Proceedings 212th 2009 Griff Jones - Grand Chapter State of New ...

a great pillar of our fraternity, namely our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Edward G.
Gilbert. As you already know our Grand Master has underdone coronary triple by-pass surgery
to relieve and correct the blocked arteries this past Wednesday. I am extremely pleased
to report to you that about an hour ago we received a phone call, via Grand Lodge, from
his wife Helen saying that he is doing very very well. He is up and teasing everybody that’s
visiting him, talking with them. He has a teddy bear collection and I guess those who have
been in the hospital and had this operation they give you a teddy bear to hold in your arms
so that you can cough because they have too. In the words of our Grand Master, please excuse
me, “he had this grand opening”. He is resting comfortably, he is recuperating and will
be out for awhile because they did have to break the sturdom. He wasn’t a candidate for the
other surgery where they go in through the ribs. So he is going to be recuperating for awhile.
“My Dear Companions and Friends: First I wish to thank everyone for their kind expressions
of concern and for your get well cards and greetings. They are overwhelming and
much appreciated.
Someone once said that Freemasonry is like having an extended family.Well, my Companion,
no truer words have ever been spoken. Travelling around this beautiful and diverse
Empire State as your Grand Master and meeting and embracing my fellow brothers and
companions on a face to face basis has been and continues to be one of the greatest perks
of this labor of love. I cannot tell you how moved I am by the trust and confidence you
have placed in me. I am simply awed and humbled by the enormity of this special charge
and stewardship which you have bestowed to my care.
Most of all I wish to commend our Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Griffith Jones
III, for his outstanding achievements and the leadership demonstrated during is tenure in office,
plus his guardianship of one of our precious jewels of Freemasonry, the Masonic Keystone,
the symbol and cement that supports and bonds Capitular Masonry together.
When reflecting upon our beloved fraternity multiplicity and its wealth of concordant
bodies, I am reminded of the story of a young man who booked passage on a cruise ship for
the first time. Standing on the deck and gazing off to the horizon the young gentleman was
awestruck by how beautiful, diversified and vivid the different colors of the ocean appeared.
Some areas where as turquoise, and others contained deep blue hues and yet others were almost
purple to slate gray. Wanting to preserve these observations about the ocean the young
man collected small amounts and samples of the ocean’s water and placed them in separate
clear viles to bring home with him. Upon arriving at home the young man gathered together
his friends and neighbors to show them the unique collection of water of many hues from
different parts of the ocean. It was not very long before several of his friends announced to
him that the different samples were all the same, clear, transparent and colorless. My Companions,
like the story I have just related to you, each member of this fraternity, whether we
wear purple and gold or red and gold or silver and blue, a top hat to a fes, or purer white
apron, each of us are members of the same body we call Freemasonry.We are all the same,
striving to be pure and spotless, emblematic of our first apron. We are all brother Masons,
standing upon the level.
We are gathered here at this annual convocation of the Grand Chapter whereby every
man seated here is different from every other man, different in ancestry, different in upbringing,
different in religious convictions, different in political viewpoints and allegiance,
different in livelihood, and different in station and standing within his respective community.
Yet, we meet here with one unifying purpose. We cherish the same hopes, the same
dreams and the same desires for Freemasonry. Within the walls of this building every man
is as good as his fellowman. Within this body of Freemasonry exists a pure democracy upon
which every man may vote his convictions without hinderance. There is none here so elevated
as would try to unduly influence your action. There is none here so mighty as would
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2009