Brethren,
With the hot temperatures, kids out of school and family travels, we cam feel the effect of summer, but nevertheless Herndon Lodge was still quite active. Thanks to the dedication of our Brothers, we succeeded in conducting two further initiations in July. My sincere appreciation goes to our hard-working team of Officers and Brothers. In addition, the announced “Bring a Friend Night” took place on July 26th, when attendees were treated to an excellent program prepared and presented by WB Rhey Solomon explaining what Freemasonry is about. A special thank you to Brother Rhey for his dedication and all he does for our Lodge.
We now have some very interesting programs planned for our meetings in August. At our first stated on August 5th we expect a visit from the Brothers of Ashburn-Sterling Lodge No. 288 for a program to be presented by their LEO, Brother John Meehan, PM. His program will be about Friendship and Charity, touching what is at the core of our Masonic values. Thereafter, for our stated meeting of August 19th, our guest speaker will be Brother Hector Mujica, from Henry Lodge No. 57, who will present a program about “Reason, Speculative Masonry and Nature” – certainly another thought-provoking subject. August will be another instructive and edifying month.
In line with our constructive theme this year, I want to share a thought about it, through this inspiring quote by Brother Joseph Fort Newton:
“When he can look out over the rivers, the hills and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage, which is the root of every virtue. When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic and as lonely as himself; and seeks to know, to forgive and to love his fellow man. When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea even in their sins – knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds. When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them and above all, how to keep friends with himself. When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life. When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response. When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things and see majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be. When he can look into a wayside puddle and sees something beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal and see something beyond sin. When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope. When he has kept faith with himself, with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song; glad to live, but not afraid to die! Such a man has found the only secret of Freemasonry….”
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Mauricio Carrasco, WM
