The Voice of Freemasonry | Vol. 11 No. 3

Fall 1994 Volume XI, Number3

Lt. Jesse Villarreal of LaFayette-Dupont # I 9 (right) and Robert F. Drechsler, Junior Grand Warden, assisted by Lemoine V. Dickinson of Anacostia #21 (below) fingerprint some young participants in the program.

The first Child Identification Station sponsored by D.C. Masons was set up in the District of Columbia on Saturday, September 27th. At the request of Lieutenant Jesse Villarreal of the 4th District Metropolitan Police, and a Past Master of LaFayette-DupontLodge No. 19, a station was set up on the veranda of the 4th District's precinct at 6001 Georgia Avenue, N.W., in conjunction with the Annual Georgia Avenue Day parade and festival.

The Identification Staff arrived at the police station at 9:00 A.M. to set up equipment, post notices around the perimeter of the festival area (approximately a six block radius), and dispatch informational cards into the crowd.

The station officially opened at 10:OO A.M. As the parade started to pass by on Georgia Avenue, a parade of little faces began to assemble at the station.

The station workers were headed by Junior Grand Warden Robert F. Drechsler, and included Mary Friend of the Grand Lodge Office Staff; Ray Squires, Worshipful Master of Osiris-Pentalpha Lodge No. 23, and his mother Dee; Lemoine Dickinson, Past Master of Anacostia Lodge No. 21, and his wife Jeannie; Oscar Rodriquez, Worshipful Master of Washington Daylight Lodge No. 14; and several Metropolitan Police Officers.

There was a steady stream of traffic from start to

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ne of the basic elements in all religions is thanksgiving. It is always a part of true worship of humanity to God. It is as old as humanity. The Psalmist sang it well: "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."

The Jews in the Old Testament had an elaborate ritual of sacrifices and offerings in thanksgiving to God. Leviticus gives the details of both public and private thanksgiving liturgies, The Spring Harvest (Feast of Weeks) and the Fall Harvest (Feast of Tabernacles) are examples. Deuteronomy 16:13-15tells the Law for the Fall Festival: "You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, when you make your ingatheringfrom your threshing

floorand yourwine press; you shall rejoice inyourfeast...For seven days you shall keep the feast of the Lord your God at the place which the Lord will choose; because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that youwillbe altogether joyll."

The early Christians expressed thanksgiving to God in hymn, prayer, and the Eucharist (thanksgiving). They

2 CHI1.D ID PROGRAM -continued from page 1

VOICE OF

FREEMASONRY A STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE

The keynote speaker at the Masonic Leadership Conference in Front Royal, Virginia, Worshipful Brother RussellW . McClelland, Grand Secretary of Connecticut, addresses the brethren.

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RUSSELL GRAND SECRETARY O f CONNECTICUT

I wish to start my remarks to you this morning with a brief story about hot dogs.

When Brother Stewart Wner] invited me here to speak with you, he said, "Russ, this is going to be a very relaxed and comfortable session. Furthermore, it will be informal, to the extent of wearing tee shirts and slacks." In addition he said that this meeting would be in a country setting and just plan on some good fellowship and healthy discussion. To me, this sounded like a picnic, so I brought the hot dogs, a fable about hot dogs.

A man lived by the side of the road.. .and sold hot dogs. He was middle aged, and somewhat hard of hearing, so he seldom listened to the radio. He had trouble with his eyesight, so he read no newspapers.

But he did sell great hot dogs!

He put up a sign on the highway, advertising his delicious hot dogs, telling how good they were. Daily he stood by the side of the road, happily saying "enjoymy good hot dogs, buy one today!" And people came from far and near to buy his hot dogs, because they were very good.

In time, his business grew to greater proportions. Because of this, he increased his meat and bun orders. He bought bigger and better cooking equipment to meet the demands of the sale of his hot dogs.

Business became so good, he brought his son home from college to assist him in his growing business.

But then something happened! After a very short time in assisting his father, the son said "Father, haven't you heard?

There's a great depression going on. The economy is poor, the international situation is terrible, and the domestic situation, even worse."

Hearing these depressing reports from his son, the father lamented "well, my son

has been to college, he listens to the radio all the time, reads the daily paper and watches television, so he ought to know what is happening in the business world."

So the father cut back on his meat and bun orders, because the son said the economy was poor! He stopped being as outgoing and friendly as he had been, while standing along the side of the road selling his hot dogs.

Andstrangelyenough, almost overnight, his hot dog salesbeganto diminish. People stopped coming from far and near to buy his hot dogs. His once prosperous business long the roadside started to decline. And

Are we lesser men than our

fromthis he lamented to his son, "you were right my son, we certainly are in the midst of a great depression."

This little fable is a classic example of showing you the results of a single negative statement. Now certainly there is a message here that I can draw a parallel to.

