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From the Grand Eastrom the Grand East
F
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Alan T. Frohberg, Grand Masterlan T. Frohberg, Grand Master

My Brothers:

As you know, the duties of the Master of a Lodge are stated during the opening
and closing rituals at each Lodge meeting. e duties of the Lodge Master are two-
fold, and because our Montana Masonic ritual is the same for both the Lodges and
the Grand Lodge, the duties of the Grand Master are exactly the same. So as not to
violate my obligations, they are paraphrased as the following two responsibilities:
(1) to provide the Fraternity tasks to complete; and (2) to provide good guidance in
completing those tasks. I am deeply honored that my Brothers have entrusted me
with these responsibilities and it is my pleasure to serve you as Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Montana for the 2020 – 2021
Masonic Year.

Note, I said serve. I believe the underlying meaning of my stated duties is service
for the betterment of Masonry in Montana. I cannot accomplish this lo y goal,
however, without the input and assistance of my fellow Grand Lodge O cers.
Together, we are working to provide your Lodges advice for completing quality ritual; education about our
rules; guidance for promoting consistent practices; and aid for developing unique plans for success. We are
your Grand Lodge O cer Team and it is our privilege to work together to ful ll the Grand Master’s second
responsibility listed above.

So what about the Grand Master’s rst responsibility? What tasks should he assign?

As Grand Master, I want the Lodges to focus their attention on our fundamentals. e Lodges are already
given speci c tasks to complete through our ancient customs and also through our Constitution and Code. e
Lodges have two primary responsibilities: (1) make new Masons through quality degree work; and (2), keep
Brothers engaged and growing as Masons through education and involvement. ese two key tasks are the
directives from the Grand Master to the Lodges. Anything further would only detract from the Lodges’ need to
focus on these two requirements for their membership.

We are living in unprecedented times. Masonic activities in Montana were brought to a halt by a pandemic
and we are still bound to keep ourselves and others safe by wearing masks, implementing social distancing, and
practicing good hygiene. Our current conditions make completion of the Lodges’ responsibilities di cult, but
not impossible.

As Grand Master, I have not issued an edict to restrict Masonic activities. e previous restrictions ended at
the close of our Grand Lodge Communication in Billings on June 26. Since that time, we continue to witness a
society of mixed messages and the daily ups and downs of a tumultuous ride in America. We, as Masons, need
to de ne a path forward to make sure that the tenants of our Institution are conveyed to those good men who
are seeking the stability provided by our teachings.

I am surrounded by good men in this Fraternity. Smart men who can work together to come up with innovative
ways to complete their Lodge’s responsibilities to provide quality degree work, education, and involvement of
their membership. By taking necessary precautions, each Lodge can continue their labors to make new Masons
and grow their existing membership. at is why I believe that our path forward is to be led by the individual
Lodges.

ere are Lodges who have already devised strategies to make these things happen. Under the guidance
of good leadership, Lodges are planning to provide degree work with safety measures implemented. ere

Montana Freemason Page 4 Sept/Oct 2020 Volume 96 No. 5