GRAND MASTER'S URGENT APPEAL FOR HAITIAN RELIEF

Most Worshipful Edward G. Gilbert, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, has issued an urgent appeal to all Masons in the jurisdiction for all individual Brother Masons and Masonic Lodges to come to the aid of those who have been devastated by the disaster in Haiti. The Grand Master is requesting that tax deductible contributions be made in the form of checks to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund, Inc and marked "Special Haitian Relief Fund" and mailed to Masonic Brotherhood Fund, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010. These monies will be made available directly to provide and augment aid and assistance to those members of our Masonic family that hail within the Grand Orient d’Haiti that have been devastated by the earthquake and its collateral damage in the Caribbean.


The full text of the Grand Master's appeal follows:

January 20, 2010

My Dear Brethren and Friends,

This past decade has seen the world stage beset by a multitude of cataclysmic events caused by Nature and others far too frequently caused by the consequents and interventions of Mankind. The Masonic Fraternity has consistently and swiftly hastened to the calls of the needy and the distressed as is wont by our basic tenets and obligations. A code of belief that emanates from that enduring biblical verse, “and now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, these three: but the greatest of these is Charity.”

Today, we have barely set foot upon the path of a new decade; when Nature has tested our resolve by unleashing a devastating earthquake of monstrous proportions, which has rained havoc, destruction and ruin upon our fellow brothers and sisters of the human family in Haiti. We at the Grand Lodge of New York shall do our part toward answering the call of these distressed Masons and their families in providing a source of much needed help, support and comfort. Together, we will stand united with our fellow brethren in Haiti, providing them with brotherly love to cement and heal their current hardship, and to offer a beacon of hope to rebuild stronger bonds of friendship for a better tomorrow.

Heeding the call I have established a Special Haitian Relief Fund under the umbrella of the Masonic Brotherhood Fund, to provide and augment aid and assistance to those members of our Masonic family that hail within the Grand Orient d’Haiti that have been devastated by the earthquake and its collateral damage in the Caribbean.

In an effort to help supplement and thereby better enable our Grand Lodge to offer financial assistance, I am appealing to every Lodge to keep these unfortunate Brethren and their families paramount in your prayers and to give genuine consideration in supporting this Special Haitian Relief Fund. Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund earmarked for the Special Haitian Relief Fund and mailed to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund, 71 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010.

Brother James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United States, once said, “The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” Brethren, as members of our gentle Craft, I know that I can depend on each of you to lead with your heart, because you are truly a great brotherhood.

With kindest fraternal regards, I remain your friend and brother,

Edward G. Gilbert

Grand Master

Translation of the Processus Contra Templarios

The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library recently added a translation of the Processus Contra Templarios.

According to Director Tom Savini, "the single volume is slightly smaller in dimension than the volume included in the actual Processus, and it is surrounded by a leather 'dust jacket' similar in appearance to the leather binder included with the Processus. The translation is divided into two parts: the first translates the contents of the Processus from Latin into Italian; the second translates the contents into English. Each section is preceded by an abstract of all the facsimile documents. Each document is then transcribed in its entirety. Our translation is numbered the same as our copy of the Processus itself, 355/799, which indicates some thought and consideration on the part of the publisher."

Another excellent acquisition to this great Library's collection!

Back in Action

It's been a while since my last post - I have wanted to log on & comment on a few things here & there, but just didn't get around to it. I contemplated having the blog go "black" until the new year in memory of my father but that seemed like a cop out so I am back.

I have been busy Masonically with Scottish Rite, Royal Arch, Templar & Lodge activities. Last month, I received a "Blue Hat" - Dedicated Service Award from the Valley of Syracuse, AASR and was very pleased to have my wife - Marian, son - Conor, and my mother, Betty present for the presentation. Earlier this month, I attended the holiday party for Central City Commandery No. 25, Knights Templar along with members from my son's DeMolay Chapter, Trinity. I was very proud when Conor and his DeMolay Brother, Shontay presented "The Ceremony of Light" for the very first time. He seems to have a knack for Ritual work and also likes it. I was appointed the "Captain of the Host" for Charles H. Platt Chapter No. 247, Royal Arch Masons for the ensuing year so I have have alot of new Ritual to learn myself.

I have some Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library news to reveal in my next post so stay tuned...

My Dad

Every year has its highs & lows and this year has been no different. I experienced my lowest point on Thursday October 22nd when my Father, Edgar Powell, Jr. passed on after what seems like a long battle against bad lungs, heart & stomach problems.

