August 12, 1999


Many years ago, Brother Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar said, "A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy….". I believe this statement is true now more than ever before.

This country with our republican form of government must have an educated populace in order to thrive and continue building on our great achievements of the past. Throughout our country’s history Masons have been there, working toward the success of this novel form of government. Providing a good education for our future leaders has long been a goal of many of our heroes and leaders.

Here in Texas, we have a long history of recognizing the importance of education. Brother Stephen F. Austin the "Father of Texas", lobbied to have educational provisions placed in the Mexican Constitution of 1824. In 1829 he was responsible for Texas first English speaking school, located in San Felipe de Austin. When the Mexican Republic fell under the spell of the tyrant Santa Anna, the 1824 Constitution was cast aside. Texas declared her independence with a document that contained these words regarding education,

By the grace of God, the Texas Revolution resulted in the formation of the Republic of Texas.

Brother Lamar, the author of the opening quotation rose to power after the Battle of San Jacinto. He first came to Texas in 1835 with our ill-fated Brother, James Fannin. As the hostilities began in 1836, he rushed to join the Texian Army. This warrior from Georgia had been a State Senator there, as well as a noted poet. After the battle he penned the poem, "San Jacinto". Here is a portion of it.

Lamar served as our Brother Sam Houston’s Vice President, and later in 1838 was elected as the President of Texas. His most important contribution during his term as President, was the work he performed toward establishing a system of public education. In 1839 an act was passed by congress, which set aside public lands for the benefit of public schools and two universities. For his work toward this end Lamar became known as the "Father of Texas Education".

These educational goals continued with the later administration of Brother Anson Jones. Jones was, "The Father of Texas Masonry" and the final President of the Republic of Texas. His administration successfully and uniquely preserved these public lands for the State’s use, when annexed into the United States of America, in 1846.

In later pioneer days the common place to find a school, was on the ground floor of a Masonic Lodge. And today in this modern age of technology, when an education is more important than ever, Masons are still stepping up to the plate to help. Through Masonic charities and the efforts of individual Masons, many children and young adults have been assisted in receiving a good education. The Scottish Rite operates Learning Centers for children with learning difficulties, Masonic Children’s Homes educate and send many young adults to college, and many Masonic Lodges sponsor scholarship funds. Here in our own Lodge, are many active supporters of the Jacques DeMolay Scholarship Fund Incorporated. Many of our members are also members of the Cowboy Lodge, volunteering as Committeemen with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which has an annual educational commitment of over 7.7 million dollars. Certainly, as active community supporters and charitable people, Masons are involved in many other activities, which support education.

Indeed, Masons have embraced those words of Brother Lamar, as has the University of Texas, which uses this quotation as their school motto.

Education-Importance & Texas Roots

Masonic Moment, Jacques DeMolay #1390

August 12, 1999, Scott Hill Bumgardner

Master of Ceremonies