​Disclaimer: the next section of this piece will utter and completely disregard that whole ...and you will make no innovations to the Craft… admonition. Consider this a fair warning.

​Technology is ever present in our modern society. Social connections, media consumption, banking, first dates, and even breakups are done partially (or wholly) in the digital space. Innovations in consumer technology have brought the world into your pocket and augmented/virtual reality are seen as the next logical step in the digital evolution. In fact, augmented reality (creating a digital overlay on the existing physical space) and virtual reality (creating an entirely new and immersive world regardless of the limits of your surroundings) have, in many ways, already arrived. This burgeoning new landscape has many applications: helping medical students perform “surgery” without the risk of human death or suffering, allowing military personnel to see the landscape of war zones before sending troops, and for the layperson: enjoying enhanced entertainment from the comfort of your own home.

​But what would this look like in a Masonic Lodge? Imagine walking into your Lodge room, putting on your collar, apron, breast jewel … and a virtual reality headset. The business of the night, a Master Mason degree. The candidate is prepared according to our ancient traditions, with one smaller variation, the same VR headset every brother has. As he enters the Lodge room, instead of the back of a hoodwink, he sees a desert scene. He doesn’t hear the sounds of chairs creaking or jewels dangling, but the sounds of the workmen with their operative tools… he would no longer be in a Lodge room, but in the clay grounds of the Temple of King Solomon!

Over the past year, I have had the great honor to serve as your Junior Grand Steward. Defined by the Code in one simple, vague line, the primary functions of the Grand Stewards are to serve the other Grand Lodge Officers and perform Grand Lodge functions similar to the Stewards in a Lodge.
 
This was a challenging adjustment at first. I went from being Grand Marshal, a position that performs chiefly ceremonial and very public duties, to being a Steward, a position that calls for a lot of inescapable behind-the-scenes and decidedly unglamorous grunt work. Soon enough, however, I remembered and appreciated that Masonry runs because of the grunt work. Masonry runs best when no one cares who gets the credit, but everyone cares that the work gets done.
 
This year as Grand Steward, I was once again afforded the opportunity (and was obliged) to continue travelling to the constituent Lodges. Unlike my duties as Grand Marshal last year, which necessarily focused on the Grand Visitations and amounted to a constant flurry of coordination with Masters and the Grand Master and nervous recitation of names and titles during dinner, this year as your Grand Steward, I was able to enjoy sitting and conversing with Brethren.
 
Early on, I resolved to make the most of the opportunity given to me by the jurisdiction to travel extensively and to engage as many Brethren as possible in one-on-one conversations. In doing so, my aim was not only to get to know as many Brothers as possible, but also to listen to different hopes, ideas, and ambitions for the future of our Fraternity in general and DC Masonry in particular. The exercise broadened my knowledge, enriched my appreciation, and energized me for the teamwork that will together build for us a bright and vibrant future for Masonry in the nation’s capital.  
 
Listening to so many of you during many great conversations throughout the year and at events such as the Universal Brotherhood Celebration and the Grand Lodge‘s Leadership Conference, I have been able to analyze what I heard.  Some common themes emerged. Simply put, the feedback takes the form of four “P”s:

1. Planning.
2. Programming.
3. Probing.
4. Practicing.  

Delving into the esoterics and mysteries of Masonry can be the topic of a program, but those topics are larger than that. The desire to understand our ritual, our history, and our philosophies attract many men to the Craft each year, and once raised continue to present them with questions that can require years of study. Delving into the mysticism of Masonry and probing for more Light is not only a charge of our Fraternity, it is one that is being acted upon. Look no further than the cognitive activities at the leadership conference, or the Lodges that have formed their character around research and esoterics, or the attendance at this year’s Quatuor Coronati Conference to understand that this is important to our membership. Probing our Fraternity and asking questions about our history, our ritual, our spirituality, and/or our belief structure is something that should continue to be fostered. I have heard of a hunger for it from Masons across generations and Lodges. And in truth, it is this aspect of Freemasonry that no other fraternal society or men’s organization can replicate and offer its members. It’s the essence of who we are and so we should always keep it as a focus of our deliberations and experience as Masons.       ​

​Finally, I have heard a lot of excitement around “practicing Masonry” this year, and that speaks directly to our desire for civic engagement. We are not satisfied to just learn from Masonry for self-improvement, we want to go out and make our communities better. We can see this by looking at the number of Lodges that have community service programs, that march in the Independence Day parades, that give their time and/or money to charity, and that helped to commemorate the laying of the Capitol cornerstone. We live in a city that holds civic engagement as a core belief, and it stands to reason that the Brothers in our jurisdiction do as well.
 
