more light #52
Tecumseh
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
Tecumseh was a Shawnee Indian Chief; he lived from 1768 to 1813. As a Warrior he
was opposed to cruelty, and he had a reputation for keeping his word as well as
for being a wise individual.
Brother Denslow in his book “10,000 Famous Freemasons” says that some claim
Tecumseh was made a Mason in Pennsylvania, but no proof has been found to
substantiate this. However, Tecumseh Lodge in New York was named for him.
Certainly by the statements that are attributed to him, he appeared to be the
kind of man that could very well have been initiated into Freemasonry had he and
the opportunity met.
From http://liberty-tree.ca/
here is a talk Tecumseh once gave. Good advice from a wise man.
"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.Trouble no one
about his religion.Respect others in their views and demand that they respect
yours.Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.Seek
to make your life long and of service to your people.Prepare a noble death song
for the day when you go over the great divide.Always give a word or sign of
salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely
place.Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.When you rise in the
morning, give thanks for the light,
for your life, for your strength.Give thanks for your food and for the joy of
living.If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.Abuse no
one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to foolsand robs the spirit of
its vision.When your time comes to die,be not like those whose hearts are filled
with fear of death,so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little
more timeto live their lives over again in a different way.Sing your death song,
and die like a hero going home."
Tecumseh
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