How often have you attended a lodge and on occasion the numbers in attendanceare not what we would'like them to be. This, to some, is of depressing concern, and often a Worshipful Master will express a negative response that is far from a posi-

tive statement about the attendance. This negative attitude is reflected in one manner or another in many of our lodges, and the question is why? Why do we talk so negatively of that which we love? Nothing in life is perfect, and everything in life is as perfect as we have made it, and I restate, Itaswe have made it."

For hundreds of years this fraternity has survived because we have embraced men of vision. We have worked with good men to improve them, to groom them and make themleaders of our Craft. Fromthislegacy, we have enjoyed the fruits of their labors today. We have a wealth of treasures worldwide. We care for the less fortunate in sums of money that are astounding, and we are good men whom I feel represent the last bastion of morality and goodness in this world.

So the question should be, why are we not directing our energies to the more positive side of Masonry? It is a fact that all too frequently personalities get in the way of good intentions and we stumble a little. But we have so manytraditions, and so many customs coupled with a heritage unmatched with any other organization in the world. Are we lesser men than our forefathers? I say not. Certainly our lifestyles are merent than those of two hundred years ago, or even one hundred years ago. But did not those very same Masons deal with change and challenge?

Yes they did, andmaybeunder more severe conditions than we could come to appreciate.

What was it that inspired them to nurture this time honored Craft, and leave for us a fraternity of good and honest men that quietly go about caring for those less fortunate? Time and time again I have

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wcrc ablc to discuss

i h i g h r L.Smith, deceased Pasr Grand

riot lo bct'ound in my othcr placc. Wcforgct Ihar w c are hcrc to hclp rrim irnprovc rhcrnselves; to teach vxgh ashlars how to b e come mhlars that ere more w l y per fix^.

The inevitabk result of letting our. prioritits @ out of order is that we become preoccupied with n m h and dollars. We nced lk dollam to keep alive, and M o r e we thmk we nced m a numbers. and wc t[lmkwcnecdthemsornuchlhatwece

"Thingsore iri the snddk And ride manklr~d."

w i h g to Ima k basq pull down Ihc sldmds, to ge mom n u m h to get more dollara.

And w h our standsrrds arc -1 cvm so link, the entire structure is weakened. Remcmbeg i3r~hem'sLaw of Fxanomics? It js smwrhing 1lkc this; Whm worlhfess money getr into circulation, sowxd money doesn't drive it out; m (be contrary, that which is w d d e s s dnvrr out rhar which is sound.

Gresham's Law applis in P w a h . For when we cnrnprmist a d use mfktior human mtenal in m M p and in leadadup, uzneexi not expel that which is superior to driveout Lhat which is substandard. I1 can and dots work thc a h way.

Frightening k q h l , isn't it?

Our hm,thcn, depends on cwr ability lo look beyond the numbers armd dollars to the qudi~ofowmmbershipandrhtsq~lity of our ldership, and to h e basic p q m c for which we m hcrc. OTN distinguished

American M&c leader, M.W. Brotbcr L. Douglas Delano of Virginia, &anj& us n e w to lase sight of the fact ,hi 'all instinilions lhat are devored to fie cultivalion of the besf that is in man m having troubled lime in Ctus p e n d of our civilizahn.'

85 D.C. Masons Attend Leadership Conference The Eighth Annual Ltadcrship Confcxence for Lodge Masers, Wardens, &aconsand S-csm Lldat thcNorthcm Virginia 4-H Educatio~lCcntcr in Front Royal. Virginia on thc wmkcnd of Scpkmbcr 16-18.199.4. Thcrcwereatotal of 85 Brethrcn in attcndm. of which 55 were oEccrs of the Constitant Mgcs.

Our kcymtc speakerat thisytars conferencewasRight Worshipful BrotherRussell W. McClelland. Grand Secretary of rhe Grand Lodge of f nacctiat. Brother Wlclland'svery intercstingtaIkappears

on page 3 in this issuc of' 771u Voice of Freema.wwy.

Thcprogram this ymr includcd in-dcplh discussions of 1i-i~ Aucicnt Landmarks, Masonic Prdocol and Ekiqucttc. Carc and Nurturing of thc CraR. Lhc Constitution of the Grand Lsdgc. and Pn'ncc &dl Masonry. Discussion in cach instance was animated, and enlightening. and all participantsagreed that 11% program provided and valuablc insighrs into h e order.

The Smdaricsofihe ConstituentLdgcs enjoyed a well-prepared prcscntation ofa

darabasc program now in use by Lodgc S c c r c ~ r ~ in c sa number of sistcr jurisdics Follo~~ing ~ h prcc tions in 1 1 ~county. sc~itltion.prcparcd by Worshipful Brothers C. Brian Schwarlz and Todd C. Duchring. a rumbcr of Sccrcrarics csc prcsscd inlcrcst in obtaining d ~ program for usc i n their Lodgcs.

