                                  PREFACE 
         

    Welcome to this the first Volume of the tansactions of A. Douglas 
    Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research No. 1949! 

    Formed in 1982 for the purpose of conducting, and presenting the 
    results of, Masonic research in the Northern Virginia area, the 
    Lodge has prospered in its relatively short life. 

    While many Masons participated in the formation of the Lodge (some 
    50 Masons signed the Request for a Dispensation, and over 100 
    signed the Petition for a Charter), prime among these were: M/W 
    Stewart W. Miner, PGM, now an Honorary Member of the Lodge and one 
    of its Trustees; R/W Werner H. (Bill) Morlock, then the District 
    Deputy Grand Master for the District in which the Lodge was formed, 
    its Senior Warden when the Charter was issued, second Master of the 
    Lodge, and now the Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of 
    Virginia; Wor. William A. Meyer, a Past Master of Springfield Lodge 
    No. 217 and first Master of the Lodge, who, regrettably, was called 
    to his Supreme Grand Master shortly into his term; R/W Clarence 
    Arthur Dains, PDDGM, a Past Master of John Blair Lodge No. 187, who 
    was instrumental in drawing up the By-Laws, preparing the Prayer 
    for Dispensation and other work; and Wor Arthur R. Wise, Sr., a 
    Past Master of Columbia Lodge No. 285 and Secretary of the Lodge 
    during its first six years. 

    The Organization Meeting of the Lodge was held at Mount Vernon 
    Lodge No. 219 on 4 December 1982; it was Instituted by M/W Lloyd U. 
    Jefferson, then the Grand Master, later Master of this Lodge, at 
    Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 on 18 December 1982; and it was 
    constituted on 30 April 1983, again by M/W Lloyd U. Jefferson, then 
    a Past Grand Master, at the request of M/W*William M. Johnson, then 
    the Grand Master, after favorable action by the Grand Lodge in 
    February, 1983.  The speed with which all this was done attests to 
    the skill and knowledge of those who were involved. 

    The Lodge now meets in the North Room of the George Washington 
    Masonic National Memorial on the fifth Saturdays of the year. 

    The Lodge was named for M/W Alfred Douglas Smith, Jr., a very 
    active and highly esteemed Mason, who served as Grand Master of 
    Masons in Virginia in 1949 - and hence the number of the Lodge.  
    M/W Brother Doug was in constant attendance at the Lodge until his 
    death in 1986 and conducted each Installation of its officers in 
    his own unique style - unchallenged by the Committee on Work!  He 
    was a constant inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. 

    This volume contains papers which were presented to the Lodge from 
    1982 through 1987.  Because M/W Brother Doug was so important to 
    the Lodge, this Volume commences with the Memorial adopted by the 
    Lodge on the occasion of his death, and is immediately followed by 
    Allen E. Roberts' paper on the life and times of Doug Smith - the 
    first paper presented in the Lodge, and actually delivered by M/W 
    Stew Miner in the absence of Allen - at the first Communication of 
    the Lodge under the Dispensation. 

    The remaining papers are presented generally in the order in which 
    presented to the Lodge.  These papers cover many and varied 
    subjects ranging from historical perspectives of the development of 
    Masonry locally, to esoteric matters of the Fraternity, some of its 
    early adherents, and coming up to comments on the most recent 
    attacks on the Craft which have surfaced during the current decade.  
    They represent an excellent cross-section of matters of current 
    interest to the Brotherhood and are as varied as the speakers 
    themselves.  In this regard, the Lodge has fulfilled to an unusual 
    degree the original intent of its founders. 

    It is regrettable that some presentations actually made are not 
    included.  This situation arises for various reasons.  First and 
    foremost, we probably should have published earlier, but that 
    situation cannot be helped now.  Secondly, some speakers did not 
    leave copies of their work, and in this instance the Lodge has been 
    perhaps negligent in not being more resolute in asserting the 
    absolute need for the speaker to file with the Secretary a copy of 
    his presentation.  Thirdly, by the time we did get under way, our 
    Secretary was taken ill and we have not been able to adequately 
    review what files he may have had which well may contain some of 
    the missing papers.  Finally, in one instance at least, the 
    presenter has since died and again we have been unable to locate a 
    copy of his remarks. 

    I feel certain that future volumes will include these early papers, 
    should they come to light, and certainly there has been no 
    intention by the Lodge to purposely exclude anyone. 

    One of the purposes of a Research Lodge, it seems to me, is not 
    only to publish material which is of interest to its members, and 
    the Fraternity at large, for their own edification and perhaps as a 
    stimulus to further research on various points, but also to provide 
    other Lodges with material which they may wish to present in their 
    own Lodges, either independently, using this Volume as a basis, or 
    perhaps by the author of one of the papers.  One of the great voids 
    in our Lodges is the very real absence of meaningful programs which 
    can be expected to whet the interest of the membership, improve 
    attendance, increase membership, and enhance the reputation of the 
    Craft in the world at large. 

    For these reasons, this Volume is purposely not copyrighted.  It is 
    the earnest hope of the Lodge that liberal use will be made of its 
    work in any manner deemed appropriate to promote the welfare of the 
    Craft. 

    I wish to acknowledge the work of two people, who, in obvious 
    addition to the authors themselves, have been instrumental in 
    bringing this Volume to fruition.  They are Wor G. William Miller, 
    a Past Master of Arlington Centennial Lodge No. 81, currently our 
    Senior Warden, who has undertaken the task of editing, and more 
    importantly printing, this Volume; and Kara Grindle, daughter of 
    the Grand Lecturer, and wife of a member of Elmer Timberman Lodge 
    No. 54, who undertook the majority of the typing. 

    For parts of this work that fall short of your expectations, your 
    Master accepts full responsibility, and for those parts which 
    fulfill your hopes and needs, the various authors deserve, far and 
    away, the credit and your praise. 
             
    Good reading! 

    RICHARD B. BALDWIN 
    Worshipful Master 

    14 June 1988 
    Burke, VA

