Difference between revisions of "GMMaxwell"

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(ANNIVERSARY OF PILGRIM MONUMENT, 1976)
(REMARKS AND ADDRESSES)
Line 84: Line 84:
  
 
"We now pour this mixture of the traditional corn of nourishment, the wine of concord and refreshment and oil, a symbol of union, harmony and love, at the foot of this monument. May corn, wine and oil, and all of the necessaries of life abound among men throughout the world. Muy the blessings of Almighty God be upon this people, and may the structure here erected remain a monument of beauty and strength and be preserved to the latest ages, a symbol of the liberality, the patriotism and the loyalty of the people for whose service it was erected and may we remember with respect and admiration the band of hardy and loyal men and women who had great courage and faith to establish what we now accept. May this monument long continue to be a beacon of light to all mankind for generations yet to be borne. A beacon of freedom with responsibility."
 
"We now pour this mixture of the traditional corn of nourishment, the wine of concord and refreshment and oil, a symbol of union, harmony and love, at the foot of this monument. May corn, wine and oil, and all of the necessaries of life abound among men throughout the world. Muy the blessings of Almighty God be upon this people, and may the structure here erected remain a monument of beauty and strength and be preserved to the latest ages, a symbol of the liberality, the patriotism and the loyalty of the people for whose service it was erected and may we remember with respect and admiration the band of hardy and loyal men and women who had great courage and faith to establish what we now accept. May this monument long continue to be a beacon of light to all mankind for generations yet to be borne. A beacon of freedom with responsibility."
 +
 +
=== 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Merrimack MERRIMACK] LODGE, 1977 ===
 +
 +
"It is especially fitting, as we join here to celebrate the one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Merrimack Merrimack] Lodge, that we think about the great heritage that we have received from those dedicated men who formed this Lodge.
 +
 +
"Masonry is fond of reviewing its history and recounting its antiquity, and it has been said that we cannot know where we are going until we understand where we have been.
 +
 +
"During the celebration of the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we heard, again and again, that phrase, ''pride in our past and faith in our future'', fn fact, that slogan is permanently affixed in the art glass window in the Scottish Rite Museum and Library at Lexington.
 +
 +
"The words flow so easily, that I sometimes wonder whether or not we truly appreciate their significance
 +
and_their meaning. Let us examine them more closely.
 +
 +
"We are all very familiar with the stories relating to [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMRevere Paul Revere] and his famous ride; John Hancock and his famous signature; George Washington and his great leadership as the commanding general of a truly 'make-shift' army, but there are others who should be honored and remembered with great pride for their contribution to our past.
 +
 +
"I think of Colonel and Major General Henry Knox who left Boston on November 16, 1775, traveling to New York City and then on to Fort Ticonderoga which had been caprured by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, and brought the captured cannons and ammunition overland into Boston by ox-team, traveling through woods and swamps in the cold of winter and arriving in Boston in time to have the cannons placed on Dorchester Heights, a formidable force against the British who were forced to flee the city and the harbor on March 17, 1776.
 +
 +
"We are all familiar with the Battle of Trenton and the familiar picture of Washington crossing the Delaware. What we may not have known is the fact that the boats for that famous crossing were manned by the amphibious regiment of General John Glover, a Charter Member of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Philanthropic Philanthropic] Lodge of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Washington was also supported at the Trenton battle by cannon under the
 +
leadership of Major General Henry Knox. Dr. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMJsWarren Joseph Warren], the then Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and an eminent physician in Boston, l,ed the troops at the Battle of Breeds Hill, commonly known as Bunker Hill.
 +
 +
"Many more Masons might be named as great patriots and contributors to our cause for independence,
 +
including a number of additional men from [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=StAndrew Saint Andrew's Lodge]. All of this gives us the opportunity to share in the great pride we have in the Masons and Nllasonry of the Revolutionary days.
 +
 +
"Our greatest task at the moment, it seems to me, is to instill in our sons and grandsons the faith that we should show toward the future. True, this is a difficult task in these days of dissension, demonstrations,
 +
crime, political turmoil and promises that are quite surely to be readily broken, and yet, we, as Masons, must lead and show the way to peace, tolerance, and brotherly love.
 +
 +
"In the past two years, Masons have fostered many programs to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Independence of this great country, and not for pure entertainment alone. But to endeavor to show to our
 +
members and their families that we have much to be proud about and much in which to hold a true faith for the future. Our future lies in what we make it. Too many people tell us of all the things that cannot be done. Listen as I relate a few examples.
 +
* In 1801, William Wilberforce, an English philanthropist, said, 'I dare not marry; the future is too unsettled.'
 +
* In 1806, William Pitt said, 'There is scarcely anything around us but ruin and despair.'
 +
* In 1849, Disraeli, the English stateman, said, ,"In industry, commerce and agriculture, there is no hope.'
 +
* In 1852, the Duke of Wellington said, 'I thank God I shall be spared f rom seeing the consummation of the ruin that is gathering around us.'
 +
* In 1865, during the Civil War, the records show that the draft riots in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore make pale, by comparison, any draft problem that we had during the last conscription or on our
 +
campuses.
 +
* In 1873, a Boston newspaper, six years before Bell perfected the telephone, reported that 'well informed
 +
people know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires as may be done with dots and dashes or the Morse Code, and were it possible to do, the thing would have no practical value.'
 +
* And in 1899, the ''Literary Digest'' predicted the failure of the the Horseless Carriage.
 +
 +
"I am certain we could continue for many more years to find such recorded ridiculous statements probably even up to yesterday and today. 
 +
 +
"When we think of our membership statistics' several states continue to show steady growth and we have many states that either stand still or slide backwards. Our future lies in what we make it. Let us face our civic responsibilities squarely and honestly. Let us establish closer communications between ourselves and our Lodges and endeavor to bring Grand Lodge closer to the individual Lodges. Let us review our education programs and endeavor to learn more about them, so that each Mason, however new in the Craft, may know the Masonic heritage that is his. Let us solve the inertia that is sapping the lifeblood of our Lodges. Let us ponder the question of motivation that each Mason may find the zeal, the enthusiasm and the dedication that is currently found in so few, but is so necessary in our Craft.
 +
 +
"Let us, therefore rededicate ourselves to the cause of Freemasonry so that many of our present members
 +
may be imbued with the spirit of Brotherhood and Fellowship which we can offer to them. Let us remember the past with great pride, and let us move on into the future with great faith in our country, its people and Freemasonry in all of its divisions.
  
