Doric Lodge

Remarks at my Installation

On Saturday I was Installed as Master of Doric Lodge No. 92, in Seattle.

Below are my remarks upon assuming the East.

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Al Pacino’s lament in the movie Godfather seems especially appropriate today:

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

But, another line from a movie is appropriate too, a declaration from the Blues Brothers:

“We’re on a mission from God.”

Because I believe that Freemasonry is on a mission from God.  

It is on a mission to improve the men and the lives it touches.  And it succeeds in that mission.  Not always, as it is a human institution, with human failings, but as often as not, it succeeds.

It succeeds best when our Lodges are strong.  When the life of our Lodge is truly reflective of the highest of Masonic values.

I don’t think it’s any secret that American Freemasonry, as a whole, has had a few very rough decades now.  Very few of our Lodge are living up to their potential, very few are able to have the full positive impact that they should in the lives of their Masons.

For five years I traveled extensively to Lodges throughout our Jurisdiction.  Seemingly in every city and hamlet.  From that traveling, I encountered a few truly superb Lodges.  Not many, but a few.  A number that I can count on my own fingers.

This Lodge, Doric Lodge, is one such Lodge.  That is why I asked to become a part of it while I was serving as Grand Master.  The Lodge that installed us into our respective offices today, Esoterika Lodge is another.  These two Lodges are two of the few, and the proud.

But, Masonry is improving.  Slowly growing better.  I don’t travel to visit Lodges like I used to.  Now my travels are largely limited to Western Washington between Seattle and Portland.  But, since I left the Grand East, another Lodge in that limited area has turned itself around.  Another Lodge has gone from being just another Lodge to being one of the best that I can count on my fingers.

That’s just in my little area of travel.  I think we see this slow renaissance of Freemasonry sparking everywhere.

Each of us need to do our part, as we are able, to fan those sparks into flames.

So that’s why I wanted to be a part of Doric Lodge.  Because it is one of the best of the best.  Because each and every one of you are the finest of Freemasons, and have created something truly remarkable here.

But, I don’t actually deserve the honor of standing in the East in this Lodge.

I’m not one of the men who have spent years, working, sweating, and toiling to make this Lodge into something quite rare and wonderful.  All of you have done that.  I’ve just come in and enjoyed the benefits of your work.

But, for whatever reason, you’ve asked me to lead this Lodge.  And I will accept the honor and responsibility of doing so.

Please know that in doing so, I will be a support for your efforts, your ideas, and your initiatives.  I do not come to the East of Doric Lodge looking to put my own personal stamp on the Lodge, nor seeking to make radical change.

Rather I come to the East looking to continue and support all that is wonderful and special about this place and this group of Masons.  I will help as each of you works to make Doric Lodge your own ideal Lodge, and I will call upon each and every one of you to put your own personal stamp on Doric Lodge.

Together we will continue all that is amazing about this Lodge, and we will amend that which seems amis.

But now, you’ve heard enough from me.

Thank you to all of our members and guests for being here today as we mark this occasion.  We truly do appreciate your presence, and we hope that you’ve enjoyed the day so far.

Let’s retire to the Library for fellowship.