Cover Credit

Voice of Freemasonry Volume 23, Number 2, 2006

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Albert McNair Smith, Grand Master

MANAGING EDITOR Mansour Hatefi, Grand Secretary

The Voice of Freemasonry is an official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (F.A.A.M.) of the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise noted, articles appearing in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the Grand Master and the Executive Board, when attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary. The editorial staff invites contributions in the form of

informative articles, reports, news and other timely information (of about 500 to 1000 words in length) that broadly relate to Masonic law, lore, customs, history, symbolism, philosophy, responsibility of membership, etiquette, current events, and/or general public interest. When possible, photographs that illustrate these informative articles should accompany the submission. Pieces submitted should be typed, double-spaced and preferably accompanied by a computer disk in a neutral PC format or via e-mail to:

grandlodge@dcgrandlodge.org

Articles are subject to editing and, when published, become the property of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of the District of Columbia. No compensation is allowed for any articles, photographs, or other materials submitted for publication. Permission to reprint articles will be granted upon written request to the Editor from recognized Masonic publications and others. When reprinted, articles should note: “Reprinted with permission of the Voice of Freemasonry in the Nation’s Capital, (month), (year).”

Please direct all correspondence to: Managing Editor: The Voice of Freemasonry 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2524

THE GRAND LODGE BUILDING: 1908-1983

The photograph on the cover of this issue of the Voice of Freemasonry depicts the home of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of D.C. from 1908 until 1983, at which time it was sold and renovated to become the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

At the dedication ceremony in 1908, the then Grand Master, MW Augustus B. Coolidge, stated that the building was not simply a home for the Craft, but also a monument to Masonry, standing as evidence of its teachings.

This was a temple, he said, “of which we may well be proud, artistic in design, commodious in construction, commensurate with the dignity and standing of our time-honored institution.”

He also stated that “the same loyalty and love of the Order, the same pride in its reputation and welfare, which has rendered the erection of this building possible, will insure its preservation and prove an impregnable guard against injury in the future.”

MW Coolidge, declaring his optimism for the future of the fraternity, concluded his dedicatory remarks with these words: “May the Masonic ideals here taught and here cherished, and may the virtue and benevolence, the uprightness of character of its members, be as conspicuous in the community as is this beautiful temple... .”

Unfortunately the future was not as kind to the Craft as MW Coolidge hoped, but the Masons of D.C. still look with pride on their former home, and although it is now occupied by exceptionally worthy successors, it still stands, in our nation’s capital, as a fitting monument to the genius and dedication of our Masonic predecessors.

Table of Contents

Page Cover Credit ..........................................................................................................2 Grand Master’s Message........................................................................................3 Celebrating the Special Olympics............................................................................4 Appreciating Our Legacy ........................................................................................5 Architect’s Comments at the Cornerstone Ceremony...............................................6 Grand Master’s Testimonial.....................................................................................8 Building a Better Beehive .......................................................................................9 The Nature of Masonry .........................................................................................10 The Highway of Masonry ......................................................................................12 Centerfold............................................................................................................14 Grand Master Addresses Olympians .....................................................................16 Medal of Freedom Awarded..................................................................................17 Local Scholars Recognized...................................................................................19 Grand Master’s Homecoming ...............................................................................20 MIC Calls Lodges to Action ..................................................................................22 Situational Opportunities and Public Awareness ....................................................23 Jackson City — Continued ...................................................................................25 The VA Chapel Project..........................................................................................26 Special Olympics.....................................................................................back cover

Photo Credits: All photographs in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, were contributed by the Grand Lodge photographers, Brothers William D. Means and Sviatoslav V. Voloshin.