My Brothers:

First of all, there has been some chit-chat about whether there is a
Stated Communication in December.  The answer is YES.  We have balloting
on a petition, elections to finish, and a program postponed from
November, when the meeting ran long.  We have also a Called
Communication for Installation of Officers on Sunday, 15 December, at
4:00 pm.  Please endeavor to be at both of these; they are of extreme
importance to your Lodge.

Secondly, I would like to again thank Mrs. C. Macaulay Ward for her
services to the Lodge in composing and publishing this Trestle Board.
We would have been in dire straits without her help, which was rendered
under conditions that would daunt most of us.

This is my last message to you as Master of your Lodge.  It has been a
disappointing year.  Attendance has been poor despite my every effort to
provide interesting and enjoyable meetings.  We have had outstanding
speakers, festive boards, presentations, Wardens'/Secretaries'/Past
Masters' nights, and even original music, yet none of these have induced
most of you to attend YOUR lodge.  Nor has anyone come to me in the past
three years as I advanced to the East to say, "Let's do this in Lodge;
that would get a lot of Brothers involved."  If we are not doing what
you want at Dawson, speak up.  If you just aren't interested in Masonry
at all, why are you carrying a dues card?

Events have occurred this year that jeopardize the very existence of
Dawson Lodge.  Those who were present at the Grand Visitation heard the
Grand Master outline circumstances under which the Lodge might no longer
retain its charter.  Since that evening, other things have happened
whose repercussions continue, and whose consequences cannot be foreseen
at the time this is written.  The phrase "hanging by a thread" is no
exaggeration in describing the future of Dawson Lodge #16.  For those of
you who are life members of Dawson, I would point out that you ought to
be personally concerned, for the revocation of a Lodge's charter will
erase any such memberships.

It is too late to make any difference in my year as Master.  A new
Master will be installed on 15 December.  If he does not receive your
support in substantial measure this coming year, there probably will not
be any need to elect a Master for 1998.  That means:

* Half a dozen or more of you must contact Rabih Salame _at once_ and
  volunteer to serve as Deacons, Stewards, or whatever other officer's
  position he may need filled for the year.  This is a commitment of
  eight evenings for a year; longer if you prepare to advance.

* Others must determine to acquire ritual proficiency sufficient to
  confer the degrees of Craft Masonry.  We may anticipate being asked to
  demonstrate such ability of the Lodge sometime next year.

* Still others must serve on committees, as education officer, blood
  co-ordinator, instructor, etc.

This Lodge has about 83 members.  We cannot survive, as can a 400-member
Lodge, with 10% of them active.  We need 25% participation.  Twelve more
of you must become active and involved, a number of significance in
Masonry.  Take note and act thereon.

There are other DC Lodges in as much difficulty, but, for whatever
reason, attention of Grand Officers has been focussed on Dawson Lodge,
whether fairly or not.  We cannot help the other Lodges, but we _can_
solve our own problems.  There is _one year_ to do so.  Begin now.  Bro.
Salame's phone number appears on the front of this bulletin.  Call him
today and offer to serve.  If you do not, there is every likelihood that
one year from now, you will be petitioning some Lodge for membership as
an unaffiliated Mason.  This is your final wakeup call.

Fraternally and finally,

Roger M. Firestone, Master