Looking Ahead

The following message was delivered by the Deputy Grand Master at the annual leadership conference in Front Royal, Virginia, on September 9, 2005. By tradition this forum provides the Deputy Grand Master with an opportunity to share his vision and concerns about the current and future status and mission of Masonry in the District of Columbia and throughout the world.

Good Morning Brothers:

Welcome to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the 2005 Front Royal Leadership Conference. We thank you for attending. I am looking forward to a productive session. You will of course see the same cheerful faces that you see week after week. Additionally, you will meet new and enthusiastic brothers, like

It is often said that Scott McLean, who took

Freemasonry takes good his degrees in New York and has recently finished an men and makes them better. Internship at the White

It does. But it is now time House. He will soon be for us to widen our sights by affiliating locally and I hear that his lodge has plans for not only recruiting good him. A few months ago I men, but by encouraging met another new brother, those we recruit to accept Joby Dixon, who has become a friend, a mentor the challenges of the hour, and an inspiration. If you fraternal and otherwise, in a have not yet made his healthy, positive, and acquaintance, you will have the opportunity to do so productive manner. later today.

I want to thank Grand Master Leonard Proden for the exceptional service he has given the Grand Lodge and the District of Columbia, our National Capital, this year. I also want thank the officers and other leaders in our lodges for their continuing good work. I look forward to working with you through the rest of the year as I prepare for 2006. We must continue to build Masonry, day by day, adjusting to the challenge of change, even as we maintain our traditions and honor our beginnings.

It is often said that Freemasonry takes good men and makes them better. It does. But it is now time for us to widen our Albert McNair Smith Deputy Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia

sights by not only recruiting good men, but by encouraging those we recruit to accept the challenges of the hour, fraternal and otherwise, in a healthy, positive, and productive manner. Negative responses to challenges are unacceptable. We can not tolerate dead ends, obstacles, or barriers to the goals we seek.

Those of us who will be privileged to lead the Craft in 2006 stand on a threshold that promises to lead to a great future for Freemasonry. We will become a part of the vanguard of Masons who will share responsibility for the fraternity as we approach the 200th anniversary of this Grand Lodge in 2011. We must therefore identify and accept the challenges of the future and meet them all head on. This is a time for accentuating the positive. Let us compete, if need be, but let us do so constructively and in brotherly fashion, as we seek to strengthen Freemasonry in this jurisdiction. Challenge builds both men and character.

It is my prayer that in 2006 we will continue to promote coordination and cooperation among all Masons in Washington, D.C., focusing on what unites men of the Craft, rather than dwelling on ephemeral differences of opinion or style. In particular I hope that we will continue to strengthen our relationship with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

It is also my prayer that with your help our Grand Lodge will make further strides in its effort to make the Washington, D.C. community aware of what Masons are and of what Masons do, especially by being more involved, as Lodges and as individual Masons, in community work.

Indisputable is our obligation to continue our efforts to provide sound programs of Masonic education program and to provide for the teaching and the perfection of ritualistic work in this jurisdiction. Masons know each other, after all, not only by what they do, but just as importantly, how they do it. Perfection, my brethren, is a virtue that we all should seek.

We must capitalize on opportunities, such as our Octagon Project, as they evolve. That effort has received attention