…presented at King Solomon Lodge No. 329, Jarvis, May 18 2004.

Brethren, we talk a lot in Masonic circles about ‘journey’s’ and this evening marks the end of one such journey, as another year of Official Visitations in Brant District comes to an end.

Together, we have enjoyed the highest of highs, when our beloved Brother, Albert Taylor received the William Mercer Wilson Medal from our Grand Master, and we have shared the lowest of lows, with the loss of our esteemed brethren, including Brother Taylor. But, the Masonic cycle continues, as it always has, with new members taking their place in the craft. This year, Brant District had the tremendous good fortune of initiating eighteen men into Masonry. I would estimate the average age of these men somewhere around thirty years, and they are highly skilled, intelligent and enthusiastic people. It is up to each one of us to nurture their development, for they are the future. It’s great to acquire new members, but it is equally important to retain them. It’s encouraging to see the senior brethren of our lodges support young members as they bring forth their ideas such as food drives, etc. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of past practices, but we have to remember that just because it’s never been done, doesn’t make it wrong. We need to acknowledge the contributions that our newer members can make-after all, the Ark was built by amateurs-the Titanic by professionals.

There may be some that disagree with me, but I believe the future of Freemasonry rests on how well we promote and portray ourselves in society. There are a great deal of extremely talented men out there who are looking for exactly what Masonry has to offer. We need to make our order something that these men want to be a part of. On the most basic of levels, we can promote our craft by simply living our day to day lives as honest, moral and just men in everything we do. Masonry is too good and valuable not to share with the rest of the world. Imagine what kind of society we would have if everyone practiced brotherly love, relief and truth as the basis of their lives. In other words brethren, it is simply not enough to be Masons, but we must live it. And, by living it, we are bringing its important message to all we deal with.

Last December, as I was getting ready to attend yet another meeting, my wife asked me if I ever got tired of going to lodge. My reply to her was absolutely, positively not, and that hasn’t changed. For me it’s very simple-I can go to work and have a rough day where it seems for every step I get ahead, I’m taking two backwards. I can stop on the way home to buy a paper, and if the cashier bothers to look up at all, I get a look like ‘how dare you interrupt my day’, as I bend over to pick up my change that they dropped on the floor. Then, as I head home, I’m cut off two or three times, sometimes with an added gesture to boot, and I only live ten minutes from where I work. But, then as I attend lodge I find I am treated with the respect and basic human dignity that all of us expect and deserve. Maybe I’m a pessimist, but there seems to be fewer and fewer places where this is the case. When each one of us steps through that doorway, it doesn’t matter how much money we have, what kind of car we drive, or how big our house is. We are brothers. And we should never take for granted how very important that is. What we have in Masonry is special. That’s why we have survived where a great deal of other fraternity’s have failed and why we will continue to do so.

In closing brethren, this is far from a one-man job. I could not have taken on this task without the aid of my family and I have also had the good fortune of being surrounded by some amazing brethren since I first joined the fraternity, some of whom are no longer with us. I am at this point in Masonry today because of their efforts, not mine. The support I have enjoyed this year from the members of this district in general and the members of King Solomon Lodge in particular has been nothing short of remarkable, and I am forever in your debt for this gift. It has been a pleasure to work with the Masters and secretaries of Brant District. These are a group of talented and dedicated brethren who don’t nearly receive the credit due them. My thanks to the Past Grand Lodge officers of our district, for your guidance and example. To the present Grand Lodge officers, in the persons of Very Worshipful Brothers Money, McEachern and Shoup, you have represented Brant District with class and distinction, and it’s been an honour to be with you this year. The members that comprise the District team have performed their allotted tasks with the utmost fidelity, and the brethren of this district have benefited from your efforts. I would also like to pay tribute to the forty- five other brethren who comprise the current team of District Deputy Grand Master’s. You would be hard pressed to find a finer group of individuals. Last but not least, it has been a singular privilege to be the representative of our Grand Master, a man and a Mason that I hold in the highest esteem. John F. Kennedy once said that a group gets exactly the kind of leadership that they deserve, and as Masons we must have done something extremely worthwhile to have deserved the benefits that M.W. Bro. Donald H. Mumby has brought to Masonry in this province and beyond.

Again, brethren, my sincere thanks, and may the G.A.O.T.U. bless each and every one of you.