The Voice of Freemasonry | Vol. 25 No. 2

IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

All For One, One For All An Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of Washington, D.C.

Volume 25 Number 2 2008

GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The Voice of Freemasonry

On the Cover: All For One, One For All

Volume 25, Number 2, 2008 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Akram R. Elias, Grand Master MANAGING EDITOR Mansour Hatefi, PGM, 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, and 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, (volume), (number), (year).”

Please direct all correspondence to: MANAGING EDITOR: THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016-2524

Visit us on the web at: www.dcgrandlodge.org

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This issue’s cover features M.W. Bro. Akram R. Elias, Grand Master of Masons of Washington, D.C. shaking hands with the Honorable J. Raymond Murray, Grand Master of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge in the District of Columbia. The two Grand Masters jointly placed a floral wreath in the design of a Square and Compasses with the letter G at the District of Columbia pillar of the National World War II Memorial. They were just two of the many Grand Masters and other brethren from around the country and the globe who participated in a special May 10, 2008 wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial to honor and remember our fallen brethren who died during World War II. To read M.W. Bro. Elias’s remarks on that occasion as well as the prayers that were offered, please see pages 12 and 13.

Table of Contents

PAGE Cover Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Message from the Grand Master. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 From the Grand Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 World Conference: Chairman’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 World Conference: Executive Secretary’s Report . . . . . . . . . . 11 Paying Homage at the National WWII Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Prayers from the WWII Memorial Wreath Laying . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Universal Fraternity in Action: Scenes from the World Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 First Lady’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Masonic Club: Phenomenon of the Past? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Lodge Histories and the Grand Lodge Bi-Centennial . . . . . . . . 22 Absentee Voting in the Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Brother Helping Brother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts of America and the Influence of the Craft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 The Mason as a Citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Brothers Work to Help D.C. Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The Grand Lodge 2008 Annual Leadership Conference . . . . . 31 2008 Medal of Freedom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2008 Humanitarian Service Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Photo Credits: Photographs appearing in this issue, unless otherwise indicated, were provided by Bros. Quentin O. Miles, Sviatoslav V. Voloshin, Guy J. Masquefa, the author of the corresponding article, or open sources on the internet.

GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

Grand Master’s Message

A Time for Renewal: What Are We Really? e often struggle in defining ourselves to others who are seeking more information about the nature of our Fraternity. When asked the question “what do Freemasons do?” some highlight the atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie; others stress the charities supported by Freemasons; and yet others value the philosophical and educational aspects of our Craft. The interesting thing is that all these – fellowship, charity and intellectual growth – are parts of what we are but do not fully answer the question. The answer becomes more difficult to express when confronted with a question like “why should I be part of this?

I can after all find fellowship, charity and intellectual growth in other organizations.” Indeed, there are today more than 80,000 nonprofit organizations in the United States and almost all of them promote fellowship, charity, intellectual growth or a combination of the three in one form or another. What makes us really different? In other words, what are we really?

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and encourage the building of the temple of humanity. The institution that binds together is a Society and not an organization. I addressed this issue in an article published in 2007 in the Voice of Freemasonry Volume 24, Number 2, as follows: A “society” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture.

Freemasonry is indeed a fraternal “society” of men who distinguish themselves from others by mutual interests (to become better men), participation in characteristic relationships (ritualistic ceremonies), shared institutions (the Lodge), and a common culture (Masonic symbolism).

To the word “society” I would like to attach the adjective “noble” which helps further The answer to this simple yet qualify the nature of our instituprofound question of “what are tion. In Freemasonry we take we” can be better found by first and accept good men of various addressing the following subethnic, religious and racial backquestions: Who are we? What do grounds and encourage them to we do? How do we do it? think nobly, intend nobly, and Most Worshipful Brother act nobly. Nobility of thought, Who Are We? Akram R. Elias intention and action is an essenWe are Freemasons! The word tial characteristic of our Society. is a compound of two separate words, “Free” and We are constantly reminded by our ritual that “Mason”. The freedom of one’s mind is at the core as Freemasons we make use of the tools in our of who we are. This freedom of mind encompasses Craft for “more noble and glorious” purposes. freedom of worship, freedom of thought, freedom So, who are? We are the Noble Society of of action, freedom from ignorance, freedom from Freemasons. extremism, and freedom from tyranny. We are speakWhat Do We Do? ing of “enlightened freedom” or “Liberty”, not the vulgar freedom to simply do whatever one wants.

We often say in Freemasonry that “we take good men The second word “Mason” emphasizes the concept of and make them better”. This statement has troubled building; building a better self, a better community, me for a long time because it paints an inaccurate and indeed, a better world. In other words, as Freepicture of what we really do. Let me explain. The masons we stand for enlightened individual freedom first half of the statement – “we take good men” – continued on page 4 The Voice of Freemasonry

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GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

reflects very well an important aspect of what we do. One does not simply “join” Freemasonry; one is “initiated”, “taken and accepted” into Freemasonry.

It means that Freemasonry is not made for everyone. This is not about elitism but about selectivity.

Since Freemasonry prides itself in being a Universal Society that admits into its ranks people of different color, religion, and ethnicity, what are then its selectivity criteria? For one, we do require that the candidate requesting entry into our Society profess a belief in Deity; atheists are not allowed in the ranks of regular Freemasonry. I believe there are other very important criteria. My proposition to you is that Freemasonry is designed to take good men who are always thirsty for more knowledge, willing to constantly improve themselves, and are eager to continuously impact their environment for the betterment of humanity.

In other words, we take good men “who want to make a difference” in their lives and the lives of others for the betterment of the human condition.

So, what do we do? We Take Good Men Who Want to Make a Difference and Help them Become Masters of Themselves and Builders of Better Communities.”

How Do We Do That?

“Ritual is necessary for us to know anything” - Ken Kesey The following is a passage from an article that I authored a few years ago entitled, “The Magic of Masonic Ritual”, in which I stated: We know that rituals through symbolism make lasting impressions upon Man’s consciousness.

What does this really mean?

Tim Schallice, MRC Applied Psychology Unit at Cambridge, sheds some light on the importance of consciousness: “a variety of empirical phenomena, such as the blindsight syndrome, indicate that if there is to be a scientific understanding of human thought, consciousness cannot be dismissed as a mere epiphenomenon. On the contrary, it relates to some very central aspect of the human information-processing system”.

In other words, consciousness plays a paramount role in influencing physical behavior, and if one were to alter his own consciousness, he could ultimately alter his behavior.

The Noble Society of Freemasons takes good men who want to make a difference and helps them through the sacred art of initiation become masters of themselves and builders of better communities.

The second part of the statement “and make them better” is troublesome. We do not make any good man better.

Freemasonry presents the new initiate with tools, teaches him skills and provides him with the Lodge environment to better enable him to make himself a better person. Freemasonry stresses the individual’s independence of mind and spirit. The essence of the initiatory experience lies in the proposition that one seeks one’s own path of enlightened self improvement for the purpose of becoming a better builder of one’s community locally and globally. Freemasonry offers its members a series of three degrees, Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

All other degrees in the York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies are simply there to assist the Freemason in deepening his knowledge in Freemasonry; they are wrongly refereed to as “higher degrees.” The goal is to become a Master Mason – a Master Builder! In other words, the object of the initiatory path is for each individual person to seek “mastery” of one’s self physically, intellectually and spiritually by mastering one’s thoughts, intentions and actions.

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Harry M. Johnson of the University of Illinois says the following “properly speaking, a symbol stands for a concept, general or particular. The person, thing, category, idea or event evoked as a concept may be only imaginary but may, along with other symbolized meanings in complex messages, bring about thoughts, feelings, or intentions in the decoders of the symbol.”

Indeed, symbolism works very well on intuitions by triggering feelings which in turn allow the individual to comprehend at a glance. Blaise Pascal put it best when he said: “those who are accustomed to reason from first principles do not understand matters of feeling at all, because they look for first principles and are unable to comprehend at a glance”.

GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

Through ritual, a man’s consciousness is affected and his senses activate his intuition; and an altered state of consciousness ultimately expresses itself in tangible actions. In Freemasonry, that is exactly the purpose of ritual. It is through its richly moral rituals that Freemasonry makes such a deep and lasting impact on the individual brother. By altering one’s own level of consciousness, a good man can make himself better through a gradual process of internal change. This true alchemy is the “Magic” of Masonic ritual.

This process of alchemy consists of three necessary stages: absorption, assimilation and action.