 
=== CHARTERS GRANTED ===
 
=== CHARTERS GRANTED ===

Revision as of 16:19, 14 April 2011

STANLEY F. MAXWELL

StanleyMaxwell1977.jpg

Deputy Grand Master, 1964
Grand Master, 1975-1977


TERM

1975 1976 1977

NOTES

REMARKS AND ADDRESSES

DEDICATION OF JUNIPER HALL, 1975

From Proceedings, Page 1975-128, at the dedication of Juniper Hall, Charlton:

"How many pleasing considerations, my Brethren, attend the present interview. While in almost every other part of the world political animosities, contentions, and wars interrupt the progress of humanity and the cause of benevolence, it is our distinguished privilege, in this happy region of liberty and peace, to engage in the plans and to perfect the designs of individual and social happiness. While in other nations our Order is viewed by politicians with suspicion and by the ignorant with apprehension, in this country its members are too much respected, and its principles too well known, to make it the object of jealousy or mistrust. Our private assemblies are unmolested, and our public celebrations attract a more general approbation of the Fraternity, indeed, its importance, its credit, and, we trust, its usefulness, are advancing to a height unknown in any former age. The present occasion gives fresh evidence of the increasing affection of its friends; and this noble building, fitted up in a style of elegance and convenience, does honor to Masonry, at whose expense it is erected.

