In Case You Missed it! – Recent Events at our Grand Lodge

and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.”5

These are words that we hear so often that perhaps they lose their impact. They were radical two hundred fifty years ago, and they remain radical today. William Preston’s lecture holds that Masons rank as “brothers to kings, fellows to princes, regardless of situations or circumstances.”6

“[...A] king, when present, is reminded that, although the crown may adorn the head, and the sceptre the hand, the blood in the veins is derived from the common parent of mankind; and is no better than the blood, which circulates in the veins of the meanest subject. The most polished statesman, the most distinguished orator, and the most skilful artist, are in the Lodge reminded, that, equally with others less favoured by Providence, they are exposed to similar dangers and misfortunes, that an unforeseen accident or a disordered frame may impair their faculties, and level them with the most abject of their species: this therefore checks pride, and softens austerity of manners.”7

The weighing of a man’s value according to accident of birth, worldly wealth, or external honors of political or social favor are here swept away and replaced within the sacred space of the Masonic Lodge by an aristocracy of the heart and a simple badge of honor earned and maintained by character alone. This transvaluation is very difficult to integrate into our thinking. When fully absorbed, it makes us inwardly different from many of those around us in society.

Few are the Brethren who have truly taken this lesson to heart, but we must strive to be among them. If we miss it, we will continue to be blinded by a delusion that is not worthy of a mature being: that the collection of material objects is the purpose of life, and that human status is and should continue to be based upon one’s wealth or the material situation of one’s family. It is important to see that this perspective can both infantilize us and dehumanize us. It is ultimately unworthy of a thinking man. Masonry confronts it like no other institution outside of the great faith traditions of our world. And it reminds us of this lesson every time we meet and part.

SEEING VIRTUE AS THE TRUE NOBILITY Brotherly love allows us to see beyond the superficial categories of worldly status. But Freemasonry does not stop with this transvaluation. Recognizing that men are competitive by nature, it embraces that fact and directs us toward a new form of competition—one concerned with the lasting and eternal rather than the empty and ephemeral. As Preston’s lectures teach us:

“Virtue is true nobility, and wisdom is the channel by which virtue is conveyed and directed. Virtue is then the prize at which we grasp; each rank vies to excel, and he who is wisest and most virtuous in his station, will ever be entitled to eminence and distinction among us.”8

One form of status is exchanged for another form. While a worldly man competes for material status, the Freemason is to vie for distinction in the pursuit of virtue. But this competition is friendly and convivial. One who excels another in virtue is likely— because he has virtue—to assist rather than disdain the other.

This attitude leads to the kind of strength that every Lodge desires and needs. Such a bond of union is not easily broken. United in the quest for virtue, rather than vainglorious illusions, the competitive instinct in man is tuned to its highest ideal. The light of virtue is compared, in Prestonian Freemasonry, to the brilliance of the noon-day sun:

“Union is cemented by sincere attachment; hypocrisy and deceit are unknown; and pleasure is reciprocally communicated by the chearful observance of every obliging office. Such is the nature of our venerable institution. Virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines refulgent on the mind, enlivens the heart, and converts cool approbation into warm sympathy and cordial attention.”9

The most visible symbol of this status is the Apron, presented to every initiate. For centuries, our brotherhood has taught that the Apron is a badge “which yields preference to no honour or order in the universe.”10 As an indication of status it is “more honourable than ever was devised by kings,” and that to it “the Roman Eagle, with all the orders of knighthood, are much inferior.”11 This is clearly expressed in our ritual even today.

Those who question Freemasonry’s contemporary relevance need look no further than the transvaluation of status in the first degree. It is as radical now as then, and perhaps needed more than ever before in today’s culture. Ours is a progressive science. Only after the Apprentice degree’s lessons are truly assimilated can we really become capable of understanding the teachings of the second degree, or of grasping the profound lessons of the third. It is a prerequisite of progress in the Masonic mysteries that we adjust our priorities to the things that really matter, and join together in the lifelong quest of the virtues.

