A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research #1949, A.F. & A.M.

Brethren~
The Grand Master, Most Worshipful William T. Ellison, Jr., an ardent supporter of Masonic education and research, is currently experiencing some health issues for which he is seeking treatment. Your thoughts and prayers on his behalf would be appreciated. Cards may be sent to his home at 1528 Tuckahoe Road, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980-5325. His personal representative to Masonic District 1A, Right Worshipful Robert G. Watkins, Jr., will honor us with his official visit this Saturday, March 31. I encourage your support for the GM and DDGM by attending this meeting.

Another visitor we’re having you may not expect: a lady named Ruth? –well sort of. One of our own members, WB Carl Weaver will be talking to us on the subject of “Masonry and the Biblical Book of Ruth”.

This lodge provides several services and opportunities that I would like all to remember and participate in this year:

Speaker’s Bureau – a directory of brethren able and willing to present a variety of programs. I would challenge you all to be a part of it- advertise it, prepare a talk for it, dare to speak in lodge, or in public, about a topic you made even already be an expert in.
The opportunity for research. Almost anything that isn’t ritual is education/research. Choose a topic you’re interested in (operative, speculative, historical, appendant – the possibilities are endless) and investigate it. If you do, both I and your fellow lodge brethren, want to hear the results of that research at a future lodge meeting. Research and present it – among friends and brothers
Although this body is a research lodge, ritual is such a vital part of Masonry, I would remind you all of the upcoming William Hiram Wood School on April 28 just across the hall from us in the South Lodge Room.

Finally, thank you so much for the honor of serving as your WM this year. With God’s and your help, it’ll be a great year!