| From the East |
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A New Beginning I would like to thank God almighty for this wonderful opportunity and for the 46 years that I have been a Mason. To be elected as Worshipful master of Wolcott Lodge No. 146 is listed as one of the greatest opportunities I have had to practice the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. I have been a student of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the many other great authors. I cling to his powerful affirmations:
nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm. I am grateful to those two courageous and fearless grand masters, Gail Smith and Louis Myrick. I hope that I can be the man and Mason to represent the founder Prince Hall and the many, many men and Masons that cause this historical occasion.
I believe the following comments from F. & A.M. the grand lodge freedom of information concerning freemasonry which certainly is appropriate: "Masonry as an organization is understanding and tolerant of all religious thoughts." It’s stated in our readings that we should assist the craft and that we should look out for our widows and orphans. This, with the help of the almighty and the members of our great lodge will be one of our first priorities. Grand Master George W. Crawford, a former Prince Hall Grand Master had the following credo: "I believe in God,
Grand Architect of the universe, the Alpha of the unreckoned yesterdays, the Omega of impenetrable tomorrows, the beginning and the ending.
I believe in Man, potentiality, God ’s other self: often faltering in his way upward, but irrepressive in the urge to scale the Spiritual Annapurna’s. I believe in freemasonry, the corporate adventure in Universal brotherhood, despising kinship with no child of the all-father. I believe in Prince Hall Masonry, a door of benevolence securely tilted against the unworthy, but open wide to men of good report, whether Aryan or Hottentots. I believe in Masonic Vows, the troths of true men plighted to their better selves
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