D4 Deputy - Jan., 2006

VWB C. Blair Leckie
Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4
of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington
for
2005-2007

Mailto: cblairl@excite.com

It is a sparkling, pristine new year and traditionally the time for reworking one's resolve and reinvigorating the quest for that improved version of oneself. Or, put another way, a rededication to the never-ending work of "Seeking more light in Masonry." On the off chance that you haven't gotten around to making any resolutions or have already attained to that exalted level of no need for improvement, allow me to be so presumptuous as to share a few Masonic ambitions for your consideration.

1. Bring a new one in. Make a sincere effort, petition in hand, to discuss our Craft with that good friend or fellow worker who you respect. Masonry is too valuable a possession to be kept to ourselves. Every good man should have the opportunity to decide if Masonry could be beneficial to his life.

2. Keep one in. Some of our Brothers fall by the wayside. Too many. Simply exercising a little more attention to the tenets of our fraternity, we can keep these men interested and involved. Let's challenge ourselves to reach out, communicate, nurture, engage one another and forge relationships. In other words, let's be participants in Masonry not just observers.

3. Bring an old one back. Make an effort to contact a Brother who hasn't been to lodge for a while. Let him know what is going on and how welcome he is to join in. Offer to pick him up and take him home. Let him know, in the Masonic sense and as a human being, how valuable he is to us and, in turn, how valuable we are to him.

4. Be one. Let's honor and act upon the core values of Masonry. Strive to have our actions define charity, prudence, temperance, discretion, diligence and brotherly love. Be mindful of fraternalism and try to visit other lodges and take a part in degree work. And, let's resolve to involve the family in meaningful, enjoyable activities outside the lodge.

5. Give to the community. Find some charitable cause or community event in which you and your lodge can participate. Financial support is always important and should never be disparaged. But there is something invigorating that occurs when a lodge can find a cause to become passionate about and work together to support.

My Brothers, regardless of what our resolutions may be, if any, it is another new year and each of us are being given the gift of having the opportunity to, in our own way, be better men, better Masons and to do good unto all.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them. The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA. Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.