Through generous donations of the Brethren. all ofwhom appreciated h e Irot;pitality pmvidbdby the Confermx k k r Skfl, we wwc ablc to p w n t thc &with niorc thans300.00forits"Sun~hincFund.~

Throughout the history of the institution, Freemasonryhas been in the forefront of the battle for the freedom of man. The American Revolution was no exception.

Members of the fraternity led the fight against the economic and political oppression imposed on the people of the colonies by their mother country, and when it became firmly established that there was no turning back from complete independence from the Crown of England, Freemasons did not retreat, but on the contrary boldly placed their signatures where all could see them.

F&y-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Each one signed his name below the following pledge: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor;" and of these fifty-six not one recanted. At a time when this resolution against the British Crown was not history but a dangerous " gamble for freedom. when the prospect forvictoly was small, these men branded themselves "leaders of the revolution" and so nut their futures on the line for thils new concept in ich the1r believed - liberty.

Most Americansand many citizens of the world consider the American Declaration of Independence the foremost statement of human rights and democratic principles of govenrnent ever written. It is well kno& that John Adams of Massachusetts assigned Thomas Jefferson the task of writing this monumental document, and in it Jefferson not only projected his own genius but summed up the highest American aspirations of the day. But nobody really knows the other men who sat with ThomasJefferson; who debated,voted for and finally on August 2, 1776 signed the Declaration and by so doing immediately changed the course ofthe Revolution.

The men who assembled in the State House on the 2nd of August were painfully aware that to put their signatures on this piece of parchment was to give evidence of high treason. It is one thing to vote during a period ofbrilliant oratoryand high drama on the 2nd of July on Richard Henry Lee's proposition that "these United Colonies

are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states..."; it was another to sign a document denying the sovereign powers of the British Crown which had been the symbol of authority for these men all their lives. This was not a mere protest petition, protected by a firm concept of civil rights. It was an act of high treason, for which the universal penalty was death by hanging.

What kind of men were these fifty-six, who in Congress assembled represented some two and a half million American freemen? The men who queued up in Congress to sign the Declaration came almost entirely from the American gentry, North, Middle Atlantic, and South. To an amazing extent, despite many personal differences of opinion, they spoke the same language and understood the symbology; they were products of

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a similar social background and process.

They were instinctively non-ideological in their approach to law or life. They were all acknowledged leaders in their communities, and in most cases, had experience at local government. They were men with a deep stake in their colonies, both of property and prestige. They were rarely impetuous or rash. They were conservative socially, while inherently liberal in their deepest concept of society and law. In short, they were peculiarly American.

Nine are proved Masons. Twenty other signers have been claimed as Masons, and for the remaining twenty-seven signers, no real evidence has yet been discovered to indicate their membership in the Craft.

Almost all, with the exception of Samuel

Adam of Massachusetts, owned substantial property. Eleven delegates were prosperous merchants, nine were large land owners and their holdings included some of the largest estates in America. When these men wrote the word "fortune"in their pledge, it was no idle boast. Twenty-four were lawyers orjurists. The rest were other professional men, doctors of medicine, ministers, or career politicians and merchants. All of these men knew that when they attached their names to the Declaration they made their lives and their possessions, as traitors, forfeit.

What happened to these men? What did they get out of it?

Nine signers died of wounds or hardships during the Revolutionary War. Five were captured or imprisoned, in some cases with brutal treatment. The wives, sons, and daughters of others were killed, jailed, mistreated,persecuted orleftpenniless. One, John Hart of New Jersey, was driven from his wife's deathbed and lost all of his thirteen children. He died of a broken heart. The houses of twelve signers were burned to the ground.

Seventeen lost everytlllng they owned.

Every signer was proscribed a traitor; every one was hunted. Most were driven into flight; most were at one time offered immunity, freedom, rewards, their property, or the lives and release of loved ones to break their pledged word or to take the King's protection. Their fortunes were forfeit, but their - - & honor was not. No signer defected or changedhis stand, throughout the darkest hours. Their honor, like the Nation, remained intact.

WilliamEllery ofRhode Island, aproved Mason, had his home burned to the ground on the same night that Washington crossed the Delaware. BenjaminFranklin ofPennsylvania, a proved Mason, suffered a great personal unhappiness because of the Revolution. His only son, William, Royal Governor of New Jersey, adhered to the Crown and died in England. Richard Stockton of New Jersey, a proved Mason, was taken prisoner, brutalized, and upon threat by George Washington of retaliation in kind, was released a broken man, his health shattered, his fortune gone -never -continued on page 8

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The following paper was written by, then Fellowcraft, Brother Edward Nercessian andpresented by him, during a Communication of La France Lodge No. 93 in May, as a prerequisite to his advancement to the Sublime Degree ofMaster. Mason. He had been initiated at a Special Communication of La France Lodge No. 93 held in Cannes, France and chose to write about his experience.

