Florence Nightingale took up her Cross. Her parents were wealthy and they planned to provide her a life with no need for work. They could not understand her point of view when she declared her intention to devote her life to helping the wounded, the sick, and the maimed. Florence Nightingale suffered countless hardships and endured long days of trial when she pioneered in the nursing profession. But observe the abundance of spiritual power that came to her. She might have stayed at home and enjoyed a life of ease and wealth, but she took up her Cross. Sir Knights, we stand as defenders of Christianity. Our ideals and standards are found in the words of Christ. He challenges
us to take up our Cross. Living in an age when Christianity is threatened by an aggressive secular humanism, we are issued a call to arms in the name of Christ. It is our hope and desire that multitudes of heroic men will respond to the call of the Cross, mark themselves with the sacred emblem, and under its banner fight the good fight of faith. Life will commence in the hour, as it did for Simon of Cyrene. Sir Knight Howard R. Towne, Grand Prelate Emeritus, Grand Commandery of Michigan, is a member of Traverse City Commandery No. 21 in Traverse City, Michigan, and resides at 521 Webster Street, Traverse City, Ml 49684
On the Masonic Newsfront‌ National Camping Travelers Dear Knight Templar: Masonry teaches us our obligations to our God, our country, our family, and our Masonic Brethren. We have each been instructed how we should divide our time so that we can fulfill these obligations. We also know that the body needs rest, relaxation, and refreshment. What is more relaxing than being out of doors observing the handy work of the Supreme Architect. If you and your family enjoy camping, you can relax together and at the same time have the fellowship of Brethren of like fraternal affiliation. This can be obtained by joining the National Camping Travelers, Inc. N.C.T. was started in 1966 when the late Brother Myron R. Fox from Ohio had an article published in the York Rite magazine asking Masonic families to join him for a camp out at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Twenty-six families met and started N.C.T. Since that time N.C.T. has grown to a membership of approximately 5,500 family members in 160 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. While N.C.T. is not a Masonic organization, one must be a member in good standing of a Lodge recognized by the Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada. If you enjoy camping, having fun, making new friends, and getting more out of life; membership in N.C.T. is a must. For more information contact: Charles Barnett, National Membership Committee, P.O. Box 1590, Corinth, MS 38834. Charles R. Barnett Corinth, Mississippi
March 1990
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