Billy J. Barfield Jr.
Grand Pursuivant
The year is 1919. Millions of men are away from their families, fighting in World War One.
There are also millions of young boys without fathers at home. They have no role models (sounds a little like today’s world in my opinion).
A 17 year old young man who had just lost his father and was needing a job went to see a man by the name Frank S. Land. Frank Land was a Freemason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. He saw a need not just to give the young man a job but to help him and other boys learn some other skills. He invited the young man to dinner and told the young man to bring some of his friends.
They had dinner at Land’s home. He told them the story of the Knights Templar. He told them about Jacques DeMolay and how instead of give up his friends he would rather face judgment, be tortured, and burned alive. In honor of Jacques DeMolay they decided to name the new group for boys The Order of DeMolay.
These boys, and the man now known as Dad Land, would meet in Masonic lodges. Within a few years, this local Oklahoma group grew to be a national and now international organization.
The teachings of Dad Land still apply today, helping to show young men how to be leaders and to respect women (which is very much needed now a days) as well as civic awareness and personal responsibility.
DeMolay is for young men between the ages of 12 to 21. There are many famous figures you may not know were members of DeMolay, for example John Wayne, Walt Disney, Pete Rose, and Paul Harvey. Today there are many chapters in our state in the north, center and south of Mississippi.
Many of the young men of DeMolay join the Masonic lodge close to them so that is great news for masonry because we will have young men ready to be leaders.
I have been a DeMolay Chapter Chairman for JB Adams Chapter in Vardaman, Mississippi since 2012. In this time, I have gotten to know many young men throughout the state. I have seen them change over the years for the better. I have seen attitudes, grades and public speaking skills change for the better. I am so grateful to be a part of such a great organization. If any of you men out here know of any young men that would like to join DeMolay or if you would like to start a chapter in your lodge, please contact Dad Darrell Sartin, the executive officer for Mississippi.
I have only touched the tip of the iceberg.
This is just a little about DeMolay and how it affects our younger generation and our Masonic lodges. If you would like more information on DeMolay go to www.demolay.org
With Great Love,
Billy J. Barfield Jr., Grand Pursuivant
Grand Lodge of Mississippi