Of course, nothing is set in stone (a little Masonic humor?). I am by no means an expert after one year in the Grand Line, and this list is by no means exhaustive. If you would like to agree, disagree, or expand on anything, or if you have more ideas or passions, I invite you to email me at atager@dcgrandlodge.org
 
Thank you for the opportunity to listen and serve you over the past few years.
 
Fraternally,
Adam

​Glover Park Day is a special event for Singleton Lodge. A community celebration for the Glover Park Community it brings together people, businesses, non-profits, and fraternal organizations. For the Masons of Singleton Lodge #7 it plays an important part of our year because Charles Glover, the namesake of Glover Park, was our first Master.

Since 2010 when MW Br. Jeffrey D. Russell brought Glover Park Day to the attention of Singleton Lodge and asked them to spearhead running a CHIPS Booth the lodge has been actively engaging with this event.  As technology advanced, the need for running a CHIPS booth has pretty much disappeared.   But, the Singleton Community Service Committee brainstormed some different ideas about how to stay engaged with Glover Park Day. Br. Bailey Wood suggested, “What about a bouncy house? Or sno-cones?”  The lodge consulted with the Glover Park Day Organizing committee who was very positive of the idea. Price quotes were obtained and Worshipful Brother Dustin Rawlins (the Master at that time) greenlighted the idea.

Now on our fourth year in a row providing the sno-cones and bouncy house, it was not without some difficulty. Our original date in June saw one of the worst weather weekends in Washington, DC and forced a rain delay to September 15.  The week leading up to the rescheduled Glover Park day presented a unique challenge with Hurricane Florence, but after a flurry of emails and weather updates that would make Waffle House jealous, and a change in the storm track, we were set to go!

Glover Park Day proved to be another amazing success with over 750 sno-cones served to a whole variety of neighbors and over 200 children enjoying the bouncy house.  Special thanks to Br. Jeff Hawn, Br. Jason Lebowitz, W. Br. Amid Kasamani, Br. Andrew Uhlman, Mr. Norman Chao, and Mr. Chris Renneker.  Without their able assistance, we wouldn’t have been able to make so many kids smile.  

Parents too, were overjoyed at having a free treat for their children, as well as being able to remember their own childhoods. We also had brothers from Justice Columbia, Albert Pike, and a few alumnae from Rainbow, and Masonic spouses stop by and enjoy the day.  Former President Teddy Roosevelt from the Washington Nationals even stopped by!

We look forward to 2019 when we will be celebrating our 10th year of volunteering with Glover Park Day!

Welcome back, Brothers!
 
The legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, was known for inspiring his players to give their best effort and exceed expectations. As applicable in the board room as on the playing field, the great coach’s numerous axioms and precepts have become the stuff of motivational speeches and Successories posters across the country. There is one which I have come across somewhat frequently, but it’s not trite in the least: “Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.”
 
At the recently-concluded Grand Lodge leadership conference, our rising Masters, Wardens and Deacons received the instruction and inspiration that will help them prepare to take the helms of their respective lodges and build on the achievements of the current year to advance the proverbial ball down the field and score some goals. They are pumped and ready. Are you?
 
Half-time is over! After a well-deserved summer respite, we now begin the second half, entering the fall season and resuming our Masonic labors. Our calendars, already replete with meetings, degrees, socials, and other events, have booked us on a frenetic scramble through the autumn months to the end of the year. As you begin your own sprint to the goal line, I challenge each of you to reengage with a renewed energy and make every effort to finish what you and your lodge set out to accomplish this year.
 
As Coach Holtz teaches, let your talents determine what you do.  Keep yourself motivated and always maintain a positive attitude. Join with your brethren in working for and toward something greater than yourselves. That, my dear Brethren, is the key to not only winning the game but to securing for yourself true satisfaction and a meaningful reward for your labors. 
 
