A grand master's tribute to his immediate predecessor who died in office

Media

Part of The Cabletow

Title: A grand master's tribute to his immediate predecessor who died in office
Language: English
Year: 1957
Rights
Fulltext: A GRAND MASTER'S TRIBUTE TO HIS IMMEDIATE PREDECESSOR WHO DIED IN OFFICE WHAT WAS HIS CREED? “I do not know his creed, I only know That here below, he walked the common road And lifted many a load, lightened the task, Brightened the day for others toiling on a weary way: This, his only need; I do not know his creed. "What was his creed? I never heard him speak Of visions rapturous, of Alpine peaks, Of dcctrine, dogma, new or old; But this I know, he was forever bold To stand alone, to face the challenge of each day, To live the truth, so far as he could see — The truth that evermore makes free. "His Creed? I care not what his creed; Enough that never yielded he to greed; But served a brother in his daily need; Plucked many a thorn and planted many a flower, Glorified the service of each hour; Had faith in God, himself and fellowman. Perchance he never thought in terms of creed I only know, he lived a life in deed." Note: The above was quoted by M. W. David Rothstein, then Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, in submitting his Report as Acting Grand Master, eulogyzing M. W. J. Ferguson Irwin, his Grand Master and immediate predecessor who died in office. In featuring it in this number of The Cable Tow, we wish to extend our sympathies and condolences to the distinguished family of the late Most Worshipful J. Ferguson Irwin and to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba which he loved and labored so well "even if it meant personal sacrifice, drove him on and on until finally his body could no longer take the strain, and he was struck down with the illness that proved to be his fight.” — Chairman, Committee on Fraternal Correspondence. December. 1957 I’ngc 223