APPRECIATING OUR LEGACY
Appreciating OUR LEGACY hen I think about our recent history and the continuing evolution and adaptation of our Masonic institution to the changing times, I recognize tremendous renewal and progress, and see a bright future for the Craft. We should all consider ourselves fortunate to be participants in, and witnesses of, the dynamic, exciting and productive times our jurisdiction has enjoyed in the recent past and which will, no doubt, continue. I rejoice in the renaissance that characterizes our jurisdiction at present.
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It is happening in all of our Lodges. I see tangible examples of this revival as I visit. I am proud of the diversity and of the unique character of each of our lodges, and most importantly, of the great work that is being done by our Worshipful Masters and the officers of our constituent lodges. Their devotion, their practice of true and enduring Masonry, their impressive ritual work, their meaningful Masonic educational efforts, and their promotion of social responsibility, in an enabling environment of brotherly love, relief and truth, assures the continuing advancement of our interests. I cannot adequately describe the sense of inner joy and pride that I have when I see increasingly younger faces in our lodges; young men seeking more light from their older brothers, while actively participating in the affairs of their Lodge, more especially in the ritual work. They deport themselves with the respect, honor and dignity that is due our fraternity, realizing that our ritual makes us unique. Keeping in mind that we have a venerable heritage to preserve, we are successfully encouraging our newly made Masons to better themselves and to contribute to the building of a kinder, more just, and loving world. Each day I rejoice not only in the tremendous work that is being done in our lodges, but also in our united commitment to the concept of Masonic universality. We embrace all men as children of one God. I am proud that our jurisdiction gives meaning to and daily demonstrates that Masonry is founded on the principle of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. Good men of every creed and background, meeting on the level, acting by the plumb, and parting upon the square.
Robert B. Heyat, Deputy Grand Master In a complex world that is torn apart by endless religious disputes, cultural animosities, suspicions, threats, civil wars, abuse and intolerance, we represent an oasis of tolerance and of fraternity, love, freedom, justice, peace and harmony. In this respect our jurisdiction stands tall in the world community of Masonry. What an incredible feeling of satisfaction it is to see Jews, Christians and Moslems breaking bread together in our lodges. Or to see Armenians and Turks, Arabs and Israelis, Persians, Europeans, Latin Americans and Africans all gather together, with a firm conviction that they are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature and share the same hope. It is my hope and fervent prayer that we will continue to deepen and strengthen our appreciation of Masonic universality. Nothing less will be required of us if we are to succeed in living up to our responsibility as Masons of the District of Columbia. By living here in the Nation’s Capital, we have a special responsibility to perfect and protect, through Masonry, a society within a city, that is the focus of world wide interest and attention. Let us, in short, resolve to propagate the values that we cherish, ceaselessly striving to realize what Joseph Fort Newton defined as the “Mission of Masonry” when he wrote: “When the spirit of this order has its way upon earth, as at last it certainly will, society will be a vast league of sympathy and justice, business a system of human service, law a rule of beneficence, the home will be more holy, the laughter of childhood more joyous, and the temple of prayer mortised and tenoned in simple faith. Evil, injustice, bigotry, and greed, and every vile and slimy thing that defiles humanity will skulk into the dark, unable to endure the light of a juster, wiser, more merciful order. Industry will be upright, education prophetic, and religion not a shadow, but a real presence, when man has become acquainted with man and has learned to worship God by serving his fellows. When Masonry is victorious every tyranny will fall, every bastille crumble, and man will be not only unfettered in mind and hand, but free of heart to walk erect in the light and dignity of the truth.”
The Voice of Freemasonry
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