It is first my pleasant duty to welcome you all to our annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting this afternoon and to thank you for your magnificent support of this very important occasion in our calendar.

As part of a new initiative by Grand Lodge, an invitation to Master Masons of Dorset to attend the next Quarterly Communication, on Wednesday 14th December, has been circulated to all Lodges by the Provincial Grand Secretary.  Brethren, please make sure that this invitation is well publicised in your Lodges and that MMs are encouraged to register their intention to attend with the ProvGSec at an early date.  Space is limited, so: first come - first served!

At the Annual Investiture of Grand Lodge in April, it pleased The MW The Grand Master to make two new appointments to Grand Rank in respect of Dorset Brethren.    WBro Richard Sartin (ProvGTreas) and WBro Dr. Severin Cardy (ProvGReg) were appointed Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies.   It has been my pleasure to re-appoint them in their respective Provincial Offices this afternoon as part of my ongoing team of senior and much valued Executive Officers.  I am sure that all of you will wish to join me in congratulating these two well known Brethren on their preferment - both locally and nationally.

To those others of you whom I have appointed to, and re-appointed or promoted in Provincial Grand Rank this afternoon - my congratulations!   You will all be well aware that your appointment not only rewards past service and achievement but also looks to you for additional industry and dedication to duty in the future.  I trust that you will enjoy your new standing and use your enhanced position in the Province of Dorset to further the best interests of your Brethren, your Lodges, and those of the Province whilst also - and importantly - offering guidance, instruction and encouragement to those in more junior positions.

Grand Ranks and Provincial Grand Ranks are not awarded lightly!  They are given only after great study, research and deliberation.  They should not, however, be taken out of context or too seriously by recipients - other than of course to consider themselves honoured by their appointment whilst, at the same time, being reminded of their ongoing duty to their Brethren and to their Lodges.

We hear in our regular ceremonies of Installation :-
"..... and, as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must of course learn, submit and obey. Humility in each is an essential qualification". 
Another passage, (from the 2nd degree), familiar to our ears might be
".... and although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, yet ought no eminence of situation make us forget that we are Brothers; for he who is placed on the lowest spoke of fortune’s wheel is equally entitled to our regard .... " etc. etc.

These words rest at the very centre of our Order and its culture.  They are fundamental to the organisation and conduct of our Lodges (as well as our Province) and to the happiness and harmony which should at all times characterise Freemasons.  They also have an important bearing on the recognised and very valuable initiatives of Recruitment, Refreshment and Retention of all our members which are so vital to their understanding, their own confidence and their consequent wider enjoyment of their membership.

Our Lodges must meet together at all times in harmony and concord.  Brethren, in whatever station, should be aware that their support, by regular attendance and participation, is vital to the future of their Lodges.  They should also be conscious of the needs of newer members to be welcomed warmly; made to feel of value; instructed in the intricacies of our Craft - where we came from;  who we are; where we are;  what we do;  where we are going;  what we stand for - and, particularly - WHY? 

There is so much for the new member to learn about the society he has joined, that a full and dedicated programme of encouragement and education should be laid before him - readily available in a clear, considerate, patient, sympathetic and Brotherly manner.

Those of us who are more experienced will already be aware that our enjoyment is enhanced by understanding and participation; - that encouragement and education, generously proffered by others, is such a valuable and vital part of the process.

More junior members should be welcomed into an atmosphere of unfettered harmony, enthusiasm and happiness - being immediately, but gently, made aware that "this is our way" - "this is our design" - "this is our purpose".  There is no value, in any worthwhile society, of disharmony, dissent, objection, division, argument or self-opinionation.

Matters of Lodge management, operation, procedure and interest should be dealt with carefully and correctly.  We have all been instructed, in the Charge After Initiation, that we should be expected to admit to, and act in accordance with, "a ready acquiescence in all votes and resolutions duly passed by a majority of the Brethren".

Those resolutions should be adopted with the highest regard for the principles of democratic agreement.  The voices and opinions of all members - (junior, as well as senior) - should be heard and taken into account.   No one individual or minority group should attempt to force its wishes upon others without due consideration of all views.  When all have been heard, and understood, a resolution should be voted upon and adopted amicably, in the best interests of the Lodge and all of its members.    In cases where agreement would appear to remain lacking, perhaps it would be more appropriate to preserve the status quo until further and later consideration of the matter is convenient, in an effort address the situation in a more satisfactory and democratic manner.

Only then can true democracy be seen to be served! 

Those Brethren who have, earlier, expressed their personal point of view, perhaps originally opposed to the eventual outcome, must then remain aware of their democratic duty to act in support of the majority by accepting the adopted resolution and affording it their full support, without pique or resentment, for the future benefit and harmony of the Lodge. 

We all wear, at the very centre of our regalia (and, regardless of any further decoration), a white square of lambskin.  This is the badge of a Mason! - "..... the badge of innocence and the bond of friendship", we are told!  That badge alone designates us all as Brothers; equal in importance to our Order - to its future as well as to its present!   Why then, should any individual be excluded from our highest regard and respect?  Why should his needs and opinions not be considered with great attention, concern and understanding?  Why should he not be assured and convinced that all decisions have been achieved in a correct and appropriate manner in accordance with the very principles for which we stand?

Every Lodge meeting should be conducted within, and according to, these vital principles at all times -  "to please each other, and unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness" as we say!   "...... to drop a tear of sympathy over the failings of a Brother; and to pour the healing balm of consolation into the bosom of the afflicted".....

If all of us take these tenets on board, observe them faithfully and conduct ourselves in our assemblies in strict conformity with them, we shall surely enhance the enthusiasm of all members to proffer their fullest loyalty and support to each other, and to their respective Lodges.  Only in this way can we be sure of the true comfort, contentment and satisfaction of our Brethren in their chosen pursuit of Masonic involvement.

I charge you this afternoon, Brethren, to leave this assembly; to return to your Lodges;  to examine your responsibilities and your faithful discharge of them.  Ensure that your attitudes to your Fellows are in line with our Grand Design and that your own enthusiasm and support leads others toward a greater practice of that harmony and happiness.

Support your Lodges faithfully.  Support your Worshipful Master and his Officers with dedication. Regularly, and readily, attend your Lodge when summoned and introduce visitors to your meetings with pride.  Populate your assemblies so that each occasion becomes a busy, happy and memorable event.  Ensure that the conduct and atmosphere of every meeting is such as to encourage every Brother present to be anxious to return for more at the first opportunity.  In this way will your Lodge progress, thrive and grow.  In this way, will all your Brethren - senior, and less so - gain the very best advantage from the widest enjoyment of their membership and, in turn, be encouraged to give of their best in the furtherance of the future well-being of your Lodge and of the Craft which we hold so dear.

Brethren, as we also hear in our ceremonies:- " may these principles and tenets be transmitted pure and unpolluted through this Lodge, from generation to generation"!

That is your task!  Go to work, Brethren, and see what a difference your individual effort can make!  Do not leave the matter to others, but take effective action yourself!

In conclusion:   To all our Distinguished Guests, thank you for adding to the success of our annual meeting by your generous support.  To you, and to all the Brethren present here today, I hope your trip has been both worthwhile and enjoyable and that you will all arrive back safely among your loved ones without mishap or delay.

I wish for each of you what you would in turn wish for yourselves, now, during the forthcoming Festive Season, and of course throughout 2012 - until we meet here again!


Richard Merritt,

Provincial Grand Master for Dorset

Thursday 27th October 2011