Grand Master’s Message

As I write this final message to you, I am wistful, thankful and greatly encouraged that our Fraternity continues to gain momentum in re-establishing its presence in our wonderful city. I am wistful for I have truly enjoyed serving as your Grand Master; thankful for the assistance of our Grand Lodge Officers, committee chairmen, Worshipful Masters, office staff and our many Lodge members whose unselfish dedication made my job easier; I am encouraged as I leave office that our membership is increasing with younger men eager for the substantive and intellectual portion that Freemasonry has to offer. I could not leave office without a personal “thanks” to our Grand Secretary, who has labored for you and me to ensure that we “look good” and present only the most positive image at all times. Our Grand Lodge office is currently busy planning for the election and installation of my successor, Albert McNair Smith, a worthy Brother and friend who has served our jurisdiction well. I pledge to him and this Grand Lodge, my continued full support.

During my term as your Grand Master, I have done some reflection and have come to the conclusion that one of our major strengths in this jurisdiction is that diversity is a fundamental source of our organizational significance. We are strong because of our differences—a truth expressed in a Martin Buxbaum tome, The Unsung, which featured the following by poet Eleanor Goyette:

Different in shape is each man Different in height does he stand Different in soul, thoughts and deeds Different in work, love and creeds Different in things he may give Different in ways he may live Different yet the very same Different not from where I came Different not at all is he Different not at all from me

Yes, we are different from others—and in a large part from each other. And yet it is this diversity that distinguishes us as individuals, as Masons and as participants in the greatest fraternal movement yet to exist. Let us resolve to keep it so by revering our past, by being grateful for our present and by facing the future—confident and resolute that we can successfully meet any challenges that may evolve. At the same time let us look realistically upon our fraternity as it was, not as we may subjectively think it was; let us look upon our fraternity as it is, not as we may subjectively think it is; and let us rationally envision our fraternity as it will probably be, and not as we may -on occasionenvision it as we hope it will be. No, my Brethren, let us continue to build our fraternity from strength to strength, using our differences to create a real Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.

M.W. Brother Leonard Proden

Let me conclude with a word of gratitude to you for giving me the opportunity to lead the Masons of Washington, D.C. during 2005. It has been an experience that I shall treasure forever. Hopefully, in the perspective of time, my response to your trust will be fairly evaluated. In the meantime, please accept my thanks for the kindness and understanding that has been consistently shown to this office and me everywhere. It has been my privilege to serve. Do good unto all. Masonry is forever!

Sincerely and fraternally,

Leonard Proden

Grand Master