"We commend the zeal of our members and hope it will meet with the most ample recompense. May this edifice be the happy resort of piety, virtue, and benevolence; may it be protected from accident and long remain a monument of their attachment to Masonry; may the Fraternity continue to flourish and strengthen, with happiness to abound; and when we all shall be removed from the labors of the earthly Lodge, may we be admitted to the brotherhood of the perfect, in the building of God, the building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

ANNIVERSARY OF PILGRIM MONUMENT, 1976

From Proceedings, Page 1976-173, at the rededication of the Monument, Provincetown:

"On August 5, 1910, the monument was dedicated with the President of the United States, William H.Taft, present as well as Governor Eben S. Draper, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, President Charles W. Eliot of Harvard University and a host of visiting dignitaries, including the Provincetown Board of Selectmen and the Members of the Pilgrim Monument Association. In all, more than 3,000 witnessed the ceremonies. On this special occasion, a prayer was given by the Reverend James DeNormandie of Boston.

"As no great or important undertaking should ever be taken without the blessing of Deity, I have asked the Chaplain of King Hiram's Lodge, Brother Dominick DeMuro to read the prayer used at the original ceremony."

Brother DeMuro read the following:

"O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, in whose hands are the destinies of nations and the afiairs of men, and the issues of life, as we gather to dedicate this monument to those who hereabout helped to lay the foundations of this country, and laid them in Thy fear, and covenanted to walk together in helpfulness - we crave a blessing at Thy hands, Thou who are so full of blessings.

"We thank Thee that Thou hast put it into the hearts of their children to build this memorial to the labors and sufierings, the hopes and promises and the virtues of their fathers, and for those who see the earnest purpose of years this day fulfilled.

"Now that we have grown to be a nation so great and powerful, and prosperous and free, may we dedicate ourselves anew to those things which are the true greatness and glory of a land, not its size, nor its strength, nor its merchandise, nor the munitions of war, but its justice, its truth, its honor, its peace, its righteousness.

"May we, too, covenant to walk together in helpfulness.

"Bend with Thy gracious and protecting Providence over all these Thy servants who have been called by this people to places of trust, from the highest to the humblest officials, and make them faithful to their duties, without regard to the favor or the fear of man. Give them wisdom and guidance from Thyself. May there not be one to shrink from truth and honor or to stand indifferent to the higher things - the things that abide and are eternal. 'We thank Thee that we live at the end of so many years with their revelations of Thy will, and with all human experiences, and the memories of all the noble men and women who have walked in Thy ways, and that we live at the beginning of so many years with all their obligations and opportunities. Help us to pay the debt we owe to the past by the added inheritances of truth and virtue we bequeath to the future.

"As long as the heavens bend over the earth, and the hills stand firm, and the rivers rup 'into the sea, and the tides come and go may Thy Spirit rest graciously upon this land, and may there be more and more to follow the good examples of the departed and to labor for Thy Kingdom.

"We thank Thee that since the world began it has been growing better, and may one evil after another be removed from our midst, and unto Thee will we all pray together, as He who is to us the way, the truth, .the life, taught us to pray --

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen."

The Grand Master continued his address as follows:

"Today we are gathered to commemorate the memory of those 233 hardy souls who had reached these shores by 1623i 102 on the Mayflower; 35 on the Fortune; and about 96 on the Ann and Her Consort. Men, women and children who came to this land to obtain freedom; freedom of thought, freedom of the press, freedom of education and of worship. The love and great desire for these freedoms was not automatically won by landing on these shores. They too, had their dissenters and before landing in 1620, they formulated and signecl The Compact, setting up a government which did not derive its power from a sovereign or parent state, but rested on the consent of those to be governed and on manhood suffrage.

"Listen to the essential clauses:

"We, whose names are underwritten . . . having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and country, to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

"This represents responsibility from well thinking people.

"It is said of Columbus, that he set out not knowing where he was going, and when he got there, he didn't know where he was, and when he returned, he didn't know where he had been.

"The Pilgrims who came here from England and Holland probably did not know just where they were going, but it is certain that they very soon discovered where they were and were satisfied to stay here. The Pilgrims had many long days and long nights to struggle through before they could really establish homesites, but they had determination and a great faith in the everlasting God of their Fathers so that they could, through many sacrifices, establish themselves in a new land and have a sense of freedom. Freedom of worship, freedom of life and a freedom from tyranny.

