Dear Brother:

I hope the year 1999 finds you and your loved ones in good health. On behalf of the newly elected and appointed officers, I extent to you the best wishes for a prosperous and fruitful new year. We are hoping to see you at lodge this year as we start the "Seventieth Year" of Masonry in North Arlington. We are planning to do things a little different than usual but not unlike we have done in the past.

I was truly honored by the turn out at my installation. The number of the members of our lodge, visiting brethren, Right Worshipful's, guests and, of course, relative present that evening was a sight to see and I am sure that my officers were also impressed. We thank you all for your support. I am sincere when I say to you that I am happy to be the Worshipful Master of our lodge and that I will do the best that I can to keep your trust.

A part of my obligation, as Master, is to dispense Masonic Light. I will be doing so in the trestleboard on a monthly basis. I will also include a quote and some food for thought. I hope you find all this material interesting and enlightening.

As we start our "Seventieth Year" I have found "Objectives" for Freemasons. One objective is for us to "make good men better." To accomplish this we must practice brotherhood, morality, justice, tolerance, citizenship, education and freedom of ideas, of religious choice, and of expression.

"The worth of an individual in society" is another of our objectives. Worth is only achieved by the recognition of the corresponding responsibility which must accompany each privilege the individual enjoys. "Brotherly love," an elusive principle which Masonry tries to teach, is applied to the whole human race as one common family. This "family" was place upon earth to support, aid, and protect each other.

It has been written that, "Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance towards the wicked, help for the weak, trust in the strong, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another and, above all, reverence and love for God.

Freemasonry is many things, but most of all, "Freemasonry is a way of life."

Finally, a Fable. This is a story about four people, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

The morale of the story we are the four people. We are Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. You and I cannot do everything. We need each other, not to criticize what has been done, but to help in doing what must be done. By doing nothing and saying nothing, we become nothing. Please join me and my officers let's all be Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and not a Nobody.

Fraternally,

John Lacki Jr.
Worshipful Master