As always, I leave you with the words of our late brother, Albert Pike: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” 
 
Richard J. Bautista, Grand Master
​

​In 1811, the Grand Lodge was composed of fourteen officers. The first six: Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Wardens, Secretary, and Treasurer were elected to their respective office. The remaining eight – Grand Chaplain, Deacons, Marshal, Steward, Sword Bearer, Pursuivant, and Tyler – were chosen by collective ballot.
 
This process has changed considerably since 1822, as the Deacons and Stewards are now elected in the same manner as the other elected Grand Lodge Officers. The Grand Master now appoints a Marshall, Sword Bearer, Pursuivant and a host of other officer positions developed since 1811. The Office of the Grand Lecturer and Visitor was established in 1822 but was not filled until 1824.
 
Articles 5, 6, 13, and 14 of the original Constitution outlined who were considered active or honorary members of the Grand Lodge and their voting eligibility. Unlike today, the voting membership was composed of four blocks:

• Grand Lodge Officers, except for the Grand Tyler.
• Five Past Masters from each lodge. A past master was considered anyone who served as Master for at least six months.
• Past Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters, and Past Grand Wardens were entitled to one collective vote.
• Each lodge was also entitled to a collective vote of the Past Masters, except for those who had cast a vote in any other block. If a representative lodge did not have any Past Masters present, the remaining delegates of that lodge may cast the Past Master’s vote.

​Based on this arrangement, it is clear that the business and decisions of the Grand Lodge were determined effectively by its Officers and the Past Masters of constituent lodges. Pillar Officers of constituent lodges – which included newly made Masters, Wardens, and their proxies – were considered honorary and were not entitled to a vote. (Unless of course, if the officer was already a Past Master). This would be considered foreign now as the role of the Pillar Officers and Past Masters has changed; Pillar Officers are each entitled to vote and Past Masters receive a single collective vote. Thus, the Past Master had considerably more influence in early Grand Lodge affairs. Alternatively, the Grand Master could only appoint junior Grand Lodge officers under the consent of the Grand Lodge via a collective ballot. 

Several articles included penalties and fines levied against Grand Lodge Officers or constituent Lodges for inappropriate action. All fines were to be assessed at large during a proceeding. GLOs who missed a regular or special communication of the Grand Lodge, for example, were fined $5 ($100 today!); however, the fine could be waived by a vote of the Grand Lodge.
 
A constituent lodge could also be fined $5 if no representatives attended a stated or emergent communication, and a lodge could be further fined $5 if the Secretary failed to submit an annual return to the Grand Lodge by the November communication, or if an error was made in the return. The Grand Lodge was authorized to seize a lodge’s charter if it failed to submit annual returns for two years.
 
Each lodge was assessed dues annually based on two figures:

• $1 (or $21.50, in 2018) for each new member “made.”
• $.50 (or $10.77, in 2018) for each member on the lodge roll.

 
The per capita figure of $.50 in 1822, when adjusting for inflation in 2018, is very similar to the figure we have today $11-12. A lodge that did not paid their assessment was ineligible to vote in Grand Lodge.

​Article 11 and 12 provided broad descriptions of the duties of the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master respectively:

​The role of the Grand Master has evolved considerably from what was outlined in the first Constitution. The Grand Master’s primary function during a Grand Communication was to ensure the business of the Grand Lodge was conducted, and acted as mediator if necessary. No mention of his public duties were listed. While not officially codified in the 1822 printing, the Grand Lodge also authorized the Grand Master to appoint committees on grievance, accounts, and examination of visitors. Decisions around Masonic business were almost always determined by the Grand Lodge, and the process of reviewing a Grand Master’s decisions by a committee on Jurisprudence was not introduced until after 1822.
 
By 1861, Article 12 had become Article 6 and expanded the role of the Grand Master greatly. The Grand Master not only had the duty and authority to preside over all Grand Lodge communications, but was charged to also “see that the laws of the Order were duly obeyed and the duties of his officers faithfully performed.” Three additional sections were included that noted the Grand Master was vested “with power to grant Dispensations whenever he shall deem it expedient, for the formation of new Lodge.” And further, the Grand Master “has command of every officer of the Grand Lodge, and may call on any or all of them at any time for advice and assistance, on any business connected with the Craft.” (Section 3).