Absorption: the process of absorption through memorization enables the initiate to first internalize the deep messages conveyed by the ritual. It is, therefore, imperative that our Lodges teach the ritual and assign instructors to assist new members in learning the ritual properly. Showing ritual proficiency is a necessary condition for progressing through the degrees.

Assimilation: In order to move from the state of absorption to that of assimilation, the initiate must discuss, dissect and research the significance and

richness of the ritual’s symbolism with other members of the Craft. Lodges of Instruction present the ideal environment for the initiate to engage in meaningful discussions of the ritual with other learned Brethren within his Lodge. Furthermore, the initiate should be encouraged to reflect internally about various aspects of the ritual and then present his own perspective to members of his Lodge. The initiatory path is an individual quest.

Action: the combination of absorption and assimilation of ritual produces the internal state of alchemy.

The next and final stage is all about the externalization of the ritual through action. By “living” the ritual inside as well as outside the Lodge, the Freemason becomes an independent agent of change and a builder of a better world. There lies the essence of the Master Mason’s Degree.

So, how do we do that? With the aid of the Sacred Art of Initiation “The Noble Society of Freemasons takes good men who want to make a difference and helps them through the sacred art of initiation become masters of themselves and builders of better communities” ■

“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in His holy protection, that He would incline the hearts of the Citizens… to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Fields, and finally, that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen.”

– Brother George Washington in his “Circular to the States”, June 14, 1783

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FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY

From the Grand Secretary

Grand Representatives: Operative or Speculative?

Mansour Hatefi, PGM Grand Secretary

he Grand Representative System, introduced by the Grand Lodge of New York in 1838, was designed to “. . . foster and encourage a closer bond of union and fraternal accord between several Grand Lodges of the world, by helping to establish the true spirit of brotherhood and promoting the principle of Masonic universality.” It was created for the laudable purpose of establishing a more efficient relationship between the Grand Lodges of our common country, and with this view was readily accepted by most.

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A year later, the Grand Secretary of New York reported: “The system proposed by this Grand Lodge…, to exchange representatives with foreign Grand Lodges, is gradually going into operation, and will no doubt be universally adopted.” Ireland, Scotland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina and the District of Columbia were already on record. Most of the Grand Lodges recognized by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia as Regular are assigned a Grand Representative. In the United States only five Grand Lodges (California, Iowa, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wyoming) do not exchange Grand Representatives with Grand Lodges with which they are in amity.

The Grand Representative System was originally designed to “foster and encourage a closer bond of union and fraternal accord between several Grand Lodges of the world, by helping to establish the true spirit of brotherhood and promoting the principle of Masonic universality.

No other law or regulation, however, was adopted by the Grand Lodge which initiated the system and not to our knowledge has any since been framed by that or any other Grand Lodge that has been widely accepted and implemented by others. Neither has this Grand Lodge made such laws and regulations.

Custom alone has governed the appointment and the recognition of representatives by the usage that has prevailed in other Grand Jurisdictions, but that custom has been very uniform and uninterrupted.

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It is believed that the main objectives of the Grand Representative System are to communicate, create fraternal relations, learn about and exchange information about the two Grand Jurisdictions involved in each case. And the primary challenge to the system is in opening new and improved avenues of fraternal communication and understanding between the two jurisdictions.

However, achieving these objectives has proved to be problematic, and apart from chronic procrastination in some jurisdictions, shortcomings on the Grand Representative System, such as low level of interest, failure to establish communication, language barriers, patronage, honorary and lifetime appointments, lack of understanding of the importance and the role of the System and limitations in direct contact and communication between the counterpart Grand Representatives, have made the whole system questionable.

The Grand Representative System has been the subject of discussions from time to time and has been addressed in surveys conducted by a number of Grand Lodges.

However, in a show of hands, only four Grand Secretaries in attendance at the 2005 Grand Secretaries Conference, found any value in the Grand Representative System.

There is a question as to whether or not the system has a real value in the electronic age. In the past when the communication was, at best, slow, there was probably a need to have someone in another jurisdiction that was your Grand Representative near that Grand Lodge. They would communicate what occurred in that jurisdiction to the jurisdiction

FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY

that they represent. In many cases, due to differences in language, it is not possible, even today, to communicate in an intelligent manner with a jurisdiction that one may represent. Also, in many jurisdictions, those who receive an appointment as a Grand Representative, get it as an honorarium rather than because they can be effective in the position.

Concerns about the validity and feasibility of the System have been expressed in various Masonic venues and circles since the early years of its inception.

Our own Most Worshipful Brother John C. Schleter, the late Past Grand Master, addressed the issue in a paper presented to the Conference of Grand Masters of North America in Orlando, Florida in February 1981, pointing out the need for explicit guidelines to assist the Grand Representatives in successfully carrying out their duties.

Although the Grand Representative System has generally had a poor track record, nevertheless, most Grand Jurisdictions continue to maintain the program with apparently no effort to make it really work; while some others faced with the troublesome concept of the Grand representative as a channel of communication, are making conscious efforts to bring the Grand Representative System back on track as it was originally intended, by developing an effective system, and managing it in earnest. To this effect a number of suggestions have been offered to jurisdictions that want this program and are willing to change the way it has been handled, in order to make it work better. Amongst the foremost of those are:

discontinue the practice of patronage or honorary appointments. s 4O LIMIT THE NUMBER OF THE 'RAND 2EPRESENTATIVE to a meaningful and manageable level. s 4O INFORM AND MAKE EVERY CANDIDATE FOR NOMINA tion to a Grand Representative position aware of the importance of the assignment and the responsibility and duties associated with such a position. s 4O CONSIDER FAILURE IN COMMUNICATION BY A 'RAND Lodge or Grand Representative, and failure to provide a Commission or Certificate of Appointment of the Representative in a timely manner, as evidence of lack of interest or reluctance to participate in the Grand Representative System. s 4O COMMUNICATE IN A TIMELY FASHION ANY AND ALL changes in the status of the Grand Representatives to the relevant Jurisdictions.

Grand Representatives are symbols, and as a fraternity of symbols we should value Grand Representatives as what they are, not as what we have mistakenly and vainly tried to make them.

s 4O ESTABLISH AND CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH their Grand Representatives and counterparts, by means of the very many tools provided by modern technology and encouraging submission of annual reports to the Grand Lodge. s 4O TERMINATE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE 'RAND 2EP resentatives who fail to communicate with their counterparts and fi le timely reports. s 4O BASE APPOINTMENTS ON KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS of communication, taking into consideration such factors as language and cultural differences and

These suggestions are based on the assumption that although being appointed a Grand Representative is an honor, it certainly is not and should not be treated as simply a formality with no duty or responsibility other than carrying the title. It is true that in the absence of any law or regulation, and in spite of the intention of the framers of the System, some may have interpreted it as an office of honor and dignity, conferred without expectation of compensatory service, as is taken to be the case at present. Nevertheless, the appointment should be taken seriously on both ends: by the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge and also by the appointee. Nobody should be appointed unless there is full confidence in his ability and desire to perform and nobody should accept the appointment unless he is willing and prepared to fulfi ll duties associated with the appointment.

It is also incumbent on the Grand Lodges to take the lead by selecting the best qualified brother in each case, through the Office of the Grand Secretary or the Committee for Fraternal Relations; providing him with proper guidelines and clear instructions and assisting him along the way to ensure success in this very important endeavor in promoting the universality of our fraternity. continued on page 28 The Voice of Freemasonry

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THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE: REPORT FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

The IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges

A Report from the Conference Chairman Robert B.Heyat, PGM Conference Chairman

ur Grand Lodge hosted the IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges last May 7-9 in Washington D.C. The World Conference first started in March 1995, when the Grand Lodge of Valle de Mexico hosted its first session as the “Conference of World Grand Masters”, during the celebration of its 112th anniversary in Mexico City. At this Conference 37 Grand lodges participated including 32 from South America, Grand Lodge of New York, Grand Lodge of Israel, Grand Lodge of Spain, Grand Lodge of Portugal and Grand Orient of Italy. On the final day of the Conference, a manifesto was declared as the “Charter of Anahuac” (the ancient Aztec name for Valley of Mexico) with the central objective being a focus on challenges and strategies facing Freemasonry in the third millennium, and establishing the goals and the date of the next Conference.

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The happy news of our sponsorship and plans to host the World Conference in Washington D.C. was reported to our Grand Lodge Annual Communication in December 2006 and a special committee was formed with MW Akram R. Elias as Chairman, to prepare and organize the format, procedures, events, the website and the people responsible for each element.