NOTES

1. H. L. Haywood, The Great Teachings of

Freemasonry (Kingsport, Tn.: Southern Publishers, 1923), 170. 2. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English

Language, 4th ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006), 1835. 3. Albert G. Mackey, An Encyclopædia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences (Philadelphia: Moss & Company, 1879), 893. 4. Mackey, Encyclopaedia, 499. The reference is to

Talmud Bavli, Berakhot 62b. 5. Thomas Smith Webb, The Freemason’s Monitor, or

Illustrations of Masonry in Two Parts (Salem, Mass.:

Cushing & Appleton, 1818), 39. 6. Colin Dyer, William Preston and His Work (Shepperton, UK: Lewis Masonic, 1987), 204. 7. Dyer, William Preston, 205. 8. Ibid. 9. William Preston, Illustrations of Masonry, 1st ed. (London: J.Wilkie, 1772), 15–16. 10. Wellins Calcott, A Candid Disquisition (London:

James Dixwell, 1769), 155. 11. William Hutchinson, The Spirit of Masonry, 1st ed. (London: J.Wilkie, 1775), 123.

Under the leadership and vision of our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Daniel A. Huertas, the Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C., F.A.A.M. has held several successful events in the recent months. In case you missed them, we are pleased to share some of our Grand Lodge’s successes here with you!

MWB Bautista and his lady, Ivon, pose in front of a performer.

THE MASQUERADE BALL

The Masquerade Ball was the signature event of the year and was a great success! With excellent attendance, complete with mystery, intrigue, magic, music, live performances, a play casino for fun, and much more, all enjoyed who were able to attend. The ball included live performances by Ocho de Bastos, Candescent, and Eric Henning, and featured great food, drink, and entertainment! The Masquerade Ball was held on Friday, October 28, 2022, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial with all proceeds benefiting The Masonic Foundation.

The Grand Master and MWB Proden and their ladies.

Brethren enjoying casino games. Brethren and their ladies enjoying the Ball.

The Grand Lodge Pavilion at Cox Farms.

THE GRAND LODGE PICNIC

The Grand Lodge’s family event of the year too was a great success! This year’s Grand Lodge Picnic was completely revamped and remade in line with the Grand Master’s vision of holding a fun and unique event for all of our Masonic families. The Grand Lodge Picnic had a strong showing and was held on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Cox Farms. Complete with a Halloween costume contest for the kids, great food, and hay rides, fine fellowship was enjoyed by all!

Brethren and their families enjoying the Picnic.

Preparing for the costume contest.

The Grand Chaplain, Worshipful and Rev. Bro. Daniel Darko leads the brethren in reflection.

THE MASONIC DAY OF THANKSGIVING

This year’s Masonic Day of Thanksgiving was held in conjunction with the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on Saturday, November 19, 2022 and featured an excellent presentation on the precepts of Freemasonry, faith, and Thanksgiving, by our Grand Chaplain, the Reverend and Worshipful Brother Daniel P. Darko. Complete with a Thanksgivinginspired meal during the lunch break, this year’s Masonic Day of Thanksgiving was a great success, and was enjoyed by all Brethren in attendance.

The Grand Master thanks all of the Brethren for their support in attending these various events, and is grateful to the committees and volunteers who put together these incredible events for our Grand Lodge!

THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of DC 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2524

NonProfit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 207 Dulles, VA

Now in its 61st year, the Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia is a 501(c) 3 registered nonprofit organization which operates as the charitable arm of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of the District of Columbia. The Foundation’s continuing mission is to expand Masonic Philanthropy in the fields of charitable, educational, and scientific programs.

In order to fulfill that mission and provide much-needed services and support in our community, the Foundation relies entirely on the voluntary gifts and endowments from District of Columbia Masons, their families, and friends. Additionally, at this time, no portion of the dues of any Masonic body go towards the Foundation.

Donations to the Foundation by Lodges and individual Brothers directly benefit the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area by being completely distributed to charitable organizations. This empowers us as D.C. Freemasons to change lives through charity, securing the Masonic legacy of giving for generations to come.

As you contemplate making a charitable gift this year, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support the Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia by visiting DCMasonicFoundation.org and clicking the donate button at the bottom of the page, or by sending your check payable to The Masonic Foundation of DC to 5428 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC 20016.

Your partnership and generous contribution will provide direct benefits to the community we serve.

GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DANIEL A. HUERTAS, GRAND MASTER | JEFFREY D. RUSSELL, PGM, GRAND SECRETARY DCGRANDLODGE.ORG