, A MAN SAT QUIETLY IN THE BACK OF A
DEMOLAY MEETING. HE WORE NO TITLE ON HIS
CHEST, GAVE NO INSTRUCTIONS, AND SPOKE NOT
A SINGLE WORD DURING THE PROCEEDINGS. HE
WATCHED THE YOUNG OFFICERS OPEN THE
MEETING, DEBATE IDEAS, HANDLE
DISAGREEMENTS, AND MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR
OWN.

AFTER THE MEETING, SOMEONE APPROACHED THE


MAN AND ASKED, “WHY DID YOU NOT SAY
ANYTHING?”

THAT MAN WAS FRANK S. LAND, THE FOUNDER OF


THE ORDER OF DEMOLAY. HE SIMPLY SMILED AND
SAID:
“THIS IS THEIR CHAPTER. THEY MUST LEARN TO
GOVERN THEMSELVES.”
THAT MOMENT TELLS US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT WHAT DEMOLAY STANDS FOR. THIS
IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION BUILT TO CONTROL
YOUNG MEN—IT IS BUILT TO RAISE THEM,
EMPOWER THEM, AND PREPARE THEM TO LEAD.

DEMOLAY WAS BORN DURING ONE OF THE


DARKEST CHAPTERS IN HISTORY. IT WAS A TIME
WHEN WAR HAD TAKEN SO MANY FATHERS FROM
THEIR SONS—YOUNG BOYS LEFT WITHOUT
GUIDANCE, WITHOUT ANCHORS, WITHOUT VOICES
TO SAY, “YOU CAN BECOME MORE.”
AND IT WAS IN THAT SILENCE THAT FRANK LAND
STOOD UP—NOT AS A GENERAL, NOT AS A
PREACHER, BUT AS A FATHER. HE GAVE THEM
STRUCTURE, MEANING, AND A PLACE WHERE
VALUES, LEADERSHIP, AND MANHOOD COULD BE
SHAPED.

TODAY, ALL OF US—YOUR SPONSORING BODY


FROM ANTONINO G. LIM MASONIC LODGE NO. 162
—STAND IN THE SAME PLACE. WE ARE NOT HERE
TO COMMAND YOU. WE ARE HERE AS YOUR DADS.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN WHAT THIS
ORDER CAN DO. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE SEE
IN EACH OF YOU THE FUTURE THAT THE WORLD
DESPERATELY NEEDS—LEADERS WITH PRINCIPLE,
SERVICE WITHOUT EGO, AND BROTHERHOOD THAT
LASTS A LIFETIME.

TO THE NEWLY INSTALLED OFFICERS: THIS


CHAPTER IS NOW IN YOUR HANDS. CARRY IT WITH
DIGNITY. LEAD WITH HUMILITY. GOVERN IT NOT FOR
GLORY, BUT FOR GROWTH. BECAUSE AS DAD
FRANK ONCE SHOWED US, THE BEST CHAPTERS
ARE NOT RUN BY MEN WHO ARE TOLD WHAT TO
DO—BUT BY YOUNG MEN WHO RISE UP AND
CHOOSE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

AND TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THIS CHAPTER—


NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE NOT WALKING
ALONE. WE, YOUR DADS, ARE HERE. WATCHING.
SUPPORTING. BELIEVING. ALWAYS BEHIND YOU,
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW OFFICERS OF


DEMOLAY CHAPTER NO. 68. MAY YOU WEAR YOUR
JEWELS OF OFFICE NOT AS DECORATIONS, BUT AS
SYMBOLS OF SERVICE. LEAD WELL, LIVE WELL, AND
NEVER FORGET—YOU ARE SONS OF A GREAT
TRADITION.
THANK YOU, AND MAY THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF
THE UNIVERSE CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOUR
JOURNEY.

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