200 Years and Still Cemented With Love
Brethren and Friends,
Earlier this year our Governor, The Honorable Phil Bryant, issued a proclamation making March 9, 2018 “Freemasons Day” in Mississippi. This was done in recognition of our Bicentennial Celebration which had been previously proclaimed. It was a distinct honor for me to be elected to be your Grand Master on that Historic Day. At my installation I was asked the following question “Do you promise, on the honor of a Mason, that in the office of Grand Master you will according to the best of your abilities, strictly comply with the Laws and Regulations of this Grand Lodge and all Ancient Masonic usages?” My answer to the Installing PGM was “I do”. At this time I reaffirm that answer to you, My Brethren and Friends, and further promise to you that I will give the utmost attention to the welfare of The Grand Lodge of Mississippi and all its appendant bodies in my term as Grand Master.
Two hundred years ago in Natchez Mississippi our Founding Fathers coined a phrase “Cemented With Love” which has been our hallmark since 1818. I have chosen to renew that call to unity and brotherhood by reaffirming that motto and adding “ 200 Years and Still Cemented with Love”. There are many kinds and types of cement. Some will be strong for a while and then will begin to crumble. Others will be strong and stand the ravages of time and the elements for thousands of years. The ancient “Collegium Artificium” or College of Architects in Rome, to which many of our brethren belonged, knew of mixtures of cement that would hold fast even when poured in water and be strong for many years. One example of this is at the ancient port of Joppa where our brethren off loaded the materials for the Temple in Jerusalem. I visited Joppa and looked at those sea walls still standing and strong after thousands of years. This is the kind of cement that was poured out upon Our State and the Grand Lodge of Mississippi in Natchez 200 years ago on July 27, 1818 with the founding of Our Grand Lodge. At this time I ask you celebrate and remember with me our common bonding as Friends and Brothers which began on that day.
This year in Natchez on July 27, 2018, the 200th Anniversary of that event, we will reenact that event through a dramatic presentation by the MS Lodge of Research. You are invited to attend, and you may purchase tickets to a Grand Banquet to be held in the evening. There will also be a fireworks display on the Mississippi River. I look forward to seeing you in Natchez.
Sincerely & Fraternally,
Thomas L. Cumberland
Grand Master, 2018
Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F∴ & A∴ M∴
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