Our special thanks go out to Brother Chandy, who treated Dover Lodge last night with a comparative presentation on the Entered Apprentice Degree under the Grand Lodge of India and the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

Bro:. Chandy explains Masonic Protocol in India

Our evening began with dinner, when we were joined by several Brothers from Cleveland Lodge #781 who had joined us for the evening’s education. Discussion began as we enjoyed our meal together. Brother Masons who were born in India, Turkey, Egypt, Brazil, Belgium and the United States began to share their experiences in attending Lodges in some of these countries, as well as those who had been a part of degree conferrals in or from others (such as Scotland, England and Canada). Between the delicious food and the warmth of friendship, the Light of True Brotherhood began to shine.

After dinner we adjourned to the Lodge room, where Brother Chandy led us through an exhaustive and highly-engaging presentation. Items such as Masonic Protocol, Lodge Room Layout, Regalia, and Degree Conferral were compared and contrasted between Lodges in India and those in Ohio. As anticipated there were some interesting contrasts, but most remarkable was how universal our traditions and how truly alike we are. The Brethren in attendance were full of questions, and comparisons led to enlightenment for all involved even upon those things that we have long done but rarely questioned. Brother Chandy, with the help of the Brethren present, added more light into our great Fraternity. We are eternally grateful to all present, and especially to Brother Chandy for his Master’s Work.

Builders learning from a Fellow Master

Every third Thursday of the month (barring degree conferral) Dover Lodge conducts these “Builders’ Meetings”. They are an opportunity to join each other in a business-casual environment to focus on increasing Masonic knowledge. Sessions are open to all Master Masons, and frequently to Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts as subject matter permits. Won’t you consider joining us in the future?

A brief word from the Worshipful Master:

The men of Dover Lodge are indeed a hard-working band of Brothers. Many of us give so much of our time, our money and our devotion to what from the street seems like a plain building. But there is something bigger inside those walls: something that the world seeks but does not comprehend. I ran across an excerpt from an article by Worshipful Brother Shawn Eyer in the Fall 2011 Philalethes Journal that describes perfectly why we do what we do. Have a read, dear Brethren of Dover Lodge – I think you’ll see in these words the noble battle we’ve fought.

Curious reader, what are you seeking? Are you wondering what Freemasonry offers? Then YOU must make the first step.

We know that, today, a much larger percentage of our initiates come to us seeking indeed to ‘steer by a mystic star,’ to make a connection with something venerable and true, and – amid a culture that seems to be in a race to discover the most empty, superficial, and nihilistic manner of life known to human history – they come to us seeking to fathom something true, authentic, mysterious, transformative, and even sacred.

They most assuredly do NOT, as is sometimes claimed on thir behalf, seek a dumbed-down or diluted form of Freemasonry. So many other things in their world are already dumbed-down and diluted. They come to us instinctively seeking a change from that. Men who approach our temple today sense, viscerally, that Freemasonry can link them to a life beyond the empty careerism on the one hand and perpetual adolescence on the other that our society so urgently recommends them.”

Brethren, thanks to the Michigan Masonic Museum we at Dover Lodge proudly present a speech given by Brother Gerald Ford upon receipt of honors given by the Fraternity. Brother Ford was the 38th President of the United States of America.Our apologies for the audio quality, but given its age we believe you will find it relatively well preserved. Enjoy!

“When I think of the things right about America, I think of this Order.” – Brother Ford

Gerald Ford Masonic Speech [ 6:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download