"This monument, erected in 1907-1910 to commemorate the faith, the sufferings and the determination of a noble group of People will stand as a memorial to their courage for generations to come. But this freedom, which the Pilgrims sought, did not come to them without great responsibilities. They were responsible to each other for protection and security in a new land. They established what we today would call the American work ethic, that is, He who won't work won't eat. And how true that was in the 1620's, because if they didn't produce, they sure couldn't eat.

"In the mid 1700's, we faced in this nation another time when people were called upon to demonstrate their desire for freedom in several areas. Unfortunately, the rulers of England at the time felt that they would have to keep the new Americans under control by way of taxes. In spite of appeals that were made to King George the Third, and in spite of 'The Olive Branch Petition', which was transmitted to the King, appealing for an opportunity to reconcile the differences prevailing, the British endeavored to control the rebellion by the use of force.

"Men like Adams, Revere, Warren, Hancock, Washington and a host of other stalwarts had other ideas and here great responsibility again had to be shown. We have just about completed our celebration of the 'Declaration of Independence' but we have many other Bicentennial events yet to be celebrated, even as far distant as 1789 when George Washington was inaugurated as our First President.

"The freedom, resulting from the sacrifices of the founders of their Republic, came with a tremendous amount of responsibility. Following the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1782, a five-year depression, a period of disagreement, uncertainty and unbelievable economic problems truly shook the new Republic to its very roots and still our devoted servants, who had already sacrificed so much, were able to bring us together again as a loyal unit of government dedicated to serving the People.

"Since that time, many of us can remember World War I, the Great Depression of the 30's, World War II, several undeclared wars and several periods of economic and political difficulties. Today we stand on hallowed ground, testifying to the responsibilities shouldered by those who have gone on before. Today we should all rededicate ourselves to the fact that if we are to remain free, we must assume the responsibilities that will keep us free. Those responsibilities call for our involvement, as citizens, in decent and honest government. It calls for a greater awareness and concern for the welfare of our people, not for a handout, but for the tender care of those who need such care. It calls for honesty and respect for good laws that are made for our protection.

"The Masonic Fraternity, under whose auspices these ceremonies are held here today, is dedicated to works of charity and benevolence, as well as endeavoring to make good men better. It is not a religion, although it could certainly be classed as 'religious'. As an organization, we are not interested in politics, but as individuals we are much concerned, and as we approach November Znd, we urge each and every citizen to vote as their conscience may dictate, but accept the responsibility that is ours and vote.

"Freemasonry challenges no man's political creed, leaving that to his country and to himself! It does not interfere with any man's religious opinions, leaving that a matter between his God and his conscience, and yet, it does seek to impress by the most sublime and beautiful lessons, enforced by the most profound reasoning, the almighty power of truth, appealing to the highest and purest sentiments of the human soul for the enforcedrent of its principles. fgnorance, tyranny and fanaticism are the foes of Freemasonry. Liberty, equality and fraternity are its watch-words. Yes, freedom means responsibility. Will you assume your fair share in this and the coming years of our Bicentennial celebrations?

"We now pour this mixture of the traditional corn of nourishment, the wine of concord and refreshment and oil, a symbol of union, harmony and love, at the foot of this monument. May corn, wine and oil, and all of the necessaries of life abound among men throughout the world. Muy the blessings of Almighty God be upon this people, and may the structure here erected remain a monument of beauty and strength and be preserved to the latest ages, a symbol of the liberality, the patriotism and the loyalty of the people for whose service it was erected and may we remember with respect and admiration the band of hardy and loyal men and women who had great courage and faith to establish what we now accept. May this monument long continue to be a beacon of light to all mankind for generations yet to be borne. A beacon of freedom with responsibility."

175TH ANNIVERSARY OF MERRIMACK LODGE, 1977

"It is especially fitting, as we join here to celebrate the one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary of Merrimack Lodge, that we think about the great heritage that we have received from those dedicated men who formed this Lodge.

"Masonry is fond of reviewing its history and recounting its antiquity, and it has been said that we cannot know where we are going until we understand where we have been.

"During the celebration of the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we heard, again and again, that phrase, pride in our past and faith in our future, fn fact, that slogan is permanently affixed in the art glass window in the Scottish Rite Museum and Library at Lexington.

