Proceedings 211th 2008 J. John Jones - Grand Chapter State of ...

tion for the ensuing three years. M. . .E. . . Trosin asked the Companions for their approval of
the following nominations for Directors: M. . .E. . . Edward R. Trosin, M. . .E. . . Walter J. Hilsenbeck
and R. . .E. . . Charles Antzelevitch to succeed themselves and Companion Manfred Liehs
to fill the unexpired term of M. . .E. . . Alan J. Morgan who resigned because he moved out of
the State. Nominations were made for the aforesaid Directors. Nominations were closed
and the Grand Secretary was asked to cast one ballot for their unanimous election.
The officers of the Foundation are:
President - Edward R. Trosin
Vice President - Walter J. Hilsenbeck
Treasurer - Aldo A. Ghirarduzzi
Secretary - James W. Hemstrought Jr.
The acting Grand High Priest declared the elections concluded and returned the gavel to the
Grand High Priest.
Grand High Priest Jones called on M. . .E. . . Lawrence Douglas, Grand High Priest of the
State of Vermont, to speak on behalf of the visiting Grand High Priests. Most Excellent
Grand High Priest, Most Worshipful Grand Master, distinguished East and Companions all:
Welcome. Again I thank you for your hospitality and your generosity. It is greatly appreciated.
You have a great organization going here and I have know doubt that the incoming
Grand High Priest will keep up your good work. Thank you very much. Grand High Priest
Jones presented M. . .E. . . Douglas with one of the DeWitt Clinton Commemorative Coins.
The Grand High Priest welcomed to the podium Most Worshipful Neal I. Bidnick, Grand
Master of Masons in the State of New York, for his remarks.
Grand Master’s Address
Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, my Brothers and
Companions all. Good Morning! I am sorry, it’s Good Afternoon. I must tell you its a pleasure
to be here this morning, this afternoon and this evening and the rest of the session. I want
to thank the Grand Chapter for inviting the Grand Line to be present and to participate with
you. I must tell you a quick story. About two weeks ago Independent Royal Arch Lodge honored
me by presenting in my honor a class of Royal Arch Masons who were taking their last
degree so they could become Royal Arch Companions. I want to thank the Grand High
Priest for allowing this to happen. It is interesting that as Grand Master you do not have to
do ritual per se, you have a great opportunity to sit and listen and observe the work of the
brothers who are performing that ritual. In Cryptic Masons a few months ago I had the privilege
of addressing the brother who took me through my degree there and commented on
the fact that the impression that he made that day has me believing that every brother should
become a Cryptic Mason so that they can understand the full story and allegory of what
free masonry is all about. Watching the degree the other day I watched some brothers who
had permission to do the degree according to their custom, but they did the entire degree and
they did it with all their hearts and soul. They were so proud to be able to bring these nine
Brothers to there final degree so they could be called Royal Arch Companions and they
made such an impression on us, who had come to visit, that we began again to confirm in
our minds that if ritual is to be done right, if all of our lessons are performed and our duties
and responsibilities are explained to our members properly we will have a fraternal organization
that will never disappear. Independent Royal Arch Lodge, for those of you that know
about this Lodge, is very interesting in our jurisdiction. It takes an average Brother to become
a member of that Lodge eighteen months. Between the period of time when you must
attend activities of the Lodge, and then seek out your petition and go thru a full three months
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2008