MAGLDLohnes
DONALD J. LOHNES
Deputy Grand Master, 1977
MEMORIAL
SPEECHES
FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1976
From Proceedings, Page 1976-412:
Most Worshipful Grand Master, Distinguished Guests and my Brethren all:
I stand before you tonight with a very deep feeling of humility and it is with that feeling that I have accepted the honor given me today. I thank you, Most Worshipful Sir, for the trust and confidence that you have placed in me and I promise you and this Grand Lodge that I will serve this office to the very best of my ability.
For the past 21 years Masonry has been a very important part of my life and I look forward to this next year to serve Masonry and my Brethren in this capacity.
As each one of us journeys through life we are constantly reminded of our duty and responsibility towards each other, as Masons to live and serve each other, to practice the tenets of our institution in our everyday lives, to live by the principles laid down in that great light in Freemasonry, the Holy Bible. As each one of us travels through our daily lives and practices the lessons that we have learned in that great Book, our Masonry, our Lodges, our Churches and our community will continue to grow and prosper.
I like the slogan that our Grand Master has just come up with for next year, "Thank you, Freemasonry". I think that each one of us here has a great deal to thank Freemasonry for, for through Freemasonry we have all learned how to live and what life is all about.
Now, Most Worshipful Sir, I speak on behalf of all your appointed Officers. We thank you for the opportunity and the privilege to serve you and to serve our Grand Lodge in the year ahead. We pledge ourselves to serve to the very best of our ability, to continue to practice the ideals and principles of Masonry in our everyday lives. To those of us who have been privileged to know you, we have a great love and respect for you as a man, a Mason and as a leader. We look forward to a great year with you and are proud and happy to be a part of your team for 1977.
For all of my Brethren, 1 wish for each one of you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, and may the Giver of all that is true and just, give unto each one of you faith, hope and trust, the wisdom to know and the work to do, and friends who will love you your whole life through. May the Giver of gifts give this to you. I thank you, my Brethren.