MW Akram R. Elias and his team worked continuously through numerous meetings and communications in their preparation, always coordinating with the then Grand Master MWB Robert B. Heyat and MWB Mansour Hatefi, the Grand Secretary. The Conference dates were set for May 7-9, 2008 and it was also decided to bring the annual Universal Brotherhood Celebration forward to May 10 as the final event of the World Conference. By the end of 2007, the entire program and events of the Conference were in place and a website with full information on the Conference and registration in four languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese) was set up.

With nearly 120 recognized Grand Lodges and more than 650 participants, this was by far the largest international Masonic conference in the history of Freemasonry.

The second World Conference was held in Lisbon, Portugal, but it was at the third World Conference in New York that a charter was approved and RWB Thomas Jackson was elected as the executive secretary of the Conference. It was also decided that the Conference should be held at 18-month intervals with the location rotating among the different continents.

Since then the fourth Conference was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the fifth in Madrid, Spain, the sixth in New Delhi, India, the seventh in Santiago, Chile, and the eighth in Paris, France. Before participating in the Paris Conference, our Grand Lodge prepared an impressive video presentation on Masonry in Washington D.C. with accompanying brochures, detailing the extensive preparation for the ninth Conference.

The presentation made in Paris, with our proposal to sponsor the May 2008 IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges in Washington D.C. was approved unanimously.

In December 2007, following the installation of MW Akram R. Elias as Grand Master, the chairmanship of the Conference was transferred to MWB Robert B. Heyat, working with the same committee and team members. In addition to the website, all the information in respective languages, was mailed and e-mailed to more than 150 regular and recognized Grand Lodges across the world. To remain within the budget approved by the Grand Lodge, the participants had to pay for their Conference registration and the Universal Brotherhood Banquet. Furthermore, MW Akram R. Elias had organized certain sponsorships to compensate for possible shortfalls. With nearly 120 recognized Grand Lodges and more than 650 participants, this was by far the largest international Masonic Conference in the history of Freemasonry.

The most important elements in attracting such a great number of participants were the unique status continued on page 10

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THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE: REPORT FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

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THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE: REPORT FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

of Washington D.C. and the attractive events on the Conference schedule.

The events began with a welcome reception at the George Washington Masonic Memorial on Wednesday evening, May 7, which was generously sponsored by the Memorial. This was followed by the official opening of the Conference on Thursday morning, May 8 and remarks by the Executive Secretary and our Grand Master. The subject of discussion for the morning session was “Standing Up to Darkness” followed in the afternoon by “Grand Lodge and Masonic Integrity”. In the evening the delegates visited Capitol Hill, enjoying a reception sponsored by the members of Congress who are Masons and the Scottish Rite of Washington D.C. On Friday morning the Conference focused on “Global Fraternal Networking” as well as tending to the administrative issues and business at hand. A number of papers were presented on each subject and discussions followed.

nent delivered short speeches on the universality of Freemasonry. The gala dinner of the Conference was held in Renaissance Hotel that evening. One of the most moving and impressive events was the laying of the wreaths which took place Saturday morning, May 10, at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. The event, attended by Grand Masters and their ladies, began with bagpipe music, followed by prayers given by brethren of Christian, Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, and Jewish faiths. The opening speech was given by our Grand Master, MW Akram R. Elias. The names of each U.S. Grand Lodge were called while the respective Grand Master or his representative walked to their respective pillar of the memorial and placed his wreath. The representative Grand Lodges from each continent were called and they in turn placed their wreath. Going last, the Grand Lodge of Washington D.C. was represented by our Grand Master and the Grand Master of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge, accompanied by the chairman and executive secretary of the Conference. The banquet that evening, celebrating Universal Brotherhood, was also held in the Renaissance Hotel with more than 150 Brethren of our own jurisdiction among the guests.

The Conference left a deep and memorable impression on all the participants while strengthening further the enduring universality of Freemasonry as well as its challenge to elevate humanity and the civil society.

During the business session, a resolution was proposed by MW Akram R. Elias to establish an International Cultural and Educational Exchange (ICEE) supported by the respective Grand Lodges. A second resolution was proposed by MWB Robert B. Heyat to set up a coordinating committee for the membership and information on Grand Lodges participating in the Conference. Both proposals were passed unanimously. Additionally, the Grand Lodges of Gabon in Africa and Cartagena of Columbia were candidates for holding the next World Conference. Our Grand Lodge supported the Grand Lodge of Gabon for hosting what will be the X World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges, as there had been never a World Conference in Africa. MWB Robert Heyat’s proposal to approve Gabon for the tenth World Conference and Cartagena for the eleventh World Conference was approved unanimously. All these resolutions and papers presented by the participants will be compiled and printed as proceedings of the Conference.

This year’s Universal Lodge meeting was held at the Scottish Rite auditorium, which was filled to capacity. The participating Grand Lodges were recognized and several Grand Masters representing each conti-

In the course of these wonderful events, the Grand Master presented the Grand Lodge’s Humanitarian Service award to Congressman and Brother John Lewis and the Grand Lodge’s Medal of Freedom to Congressman and Brother Joe Wilson. There was also great entertainment by ethnic dance groups, representing different regions of the world, organized by the First Lady Lou Elias as a “Celebration of Dance” at the Friday night banquet and a performance by the Washington Opera on Saturday night. The Conference left a deep and memorable impression on all the participants while strengthening further the enduring universality of Freemasonry as well as its challenge to elevate humanity and the civil society.

Along with that came enhanced status for our own Grand Lodge in world Freemasonry. Much credit goes to the great team of local brethren and their ladies, too numerous to name, who worked devotedly for long hours and many days to make this event successful and unique. However, most important of all continued on page 28

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THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE: REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

The IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges

A Report from the Executive Secretary Thomas W. Jackson, RWPGS Conference Executive Secretary

y Brothers, the IX World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges is now over and recorded in the annals of history, not only in the history of the World Conference but in that of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. You can be justifiably proud of your Grand Lodge and the committee that worked so diligently and performed so ably in crafting it.

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One hundred twenty Grand Lodges from around the world were represented by their Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries who joined together in a unified spirit to discuss issues and to present papers of universal significance to Freemasonry. The total attendance at this conference was approximately six hundred fifty. This represented not only the largest number of delegations but also the largest number of attendees to the World Conference to the present time. Indeed, it was probably the largest gathering of Grand Lodges and Masonic leaders to ever meet on American soil. This conference also provided an opportunity for the first time for many of the leaders of North American Freemasonry to meet and associate with Masonic leaders from many foreign jurisdictions.

The special programs that were arranged by the committee such as the reception at the capitol and the wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial were impressive and provided an opportunity for those attending to experience something unique to the city of Washington, D.C. The Universal Lodge meeting was also unique and impressive reflecting the universality of the brothers who comprise the craft.

The themes of the conference revealed the concern of the leadership in exposing the relevancy of Freemasonry in today’s society while at the same time reminding us of our need for self examination. If we are to continue to play a vital role in stimulating world societies to adapt to the moral and ethical philosophy which our craft espouses, then we must

also stimulate ourselves to practice the same virtues and to work together toward a unity of purpose. The discussions held during this conference were geared toward these issues.

The constitutional purpose of the World Conference is, “to share information and to discuss issues that promote the stability, progress and universality of Craft Masonry”. Recognizing in today’s world, the instability in some jurisdictions, as a result of the spread of irregular Freemasonry, the interference of appendant organizations, the limitations by some ruling factions and the disinformation spread on the Internet, makes the environment of the World Conference of significant importance.

My brothers, this organization of Freemasonry has been a driving influence in interjecting civility into civil society for several hundred years. Our concept of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God is needed perhaps more than any other time in history. With all the stress existing in our world this philosophy of ours is desperately needed. The World Conference has been designed to promote this understanding amongst the world leadership of the craft. Hopefully their impact upon the brothers of their Grand Lodges might be such that it can become infused in the will of all Freemasons around the world.

There were two proposals received to host the next World Conference in 2009, one from the Grand Lodge in Cartagena, Columbia and the other from the Grand Lodge of Gabon in Africa.

Both Grand Lodges presented outstanding proposals making us wish we could attend in both jurisdictions.

Since our constitution requires that every attempt be made to distribute the conference to each continent in the world, and since the continent of Africa has never hosted a World Conference, the next meeting of the conference will be held in Gabon, in November of 2009. Gabon is a country in equatorial Africa continued on page 27 The Voice of Freemasonry

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PAYING HOMAGE AT THE NATIONAL WWII MEMORIAL

Paying Homage at the

National World War II Memorial Most Worshipful Brother Akram R. Elias, Grand Master, offered the following remarks at a special wreath laying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial on May 10, 2008.

