THE DEMOLAY STORY

[Music] [Music] I'm John Cameron Swayze and I want to tell you the story of the order of DeMolay an organization dedicated to the purposes of helping young men from 14 to 21 years of age to become better sons better citizens and to prepare for the years of manhood this international youth movement has for more than two score years served as a stimulus for high ideals to the almost 3 million boys who are based on its teaching of love of God love of parents and love of country [Music] it was the story of the very flower of knighthood going forth in search of a Holy Grail like a Sir Galahad multiplied by the thousands the Crusades came to an end as the property of the Knight Templars was confiscated and the last grand master Jacques de Molay faced martyrdom by being burned at the stake on an island in the river sand near the cathedral of Nostradamus as the Sun set on March 18th 1314 it was a scene so tragic that tradition tells us even the grinning gargoyles turned their heads so as not to witness death given as the reward of loyalty to comrades and fidelity to a valiant cause this story was told to nine boys in the early spring of 1919 by Frankish land they were so challenged and inspired that from this simple beginning the order of DeMolay was founded Masonic group sponsored chapters and DeMolay flourished into an organization that today encompasses the world Frank s land became dead to thousands of young men he was able to capture all the drama and pageantry of the Crusades and the virtues of knighthood and make them true to a generation living in the age of space and astronauts until his death in 1959 he served the order of DeMolay for 40 years as founder and secretary-general the youth movement continues as a living symbol and monument to his memory with his appreciation of the virtues that have been a guide of good conduct recognized by peoples of all nations in all generations he wove wood skill throughout the DeMolay program the idealism of a crown of youth with its seven cardinal virtues they are philia love reverence courtesy comradeship [Music] fidelity Grima patriotism one of the honorary degrees symbolizes these virtues the symbolic altar of filial love and with these flowers of affection I dedicate you into the de Molay idea of loving sonship at the symbolic altar of faith and with these green sprigs of immortality I dedicate you in you to the faith of our fathers a faith that builds cities found homes and preserved Nations a faith that makes youth strong and manhood gentle their purpose and plan are with certainty unfolded before us at the symbolic altar of courtesy with these pure roses of white I dedicate you a new to the DeMolay ideals of that thoughtful consideration for others which is the only true requirement on the symbolic altar of comradeship I dedicate you a new to the DeMolay ideals of loyalty to all your fellows in every contact of your life at the symbolic altar of fidelity and with these flowers of blue that are the immemorial symbol of effort you I dedicate you a new to the DeMolay ideals of faithfulness of all the obligations of your life at the symbolic altar of cleanness I dedicate you a new the be my ideals of plain living clean speakings and clean sentence the great message of Des Moines to its members and to the world is this a clean mind and a clean body with the best preparation for a clean manhood upon which clean citizenship Japan at the symbolic altar of patriotism and disease red roses I dedicate you a news that DeMolay ideals and citizenship the gravy that Springs to the defense of this flag and your country honor if conflict comes and the braving that offered the heroism of good citizenship in time of peace dead lands office illustrates the character of men who have reflected the training received in DeMolay their phonograph lined the walls of his office generals [Music] entertainer Thanks business leaders and countless others who have made eminent success in all walks of life are found among these photographs demo lays are taught responsibility and given the opportunity of expressing themselves freely before a group of fellow youths and officers of a chapter this presents wonderful training for individual members and at the same time teaches all members the importance of taking an integral part in activities to derive the most benefit from any organization each chapter has 23 officers four of whom are elected the rest being appointed by the presiding officer known as the master councillor terms of office vary from three to six months thus giving ample opportunity for many to enjoy the pleasure of being an officer although basically the DeMolay members run the chapter and its activities themselves they are supervised and guided by a group of Master Masons serving as an advisory council they to meet to discuss problems of the chapter and exchange ideas on how they can help further the purposes of the demo lay organization each of these men is a volunteer who donates his time energy and money in the interest of young men [Music] the highest achievement that can come to a DeMolay member is to receive the degree of Chevalier given in recognition of exceptional service in behalf of DeMolay and his chapter each