Charity forms the topmost round of the mystic Masonic ladder. However the word of the apostle was mis-translated. Taken in the original, the word is actually
"love," and the triad becomes faith, hope and love. That [charitable] love which makes us full of good will and kindly disposition toward others, i.e. to cherish them and desire to help them. What we traditionally conceive as "charity" or "giving," is only one aspect of that loving disposition.
 
 As Masons, one aspect of our love of others, is this desire to help. On Saturday, April 26th, this expression of our kindly regard again took tangible form. With the sponsorship of Burlingame Scottish Rite and worker bees from San Mateo Lodge and some High School volunteers, we once again made new friends for the Craft and helped transform a home at 2033 Shoreview, here in San Mateo.
 
 Daniel Attard, the owner, worked right along side the volunteers, and he and his family were very appreciative of our efforts. Those who worked on the project at various times were Command Sergeant Major Ron Edwards, PMx2, John Sanchez, James Touchstone, David & Diane Jolliffe, Bill Price, Don Nelson [master spray painter], myself, Steve Higgins and Shane Roberts, together with 6 HS volunteers and Marci Reichelstein, their Advisor. Conspicuously absent were all you other members of the Lodge who are able bodied and within reasonable distance. I suppose you had to wind the cat and put out the clock, or something equally important that you could not help with the annual Lodge community service project. I hope that when next you look in the mirror, you will take a hard look, and remember that your hands too are needed to labor in Masonry's vineyards, and bear the heat of the sun and that many hands make light work
 
 You will have a chance to redeem yourselves next year, and get back in the good graces of your working brethren, remembering always, the greatest of these is charity...

Fraternally,
John D. Nelson, PM