"The words flow so easily, that I sometimes wonder whether or not we truly appreciate their significance and_their meaning. Let us examine them more closely.

"We are all very familiar with the stories relating to Paul Revere and his famous ride; John Hancock and his famous signature; George Washington and his great leadership as the commanding general of a truly 'make-shift' army, but there are others who should be honored and remembered with great pride for their contribution to our past.

"I think of Colonel and Major General Henry Knox who left Boston on November 16, 1775, traveling to New York City and then on to Fort Ticonderoga which had been caprured by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, and brought the captured cannons and ammunition overland into Boston by ox-team, traveling through woods and swamps in the cold of winter and arriving in Boston in time to have the cannons placed on Dorchester Heights, a formidable force against the British who were forced to flee the city and the harbor on March 17, 1776.

"We are all familiar with the Battle of Trenton and the familiar picture of Washington crossing the Delaware. What we may not have known is the fact that the boats for that famous crossing were manned by the amphibious regiment of General John Glover, a Charter Member of Philanthropic Lodge of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Washington was also supported at the Trenton battle by cannon under the leadership of Major General Henry Knox. Dr. Joseph Warren, the then Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and an eminent physician in Boston, l,ed the troops at the Battle of Breeds Hill, commonly known as Bunker Hill.

"Many more Masons might be named as great patriots and contributors to our cause for independence, including a number of additional men from Saint Andrew's Lodge. All of this gives us the opportunity to share in the great pride we have in the Masons and Nllasonry of the Revolutionary days.

"Our greatest task at the moment, it seems to me, is to instill in our sons and grandsons the faith that we should show toward the future. True, this is a difficult task in these days of dissension, demonstrations, crime, political turmoil and promises that are quite surely to be readily broken, and yet, we, as Masons, must lead and show the way to peace, tolerance, and brotherly love.

"In the past two years, Masons have fostered many programs to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Independence of this great country, and not for pure entertainment alone. But to endeavor to show to our members and their families that we have much to be proud about and much in which to hold a true faith for the future. Our future lies in what we make it. Too many people tell us of all the things that cannot be done. Listen as I relate a few examples.

  • In 1801, William Wilberforce, an English philanthropist, said, 'I dare not marry; the future is too unsettled.'
  • In 1806, William Pitt said, 'There is scarcely anything around us but ruin and despair.'
  • In 1849, Disraeli, the English stateman, said, ,"In industry, commerce and agriculture, there is no hope.'
  • In 1852, the Duke of Wellington said, 'I thank God I shall be spared f rom seeing the consummation of the ruin that is gathering around us.'
  • In 1865, during the Civil War, the records show that the draft riots in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore make pale, by comparison, any draft problem that we had during the last conscription or on our

campuses.

  • In 1873, a Boston newspaper, six years before Bell perfected the telephone, reported that 'well informed

people know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires as may be done with dots and dashes or the Morse Code, and were it possible to do, the thing would have no practical value.'

  • And in 1899, the Literary Digest predicted the failure of the the Horseless Carriage.

"I am certain we could continue for many more years to find such recorded ridiculous statements probably even up to yesterday and today.

"When we think of our membership statistics' several states continue to show steady growth and we have many states that either stand still or slide backwards. Our future lies in what we make it. Let us face our civic responsibilities squarely and honestly. Let us establish closer communications between ourselves and our Lodges and endeavor to bring Grand Lodge closer to the individual Lodges. Let us review our education programs and endeavor to learn more about them, so that each Mason, however new in the Craft, may know the Masonic heritage that is his. Let us solve the inertia that is sapping the lifeblood of our Lodges. Let us ponder the question of motivation that each Mason may find the zeal, the enthusiasm and the dedication that is currently found in so few, but is so necessary in our Craft.

"Let us, therefore rededicate ourselves to the cause of Freemasonry so that many of our present members may be imbued with the spirit of Brotherhood and Fellowship which we can offer to them. Let us remember the past with great pride, and let us move on into the future with great faith in our country, its people and Freemasonry in all of its divisions.

CHARTERS GRANTED

RULINGS



Grand Masters