To reflect upon and then put on paper the thoughts, feelings, and transformations occurring during and gradually following the initiation is not a simple task. To be more precise, on the one hand, it can be a rather straight-forward enumeration of major headings or classes of reactions. On the other, it can represent the very daunting process of describing, or attempting to describe, an inundation of emotions and recognitionsthat begin with the actual initiation ceremony, but that does not come to closure since the experience initiates the process of initiation.

I would like to begin by enumerating three words, which for me summarizes the ongoing development of the process of initiation. These three words do not represent by any means the totality of my r&ctions, though I believe they are a fulcrum, or a point of reference, around which other reflections and feelings canbe organized. The three terms are humility, trust, and enlightenment or recognition. It is their personal meanings and the way they have reverberated in my mind, since that beautiful, warm summer night in Cannes, which will comprise the rest of my comments.

The evening was to be an elegant event, and everyone was formally attired.

It was, therefore, somewhat of a surprise when, while waiting outside the Lodge, I was asked to make the alterations in my garb with which you are all familiar and, for all intents and purposes, left me halfdressed. This state was a somewhat uncomfortable one for me, as I stood there waiting, and I began to ask myself about the source of my discomfort. Clearly, it did not have to do with prudishness, nor with concerns about how I looked, standing there in that state. What it did have to do with though, most importantly I believe, was self-esteem and its role in

distancing me from my fellow men. With the formal suit and tie and the ability to choose the level and degree of interaction, we can put a barrier between ourselves and others that --while useful in some respects- also acts as a major deterrent to a full appreciation of our need for another.

Devoid of what I will call the "cosmetics" of life, by which I obviously do not mean clothes, although clothes can be a telling metaphor, but fame, wealth, etc., we are forced to come face to face with our vulnerability. In those moments of anticipation outside the Lodge, if we are not hiding from the truth, we become powefilly aware of our intense need for the closeness with the other, which is the only antidote for our inner sense of nakedness. As I was thinking about it then, and have continued to since, humility is the recognition of the limitations of "cosmetics" and the acute awareness of our need for unhampered closeness with our brothers.

Following this first step, I was then deprived of my sight as well as some degree of freedom of movement, thus increasing my already-existing vulnerability. In this condition of helplessness, what then prevents one from falling into a state of anxiety and panic? With one's ability to act and to see and, therefore, to correctly anticipate what is to follow curtailed, it would seem only appropriate -even from a simple biological and evolutionary stand point-- to enter a flight mode put into motion by anxiety. What must come into play for this extremely powerful innate biological mechanism not to take over? The answer, of course, is trust . . . not the illusion of trust, which is easy to have, but a steadfast belief unclouded by doubt or hesitation. When one has an escape or a way out, either via direct or symbolic means, it is not too difficult to make oneself believe in one's

ability to trust. In such circumstances,one tends not to even think about trust, since all self-protective measures are in place.

Remove these measures, however, and one is compelled to squarely confront the issue. Do I trust this person who is leading me somewhere that I am unable to comprehend? Do I trust the people in that hall? Facing the issue of trust is the same as recognizing its importance in our life.

To have the illusion of trust is both natural and effortless, but to have real trust, as I have now come to recognize, is both essential and difficult, requiring an ongoing struggle to maintain in the face of life's sobering exigencies.

The final word, which I use to codify my experience, is enlightenment. Again, I feel a need to stress that these three words --humility, trust and enlightenment-- do not by any stretch of the imagination comprehensively describe the thoughts and emotions elicited by the highly complex and yet deeply simple character of initiation.

They are but three dimensions I have particularly thought about and have been affected by most consistently in this past year. In that moment when light is again allowed to reach us, in the dramatic and emotionallycharged setting of the initiation, a great deal more that visual stimulation occurs.

Observing becomes a symbol of seeing with the mind, understanding with insight and recognition. In thinking back now to that moment almost a year ago, I consider it the most intense experienceof initiation.

It is as if in one highly intense and charged second, I felt, "Ah-ha! Now everyhng that has transpired makes sense." Making sense, of course, not as a definite conclusion of things, but making sense as the initiator of a direction or a path. After all that is what I assume the process is all about, not to give answers or bring about closures, but rather to provide a way of looking and seeing, pointing the way.

In conclusion, I think that the Initiation begins a process that is one of mystery, a process that is extremely conducive to what in French is so aptly called "epanouissement" meaning a blossoming.

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able to serve or workagain ; he died shortly after his release at the age of 5 1.

