Page 91 - PGM Compendium

“Our Fraternity has survived and prospered in the past, more because of its workers than its
reformers, although we should always be open minded regarding improvements. Our goal should
be that future generations will characterize us as builders and not as caretakers. Our challenge as
Americans and Freemasons should be to do for those who follow us what has been done for us by
our progenitors. It would be a desecration of our heritage to allow the difficulties that face us —
which pale when compared to those faced by our ancestors — to produce a level of citizenship
that does not prosper the soul of our Fraternity. We can meet this challenge if those of us who
stand on platforms of leadership built by the intelligence, effort and sacrifice of our forebearers
and warmed by the applause earned by their dedication, remember who we are, where we came
from, what we were taught and what we promised to do.”
The Proceedings of the Annual Communication over which Most Worshipful Brother Warren J
Gilbert Jr presided will have recorded in minute detail all the events which took place; the numbers,
the resolutions acted upon, the reports of the various committees, the introduction of and speeches
by distinguished visitors. But they can in no way begin to express the spirit, goodwill and
dedication of the Grand Master. They will note statistically the visits he made to the Lodges of
Washington, but they will not say much about the warm feelings he left behind after those visits.
They will not mention the visits he made to patients in hospitals and nursing homes. They will not
comment upon the sincerity and warmth of his welcomes to visitors from other Jurisdictions at our
Grand Lodge Communication or his tact, consideration and kindness in governing the discussions
on resolutions at the business portion of the Annual Session.

Although these things will not be part of the written record, they will be imprinted upon the
memory of all who have had the privilege to associate with him. His unfailing good humor, his
sincere belief in charity as the greatest function of Masonry and his eloquence in proclaiming the
principles and ideals of the Fraternity mark him as a great Mason, a worthy successor to all the
great Grand Masters who have preceded him.