Most Worshipful Brother Akram R. Elias speaking at the National World War II Memorial

My Brethren, Ladies and Friends: e have gathered at the National World War II Memorial today to pay homage to those who gave their lives in the most deďŹ ning struggle of the twentieth century. We come here to this sacred site to remember the tens of thousands of Freemasons and hundreds of thousands of nonMasons who paid the ultimate price in defense of liberty and democratic principles. We also remember the millions of innocent Jews who were systematically slaughtered during the Holocaust at the hands of the dark forces of despotism and tyranny.

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But we also come here to renew our commitment to the cause of liberty. Our country was founded by fathers, many of whom were Freemasons, the likes of George Washington, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and James Madison, to name a few. We also take pride in the fact that

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many of the prominent leaders from around the world who promoted the establishment of a new order based on individual liberty, legitimate rule of the people, and constitutional rule of law were also Freemasons such as Simon Bolivar, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Jose de San Martin, Louis (Lajos) Kossuth, and Jose Marti. They have left us with a great legacy and expect us to carry the torch forward.

Indeed, the world today needs Freemasonry more than ever.

We see the dark forces of ignorance, extremism and despotism on the rise once again threatening our human civilization. We must stand up to them, accept the challenge and build bridges of understanding and cooperation among the peoples of this earth. May God bless you all and bless the Noble Society of the Freemasons.â–

PRAYERS FROM THE WWII MEMORIAL WREATH LAYING

Prayers from the

WWII Memorial Wreath Laying MUSLIM We are called to be peacemakers. It is written in the Koran: “And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” Standing before the World War II monument, we rededicate ourselves to being leaders for peace in our time.

Mansour Hatefi, PGM, Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of Washington, D.C. JEWISH It is written in the Hebrew Scriptures, in Isaiah, “If you give of your own food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the wretched, then light will rise for you out of darkness and dusk will be like noonday.” As Free Masons, we work to create the light of economic prosperity for the people of the world. Bringing together people of many different religions, races and nationalities, we seek to build a world where all will have food, shelter, peace and education. May our efforts be blessed by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Haim Gel, Past Grand Master Grand Lodge of the State of Israel HINDU It is written in the Reg Veda, the oldest Hindu Scripture, “Truth is one, the wise call It by various names.” As Free Masons, we affirm this sacred truth. We will not be sundered by religion or belief systems. Our many different beliefs motivate us to work for the same goal: a united human family.

CHRISTIAN Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” As Free Masons, we are committed to purifying and improving ourselves as individuals.

Striving to develop and employ the gifts with which we have been blessed personally, we use our gifts not just for personal enjoyment and the well-being of our families but for the betterment of all of humanity.

As we do so, may we grow into the image of the One who created us.

Clayton J. Borne III, Past Grand Master Grand Lodge of Louisiana BUDDHIST As Free Masons, we have a deep and historic commitment to the betterment of the human condition. In our generation, perhaps nothing is more important, in that regard, than working to protect the environment.

The air we breathe, water we drink and soil upon which we walk is a sacred trust. The Dalai Lama puts our responsibility in the following terms: “Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth’s living things… It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier, than we found it.”

Leonard Proden, Past Grand Master Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of Washington, D.C. continued on page 29

Justice Devinder Gupta, Grand Master Grand Lodge of India

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UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY IN ACTION: SCENES FROM THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE

Universal Frat

SCENES FROM THE IX X

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Opening of the Conference; Reception at GW Masonic Memorial; A Young Violinist at the Ladies’ Event

UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY IN ACTION: SCENES FROM THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE

ternity in Action

X WORLD CONFERENCE

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UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY IN ACTION: SCENES FROM THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE

Universal Frat

SCENES FROM THE IX X

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Closing Banquet: A Celebration of Dance

UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY IN ACTION: SCENES FROM THE IX WORLD CONFERENCE

ternity in Action

X WORLD CONFERENCE

National WWII Memorial Wreath Laying and the Universal Brotherhood Celebration with the Washington Opera

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FIRST LADY’S MESSAGE

First Lady’s Message 2008 National Race for the Cure Lourdes P. Elias First Lady

hanks a zillion times to ALL of you for your assistance and support of our Team: “LGL Lou’s Crew and the Grand Lodge of D.C.” in the 19th annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure. We exceeded our team goal of $7,000 (by raising over $8,616 to date with donations still coming in…), and we met our team participant goal of 40 walkers/runners with 43 participants. I know a lot of you wanted to be with us but were called out-of-town, etc., and I did receive your kind and generous contributions!

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by his girlfriend Alexandra, who was a real trooper and pulled some considerable time with “sign carrying” duty. Brother Carlos Rodriguez (famed concert pianist) walked with us as well as my dear friend, Peter Burroughs (the Washington Opera tenor), and his parents, Jeneva and Stuart Burroughs (who flew in from Vermont to be part of this walk). Peter’s dad Stuart (a.k.a. the “bionic man” due to two reconstructed hips) was an inspiring force in our team and also volunteered some major “sign carrying” duty.

The team participants are the brave souls that venAs we started the walk, Congressman Ken Bentsen tured out in 89° weather (which with the humidity, (FYI – Ken is currently the Chairman of the Board of felt like 100°) as early the Susan G. Komen as 7:45 am when we National Race for met at the top steps of the Cure and spoke at the National Archives). our recent 9th World It was a hazy mornConference of Masonic ing, and even though Grand Lodges) saw our the Metro started early banner and pointed us (5:30 am), the trains out from the crowd, and were not running frethe Master of Ceremoquently, and about nies (the 97.1 DeeJay) three of our particiannounced our team as pants did not make it the “Freemasons of the on time for the race/ District of Columbia” to walk. Nonetheless, we the crowd. We all went had a very enthusiastic crazy cheering. crew. The participants Later at the sponsors’ all wore white Race tent I was able to take Lou’s Crew team members pose on the steps of the National for the Cure t-shirts Archives for a group picture before beginning this year’s a picture with the Conexcept for the “surviNational Race for the Cure. gressman and Linda vors” of breast cancer, Lentini who is the who wore pink shirts. Throughout the walk people “Sponsors Coordinator”. By the way, my dear friend, approached those of us with pink shirts and asked: Laura Quiroga Rodriguez (a director with the GALA “How many years as a survivor?” – to which I replied Hispanic Theatre), was very helpful in “directing/ only one (1), and they would cheer and wish us all a choreographing” our crew so that our banner would healthy future. That was moving for me. be perfectly angled to the various television cameras From our Masonic family, Pat and Paul Gleason; Patti she spotted along the route. and Bill Turner, Rosario Valera, and Janice (a fellow We had Cecile, Fatima, Joie (who all kicked in with survivor) and Gary Bond were among the early risers lots of sign carrying duty) and Johanna who came along with Walter Hoenes and his mom, Virginia (also with some friends from the German embassy and a fellow survivor). Connor Flaherty brought our sign diplomatic corps. just in time to start the walk, and we were also joined

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FIRST LADY’S MESSAGE

First Lady Lou Elias (right) leads the way along Constitution Avenue as DC Freemasons, family and friends walked together in support of efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.

Veronica Gonzalez (ESL teacher extraordinaire) was also very helpful providing tissue paper and funny stories as we melted during the walk. My friend and fellow survivor Roya Bahrami (Persian music specialist), and her friends joined us as well.

Also, we were honored to have Anne Perry (outside legal counsel to my company DGI) and her family (husband-Bob and daughter-Emma) with us. My other adopted sister, Alisa Bernstein (who I treat like a daughter) was with us, and we gave Anne and her daughter Emma lessons in flicking a fan “flamenco style” with maja-tude. The fans came in very handy as the sun started blazing at 9 am. Alisa dances Flamenco with my company, the Spanish Dance Theatre. There were lots of funny stories along the way.

We pondered on clothing design that would be more suitable for this type of event—tank tops for women, muscle shirts for men. Emma and her dad Bob went

through the water/spray tent and at the water stops we did not just drink the water but poured it on ourselves.

There were cheerleaders and bands from local high schools along the way which helped keep our spirits high and moving. Overall, it was a fantastic event, even though most of us—who weren’t paying attention (and to our defense, the course was not clearly marked) —walked the full 5K instead of deviating towards the 1-mile walker’s course. Oh well. If I forgot anybody from our team, please let me know.