Lyman Hall of Georgia, a claimed Mason, had his rice plantation seized and burned and all his other property confiscated in the name of the Crown. His family suffered great privations and he died in reduced circumstances.

George Walton of Georgia, a proved Mason, was wounded, captured, and released in a prisoner exchange and survived to become a United States Senator.

William Hooper of North Carolina, a proved Mason, had his property destroyed and the end of the Revolution found him sick and ruined financially.

ThomasNelson, Jr. ofVirginia, aclaimed Mason, a general in the Revolutionary Army, noticed at the battle of Yorktown that his home was being used as a headquarters by the British and insisted that it be fired upon. The house was demolished and Nelson died bankrupt.

When the officer sons of Abraham Clark of New Jersey were captured by the British his values were put to a hard test. Clark's sons were kept aboard a hellship called the "Jersey" and because their father was a signer, they were subjected to special brutality. Thomas Clark, a captain of artillery was clapped into solitary, in a dark fo'c's'le hole, and went unfed. He managed to stay alive only because other prisoners pushed bread to him through a large keyhole.

Abraham Clark was informed by the British that his sons were on the Jersey and that

they would be released if he deserted the American cause. The anguish of this man can only be imagined. He refused. And although he refused to bring the matter up before Congress or ask for special treatment, the Congress in a cold rage ordered General Washington to take a British prisoner of war, a captain from an aristocratic family, and starve him to death in a dark hole. Washington did not have to carry out this order -mere communication of it to the British General Howe was enough.

From this time forward conditions of warfare improved with regard to prisoners.

Abraham Clark continued in Congress for some time and died largelyforgottenby a11 except the ordinary folk of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. They could not afford a monument but inscribed the following epitaph upon his gravestone:

He loved his Country And adhered to her Cause In the darkest hours of her struggles Against Oppression Similarly, George Clymer of Pennsylvania, Button Gwinnett of Georgia, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Edward Rutledge and Arthur Middleton of South Carolina, Carter Braxton of Virginia, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris andPhilip LivingstonofNew York, and Thomas McKean of Delaware all suffered severely in the service of their coun-

try.

These are but some of the many who suffered, sacrificed, gave their lives, their

fortunes, their all to the cause of Freedom.

The signers were a remarkably longlived group. Those whom the war did not kill or injure lived beyond the normal span.

Only a few, like Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Penn of North Carolina, Thomas Nelson and Abraham Clark of New Jersey, left public life or fell into obscurity. Half of all signers served after the Revolution as president, state governors, state legislators, United States Senators or Representatives. Many found their way to the state and Federal benches. Only one man, William Ellery of Rhode Island, remained in a minor appointive post, as coIlector of customs. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became President, and Elbridge Gerrydied in a coach on his way to the Senate, as Vice President under James Monroe.

Virtually all of these men had more wealth before they took up public office than when they left it. Robert Treat Paine of Massachusetts and John Penn of North Carolina, who had to leave office in order to support their families, and Thomas Jefferson, who was born in comfortable circumstances and married wealth, but neglected his private affairs while helping found a nation and died staving off bankruptcy, were highly typical. Most signers would have been better off financially if they had never sat in Congress.

What did their act of courage and patriotism get the signers? At the end, love and honor remained. The nation remained, too. That was all most of them asked.

- Carl R. Le Vine - by Robert H. Starr While the Grand Lodge Blood Bank Program asks our members, families and friends to make deposits to our Blood Bank, I thought that you might be interested to know how to go about withdrawals.

Many of the hospitals in the area require replacement for the blood that is provided to patients or the patient is charged for the blood. Some simply require donations, while others receive their blood from sources which do not require replenishment. AL,L hospitals charge for administering and handling the blood. If a Brother (whether a donor or not) or a non-member donor, or a member of their immediately family has been hospitalized and the hospital requires replacement blood, a call should be made to the Master, SecretaryofLodge BloodBank Chairman informing them of the need along with the patient's name, address, phone number, hospital, address, date of admission and quantity of blood to be replaced. The Master, Secretary or Lodge Blood Bank Chairman should then inform the Grand Lodge Blood Bank Chairman (or a member of the Committee, in the event the Chairman isn't available). The Chairman, after confirming the need for replenishment and the quantity, provides the Red Cross (or other appropriate agency) with the above

information and a Blood Credit letter is sent directly to the hospital, alleviating the patient or family of any further responsibility to replace the blood.

There are other agencies which receive blood donations in addition to the Red Cross. It is important that your Lodge Blood Bank Chairman know where and when you donate, since we would be able to tap these sources in addition to the Red Cross, if the need arises. Department of Defense employees and their families are eligible to receive blood credits through the DOD BloodBank with the Red Cross (whether or not they donate) and should first try to obtain the credits from that source.

