The New Zealand Craftsman Wellington, New Zealand, August 1, 1946

IN WHOM DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST?

At the Consecration of Manor Way Lodge, No. 6161, at Freemasons' Hall, London (Eng.), on Monday, 29th
October, 1945, the Provincial Grand Chaplain of Kent (W. Bro. Rev. K. A. Latter, M.C.), referring to the
question asked of all who enter the Order: "In Whom do you put your trust?" and the candid answer expected
of every candidate, as the first words he spoke within a the Lodge, declaring his trust in God, said all must
remember this great moment of their entry in Freemasonry and the tense feeling with which we had listened
to the blessing from on High being invoked upon the proceedings. Later, too, as we had been obligated and
we had asked for Light our eyes rested upon the V.S.L., the greatest of all books, within the pages of which
was revealed God's Will and Word. And so throughout the further steps of our Masonic education, we had
been brought into constant contact with the Divine commands of our Creator in our conduct through life and
our dealings with our fellowmen, learning also in allegory the course of true life, and that just as we could
not become Masons without passing through the different steps we were taught, so we could not attain to full
life with God and Eternal Life, without birth, life and death.

These lessons not only showed us how to attain true life, but that without God, all else must prove of no
avail. Many had tried and recent events had once more proved how utter was the failure which must
inevitably follow. The life and the only way for a true Mason was the Way of God, our Heavenly Father,
Great Architect and Ruler of the Universe.

To the Founders of this new Lodge he reminded them of the great responsibility they were assuming by
bringing men into Freemasonry to whom the example of their own lives must be the means of their
becoming either true or bad Masons. Their Lodge, let them remember, was to be dedicated to God and to His
service, and may God prove to be the inspiration found behind all their thoughts, and all their actions. In
olden times he would remind them the Manor was the link between the spiritual and the community life of
the Parish. As members of the Home Guard they had been ready to defend the community life and may now
defend the spiritual life, with the name of their Lodge as a constant reminder that the way of God was to be
the way of a Mason. It was often difficult to follow, for it was one of complete unselfishness. But a short
time ago it had been present as a wonderful spirit among the Allied nations, but now that the horrors of war
were over, it would seem that many who had worked together in that selfless spirit to resist and overcome
aggression, now turned to seek their own ends.

At times we felt as groping in the dark, not unlike the time of our entry into Freemasonry. But likewise if we
put our full trust in God, as we did then, we could overcome the difficulties threatening to overwhelm us, and
so help the world to pass from the depths of selfishness, which brought war and misery, to the light of
unselfishness, upon which alone could be laid the foundation of a just and lasting Peace.

Finally, let us always remember the responsibility of example incumbent upon us as Masons, inasmuch it
was our bounden duty to put self aside, in order to serve God and our fellow-men to the utmost of our ability.
He would recall words written recently by Lord Rowan, the Chief Scout, saying: "If we are to make progress
in these difficult times that face us, we must work not for ourselves but for our community. We must be
prepared to put aside all thoughts of self, and work together as a team."

If we were to prove faithful in fulfilling such a duty, we could help the world to understand the true meaning
of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man, and thus assist in uprooting selfishness from the
world. Thus could be founded a true and lasting Peace, that "Peace of God which passeth all understanding."
Such was the true Mason's job today. But before it could be done we must know God, we must put our trust
in Him, and ask for His help, guidance and strength, for without Him we could achieve nothing.

"In whom do you put your trust?" To that question as Masons our confident answer must be "In God!" he
concluded, charging the Founders to make it the rule and guide of their future conduct of the Lodge.
— "The South Australian Freemason."