• ​While Article 9 focused primarily on annual returns, a sentence was included to cap the number of candidates who could be initiated in a constituent lodge, at any one meeting, to five. 
• A curious note was included in Article 10, which detailed the line of succession in the absence of Grand Lodge officers: if the Grand Master, Deputy GM, or the Grand Wardens were unavailable, then the Senior Officer of a Lodge shall preside. “In case there be two [Senior Officers] of the same grade; the officer of the Senior Lodge shall preside.“
• A list of six standing orders were included in the back of the Constitution pamphlet. Orders 1 and 3 are of particular interest as they authorized the practice of grand visitations and set the Grand Secretary’s salary, respectively.

 
Overtime the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge expanded into a large and, at times, complicated mess. New Grand Lodge positions were created, existing officers roles changed, new election processes adopted, and advances in technology brought up new questions around masonic jurisprudence.

​​By 1905, the Office of the Grand Secretary had accumulated such a high proportion of supporting documents around Masonic Jurisprudence that the Grand Secretary decided to print a comprehensive resource entitled the “Masonic Code of the District of Columbia.” The Code included the Constitution, the Ancient Landmarks and Charges, forms, ceremonies, standing resolutions, and even lectures by Past Grand Masters Benjamin B. French and George H. Walker on Masonic Jurisprudence. The Masonic Code has since been revised several times, with the most recent in 2016, under the supervision of RWB Dean Clatterbuck, PM of Potomac Lodge No. 5 and Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee.

A chronological history of this Lodge has been recounted on numerous occasions with periodic updates. That history is currently under edit to outline the significant markers of our 225-year history and will be shared again in the near feature.
 
Rather than just scroll through a calendar recounting of our recorded milestones, I would like to present a parallel history that more importantly identifies what may be considered the quintessential spirit of this Lodge and how it evolved in an Exemplification of Tenets of the Craft.
 
Our Federal Founding Fathers were brought together on a muddy plot of land on the banks of the tidal Potomac to build a new structure in the new capital city of a new nation. They immigrated with their working tools as well as a sworn commitment to Brotherly Love, Tolerance, and Respect.
 
These men were craftsmen of stone and the related arts, but they were of two drastically different backgrounds. One group was Irish Catholic, the other was Scots Presbyterian. In the profane circumstances of the day, the normal interaction between those two groups would be more likely marked by arguments, insults, and physical confrontation rooted in the conviction of each group’s own cultural and moral superiority.
 
But one single differentiator separated these men from others of their national and religious origins.  They were imbued with principles of Brotherly love, tolerance, and respect because they were beholden to the oaths and principles of Freemasonry. Based upon these cornerstones, these men came together to lend their crafts to give form to a new seat of government for a new People.
 
Having laid the cornerstone of the White House and undertaking its construction, these craftsmen organized as a chartered Lodge of Freemasons on September 12, 1793. Seven days later, they, with other Masons, accompanied President George Washington in the laying of the cornerstone of the United States Capitol.
 
For the next two decades, these Crafts’ Men gave form to the White House and the Capitol, the physical and iconic structures intended to house a government which was inspired by the principals of both the Enlightenment and Speculative Freemasonry.
 
In a literal sense, these Masons, exercising the tenets taught to them in a Mason’s Lodge, helped create the symbolic expression of our nation in Washington, DC. More importantly, by their laying down of cultural animosities and picking up their trowels to cement the bonds of Brotherhood, Federal’s Founding Fathers created the Quintessential Spirit of Federal Lodge No. 1.: Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Inclusion, Acceptance of Diversity, and the compelling desire to build within.
 
From those early years, and those beginnings, Federal built its history and in the process, led by example. In 1848, at a time when Native Americans were being removed from their land, killed and discriminated against, leading Cherokee Indian Chief William P Ross, received his degrees in Federal Lodge. The Brothers of Federal chose to look past the “red” skin of a man to find him deserving of being called Brother.
 
That tolerance and inclusiveness was repeated at the end of the 19th century. In a time when the government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Federal Lodge rose above official and public forms of prejudice against Asians to confer the degrees in 1896 to Brother Chung Mun-yew, Chief of the Chinese Delegation to the U.S. Government. Later, a number of other Chinese Brothers were conferred degrees in 1898, 1903, and 1908. The spirit of Federal continued in an undiminished state.
 
