DDGM Messages for 2009-2010

Appointment upon an investigating committee is a single honour; the Master of your lodge has confidence in your good sense, your loyalty and your freedom from prejudices. He believes that you will faithfully discharge the most important Masonic duty he can give you.

Masonry wants positive, not negative, virtues. It is not enough that the applicant hasn't been caught and jailed yet; he must be the kind the law doesn't want! ****** It is not enough that he have no enemies; he should have friends and many of them *****But it is not necessarily a point against a man that he has enemies; it is for you to decide whether such enmity is justified by the character and actions of the petitioner which might be detrimental to the Lodge.

It is not only your right but your duty to learn the reasons which lead an applicant to desire Masonry. The petitioner who wants membership in order to promote his business is seeking something holy for sordid reasons ***** The man who desires merely to satisfy his curiosity is not worthy of the knowledge he seeks ***** The applicant who hopes, through influential friends to be acquired in Lodge, to secure place and power, would prostitute for selfish ends the institution he seeks to enter.

Among the "good" reasons for wishing to be a Freemason are: a sincere desire to help and be of service to others ***** a respect and veneration for an ancient fraternity which has been beloved by so many great and good men ***** a love for ones fellowmen ***** a desire to love and honour the Great Architect of the Universe ***** a desire to be with many friends in activities which they enjoy ***** a hunger to follow where a father, grandfather, uncle or blood brother has gone ***** a desire to secure the moral and social welfare of loves ones ***** a desire to explore ones inner self ("to know thyself"), and to become a better man by doing so.

The Committee member should keep two matters constantly in mind. To some extent, on him depends the future reputation of the Fraternity as a whole; every good man he approves and who is elected, strengthens it and every poor citizen whom he lets slip by, injures the whole Craft.

Then he must remember this, - his Lodge is his Masonic home. To a man's family home he invites only those whom he likes, approves and trusts. In his Masonic home, he should wish only those to come of whom he approves, trusts and likes.

He has a responsibility to his Grand Lodge and the whole Fraternity as well as responsibility to his Mother Lodge and his immediate circle of brethren.

Make your decisions independently, unaided and without reference to other committeemen. Complete your investigations promptly. It is not fair to the applicant or the Lodge to dilly-dally about it. If you can't serve, say so. If you do serve, serve well, serve whole-heartedly, and serve promptly.

You will be well paid. A "Masters Wages" await you when you shall have done your work. Paid not in any metal coin, or anything of material value but in the finer coin of consciousness, of honourable and responsible duty well done, the inner happiness which comes when you truly say to yourself: "Masonry has been helped forward by my work", the knowledge that your Lodge is a better Lodge because you have paid back, in small measure at least, the interests and the labour your brethren invested in you.

The committee on investigation, appointed for the purpose of giving to the Lodge firsthand Masonic knowledge of the character, abilities, attainments and general reputation of applicants for the degrees, is the most important committee work a Mason can do!

Visiting 

Many feel that simply belonging to a Masonic Lodge is not enough. They feel that a fraternity based on true brotherhood must be supported by actively living in that relationship. They feel that this is best done in one of the greatest privileges of the fraternity..

He went to his Lodge the other night,
And spoke to his brothers about how they might,
Together learn more about doing what's right.

VISITING

He persuaded them to full up his van,
Sharing the transportation with all who can,
As to the neighbouring lodge it ran,

VISITING

They share great moments along the way,
Spoke of the "ups and downs" of their day,
And agreed to be happy, come what may,

VISITING

When they arrived, they smiled and shook hands,
And life was only happiness, it had no demand,
All were comfortable as together they stand,

VISITING

The little stories, the rumbles of mirth,
Made that place among the best on the earth,
As is became a place of new friendship's birth,

VISITING

Then into the Lodge room together they went,
After a great time of fraternity and brotherhood well spent,
And the degree of the evening was a wonderful event,

VISITING

Through the ritual they knew, they were pleased with those men,
Who brought it to life and real once again,
And they couldn't remember a time of more joy than just then,

VISITING

During the meal, they didn't sit with each other,
Wanting to get to really know that new brother,
And in fun and enjoyment themselves to smother,

VISITING

Laughter and good will at the table continued on,
Time passed quickly away, oh where had it gone?
Till finally from the pot, the last cup of coffee was drawn,

VISITING

And as the evening came swiftly to a close,
From the Lodge, one by one, they finally arose,
Heading to the hangers to put on outside clothes,

VISITING

As they piled into the can to return back home,
Though these new friends were once again gone,
They knew that a man was never alone,

VISITING