designate rededicate himself to all the teamily vows and obligates himself to perpetual loyalty and service to his country the activities of a team of a chapter have a wide range in scope and no two chapters will be exactly the same but there are representative activities in every area that typify any DeMolay chapter it is proven fact that all young men like the Phenom and indeed require the physical exercise of athletic activities to some degree and the DeMolay chapter offers something for every individuals taste several basketball tournaments on a jurisdiction or statewide basis are held for DeMolay chapters and many DeMolay basketball leagues are formed annually these teams are usually made up of boys who are not playing on the high school teams softball is another popular sport [Music] DeMolay members can also compete in local jurisdictional and international rifle tournaments [Music] [Music] bolli has become a popular sport among members and many people a bowling leagues are in operation how door activities also receive a good measure of participation by various DeMolay chapters with swimming meets and just general fund swimming occupying a large share of attention and interest many jurisdictional swimming competitions are held [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] track 2 is popular [Music] as did volleyball [Music] water key [Music] and canoe racing [Music] an annual canoe Derby in Minnesota has the contestants racing down the upper waters of the Mississippi River as paddles dip down and out [Music] practically every teamily chapter depends on a certain number of fundraising activities each year to supplement the money collected from dues the products like Christmas cards or lightbulbs are always such that they give full value for any money received the activities teach the members the value of handling their money wisely and the need for proper planning and organization the sales may be made door-to-door in business buildings or on the street [Music] car washes rummage sales and dances are the most common fundraising projects for car washes the chapter makes an arrangement with a local service station [Music] some chapters use ingenuity and come up with such plans as a chapter waiters club note the handsome red jackets use the club earns money by serving dinners of masonic and civic affairs the size of the group served may number as high as 500 [Music] every DeMolay chapter participates in a variety of civic activities as a service to the community for selected charitable groups washing windshields for drivers is a service oftentimes performed in the interests of traffic safety the driver is informed of this DeMolay service by a car placed under the windshield wiper many chapters have certain projects that they carry on year after year such as delivering baskets of food to needy families with the increase of litter along highways and city streets DeMolay chapter members find it helpful to their local communities to clean up this litter these Civic service projects have not only become long-standing traditions and customs but ones of pride for the individual chapter members there are many group activities that a typical chapter sponsors it may be a dramatic group that produces plays or short humorous skits or it may be a precision group like the famous Black Knights a drum and bugle corps of ten quid chapter in Belleville Illinois [Music] [Applause] [Music] it may be something of an even more unusual musical nature such as the Caldwell New Jersey DeMolay bagpipe band [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] as part of the well-balanced program of any DeMolay chapter you have a social side for members these are healthy social activities that any young man enjoys in the summertime there are hay rides moonlight cruises and picnics around the campfire [Music] the swimming pool or Beach is another favorite location for a fun-filled afternoon and dances are popular so shoes whatever the season of the year [Music] practically every DeMolay chapter collects annually a chapter sweetheart who competes later for the title of jurisdictional sweetheart these lovely young mrs. make a beautiful sight as they parade before the judges can anyone say who's the prettiest when so many could be claimed the winner but as in all competitions someone must win and others lose so the judges bolster their courage compare notes and choose a winner amid the usual tears and Happiness the lovely young lady is crowned in a royal manner [Music] although DeMolay ritual and meetings are greatly reverent the organization does not advocate any particular Creed but teaches only a profound faith in the one living and true God ever mindful of this Supreme Being when the hour of nine p.m. arrives no matter what the DeMolay activity is all other actions cease and there is held what is called the nine o'clock interpolation my brother's at this hour all over our land mothers are bending above the bed we're alive of children they love as if our also guests and institutions are preparing for the hour of rest let us call the moment in our deliberations while the chaplain offers a prayer brother chaplain you will lead us in prayer DeMolay will kneel on less me visitors will remain