Espanola Lodge No. 527 had their Official Visit on January 3rd, 2018. The work of the evening was exemplification of a Fellow Craft Degree. R. W. Bro. Reg Daigle, District Deputy Grand Master, gave the speech below:
Brethren,
For my speech this evening, I will deviate from my customary talks about helping and assisting our newest members and will direct my attention towards some of our older members. As you are all aware, National Lodge No. 588 went dark on November 30th. It was a sad and somber occasion in our District -- especially for the members of National Lodge. We need to support these brethren in their time of need. Many have already joined other Lodges, but a few are still undecided. These members come from an old Lodge, similar to this Lodge, and have local traditions that have been done by these particular brethren for years. We need to respect these traditions and be tolerant.
Many of you ask yourselves what do you mean by local traditions. Local traditions, brethren, are certain little subtle variations that each lodge in the District performs without knowing, be it in their floor work or ritual, that doesn't conform to Grand Lodge, and believe me it's out there. I can certainly attest to that. The fact is the more isolated the Lodge is from another Lodge the less visiting they do and the fewer guests they receive. National was in Capreol for 85 years and was a day Lodge in Sudbury for 10 years. They received very minimal visits and performed their ritual with a slight variance that occurred over the years.
What I'm trying to convey to all you, brethren, is one of these members may petition your Lodge and may do things a little differently. He may have been doing this for 40 or 50 years. It's the only way he knows how to deliver the work and is not welcoming any change. Let us be kind and lenient towards him and not jump all over him to correct him. Do your ritual as close to Grand Lodge dictates. Some may slowly adjust with patience others may never. But remember they are our Brethern no matter our little differences.
We need to retain and increase our membership let's start by acting as true Masons and display Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
Thank you
Brethren,
For my speech this evening, I will deviate from my customary talks about helping and assisting our newest members and will direct my attention towards some of our older members. As you are all aware, National Lodge No. 588 went dark on November 30th. It was a sad and somber occasion in our District -- especially for the members of National Lodge. We need to support these brethren in their time of need. Many have already joined other Lodges, but a few are still undecided. These members come from an old Lodge, similar to this Lodge, and have local traditions that have been done by these particular brethren for years. We need to respect these traditions and be tolerant.
Many of you ask yourselves what do you mean by local traditions. Local traditions, brethren, are certain little subtle variations that each lodge in the District performs without knowing, be it in their floor work or ritual, that doesn't conform to Grand Lodge, and believe me it's out there. I can certainly attest to that. The fact is the more isolated the Lodge is from another Lodge the less visiting they do and the fewer guests they receive. National was in Capreol for 85 years and was a day Lodge in Sudbury for 10 years. They received very minimal visits and performed their ritual with a slight variance that occurred over the years.
What I'm trying to convey to all you, brethren, is one of these members may petition your Lodge and may do things a little differently. He may have been doing this for 40 or 50 years. It's the only way he knows how to deliver the work and is not welcoming any change. Let us be kind and lenient towards him and not jump all over him to correct him. Do your ritual as close to Grand Lodge dictates. Some may slowly adjust with patience others may never. But remember they are our Brethern no matter our little differences.
We need to retain and increase our membership let's start by acting as true Masons and display Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
Thank you
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