Washington, D.C. has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the United States. During these tough economic times we are truly blessed to be able to help fund these outreach programs and initiatives that address the specific unmet breast health needs of the area. ■

Attention Federal Employees: Please consider including the Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia as part of your charitable giving to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC number for the Masonic Foundation is

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THE MASONIC CLUB

The Masonic Club:

Phenomenon of the Past?

Stewart W. Miner, PGM Grand Secretary Emeritus and Grand Lodge Historian

he current (2008) Masonic Directory of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia includes entries for three Masonic clubs — the Circle Club of Master Masons; the District of Columbia High Twelve Club No. 576; and the Blue Flame Masonic Club. Also operating in the area, but not listed in the Directory, is the George Washington Masonic Stamp Club.

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membership of almost 3,000, operating in the jurisdiction. In his report he acknowledged the formation of the Ashlar Club in the War, State and Navy Department, the White House and the Civil Service Commission; the Compass Club, composed of Masons in the Post-office Department; the Fellowship Club, composed of Masons in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; the Lambskin Club, composed of Masons in the Navy Yard.

At present the Circle Club convenes for dinner at the Elks Club in Riverdale, Maryland, on the 4th Monday MW Brother Jermaine of each month; the District of Columbia High Twelve Club This is the official emblem of High Twelve for lunch on the second MonInternational, one of the few Masonic clubs day of each month at the remaining in the area. High Twelve is an Blair Mansion Inn; and the association of Master Masons who desire an hour of Masonic fellowship independent of George Washington Masonic the formal ritual of Lodge but dedicated to the Stamp Club annually in the service of the fraternity.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The Blue Flame Club, unfortunately, is no longer active.

The number of Masonic clubs now claiming the support of D.C. Masons is little more than a remnant of a much larger inventory of Masonic clubs that thrived in the first six decades of the 20th century. Approximately 50 such clubs were formed during that period; some were entirely independent and others functioned under the umbrellas of The Advisory Board of Masonic Clubs or the National League of Masonic Clubs.

The first club of record in the District of Columbia was formed in 1908 in the Geological Survey. It seems that a member of the fraternity, a clerk in that service, became ill, and a number of his associates, also Masons, assembled informally to render him assistance. Out of this voluntary association, the Trowel Club, which ultimately served the whole of the Interior Department, evolved.

Grand Master Jermaine, in his report to the Grand Lodge in 1916, noted that in addition to the Trowel Club, there were then 12 other clubs, with a total

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also took note at that time of the work of the Level Club in the Department of Commerce; the Trestleboard Club in the Government Printing Office; the ItaloAmerican Club by Masons of Italian extraction; the South Gate Club by employee of the Southern Railroad; the Triangle Club in the Department of Agriculture; and the Circle Club by employees of the Government of the District of Columbia.

In his address MW Jermaine claimed that more than 2,000 Masons holding allegiance to other jurisdictions were then serving the U.S. Government in the Washington area. “These brethren,” he said, “are in no position to be truly helpful to the fraternity or to be helped by it, excepting as they may come under the influence of the Masonic Clubs.” He then observed that he was ready to believe “that the increase in number of our affiliations during recent years has been due in large part to the work the clubs are doing…” The optimistic assessment of MWB Germaine was repeated, over and over again, by his successors in office, who in their reports were generally pleased to observe the growth of the inventory of clubs to gradually include most of the major businesses, educational institutions, and service organizations in the area. Via the clubs, Masonry had truly advanced into the work spaces, governmental and commercial.

THE MASONIC CLUB

It is interesting to note that as the stature of the Masonic clubs improved, so did the fortunes of the organized craft in the jurisdiction. Membership in the lodges climbed rapidly after World War I, and following a disappointing decade of membership decline, ending in 1941, spurted again after World War II to reach an all time high in 1953. To that point the lodges and the clubs had worked, hand in hand, advantageously.

The growth of the independent clubs in this jurisdiction reflected the benevolence of the Grand Lodge and its leadership as well as the determination of club leaders to work always in harmony with Grand Lodge law and tradition. The interest of the D.C. Mason was cultivated by his favorable reception of club activities, which provided him fellowship and service opportunities which were not then available within the confines of the lodge.

toward this goal was realized in 1928, when it established two chairs in the School of Government. Two years later it launched an effort to create an endowment fund to sustain the chairs thus created.

Without doubt the leadership of the craft looked with favor on the activities of the Masonic clubs because the clubs, through their individual programs, were benefitting the constituent lodges of the city. Members of lodges in other jurisdictions were affiliating with D.C. lodges in significant numbers, and in one instance, what was then a Masonic club, (Washington Chapter No. 3, National Sojourners), became the driving force behind the effort to establish a new lodge in the jurisdiction, Sojourner Lodge No. 51.

In every sky, however clear it may be at the moment, the formation of clouds is a constant threat. And so it was that in time, gradually at first, that Grand Lodge-Masonic club relations began The image of the Masonic clubs to unravel as the Grand Lodge was enhanced by the willingness entered into the current long-term of members to support the ongoperiod of membership decline and ing programs of the Grand Lodge. lodge consolidation. An omen of Club members, for example, did trouble appeared in 1952 when the their share to advance the Temple Advisory Board of Masonic Clubs Heights fund drive and to support, in the District of Columbia sought by gifts and frequent visitations, Grand Lodge recognition as “The the ongoing effort to make guests at Masonic Club Association of the District the Masonic and Eastern Star of Columbia,” with jurisdiction Home comfortable. Club memover all Masonic clubs within The Circle Club gathers Masons with bers were also in the forefront of the jurisdiction and with power present or past employment with the workers who labored for so many to outlaw any club or group not government of the District of Columbia years to make the annual “Night conforming to its laws or regulaof Thrills” effort financially profitable. tion. Following study of the matter, the proposal was rejected, in 1953, by the Grand Lodge.

During World Wars I and II, club members made major efforts to support Grand Lodge programs orgaFour years later the Grand Lodge received an applicanized to serve troops assigned to or passing through tion from High Twelve International officials seeking our Nation’s Capital. In this regard their October 31, recognition, in accord with Standing Resolution No. 1919 program to honor the wounded assigned to local 8, preliminary to the establishment of a High Twelve military hospitals is exemplary. According to Grand Club in the District of Columbia. The proposal was Master Joseph H. Milans, the clubs, operating under referred to the Jurisprudence Committee which the Advisory Board of Masonic Clubs, organized an found that “the worthwhile objects and purity of evening of outstanding entertainment for members purpose of the High Twelve movement is attested by of the armed forces. Presented at a venue called a great number of prominent Masons, and their aims, the “Liberty Hut,” it featured entertainment and an purposes and projects are highly laudable.” address by Vice President Thomas Marshall.

Nevertheless the committee concluded that in conD.C. Masons also looked with favor on the community sideration of the clubs already existing in the city, efforts of those clubs that were associated with the the need of the Grand Lodge “is not more organizaNational League of Masonic clubs. For several years tions which divide our time and efforts, but for more the members of this organization had labored in the concentrated efforts in our existing organizations…” interest of establishing a School of Foreign Service It then recommended denial of the request and the at the George Washington University. Advancement Grand Lodge agreed. It is interesting to note, howcontinued on page 29 The Voice of Freemasonry

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LODGE HISTORIES AND THE GRAND LODGE BI-CENTENNIAL

Lodge Histories and the

Grand Lodge Bi-Centennial The following address was delivered by WB West on May 14, 2008 at the SemiAnnual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

Dalton A. West, PM Deputy Grand Lodge Historian

he Bi-Centennial History that is being undertaken by the direction of the MW Grand Master is a slightly different historical exercise than what many people may anticipate such a history would be. In fact it is being regarded as an opportunity for Masonry in this jurisdiction to put itself forth to the public in a way that explains who we are and what we do. This is not a vertical history of the times we have gotten together in special or regular communications, passed legislation and did certain things. That will be in the book but, in a somewhat diluted form, perhaps one forth of the final volume.

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What is important and what I want to address to you today is what you need to do when you leave this meeting today, and there is something extremely important for you to do. The other three parts of that Bi-Centennial History have to do with the history of the blue lodges that are the sum and substance of the Grand Lodge in this jurisdiction and it is at the direction of the Grand Master that we tell the story of these blue lodges and what they do. And to that end, those of you who have responded to his Communiqué No. 1, and have already identified either an historian or archivist, I thank you. For the other half of you that have not, I will be calling on you to provide those names, since we need your participation. This is not a history that you can tell from the top down. This is a history that must be told from the bottom up. You historians, you archivists and you individual lodges must do the digging out of your important artifacts, your pictures and the events and all the things that are meaningful to your lodge.