This year several of our members required blood and we were able to meet all of their needs through our Grand Lodge Blood Bank, thanks to those who donate and provide this gift of life. This is one way which we can aid and assist a brother (without even having to open your wallet!) Remember, a new Masonic year has just begun and your donation and those ofyour family and friends help your Lodge meet its committment and supports our Brethren.

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d G r a n d M a s t e r of Masons oftheDistrict of Columbia, I take great pleasure in greeting and welcoming each of you to this celebration of a si@cant day in the history of Naval Lodge No. 4. This Lodge has rendered continuous service to its members and to the residents of this city since 1805, when it was first chartered by the Grand Lodge of Maryland. By their works, fraternal and communal, its men have helped shape the character and function of this majestic city, a metropolisthat now commands the attention of enlightened people the world around.

This building is the third home of Naval Lodge, which previously had occupied quarters at 1129 Seventh Street, S.E. (from 1805-1829) and at Fifth Street and Virginia Avenue (from 1821-1895). The decisionto construct a new Masonic edifice here in 1894 was precipitated by a growth in the membership of the Lodge and, almost concurrently, by the opportunityto dispose of property that was no longer able to fully accommodate Lodge needs.

Launchingthe project, however, taxedthe imagination, determination and resolution of a relatively small number of Masons.

One 5Yundred

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Remarks of the Grand Master, Most Worshipful WilliamT.Jenkins, atthe CentennialObservation of the Cornerstone Laying ofNaval Lodge Building on July 24, 1994.

That they responded well to the challenge of their day, in a period when the countrywas undergoingfinancial stress, is attestedby our presence at this centennial celebration. We are indebted to them for their generous contributions of time and substance to further the interests and well-being of those who followed in their footsteps.

Having caught a vision of the future, the men of Naval Lodge invited Worshipful Henry S. Memll, the Grand Master, and the officers of the Grand Lodge to lay the cornerstone of the building, and this was done exactly 100 years ago today at 6:30 P.M. in the evening. The Grand Master was accompanied to the site by members of four Commanderies of Knights Templars, by the officers and members of Lodges No. 1,3,4,5,7,9,11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20,21 ,23,24,25,26,27, and 28, andbythe band of the United States Marine Corps.

In his report about the affair to Grand Lodge, given at the Annual Communicationof 1894,Most WorshipfulBrotherMemll noted that he had used the same gavel that was used by Worshipful Brother George Washington in 1793 at the laying

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'i3artholdi Lodge presents Charter of Z l l i a n c e Brethren traveled from far and wide in September to witness a tradition that has existed for many years. By this tradition French Lodges under the French National Grand Lodge travel to French Lodges under otherjurisdictions to have their officers installed and to form a "Charter of Alliance" with them. On this occasion Bartholdi Lodge No. 500 (France) visited Washington, D.C. to present a Charter of Alliance to La France Lodge No. 93 (D.C.), which was inscribed as follows: In a close-tyled and enlightenedplace known only to true Masons, the Worshipful Lodges Bartholdi Lodge No. 500 under the jurisdiction of the French National Grand Lodge represented by the WorshipfulMaster, Marc Rivolet, holden at the Orient of Vidauban, France and La France Lodge No. 93 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia represented by the WorshipfulMaster Emil Joseph holden at the Orient of Washington, D.C. were solemnly united and twinned together.

Pictured left t o right are: Yves Trestournel, Grand Secretary o f the National Grand Lodge o f France; Marc Rivolet, Worshipful Master o f Bartholdi Lodge No. 500 (France); Emil Joseph, Worshipful Master o f La France Lodge No. 93; and William T. Jenkins, Grand Master o f the District o f Columbia

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of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol Building. Fittingly, the Washington gavel was again used today in our cornmemorative exercises, by courtesy of its owner, Potomac Lodge No. 5. Its presence on h s historic occasion serves to tie each of us, symbolically, philosophically, and spiritually, to a past that we rightfully regard with pride and satisfaction.

The Brethren of Naval Lodge No. 4 did not rest on their laurels after the laying of the cornerstone 100 years ago, however, for they appreciated well that with the occupation their new quarters, which they were to consecrate and dedicate the following year, there was for them both opportunity and obligation, andthey didnot shirktheir duties.

As it is noted in the official hlstory of the Lodge, Masonry to the members of Naval Lodge was not a mere system of philosophy, to be simply studied, but a living obligation to self-improvement and the u p l a of their fellow men.

Thereafter the Lodge grew rapidly, and as it served the community on Capitol Hill, its fortunes waxed and waned, keeping pace always with developments in the District of Columbia and the country as a whole. Certainly no one present at the original cornerstone laying could have possibly anticipated the events of this past century, riddled as it has been with scientific advances and challengesto traditionalspiritual andphilosophical values. But workmg from the solid foundation of ~ a s o n r A y d remainingtrue to their sacred vows and promises, the members of Naval Lodge, in every generation,have been able to successfully cope with the challenges of time and circumstance.

