                       Warm Words of Welcome
              (For use by the Master--if he wishes)  


    The 1st section contains a small sample of broad based
general greetings; the 2nd segement includes several
representative examples of "warm" salutations which can be used
to welcome the Grand Master, the DDGM or other distinguished
Masonic visitors to the Lodge; while the last part is composed of
short paragraphs which can be modified as needed and woven into
the fabric of a welcoming address.

    The phrases should be tailored for the situation, the unique
personality of the Lodge and to suit the welcomer.  They must be
"practiced" in order to be conveyed smoothly.  The words are
flexible and timeless and can be equally effective (when
appropriately modified) to cordially and warmheartedly salute a
notable visitor at his seat on the sidelines.



1. GENERAL:


[ ]  The Wardens, Deacons and I greet you warmly.  We especially
     appreciate your enthusiastic turnout to be with our District
     Deputy on this his official visit to __________ Lodge.  We
     are delighted that you are here.

     It is my special privilege to welcome all our guests.  I ask
     that you each carry the fraternal greetings of ______ Lodge
     home with you.

     We hope that this evening will be both as profitable and
     enjoyable to you as it is to us.

                             ----0----

[ ]  Your Wardens and I are delighted to have you out with us
     this evening.  It is a wonderful experience to feel the
     bonds of brotherhood and spiritual fellowship uniting each
     of us to the other in Masonry.

     One who has heard the word "welcome" in this lodge can never
     again be counted a stranger.  Welcome is the keynote of
     hospitality.  It connotes open doors, friendly greetings,
     harmonious relationships, and sincere handclasps--All of
     these we extend to you and bid you welcome.

                             ----0----

[ ]  I would like to welcome our visitors into our midst, and,
     It's good to see you out tonight, Brethren.

     This communication was called for work in the Fellowcraft's
     Degree.

     The Degree you are about to witness encompasses some of the
     most profound teachings of our Fraternity.  It is
     gratifying, indeed, to have you join us in the study of
     these great Masonic truths.

                             ----0----

[ ]  It is my very pleasant task to welcome all our guests.

     Some bring with them the good wishes and Fraternal greetings
     of their respective Lodges; others bring the determination
     to spend an enjoyable evening with each other in the company
     of those Brethren who are their hosts.

     As to the first, we are greatful for their good wishes which
     are heartily reciprocated.  As for the second, we hope that
     in respect to enjoyment and spending a profitable evening no
     Brother will be disappointed.

                             ----0----

[ ]  One of the special pleasures of the Master is to greet all
     members and visitors to our Lodge for meetings.

     Each of your officers is pleased and greatful to those on
     the sideline who are so faithful to come, willing to serve,
     and encourage us to do our best.

     We wish you a hearty welcome and hope the coming year is
     kind and good to each of you.

     We have stepped over into a new Masonic Month, with it comes
     a new beginning and a hope to accomplish more than before.


                             ----0----

2. INDIVIDUALS:

DDGM:

RW ___________ and RW___________; You will please serve as a
committee to present the DDGM at the altar.       
                               ____

[ ]  Right Worshipful, I extend to you the cordial greetings of
     _____ Lodge and express our deep and sincere gratitude for
     your presence among us tonite.

     We rejoice whenever you are with us, or indeed any of the
     Lodges in the ____th District, for we are assured that these
     events do much to increase the unity of the Lodges in this
     area and link the Brethren together in closer harmony.

                             ----0----

[ ]  Greetings, Right Worshipful.  I'm pleased that you are with
     us this evening.

     Masonry being a progressive science;  Many pass from being
     raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason through the
     various offices and are elected and installed into the chair
     of King Solomon.  In due course a small number attain the
     highest personal honor a Lodge can bestow--By being
     recommended to the Grand Master to act as his personal
     representative.

     We appreciate the time and effort expended in our behalf.

     You will do us honor if you join me in the East.

                             ----0----

[ ]  Welcome aboard!  To you Right Worshipful we offer the strong
     right hand of friendship and Brotherly love.  