Another part of this history, which is going to be very difficult but also very important, has to do with the relationship of the Grand Lodge to the several appendant bodies. With the help of a number of Past Masters, Potentates and Illustrious Deputies of the Scottish Rite, in this jurisdiction, we are now reaching out to very knowledgeable individuals to tell that story in subject matter portions.

And finally, the additional part of this history will have to do with the relations between Masonry, in a largest sense, and the community, in the largest sense. We are set down in this jurisdiction as a body amongst many other bodies and in a very busy city, and we must tell The Voice of Freemasonry

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that story. A lot of the things we do go undocumented.

Not enough people know what the Scottish Rite does in its learning center. We all do. But the community needs to know that story and in many other respects the contributions we make are going unnoticed. We must tell our own story, and that is what we intend to do.

Now what do you need to go away from here doing?

Well, you need to go back and tell your lodges that in about two week’s time we will be gathering all the historian and archivists, those who have been nominated and those who will be nominated in the next two weeks. Nobody will escape my attention, let me assure you. You need to show up at a meeting, which will be held in the Grand Lodge headquarters building.

Come ready to take on an assignment to do a specific amount of work, in a specific period of time. The time is short. We are going to have to get this done within less than a year. However, we will help you in every possible way we can.

A subtheme through all of this has to do not just with this Bi-Centennial History, but with where we are going from here, since the collection of history and the telling of it in this jurisdiction is very poor, to say the least.

The collection and maintenance of the archives of this jurisdiction are probably even worse. So a subtext here, in appointing these archivists and historians is to get in and go through your records to inventory them and after that to archive them professionally in such a way that they are available for the use of your lodge and the jurisdiction as a whole for the future. We have the commitment of this Grand Master to work towards providing all of you with the facility for maintaining those archives in a professional form. We simply can not allow the history of this jurisdiction to disappear because we did not care enough to keep it. And as long as I have got some breath and some energy to give to the exercise we will not allow that to happen.

So understand that this is not simply something oriented towards the year 2011, when we have our BiCentennial; this is something that starts with us telling our story then, but will carry on for future generations.

Let us set in place a set of procedures that is important for the future of this jurisdiction. Thank you MW Grand Master. ■

ABSENTEE VOTING IN THE LODGE

Absentee Voting in the Lodge The Grand Master has referred to the Jurisprudence Committee for consideration, a question raised by a member of one of the constituent Lodges, to-wit: In the absence of Code or Lodge By-Laws prohibitions, can an out-of-town member of a Lodge be permitted to cast a vote on Lodge issues while not being seated in Lodge?

Dean S. Clatterbuck, PM Chairman, Grand Lodge Committee on Jurisprudence

ur Masonic Code is silent on the question of absentee voting in a Constituent Lodge. It is presumed that inasmuch as this matter has been referred to the Jurisprudence Committee, the By-Laws of the Lodge in question also are silent on this issue. It is well-settled, however, that Masonic law exists both in written and unwritten form. We must then refer to those other written and unwritten bodies of Masonic law usually described as “custom and tradition” for guidance.

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and remain in the Lodge room. In The Charges of a Freemason, it is also stated that “a Lodge is a Place where Masons assemble and work.” By ancient custom and tradition, therefore, Lodge meetings have been tiled communications. None but Masons entitled to sit in a Lodge are allowed to attend and participate in a Lodge meeting, and on occasion, the nature of business to be considered is so sensitive as to cause a Master to restrict attendance at a meeting to only those who are actual members of the Lodge.

While our Grand Lodge has never officially adopted the so-called Ancient Landmarks as described

by Mackey, they nevertheless have considerable credence, respect and stature among most Masons. The Ninth Landmark is “the necessity for Masons to congregate in Lodges.” This implies that in order to congregate, one must be physically present. The eleventh Landmark is “the necessity that every Lodge when congregated should be duly tiled.” This implies that the business of the Lodge should be confined to the Lodge room

To permit absentee voting would result in a disservice to the member voting from afar as well as to the Lodge. If a member is not present when matters are discussed in Lodge, he is deprived of the benefits of discussion and the exposure to different points of view which may be offered for consideration by the members, and would possibly cast his vote on an issue without being completely informed or having heard persuasive arguments that might have caused him to alter his voting decision. Conversely, the Lodge would continued on page 25

Brother Helping Brother L to R: WB Dean Clatterbuck, Grand Counsel, congratulates Bro. Bryan L. Berson of Shakespeare Lodge No. 750, Grand Lodge of New York, after moving Bro. Berson’s admission to the bar of the United States Supreme Court on April 14, 2008. Bro. Berson is an investment management attorney in New York City. The admission ceremony in open Court occurred less than a week following the fortieth anniversary of WB Clatterbuck’s admission to the Court on April 8, 1968.

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THE ORDER OF THE ARROW

The Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts of America

and the Influence of the Craft The following article is an abridgment of a paper submitted to the Pythagoras Lodge of Research by Worshipful Brother Yelinek, for which he received the Purple Medal for Short Papers. The complete paper along with references is available for download at www.dcgrandlodge.org. n July 16, 1915, at Treasure Island Scout Camp, two Brothers of our Craft, E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson founded the Order of the Arrow. As Camp Director and Assistant Director, these men gave rise to an organization designed to impress upon the minds of young Scouts the principles of the Scout Oath and Law more than just the skills of scouting. They created an honor society for the boys at camp that summer where boys would choose, at the conclusion of their camp experience, those boys within their troop who best exemplified the high ideals and principles of Scouting. To this day, the Order of the Arrow has its membership elected by nonmembers of the Order, namely the members of the Troop to which a boy belongs.

candidates, here Kichkinet (analogous to the Deacons) retires to find the candidates waiting on a trail. Nutiket (analogous to the Junior Deacon and Tiler) guards the entrance to the ceremonial space, with Meteu, the medicine man (similar to a lecturer and a chaplain) awaiting the arrival of candidates.

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Figure 1. Sashes of the Order of the Arrow. The Order of the Arrow has three different levels of membership, the basic level of membership, the Ordeal (left), the full level of membership, the Brotherhood (middle), and the honorary level of membership for service to the Order and humanity, the Vigil (right). (Order of the Arrow, Official National Website)

There are numerous similarities between the Order and the Craft. Freemasonry contains three degrees of Membership; as does the Order, namely the Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil (figure 1). Each has its own ceremony for advancement to that honor, consisting of an obligation and lesson that enforces the lessons of the Order along with its own handshake, hailing sign and word. Here we will focus on the Ordeal Honor. To the Masonic eye, these will seem very similar.

A Masonic and Order of the Arrow Lodges are opened, by its officers, through a series of ceremonies. The Mighty Chief (analogous to a Worshipful Master) determines if “all present are members” by requiring each whom is present to give the handshake and admonition of the Order. The Lodge is opened with the sign exchanged by all members. As with Masonic ceremonies, one must determine if there are The Voice of Freemasonry

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Jordan Tyler Yelinek Worshipful Master Magnolia Lodge No. 53

The form of a Masonic Lodge is that of an oblong square and is situated due East and West, and is described in the Entered Apprentice Degree. Here the Order of the Arrow uses a circle, which is situated due North and South and derives its geometry from nature and uses the Polestar as an astronomical reasoning for the position of Allowat Sakima in the North.

Interestingly, both, either actually or figuratively, take place beneath the stars or clouded canopy. While the geometry of these two ceremonial spaces is markedly different, the organization and attention to detail remains the same.

Upon returning to the circle, Kichkinet brings with him candidates for the Ordeal Honor, bound together in 1.2 yard increments of rope (emblematical of the 12 points of the Scout Law) about their right hands. No blindfolds are used.

Three raps are given upon the shoulder of Nutiket by Kichkinet (emblematical of the three points of the Scout Oath), to which are replied one long and two short raps upon the shoulder (reminiscent of the 12 points of the Scout Law), and the following questions are asked: “Who are these strangers who seek admission to our circle?”

THE ORDER OF THE ARROW

“These are they who have been selected by their fellow Scouts to become a part of our Brotherhood.”

“How do they expect to obtain this privilege?”

“By continuing so to live and act in the service of others as to deserve it.”

“Have they passed the ordeal without flinching?”

“They Have.”

Upon passing Nutiket, the candidates pass once about the circle arriving at Meteu, who asks similar questions, with these additions: “Have they been given the admonition?”