In the 20th century, Federal Lodge, along with the nation, was ensnared in a post-Civil War white elitism that gripped the country for more than a century. Our Capital city and Freemasonry in general was not spared from these pervasive attitudes.  After the explosion of the 1960’s riots and white flight to the suburbs, membership in the Craft declined precipitously, as did the fortunes of Federal Lodge. Through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, except for a few stalwart Brothers, little was done to maintain the fortunes of this Federal City and this Federal Lodge.
 
At last, nearly one hundred years after the raising of our Chinese Brethren, this Lodge conferred the degrees upon our first documented Black Brother in 1986. An occurrence that in retrospect would lead many today to ask: “What took so long”? But despite this progress, by 1990 this Lodge was nearing extinction.

​Then a Renaissance occurred. A handful of progressive DC Masons, some of which are here in this room tonight, made the commitment to assist Federal in rebuilding its membership and its vitality.
 
We began by drawing new members primarily from the gay community. At that time, this action was considered scandalous and controversial and was considered by many fellow masons as completely un-masonic. In this period, a critical mass was attained that allowed this Lodge to grow exponentially. Coincidental with our rebirth, the bicentennial of Old Federal was celebrated.
It was also at this time we celebrated the election of our first Black Worshipful Master, who also happened to be gay.  With these attainments the character of Federal Lodge’s tolerance, inclusiveness and diversity also experienced a Renaissance.
 
Thereafter, Federal reasserted its pre-eminence among the founding Lodges of our Grand Lodge, and the Lodge initiated substantial charitable events such as the Belmont Ball Series; which generated more than $100,000 for local charities.
 
Further, Federal Lodge committed to attaining perfection of Ritual and degree work, and we now inculcate among our new Brothers the venerable nature of this lodge that has had the good fortune of witnessing and influencing four centuries of American History.
 
In the generation since this renaissance, we have elected to the Craft men from various backgrounds, nationalities, religions, and lifestyles; creating an inclusive group of brothers who cherish tolerance and respect and love to be in joyful society with one another.
 
Today, the altar of Federal Lodge holds as many as five different Books of Sacred Law. Our Brothers are all colors of the Human Race, and not classified by colors. They represent all political views, they practice many professions of faith, and coexist while living and loving in both traditional and contemporary lifestyles.
 
Our Lodge took root during the creation of our Nation’s Capital itself. Our fortunes have risen and fallen in tandem with those of Washington, DC.  Our Cornerstone consists of the work created by Irish of one religion, and Scots of another. They also created the foundations of this beautiful Brotherly Temple that is known as Federal Lodge No.1.
 
Today, we celebrate the 225th anniversary of our heritage.  We honor the Brethren who have maintained and nurtured the Light of Freemasonry through their acts of Brotherly Love, Tolerance and Inclusion. We cherish our families and friends who are in this room or wherever they are dispersed.  We look forward, with optimism and eagerness, to our future and to the work that lies before us. As Brothers, we have much to do together in emulation of our Founding Fathers.

​We live in an interesting time in the history of Freemasonry. Over the course of the past 300 years, we have seen speculative Masonry grow, contract, and grow again. What seems to have fostered the growth periods, in my opinion, can be traced to at least two aspects of human nature, the desire to learn and the need to belong.

The desire to learn is defined within the Craft as seeking Light in Masonry. We all possess the curiosity to know the greater secrets that our existence holds. As discussed in an article I wrote in 2017, we seek to answer the three great questions: What am I? From where do I come? Where am I going? A look at the deeper meanings of the three degrees is only the starting point to greater study in an attempt to find answers to those questions. The answers will be different for each of us, and in many cases may never be found.

Along with the desire to learn, the need to belong is just as powerful of a motivator. Man was not created to be a solitary being. He must work together with others for the greater good, to share ideas and create possibilities. The greatest growth in Freemasonry has generally occurred after great upheaval, which in recent memory was the conclusion of World War II. During that war, men of all walks of life came together for a common goal. They became a team. They became brothers, not in the Masonic sense, but in a very real sense. After the war, as the soldiers returned home, there was a sense of loss, of abandonment. Freemasonry at that time provided a replacement for that camaraderie that was lost. We therefore saw great growth in our Craft in the post-World War II period.

So, what happened since? Social upheaval during the 1960’s and 1970’s; technological advances; and the birth of social media. There have been so many changes, and those changes have come at such a rapid pace, that lodges have been challenged in ways never before experienced to find a way to adapt to this new world where our youth interact more electronically than in person. In some cases, lodges who don’t adapt begin to fail.

