VWB Brian B. Hardy Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2007-2009 Mailto: Brian B. Hardy

To those Freemasons and readers in District 4, I bring you fraternal greetings from our Grand Master, MWB Douglas E. Tucker.

I am feeling very positive about the future of our fraternity.  As I visit our lodges, I am impressed by the warmness and friendliness found within your peaceful walls.  And at the same time, I am noticing first hand that most of our lodges have had some growth in membership while others have made very impressive gains.  Why is that?  I think is it because the attributes of friendliness and pride in our members are related in a way that provides a medium for growth.  A potting soil if you will for healthier lodges.  If we are warm and friendly to each other, find a shared pride in our lessons and fraternity, and remind ourselves how much good it has done for us, then it can’t help develop into a more positive opinion of us in the eyes of those we come in contact with.  In short, when expressed to others, these attributes can attract those who want to share in that enthusiasm and happiness.  After all, isn’t that what we tell new candidates before obligating them?  Our goal is to make us wiser, better, and consequently happier.  If you can find a man to share the pride and happiness that you have found, and you cultivate and nurture it, then he may in turn bring his friends, family, and co-workers to share in it as well.  We need that balance.  We need to make sure that we remain as friendly as possible to all, and show genuine interest in our members as Brothers.  And, through the work that we do and the friendships we develop, we need to make sure that a pride in the institution is frequently expressed.  Nothing good or worthwhile comes without a price or without toil to earn it, for otherwise it could not fill you with the pride of accomplishment.  Whether you are an officer or not - studying the ritual, volunteering for parts, practicing when you can, coaching and mentoring newer men, and attending the degrees your lodge is putting on for new Masons is the pride you will develop together.  When you do that, then taking an interest in those new members, congratulating them on joining and progressing in the fraternity you love so much, and sharing it with them will pay off.  Show them the satisfaction that a little effort will bring them and develop that pride in them.

This is not so far off from our Grand Master’s theme either.  In one sense he has expressed that “Pass It On” is a plea to older members to preserve their past by sharing it with us now.  My message to you is only slightly different.  If you don’t eagerly study, practice, and share what you have found now, it will be much harder to find men interested in joining a fraternity that doesn’t know who they are, and don’t recognize what they have built.  Befriend each other, and share in your knowledge.

Should you receive this issue of the Masonic Monitor before March, please remember that we have a Past Master’s Degree scheduled for Monday evening, March 2nd, at the Doric Masonic Center in Fremont.  The degree will start at 7:00 p.m. sharp, and there will be light refreshments following.  This invitation is extended to Past Masters only.  If you have not yet sat in the East as a Worshipful Master, you are ineligible to attend.  All seated Masters or Past Masters who have not had this degree conferred on them will be candidates, and need to bring a letter from your Secretary testifying that you have been duly elected and installed into the office of Worshipful Master.  All Past Masters are encouraged to attend because your presence adds so much more to the ceremony.

On Monday, March 30th, the lodges in our District who have indicated they want to, will compete in a Lodge Ritual Competition as outlined by our Grand Lecturer, VWB Jim Mendoza.  This event will be held at the Ballard Masonic Center at 7:00 p.m.  It should be exciting, as the competition starts off with a drawing to see which degree all contestants will open and close on, how to present and introduce dignitaries, and how to properly conduct balloting.  Seated Masters and Wardens will be graded for accuracy and delivery, and so will Deacons (if opening on the 2nd degree).  Others will not.  Regardless of whether you are a current officer or not, or from a Lodge that doesn’t qualify to compete, I hope you as an interested Mason will come and support the lodges in our District who will be there.  We are going to need volunteers who want to fill roles that are missing and thus help those seated officers who are competing for pride.  There will be light refreshments following the event, and some recognition for those who participate.

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.