As we gather here today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstoneof Naval LodgeHall, it is proper to take satisfactionin the achievements ofthe past. The Lodgehas ahistoryof solidachievement, and during the past century hundreds upon hundreds of men had sought knowledge of the mysteries by knocking at its door. And it is to the credit of the Lodge that among those who did so were good and moral men from every level of society, all seeking that peculiar form of brotherhood and understanding that is to be found only in the sanctuary of Freemasonry.

Nevertheless we cannot and must not live in the past, glorious as it may be. This was recognized by Past GrandMasterLurtin R. Ginn (1905), who stated at the Centennial celebration of your Lodge that "...lifeis not measured by time, but by quality, and...the

...the chief feature of this Lodge is not its age, but its usefulness. chief feature of this Lodge is not its age, but its usefulness. Your right to life and respect hereafter will depend not upon what you have been, but upon how you use the inheritance which the past has brought to you and the opportunities which the present offers you." Thus we should recognize, as we reflect approvingly on the past, that the race through time is not yet over; it is our duty, no less than it was the duty of our

forefathers, to see that Masonry, in principle, if not in form, is transmitted unimpaired to generations yet unborn.

I should like to close by sharing the substance of some observations made more than 50 years ago by Joseph Earl Perry, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts in the period 1937-39. In reviewing the history of hls Grand Lodge he expressed hope that nations might someday be able to d l a t e the handicaps of mutual hatreds and injustice even as they had d l a t e d the handicaps of space and time. For centuries men have known how to be just and tolerant and kindly, he noted, because Holy Writ, philosophers, and Masonic and other rituals have proclaimed the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. At the same time Brother Perry also observed that man has been singularly lacking in the practice of these principles, a fact that led hlm to express the hope that ifwe in the Masonic fraternitykeep our vision clear, our ideals high, our faith vivid, our courage strong, and practice our profession, we shall be able to do much to mould and guide our civilization.

Brother Peny's words are as valid today as they were when he penned them, and I admonish you to heed them well. It is my prayer that as you advance toward your Lodge bicentennial, now less than 11 years away, that you will continue to merit your rich heritage by maintaining the love, compassion, and service that has been traditionally rendered by Naval Lodge, without equivocation,to the righteous of all nations, races, religions, and creeds. Good luck; I wish you well; and God bless you all.

FOCUS - continued from page 3

given a great deal of thought to this subject, with the hope of coming up with one single and easy answer. There is no easy answer as each of you know, because today's life is too complex, and very much involved. But even so, I wish to share some recommendationsthat come to mind which I feel would do much to meet the challenges before us.

Before sharing those thoughts with you, let me tell you about a young man, twenty-seven years of age, who was impressed with what he saw in a family member. The family member, better known as grarnps, was an involved Mason in many areas of the fraternity. T h s young man was readily attracted to "gramps"because of the image he projected to family and friends.

After inquiring about the so-called club gramps belonged to, the young man felt he

too would like to join. The young man took his degrees, and then stood as a proud and upright Mason. The young man went to meetings from time to time, joined the Fellowcraft Club of the Lodge, went to picnics and some social events, and even had a little time to work as a craftsman on the presentation of the full HII-amicLegend during the Master Mason Degree. Soon this young man was asked to serve as secretary of the Fellowcraft Club, and did an acceptable job of fulfilling his duties. From that, he was asked to be a line officer in the Lodge.

But then somethmg happened. He was now required to be at the Lodge at specific times, and far more frequently than previously requested before. This young man with his newly added responsibilities reacted much as he did when he was involved withthe local Jaycees. Lodge meetings started at 7:30

P.M., and he would sometimes show up at 7:45 or later, and sometimes he didn't show up at all. Additionally, he had ritualistic responsibilities that he was to fulfill as every officer does. That too suffered. It was soon apparent that this new Lodge officer was either a bad choice, or lacking some direction. As a Lodge officer he was a poor example of what was to be, and two brothers in the Lodge took it upon themselves to provide some direction to this young Mason. The most obvious problem, missing meetings and constantly being late, was simply remedied by the two brothers by informing the younger Mason they would be at his house on the next meeting night to pick him up and drive him to Lodge at least one half hour before Lodge opened. They did h s every meeting night for three months.

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Worshipful Brother Eldon J. Brown (left), Senior Grand Deacon, Past Master and Secretary of Wm. R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7, accompanied by several officers of Lodge No. 7 in attendance at the Conference, presented Brother Lee Capps, Director of the 4-H Center and also a member of Lodge No. 7, with his lambskin apron.