But the two fundamental drivers listed above continue to attract men with a purpose. And that might not be an accident. Both motivators are buried deep in our subconscious, thus making their pull very powerful. The famous physiologist, Abraham Maslow recognized motivators like these in his famous 1954 work, Motivation and Personality, where he outlined a “hierarchy of needs” that organized and showed how he believed humans were motivated to strive for betterment. 

There will always be a desire to learn and to answer the deep questions of our existence, but the desire to belong perhaps takes a different shape these days, as many young men seek us to have meaningful “real world” relationships as opposed to their online ones. While that’s maybe not as strong of a motivator as there was immediately post-WWII, it is still significant.
​
Understanding these motivators and how the Lodge can help to facilitate a brother’s journey to fulfill them is vital to the health and happiness not just for that member, but the Lodge as a whole.  

Anyone who has read just a little of Carl H. Claudy's works cannot help but be charmed by the story told and the manner of expression. His Masonic classics, including his immortal Introduction to Freemasonry series, mingle with his non-Masonic work, such as his reporting for the New York Herald and his historically important photographs of early flight. He was a man of many interests and many talents.

Carl Harry Claudy was Born on Jan. 13th, 1879 in Washington, D.C. At age 19, he headed to the Alaskan gold fields, and when he found no gold after six months, he returned to the mainland and took up employment with an emery wheel manufacturer, although after several years, he left that job to move back to Washington, DC, where he became the editor of a popular science paper, a job he used to springboard into writing for a living.
​
Despite the lack of a formal education, Claudy loved to read and to write. In fact, his talent for writing was so great, the first story he ever wrote appeared in The Washington Post. Later, he freelanced for The New York Herald and Popular Science Magazine, eventually joining the former’s staff in 1908 with a special assignment covering the then infant aeronautical industry.

Claudy can personally lay claim to authorship of approximately 350 Short Talk Bulletin(s). In addition to the bulletins themselves, he wrote and distributed innumerable digests, special bulletins, and portfolios of a historical and factual nature – all designed to promote the Craft. One of his finest works of this kind is the Little Masonic Library, a collection of 20 pocket-size volumes by noted authors. 

​As Maser of Harmony Lodge No. 17 in 1932, W.Bro. Claudy took photographs of 152 the members of the lodge and super-imposed the negatives over the top of each other to create the photo “The Unknown Mason,” meant to symbolize all of Masonry as one man. As part of the project, MW Bro. Caludy also recorded a presentation explaining "The Unknown Mason" to the Brethren of Harmony Lodge No. 17. (The audio of which is below the following portrait of the Unknown Mason..)

​Brethren and Friends –

Happy Independence Day!  I hope you and your family are able to be together on this special and most American of holidays. While you are enjoying your cookouts, parades and fireworks, take a moment to reflect on what the holiday means, and who made it possible.

The 4th of July, 1776 was the day the Declaration of Independence from Britain was signed by American colonial leaders.  But it wasn’t simply a breakup letter. It laid out the fundamental ideas and philosophy that would become the cornerstone of one of the world’s most powerful democracies.

New ideas about the “rights of man,” like fair representation in government, the ability to own land, or the freedom to do business with whomever one chose were radical departures from a European history of monarchy where the King told his subjects what was good for them, and they obeyed (or were promptly arrested and sometimes executed). But the Declaration of Independence sought to end this injustice and empower the people of a new government to make their own choices and determine their own future by collective agreement. And most of that philosophy was cribbed from the enlightenment ideals espoused by a fraternity that began in no less of a place than London, itself – the Freemasons. 

In fact, several important leaders among our Founding Fathers were members of the fraternity. Illustrious men like Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and George Washington. As Freemasons, they were already accustomed to rule by consensus from the governance of their Lodges.  They believed in the equality of mankind, and that regardless of position, from Master of the Lodge or King to the newest Entered Apprentice or the lowest laborer, human beings were created as equal by God. They were ideals and a philosophy they would fight and die for, and through their sacrifice, we live in freedom today.

So, today we celebrate the birth of a nation, a nation that exists because of a philosophy of equality before God that was learned first in a Masonic Lodge.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Richard J. Bautista
Grand Master