Page 2 March 2009
Grand Master’s Message
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the President of the Metropolitan District Deputy Grand Masters’ Association and Host of this event, I thank you foryour kind introduction.I cannot fully express my gratitude to the exceptional teamwork demonstrated by the Chairman andCommitteemen of the Grand Lodge Convention Committee, for their untiring efforts in making this event coalesceinto the success that we enjoy this morning. Will the Members of the Convention Committee, please be upstanding.To all of the Committee, you are to be commended for a job well done. {Applause}Thank you especially to Right Worshipful Brothers Ronald Reid and Kenneth Wagner, our Grand Chaplains forleading us in Worship and Song on this the Lord’s Day.Saving the very best for last, I would like to take this moment to recognize three tables of extraordinary women,who without their support, wisdom, fortitude and beauty, most of the Dais would not be here today: Let meintroduce the Ladies of our Distinguished Guests, Grand Line Officers and Permanent Members.My Brothers, How do you greet them? {Applause}Good Morning one and all!I do not want to sound irreligious, especially on a Sunday morning, but Brother Grand Chaplain, “How do we knowthat
daylight time
wants to be saved?”As I look around this magnificent room, I cannot help but to notice the absence of two pillars of our fraternity,namely our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Edward G. Gilbert, and our first lady of Masonry, his wife Helen. Asmany already know, our Grand Master has recently undergone coronary by-pass surgery to relieve and correct ablocked artery. I am extremely pleased to report to you that I have spoken with the Grand Master and Helen last night. The surgery and Grand Opening was a big Thanks be to God! May the Great Architect continue to keepEdward and Helen Gilbert underHis protective care.
Our Grand Master has asked that in his absence I deliver to you this morning his message.
My Dear Brethren and Friends,First, I wish to thank everyone for their kind expressions of concern and for your get well cards andgreetings. They are overwhelming and very much appreciated. Someone once said that Freemasonry islike having an extended family. Well, my Brothers, no truer words have ever been spoken.Traveling around this beautiful and diverse Empire State as your Grand Master and meeting andembracing my fellow brothers on a face to face basis has been and continues to be one of the greatest perksof this labor of love. I cannot tell you how moved I am by the trust and confidence you have placed in me. Iam simply awed and humbled by the enormity of this special charge and stewardship, which you havebestowed to my care.In response, I have made a solemn pledge to each member of this my beloved fraternity – to each and everymember of the Craft, from the Past Grand Masters with all their gold and purple, to the newest candidatebeing brought to Light with his pure white Apron; I made a pledge to lead responsibly, to lead withintegrity, to lead with harmony, to Lead with Heart.It is my objective to build upon the foundations of this Great Cathedral that we call Freemasonry, byrallying the joint efforts of every Mason and Lodge within our Jurisdiction to join me and my Grand Line indoing their part to focus on the very basics of Masonry, which gave us our start and purpose. What arethose basics, you ask? They are as follows: Bringing men of good character into your Lodges and teachingthem how to improve themselves in Masonry. Learning and practicing the Masonic Ritual, both its esotericaspects as well as it allegorical teachings. Providing help, aid and assistance to your fellow members, theirfamilies, widows and orphans.My Grand Mastership is not a campaign of one, rather it is a movement of many. Each of us has anintegral
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