Van Cortlandt DGGM visit                                                         January 8, 2008

New Possibilities in a New Year

The New Year; can you believe that it is 2009?  I must admit, my brothers, that I will probably mistakenly write 2008 on my checks and correspondence for at least another month or two.  But the symbolic turning of the page has occurred just the same, regardless of any conscious or unconscious desires that we may have to forestall that inevitability.  It seems all the more fitting then, that we are meeting tonight in a Lodge that is all about new beginnings, and new possibilities.

Yonkers Lodge #882 will officially be a part of Van Cortlandt Lodge #1034 before this Masonic year ends.  After years of trying to iron out every detail (a few of which might have been due to some T-crossing and i-dotting confusion caused in a “grander” Lodge building than this), it will all finally be done.  Now, the Brothers of Van Cortlandt #1034 have the chance to concentrate on much more important work.

They are very lucky that tonight is my official visit to their Lodge.  That is not because I am here; but because you, the brothers of the other Lodges of our District, are here, and in such great numbers.  Surely so many well-intentioned Brothers gathered in one place can insure that Van Cortlandt Lodge will have all the help that they may wish to draw upon as they build going forward.  And while we are lucky to celebrate the new chapter in Van Cortlandt’s life, it is the perfect occasion for all of our Lodges to take stock and see what we can refocus on in the New Year.

Making new Masons is our primary objective, not because, as some believe, it increases the rolls of Grand Lodge, but because it is always easier to accomplish our charitable works with more hands.  But making new Masons is not easy.  Certainly we should not just be asking anyone to join our Craft.  There is a lot of consideration in deciding who would make a good Mason.  Upon receipt of an application, an investigation committee consisting of one “seasoned” brother, one “average-term” brother, and one newer brother should always be the ideal group.  Not only does this group insure that a comprehensive view of your Lodge and our Fraternity is presented, but they also transition nicely into the mentoring group for the very same candidate, should he be found worthy of admission.

Even if you are not actively raising new Brothers, your Lodge should be planning a set of exemplar Degrees, so that the work of the Degrees will not grow rusty in your Lodge.  As it is at the very core of how we practice who we say we are, taking on one of the various parts of the Degrees should be understood to be the great privilege and responsibility that it is.

How about ritual in general?  Even the youngest Entered Apprentice in this room tonight recognizes that our special language separates us from the general public.  There are many standard actions that occur in the course of a regular meeting.  At the very least, we should be actively trying to commit these ritual parts to memory.  A singular prompter may be a necessary practice, but we should be striving for more.

Are we working on building a functioning outreach to those unable to come to Lodge?  I know that our Masters’ diligent work of contacting our indigent Brothers, as well as surviving spouses and loved ones of our departed Brethren, is greatly appreciated.  But an active committee supporting these important family members will make them known more easily about the Lodge.  What better way for younger members to gain an appreciation of those who have gone this way before them, and to hear the more distant history of the Lodge?

Most importantly, what about next year?  The next Masonic year, that is.  Are we planning for what is next?  While June is the usual time of our installations, May is when most of our elections are held.  Does it sound crazy to be talking about that time already?  Would it surprise you to know that tonight we are closer to Grand Lodge’s annual communication on May 4^th and 5^th than we are to the beginning of our Masonic year, back in September.

Some Lodges will be looking at a second year with the same Officers and some Lodges have traditions of one year terms.  Either way, you should be planning for the future.  As a Past Master, I can tell you that I was very proud that my Senior Warden and his proposed line were already talking about the ways they were going to work at improving our Lodge in their term.  It was neither threatening nor upsetting to me.  It is the way that it is supposed to be.  Masonry is a living, breathing Craft.  While we all occupy some seats of responsibility, we are only the current occupants of eternal chairs.  I can assure you that the caucus of past District Deputies and I are already talking about who can best lead our District in 2010.  While I am greatly honored to serve in my current capacity, I know that my job will not be complete until I thoughtfully recommend a successor to the next Grand Master whom I expect to exceed any accomplishments made during my term.

Grand Lodge provides two programs that are uniquely geared at raising new leaders:  The Road to the East and the Masonic Development Course.  In our District, the Road to the East course will be held on February 28, March 7 and March 14.  The Masonic Development Course will follow it on April 18the and 25^th and May 2, finishing just before our annual communication at Grand Lodge.  Both programs not only cover basic Masonic education, but also offer a great forum for the past and future leaders of our Craft to ask the important questions and get some honest answers about the proper way to build Lodges and Masons.

The Master and Secretary of Van Cortlandt have done a yeoman’s job of holding two Lodges together as one.  Now, their one Lodge is finally officially becoming one, and it will grow stronger Masonically in the years to come.  It is certainly time for the Brothers of the Lodge to show their appreciation and thanks to these two Brothers in the best Masonic way possible – by properly educating themselves and availing themselves of the knowledge already present in our District.  I look forward to the day when I can be present at the installation of the next generation of great leaders to rise in Van Cortlandt Lodge #1034.

Worshipful Master, I thank you for the courtesies extended to myself, the Grand Sword Bearer, and the Brethren in attendance this evening.  Most importantly, I want to thank my Brothers in attendance who choose to start the New Year off together, tonight, in search of that New Light of Masonry.  Thank you.