My Dad was not a Mason. He was many things but I couldn't convince him to become my Brother. He was married for 53 years to my Mom, Betty (in photo) who looked after him religiously - no one could have ever asked for a more devoted wife. He was well loved in my home town of Brushton, NY (try to find it on a map of northern NY State) and he was active with the American Legion, Moira Volunteer Fire Department and almost any youth sporting organization that was to be found in our town. He liked to have fun, but his last few years didn't allow him to get out like he used to - he will be missed by everyone who knew him.

His "send off" was a tribute to him -- my wife described it in emails to family & friends:

We have just arrived home a few hours ago after what has been a very sad week.We did not have the luxury of cell phone or computer access up north, only in the hospital library and my only quick email on that morning was to my boss. Rick's parents live in a region that is not serviced by most modern day communication things.

Edgar passed away Thursday October 22nd at 5:10am. We were there and it was very peaceful, he died in his sleep. He was waked on Friday, and I can honestly tell you hundreds of people came for the two calling hours, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening.

Saturday was the funeral and the Fire Department led the procession to the church and then to the grave site with Edgar's uniform on the back and a black flag flying. Then there was the Rescue (Ambulance) Department who closed off all the roads for the procession to pass and saluted him and they were all decked out in their uniforms. Then there was the American Legion for Military Veterans who gave a twenty one gun salute and presented each grandchild with a spent shell and then presented Betty with a the flag that had draped the casket and the rest of the spent shells expertly wrapped in it and placed it in a display case which is now sitting on our mantel. This makes Rick happy.

Many, many people, both young and old thought the world of Edgar. He was very involved in the community as you can tell from my account. He will be dearly missed.

We have all been very upset about the loss of Edgar and we will all miss him very much. Conor took it the worse when the last call came from the Fire Department while at the grave site. The fire engine radio calls out Edgar's name and calls him for the last call and all the Fire Men were standing to attention. It was heart breaking. Such is the passing of a very good man in a small town and how he is honored.

Dad - you will be missed but never forgotten. Edgar Powell, Jr., 1932-2009

DeMolay

Yesterday (9/27/09) was a very big & emotional day for the Powell family - no we didn't finish reading "The Lost Symbol" (still plugging away - not what they would call great literature, but I am enjoying it) and it wasn't because the Jets won again (J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!). No yesterday afternoon, my son, Conor, was installed as the Master Councilor for Trinity Chapter, Order of DeMolay and following that Installation, DeMolay's Honory Legion of Honor was conferred upon me.

As I said, it was emotional. Not for Conor. Not for my wife, Marian. But for me...

Ok, I am sure that they had their moments but I am usually the very reserved one (much to the surprise of all my old college friends) at these things. But not today. Nope.

At the completion of the Legion of Honor ceremony, I was asked to say a few words. Not a problem, as a Past DDGM, AGL, etc., I have often spoken in front of large crowds. But something happened.

The applause from the crowd turned in to the DeMolay's version which I equate to almost a type of clapping chant. And I lost it.

I tried to thank Marian & Conor for all their support. For all the nights that I am away on Masonic business, for their understanding and their love. I wanted to thank MW Bruce Widger, a Past Grand Master for the State of New York, my Masonic Mentor & friend. I barely got any of it out when I was overcome with emotion. Yeah. That's right. I balled like a baby.

Afterward, the NY State Master Councilor, Andrew Roberts spoke and reminded us all that a reaction such as mine usually springs from very strong feelings. He is absolutely correct. In the Order of DeMolay, I have found an organization that I wish I had known about as a teen ager - I would have loved it as, I think, my own son does. In today's fast & loose society, it's still nice to see an organization that promotes such things as love of parents, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness and patriotism. It's nice to know that you can be a part of all these things and still be cool. And cool they are...

But these guys need Advisers. If you are a very active Freemason and even if you are not that active, these young men need you, your Lodge, your Scottish Rite Valley, your York Rite bodies to step up and support them. They need money, yes that always helps, but more importantly they need your involvement. Go find the nearest DeMolay Chapter and volunteer to be an Adviser - they always need rides to & from events, help at their meetings and they need new members so bring in your sons, grandsons and nephews. It will be the most rewarding thing you will ever do. It has been for me.

After I composed myself, I asked Trinity Chapter to stand. I told them "this award may have been for me, but it is all about you." And it is. DeMolay is a great organization and I am extremely honored & humbled to be a new Legionnaire, but it's not about us, it's about them. Those young men are our future. Think about that...