Mason-2014-Winter-Rnd1

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Deputy Grand Master NY hosts international Wedding of Waters RW Jeffrey M. Williamson, Deputy Grand Master From September 25 through October 1 a committee of New York Brothers played host to the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International 69 th Triennial Convocation and the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International 45 th Triennial Assembly, which were headquartered in the City of Buffalo, NY. The gathering of over eighty Masonic Jurisdictions encompasses thirty countries and occurs every three years, hence, “Triennial.” The worldwide conference is traditionally conducted in the jurisdiction of the selected Grand Presiding Officer. For the last three years, our very own Most Excellent Edmund D. Harrison has served in the office of General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International. RW Harrison is a member of Independent Royal Arch Lodge 2 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the First Manhattan District. In over 200 years of its history RW Harrison is only the fifth New York Grand High Priest to have held this exalted position. The first General Grand High Priest from New York was Past Grand Master MW DeWitt Clinton. It is very unlikely that another New York Brother will serve in the exalted position of General Grand High Priest for many years to come. To celebrate and remember the unique bond between these two Masonic luminaries of the past and present, the Triennial Committee resolved to reenact the Wedding of the Waters Ceremony at the very site of the architectural ruins of the commercial slip which was the terminus of the Erie Canal. This ceremony originally took place over 190 years ago. In order to fully understand the historical significance of the event, let us first offer some background: From 1806-1819 MW DeWitt Clinton was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in the State of New York. In 1817 MW DeWitt Clinton became the Governor of New York until 1823.He was also General Grand High Priest from 1816-1826. While Governor he was largely responsible for the creation of the Erie Canal. He imagined a Canal from Buffalo to Albany, a distance of nearly 400 miles and in 1817 he persuaded state lawmakers to provide 700 million dollars for the construction of a canal 363 miles long and 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep. In 1825, when the Erie Canal was finished, Most Excellent General Grand High Priest DeWitt Clinton opened it, sailing in the packet boat Seneca Chief along the canal into Buffalo. After sailing from the mouth of Lake Erie to New York City, he emptied two casks of water from Lake Erie into New York Harbor, celebrating the first connection of waters from east to west in the ceremonial “Wedding of the Waters.” The Erie Canal played a big role in New York and made boomtowns out of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica and Schenectady. It made an immense contribution to the wealth and importance of New York City and New York State. trade throughout the nation by opening Eastern markets to Midwest farm products and encouraged western immigration. Clinton died at the age of fifty-nine and was interred in the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. * On a beautiful, sunny and warm September 28, 2014, almost 400 Freemasons and their ladies assembled at the Adams Mark Hotel and marched to the commercial slip of the Erie Canal to perform the solemn ceremony. In addition to a police escort, the throng was led by three Scottish bagpipers (our thanks go to RW Robert I. Praties and his team of musicians). The New York Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons led the way; next, ME Edmund D. Harrison escorted by RE Jeffrey M. Williamson, General Grand Captain of the Host; the General Grand Officers; next, MW William J. Thomas escorted by RW Christopher Hough, Jr. Grand Deacon; with the balance of the general delegation following. The three New York youth groups consisting of DeMolay, Rainbow and Triangle in full formal attire also joined in the parade, bringing up the back of the procession. When the delegation crossed the vintage footbridge, they were warmly met by United States Congressman Brian Higgins, who assisted in the ceremonies. RE Jeffrey M. Williamson acted as Master of Ceremony for the program and welcomed those in attendance. He next called upon RE and Reverend Mark Isaacs, General Grand Chaplain to open the Nevertheless, its impact went much further, as it increased ceremony by leading the prayer. 4 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE T–E–A–M: Together Everybody Achieves More WINTER 2014
ME Edmund D. Harrison next spoke and directed the New York Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons to present the barrel on a special carrier to the podium. The Grand Chaplain blessed the barrel and its contents. The water bearers and the General Grand High Priest, escorted by ME Piers Vaughan, Grand High Priest of the State of New York, solemnly processed to the apex of the footbridge, accompanied by a bagpiper. When in position, the ocean water from the barrel was poured into Lake Erie, to the thunderous applause of those present. comments and congratulatory remarks about the Triennial Celebration. Last to offer comments was Grand Master Williams J. Thomas, who also outlined the innumerable contributions of Most Worshipful DeWitt Clinton, especially as a proponent and advocate of the public school system. As we viewed the ruins and beheld the program unfolding, we could not help but realize the importance of the day and the valuable Masonic lessons being taught. Our Ritual often reminds us that despite the lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, the destruction of cultures and countries—as well as all the marvelous improvements that are underway in this modern era—some things have remained constant. Our love for each other as Brothers, and the mystic tie that binds us together—yesterday, today or into the future—Freemasonry still survives. s –––––––––– *Notes compiled by RW Gary L. Heinmiller, Director, Onondaga and Oswego Masonic Districts Historical Society The Honorable Brian Higgins offered encouraging THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE WINTER 2014 5
Page 1 and 2: WINTER 2014 International Wedding o
Page 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 63 / Numbe
Page 7 and 8: Senior Grand Warden RW Charles P. U
Page 9 and 10: Grand Treasurer RW Charles Catapano
Page 11 and 12: cruise to Bermuda (l-r) RW John P.
Page 13 and 14: Grand Chaplain’s Corner RW RONALD
Page 15 and 16: Masonic Care Community RW Rob Raffl
Page 17 and 18: Masonic Care Community victoria cat
Page 19 and 20: Masonic Care Community kathy contin
Page 21 and 22: Masonic Yacht Club supports Camp Tu
Page 23 and 24: Acacia Village cindy copperwheat, R
Page 25 and 26: Grand Master’s Family Day in Syra
Page 27 and 28: Committee on Youth RW Cary S. Cohn,
Page 29 and 30: Grand Lodge Educational Assistance
Page 31 and 32: RW John E. deMeurers, Sr, Chairman
Page 33 and 34: 6th annual Grand Secretary’s Golf
Page 35 and 36: Grand Lodge Publications Committee
Page 37 and 38: Announcing the Seventieth Annual Me
Page 39 and 40: 65 years continues Franklin George
Page 41 and 42: 55 years continues Collabergh-Radiu
Page 43 and 44: Huguenot Charles John Combs Charlie
Page 45 and 46: January 2015 10 Mardi Gras Charity
Page 47 and 48: YOUR GRAND LODGE IS PLEASED TO HONO

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