standing our fathers the sons of loving and indulgent parents we invoke by divine blessing for all the fathers and mothers of our country and of all the world and will topwater special blessing for our mothers who've watched over us with unceasing care during all the years of our lives may we ever realize that we are brothers of the helpless and suffering and rejoice at every call to relieve the pain of the alleviation of sorrow we invoked a divine blessings upon all those who labor for the relief of suffering and need help us to lead upright and patriotic lines whether the devotion of all those who've labored for our beloved country and every field of sacrifice and service come in god bless mother god bless father god bless the purposes of DeMolay jurisdictional conclaves are among the many fun-filled gatherings for DeMolay chapter members by bringing the members of many chapters together new friendships are forth and an abundance of fellowship is enjoyed over a period of a few days Conclave activities include ritual and athletic competitions and general business meetings these conclaves take place in a variety of surroundings such as the luxurious hotel fountain below at Miami Beach or the quiet serenity of appreciated camp in Wisconsin there's nothing like the outdoors and the setting of being close to nature and thus God to create inspiration and understanding in those attending toward the principles and programs of DeMolay [Music] for the modern Robinhood it gives an opportunity to pull the bow and other more popular sports like basketball come in for their share of attention also [Music] isn't it a thrill to go galloping through the woods on a horse [Music] one of the most beautiful public ceremonies of DeMolay is the flower talk a tribute to motherhood wiki concludes he flowers which he Tian our author are symbols of that mother loved the white the mother who is gone the red the mother who still lived to bless your life we want each of you to take a flower in the Psalter if your mother has passed over to the other Shore take a white flower and keep it always sacred to her memory may the size of it quicken every tender memory of her and thinking you will new in your effort to be worthy of her hopes and aspirations for you if your mother is living take a red flower when you go home tonight give it to your mother tell her it is our recognition of God's best gift to man his mother's love someday you'll find that flower I know not where perhaps in her Bible or prayer book or some other sacred place a silent witness to what this night is meant the one whose love for you her son is beyond the comprehension of any stuff DeMolay can ask no more reviews than that you shall endeavor so to live as to be worthy of that love mother's play a vital role in the chapters activities through the formation of a mother's Club practically every chapter has one the mothers club renders a multitude of services for the chapter members but primarily in the area of providing refreshments in helping with fundraising projects there comes a time to when the chapter robes need repair or replacement and the mother talents in sewing come in handy no matter what service is needed the mothers are always there ready to help their DeMolay sons the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a senior DeMolay is the Legion of Honor given in recognition of outstanding adult leadership in a solemn and impressive ceremony the designates are obligated and night at the Legionnaires T malaise everywhere participate in a devotional service on the Sunday nearest March 18 and rededicate themselves to the principles of the order of DeMolay this special day commemorates both the martyrdom of jacques de molay in the 14th century and the founding of the order of DeMolay in 1919 the religion of a DeMolay is a religion that is true that has the essence of all great faiths it is based upon the finest of the Christian revelation and the Hebrew tradition it implies a belief in God and in those qualities that have always made a man or a civilization great such qualities as the truth and righteousness of a hope and courage of love and the appreciation of the beautiful indeed the teaching is that we should live so as to make true the meaning of one of the ritual prayers that we may become more nicely for God an our beloved country more chivalrous for our fellow men and more valiant for DeMolay by serving God in serving God's humanity the scenes and activities that have been presented are typical of those that a young man 14 to 21 years of age sees and participates in when he accepts the right hand to Friendship and chairs the fellowship of a team of a chapter and becomes an integral part of a chapter DeMolay does not attempt to take the place of the whole church or school but rather to supplement them the organization's purpose is to offer the teenage boy of today first a wholesome occupation for a spare time second worthwhile associates third the best of environment and fourth an interesting and complete program of all around youth development by meeting these goals DeMolay leaders leave our young men learn to become better tons better citizens and better leaders thereby providing a better world for tomorrow [Music]