“They have not, but I, their friend, have received it, and will give it to you for them” “What is the admonition?”

“Ahoalton” “It’s meaning?”

“To love one another” The candidates are permitted to pass on to Allowat Sakima, in addition to all of the previous questions demands if they are prepared to take upon themselves the obligation of the Order of the Arrow. They are placed in due form, opposite the campfire from Allowat Sakima, and caused to advance three steps.

Upon completing the Obligation of the Order, the brethren drop the rope which bound them together, and entrusted with the secrets of the Order, the hailing sign, handshake and admonition (given by the chief to each candidate individually, as the Grand Masonic Word must be given). They are then presented with a white sash with a red arrow upon it, the emblem of membership in the Order of the

Arrow (figure 1), analogous to the lambskin apron of a Mason.

The rite of illumination in Masonic degrees is a central point in the quest for Masonic knowledge and light. Even this still appears in the Order of the Arrow, though not through the removal of a blindfold. The Pre Ordeal Ceremony, where the candidate is charged by the principle characters to remain silent, eat little, work diligently and sleep alone through the Ordeal weekend, is performed in a circle just as the Ordeal, with one great difference, the fire lay at the center of the circle is not lit. Here, the Rite of Illumination exists not through the removal of a blindfold, but through the burning fire in the Ordeal ceremonial section.

Our Masonic obligations are taken upon the Great Lights, whereas a candidate for the Order of the Arrow takes his obligation by coming to the Scout sign, which alludes to the three principles of the Scout oath, chief among them is duty to God. In this manner, the candidate is equally reminded of his obligations to Deity while obligating himself to the Order.

Brothers Goodman and Edson created a powerful medium through which to transmit through the ages, unimpaired, the most valuable tenets of Scouting.

They used the power of ritual, with its lessons taught in allegory and illustrated in symbols to harness the hearts of young men across the United States and help prepare them for the future while sealing within their faithful breasts a love for the greatest ideals that they could share. This system is unmistakably Masonic, and like so many other fraternal organizations that grew in this era, Goodman and Edson drew upon their experience as Masons to craft this organization through the years.■

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be deprived of the benefit of his opinions during its deliberations. An effective dialogue is often difficult enough when all participants are present, but it is certainly impractical to accomplish if one or more individuals are not physically present. Further, the Lodge is entitled to an expectation that its members will cast informed votes on issues.

Allowing absentee voting would also result in Lodge business being transacted, at least in part, outside of a tiled Lodge communication which would be in contradiction to our ancient customs and usages.

It would foster not only possible chaos, but would

impose an unacceptable burden on the Master if he were required to consult with a member or members not present in the Lodge in order to transact the Lodge business. A member who resides out of town and is unable to physically attend Lodge meetings can always contact the Master and express his views on an issue that is to come before the Lodge, and he can request that his views be made known to the Lodge members at a communication, but he is not entitled to actually cast a vote on a matter before the Lodge unless he is physically in attendance.■

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THE MASON AS A CITIZEN

The Mason as a Citizen July, 1929 – Author Unknown

ardly a speech is made in a Masonic Lodge to interest and inspire an audience of Master Masons, which does not refer to the Mason’s duty as a citizen. But it is rare to hear any particulars as to how the duties of a Mason as a citizen differ from those of the citizen who is a non- Mason.

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As a matter of fact, the duties do not differ; but there are grave reasons why the Mason should add the weight of his Masonic membership, his loyalty, his obligation and his Masonic Character to his intent to be a good citizen of the country in which he lives. In the charge to an Entered Apprentice in most jurisdictions, these or similar words appear in the manual of monitor: “In the State you are to be a quiet citizen, true to your government and just to your country. You are not to countenance disloyalty and rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and to conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live.”

It is a poor rule which does not work both ways.

Per Contra, then, all the reputation as a Master Mason, all the “teaching” of integrity and fidelity, all the magnificent examples of firmness and fortitude in trial and danger – even in the Valley of the Shadow- which a man has been taught, as a Master Mason, are concerned in supporting with dignity his character as a citizen of the land of his birth.

“Every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.” – George Washington

The great lesson of life, as distinct from spiritual values, as taught in the Master Mason Degree, is integrity, fidelity to trust, staunch loyalty to duty in the face of the greatest odds and most severe temptations.

In the charge to the Master Mason, he hears “Your virtue, honor, and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows or betray your trust.”

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True the vows, and the trust here mentioned are those made within the lodge. But, “virtue, honor and reputation” a man possesses as a citizen, not as a Mason. The newly raised Master Mason is told that all with which he faces the world, unafraid, able to look any man in the eye, is concerned in his character as a member of an Ancient Craft.

It is well understood in all Masonic Lodges that politics are never to be discussed. This law, so well known and obeyed that it is not even written in most Grand Lodge constitutions or lodge bylaws, and comes down to us from the sixth of the Old Charges in which it is set forth:

“No private piques and Quarrels must be brought within the door of the lodge, far less, any Quarrels about religion or nations or State Policy. We are resolved against all Politicks, as what never yet concuct’d to the welfare of the lodge, nor ever will.

This charge has always been strictly enjoin’d and observ’d,” etc. In the lodge we meet upon the level and part upon the square. We are not members of this or that political party, but Masons! Similarly, no

THE MASON AS A CITIZEN

lodge may take any political action; to do so would be to draw upon it the immediate censure of the Grand Master and Grand Lodge.

But neither of these prohibitions means that Masons should not study political economy; even as a lodge of Masons they listen to talks upon the science of government, which is of course, a “political” matter if the word is used in its broad acceptation.

It is the duty of all citizens to be interested in the Public Schools of their city, town country or state.

The prosperity and progress of this nation rests on education. So much is agreed. The Masonic citizen should be especially interested in education; his interest should mount higher than the nonMason’s, for the reason that Masonry’s continued existence rests upon the kin and character of the candidates who enter her West Gate.

and Mohammedan, Buddhist and Brother of Christ may, and do agree.

The Public School System is one of the bulwarks of liberty in this nation; not only political liberty, but liberty of thought and conscience. As long as the Public School has no sectarian or political bias, it will remain a cradle of liberty of thought.

The duties of the citizens of the United States, devolve upon the citizen by virtue of the “manifold blessings and comforts he enjoys” because he lives in the United States. As a citizen, a man is expected to obey the law, to uphold the Constitution, to take an intelligent interest in his Government, to keep peace, to serve his country, state, and town, when called to leadership.

When the citizen becomes a Mason, he adds to these moral obligations his pledged word, his sacred honor, his character as it is seen naked to God. Every one of these pledges involves not only his duty as a man but as an American citizen.

Give the Fraternity education, intelligent, thoughtful men and she “When the citizen becomes a Mason, he adds to these moral obligations his pledged word, his sacred honor, will grow, prosper and his character as it is seen naked to God.” continue to be a silent, static power for good in Underlying all Masonic duties as a Masonic citizen a noisy and dynamic world. Provide her only ignoare those which are meant when it is said to the rant, prejudiced, intolerant men for candidates and newly-raised Master Mason; “You are now bound by in time she too must become intolerant, prejudiced duty, honor and gratitude to be faithful to your trust, and ignorant. to support the dignity of your character upon every The welfare of the state depends upon the educaoccasion, and to enforce, by precept and example, tion of its youth. But the very life of Freemasonry obedience to the tenets of our Order!” ■ depends upon the quality of its membership. Therefore, the Mason as a citizen has two reasons for his interest in, his support of and his loyalty to the Public School of his State and Town.

No doctrine is more fundamental to America than the separation of Church and State. No body of men insists more strongly that the individual brother need subscribe only to “that Religion in which all Men Agree” (Old Charge) to be left free within the lodge to worship God as they choose. Freedom to worship God was the reason for the perilous voyage and the terrible privations of the Pilgrim Fathers. Separation of Church and State is a natural outgrowth of freedom to worship as we please. Freemasonry has only the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man for her religion – the foundation of all religions, a faith in which Presbyterian and Parsee, Methodist

Report from Executive Secretary continued from page 11

and interestingly the president of Gabon is also the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Gabon.