     We convey our good wishes for your health and strength to be
     maintained, so that your help and assistance may continue
     during your year in office and then for many years to come.

     Please join me in the East.

                             ----0----


[ ]  Good evening Right Worshipful.  Ex Wye Zee Lodge is
     privileged to have Past masters of your caliber, to act as
     the Grand Master's personal representative in northern /
     south eastern / the heart land of  Virginia.

     I consider it a personal stroke of good fortune to have you
     close aboard.  First, for guidance should I need it--more
     importantly that I might quietly copy and emulate the manner
     in which you conduct the business of Masonry.

     We note with pleasure that you have already taken positive
     steps to cement us into a strong team--In token, please
     accept this Trowel (or other small gift) as constant
     reminder of my personal appreciation.

                             ----0----


Worshipful Masters: 

Worshipful ____________ and Worshipful ______________;  Please
present the Worshipful Master(s) at the Altar.
                               ____
 
[ ]  It is a pleasure and an honor to greet you in this Lodge. 
     The term Worshipful is a great sign of respect.  You,
     Worshipful sirs and Brethren have truly earned the respect
     of each of us by your great devotion to your duties.

     Do me the further honor of continuing to the East, that I
     might welcome you with a strong handshake.
                             ----0----

[ ]  My Brethren, I am pleased to have you join us this evening.

     My mentor, Worshipful A____ B____ C____ admonished me to
     labor closely with you, as we worked our way through the
     Chairs in our various Lodges.

     He said; that by learning to work with you in routine
     matters early -- That later on, any crisis we might
     encounter would be handled with the same spirit of
     cooperation--and he was right.

     Please do me honor and come to the East.

                             ----0----


[ ]  Brethren, I am particularly pleased to have you join us this
     evening.

     By honoring our DDGM, you honor the Lodge, and by close
     association and reflected warmth you honor me.

     I am looking forward with anticipation to many more
     opportunities like this one during the year.  It is my
     ardent hope that the "Class of '87" makes the opportunity to
     visit with each other often.

     Do me further honor  by joining me in the East.

                             ----0----

3. More Specimens: (to be shaped and modified as you desire)


[ ]  It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to our Lodge.  We are
     delighted that you have seen fit to create this opportunity
     to visit with us.  May your hours among us be filled with
     pleasant fraternal intercourse.  Be pleased to approach the
     East.

[ ]  It is my great privilege to extend the warm fraternal
     greetings of the Brethren of this Lodge to you.  It is a
     pleasure and an honor to bid you welcome within the doors of
     our Lodge this evening.  May your stay in our midst be a
     pleasant one.  Please allow our committee to present you in
     the East.

                             ----0----

[ ]  We have looked forward to your visit with great anticipation
     and I assure you that it is a privilege to bid you welcome
     in our midst.  Your presence will bring us an inspiration to
     labor for better things in Freemasonry.  Be pleased to
     approach the East.

                             ----0----

[ ]  It is my pleasure to express our joy in the fact that you
     have come to visit our Lodge.  May you find in our midst the
     true spirit of Brotherly love and that warm friendship that
     should characterize every Masonic Lodge.  Will you permit
     the Committee to escort you to the East.


                              ---0---


[ ]  We bid you welcome to our Lodge.  As you stand before our
     sacred altar, may your presence here foster a genuine spirit
     of friendship and Brotherly love.  Be pleased to approach
     the East that we may welcome you with that ancient symbol of
     friendship, a warm handclasp.


                             ----0----


[ ]  In extending you a most hearty welcome, we are inspired by
     your presence and trust that together we will be better
     enabled to display our devotion to the time-honored
     principles of our great Order.  Please approach the East.

                             ----0----


[ ]  We greet you and extend a hearty welcome on the occasion of
     this, your official visit to our Lodge.  We hope that the
     warmth of our hospitality will make your visit an occasion
     long to be remembered.  We request that you approach the
     East.























  

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