Brother Capps was a member of the 1993 Grand Master's Class.

And while they transported the new Mason to Lodge, they talked about lodge, ritual, activities and a host of other happenings related to Masonry. In addition,they sat next to the young man near his station in the Lodge and offered good counsel fi-om time to time to ensure hls proper action inthe fulfillment of lus duties. Their wives became acquainted withhis wifeduring ritual coaching at the young man's house. In about an eight-monthperiod of time there was marked change in h s young man who in the beginning had no direction. He seemed to have a better understanding of where he was, and what his place was in the Lodge, and those things that were expected of him. The deliberate friendship that started in 1971 fromthetwobrothers who took the younger Mason by the hand and gave him direction, continues to this day. That younger Mason is somewhat older today, but still very much involved in our fraternity because somebody cared enough to take him by the hand and give him direction and focus him onthe high ideals of Masonry. That young Mason I've told you about is me, and I would not be here enjoyingthis experience with you today if it were not for the tenacity of those two brothers, and the Lodge I belonged to. They in their own way gave this brother a FOCUS, the word I feel impacts everythlng we do in life.

Webster defines focus as the point at which rays of light meet after reflection or refraction. Further, it means to concentrate, or clearly outline, and to bring into focus that which is being observed. What is your focus? Where do you perceive yourself being two years from now? Five years from now? What do you expect out of life? How will you achieve it?

There was a time in this country, and the opportunitiesare still there, where men of vision sought and attainedthose dreams

they were after. They had conviction, a belief in what they wanted to make happen, big or small. They had focus and knew what they were after. These men were not necessarily highly educated, nor born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths.

These were average men, born of average means, living in sometimes lesser than moderate income levels. What was it that made them spark? What was it that made them stand out as leaders of the Craft?

Permit me to redirectyour focus somewhat. When you were a child, you had mom and dad to take you by the hand, to guide and protect you. You felt secure and comfortable. As you grew older, you went to school and the teacher taught you the fundamentals of knowledge. Again you felt secure and comfortable. Still later you entered the work force, and your manager instructed you in the standards he expected, and after a while you felt secureand comfortable. Next you took a mate, and started a family, and again after a while you felt secure and comfortable. Then you decided to be a part of the Masonic Fraternity, and once again you were taken by the hand and instructed in what was expected of you. Then something happened. As human beings, from our earliest beginning, we have those individuals who have an interest in us, who care enough about us to teach us, to guide us, to push us along.

In every stage of growing up there is someone who influences our way of thinking, those role models that help to motivate our actions, to mold us into meaningful and productive citizens. Think about that time you stood as a just and upright Mason in the northeast comer. How did you feel?

When you stood there as a newly raised Master Mason, was there pride? When family and friends greeted you as one of us, was there inspiration? It was certainly a

time you will never forget, for you had been raised to one of the finer pinnacles of life as a man in a society of men. Note that Ijust said, " a man in a society of men." Even though you are still learning from others, as you have from birth, and will for the remainder ofyour life. Somewhere in your Masonic influence, a transition starts taking place, or should be taking place. At some point in your Lodge involvementyou will be given responsibility, a meanin@ assignment, a chance to displayyour abilities. Each of these steps is an opportunity for your personal development. Steps to enhance your growth in this fraternity of men. This is the transition I speak of, you are still learning from those that have the years of experiencebefore you, but now you are becoming the teacher. Life is a continuing cycle of learn and teach, and now you arebecomingthe leader. How well you do it depends on your focus, your design upon the trestleboard, your desire to grow within this wonderful fraternity of men. If you are accepting any responsbility for the sake of the title, with no intense desire to provide direction, to perpetuate this time honoredfraternity, then youare destinedto failure and disappointment. There was once a United States President who said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

That applies here today, what can you do for your fraternity? How can you leave it a little better than you found it? For hundreds of years men of vision, brothers with focus did just that. They were the bridge builders, the men with a desire in their hearts, a motivation to keep that which is good. Each of you are here this morning because you are leaders, in one way or another. You show you care enough, simply by your presence. But what are you going to do with this opportunity, this challenge? Today is our opportunity to be positive, to be innovative, to say it can be done no matter how difficult the task may be. This is our turn to deal with the issues relating to Masonry and I think we are smart enough to find the solutions to each of these issues together.

In summary, if we work at keeping a positive outlook in all our actions, while maintaining the deep pride we felt when we became Master Masons, accompanied with a good focus on the issues, and I remind you, to deal with the issues, not the individuals, then and only then, will we lead and preserve this fraternity for the enjoyment of our future ages.

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Voke of FrcnemPdMly CiTarPd Lodge,F.A.A.M. of D.C. 5428 R h A r t h Blvd, ~ N.W. Wastu'ngm, D.C. 200 16