The IX World Conference is now history. So as we pride ourselves in the IX conference at the same time we prepare ourselves to go to Gabon next year.■ The Voice of Freemasonry

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CONTINUING ARTICLES

Grand Representatives continued from page 7

On the other hand and in practice, there is very little active support for the System, which in the opinion of its critics has little real purpose. They assert that Grand Representatives are misrepresented! The office of Grand Representative, like so much else in Freemasonry, is not operative but speculative; it is not an instrument of Grand Lodge operational function; the true significance of Grand Representatives, like so much else in Masonry, is symbolic, therefore their duties should also be symbolic. They should consider themselves and be considered honored members of their own jurisdictions, represented by their own Grand Masters for meritorious service in their Masonic home territories, and obligated to continue such Masonic service at home, to the glory of Masonry as a whole and only incidentally that of the jurisdiction they happen to represent.

And there are those who having run the Grand Representative System to the ground, offer a compromise: Let them be Grand Representatives but do not expect them to carry the burden of communicating with the other Grand Lodge, simply because more than a hundred years’ experience has demonstrated that as a group they are incapable of doing and should not be trying to do what is not truly their vocation. Furthermore, Grand Representatives should not be visiting the Grand Lodge they represent without invitation or some arrangement through the Grand Secretary.

Furthermore, every discussion of Grand Representatives includes a reference to their value as symbols of the universality of the Fraternity, living evidence of the relationship of every individual Grand Lodge to all the others, world wide. And in most jurisdictions when a Grand Lodge is newly recognized the announcement includes a provision for an exchange of representatives. Such recognition is not an incidental part of a dying “system” but a living custom of fraternal relationship among Grand Lodges.

mistakenly and vainly tried to make them. MWB John Schleter, PGM, quotes Mackey on a description of duties and status of Grand Representatives but concludes that “It is doubtful whether those duties are generally performed: The office of the Representative appears to be rather one of honor than of service.” In that case would it not be just an “empty honor”? “Speculative” rather than “operative”? Many who support the idea of maintaining the System as is would argue that to be appointed as Grand Representative should be considered an honor which is deservedly earned, sincerely conferred and cherished by the recipient.

The record shows that the majority of the Grand Lodges are of the opinion that the real utility of the system is to be able to provide recognition in Grand Lodge for brethren who would not ever be able to serve in the Grand Line, although in reality more often than not, many of those so honored happen to be past and present Grand Lodge officers; a product of lifetime or long term appointments.

To be sure there are Grand Representatives who identify themselves with the jurisdictions they represent, and who engage in correspondence with their counterpart; bless them, and may their tribe increase; but they are exceptions. Let us face this fact of Grand Representatives life, and accept it, and we will no longer have to deplore the decline of a “system” which is not really declining, nor flagellate ourselves for failure to do something which is not only impossible but inadvisable. Let us cherish our Grand Representatives, those of us who have them, whether they are serving long terms or short. Their office may be honorary and symbolic, but is important for upholding worldwide Masonic relationships.■

Grand Representatives are symbols, and as a fraternity of symbols we should value Grand Representatives as what they are, not as what we have

Report from Conference Chairman continued from page 10

was the continuous contribution of our Grand Master and his lady who devoted their entire time to minutest details and put their personal resources to work making every event a great success and this historical Conference a memorable experience. ■ The Voice of Freemasonry

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CONTINUING ARTICLES

Prayers from the WWII Memorial Wreath Laying continued from page 13

FOR PEACE Before her death, Muslim Benazir Bhutto said, “Throughout the ages, leadership and courage have often been synonymous.

Ultimately, leadership requires action: daring to take steps that are necessary but unpopular, challenging the status quo in order to reach a brighter future. And to push for peace is ultimately personal sacrifice, for leadership is not easy. It is born of a passion, and it is a commitment. Leadership is a commitment to an idea, to a dream, and to a vision of what can be. And my dream is for my land and my people to cease fighting and allow our children to reach their full potential regardless of sex, status, or belief.” With gratitude for their sacrifice, we remember all who have died in pursuit of peace.

CLOSING PRAYER Remembering all the Free Masons who have gone before us in the struggle for peace and justice, let us have a moment of silence in which we remember them and rededicate ourselves to walking in their footsteps. Amen.

Joseph S. Crociata, Senior Grand Deacon Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of Washington D.C.■

Mrs. Lourdes P. Elias, First Lady of Free And Accepted Masons of Washington, D.C.

The Masonic Club continued from page 21

ever, that the position of the Grand Lodge on this matter was ultimately reversed and a local club, with MWB Elmer Stein as the charter president, was created in 1982.

In 1958 the Grand Lodge continued to look with concern on membership trends and at the club movement in general. During that year the Jurisprudence Committee reviewed, for a second time, a proposal advanced by an organization identified as the National Federated Craft. The committee reported that after meeting with officials of that organization, “who were given every opportunity of presenting their views,” that the arguments presented were not sufficient to change the Grand Lodge position on this request.

The committee’s recommendation, that the request be denied, was sustained by the Grand Lodge.

Thereafter, it seems, lodge-club relations waned, with information about Masonic clubs in the District of Columbia being conspicuously absent from the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge. After 1960, Grand Masters, unlike their predecessors,

did not discuss the clubs in their reports. Hence information about area Masonic clubs, in official Grand Lodge publications thereafter, is restricted to entries appearing in the annual editions of the Masonic Directory. Perusal of those documents, sadly, chronicles the depletion, over time, of what was once a valued Masonic asset in the work spaces of our Nation’s Capital.

While it may not be possible to return to the yesterdays of our existence, it is possible to use a well-honed appreciation of them to prepare for the tomorrow’s of time. And it is to that possibility that much of our Masonic effort in recent years has focused on the propagation of Freemasonry’s image and of its works and aspirations, in the several communities — governmental, commercial, educational, and spiritual — which collectively give our jurisdiction substance and purpose. The future of Masonry in this jurisdiction truly depends on what we say and what we do — within and without the sacred walls of our retreats.■

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BROTHERS WORK TO HELP D.C. SCHOOLS

Brothers Work to Help D.C. Schools

by Bro. Matt Keller, Grand Lodge Director of Communications

ur Grand Lodge’s participation in the recent Hands-on-D.C. work-a-thon was a stunning success! A strong showing from across the jurisdiction was evident with volunteers turning out from many lodges, including Naval No. 4, William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon No.7, Fraternity No. 54, and La France No. 93. Brethren from Social Lodge No. 1, under the jurisdiction of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, also lent their helping hands.

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Worshipful Brother Walter R. Hoenes, secretary of Fraternity Lodge No. 54, successfully recruited members of his college fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp), to participate on the D.C. Freemasons team. Many thanks to the George Washington University chapter of SigEp, which comprised the second largest group in attendance, helping us

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make Stuart-Hobson Middle School a great learning facility for 400 D.C. students.

Refurbishing projects completed included landscaping of school grounds, painting more than 75 classroom doors, basketball court markings, lines on the baseball diamond, the fence along the playground, and parking space lines. A basement mural was also repainted.

Other tasks included removing debris and trash from the outside courtyard and cleaning and organizing of the custodial storage area as well as utility closets.

Special thanks to Brother Dustin Rawlins, the Grand Master’s Assistant for Educational Affairs, for heading up our volunteer efforts and coordinating with the staff of Hands-on-D.C. to make everything possible.■

THE GRAND LODGE 2008 ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Grand Lodge 2008 Annual

Leadership Conference September 12-13, 2008 4-H Conference Center, Front Royal, Virginia

ur very noble and beloved fraternity is at a critical juncture in this Grand Jurisdiction.

As Masonic leaders it is incumbent upon us to ensure that Freemasonry in the nation’s capital is not only well-positioned, but proactively meeting the many daunting challenges and unique opportunities before it. Together, we must discuss the policies regarding the leadership of our institution and, by developing a consensus on these policies, action plans and synergies can be devised to strengthen the Craft both now and for the future.

sponsored by the Grand Lodge. As such, this year’s Leadership Conference is being designed to evaluate and improve the broad policies framing those operations.■

The “nuts and bolts” of Lodge operations have been and are being discussed within the lodges as well as at the various workshops and instruction sessions

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“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

– Brother Benjamin Franklin

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2008 Medal of Freedom

On May 1st, 2008, Congressman and Brother Joe Wilson was presented the 2008 8 Freemasonry’s Medal of Freedom award in his office by Akram R. Elias, Grand Master er of Masons of D.C. and Grand Lodge officers.

2008 Humanitarian Service Award

On May 9th, 2008, Congressman and Brother John Lewis was presented the Grand Lodge’s Humanitarian Service award for his lifelong commitment to Civil Rights, in his office by Akram R. Elias, Grand Master of Masons of D.C. and Grand Lodge officers and staff.

The Voice of Freemasonry Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of D.C. 5428 MacArthur Blvd, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016-2524

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